[Pre-Season Long Interview]
Commander's Philosophy
Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach
The 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, which will finally open the curtain, will begin. In order to win the league competition among all 20 clubs and raise the trophy, it is necessary to build a strong team to jump onto the Asian stage.
However, no matter how many diverse tactics are prepared, if the basics such as the mindset and attitude necessary to fully execute them are not ingrained, it will not be possible to embody the football we aim for and show an exciting game.
What are the criteria that the coach demands from the players? In order to meet the expectations of the fans and supporters, and to uncover the secret of the essential abilities needed to play in a match, we delved into the philosophy of coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI.
──The coach likes to use the word "hard work". Does this mean physically running, or mentally pushing through?
The first thing is to follow the rules for both offense and defense. Of course, this also includes physical hard work, and it leads to focusing on our own play. In terms of football elements such as offense, defense, and set plays, we need to improve our game and our play. Hard work is necessary for that.
And run more than the opponent, win with a sprint against the opponent, quickly carry the ball to where the opponent dislikes and go to take the goal. This is what I think of as "hard work". Of course, we also work hard on defense to keep a clean sheet. I think it is important to follow and complete the rules that the team is working on, and to give it our all.
──After attacking, it's important to quickly return, otherwise it means you're not working hard.
Yes, that's right. Our game is seamless and everything is connected. Everyone on the field is fighting to give their maximum output as a team. We also want to make sure that the players who come on as substitutes can play positively and bring out our collective style to the fullest.
- It seems that for the coach, the 90 minutes of the game are depicted as a continuous thing as we listen to the story.
Everything is connected. In the game, each situation is connected, and what we practiced today is also connected. I think football is a living thing. What can we express with an exciting soccer, a highly entertaining style? While pursuing those aspects, I want to ultimately achieve victory.
- Not only the skill of handling the ball in an instant, but also the importance of being able to carry out a game well.
Certainly, each player's individual abilities may be excellent. However, a great team can produce more than that. As our philosophy, we aim to make sure that whoever plays in the game can contribute to the team's strength. It is important to fight together with all 11 players on the pitch, rather than relying on one player.
──When listening to the players' comments, I feel like the coach's message of "be brave" and "have confidence" is being conveyed. This leads to an attitude of not being afraid and taking the initiative from ourselves.
We are also growing in our awareness and play, and I think it represents the process of creating our own football. Brave, aggressive, and exciting plays for the viewers. We want to continue seeking this type of football and hope that the players' brave fighting spirit will move and inspire others. We want to show our fans and supporters a soccer that they can believe in until the very end, while feeling proud of our intense fighting spirit. This is the path we are taking to create this type of football.
──The important thing is the mental and aggressive play. If the attitude of the coach is not set, I think that no matter what tactics are prepared, it will be meaningless.
That is very important. I want to create a special team and build a style that everyone can fight together in Tokyo. Right now, we are in the process of building our football, and there is a big goal that the club is aiming for. We want to make our mark here. In the history of Tokyo, there has not yet been a J1 League championship title. Everyone involved with the club wants to win, and we also want to become the best club in Asia by winning the league. In order to achieve that, we must have a belief. We hope to climb the mountain in front of us step by step, and weave our efforts one by one.
- The attack that builds up from our own territory and the attack that quickly penetrates behind the opponent both seem to have become sharper compared to last season.
That growth is also an exciting point. Football has evolved through the brave play of the players. We can see a bright future ahead and our philosophy is starting to be expressed. The progress from the camp will become something special. We have had a good time during the preseason, but the important thing is to show it in the opening game. And to continue to grow, learn, and create our own football.
──It seems that the players have also realized that they will not get playing opportunities without hard work.
It also contributes to the growth of our football. If players set high standards and are able to push themselves to the limit in their daily training, I believe we can continue to grow even more.
Cerezo Osaka, who will face off in the opening match, mainly adopts a 3-top formation and their strong point is their side attacks. How to defend against this will likely determine the outcome of the match.
The opening game, we hope to see a good game of football. First of all, we need to execute our strategies in attack, defense, and set plays. If we can fully utilize our strengths, we should be able to win. We must have the mentality of "winning" against all teams, and we want to fight each and every game with importance.
--While Coach Peter has an attacking mindset, he also puts a lot of emphasis on defense. Is it safe to say that his philosophy for winning is to concede as few points as possible?
Yes, I think the team that becomes the champion can play that kind of game. Tokyo really has to stretch all elements. However, I am an offensive leader and I want to take as many goals as possible. At the same time, I want to impress the opponent with a difficult game and make them never want to play against Tokyo again. That is our football.
- There is a possibility that the members may be replaced due to condition or injury issues. How are you preparing for such cases?
It is most important not to have any injured players, but because it is football, it cannot be helped. I told the players, "We will fight for all titles, including the cup, throughout the long season. For that, we need everyone's strength. Even if you cannot play in the upcoming match, I want you to prepare without losing focus." It is something that naturally happens in a team that becomes champions. I want them to be prepared to contribute to the team when the chance comes. No matter who plays, I want us to show our football.
──The coach has always said, "I want everyone to be like a captain."
Not only the "11 captains" standing on the pitch, but I hope all 35 registered players will act like captains. Everyone trains at a high level and fights together as one. A group that faces the same direction is strong. There may be times during the season when things don't go well. Even in those situations, I want everyone to maintain their standards, continue to work hard, and have the consciousness to lead the team. Even during difficult times, I believe that looking forward together will lead to the future.
──This season, we have appointed Masato MORISHIGE, Kei KOIZUMI, and Kuryu MATSUKI as captains.
During the 4 days in Kofu, and then through the camps in Okinawa and Miyazaki, I thought the team as a whole showed growth in leadership. I want to continue to instill that mentality. The three players serving as captains don't need to change anything in particular. If they continue to give their all like they have been, that's all I can ask for. The same goes for players who aren't captains. As long as they don't forget to keep working every day, they will definitely continue to grow. This season's "captains" are Kryu, Kay, and Mori, but I want everyone to fight as if they are all captains.
──He said that by winning one game at a time, including the opening game, we can reach the title. Please tell us about the path to winning the title.
Anyway, one game at a time. Without that, we cannot reach the top. We aim to grow through daily practice and create our own football. Then we focus on the next opponent and blow them away. And we prepare for the next game. In the 38 league games, we will continue to work towards that goal. Everyone can feel the view that the club has been dreaming of for a long time, and the desire to win the top. However, we must know the path to reach there. What method, where to go. It is important to believe and move forward without wavering, and we believe that the football we are working on now will be the foundation for that. Like the world's famous big clubs, we hope to master our own football and climb the big mountain together.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
