Final Day of Camp 2/1
On the final day of the Okinawa Itoman camp, the team practiced behind closed doors and returned to Tokyo after completing the three-week schedule. For 21 days, the players actively engaged in training, stepping onto the pitch with a fresh mindset every day.
From here, we will return to Kodaira Ground and carefully build up our days again towards the opening match of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League on February 15 (Saturday).
It will be 2 weeks until the reborn Tokyo creates excitement.
FOCUS ON
The official photographer selects camp photos in the project "FOCUS ON." On the final day of camp, photos of coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, who took charge this season, were selected. After concluding three weeks of camp, the coach expressed words of encouragement to the players who actively participated. Although they spent a rich time together, Coach MATSUSHI shook his head and said, "Not yet." Together with all the players and staff, they will build upon these careful days and create a new blue and red from here. That first step was surely taken in the southern land.
CAMP VOICE vol.18 Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, Keita ENDO, Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: How was the three-week camp?
A, I think things have been going smoothly for me so far, and I have been able to make a good impression.
Q: This is your third year as a professional this season. What differences have you felt compared to past camps?
A, last season as well as my first year as a professional, I had various experiences. Although my experience is still limited, I believe those experiences are gradually becoming valuable.
Q: You mentioned that you struggled the most during the middle of last season, but it seems you have managed to overcome that.
A, we have only done practice and practice matches so far, so it's hard to say anything yet. I think we need to show results in official matches first.
Q: With the appointment of Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, there have been many changes. How do you, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, want to change yourself?
A, first of all, I believe it is important to play in a way that contributes to the team. And I want to show plays that lead to results and create chances. From here, I will return to Kodaira, practice diligently, and aim to improve both as an individual and with the team.
Q: There are two weeks left until the league starts. What kind of preparations do you want to make from here on?
A, of course, I think the team is not perfect yet, but we want to work towards getting closer to that and improve our accuracy even a little.
<Keita ENDO>
Q, the camp has also come to an end.
A, I think I was able to properly improve my condition. I also feel that the team has somewhat come together on what we want to do. However, I believe there are still many areas lacking, such as technical skills and poor decision-making, so I want to grow individually in those aspects. I also want to compensate for my own shortcomings, and first of all, it was good to finish without any injuries.
Q: There are two weeks left until the league starts. What kind of preparations do you want to make from here on?
A. Personally, I want to improve my condition and the quality of my play, and as a team, I want everyone to discuss what we can do better. Although the camp has ended, there are still two weeks until the season opener, so I want to properly focus on my body and make good preparations.
<Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA>
Q: You made it through the entire camp schedule, didn't you?
A, I gave it my all for the first time in a while. I think it was different from usual, and from here on, I want to make this season different as well. I mentioned earlier in the camp that I had never fully gotten through it, but in my first year as a pro, I did get through it (laughs). At that time, the university tournament was ongoing until just before the start, so I had almost no rest and was probably in the best condition. Thinking about it that way, I believe this was the first time I was able to properly get through the camp. From here, I want to return to Kodaira and continue making good preparations.
Q: You were showing good movement throughout the camp.
A, there were tough training sessions mixed in with the younger members, but experiencing that toughness is a blessing compared to rehabilitation and such. I enjoyed doing it, so I want to continue steadily while savoring this kind of happiness.
Q: There are two weeks left until the opening match. I believe the competition will become even more intense from here on.
A. I believe that building a body that can firmly withstand the intensity of matches is necessary from this point onward. Finishing chances is also a challenge for the team, so as a forward, I want to focus and work diligently to continue scoring goals.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
