Got to have dinner with a former Japanese international soccer player.

Hi, guys.

There have been heaps of events to write on this blog, so I am now tracing the past to remind me. 

Today, I would like to write a blog post on the day when I got to meet and went for dinner with a former Japanese international(a former Kashiwa Reysol player in J-league), Kudo Masato, who currently plays for Vancouver WhiteCaps with a two years contract.

At first, I had been exploring the possibilities to invite him to my soccer academy in Vancouver or do a soccer event with him for the Japanese community in there. So I was also thinking how I could make contact with him in the first place and how I suggest an idea to interest him as he has a way more beautiful soccer career than I do.

And few days later, I happened to find a mutual friend on Facebook and asked him bridge between us. And he sweetly saw to it. That's how we got to know each other. 

Even though the season was still ongoing, he kindly made time for dinner with us. His personality and thoughtful behaviour at dinner were really impressive. And his phisique at first sight was a bit surprising as it was more robust and well-built than I expected. As a matter of course, he is in the race to secure his position as a striker, and he needs to show the difference from other local players as a visa player.

We were like interviewing him and bombarded him with so many questions, but he never made a face and honestly answered our questions. How gently he was!!

As a result, We couldn't arrange what I wanted to do for the kids with him as it was too soon to offer him, but the good news is that him and another Japanese player who played for New England revolutions in MLS this season, Daigo Kobayashi will be holding a soccer event in Vancouver in late November, apparently. It is a shame that I won't be able to get involved in it as a coach because I will be in Japan then. And I also forgot to take a photo with him at dinner!! GOSH!!

Anyway, I wish him a successful season next year and the event in November.

Keep in touch and meet him again for sure one day.

 

　ども。

　色々とあったイベント事を遡りながら書いています。今回は、バンクーバーホワイトキャップスでプレーしている元日本代表（元柏レイソル）の工藤壮人選手と食事をしたことについて。

　始まりは、私がバンクーバーでサッカースクールをしていたこと、そしてバンクーバーにある唯一のプロチームに日本人選手が所属していたことからで、私からなんとか教えている子どもたちに現役プロ選手と触れ合う機会を設けられないかと思い、連絡をどうにか取れる方法を探ることから始めました。たまたま共通の知人がFBを通じていたので、その彼に工藤選手を紹介してほしいとお願いしてから、実際に連絡が取れるようになり、帰る数週間前にようやく直接会って食事することに。工藤選手もシーズン中にも関わらず時間を作ってくれて、非常に好感を持てる選手でした。出会ったときの感想は、やはりプロの体つき、海外にきて激しい当たりをFWとして争う立場で、プロの体というのが服の上からもわかる程でしたね。

　食事中も話していることは、サッカー雑誌に出るようなインタビューみたいに質問攻めにしてしまい、それでも気さくに答えてくれていたのは印象的でした。きっと人としても素晴らしいのだと思います。

　結局、会えたのが私の帰国ギリギリだったので、サッカースクール開催には日数が足らずに実現しませんでしたが、私は残念ながら参加できませんが、今月の終わりに元大宮の小林大悟選手と共に、バンクーバーの日系コミュニティに向けてサッカースクールを開催するようです。

　本当に参加できないので残念ですし、彼と会ったときに写真を一緒に撮るのも忘れてしまったのも残念。笑

　また連絡を取っていればいつか再会できる日が来ると思うので、その時にまたお願いします。

　工藤選手、来シーズンのさらなる活躍と、貴重なプライベートの時間をありがとうございました。