[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: How is the match at the Japan National Stadium?
First of all, I hope many people will make teru teru bozu to ensure it doesn't rain tomorrow. I have heard that the roof is mostly covered, but I hope that if everyone can avoid the rain, it will be for the sake of those coming to the match. I also hope more people will come to the stadium. I have heard that there are many entertaining events planned, so I hope you enjoy them. We all want to enjoy the match at this wonderful stadium.
Q: There is a possibility of accommodating more than 40,000 people (depending on the weather).
I hope that many people will come. If more people attend and we have a good match, I believe that the charm of Tokyo will be conveyed to even more people in the heart of the city.
Q: What is your impression of Gamba Osaka?
After the coaching change, I feel that Gamba Osaka is steering towards placing more importance on combinations this season. I believe that teams that started the season with a new coach, like us, are currently in a growth phase. This is especially true when changing playing styles. It can be seen that we are gradually growing in a positive direction since the start of this season. In that sense, I think this match will be an attractive one. Both teams will likely showcase their weapons and characteristics in this battle. Soccer is a sport that competes for the number of goals, so whether or not goals are scored can significantly change the course of the match. Recently, shots have been hitting the crossbar and posts, so I hope the post moves a few centimeters and the ball goes into the goal.
Q: Who is the player that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has particularly high expectations for?
A, player number 12. To the fans and supporters.
Q: How is player Kajiura doing?
A, due to a knee injury sustained in the recent match, I will be out of action for about two weeks. It's really disappointing as I was playing well. Being young, I believe I will recover quickly and return.Regarding player Morishige, we need to conduct a thorough examination to see if he can make it in time for the match. On the other hand, the recovery of Leandro and Kashif BANGNAGANDE from their injuries is good news for the team.
Q: I believe you evaluate player Yoshifumi Katsu, but what aspects do you think are good?
First of all, the point is that he is young. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of his technique. He also has an appealing ability to participate in attacks. I would like to see a bit more of his performance in defense and I expect there are areas for improvement. He is very young and has great potential, so I want to keep an eye on his play. However, since he has been out of action for a long time, he will gradually need to regain his match sense.
Q: What will you do if player Morishige is absent?
A, Henrique is here, so it's okay.
Q: Tokyo has a good winning percentage in matches at the Japan National Stadium, but does Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA pay attention to numbers and data?
A, I don't place much importance on past numbers. However, I think they are worth noting. If there is a tendency to win, I hope it continues.
Q: Do you have any superstitions or rituals?
I believe that by working hard, I can attract good fortune. There seems to be a flow where if you work diligently, you will be blessed with more luck.
[Player Interview]
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q: The J-League is returning to the National Stadium for the first time in 8 years. Do you have any memories of it?
A, I only have memories (laughs). I admired Higashi Fukuoka High School after watching the snowy Final Round between Higashi Fukuoka High School and Teikyo High School at the National High School Soccer Championship, and from there I dreamed of going to Higashi Fukuoka. In our generation, we lost to Ichiritsu Funabashi High School in the first match during our third year of high school, and I was left with the regret and emotional scars of not being able to reach the Japan National Stadium. The moment I stood on the stage of the Japan National Stadium was during the U-23 Japan national team match against Malaysia under Coach Sorimachi. At that time, I was still affiliated with Meiji University, but I was called up for the first time and fought representing the team. I scored a goal in that match, and it was the moment my long-held scars from 3 to 4 years healed.It has that kind of story, and when I first stepped onto the pitch of the Japan National Stadium, it was a thrilling situation. There was pressure in representing the country, and I felt a sense of tension in that regard, but I still remember the joy of standing here and the thrilling sensation I felt.
Q: The first title was also won at the Japan National Stadium, right?
A, that's right. From there, the image of the Japan National Stadium is good. I scored in the debut match of the U-23 Japan national team and also scored in the match against Belgium for the A team. I won the Nabisco Cup (now Levain Cup), and I have a very good image.
Q, when it comes to Japan National Stadium, Sota HIRAYAMA is the image of the National man, but will Yuto NAGATOMO become the new National man at the new Japan National Stadium?
Aiming to be the new National man. First of all, I want to give everything for the team to win. It would be great if I could score or assist.
Q: There is a possibility of over 40,000 spectators attending, but won't you be causing a commotion as the festival man?
A, it's really noisy, isn't it? The more attention we get, the more energy wells up from the depths of our hearts, and I would be happy if we could have more than 40,000 people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn't even have national team matches, and it has been a truly lonely and painful experience for over two years. Coming back to the Japan National Stadium and being able to showcase our play in front of more than 40,000 fans and supporters would be a wonderful thing as a soccer player.
Q, I believe you have seen the Japan National Stadium in videos, but how do you feel about the excitement of stepping in and playing there, and the anticipation that it might give you new energy?
The power and energy that comes from that land is somewhat different. Regarding the Japan National Stadium, the moment you step on it, you can really feel the energy coming up from your feet.
Q: It is said to be auspicious, as you have scored in the Japan national team's match against Belgium, and now you will be playing at the new Japan National Stadium for the match against Brazil. How do you feel about this in terms of your mindset for the game?
First of all, as a full-back, I want to focus on solid defense. I want to keep the number of goals conceded to zero, and just like in the match against Brazil, I believe I need to show that I won't lose to my opponent in tomorrow's game as well. I think this is an area where I need to demonstrate my skills in one-on-one situations. If I can't show that, I don't think it will lead to the World Cup. There are many players in the J-League who are better than me, but I don't want to lose in terms of defense and one-on-one situations. So, first, I want to focus on my footwork and properly showcase my play.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: You have played in 8 league matches. How do you feel about your performance so far in your first year as a professional?
I feel positive that I am getting used to J1 League soccer with each match and that I am able to play the way I want. However, there are still parts of myself that I am not satisfied with, and there are younger players overseas who are excelling. Personally, I feel more of a sense of crisis than satisfaction, so I want to spend the season learning from my seniors in Tokyo and growing even more.
Q: What are you consciously trying to absorb from your senior teammates?
I have a mindset to learn from everyone, but during training, I particularly pay attention to the positioning of Yojiro TAKAHAGI and Keigo HIGASHI, who play the same position. Also, I get along well with Shuto ABE in our private lives, and we understand each other's play, so I would like to deepen our collaboration even further in the future.
Q: This match is at the Japan National Stadium. For Matsuki, this is the place where he won the National High School Soccer Championship in January this year, but is there anything special he is particularly aware of?
A, not at all. It doesn't change the fact that it's one match in the league, and our determination to fight to win in any match remains the same. We are in a situation where we have drawn three consecutive matches in the league, so I believe it is most important to win here and add three points.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for this match with the fans and supporters.
I want to share the victory with all the fans and supporters who come to the stadium. We have been able to train well so far, and with a good mentality, we will do our best to achieve a winning result. Personally, I am looking for plays that lead directly to goals, so I hope you can expect visible results like goals and assists.
