<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, please review the game.
A, young players and new members have joined, and the competition has become intense. Compared to the same period last season, we have been able to steadily continue what we have been doing throughout the year, so I think we are in a very good atmosphere.
Q: Do you feel that you have made progress compared to last season?
A, last season clearly defined the path we should take. To improve accuracy and achieve better results, I believe we need to increase the variety of our attacks, so we are focusing on that aspect during the camp.
Q: I think the competition for the center-back position is fierce. Please share your thoughts on what you are hoping for this season.
A, I believe the number of appearances last season does not matter. Since I joined the professional league, I have approached each year as a challenge, and I want to make a strong impression during this camp this season as well. This season, especially, there are many high-level players, so I want to prepare myself so that anyone can play well, and I hope to create such strong competition that the coach will have a good dilemma about who to choose.
Q: Do you feel the intensity of the competition for positions?
A, The players around me are also playing really well, so I feel that I can't afford to lose either.
Q: Please tell us your personal goals and the team's goals for this season.
A, my goal is to participate in every match throughout the year without injury. As a team, of course, we aim to win the league championship, but as the coach says, we want to win each match one by one, focusing on the game right in front of us.
Q: There was a discussion about increasing the variations in attack, but is there anything necessary as a defender?
A, we want to supply passes that not only create chances with a single pass from our side but also can peel off the opponent's pressure without losing the ball at the back. I believe we need to be even more conscious than last season about circulating the ball properly and providing good passes to the midfield and forward players.
Q: Is there anything that Kimoto is conscious of in terms of enhancing the atmosphere during practice?
A, I am not consciously aware of it, but since I am among the older ones in terms of age, I believe I need to raise my voice more to energize everyone.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: I often see scenes of you running together with Morishige after practice this year. What do you talk about?
A, the conversation mainly focuses on private matters and we don't talk much about soccer.
Q. Do you talk about tactics or other soccer-related topics with players who have been with the team since last season, outside of meetings?
A, (Even in practice matches) the members are not fixed, so we have not had tactical discussions yet.
Q. The players do not stay fixed and the matches are conducted dynamically, but many teams are often seen entering dangerous areas. Are they indeed focusing on scoring?
A, I believe that aspects directly related to scoring, such as how crosses are delivered and how to break through behind the defense, will become important.
Q. As a player who has been playing since last season, do you pass on techniques such as how to switch with the opposing DF to other players?
A, I don't think I'm in a position to teach, and the way to score goals varies from person to person. However, for young players who are high school or university graduates, I sometimes talk about positioning and mindset rather than how to score.
Q. What are you personally focusing on right now?
A, I want to play more and more forward, making plays that directly lead to goals. I believe my strength is being able to use those around me, but to become a feared player, I want to be conscious of aspects that directly connect to scoring, such as expanding my shooting range and always aiming for the final pass.
Q: Tomorrow will be the first match of this season against FC Ryukyu, which belongs to the J.League. Will you be focusing on that aspect?
A, that's right. However, having few mistakes is also my greatest strength, so if I lose that quality, it becomes a matter before even challenging myself. I think adjusting is difficult, but I want to continue while preserving my strengths.
Q. It was mentioned that you are conscious of plays that directly lead to scoring. Is this also something the coach expects from you?
A, it is not that it is specifically demanded by the coach. Looking back at my individual results from last season, I felt that if I couldn't score more goals, we wouldn't be able to aim for the league championship or higher goals. Soccer is a sport where scoring goals is essential, so no matter how much you pass the ball around, you can't win without goals. This decision was made because I personally want to score more goals.
Q. Looking back on the off-season, did you feel that plays directly leading to goals were necessary?
A, this is something I have thought about for a while. This season, I have been allowed to play in my previous position from the start, and I believe this is the perfect timing. When I seriously think about achieving results, I believe this season will be the most important year.
Q. Please tell us the team's goals and your personal goals.
A, as a team, we aim to win the league. Personally, I want to score 10 goals.
Q. What changes occurred for the team between the 2022 and 2023 seasons?
A, of course, the base from last season remains, but I believe all players have heightened their awareness of plays directly leading to goals and the goal itself. While valuing possession of the ball is a given, it’s not just about passing the ball around; it’s also about not overlooking players who move to score and prioritizing decisions to pass the ball forward whenever possible.
Q. Kimoto mentioned that he has become better at moving the ball up to the penalty area, but breaking through beyond that is important. Regarding creativity and attack, does Watanabe have any personal keywords?
A, I think that in order to score goals compared to last season, it is important for individuals to coordinate with each other. It may be obvious, but not only the person passing the ball, but also the person receiving the pass needs to watch the opponent and start moving accordingly. I believe that synchronizing with each other is essential.
