<figure id="attachment_371901" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-371901" style="width: 2788px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="9e64e2a0"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2024/05/d67f94179c525c510ddbd8f98a2c2804.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-371901" class="wp-caption-text">Matsuki supported the national team&#8217;s midfield throughout the tournament. While he showed flashes of brilliance, he also left some issues unresolved.</figcaption></figure>
<p> At the U-23 Asian Cup held in Doha, Qatar, Japan&#8217;s U-23 team qualified for the Paris Olympics and were crowned Asian champions.</p>
<p> Among the jubilant members of the national team, there was one player who looked back on the tournament without hesitation. Kusei Matsuki (Kuryu, 21), who had high expectations as a key player in the attacking lineup, failed to make a big impact. While most of the players in the interview area after the final against Uzbekistan expressed their unbridled joy, Matsuki reflected on the match without hesitation.</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> It was a very tough schedule, but I think it was a great achievement to win. I scored a goal in the first game at &#8230;&#8230;, but I couldn&#8217;t score in the remaining five games, so I hope to return to my team and face Paris with even more toughness.</span></p>
<p> With a calmness that one would not expect immediately after winning the championship, he reflected on the tournament and the challenges he faced.</p>
<p> Matsuki was born in April 2003, but only those born on or after January 1, 2001 were allowed to participate in the U-23 Asian Cup. Matsuki was born in April 2003, making him the third youngest of the 23 players in the tournament. He was selected as a starter for FC Tokyo&#8217;s 2010 season, the year he joined the club after graduating from high school, and immediately grabbed a regular spot in the starting lineup, attracting a lot of attention. He has continued to play an active role since then, and this season, in his third year as a professional player, he is captain of the team. He is not a brilliant player, but rather a player who contributes to the team with his strong, muddy play.</p>
<p> He played in all six matches at this year&#8217;s tournament, but played only one full game, against China in the first round, and scored only one goal. Although there was a rotation of members, he played four times in the starting lineup and twice in the middle of the lineup. In the quarterfinal against Qatar, he was replaced at halftime after receiving a yellow card in the first half. In the final, he had to leave the field early in the 62nd minute, as he was unable to get involved in the attack due to the strong pressure from the opponents. Despite the team&#8217;s success in qualifying for the Paris Olympics and winning the championship, Matsuki was not satisfied with the tournament as an individual player. It was natural for him to feel a little out of sorts.</p>
<p> Even in the dramatic final match, Matsuki could only watch the moment of victory from the bench. In fact, looking back on the match, he said, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know which way it would have gone,</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> In a game like this, it is important to score the first goal, and how we can solve problems when the opponent differs from our expectations,&#8221; he said.</span></p>
<p> He seemed to be reflecting on the fact that he could not get the game moving during his own time in the match.</p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" After the game, he revealed his true desire to move overseas."></div>
<p>His first goal is to be selected for the Paris Olympics. The Olympic team has a narrow gate of 18 members, which is a significant reduction from the 23 members for this year&#8217;s tournament. In addition, considering that three of the 18 players are likely to be overage players, the team will actually be competing for 15 spots.</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> I think it really shows the depth of the team that the players who were substituted (in the Uzbekistan match) are playing so well, and these players will be our rivals in Paris, so I want to respect them while being their rivals, and I want to further improve my own game. I want to respect them as rivals, and I also want to improve my own game.</span></p>
<p> Although they are teammates and friends now, they will become rivals in terms of the competition for membership. When asked how Matsuki plans to face these rivals, whom he must win against, he immediately replied, &#8220;Well, for the time being, I&#8217;m going to try to improve my performance as a result of my team&#8217;s results.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Well, for now, I think I have to achieve good results with my own team.</span></p>
<p> Matsuki is a player who has publicly announced his intention to challenge overseas since his high school days. When the author interviewed him about two and a half years ago during the U-19 national team&#8217;s overseas tour, he expressed his desire to go overseas and transfer to another country.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> I intend to move overseas at an early date. Every time I come to an overseas training camp like this, I get a lot of stimulation. They play soccer in a way that you can&#8217;t experience in Japan, and it makes me want to play overseas even more.</span></p>
<p> However, in his third year as a professional player, he has yet to make a move overseas. He once said, &#8220;I want to spread my name around the world. As Matsuki reflected on his current situation in the interview area, his impatience with his current situation was evident.</p>
<p> The Paris Olympics, to be held in Europe, where many prestigious clubs are located, will attract a great deal of attention from those involved. Former Japan captain Maya Yoshida (35), who attracted attention at the London Olympics, made the jump from Venlo in the Netherlands to Southampton in the Premier League. This is one opportunity Matsuki does not want to miss. There are numerous reports at the rumor level, but first he must concentrate on fighting for FC Tokyo, which will lead to his inclusion in the Olympic team and beyond.</p>
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 Miko Ryokai

 Kyodo News

 Japan's young national team won the U-23 Asian Cup in addition to qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Among them, 21-year-old Kusu Matsuki was a key player in the midfield. However, despite the team's success, the tournament left some issues for Matsuki.

Kusei Matsuki reveals his thoughts on his own lack of ability and overseas transfers

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