This will be a 3-part series covering the defensive, mid field, and forward and goalie positions. I open this series by taking a look at the back line of FC Ryukyu. I will provide a brief synopsis for any player that featured for FC Ryukyu this year, as well as my thoughts on who we should try to retain at the end of each section. With that in mind, let’s get started.
The Center Backs
Lee Yong-Jick: Lee was the preferred 1st choice CB for Higuchi all season as indicated by his 37 starts, and 1 substitute appearance. CB is not Yong-Jick’s natural position and I suppose that is why he was often out of position, in addition to making some ill-advised, ill-timed challenges that quickly led to the opposition breaking on net with numbers. Yong-Jick’s most memorable moment occurred during his first ever game for the club when he prevented a 2nd JEF UTD Chiba goal from a Taguchi turnover, by sprinting back to his own net and heading the shot away. Yong-Jick was also not much of weapon on set pieces despite his obvious height advantage. He scored 0 goals and provided 1 assist this year. I am not sure how the club is going to proceed with Lee in the offseason but I could see him returning for 2021.
Daisei Suzuki: Suzuki transferred to FC Ryukyu via a loan from Tokushima Vortis in the offseason but I believe that he joined on a permanent deal shortly after the season restart this summer. Suzuki appeared in 20 games while dealing with some injuries and drops in form. Make no mistake, Suzuki is a raw player and never really progressed in spite of all the playing time he received this year. Like Yong-Jick, he is prone to turnovers and mental mistakes. He does possess some aggressiveness and speed, but if he is to develop any further, he’ll need better coaching and probably some added muscle.
Tetsuya Chinen: Chinen is the fastest CB that FC Ryukyu have in the lineup. He is also the strongest, though a mid-season break with CV-19 took a bit out of him, which is to be expected. He is quick to close down players, can put in good challenges when called upon, and can score goals. His only knock is that he isn’t as tall as some of the other CBs in the league, but that can be overcome with his speed and technique. If I were to tip a player that should be in the starting 11 next year, it would be Chinen so look for him to improve on the 11 appearances he made in 2020.
Ryohei Okazaki: Okazaki only featured 5 times for FC Ryukyu this year but that was due to lengthy absences stemming from multiple injuries. We all should remember Okazaki from 2019 and a lot of those memories were not that good. But Higuchi has faith in this player, and seems to think he can one day develop into an integral part of the Ryukyu defense. Like Suzuki, Okazaki needs better coaching and technique to progress or he will become more of a liability, than asset, in defense.
Ryoji Fukui: Fukui is your prototypical Swiss Army Knife in that he can play all 4 defensive positions. He still possesses a bit of speed to close down attackers, when chasing them that is, but his tackling always makes you hold your breath as it borders on reckless. Luckily, Fukui came out on top this year as he wasn’t sent off, but he had a few close calls. Fukui turned 33 this year so I am not sure how much longer he is going to be around.
The Full Backs
Keita Tanaka: The hands down 2020 comeback player of the year for the club, Tanaka was arguably one of our best players. Tanaka played in 34 games, added 2 goals and 6 assists, but it was his switch to RB on Match Day 5 that stands out as his biggest contribution. Ryukyu had plenty of talent in the midfield and it was always going to prove difficult to shoehorn in all of them barring injury. This type of switch will not work for every player, but Tanaka has the temperament, skill, and tenacity that few others possess. He is extremely aggressive in the attack and in defense, has a great shot, and is an excellent passer. His partnership with Koya down the right really allowed Higuchi’s attacking style to flourish. Tanaka has been a stalwart at FC Ryukyu for many years and I hope to see him again in 2021.
Keigo Numata: Signed from Kanazawa in the offseason, Numata had the task of replacing Tokumoto at LB. Numata ended up playing in 39 games where he scored 3 goals, at least two were from headers, and provided 6 assists. There were a few times where it looked like Numata’s fitness let him down, but that is expected with an older player who played nearly every minute of every game. Maybe with a lighter fixture schedule in 2021, Numata will be a little fresher and offer slightly more, but that is anyone’s guess.
Yuya Torikai: Yuya was the starting RB to begin the season but was eventually usurped by Tanaka. Torikai rejoined FC Ryukyu in the 2019 summer transfer window and bolstered the side in the midst of several poor results. This year, he wasn’t nearly as valuable and has become expendable with Tanaka’s emergence at RB. At 32, with a decline in performance and the talent at RB on the current roster, we may see his departure.
Makito Uehara: The younger Uehara is the best young prospect in defense for FC Ryukyu, and possibly the team. Uehara featured in 15 games and scored a thunderous goal against Omiya. Like several players requiring better coaching, Makito is raw but has far more skills and traits then those of his defensive counterparts. He is tall for a fullback, and has a nice burst to add to his long-distance speed. I don’t think he is a true fullback, as we never saw the touch that someone like Tanaka and Numata possess. Uehara, as I’ve said all year, could be a phenomenal central defensive mid fielder that could handle many of the stronger CBs in J2. He is good at tackling, strong enough to win contested challenges, and could win aerial battles. It would be a shame to let his talents become wasted behind the much better fullbacks of Tanaka and Tavares, so a switch to CDM could really benefit him and the club.
Felipe Tavares: Signed from Brazil in the offseason, I though Tavares would push for a starting role. He did start the very first game of 2020, looked good in both the attack and defense, but then strangely disappeared from the lineup for well over 10 months. Thanks to Tanaka’s emergence as a crucial part to Higuchi’s attacking philosophy, I don’t think we’ll see Tavares making many starts outside of an occasional rest for Tanaka. I still think he needs to be rostered in 2021 as he can be an asset on set pieces, but he doesn’t not have the touch that Tanaka offers.
2021 Outlook
Keep: Tanaka, Numata, Chinen, Suzuki, Tavares, Uehara, and Yong-Jick. Yong-Jick never really figured out the CB role this year but he did stay healthy enough to play nearly every game. Maybe he’ll figure it out next year, but at age 30, it is unlikely. He, along with several other players, can probably be kept at relatively low wages, but that means we should be spending on some better defenders in the offseason. Tanaka and Numata are likely to open the season as our starting fullbacks with Tavares and Uehara as prospect players. We may one day see the partnership of Chinen and Suzuki at CB, but for now, they fall into the developmental category.
Let them Walk, or, Retain at low costs: Okazaki, Torikai and Fukui. Fukui offers limited upside but can play across multiple positions and fill in as injures mount. Torikai is likely to move on as he is well behind the other RBs currently rostered and 32 years of age. Okazaki has never developed into an effective CB and at 28, can be safely let go.
Gut Feeling: Despite the reduction in goals allowed from 2019 to 2020, defense is our top priority this offseason. The position can no longer be ignored for sake of attacking football. Yong-Jick, Okazaki, and Fukui will likely be retained as they are favorites of Higuchi. Suzuki, barring a return to Vortis, will also stay. FC Ryukyu have a strange way about them when it comes to foreign players so we could see the departure of Tavares for no reason. There seems little risk of losing Chinen, Uehara, and Numata, but any team could be keen to acquiring the services of Tanaka. His long standing history with the club may seem forgo any offers from other clubs.
That is it for our defenders. We will look at the midfield position in the second installment of this series, and hopefully I have that published before there are too many contract cancellations or renewals.
ryukyuarmy.com 