Two attackers who are similar yet different approached. The theme is "dribble".
When asked about his strengths in dribbling, Keita ENDO tilts his head in confusion and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA confidently responds with vertical movements. While there are some aspects that they both agree on, there are also some opposite views. Despite both playing as left wingers, their ways of thinking are different.
In the first part, we asked about each other's play, dribbling impressions, strengths and distance. The two of them, who empathized with each other, particularly agreed on the difference in vision and sensation between the right and left sides. There was something that only dribblers could understand.
──How do you feel about the momentum and preparation just before the opening?
Keita ENDO I wasn't able to play much in Germany, so my theme for this camp was to improve my physicality. I was able to play 60 or 90 minutes and I think my condition is good. As a team, our challenge is how we enter crosses. It's not just me when the ball is on the opposite side, but when I trap and look inside, there are scenes where I want someone to come in, so I want everyone to improve on that before the start of the season.
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA I still feel that it is difficult to improve my condition and adjust, but I am young so I want to keep pushing forward. However, I think I gained experience in playing throughout last season. I think I have been able to show my skills in dribbling, scoring, and assisting in the preseason training matches, so I want to improve my stamina, defense, and off-the-ball movement this year.
──I think he is competing for the left wing position, but do you see him as a rival?
Endo It's definitely hard to say even though he's right next to me (lol).
Tawarazumida That's not true. I think there are many things I can learn from Keita-kun. When I watch Keita-kun's play, I think he does everything at a high level compared to me, not just dribbling but also the quality of crosses and the movement to get into crosses. I think it's amazing. I want to absorb that more and more. He is truly a role model (laughs).
Endo Stop lifting too much (laughs) when you come to Tokyo. When I came to Tokyo, I was told that there was a player who was fast, young, and similar to you, but when I played with him, I was surprised that he went up and down more times than me. I think he's doing much better than my second year as a pro, so I can't afford to be careless.
Tawarazumida During practice, I often end up on the opposite team and can't talk much, but I do talk after practice.
Endo When practicing crosses, we play together on the left side. But honestly, there's not much advice I can give. I don't really think "you should fix this" or "you should do it this way" very often.
Tawarazumida That's great (lol)
In Germany, Keita ENDO looks back on "I was away from dribbling" and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who was trying to prove himself by focusing on dribbling in his first year as a professional last season. The situation they were in was slightly different, but they both say that they are "the same" type as "dribblers". Footwork, distance, and vision - even if you summarize it as just dribbling, there are many things to consider. Surprisingly, the conversation progressed with the junior leading the way, "How about Keita-san?"
──I think the common factor between the two of you is "dribbling". Does it feel natural to be called a dribbler or have dribbling as your weapon or play style?
Endo I don't have many opportunities to play. Rather, I feel like I can't make as many plays as before. That's because I didn't have many chances to play on the side in Germany, and I've been playing as an inside half for a long time, so I feel a little rusty. Of course, I like dribbling, but when I can make a play, I'll go for it, and if I can't, I'll choose to pass to a teammate in a good position.
Tawarazumida I have always been good at dribbling, so I am aware of that. Since elementary school, I have been doing nothing but dribbling and have been polishing it. The reason for that was my older brother, who was fast and played soccer, and I started playing soccer because I was influenced by him. I think that was a big turning point.
- What do you see as the similarities and differences between the two players?
Tawarazumida Is the way to dribble the same?
Endo It's more about how to hold the ball, how to carry it, and the distance between us. I think I'm better at creating space by moving the ball 2-3 meters forward and taking it to the cross, but Tawara is faster in a straight line. He's fast at breaking vertically, isn't he?
Tawarazumida Do you look at your opponent when you make a move?
Endo The opponent is watching. I'm not checking the movement of my feet until the end, but it's better for us to take the initiative, so I'm conscious of being able to take the initiative rather than being controlled by the defender.
Tawarazumida That's right. I always do it with a rough sense... (bitter smile).
──Do you have anything important to keep in mind when dribbling?
Tawarazumida As Masashi Keta-kun said, I think it's important to take the initiative. If you let the opponent take control, you won't be able to bring it to your own shape, so it's important to take the initiative and go for it. Depending on the opponent, they may try to prevent you from facing forward or even prevent you from dribbling, so if you can create space to dribble before they make such a move, you can bring it to your own shape. Rather than being in a favorable situation, I think it's important to take the initiative once you start attacking on your own.
Endo When there is distance between you and your opponent, you can attack on your own terms and at your own distance.
Tawara TsumetaThere probably isn't a better player who is good at keeping close distance with the opponent (laughs). There may be players who are good at keeping the ball with their footwork, like in the defensive midfield position, but on the wings, it's not about that, it's more about going to strip the opponent, so I think it's not good to be too close.
──Is the main battlefield the same on the left side, but does it feel different for dribblers on the right side and the left side?
Endo It's different, isn't it?
Tawarazumida It's completely different.
Endo The biggest difference is the dominant foot. Until now, I could handle the ball with my inside foot on both the right and left sides, but even on the right side, it feels awkward and the sensation is completely different. To put it simply, for the Japan national team, Junya Ito (Stade Rennais) goes vertically on the right side, right? But for Take (Takefusa KUBO / Real Sociedad), he starts on the right side and goes to the center with his left foot. Each player has their own style, so there are difficulties and getting used to it.
Tawarazumi DaWhen I stand on the right side, the feeling and scenery are completely different. I think the biggest difference is the difference in the supporting leg. If you have the ball with your right foot on the left side, most people will dribble on the outside, but that's the best way to go towards the goal. You can also hold the ball with your right foot on the right side and go towards the goal, but it's definitely easier to make a move when your right foot is on the inside.
Endo Isn't that his dominant foot? I don't think there are many players who are right-handed but use their left foot to go vertically. But Sei Muroya might do it.
Tawarazumida Are you right-handed but left-footed? That's amazing.
──It doesn't make that much of a difference which foot you use.
Tawarazumida It's not easy to do the same thing on the opposite side as the side you're good at.
Endo I think there is also a matter of getting used to it. Can that person find a style that suits them while playing in that position? However, I don't think there are many people who can attack from both sides and go all the way to the cross.
The second part is here
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
