Japanese footballer Seiya Maekawa, currently playing as right-back for AZ Alkmaar, has emerged as one of the team's standout players, actively contributing to their recent success in the UEFA Europa League. During their knockout phase play-off against Galatasaray, Maekawa scored the opening goal, helping his team to maintain their edge after securing a 4-1 advantage from the first leg.
After securing their qualification to the Round of 16 with the aggregate score of 5-1, Maekawa reflected on the challenges of playing away from home, stating, "It was such an away-heavy match. When we had the ball, there was booing coming from everywhere around us." The atmosphere was electric, with fervent Galatasaray fans pushing their team to make significant plays.
Maekawa's goal came at a pivotal moment during the match, and it appeared to dampen the enthusiasm of the home crowd. He noted, "After scoring just before halftime, I felt the pressure lifted off us, and we capitalized on the errors of our opponents as their fans grew increasingly frustrated." This victory is reinforcement not only of AZ’s position but also of Maekawa’s growing stature within the squad.
Previously, Maekawa had expressed the differences between playing abroad and the League practices back home, emphasizing the adjustments he had to make when he first arrived. He explained, "When I started playing here, I struggled with match preparations. Japanese teams typically don't practice much between consecutive games, but here we continue with intensive sessions even when the schedule is tight."
During the week leading to the Galatasaray match, the travel and adaptation posed additional challenges, particularly with the time difference and rigorous training. He pointed out how traveling to Istanbul involves long hours of transit, adding to the strain on players who engage frequently with high-intensity matches. "Flying from Schiphol Airport to Istanbul takes about four hours, and incorporating bus rides takes even longer. The two-hour time difference also adds up," he said.
Maintaining performance, especially when they play in quick succession, requires additional effort. Maekawa noted, "While I felt some fatigue after our return, we attempted to tackle our tactics yet were careful not to overexert ourselves due to our earlier match stamina loss." Despite the challenges, he relayed optimism about managing the workload effectively over time.
The weekend following their Europa League triumph, Maekawa contributed again during AZ's match against Fortuna Sittard, where he assisted the only goal, leading to a 1-0 victory. This performance not only showcased his development since joining the Dutch League but also his adaptation to high-stakes games. Accolades continue to come his way, as local media recognized him among the Week’s Best Eleven for his impactful contributions.
AZ Alkmaar has now achieved four consecutive victories in the league, climbing to fifth place, equaling points with the third-place Feyenoord, who are aiming for Champions League qualification. His rapid rise reflects on his strong integration and tactical adaptability, seen not only through goals but also through his defensive efforts and ball retrieval capabilities.
The evolution of Japanese players abroad signals significant progress for the sport. Maekawa is part of this forward movement, illustrating how overseas experience enhances players' capabilities, and how these practices could translate back to their home leagues for improved performance standards. His insights provide valuable perspectives on how international exposure challenges and grows players, potentially reshaping the approach to training and match preparation within the J-League.
AZ Alkmaar’s commit to blending aggressive attack strategies with solid defense corroborates Maekawa’s assertions about the necessity for high-intensity training. This lures fans’ support and also contributes to positive outcomes on the pitch, as they carve out their path toward greater European success.