[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, Happy New Year. During yesterday's announcement of the new structure, you mentioned the importance of the players' character. Could you please elaborate on that?
A. A soccer team, like a company or any organization, is important to express the value that each individual holds. As a coach, I want each player to give everything they have for the team. It is my job to bring that out. If each person does not give their all, naturally the team's performance will decline. So, if the workplace has an atmosphere where each person can go forward with joy, for example, in our case, if the atmosphere in the locker room or during today's practice is better, players will naturally be encouraged to express everything they have. That is why first and foremost, I focus on bringing out everything from each individual, which is crucial. To give your all, the organization needs to have a good atmosphere. I believe this applies not only to soccer teams but to all organizations. I conveyed the same to the players. I told them there are two non-negotiable points. One is to "be a good person." The other is to "love the ball." I communicated this to the players. Apart from these, everyone makes mistakes, and I make mistakes too. But these two points are non-negotiable.
Q: Last season started from zero, so we began from the very basics. In this first camp, what standards do you want to use to determine how far you want to progress?
A, for this preseason, we want to dig deep right from the start. Today is a training session for our fans and supporters, and tomorrow, after traveling, there will be a light training session to loosen up the body. However, from the day after tomorrow, we want to start solid, in-depth training. The first training session on Tuesday morning will be conducted as if it is a continuation of the training from the end of last season. We want the players to participate with that mindset. Also, we want all the staff to maintain continuity from last season.
Q: Can we hear the coach's opinion on Matsuki's performance throughout last season?
A, Kuse had two phases last season. In the first half, of course, he expressed his bold play and ambition on the pitch, which was highly commendable. However, there were many tactical and technical mistakes. On the other hand, in the second half of the season, I believe he proved to be a more mature player. The mistakes I mentioned earlier gradually decreased. However, in the away match against Nagoya Grampus towards the end of the season, he made a childish mistake that led to a goal and contributed to the defeat. But since he is only 19 years old, it is natural for young players to make mistakes. He is still young and needs time. He is not only an important player for us but also an important player for Japan, and I believe he will grow into an even more important player in the future. There is still room for growth, and he must continue to grow. For that, he needs time.
Q: You were the only rookie to play a key role. What is the difference between you and the other rookies who did not get a chance to play?
A, I believe Kuse's greatest strength is his mental toughness. The World Cup has just taken place, but the players who perform well in such tournaments are only those who are mentally strong. That is precisely the difference between him and other young players.
Q: Please tell us again about the style of football the coach aims for and how much of it was achieved last season.
A, I think my style is very simple. It is about attacking and defending with the ball. Always with the ball. That is my style. There are various styles in soccer. For example, there is a style where you give the ball to the opponent and aim for a counterattack with the space in front of you. However, Japan is a world leader in economic power. That is why I believe Japan, as a subject, has the potential to aim for soccer that takes the lead in matches. Which style wins the game is a different story. But we carry the name Tokyo. Therefore, I believe we are destined to aim for victory with a style that takes the lead in matches. Even at the end of last season, in the match against Nagoya Grampus, we aimed to win with our style and controlled the game, but we could not win. In the final round, at home against Kawasaki Frontale, I think we controlled the game, but we did not win. The match result is something we cannot control. We can choose how to aim for victory, and we must aim for victory in a way that takes the lead in the match. That is the style we aim for. There is still a long way to go to improve the team's completeness.
I believe that last season was a year where we reached about 60% of our potential in terms of completion. We must continue to grow from here, and with the addition of new players and the performance and development of young players, I want to enhance the team's overall quality. As a medium to long-term goal, I think the club should not just focus on continuously winning titles, but rather strive to always be in the upper ranks and maintain the potential to be involved in the title race. I hope we can develop into a club that consistently has the potential to be among the top three teams, in a manner befitting Tokyo. However, this project is still in its second season. I am not foolish enough to set lofty goals that put pressure on myself like a boomerang, or to set goals that I believe are unattainable deep down. On the other hand, if we are one of the top two clubs in terms of management scale in J1, then we are destined to compete for titles immediately. However, our club has not yet reached that scale.
MIXI, Inc. joined the club, and we started a project last season with the hope that this club will grow and become a top-level club in this country. I believe there are still stages to go through. I have commented many times last season, but I think Japan is a mysterious country. This is because when the season starts, all teams set the goal of aiming for the league championship. In La Liga, it is quite rare for clubs with a smaller scale, such as Real Betis, to declare their goal of aiming for the league championship at the beginning of the season. However, I believe it is natural for clubs that are not necessarily large in scale to set the goal of growing towards that aim. What I am saying now does not mean that we do not aim for victory in the upcoming matches; on the contrary, we always give our best effort and aim for victory in the matches ahead with the best performance. That is something we continuously strive for.
Q: How did you view Spain in the World Cup?
A, for example, does Japan surpass Germany in terms of potential? From my perspective, the Germany national team is several times ahead of the Japan national team. However, in a single football match, which is one of the wonderful aspects of this sport, there is a possibility for either team to win in any given tournament match. The moment the Japan national team wins against the Germany national team in a World Cup match, it would be a mistaken interpretation to say that Japan has surpassed Germany. A single tournament can produce various match results. The Spain national team, also a team with great potential, challenged this World Cup but, like several other countries, did not achieve the expected results. However, we must not forget that Spain was eliminated by penalty kicks. Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina. Does that mean Saudi Arabia is better than Argentina, who won the World Cup? Absolutely not.
Cup competitions, including the World Cup, involve various factors, sometimes including luck, that influence match results and ultimately determine the champion. The victory of Ventforet Kofu in last season's Emperor's Cup is still fresh in our memory. There is indeed a significant difference between the long-term battle of league matches and cup competitions. That is why I believe the league, as a long-term contest, is the tournament that properly evaluates the abilities of each team and club. However, a recent trend in the football world is that the strength of the teams is quite balanced. The J1 last year was also such a case; it was a competition with closely matched levels.Yokohama F.Marinos also possessed potential and were fortunate enough to claim the championship at the very end, which I believe proves that the league was highly competitive. As for Shimizu S-Pulse's relegation, it is hard to believe given their potential, but such outcomes can happen in this tightly contested league.
Q: I understand that Coach Albert is not making grand promises and not setting winning the championship as a goal, but I hear players like Kuryu MATSUKI mentioning the possibility of a treble, and new players expressing their desire to win in Tokyo. As a coach, a leader, and a father, how do you feel when you hear those words?
A, if they did not have the desire to win the title, I would tell them to go home and sleep (laughs). They must have that desire. However, as a realist, I am in a position where I must speak appropriately as the manager. As I said yesterday, I believe that setting overly ambitious goals that raise excessive expectations ultimately leads to great frustration. That is why, as the manager, I recognize that aiming for victory in the next match is the goal. Looking at the season over a longer span, the goal is to express better play in every match than last season. The world of football is very simple. If you keep losing matches, you have to leave this club; that is the norm in the football world. As the manager, I must face reality and speak as a realist.
Q: There was an announcement at yesterday's new system presentation, but once again regarding this year's reinforcements, I believe there are ideals and realities for the coach. How do you feel about it?
Regarding the new players added this time, I am very satisfied. Naturally, if there had been more reinforcements, it would have been a plus for the club. Our path is to gradually increase investment and grow little by little.
Q: I understand that player Nakagawa will be participating in today's interview. What are your thoughts on player Nakagawa?
A, after all, he is an experienced and mature player. His position is a special one, and both he and I are aware of that. What we expect from him is clear. We sincerely hope that he will once again demonstrate the abilities he has shown in recent years while wearing our uniform.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q: The team's overall practice has started, what are your thoughts on it?
A, new members such as young players and experienced players are joining, so I want them to quickly get accustomed to the team, have a sense of being part of the team, and work for the team. Compared to last year, I think there will be even more competition this year, so if each individual can win within that, the team's level will rise and the team will become stronger. I want to make it such a year.
Q: It has been two years since Coach Albert's regime began. What do you think you need to build upon from last season's play?
A, I think the only thing we can do is to improve the quality of each individual aspect. After that, by repeating trial and error and gaining experience in this style of football and with this team, I believe we will be able to develop. I want to make sure we do that properly.
Q: You will be serving as captain again this year. What were your thoughts when you heard about it?
By being the captain of Team A, I feel a positive pressure on myself, and I was able to see things from a different perspective, which I believe has contributed to my growth. I have to keep thinking about things, but since I tried it last year and found it enjoyable, I think this year will also be a rewarding team experience.
Q: I think last year was a difficult year, but considering that, what kind of results do you aim for this year and where do you want to go?
A, we always have to win titles, and I believe that the Tokyo team must aim not only to be the best in Japan but also to compete in Asia and beyond. I think it is our role to strive for that goal.
Q: Please tell us your personal goals.
While taking my time to think during camp, I believe that going through the year without injuries is important for me. To achieve that, I think it’s essential to focus on care and how much time I can dedicate to soccer each day. Of course, there will be times when things don’t go well, but I want to spend fulfilling days and work on building my condition to be able to participate in matches throughout the year.
Q: This team has many young players. How do you want to lead this team?
<div>A, I think what we can do is limited, but the best thing is to give them a good experience. For that reason, we definitely want to aim for the championship and compete for the title. There are things that become clear in that process, and if we can let them experience that while they are young, it will be a great experience and asset for the future of Tokyo. Of course, it's not something we alone can provide, so we want everyone to work together to achieve it.
Q: Last season was the first year of changing styles, so I think there was an aspect of focusing on content rather than results to some extent. This season, I believe we have reached a point where we must score, win, and aim for the championship, but conversely, does the situation where excuses can no longer be made make it easier for you?
A, last season we were not in a stance of just letting things slide because it was a new approach; we were always aiming for the championship. I think the communication from the coach to the outside and to the inside differs, and we have always been balancing pressure within ourselves, working to achieve both results and the style of football the coach wants to implement. After that, I believe it comes down to how well we can express that at a high level and connect it to results. From last season, we understood that unless we demand more from each other at a higher level, we won't get results. So, I think we must fight every match with all our might, treating each game as a must-win.
Q: Masato MORISHIGE, Yasuki KIMOTO, and Keigo HIGASHI form a triangle, and I believe the central block of five players with strong inside halves has become quite solid. Considering that as a place of confidence, what areas do you think we should strengthen to achieve more victories?
A, until now, there haven't been many players, especially Japanese players, who can score a lot of goals. In that sense, Nakagawa is a Japanese player who can put up numbers, so I think players like him should emerge. Just like Matsuki became the core of the team last season, it is ideal for one or two young players to come forward and bring energy to the team, so I believe that kind of presence is necessary.
Q: There was a period last season when the team struggled to win while player Morishige was absent due to injury. I have the impression that the quality of our build-up play was significantly different when Morishige was on the field compared to when he wasn't. Regarding the quality you mentioned earlier, what specific aspects do you want your teammates to focus on during the build-up phase?
A: Last season, we were somewhat feeling our way through things, and as we made fine adjustments, it was only around the second half of the season that we finally understood, "This is how it should be done." I think the number of times everyone was troubled gradually decreased. From there, the key challenge and the most important part of this style of football is how much we can improve quality, such as minimizing mistakes in the final pass of a play. I believe the secret to winning in this football is how well we can perform the basics at a high level.
Q: Is there anything you learned from the World Cup matches?
A, individual ability is the most important. No matter how well the team is organized, in the end, it comes down to whether individuals outperform or underperform. If individuals in each position are better than their opponents, the team as a whole will inevitably win. Watching the World Cup, I was reminded once again that it really comes down to the individual.
Q. Earlier, player Morishige mentioned the word "title," and the players who appeared at the new system announcement also said similar things. From the perspective of Morishige, who has won titles and experienced championship battles, do you feel that this season's members and the style of football you aim to play have the conditions to compete for the title?
A, although we have felt confident many times in the past, various things have happened during the season, so rather than how we feel right now, I think it is much more important how the team can respond and overcome when accidents occur throughout the year. It depends on how much unity the team can have and having ideas or team management to solve problems when something happens. I believe those things are important.
Q: Earlier, Nakagawa's name was mentioned, and I think it is significant that a player who has experienced winning the league has joined us. What aspects do you hope they will contribute and convey to the team?
First of all, I don't think everything will go well just because one person like that has come. We also listen to various stories, and there are always hints in them, so I think it's about how we can utilize those hints with this team. Even if we do exactly the same thing, different results will come out, so I want to think about how we can make use of those hints with this team.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: After finishing the team practice on the start date, do you have any thoughts or feelings about it?
A, we are grateful to all the fans and supporters who have come, and we feel that the second season is about to begin. We also have the desire to aim for a higher ranking than last year.
Q: What kind of play do you want to add this season? Please let us know if there are any areas you want to strengthen compared to last year.
A, I definitely want to be more involved in plays that lead to goals and assists. I aim to become a defensive midfielder or shadow midfielder who can make more runs into the penalty area.
Q: How did you spend your time off, and how active were you?
After the activities with the Japan national team by age group ended, I spent about one or two weeks with my family. From there, I switched to this year and have been focusing on strengthening muscle training and agility.
Q: You mentioned that you want to be involved in scoring. Do you have specific numbers in mind?
A, there are no numbers. I believe a good player is someone who contributes to the team rather than individual achievements, so I think it would be good if that leads to my own goals.
Q: Please tell us the circumstances regarding whether the change of jersey number was your own wish or if it was discussed with the club.
Player A, Mita, transferred to Yokohama FC, and since I also wanted to wear number 7, I contacted Mita. Mita also said, "I want you to wear it," so I confidently discussed various matters with the club and was allowed to wear number 7.
Q: What are your thoughts on playing this season wearing the number 7 jersey?
As number 7 of Tokyo, I hope to create my own style of number 7 and play in a way that does not disgrace the great seniors who have worn this number.
Q: As it is the second season, do you think there are parts where you feel more relaxed in a good way? What are your thoughts as you approach the opening match?
A, I experienced my second year in high school, but since it will be a difficult year, I want to approach the camp with a more intense condition and mindset than the new players.
Q: Arai said, "I want to perform well from my first year like Matsuki." Are you conscious of anything with juniors coming in?
A, I believe I must set a good example. I think the younger players will also compete fiercely during the camp to get playing time in matches, so I want to work just as hard, if not harder, to keep up with them.
Q: I believe you watched the World Cup, but is Matsuki's main goal to become a regular member of the Japan national team, or is it to win the World Cup?
A, Isn't it a World Cup victory? I think everyone would probably say that.
Q, please tell me the reason.
A. I believe there is no team that does not aim to win when representing Japan.
Q: What did you feel while watching the World Cup?
A, my teammate Yuto NAGATOMO was playing, which made me feel more familiar, and I also want to play in a way that achieves results on the big stage like Yuto NAGATOMO.
Q: Last season, I think the team was able to control the ball quite well towards the end. This season, in aiming for the league championship, what specifically does the team want to achieve?
A, since an offensive player has joined, I think we need to try combinations during the camp for scoring. We also conceded many goals, so we want to play possession football that prevents conceding goals while scoring more goals.
Q: Even with the risk of conceding goals, does that mean we need to take action in both defense and attack to increase our scoring?
A, well. I think that requires communication with the forward players, so I hope we can deepen that during the camp.
Q: As an inside half, do you want to emphasize your involvement in attacking plays and scoring more?
A, since inside halves are also attacking players, I think they need to be involved in scoring. Amid the competition, I believe I am the most passionate, so I hope to achieve results there.
Q: There has been talk that the second year is difficult, but what aspects were challenging?
When I was in the second year of high school, I started to feel more confident and realized that I had to lead the team. Having experienced that, I believe I can stay calm while also showing my distinctive fierce determination—not in a clingy way, but with a relentless drive to go after goals.
Q, as a new adult, please tell us what kind of year you want this year to be.
A, yes, I will become an adult. I will turn 20 in April, so I think I will take a step up to becoming more mature, and I want to make it a year where I act like an adult. It's a reminder that I'm no longer a child. Since I now have juniors, I think I need to teach them various things.
Q: After being a key player for a year, do you have the desire to lead the team even more?
A, that's right. The seniors who have led us so far have each gone to different clubs, so since I also have plenty of match experience, I hope to lead the team.
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q, How do you feel after the announcement of the new structure and the first full practice at Kodaira Ground? Please share your thoughts on participating as a member of Tokyo.
A, there are still many things I haven't grasped yet. I've been busy with moving and other matters, and today was my first time coming to the clubhouse, so there are parts where I don't even know what is where. The condition of the turf and the fact that such facilities exist are aspects that make me feel happy. I didn't have such an environment with my previous team, so I feel fortunate.
Q: Please tell us about the image you had of Tokyo from the matches so far.
A, what I felt when competing was the intensity in one-on-one situations. Since Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA came, I had the impression that the team has been entering the game with an awareness of ball possession and building play from the back.
Q: Regarding your involvement, what kind of play do you think will be required of you, and do you have a specific image of what you want to demonstrate yourself?
I think the style when I was at Marinos and the style in Tokyo are similar but not quite the same. We share the aspect of possession, but the way it's done is something I still need to fully grasp, and I believe I need to adapt more, so it's a work in progress. Within that, I hope to add my own strengths as an extra plus.
Q: I heard that you are quite laid-back. I also heard that your pre-match routine has many steps; how many are there?
A, there are so many that it's impossible to count. But I think the things to do easily exceed 20, so it's quite a lot. On top of that, since I go at my own pace, I always end up cutting it really close with time, but I think that's both a good and bad trait I have as a soccer player, so I hope to keep going without wavering there. If someone says something, I'll improve though (laughs).
Q: Will it be just the right balance to be organized in such a way?
A, that's roughly the image. I make sure to do what I need to do and prepare thoroughly before warming up and entering the match, so if I don't do that, I get worried. For that reason, I try to do the same kind of routine in every game.
Q: Do you feel that your routine is related to your performance?
A, of course there is. I believe that playing comes after experiencing such things, and continuing that is one part of my football life, so I want to keep doing it.
Q: I think you were able to play throughout the year without any long absences last season. How do you feel about your physical condition heading into this year?
A, I was able to score in the opening match and the second round last season, so the start was good. However, although it has not been officially announced, to be honest, I was playing while injured after the second round. As that settled down and my condition and quality of play gradually improved around summer, I think if I can maintain that this season and gain a bit more strength, good results will come.
Q: I believe that for Nakagawa, who is like the face of Marinos, the decision to transfer was made with strong feelings from a comfortable place. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, my era at Marinos has come to an end, or rather, I felt it was a good milestone. With my age reaching a turning point, I decided to take on a new challenge. At that time, Tokyo approached me with an offer, and after hearing about their future vision and their hopes for this season, I decided to take on the challenge. This is also a challenge for me to see how much I can achieve with Tokyo, and I believe I have a mission to deliver results. After this season ends, I think it will become clear how much I contributed based on the results I achieved and how the team performed. I put that kind of pressure on myself. Actually, I have been doing so all along.
Q: What was the most resonant word during the discussion?
A, I can't go into details, but they said they need my skills, and I felt their enthusiasm.
Q: What do you think is important for a team to win?
A, from my two experiences, I felt that the sense of "family" is extremely important. At yesterday's new system announcement, I also conveyed that the "family feeling" is highly valued. I believe that the team coming together as one is the shortcut to winning the championship, and if someone looks like they are struggling during play, it is natural for someone else to go help. Thinking of it as a family, I believe that accumulating these small acts will create a strong team. I came here to aim for a strong team, so I want to build such a team.
Q: Do you want to point out things if you notice them to become a stronger team, or do you want to lead by example through your play? Which one is it?
A, there is no captaincy, so I hope to demonstrate it through my play and attitude during practice.
Q: Has anything changed since you experienced winning the championship?
A, the sense of accomplishment when winning was so great that words cannot express it, as we went through tough times and sacrificed our freedom to play soccer. I want everyone in Tokyo to experience it.
Q: You mentioned that you came to the field for the first time today, did you meet anyone you know?
A, there are almost none. I think the only one I played with a little during university was Yasuki KIMOTO.
Q: How will you expand the circle?
A, I hope to take things at my own pace (laughs). I'm not the type to go and start conversations, so if someone comes to talk to me, I will talk, and I would be happy if more people come to talk to me. Now that I'm 30 years old and everyone around me is younger, it's a bit difficult for me to start conversations... (laughs).
Q: Did you have the opportunity to talk with the coach at the new system announcement event or during today's practice?
A, I have only contacted once.
Q: What was the content?
A, I received an English message on LINE, so I hardly understand it (lol).
Q: What do you think is being asked of Nakagawa by the club and the coach?
A, I think it will be required more clearly from now on, but what the coach just told me on the field was to freely take the initiative in the attacking zone and create chances such as goals and assists. I have to express at least a little of what the coach expects, and I want to play in a way that satisfies the coach.
