Welcome back, Q.
A, I'm home. Thank you very much.
Q, Was there a different atmosphere compared to previous age group national teams, including not only matches but also practices, for the Japan national team?
A, yes. It's a gathering of players of the same age group for the national team, but this time there were players from various age groups. Each one of them is a top player playing in the top leagues around the world. The tension was on a completely different level and it was amazing.
Q, How was the tension of the game at the Japan National Stadium?
A, I was always ready to play. When the game actually started and I was warming up in the second half, I was honestly quite nervous, wondering if I would be called and what I would do if I was called.
Q, Did you have a feeling that you would play in the starting lineup for the Colombia match, and did you have a feeling that you would play in the practice after the Uruguay match?
During practice, I had a feeling that there might be a chance for me as a side back. I was preparing for the Uruguay match, but when I didn't play, I switched my mindset and prepared for the next match against Colombia, thinking that I might play.
Q, how was it to play in the game?
A, To be honest, I couldn't perform well. We conceded the first goal in the defense, and it was my fault. To be honest, my performance was not good. However, I had good coordination with player Kaoru Mitoma on the side, as we had been discussing it since two days before the match. There were some good scenes, but we couldn't turn them into results, which is something we need to work on.
Q, Did you feel like you were able to show what you have developed in Tokyo, such as positioning, throughout the game?
A, it was a similar football to Tokyo. We played a football that broke down with the relationship between the wing and the side back, where the side back entered the center. I think I was able to get into the game more smoothly than other players because I was used to it instinctively.
Q, I was also a set piece kicker.
A, the day before and the day before that, I knew I might become a kicker in practice. In Tokyo, I haven't been able to kick a good ball in the last few games. I only kicked one, but I was able to kick it to the exact spot I aimed for by relaxing my shoulders, which gave me confidence. I want to be able to do the same in Tokyo.
Q, were you nervous about the Colombia match?
A, I was extremely nervous. Even during warm-ups, I was so tense that it felt like I was losing every ball. But then, I was able to let go of my feelings. Even in Tokyo, when warm-ups weren't going well, I would feel a sense of relief during the start of the game. I would tell myself that even if I made mistakes during warm-ups, I could still enter the game with a good feeling.
Q, were you not nervous during the game?
A, I was somewhat calm, but when I entered and sang the national anthem, I felt the realization that I was standing on the pitch as a member of the Japan national team. My excitement increased rather than being nervous.
Q, you wore the number 5 of a great senior, didn't you?
A, I also found out about it by looking at Tokyo's Instagram and Twitter posts at the same time as everyone else after practice. I was surprised. It is truly an honor to wear the number that Nagatomo has carried for 15 years. However, I don't think I am at the same level yet, so I don't know if I will become number 5 from now on, but I will continue to give my all and show what a Tokyo fullback is like.
Q, Have you talked to Nagatomo since coming back?
A, "I've carried it for 15 years, so you have to do it with that kind of determination," I was told. This time it's number 5, and I don't know what will happen when I'm chosen, but for me, the number 5 is strongly associated with player Nagatomo. That won't change.
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