<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, please review the game.
A, with young players and new signings coming in, the competition has become intense. Compared to the same period last season, I think we are able to maintain what we have been doing for a year, so I believe we are in a very good atmosphere.
Q: Do you feel that you have made progress compared to last season?
A, over the course of last season, our path forward became clear. In order to improve our precision and achieve better results, I believe we need to increase our attacking variations, so we are focusing on that aspect during the camp.
Q: I think the competition for the center-back position is fierce. Please share your thoughts on what you are hoping for this season.
A, I believe that the number of appearances from last season does not matter. I have been approaching each year as a challenge since I turned professional, so I want to make a strong impression during this camp this season as well. This season, especially with so many high-level players, I want to prepare so that anyone can play, and I want to create a higher level of competition where the coach has a hard time deciding who to use in a good way.
Q: Do you feel the intensity of the competition for positions?
A, I think I can't fall behind because the players around me are also playing really well.
Q: Please tell us your personal goals and the team's goals for this season.
My goal is to participate in all matches for a year without injury. As a team, we certainly aim for the league championship, but as the coach says, we want to win each match one at a time.
Q: There was a discussion about increasing the variations in attack, but is there anything necessary as a defender?
I want to provide passes that not only create chances with a single pass from our side but also help us shed the opponent's pressure without losing the ball at the back. I believe we need to be more conscious than last season about circulating the ball effectively and supplying good balls to the midfield and forward players.
Q: Is there anything that Kimoto is conscious of in terms of enhancing the atmosphere during practice?
A, I am not consciously aware of it, but since I am getting older, I believe I need to raise my voice more to energize the atmosphere.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: I often see scenes of you running together with Morishige after practice this year. What do you talk about?
A, the conversation mainly revolves around private matters and not much about soccer.
Q. Do you talk about tactics or other soccer-related topics with players who have been with the team since last season, outside of meetings?
A, (Even in practice matches) the members are not fixed, so we have not had tactical discussions yet.
Q. The players do not stay fixed and the matches are conducted dynamically, but many teams are often seen entering dangerous areas. Are they indeed focusing on scoring?
A, I believe that aspects directly related to scoring, such as how crosses are delivered and how players break behind the defense, will become increasingly important.
Q. As a player who has been playing since last season, do you pass on techniques such as how to switch with the opposing DF to other players?
A, I don't think I'm in a position to teach, and the way to score goals varies from person to person. However, for young players who are high school or university graduates, I sometimes talk about positioning and mindset rather than how to score goals.
Q. What are you personally focusing on right now?
A, I want to play more and more forward, making plays that directly lead to goals. I believe my strength is being able to use those around me, but to become a feared player, I want to be conscious of aspects that directly connect to scoring, such as expanding my shooting range and always aiming for the final pass.
Q: Tomorrow will be the first match of this season against FC Ryukyu, which belongs to the J.League. Will you be focusing on that aspect?
A, that's right. However, having few mistakes is my greatest strength, so if I lose that quality, it becomes a matter before even challenging myself. I think it's difficult to adjust, but I want to continue while preserving my strengths.
Q. It was mentioned that you are conscious of plays that directly lead to scoring. Is this also something the coach expects from you?
A, it is not that I am being specifically asked by the coach. Looking back at my individual results from last season, I felt that if I can't score more goals, we can't aim for the league championship or higher goals. Soccer is a sport where scoring goals is essential; no matter how much we control the ball, we cannot win without goals. So, as an individual, I decided that I want to score more goals.
Q. Looking back on the off-season, did you feel that plays directly leading to goals were necessary?
A, this is something I have thought about for a while. This season, I have been allowed to play in my previous position from the start, so I think this is the perfect timing. When I seriously think about achieving results, I believe this season will be the most important year.
Q. Please tell us the team's goals and your personal goals.
A, as a team, we aim to win the league. Personally, I want to score 10 goals.
Q. What changes occurred for the team between the 2022 and 2023 seasons?
A, of course, the foundation from last season remains, but I believe all players have heightened their awareness of plays directly leading to goals and the goal itself. While valuing possession of the ball is a basic premise, it’s not just about passing the ball; it’s also about not overlooking players who move to score and prioritizing decisions to pass the ball forward when possible.
Q. Kimoto mentioned that he has become better at moving the ball up to the penalty area, but breaking through beyond that is important. Regarding creativity and attack, does Watanabe have any personal keywords?
A, I think that to score goals compared to last season, it is important for individuals to coordinate well with each other. It may be obvious, but not only the person passing the ball, the person receiving the pass should also watch the opponent and start moving accordingly. Synchronizing with each other is essential.
