7/20 Training Report
On the 7th day of the Hokkaido Shiraoi camp, training was held behind closed doors. On this day, a meeting was held before practice, and set plays and other confirmations were conducted on the pitch.
The following day, a training match against Nagoya Grampus, the second match of this camp, is scheduled to take place at Shiraoi Sakuragaoka Park Athletics Stadium. It promises to be a match with many highlights, including Nikolai Valis’ first game in his new environment after joining midway and the maturity of what the team has been working on.
CAMP VOICE vol.7 Teruhito NAKAGAWA Player
Q. After finishing the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, please tell us how you feel heading into the new season.
A. We were able to achieve good results in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, and I believe what we have been doing is not wrong. However, since the groups were divided into West and East and there were no away trips, I think there will be difficulties in adjusting to that as well. Even so, if we don’t use that as an excuse and play our own style of soccer, we can definitely reach the top ranks. I believe that continuing to take on that challenge is the closest way to winning the league.
Q. As a field player, you are the second oldest on the team. Do you want to take the lead and guide the team?
A, no, I don't want to lead. It's not about leading or not leading; if everyone is individually highly motivated, a good training atmosphere will naturally develop. We have to become that kind of group. Without that, we won't get closer to winning the league. But I do feel that we are becoming that kind of group.
Q. In what ways do you sense each individual's awareness?
A, I think it really comes down to quality. The way everyone approaches practice, the accuracy of each pass, the positioning of their traps, and their positioning on the field have all been improving. I believe that everyone has probably started to enjoy playing more as well.
Q. What would you like to focus on personally in this new season?
A, Since I have just recently returned from the injury I sustained last season, I think it is important to gradually get this knee accustomed. I want to leave my mark statistically throughout the season.
Q. In the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, I think you must have felt some frustration regarding your playing time and individual performance.
A, my playing time was short, but I believe there were chances to score goals within that time. There were moments where I wish I had finished those chances. Of course, I’m not the only one who wants to start in the lineup; everyone feels that way. Delivering results amid competition is the most important thing to me. I want to further refine that aspect.
Q. Masato MORISHIGE is also fired up, but do you want to be just as passionate, Nakagawa?
A. Rather than being 'burning with passion,' I believe that if you lose that feeling, it's the end of your career as a soccer player. You absolutely cannot lose to the younger players, and you must hold onto that feeling alone to have come this far. I make sure never to let that feeling fade.
Q, I'll ask again this season, but can FC Tokyo win the championship this season…
A, The championship. Only the league title. That's it. After that, I just need to score 3 goals. That will bring my total to 50 goals in the J1 League.
Q, you answer everything in advance (laughs).
A, that's about right. You know that, don't you? (laughs) How many seasons do you think I've played in Tokyo? (laughs) But I will definitely score at least 3 goals.
CAMP VOICE vol.8 Yuta SUGAWARA Player
Q. Having spent time at the camp, please tell us how you feel now.
A, I haven't really felt a definite sense of achievement yet, so I want to demonstrate my strengths in tomorrow's practice match.
Q. There was also a scene where you received advice from Masato MORISHIGE.
A, during practice, I received advice like, "It would help if you stood in this position when the center back has the ball." It might seem like a small thing, but since I didn't have much experience playing as a defensive midfielder, hearing such good advice made it easier for me to play.
Q. I believe one of your original strengths is being able to face forward in tight spaces. How do you think the challenges you are taking on in your current position will benefit you going forward?
A. When playing in the center of the team, there are many opponents and teammates around, so the space is tight. In that sense, I think I am being given a good position to demonstrate my strengths. I want to build on that experience and develop myself to be effective in the J1 League.
Q: You made your debut in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League. What kind of season do you want to have?
A, I think there will be many matches not only in the league but also in cup competitions and the U-21 J.League, so I want to participate in those and achieve some kind of result.
Q. How do you perceive the areas where you are effective and the challenges you face as a professional so far?
A, Although the time I played in my debut match was short, being able to show a bit of my strengths gave me confidence. Regarding defense, I participated in overseas expeditions with the Japan national team for my age group and think I was able to grasp some key points. I want to further increase my knowledge of organized defense.
Q. Regarding communication, I don't think it's a weak point for me.
A, I actively ask midfielders like Kyota TOKIWA and Takahiro KO questions, and I am also able to have conversations with center back Morishige, so I want to continue doing this as it is.
Q. How do you want to spend the second half of the camp?
A, There are still training matches left, so I want to make good plays that will lead to the next step for myself and connect them to my activities after the camp.
FOCUS ON – Photo of the Day –
'FOCUS ON' selects one photo taken by the official photographer.
On the 7th day of the camp, we selected this photo capturing the people of Shiraoi Town who helped maintain the training ground.
Starting with the warm welcome at New Chitose Airport, there have been many opportunities to experience the warmth of the people in the nature-rich town of Shiraoi since the camp began.
On the northern land rich in local specialties such as Shiraoi beef, as well as abundant seafood products like Koshimizu tarako and hairy crab, the team building for the new season has been progressing smoothly so far.
