Japan national team defender Kou Itakura (29, Borussia Mönchengladbach) opened up about the controversy surrounding his call-up to next January–February’s Asian Cup, revealing that his marriage to actress Haruna Kawaguchi and her first pregnancy have given him “something with a higher priority than soccer.” He made the remarks on the 22nd at the national team’s training camp ahead of the match against Uruguay (on the 24th). On the forum, while some praised his candor for speaking so frankly, others—pointing out that his club has been struggling since the start of the season—speculated about a link between the timing of his relationship/marriage and his slump, sparking debate over whether he should even be called up.
[Japan National Team] Kou Itakura Conflicted Over Asian Cup Call-Up — Also Addresses Marriage to Haruna Kawaguchi and Her First Pregnancy
Japan national team defender Kou Itakura (29, Borussia Mönchengladbach) has spoken out about the call-up issue for next January–February’s Asian Cup (Saudi Arabia).
On the 22nd, Itakura took part in the Japan national team’s practice session held in Chiba City ahead of the international friendly against Uruguay (24th, Q Stadium).
Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here
Why would he just come out and say that?
He could've just kept it vague, like blaming it on being under the weather.
Not bothering with pointless lies — that kind of integrity might be exactly why he landed a popular actress.
His form has been in the pits for like the last two years now.
Even now his stats are all red.
Mixed feelings, since it turns out his slump kicked in right around when he started dating Haruna Kawaguchi.
At first I figured it was because he stopped hiring a personal chef around then — maybe he ditched the chef because Kawaguchi's around now.
Then he should just turn down this call-up too.
Actually, is it even okay for a pro to say something like that?
Is there actually a problem with that?
He's just that kind of player, that kind of person, that's all.
Forcing your own ideals onto other people is a classic trait of someone whose own life didn't work out (not saying that's you).
The reason Itakura's performance has been poor for over a year now is that he's treating a herniated disc with conservative therapy, so he's just not in good condition.
Last time they lost because of him, and now this, lol.
That Iran match was brutal to watch.
I thought he might be throwing the game.
It got overshadowed by the injury talk and Zion Suzuki, but he was genuinely awful.
while Itakura's basically FIRE'd by marrying the loaded Haruna Kawaguchi.
Itakura and Kawaguchi probably pull in about the same annual income — like 700 million yen or so.
Kawaguchi's earning window as a celebrity probably extends further than the age range a soccer player can still draw a club salary.
There's no way he's making that much.
If he were pulling in 700 million like some baseball star ("yakyu" — internet slang mocking baseball players' salaries), he'd have already donated 50 million to earthquake relief.
Would be nice if he showed enough backbone to let Moriyasu go out on a high note, at least.
If there's some flower-bouquet send-off ceremony,
I want every player who hands him a bouquet to get absolutely roasted for it.
It's just that right now they happen to earn about the same.
Whether she scales back her work in Japan like Airi Taira did is something only the two of them would know.
Itakura can probably only earn his current salary until his mid-30s.
Kawaguchi will likely still be earning well past 40.
Judging by this thread, the ones criticizing him don't seem like soccer fans — more like, well, you-know-who.
Airi Taira didn't have that many acting jobs and worked mostly as a variety-show personality,
but Kawaguchi does tons of acting roles and commercials.
Airi Taira was in plenty of commercials too, though.
He's earning enough to hire a personal chef outright, so I don't think she'd need to do that herself.
keep that one to yourself, man…
I think "family matters more than soccer" is something plenty of people say.
Four straight losses since the season opener, dead last, 16 goals conceded.
Itakura's been racking up the lowest match ratings one after another.
He's a certified culprit for the losses.
Forget the national team, he's not even in shape for that.
Just that fact alone probably makes all the hate from 5ch anti-fans sound like nothing more than a loser's howl.
Being able to stay mentally settled is important, yeah.
Background and Key Points of This Story
Next year’s Asian Cup, scheduled for January–February, also serves as a benchmark for national team selection ahead of the next World Cup, so debate over the call-up list tends to flare up every time. What split opinion in this thread was less the bare facts and more how to take the fact that Itakura publicly ranked his family circumstances above soccer — some praised him for “speaking honestly instead of lying,” while others argued “a professional shouldn’t say that kind of thing publicly.” It’s true that Itakura’s club has struggled since the season opener, but the claim that his slump is tied to the timing of his relationship and marriage remains speculation within the thread — the original interview itself never cites that as the cause. As a matter of record, it’s probably more accurate to keep the facts (the call-up issue, and the announcement of his marriage and pregnancy) separate from Itakura’s individual struggles at his club, rather than casually linking the two.
※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports Express+) thread “[Soccer] Kou Itakura Conflicted Over Asian Cup Call-Up, Also Addresses Marriage to and Pregnancy with Haruna Kawaguchi: “Something Came Up With a Higher Priority Than Soccer”“.
