NEWS
Shinzo Koroki retirement ceremony
On the 8th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League match Albirex Niigata at Saitama Stadium, a retirement ceremony was held for Shinzo Koroki who announced that he would be retiring at the end of this season, and he gave a speech in front of the fans and supporters gathered at the stadium.
[Shinzo Koroki]
"It's cold (laughs).
Today marks the end of my career as an active player, Shinzo Koroki. I have met many coaches and friends, and have been supported by so many people that I have been able to play for 20 years. I am truly grateful. Thank you very much.
I would like to thank the coach Maciej Skorza for using me and Uga (Tomoya UGAJIN) in this important final match. I am very grateful.
Many people from Miyazaki have come to Saitama Stadium today. I was able to become a professional soccer player thanks to my friends from junior high and high school, and to you, the coach of the Hosho High School soccer team, Mr. Matsuzaki. And you taught me the joy of soccer. Thank you so much.
Mom, I'm a little embarrassed to express my gratitude to you in a setting like this, but let me say just one thing. I am truly blessed to have been born to you. I respect you from the bottom of my heart. From now on, please make time for yourself and work hard at your job. Also, please be healthy, take care of yourself, and live a long life. Thank you.
My father passed away five years ago. When I came to Urawa Reds from Kashima (Antlers), he was excited and said, "I'm going to appear on a TV show," and appeared on the TV show wearing a Kashima Antlers T-shirt (laughs). Although my father was a bit of a scatterbrain, he really loved the city of Urawa and Urawa Reds. If I could have one wish granted, I would have wanted him to see me on this big stage while he was still alive. He is probably drinking his favorite alcohol in heaven right now, burning this scene into his eyes. I think that one day I will go to that world too, and when that happens, let's talk about Urawa Reds while drinking our favorite alcohol. Thank you.
I would also like to thank all my partners, the manager, the coaching staff, the medical staff, and all the people involved with Urawa Reds, and all the staff, for the past 11 years.
I forgot the most important person. My wife Rika, who has been supporting me for the past 20 years. I was able to continue playing until now because of you. My wife is not interested in soccer, but one thing you said to me helped me grow so much. I am truly grateful. Thank you.
To my daughter Luna and son Rui, I won't be able to show you how to be a cool dad as a soccer player from now on, but as your dad, I will do my best to be a cool dad, so I hope you will continue to support me.
And to the players, this year has become a season where they are fighting to stay in the league. I believe that next year they will become a team that can compete for the championship. As a fan of Urawa Reds, I would like to support them. Thank you very much.
Taka (Takahiro Sekine), Genki, Uga, Shu-chan (Shusaku Nishikawa), I have been fighting with you all for many years at this club. I think there were more disappointing seasons than happy seasons during these 11 years. But the 11 years I spent with you all have become a real treasure to me. From now on, Uga and I will support you players with all our might. I hope you will win the J.League title that Uga and I were unable to achieve at this club. We are rooting for you.
Finally, I have three requests for all of our supporters.
The first reason is that we were not able to compete in the Emperor's Cup this year. The Emperor's Cup is a tournament that gives young players who have not had many opportunities up until now a great opportunity. Please keep in your mind that we have squandered that opportunity.
Of course, it is also the players' fault for playing a poor game. I think the supporters who caused the problem have probably been in Urawa longer than I have and loved Urawa Reds more than I do. I don't want to lose any more of those people. You supporters are heroes to me. Heroes have to be cool. I hope that from now on you will continue to support Urawa Reds with cool words and actions. Thank you.
Secondly, as I said before, this season has become a season of fighting for survival. I believe that next year we will be competing for the championship. I ask all supporters to believe in Urawa Reds and the players here, and to continue to cheer us on as they have done until now.
Lastly, thank you for your enthusiastic support for the past 11 years. At the time, it was said that coming to Urawa from Kashima was a forbidden transfer. I don't think any of the fans and supporters here would have accepted me coming. I received a lot of letters. Most of the letters said something like, "Don't let a guy like you come here." I came to Urawa Reds with a stronger feeling than anyone else, wanting to show those people my play. In my first year here, in the third round, in the Oita Trinita, you all made and sang a chant for me. I was really happy to think that you recognized me, even if only a little. Finally, could you let me hear your chant one more time, which you will probably never hear again?
(Fans and supporters chant for Koroki)
Thank you so much for the past 11 years!"
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
[Shinzo Koroki]
"It's cold (laughs).
Today marks the end of my career as an active player, Shinzo Koroki. I have met many coaches and friends, and have been supported by so many people that I have been able to play for 20 years. I am truly grateful. Thank you very much.
I would like to thank the coach Maciej Skorza for using me and Uga (Tomoya UGAJIN) in this important final match. I am very grateful.
Many people from Miyazaki have come to Saitama Stadium today. I was able to become a professional soccer player thanks to my friends from junior high and high school, and to you, the coach of the Hosho High School soccer team, Mr. Matsuzaki. And you taught me the joy of soccer. Thank you so much.
Mom, I'm a little embarrassed to express my gratitude to you in a setting like this, but let me say just one thing. I am truly blessed to have been born to you. I respect you from the bottom of my heart. From now on, please make time for yourself and work hard at your job. Also, please be healthy, take care of yourself, and live a long life. Thank you.
My father passed away five years ago. When I came to Urawa Reds from Kashima (Antlers), he was excited and said, "I'm going to appear on a TV show," and appeared on the TV show wearing a Kashima Antlers T-shirt (laughs). Although my father was a bit of a scatterbrain, he really loved the city of Urawa and Urawa Reds. If I could have one wish granted, I would have wanted him to see me on this big stage while he was still alive. He is probably drinking his favorite alcohol in heaven right now, burning this scene into his eyes. I think that one day I will go to that world too, and when that happens, let's talk about Urawa Reds while drinking our favorite alcohol. Thank you.
I would also like to thank all my partners, the manager, the coaching staff, the medical staff, and all the people involved with Urawa Reds, and all the staff, for the past 11 years.
I forgot the most important person. My wife Rika, who has been supporting me for the past 20 years. I was able to continue playing until now because of you. My wife is not interested in soccer, but one thing you said to me helped me grow so much. I am truly grateful. Thank you.
To my daughter Luna and son Rui, I won't be able to show you how to be a cool dad as a soccer player from now on, but as your dad, I will do my best to be a cool dad, so I hope you will continue to support me.
And to the players, this year has become a season where they are fighting to stay in the league. I believe that next year they will become a team that can compete for the championship. As a fan of Urawa Reds, I would like to support them. Thank you very much.
Taka (Takahiro Sekine), Genki, Uga, Shu-chan (Shusaku Nishikawa), I have been fighting with you all for many years at this club. I think there were more disappointing seasons than happy seasons during these 11 years. But the 11 years I spent with you all have become a real treasure to me. From now on, Uga and I will support you players with all our might. I hope you will win the J.League title that Uga and I were unable to achieve at this club. We are rooting for you.
Finally, I have three requests for all of our supporters.
The first reason is that we were not able to compete in the Emperor's Cup this year. The Emperor's Cup is a tournament that gives young players who have not had many opportunities up until now a great opportunity. Please keep in your mind that we have squandered that opportunity.
Of course, it is also the players' fault for playing a poor game. I think the supporters who caused the problem have probably been in Urawa longer than I have and loved Urawa Reds more than I do. I don't want to lose any more of those people. You supporters are heroes to me. Heroes have to be cool. I hope that from now on you will continue to support Urawa Reds with cool words and actions. Thank you.
Secondly, as I said before, this season has become a season of fighting for survival. I believe that next year we will be competing for the championship. I ask all supporters to believe in Urawa Reds and the players here, and to continue to cheer us on as they have done until now.
Lastly, thank you for your enthusiastic support for the past 11 years. At the time, it was said that coming to Urawa from Kashima was a forbidden transfer. I don't think any of the fans and supporters here would have accepted me coming. I received a lot of letters. Most of the letters said something like, "Don't let a guy like you come here." I came to Urawa Reds with a stronger feeling than anyone else, wanting to show those people my play. In my first year here, in the third round, in the Oita Trinita, you all made and sang a chant for me. I was really happy to think that you recognized me, even if only a little. Finally, could you let me hear your chant one more time, which you will probably never hear again?
(Fans and supporters chant for Koroki)
Thank you so much for the past 11 years!"
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
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