Q, Our participation in the World Cup has been decided, but the final Asian qualifiers had a difficult start.
A thrilling situation and game continued, while on the other hand, I found myself simply enjoying the situation.
Q, is it because of experience? Would it have been different if you had experienced it when you were younger?
If it were my younger self, I would have been overwhelmed. However, this is my 4th time in the Asian final qualifiers, so I believe the experience of going through tough battles is significant. The way you feel in that situation is completely different depending on whether you have that experience or not.
Q, Was your experience utilized in the timing of recovering from the first loss?
A, good times are when you don't need experience and you can just leave it alone, but when the team is struggling or in a difficult situation, the experience of tough battles comes into play. I think every coach needs a few veterans who can bring the team together and bring a positive atmosphere through their experience.
Q, as a player, in the midst of aiming for his 4th appearance in the World Cup, immediately after the end of the final Asian qualifiers, commented on the importance of the J-League matches.
A, that's right. If we don't produce results in Tokyo, we won't make it to the World Cup stage. That's why when the final Asian qualifiers were over, I felt even more determined to return to Tokyo and perform well in the J-League.
Q, do you think that feeling is already showing in Nagatomo's play in Tokyo since returning? He couldn't participate in the national team's activities and has been quickly adjusting to the team's style while playing matches. How do you feel about it?
A, there is a great sense of accomplishment. Since I couldn't do a one-month camp with the team, I started from zero in terms of the tactics the coach is looking for, the plays he expects from the side backs, and the coordination with the players around me. However, I also feel that my experience is coming in handy. I have learned tactics from numerous coaches, both in the Japan national team and in European teams, and have worked with many players, so I think my experience has shortened the time it takes to fit into the tactics.
Q: Have you ever had the exact same tactics in the teams you have belonged to so far? However, in the process of accumulating experience, do you think there are things that can be pulled out from many different approaches and say, "This is the essence of soccer"?
A, I have learned a lot under many coaches and have a lot of drawers, and there are many changes in players both in European teams and in the Japan national team, and every coach has given me confidence by using me, and that has helped me develop my adaptability.
Q, for example, in the recent Vissel Kobe match, there was a scene where I felt Nagatomo's adaptability to the tactics. In Diego OLIVEIRA's scoring scene, Nagatomo's position is usually on the far outside, but he came into the central area, flicked a pass from the midfield, and connected it to a goal. Just as Adailton moved to the far outside area, Nagatomo took a position inside and it seemed like his movements were firmly incorporated into the team's coordination.
A, in that situation, I am very conscious of whether I should receive the ball or let my teammate receive it and then get involved as the third player. In the past, I think I would have stayed in the position where I was when the pass from Abe to Higashi was made. But now, in that situation, I immediately realize that I am not the one who should receive the ball, and I give instructions to Higashi to pass it to Abe as soon as the ball comes to him. If you watch the video, you will see that I received the ball from Abe and entered the vital zone that the opponent hates the most. Ada was on the side, and I thought there was only one player connecting with Diego, so I went to create a connection and that's how the goal was born. The final flick was a bit off, but I think it was a very successful attempt at coordination and connection on my part.
5:33 is the corresponding scene.
Q, We have been playing against clubs participating in the ACL, and we will face Urawa in the next match with only 3 days of rest. Do you have any image of Urawa's football?
A, I think they are playing really good soccer. Last season, when we played against them at home, I could feel that their tactics were clearly implemented in the team. I also felt that Manager Rodriguez is a very excellent person.
Q, it also seems like a team that can change its way of fighting flexibly while having a tactical base.
A, not just focusing on our own soccer, but also how to utilize ourselves while taking into account the opponent's strategy. I felt that they were working on this aspect while playing the game.
Q, When playing against such opponents, we also have our own style of soccer that we want to play, so we are also required to have flexibility as a team.
A, our aim is to follow what Tokyo and the opponent dislike, and if we can eliminate the opponent's strengths in conjunction, I think it will lead to a solid victory.
Q: In Tokyo, there are both Nagatomo and SAKAI Hiroki from the Japan national team playing as fullbacks for their respective teams, and their matchup is drawing attention. I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose against SAKAI if you were facing him, right?
A, of course! I have played together with Marcelo both in the Japan national team and in Marseille. We will be fighting at our home, so there is pride and a desire not to lose. Last season, he scored a goal against me and it was frustrating. If we were to match up, I would want to go all out on the pitch.
Q, we usually get along really well, right?
A, we get along really well. It's a relationship that goes beyond just being family. However, as professionals, when we step onto the pitch, if we are opponents, we must have the determination to never want to lose.
Q, I'm also looking forward to the intense match-up, but in terms of Tokyo's soccer style, I think it will be interesting to see how Nagatomo will contribute to the attack by taking a good position and leaving Sakai out.
A, of course there may be match-ups, but as a Tokyo style, the best way is to take a positioning that doesn't fight against the opponent in front of you, so especially when you have the ball, you want to create a situation where you can win without fighting by taking a positioning that the opponent dislikes. It's about deciding the match with your position, not fighting against the opponent in front of you, and taking a position where you can win just by receiving the ball. That kind of play is what the opponent dislikes, and I think it's the best way for Tokyo to win. While expecting match-ups, I'm looking forward to those tactical aspects.
