Kosins twins differ on the soccer field

One likes to protect. The other likes to lead the rush.

Fraternal twins Toshihiro and Takahiro Kosins are at opposite ends of the field and they have, according to Kalani soccer coach Michael Ching, opposite personalities. But the senior captains share certain things aside from coming into the world a half-hour apart on Nov. 16, 1997, including a drive to succeed, and, especially, a desire to lead the Falcons as far as possible.

The slightly older Toshihiro has been a rock at fullback for Kalani since his freshman year, while Takahiro is a speedy and elusive goal-scoring striker. Both are making Ching’s job a bit easier this season.

“They have matured so much,” Ching said. “Before, it was always someone else leading the team. Now, as seniors and captains, they know it’s their team this year. They have freedom to make decisions for the team or find out what it is the team wants. They’ve been mentored by past leaders and it’s been a smooth transition. It’s usually really nice to have one guy to rely on for that leadership, but it’s a complete luxury to have two.”

Differing personalities

It’s not surprising to hear that Toshihiro, the defender, is more of a home body and that Takahiro is more outgoing.

“I tend to be more patient and he is more aggressive,” Toshi said. “I don’t mind staying at home.”

Staying at home — at the defensive end of the field — is what he does best, protecting the kitchen (goal), and he was honored as a Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State first-team selection a year ago. Normally a center back, Toshi spent most of last season on the outside, making the move for a better fit with the 2015 Falcons personnel. He’s back in the center for the 2016 season.

Toshi describes himself as more of a long-distance runner than his brother, and it’s true. He used to run cross country. He calls Taka more of a sprinter, and that is also true. Opponents must be on guard against his speed or face the consequences.

Taka, coming off a 19-goal season, patterned his game after former Kalani star Leo Klink, who scored the game-winner on penalty kicks to beat Punahou for the 2013 state title, when the Kosins twins were freshmen.

“I look up to Leo a lot,” he said. “He comes back and practices with us. He’s so good at getting past people and using his body (to protect the ball) and speed. He coaches me up and gives me advice on what runs to make and what runs not to make.”

Making improvements

Ching believes that Taka — a Star-Advertiser All-State second-team choice a year ago — will be improved as a senior.

“He’s letting the game come to him more and reading situations a lot better,” the coach said.

Taka admitted that he was “running around too much” last season.

Two years ago in the OIA semifinals against Kapolei, Taka got a taste of what it’s like to be a defender.

“Everyone was saying, ‘Taka’s gonna score first,’ ” he said. “Then the ball pops out on a corner kick and Toshi whips it in. Everyone was like, ‘Wow.’ After that (to help protect the lead), Coach moved me to fullback, and I was saying, ‘I hate this job.’ ”

And that is true. “I really hated it,” he added. “I’ve always been on the attacking side. I guess I like the fame and the glory.”

In keeping with this brotherly theme, it just so happens that Toshi is the more studious and harder working of the two and Taka is, admittedly, more of a “rascal.”

Which leads to the question that won’t be answered here: Which one is a better soccer player?

“Most friends joke around and say he (Taka) is better,” said Toshi, who gets upset at that statement.

Who’s who?

Even though the Kosins (who moved to the U.S. from Japan in middle school and have dual citizenship) aren’t identical twins, people do get confused about who is who.

“People think we are so similar, and it kind of makes me mad,” Toshi said. “We aren’t the same person.”

Not at all, and that’s the beauty of it. To score on Kalani, you’ve got to fool Toshi, and to defend against the Falcons, you’ve got to deal with Taka.

They share a passion for soccer and they are out to bring the state title back to Kalani after falling short two years in a row.

“We set our goal really high,” Toshi said. “We want to win at states and the biggest thing for us is to hit that target.”

Added Taka: “That’s what we’re shooting for, and more than the last two years, I’m confident going into the season. We have the talent and we’re putting in the work.”