July 14 Training
On the second day of the Hokkaido Shiraoi camp, two training sessions were held in the morning and afternoon at the Shiraoi Sakuragaoka Park Athletic Stadium. Before the morning training, the strengthening department informed the team of the promotions of Matthew WATANABE and Keita NIIBORI to the top team. After that, WATANABE greeted the team from the center of the huddle, saying, "I will do my best to contribute so that I can be a force to help the team achieve its goals. Thank you for your support."
The morning training consisted of a warm-up, a 30-meter time trial, passing & control drills, followed by build-up training. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI emphasized awareness of the '+1' in game situations and the timing to synchronize breathing, presenting several ways to break down defenses through the center and the flanks. Afterwards, the players split into two teams of 11 to practice in a form close to an actual match, concluding the morning session.
The afternoon session focused on training for attacks from the sides. After reinforcing awareness and objectives for breaking down the defense from the flanks, the session concluded with a reconfirmation through an 11-versus-11 game-style training.
In that game, there was also a moment where Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Kento HASHIMOTO combined perfectly to break through as planned.
After practice, Coach Matsuhashi spoke to the players in a huddle, saying, "There is always space on the soccer pitch. Let’s play more simply while being mindful of priorities. If we do that, the space will become even clearer." Once the method of attacking from the sides becomes ingrained in their bodies, the central breakthroughs they have excelled at so far will naturally come to life. As they develop a more diverse attack, an increase in scoring ability can be expected. The second day of the camp clearly showed the path to aim for as the new season approaches.
CAMP VOICE vol.2 Matthew WATANABE
On the second day of the camp, we asked Matthew WATANABE, whose promotion to the top team for the 2026/27 season was announced that day, about his honest feelings regarding his current situation and the professional career that is about to begin.
Q: Today, your promotion to the top team was announced.
A: I have been attending FC Tokyo's school since I was in kindergarten, and Tokyo has been a part of my life since I was little. I am truly happy to have become a professional at this club. I believe I have come this far thanks to the support of my family, many coaches, and teammates. Becoming a professional here was a goal, but it is not the ultimate goal. I see this as a fresh start from zero. I want to work hard to reach even higher levels that I aim for.
Q: What kind of words did your family say to you?
A, both my father and mother congratulated me first. However, they also said, "This is just the beginning." I agree with that completely, and I believe that thanks to my parents' support, I was able to sign a professional contract. I want to continue working hard without forgetting my gratitude from now on.
Q: There have been many outstanding goalkeepers in FC Tokyo's history. What kind of goalkeeper do you want to become?
A, It was a valuable experience to be able to train alongside great seniors like Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and (Kim) Seung-gyu. When I was attending the school, there were also high-level players such as Shuichi Gonda, Akihiro HAYASHI, and Go HATANO. While aiming to become like those players, I also have the desire to eventually surpass them and take on challenges overseas from this club.
Q: Is there a goalkeeper you look up to as an ideal?
A: When I watch goalkeeper highlight reels, I try to focus on each player's unique characteristics. Recently, I have been referencing the plays of former Swiss national team goalkeeper Yann Sommer, Spanish national team goalkeeper David Raya, and Costa Rican national team goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Since I am not very tall, I mainly watch the plays of overseas goalkeepers who are about the same height as me.
Q: During this camp, your staying behind to train until the very end reminded me of Taishi Nozawa.
A, Because it’s fun. The training is tough, but I also feel the happiness of being able to play soccer. Without a doubt, the practice is strict. But there is enjoyment in it. Someday, I want to catch up and surpass it.
Q: Keita NIIBORI, who is in the same grade, was also promoted. It seems like a good rivalry will continue from now on as well.
A, When I was in junior high school, I was with FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, and Niibori was with FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, so we were aware of each other from that time. When we were promoted to U-18, Wataru GOTO was also there, and I think all the goalkeepers were able to create high-level training together. I believe that such high-level training raised my performance, skills, and tactics. I learned a lot not only from juniors but also from seniors. Because I had a high-level daily environment, I believe I am who I am today. From here on, I will be able to train every day with professional players, so I think my level will rise even more. I hope to raise my level one or two more notches.
Q: From now on, soccer will be my job.
A: During practice the day after the interview, my perspective on games and training changed. I realized once again how tough it is to make this my job. I am able to train every day with a constant sense of tension. Although I don’t yet fully feel that this is my job, to survive I must continue to showcase my strengths, otherwise it won’t be possible. After all, I believe this is not the goal but the start. I want to aim even higher.
Q: I believe there are many people who have supported you since your academy days. What words would you like to send to them?
A, first and foremost, my family has always supported me when I was going through tough times. There were moments when I wanted to quit soccer. Not only during those times but also during the good times, they have always been there to support and encourage me. I am truly grateful. I believe my teammates are comrades who constantly push each other to improve and create a great atmosphere. Various coaches at this club have been involved with me. Only recently have I come to realize that everything they told me was for my own good. I was often told harsh words, but ultimately, it is because of those words that I am who I am today. At the time, I sometimes felt down because of them. However, without a doubt, they have become my strength now. From here on, I want to repay them through my results. Because I have become a soccer player, I have to show it through my play. First, I want to get on the pitch and express my gratitude through my performance.
FOCUS ON – Photo of the Day –
'FOCUS ON' selects one photo taken by the official photographer. On the second day of the camp, during game-style training, we chose a photo capturing the moment Motoki NAGAKURA scored a lob shot.
The process leading to the goal, reminiscent of the Final Round winner against Verdy in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, involved three players brilliantly. First, Hirokazu ISHIHARA delivered a diagonal pass across the pitch from the right side. Then, through the skillful combination of Nagakura and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, the defense was broken down, and finally, Nagakura gently lofted the ball into the goal with a left-footed chip, perfectly controlling it under his command.
Nakagawa said that the goal was born precisely because the three players, including Ishihara, were able to envision the same play.
“Miki and I understood each other at that moment. We didn’t speak, but Hiro, the passer, also understood it, and that’s why the third player’s move was born.”
Then, Nagakura said, "Teru-kun and I had already been coordinating well before that. I think I was able to trap the ball with my right foot at a distance the opposing goalkeeper couldn’t reach. In the previous training, I swung at the ball when he rushed in, so I used that reflection to skillfully lift the ball." He proudly spoke of his clever goal full of his own style.
