Kyogo Furuhashi’s footballing mentor, Uchino Tomoaki, has been discussing the Celtic forward’s brilliant rise, which has led him to Parkhead.
Tomoaki may not be a name that is familiar to many in the sport within this country due to his work at the high school level of football in Japan.
However, whilst coaching at Kokoku High School, Tomoaki came across several talented players, including Kyogo, at the very beginning of his journey to becoming a footballer.
The football scene in Japan isn’t one that supporters in Europe, including at Celtic, have been very aware of. However, in recent times, we have seen players from the country arrive in Scotland and nations across the continent.
Last summer, Kyogo made the journey to the UK, joining Ange Postecoglou at Celtic after both had been plying their trade in Japan.
Before his move to Glasgow, though, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the 27-year-old, who had to work extremely hard to reach the level he has now.
Kyogo’s first opportunity in football didnt come until he was 22 when second-division side Gifu FC decided to take a chance on him in 2017.
In previous interviews, the Japan international has even stated he was ready to give up on football at that point before getting his chance during his final year at University.
Although the Celtic star was considering bringing his playing career to an end following a stuttering start to life in football, there was no doubt in the mind of Tomoaki that Kyogo would make it as a professional.
Speaking in a recent interview with the Japan FA ahead of Kyogo’s potential appearance at the World Cup, Tomoaki reflected on his early experiences of seeing the former Vissel Kobe man play and revealed that his words helped the Celtic striker reach where he is today.
He said [JFA]: “When he entered high school, he was about 162, 3cm tall, pale and thin. He wasn’t a standout player, but I remember him as being very speedy.
“In junior high school, he wore number 10 for Athpegas Ikoma FC but was not selected for the Nara prefectural training centre. He was a player who didn’t get recruited by any of the strong high schools in Osaka.
“When he took part in Kokoku High School’s practice, I thought his movement was unique, as he often found his way behind the defenders in the mini-games. In the 10-minute mini-game, there were a number of occasions when he could have scored if he had better passing and shooting skills, making him an interesting player.
“When I told him, “You have a way of getting behind the defenders that coaches can’t teach, and you have good speed. If you learn how to dribble and shoot at Kokoku High School, you’ll be unstoppable. With your speed, you could definitely go pro,” he immediately responded, “I will commit to Kokoku High School.”
Tomoaki continued: “From his first year, he was continually selected for the Kanto select team and even made the All-Japan University team, but there was a time when he was overly pampered by those around him.
“His university coach informed me that “Kyogo is not doing well. His strength lies in his ability to work hard, but he is not working hard at all,”
“So I went to watch his match. There I saw him repeatedly drop back in midfield to dish the ball and didn’t hustle back even when losing possession of the ball.
“After the game, I sent him an email of about 3,000 words that read, “I wanted you to become a player who could bring out the best in his teammates, but your best qualities are your grit and hard work.
“What do you have that endless endurance for? You are totally wasting your gift.” I was really happy when he mentioned in an interview he gave after he turned pro that “I was awakened by the words of coach Uchino.”
“I feel that he was destined to become professional. Although he was not recruited by any professional teams until December of his fourth year at university, he was invited to train with Gifu because his coach at Chuo University had connections with Mr OKI, who had just been appointed coach of Gifu at the time.
“And that was how he became a professional. Their paths may have been different, but he is now playing for the national team with his classmate Minamino Takumi (AS Monaco/played for Cerezo Osaka U-18 at the time), who was a standout player since his time at Kokoku High School.
“His former teammates may have expected him to become a professional but would have never expected him to reach that level. Not to mention playing for Celtic FC and playing against Real Madrid CF (Spain) in the UEFA Champions League.
“Now, looking back, he had the physical ability and character to play for the national team and on the European stage”
Kyogo now finds himself loving football and playing at the top level with Celtic.
Given that around just five years ago, Kyogo was considering leaving the sport altogether, the Celtic forward has made an incredible rise.
Now, he is a regularly capped international, playing at the top level in the UEFA Champions League and has been scoring goals for fun in the Hoops since his arrival last summer.
Kyogo has been an absolute revelation at Parkhead, not only becoming a key player for Postecoglou but also a fan’s favourite in the stands.
If the Bhoys want to achieve trophy success this campaign, then the Celtic number eight is going to be absolutely essential.
The Celtic star is already well off the mark with goals this season, and I am sure he isn’t quite finished just yet as he targets a strong month ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, taking place in November and December.
In other news, Neil Lennon highlights Champions League “stepping stone” for Postecoglou’s Celtic.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
