Q: Looking back at the first half of the season, how do you analyze the battles so far?
A new season has begun, challenging ourselves with a new style under a new coach, and each day has brought us many new discoveries and realizations. As the first half of the season is coming to an end, I believe the most important thing is our proactive and enthusiastic approach to the new things we are working on in practice, improving ourselves day by day. It is crucial to have the awareness to gradually improve in all aspects, including team tactics and individual tactics, through practice. In that sense, I feel that we are not heading in the wrong direction, but rather moving in a good direction.
Q: You commented that the new style is a new challenge for yourself. Do you feel your growth in adapting to the new style during the matches?
First of all, I am working every day in practice to improve a little bit from yesterday to today, and from today to tomorrow. Therefore, I am very positive about the new style, and I intend to continue working daily to improve constantly. The difficulty of the new style is that it doesn't progress easily as a team, but I want you to remember that we are gradually getting better compared to the first week of camp at the beginning of the season, and we can feel that ourselves. I believe time is necessary, and for the team to mature further, each individual needs to take more time to focus on the finer details. However, as we compete this season, there are good aspects emerging, so I think the team will mature further as each individual works positively to win matches in order to achieve titles.
Q: Many in the media have mentioned Jakub SLOWIK as a key player in the first half of the season. How do you feel about your performance?
A, I am training to become a better goalkeeper today than I was yesterday, and I approach daily practice with the mindset that tomorrow will be even better than today. Of course, there have been matches this season where I helped secure points by saving shots, and I have prevented several decisive chances, but I believe it is not just my individual effort; it is the collective strength of the entire team, including the defensive players. I think the goals scored are also a reflection of the team's overall effort, so in that sense, I believe the whole team is moving in a better direction. I represent the team on the field, but I also have the support of my fellow goalkeepers, such as Kodama and Go HATANO, as well as the coaching staff and various others who support the team, which has led to our good results so far. While I am grateful to everyone who fights alongside me, I want to continue preparing well so that when I stand on the pitch as a representative of the team, I can deliver a good performance.
Q: What is necessary for the team to improve as we head into the second half of the season?
A, soccer is a sport where the results can change with just a little. After all, to achieve good results, it is important to believe in what you are currently working on and continue. Sometimes it is essential to endure and keep going. In that sense, I am confident that Tokyo will achieve good results soon. I want to do my best to win the next match. I truly believe that the path we are on is not wrong, so I think it all comes down to the entire team believing in what we are doing now and continuing to work hard.
