More than two weeks have passed since the camp started, and finally, the Okinawa camp has reached the last day of practice. Tomorrow's practice match will be a great opportunity to test the progress made during the Okinawa camp, and we hope to carry this momentum into the training back in Tokyo and then into the Miyazaki camp.
Today, Tomoaki Makino, who retired at the end of last season, came rushing to the Tokyo training ground for a DAZN program interview.
The players who entered the stadium were taken aback by the enthusiastic welcome from an unexpected guest, but with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's whistle to start practice, they switched on. Although the training session was short, each player worked seriously, and the entire team energized as they completed the menu.
We warmed up our bodies with agility-enhancing exercises, sprint drills, and mid-range ball kicking drills, then focused on ball possession as the main menu. Despite being at peak fatigue, each player concentrated on every single drill, working to improve the team's overall readiness by calculating backwards from the season opener.
In ball possession, the defending side aggressively contests the ball, while the attacking side firmly maintains control of the ball, with both the ball and players moving with speed and strength to execute a high-intensity training session.
In the final finishing drill, we confirmed the pattern of breaking through the side spaces while maintaining ball possession and bringing the play from crosses to finishing. The entire team is building a shared awareness of the attacking style they aim to achieve.
We will demonstrate the physical condition improved during the Okinawa camp and the team's level of completion, gain a good sense of readiness for the season opener in tomorrow's practice match, and return to Tokyo.
On the 15th day of the camp, we conducted an interview with Kuryu MATSUKI.
Q. The Okinawa camp is entering its final stages; how do you feel about the team's condition?
A, the starting lineup has not been decided yet, but I believe I have to keep winning, and I think I am having a good camp.
Q. What is expected of you in your second year under Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's system as an inside half?
A, I believe the most important thing is related to scoring. Compared to last season, I think there will be situations in matches where the inside half must constantly create the game while controlling the ball, otherwise it won't be effective. This is an area where a lot is expected.
Q. Is there anything you personally discuss with the coach, or anything that is expected there?
A, I was told to stay calm while playing and, since I am still young, to always be humble and have a desire to improve.
Q: With many new players joining, how is the teamwork during practice matches?
A, I think it's really good, and I believe it has been improving through repeated practice and practice matches.
Q. Your roommate is player Abe, and you seem to get along well. Do you usually talk about soccer?
A, you get along well even in private. Rather than talking about soccer, we basically talk about private matters. On the pitch, we do talk about soccer, but off the pitch, we don't talk about soccer at all. I think that's good for switching between on and off.
Q. You changed your jersey number to "7". Could you tell us the background behind this?
A, first of all, I expressed my desire to wear a single-digit number. I talked with Hiiragi-kun, and since he decided to wear number 8, I wanted to wear number 7. I also wore number 7 in high school, so I feel a connection to this number and wanted to play with it.
Q. When did you talk with player Abe about numbers 7 and 8?
A, I think we were talking about what to do after practice.
Q. You are still in your second year as a professional, but I think you are already becoming a central figure in the team. Do you still feel like a young player, or do you want to lead the team? Which is it?
A, Position-wise, it is the most difficult position, and since I am still in my second year, I need to play energetically. However, many of the members I played with last season have moved to different teams, and since I was given a lot of playing time, I want to convey various things. Among them, I want to show calm play while also playing dynamically as a young player.
Q. Please tell us your goals for the camp.
A, I think the lineup for the opening match will be somewhat decided during the Miyazaki camp, so first, I want to make a good impression by contributing to the game not only through goals and assists but also through game-making in the practice matches.
Q. Please tell us your thoughts for this season, both personally and as a team.
A, Personally, I think the most important thing is not to get injured. I want to perform better than last season without getting injured. As a team, our big goal is to win the league, but I want to approach every match in front of us with the mindset of winning them all.
