Japanese-born midfielder Shoki Itofusa recently achieved a significant milestone by making his debut for the Bangladesh national football team during the Asean Cup match against Malaysia. The 22-year-old, whose father Ataur Rahman is Bangladeshi and mother Shizu Itofusa is Japanese, has spent his life in Japan and recently signed with the local club Fortis FC. His appearance in the match against Malaysia marked the beginning of his journey with the national squad, though the athlete acknowledges that his performance needs further refinement as he continues to adapt to international play.
Reflecting on his debut, which occurred when he replaced Fahamidul Islam in the 46th minute, Itofusa expressed that wearing the national team jersey was a long-held dream. While he admits he did not anticipate his debut happening on that specific Wednesday, he remained prepared to compete for his country. Speaking during a team training session in Indonesia, he emphasized that he intends to work hard on his fitness and conditioning. Ultimately, his goal is to become a more influential player by contributing directly through goals and assists, acknowledging that there is substantial room for him to improve his overall game.
Navigating the team environment presents unique challenges for Itofusa, primarily due to linguistic barriers. As he is not fluent in Bengali or English, he relies on his teammates to communicate through basic English or gestures, which he finds sufficient for day-to-day interactions. He noted that while his father speaks Bengali at home, his family primarily communicates in Japanese. This linguistic gap has not hindered his integration, as his teammates remain supportive and attentive to his needs, allowing him to enjoy the experience without significant friction.
Living away from his family is a sacrifice Itofusa accepts as part of his professional calling. He believes that achieving success as a footballer is a shared dream between him and his family, and the pride his success brings to them and his supporters outweighs the difficulty of distance. By focusing on his development and continuing to push his limits on the pitch, he hopes to justify the faith placed in him during this early stage of his international career.
