1/31Training
On the 7th day of the Okinawa Itoman Camp, training was held at the Itoman Nishizaki Stadium, including practice to score goals from free passes and confirmation of set plays. Considering the fatigue up to this point, time was also set aside for warm-up using various types of balls.
During the early stages of the camp, when I told coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI that "practice is fun," he laughed and said, "You're just not used to it. If it stops being fun, let me know."
Throughout this camp, there have been almost no identical training menus, and each session has been designed with a different purpose in mind. As a result, players should have developed the ability to think and make decisions in actual game situations and scenarios.
At the same time, it felt like our daily practices were independent, but there was also a sense of connection. We were able to understand the players' daily reactions and changes in response to the messages from the coach. It remains to be seen how these things will come together after the season begins.
Through this camp, we have become a group that wants to "grow" and "change ourselves". However, coach Matsubashi says, "I try not to think that this is okay every day. I am thinking about what to do to become even better from here." The blue and red army has no intention of stopping their progress, saying "still more" and "even more".
FOCUS ON
Official photographer's selected camp photo project "FOCUS ON". On the 7th day of the Okinawa-Itoman camp, four shots of Masato MORISHIGE, Yuto NAGATOMO, Keigo HIGASHI, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA were chosen. They walk the road of their thirties, but they are still energetic and fresh. They burn their freshly picked ambitions and continue to face soccer every day. Each one is a seeker who continues to pursue their chosen path, but their goal is to win the Tokyo league for the first time. They may not say it, but these four are well known for leading the blue and red this season as well.
CAMP VOICE vol.17 Masato MORISHIGE
Masato MORISHIGE, who will celebrate his 20th year as a professional player this season, has set his personal goal for the season as reaching 500 appearances in the J1 League, with only 10 games remaining. He has continued his "Giragira" and "Meramera" from last season, and plans to spread his burning passion to those around him without holding back in the 2025 season. As he prepares for his first J1 League championship with the blue and red singers, he shares his honest thoughts as the number 3 player.
Q, How is the progress so far, even though you joined the camp midway?
A, since this is still the introductory part, I think the team will continue to grow by trying and making mistakes in various ways. When problems arise, if Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI thinks about and creates the soccer he aims for, I think we can play interesting soccer and become an interesting team. The future is important, and the current evaluation is not everything. To be honest, there is still little that we understand, so I think it is important to figure out how to proceed from here.
Q, Coach Matsubashi frequently talked about the mindset and attitude towards soccer throughout the camp.
A, Coach Matsubashi not only talks about the content of soccer, but also about the attitude towards playing soccer and how to be a person before being a soccer player. I think it's an important aspect since it's a team sport. It's not just about playing soccer, but I also felt that it's connected to the pitch and that Coach Matsubashi has conveyed the determination to fight through this season together as a team. He also communicates with us in detail, so it's easy for us to understand.
Q, there were also scenes where we demanded strictness from each other, not just a bright atmosphere.
A, we should do what is necessary. It's not good for everyone to hold back or be considerate of each other. We have to demand at a higher level and I don't think it's good to lower our standards and become a small group. I want to be conscious of these things this season.
Q: Last season, you talked about wanting to shine as an individual. What are your goals for this season?
A, we have no choice but to shine. We have to be the most shining team, and I believe that will have a positive impact on the team. Just because we are veterans doesn't mean we can play well, so first of all, I want to pursue what I can bring to this team as an individual player. If the team can exert its strength as a group, we will surely become stronger. First of all, I think we need to consider how each of us can break through as an individual player.
Q, If we can achieve the J1 League championship in our 20th year as a professional team, it will be the best season ever.
A: "We always think 'there's not much time left' and work hard every year, but I want to devote myself even more to soccer. Even if the results don't come, I still think there's more to do. I have to push myself even harder. Last season was better than the season before, and this season is better than last season, so I believe there's still more we can do. I want to demand that not just from myself, but from the whole team. If we do that, I believe our passion and fire will definitely spread."
Text by Kyohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
