Growing up in blue and red since the academy days, both were selected for the Japan national team last season. Kashif BANGNAGANDE and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA have developed a strong sense of confidence and awareness.
This year, the two who are turning 23 and 22 say in unison, "We are no longer young. We have to take the lead ourselves."
In the second part, we will discuss the results of the team, which they strongly vow to achieve because of their experience with the Japan national team. This season, the men who should become the face of Tokyo are determined to lead the way towards winning the league championship and acquiring titles.
──Please tell us your goals for this season and what kind of season you personally want it to be.
Kashif Of course, it's about winning the J1 League. I strongly feel that the younger players need to step up more and more, and I have a strong desire to take the lead in this. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI has also said, "I want each person on the pitch to have the awareness of a captain," and I believe that a championship team has players who take responsibility in their play, and a team without weaknesses is strong. I think I shouldn't be on the field unless I become that kind of player, so I need to think of myself not just as a young player, but as a central figure.
Ambition Until now, I have struggled with taking the lead and demonstrating leadership to protect the goal, focusing solely on my own play. However, from now on, I need to not only showcase my own play but also become a player who influences those around me, and that is my ideal. It's a battle with myself. If I can release my limits, I believe I can become a bold, large goalkeeper who can lead the team to victory. I have high expectations for myself in that regard. I want to challenge myself, grow, and sometimes fail, all for the sake of winning.
──What is necessary to win the J1 League championship and acquire the title?
Kashif It is important for the team to continue looking in the same direction. During the match, things do not always go well, so it is crucial how much we can communicate and make adjustments on the pitch during those times. And how we can support each other from the outside. I believe it is very important for the entire team, not just the 11 players on the field, to address the challenges.
Ambition We need to come together. It's not about wallowing in our wounds; it's about whether everyone can unite for the victory in front of us. Even if it's not beautiful soccer, and even if things don't go well, I want us all to fight hard together and win. Of course, while adhering to the team's rules, I want to show soccer that excites our fans and supporters. I don't want to hear, "We lost, but it was a good match," so I want to play with victory in mind.
The two who have clearly set their goal for this season as "winning the J1 League" understand that they must take the lead in achieving this. On the pitch, age and career do not matter. What is important is what can be done to win the next match. This season, Tokyo seems to be welcoming two new young and reliable leaders.
──What kind of behavior do you want to show for that?
Ambition I believe that I must not change who I am on the pitch. I think there is an image that the team is looking for, and I believe I understand that, so I need to work towards getting closer to it. This season, I want to aim for a higher level as myself.
Kashifu I was appointed captain during my third year of high school at FC Tokyo U-18, but I don't think I was very suited for that role by nature. I was really supported by those around me. However, recently I have been consciously trying to change my character. As a full-back, it's the position where I can see the entire pitch, so when I started to think about connecting good defense to good offense as a team, I naturally began to speak up. This season, I want to continue that and do even more.
──Since the two of you are finally together, please share what you both expect from this season.
Taishi Half joking, half serious, Yoshifumi-kun says, "Don't get injured" (laughs). If you get injured, various plans will fall apart.
Yoshifumi Yes, that's right. I haven't had a season where I fought without getting injured, and many people say that. It's something I think about the most, and if I can achieve that, I have confidence that I can achieve better results, so I want to focus on that.
Ambition I want you to go all out in both offense and defense.
Kashifu This season, I will do my best! I want to focus on the numbers, so please look forward to it. Therefore, I want Taishi to focus on not conceding any goals. Since I am a defender, I want to work together on that, but last season, Taishi saved me a lot, so I will do my best to avoid any crises, but when it really comes down to it, I will say, 'Taishi, please' (laughs).
Ambition I believe I need to become a goalkeeper who can stop those kinds of scenes, so I will do my best.
──Now, finally, please tell us your thoughts on this season.
Ambition We are always seeking titles. I don't think we have the qualities of champions right now because we haven't been able to win titles, but I want to show our demeanor as we strive to win the upcoming matches. I want our fans and supporters to say, "I'm glad I came to watch," and "It was interesting." I want to continue having such matches and make this season one where we ultimately seize the championship.
Kashifu I want to win each match in front of me, no matter the content. I need to focus more on the results and convey to the fans and supporters that we are aiming for the championship through our play. As Taishi mentioned, I hope they look forward to matches and plays that they find interesting when they come to watch.
For the first part, click here
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
