7/17 Practice Match vs. Montedio Yamagata Player Comments
Takahiro KO
Q: After finishing the first practice match of the camp, please share your honest impressions.
A: As a team, we challenged ourselves with various new things we wanted to try, and there were parts where we were able to express them well. However, there were still many areas lacking, so I want to steadily build on those through training matches and training sessions during the remainder of the camp period.
Q. There were also periods during which what you have been working on in this camp was well expressed.
A: Defensively, there were many occasions where the opponent got caught in our high press, and when we couldn’t get there, everyone dropped back to the middle zone. I think there were many good moments where we maintained strong intensity. In attack, when moving the ball, I believe we were able to switch between playing it vertically and shaking up the defense. I considered “shaking up” to be a key concept, so by using that well, we had relatively long periods of pressing forward, and I think we were able to create good situations.
Q: It seemed like goals were hard to come by.
A, There were many chances in front of the goal, and many players were involved. However, it is important to finish decisively there, so we want to focus even more on that moving forward.
Q: It seemed that Takahashi personally kept his voice up and skillfully controlled the team.
A: This is something I have been very conscious of since the start of this season. While thoroughly organizing the entire team both offensively and defensively, I also feel that my initial reactions are sharp. As we approach the start of this season, I intend to be thorough with the basics such as winning the ball and picking up loose balls, and I am feeling positive about that.
Hirokazu ISHIHARA
Q: Please share your thoughts after finishing the first training match of this camp.
A: I think we need to improve our condition a bit more, but considering it was the first match, I believe everyone moved well. The result might not have been that good, but I think the things each player wanted to do and the shape the team aims for appeared in various parts. As a team, we managed to score a good goal and had a good match.
Q: I believe everyone was conscious of what they worked on during this camp, but how did you feel about it on the pitch?
A, I think the number of times we entered the penalty area was high. Regarding pressing, there were moments when we pressed from the front, moments when we stopped once to organize before pressing, and moments when we dropped back, and I believe each of us was able to do these as our own tasks. I think the quality and accuracy can still be improved. However, considering this was our first practice match, I think everyone was consciously able to do these things, so I want to continue this going forward.
Q: It seemed that Ishihara was able to show his strengths during the time he was on the pitch.
A: I got pretty exhausted (laughs). I couldn’t fully bring out the quality in the final moments. That’s something I definitely want to improve. However, in terms of my strength, which is being proactive, even when it was tough, I was able to make plays by aggressively moving forward and getting involved with the ball, so I want to increase those moments.
Q: What kind of play do you want to show in the remaining training matches?
A: I want to actively get involved up front and be proactive. Applying pressure in the attacking area is the role of the fullbacks, and in this team, Sei MUROYA and Kento HASHIMOTO are also doing that. I believe it is expected to increase the number of players applying pressure there, so I want to show that kind of presence as well.
SPECIAL CONTENTS
Yuhei TOKUNAGA, an alumnus who participated as a Match Quality Assessor at the July 16 rules seminar, observed the training match against Montedio Yamagata. We asked him for his candid impressions and which players he is focusing on ahead of the season opener.
Q: Please tell us your honest impressions after watching the match.
A, I really thought they were playing great soccer. They played well in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Concept League too, but I got the impression that their level of completion has increased heading into the new season. The members haven’t changed significantly, so their teamwork has improved even more, and I think they were able to play a match that gives us a lot of hope for the start of the season.
Q: Was there a player who left a strong impression on you?
A, it's Kyota Tokiwa. I hadn't really seen him play much before, but when I saw him for the first time last season, I thought, "This player is really good." Watching him throughout the season since then, I felt he is quite an excellent player.
Q. What aspects did you find appealing?
A, first of all, he is very attentive. On top of that, he doesn’t lose the ball and works hard on defense. He has high overall ability and, above all, is smart. I think he is a player who truly understands soccer. Right now, he is the player I am most focused on across the entire league.
Q: Does Tokyo look promising for this season?
A: The team is highly polished, so I think we can have high expectations. Thinking about new members joining here makes it interesting to watch, and I believe they can play exciting football. Plus, everyone runs and works hard, so I think it’s a very interesting team, and I’m also looking forward to it.
FOCUS ON – Photo of the Day –
'FOCUS ON' selects one photo taken by the official photographer.
On the fourth day of the camp, we selected the moment when player Keito Sato fiercely collided with an opposing player, sending up a spray of water.
On this day, the first training match of the camp was held against Montedio Yamagata. For Sato, it was also the unveiling match of the number 10 jersey he inherited from Keigo HIGASHI. Throughout the game, Sato’s unique character shone through, aiming to be "the world's toughest number 10."
The new number 10, encouraged by Higashi to "create a number 10 that is true to Megumu," leads the blue and red team.
