Tadahiro Akiba (left) of Shimizu leads the team with passionate guidance at K’s Denki Stadium Mito on October 6, 2024. Photo by Naoya Tsunoda”/>
Director Tadahiro Akiba (left) of Shimizu leads the team with passionate guidance at K’s Denki Stadium Mito on October 6, 2024. Photo by Naoya Tsunoda
On the 27th, Shimizu S-Pulse, one of the “Original 10” who have been participating in the J-League since the beginning of the season, secured a top-two finish in J2 and decided to return to J1 next season. Led by coach Tadahiro Akiba, who puts his emotions to the forefront, this prestigious club boasts some of the most passionate players and supporters in Japan. The unbearable frustration of last season made the players stronger.
Last year, the J1 ticket he was supposed to have secured slipped through at the last minute. On December 2, 2023, Shimizu, who finished 4th in the season and advanced to the J1 promotion playoffs, faced Tokyo Verdy, who finished 3rd in the season, in the final. They led by one point until the 90th minute, but in the extra time of the second half, their opponents conceded a penalty kick and they were caught up, giving up promotion to Tokyo Vs, who were ahead of them in the league standings.
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If you look at the results alone, it looks like they are just one step away, but coach Akiba has calmly analyzed the areas where they were lacking. “To be honest last year, we were a little mentally weak and fragile. There were so many games where we fell apart.”
This season’s theme is “competitive strength.” The goal was to increase the amount of training and give 100% in daily practice to develop a strong body and strong mind.
The game against Mito on October 6th had the possibility of deciding on promotion. Despite being away from home, many supporters rushed in and painted the stands orange at K’s Denki Stadium Mito on October 6, 2024. Photo by Naoya Tsunoda
Director Akiba also has the face of an excellent motivator, as his speeches, which are peppered with famous quotes, are often talked about. In an interview after achieving a dramatic victory during his time as J2 Mito Hollyhock coach, he shouted, “This is FOOTBALL!” and his eyes watered.
Two days after Shimizu’s appointment as manager was announced in April 2023, before the kickoff of the first away game, he personally went behind the goal to send a message to the supporters. Director Akiba’s character as a compassionate, tearful, and hot-blooded man also helped strengthen the team’s mental strength, which was lacking.
The results were visible this season, especially in the critical period towards the end of the season when pressure and fatigue were evident. He scored the opening goal in four consecutive games, from the match against Tokushima Vortis on September 18th to the match against Mito on October 6th. However, the players’ spirits remained strong and they were able to come from behind to win or even tie the score. Coach Akiba expressed his confidence, saying, “He’s definitely become more patient, tough, and competitive. This is the biggest improvement since last year.”
Former Japan national team midfielder Takashi Inui, who plays the main role, describes the changes from last season as follows.
“The players who came on from the middle have turned on the switch and are doing their jobs well. They’re really helpful, and it feels like the whole team is working together. It’s different from last year.”
Their style of simply passing people and moving forward is a threat to their opponents throughout the entire 90 minutes, and as of October 20th, the end of the 35th round, their total score was 65, which is tops in the league.
Even though he sees himself playing in J1 for the first time since 2022, he is not excited. Their goal is to become the J2 champions, enter J1 next season, and create a sensation. Coach Akiba emphasized, “We want to make the best possible preparations for victory while being focused on winning at the very end, while also being conscious of the J1 competition ahead.”[Naoya Tsunoda]
