Q: I think last season you made your own judgment about entering the game, but this season, are you receiving specific instructions on how to play depending on the opponent's positioning?
A, it's not that everything is strictly patterned, but they respect the ideas we come up with. What is said is, for example, if Adailton is in front of me, we are told to make sure that Adailton and I do not overlap vertically; if I am open, then Adailton moves inside, or vice versa, just to avoid overlapping.
Q: It is said that we should not overlap in the same lane.
A, that's right. It is often said that the players' sense of distance and lanes do not overlap.
Q: Based on the principles, does that mean we can proceed with our own judgment from here on out?
A, especially in front of the goal or when attacking, we are told to break through using our own ideas. We also find it easier that way; if we are too constrained by a set pattern, we won't be able to respond when it doesn't work, so we are allowed to play freely there.
Q: Although it is still early, are the patterns increasing with each game?
A, I fully understand the coach's message. However, we also know that we have not yet come close to the ideal form that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA envisions. The coach says that this style of football is not something that can be achieved easily, and we ourselves feel the same. However, if we focus on not overlapping lanes and maintaining proper distances between players, I believe good plays and combinations will naturally emerge.
Q: There are practice matches scheduled in Itoman as well, but here we can see how much we were able to do or not do by actually facing a J League club.
A, I believe there are many things that can only be understood through matches, and I don't think everything will go smoothly. I think there are more things that don't go well on my part, but even so, if we improve every time an issue arises, I believe we can play really good football and become a great team.
Q: Has your awareness of care changed due to injuries from last season?
A, last season I didn't often see a trainer or get massages, but since I got injured, I've been having thorough check-ups and treatments even during this camp. I've also started to be more diligent with stretching before and after practice on my own.
Q: Do you feel that there have been changes or influences in how you approach your body and your play?
A. Since I haven't had many injuries since turning professional, the times I was injured made me think a lot. I don't let fear of injury make me play timidly, but overall I have to prepare more, so I think I can enter the game smoothly.
Q: With the addition of player Nagatomo and the participation of Kashif BANGNAGANDE, you have also played as a right back, but do you still want to compete on the left side this season?
A, since I had hardly ever played on the right side before, it was a completely new feeling and I really enjoyed it, but I still have a strong desire to aim higher playing on the left side, so this season I strongly want to play on the left side. However, when I played on the right side, I often took positions inside, so I think that experience is being utilized on the left side this season.
Q: Will you watch the Japan national team match tonight (1/28)?
A, yes, I watch. I make sure to watch both national team matches and other soccer games.
Q: Last season, I was selected for the national team and I believe I am part of what Coach Hajime MORIYASU refers to as the large group. Please tell me about your awareness of aiming for that now that your injury has healed.
A, As a soccer player, I believe I should aim to be part of the Japan national team, and that is also my goal. Since there is the World Cup this season, I want to stay focused on returning to the Japan national team.
Q: When you played as a right back, how did you balance the use of your right and left foot?
A, when on the right side, there were situations where I had to open up, so there were times I used my right foot, but my strength is playing with my left foot, so I positioned myself more inside to make use of that and tried to play in a way that maximizes my left foot as much as possible.
Q: I think there will be more opportunities to play inside this year depending on the situation. Don't you think the experiences from last season can be applied then?
A, the play of moving inside does not feel restrictive to me, so I think I can play within the flow, and I believe I can make use of the experience I gained playing on the right side last season.
Q: Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned that while he requires basic lane movements, he allows players to handle the final moments themselves. However, it seems that we are still in the stage of establishing the foundation, similar to what happened in Niigata, where there were different approaches over two seasons. Do you feel that what you are trying to achieve has the potential to develop further in the future?
A. I think we have come to understand the style of football the coach wants to play even during practice. However, the current situation is that we have not yet been able to embody it. When we can play the football the coach envisions, I believe we will have grown as individual football players, and as a team, we will have become a very complete and strong team.
Q: I think this applies to both Tokyo and the Japan national team, but there is a discussion that formations are only the starting positions and that once the kickoff happens, they become irrelevant. However, the better things get, the more I feel that formations become less important. Is there a clear path regarding this matter?
A, just as Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says that the final part is free, the positioning where I move inside is like that, and although I play as a side back, I also have a role similar to a defensive midfielder. There are also moments when the defensive midfielder makes runs behind like a forward. I think if we stick too rigidly to positional roles, it becomes easier for the opponent to defend, so I hope that in the final attacking moments, we can break down the defense fluidly without being too constrained by positional boundaries.
Q: I believe you have learned a lot from the solid defense and quick counterattacks under former coach Hasegawa over the past four seasons. What are you looking forward to by working on a different style under coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, I feel like I can improve as a soccer player, or rather, I feel like I can get better control of the ball at my feet.
Q: There was a discussion about lanes and positioning, but in this soccer, I think full-backs are required to be playmakers and take on many roles. How do you feel about that?
A, the positioning of the side back is highly demanded. They also talk about how to hold the ball openly after receiving it. Since many attacks start from the side back, I feel that if I don't take the helm there, the team won't function well.
Q: On the other hand, what are the important aspects you focus on in defense and the risk management you are aware of because you play an attacking style of football?
Rather than retreating and defending by dropping back, the approach is to keep possession of the ball and not allow the opponent to attack. Therefore, I believe they aim to immediately regain the ball up front after losing it and make it their own. The transition between offense and defense and the high press from the front line have been practiced since last season, but the way the press is applied is different, so adjustments are made on the pitch while aligning with what the coach says. Basically, I think the principle of pressing from the front remains unchanged.
Q: While watching the practice, I think Coach Albert is conscious of transitions, tempo, and speed. Is this required for both offense and defense?
A, it applies to offense as well, but the pressing when switching to defense is often emphasized, and I focus on taking the ball away from the opponent at that moment.
Q: This season, Morishige has been appointed as captain. What is your mindset about supporting Morishige, whom you admire?
A, I wonder if that person needs support (laughs). I don't think he needs support to the extent that I have to provide it, and he has been a captain before. For me, Morishige has been the captain since the first year, so that image is strong. Vice-captain Diego TABA is the same, but not only the captain, each player, not exactly captaincy, but I want to play with a strong sense of responsibility in my mind.
Q: You mentioned the enthusiasm of player Morishige towards soccer. Is the entire team, including player Ogawa, approaching practice with a proactive attitude?
A, I think the players also feel refreshed with the new style of soccer, the training menu changes, and although there are many difficult aspects, I believe each individual can truly feel their own growth within that.
Q: I believe that new players will be key to the different style of football we will have. What are your impressions of players Kimoto and Henrique among the defense?
A, Kimoto is originally a player with good ball control, and I think he will fit well into Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's style of football. Regarding Henrique, since there are many Brazilian players on the team, Diego TABA and Leandro are helping him integrate into the group. Since he is left-footed, I think his position will be close to mine, and I believe we have good communication there.
Q: There are many young new players joining, but how are the senior players welcoming them?
A, Since there are few mid-level age groups in Tokyo and many young players, I want them to play without hesitation, and I think it's okay for them to aggressively challenge senior players. I also think it would be good if they come on strong from the camp.
Q: With Nagatomo also in the team, I think you have to win the competition for the left-back position to get on the field. What are your thoughts on that?
A, basically, I am aiming for the Japan national team, and since Nagatomo is the left side back for the Japan national team, I think it's ultimately the same. I believe that if I don't win there, I will never be able to join the Japan national team no matter how much time passes.
Q: There will be a World Cup at the end of this year, are you aware of it?
A, it would be a lie to say I don't think about it, and my desire to participate in the World Cup is very strong, so I believe this year is a great opportunity, and I think this year will be an important one to secure my position.
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