Q. Currently, is the morning practice focused on physical training, and the afternoon practice centered around ball exercises?
A, this morning's practice also included strength training as part of the session, followed by possession drills. I think the afternoon practice will mostly consist of ball-based training exercises.
Q. It's still early, but how is the team's atmosphere?
A, I think we are playing brightly, and everyone is trying hard to understand what the coach is asking for. In that process, there are also scenes where players talk to each other, and I think the communication is going well.
Q. Do you have any sense of how this season's soccer is shaping up at this point?
A. I think the part about building up play from the goalkeeper will be a major change from last season, so if everyone does not share a common understanding, we won’t be able to connect passes effectively. If even one player takes a different position, it will be difficult to move the ball forward, so this is a key difference from last year. I want to quickly understand what the coach expects and then move my body accordingly.
Q: Perhaps your mind gets tired before your body does. The tasks seem to be clearly defined in football terms, but are you personally coming to understand them?
A: We are only at the stage after the morning practice on the second day, and I believe the coach still has many things he wants to instill in the team. However, as the coach says, "gradually," so first, I want to understand what the coach wants us to do.
Q. What is your goal for the Kunigami camp?
A, of course, moving to Itoman without injury is one aspect, but the coach will manage my condition and gradually improve it. Once I arrive in Itoman, I expect to have many practice matches, so rather than focusing solely on my physical condition, I want to prioritize understanding the football style of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA. Next, I want to embody and internalize that understanding in my body.
Q. The coach initiated sending a message to player Hayashi, but do you have any thoughts about Hayashi deciding to undergo a second surgery?
I think this is the second surgery for A, but having Hayashi on the team changes the atmosphere, so I hope he returns to the pitch soon.
Q. I believe this is the first time for player Abe to directly interact with a foreign coach. What is your impression of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, I have played soccer until now, but this is the first time playing under a foreign coach. He is really humorous and often tells jokes during conversations.
Q: You are a coach who uses skillful words to promote the growth of individual players, including tactics. Are there any words that have stayed in your memory so far?
A, various analogies, stories about foreign players, and countries are mentioned, but I believe the coach is seeking positional play, so the phrase "not possession but positional" left a strong impression.
Q. Did you watch the Niigata match that was managed by Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, I haven't watched it yet, but I plan to watch it to see how the defensive midfielders are moving and what kind of players are on the field, so that I can prepare myself to play in the match.
Q: The captain (Morishige) and vice-captain (Diego OLIVEIRA) have been selected, and an additional vice-captain will be chosen. Are you aiming to become the vice-captain?
A, since it is the coach who decides, I believe it is important for me to firmly demonstrate my abilities during the camp, lead the team, and hope that as a result, the coach will choose me. First and foremost, I think it is important to make a strong impression on the pitch.
Q. The Japan national team camp is being held at the same time. Do you think it would not be strange for the player to be there?
Since the team is mainly composed of domestic players, I think it was an opportunity, but I believe it also means that I have not yet achieved the results or performance required to be selected for the national team. Although it is frustrating not to be chosen, I think the only thing I can do is to build my condition with the team first and work hard to make an impression.
Q: You have sufficient experience in appearances and ball recoveries, but is the necessary thing the results such as goals and assists?
A, you are absolutely right. Last year, I scored zero goals, and looking back, I really felt that we lacked goals. This year, I want to be more involved in plays near the goal and make plays that lead to scoring.
Q. The match was able to function partly because player Abe took on a defensive role. With that in mind, aiming for a goal is not easy; what are your thoughts on this?
A. Midfield players have various roles, including defense, attack, and connecting plays... Among all these roles, my ideal is to be a player who delivers results in the form of goals. Saying "deliver results" is easy, but to actually achieve that on the field, I believe I need to push myself harder and make some changes this season. Starting from the training camp, I want to perform better than last season.
Q. What kind of play do you want to focus on in order to achieve results like goals and assists?
A, I don't know what formation we will use, but depending on the position, I think we need to take middle-range shots or make plays where the second line breaks forward closer to the goal.
Q. I believe you have been conscious of moving the ball forward since last season, but how do you feel about the appointment of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, who aims for a football that loves the ball, at this timing?
As a midfielder, carrying the ball and connecting plays are absolutely important, so last year I focused on trapping and passing even during voluntary practice after training. This year, with the shift to positional soccer, in addition to what I have built up last year, I feel I need to do more in practice yesterday and today, so I want to become a player who can carry the ball better and make more passes.
Q. In absorbing the football style of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, what aspects are you looking forward to, and what areas do you want to develop?
I believe it is necessary to improve my understanding of soccer, and I want to think about, understand, and act on the plays the coach demands. Also, I want to play in a way that does not lose possession of the ball.
Q: Now in your third year, you are in a leadership position. How do you want to lead the team?
A, this is my third year as a professional, and I have started to feel that I need to lead the team more. With a new coach and a new style of soccer, I believe there will definitely be times when the team struggles. At those times, how much I can lead the team will be crucial, so I want to approach this with responsibility and determination from now on.
Q, We also expect you to take on the role of a leader.
The captain is Morishige, but I believe that leadership shouldn't be left to the captain alone; I also want to be able to lead the team myself.
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