No.009 2010.02 
LEE Chung Yong
Nakamura Shunsuke has taken over Scotland and Europe; |
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February 20 th 2007, the Champions League first leg of the first match of the knock out round versus AC Milan ( Italy ). Shunsuke Nakamura and Birlo battle for the ball.
There is a Japanese football player who plays in Glasgow , Scotland . The Japan ese national team 's No.10 , Nakamura Shunsuke. Nakamura left Japan in the summer of 2002 to play three seasons with the Serie A club, Regina . He excited fans with his fantastic skills and his free kicks . After that , i n the summer of 2005 , he transferred to Celtic and the y won the league in his first season there .
The 2006-2007 season, his second year there, became a special one for Nakamura and Celtic. The team won two consecutive championships in the league and advanced to the final 16 in the Champions League for the first time ever. In addition, they also won the Scottish FA Cup; it was easily their best season ever. Nakamura played an active role in these results, scoring a lot and providing assists to his teammates, he was a key player in the team. After the season finished he was awarded a lot of personal accolades. It was a season in which Nakamura became a stand out player in his team and in the league.
For Nakamura, the biggest personal goal of the season was his first appearance in the Champions League. Before his second season a few European clubs had shown an interest but Celtic's place in the Champions League was his biggest reason for staying put. Playing on a stage he'd often yearned for was his heart's biggest desire.
He produced results on that stage right from the start. He scored from a free kick at Old Trafford in their first match against Manchester United, and against Copenhagen and Benfica he gave match winning performances. Following that, on November 21 st 2006, he made Celtic history during the home leg against Man Utd. He scored a free kick from a distance of almost 30 meters that secured a 1-0 Celtic victory.
“It was a long way out but I had confidence I could hit the target. The thing I'm most pleased about is that this means we qualify for the knock-out round of the tournament”.
With this win Celtic broke through to the next round with a game still in hand. Long after the match had finished, the chant of “Nakamura” could still be heard echoing around Celtic Park.
At this time, Celtic became the lone frontrunners in the national league. Their rivals, Rangers, were lagging behind. Hearts, due to internal problems, were also struggling. In league play Nakamura was fascinating the Scottish fans, getting his second ever hat trick against Dundee as well as a miraculous chip, the league's goal of the season.
Entering the New Year, 2007, Celtic were still out in front. Their sights were already set on their last 16, knock-out match against Milan ( Italy ). The home leg of the Milan tie ended 0-0 and the second match away at Milan also ended 0-0. This meant that the match went to extra time. Milan 's coach, Ancelotti had warned, “The biggest threat is Nakamura” so Nakamura was marked closely by Ambrogini and Janklovski, making it hard for him to play his natural game. In the end, Milan won the tie thanks to a skillful Kaka solo-effort. However, two 0-0 draws with Milan, who eventually went on to win the Champions League, was a big source of confidence for Nakamura.
“We lost, but both games (after 90 minutes) were 0-0. We can play at this level. Now I want to change my thinking and focus on the league again.”
The Champions League challenge was over and all that was left to decide was when the league championship would be clinched. But after the disappointment of losing to Milan in the Champions League, Celtic's performances started to deteriorate. Draws with inferior opponents and loses started to accumulate, the fans dissatisfaction began to grow.
Their April 22 nd match against Kilmarnock also seemed to be heading for another draw. During extra time in the second half the score was tied 1-1. Just as the supporters started preparing to leave and wait for the following away match, Nakamura was awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. Expectations swelled in the stadium but the coach, Strachan, could never have imagined such a dramatic goal would clinch the league title.
“I mean, that's going too far right? Scoring at that time. Naka has scored a lot of free kicks but I was thinking surely not this time. He still scored. He's a genius.” Thus the commander praised Nakamura.
April 29 th , Nakamura smiling with trophy in hand, at the league title celebration ceremony held after the Hearts game.
After slipping the free kick into the bottom left corner, Nakamura took off his shirt (rare for him) and swinging it around his head, jumped in amongst the Celtic fans behind the goal. According to him “it was a goal celebration I've always wanted to try”.
“I'm pleased to have clinched 2 straight league titles. Plus we made it to the last 16 of the Champions League, it was a good season. But we need to prepare for next season; it'll be harder for sure. I want to keep getting better as a team and to keep contributing.” said Nakamura, following the Kilmarnock match. Then later that night at the Player's Association award evening Nakamura was voted the MVP and his performances this season were officially recognized.
“I couldn't have won this award by myself. I want to give this award to my teammates, my coach and my family” said a black-suited Nakamura. Applause from his peers in all of the other teams rang out throughout the hall seemingly unendingly. The biggest glory attained in just his second year here. So it was that Nakamura closed the lid on his best season since coming to Europe.
Glasgow is now known as “the land of the rising Shunsuke” since in Europe, East Asia is “the land of the rising sun”. They seem to feel there is something mysterious about him. The performance of one Japanese man who has come half way around the earth from the Far East . Right now, he is not only gaining attention in Scotland but from throughout Europe.
Story: Toyofuku Shin
