Training on 1/25
The first day of the Okinawa Itoman camp was conducted privately. The second camp has started from this day, and coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI stated, "I want to bring out the challenges and good aspects that arise from the game as we prepare for it."
Furthermore, the coach expressed that he hopes a player will emerge to create surprises and astonishment.
Not only the key players from last season and the promising new additions, but also the players who returned to Tokyo after not achieving the desired results during their training stints are motivated by this. Each of them is starting to showcase their strengths and abilities.
The emergence of players who overturn past rankings and achievements will further enhance competitiveness. If the secondary camp is filled with such surprises, we should be able to acquire a thick player pool that does not rely on any specific individual.
FOCUS ON
The official photographer selects camp photos in the project "FOCUS ON." On the first day of the camp in Itoman, Okinawa, this photo was chosen showing interpreter Kazunori IINO and Ewerton Gaudino smiling and talking. Since 2000, he has supported foreign players and staff both professionally and personally as an interpreter. He has also experienced farewells with Diego OLIVEIRA, who retired at the end of last season. Nevertheless, interpreter IINO said, "It's sad, but now we can see and talk to each other on our mobile phones no matter where we are in the world," turning tears into smiles as he continues to face the current players. Of course, the bonds with the players who have colored the history of the blue and red will remain unchanged.
CAMP VOICE vol.12 Hisatoshi NISHIDO
Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said before the second camp, "I hope a player will emerge to create a surprise." Whether he knew it or not, Hisatoshi NISHIDO naturally expressed, "I want to surprise those around me." He has played for JEF United Chiba, Kagoshima United FC, and FC Gifu since the middle of his first professional season. However, he has not been able to perform as he wished, and as he enters his third season, he voiced his sense of crisis, saying, "I feel pressured." On the other hand, during this camp, he stands out with a noticeable smile as if he has let something go. He is also showing bold plays without fear of making mistakes. I asked NISHIDO about the reason for this.
Q: The second camp has started.
A, I have been troubled by injuries for a long time, so being able to train well without injury throughout the first camp is quite significant. During this time, I have also been challenging myself in positions different from before, and I am enjoying that environment as well. I believe I am in a situation where I am being pushed to my limits. Even so, I have no negative feelings at all and am approaching it with an "I can handle anything" mindset. These emotions are working in a positive way, and looking back on the first camp, I realized that mindset is really important. Soccer is a mental sport, and I believe expressing my feelings leads to expressing myself on the pitch.
Q: You have shown good performance in practice. What do you think you should do to overturn the hierarchy from here?
A: This season, for the first time, I feel like I’m really enjoying the camp. Until last season, I couldn’t help but worry about the performance of players in the same position, and negative feelings would arise. But here, there are wonderful players in the same position, and the competition is fierce. However, such situations exist in every club and team, and no matter where you are, you have to keep winning the competition. I thought I had understood this all along, but being pushed like this, I might have truly understood it for the first time. With that mindset, I’m now able to even enjoy the intense competition.
Q: Coach Matsuhashi also mentioned that he will take the initiative to do what he can for the team.
Director A Matsuhashi's words have had a considerable influence on my own thinking. He has created such an environment as a director. Perhaps I am the only one who feels this way, but I believe others also have various perceptions. Moreover, I think the director is looking for offensive players, and since I also like offense, I can clear my mind and focus just on bringing out my strengths.
Q: There were moments during the camp where it was acceptable to start over without pushing too hard, and plays were made boldly to catch the opposing defenders off guard by splitting the defense.
A, of course there is fatigue and tightness. However, my condition is the best it has been in my third professional season. During my first professional season's camp, I was starting rehabilitation, and last season I was playing while dealing with pain. Now, I am in the best condition, which I believe leads to more aggressive play and confidence.
Q: It looks like you have fun every day, even from the outside.
A, I think the style fits well. Also, I believe it's because there aren't many restrictions. Coach Matsuhashi communicates the direction and way of thinking in meetings, but there is no absolute rule like 'you must do it this way' or 'in this situation, you must always do this.' For players like me who play with momentum and flow, that is significant. Having fewer restrictions allows me to approach things very positively.
Q: What kind of days do you want to spend in the remaining camp?
A, what I always have in mind is not getting injured. Since that is a concern, I want to prevent injuries in advance with the help of the trainers. Although I am a player who returned without achieving results at the loan club, I want to fight my way up from the bottom. Of course, everyone is aiming to be in the starting lineup for the opening game, but I also want to make a mark and surprise those around me. I will work hard with that mindset to aim for the starting lineup at the opening.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
