Q: Before we talk about joining Tokyo, could you share your experience about Sendai, where you played for two and a half years after coming to Japan for the first time?
A: My family and I had a very happy life in Sendai. We received a lot of support from the fans and supporters in Sendai. I have only good memories. I am also grateful to the club staff, and I still remember my debut match against Cerezo Osaka. Of course, there were matches against Tokyo as well, and I have only happy memories.
Q: The press release announced from Sendai included the loving words, "Let's definitely meet again in J1." Player Kuba (nickname for Swowik) will continue to fight on the J1 stage as a member of Tokyo from here.
A: I am, of course, disappointed with the result of Sendai's relegation to J2 in the 2021 season. However, I approached every practice and match with all my strength. In that context, I was very happy to receive an offer from Tokyo, a big club in Japan, and I want to achieve a lot together with my teammates at this club.
Q: What was your impression of Tokyo as an opponent?
A: In the 2019 season, when I first came to Japan, Tokyo was in the title race. I have the impression of them being a strong team at the top of the standings. They are also a team that consistently has quality players who perform well in matches.
Q: In the 2021 season, Tokyo achieved two victories against Sendai, but in both matches, Kuba's big saves stood out.
A: I remember (laughs). However, in the end, Sendai lost. We did our best, but Tokyo has a lineup of high-quality players, which led to that result.
Q: Who is the player from Tokyo that left an impression on you?
A: It's Diego OLIVEIRA. I have faced him in penalty kicks twice, so he left a strong impression on me (laughs). His style of taking penalties is unique, and I think he is a really skilled player. From a GK's perspective, it's a difficult way to kick, but now that we are on the same team, I feel like if I have him take penalties in practice, we can adapt to any style (laughs).
Q: There are excellent GKs in Tokyo, but what is your impression of the level of GKs in Japan?
A: Of course, there are capable GKs in Tokyo, and Kosei TANI from Shonan is also a wonderful talent. Keisuke OSAKO from Hiroshima and Yuma OBATA, who played in Sendai, are also among them. I have the impression that there are more promising players full of potential. There is no doubt that the quality of GKs in Japan is improving.
Q: Poland, the home country of player Kuba, has produced many great goalkeepers such as Jerzy Dudek and Wojciech Szczęsny. Krzysztof Kamiński, who previously played for Iwata, also made an impact.
A: This is very important for Polish football. Many goalkeepers have played for big clubs in Europe and continue to do so. Besides the players mentioned, goalkeepers like Arthur Boruc (who played with Shunsuke Nakamura at Celtic and Maya Yoshida at Southampton) and Łukasz Fabiański are also excellent. In Japan, the fact that Kamiński left a remarkable legacy has led to my opportunity to come to Japan. I also want to showcase the skills of Polish goalkeepers here in Tokyo.
Q: By the way, at what age did Kuba start playing as a GK?
A: It's a story from a long time ago... (laughs), I think it was around 5 or 6 years old. My brother started playing soccer first, and since I was the smallest, I ended up playing as a GK. Everyone was reluctant because GKs fall down or get hit when making saves, but for me, that was normal and I didn't mind. After that, I also had experience playing as a DF. I was part of a big academy, but since my playing style wasn't very technical (laughs), the coach suggested, 'How about being a GK?' Receiving GK gloves was also a motivation for me, and from there, I focused solely on being a GK.
Q: I thought being a GK was a popular position in Poland because there are many great GKs.
A: I think children in every country all want to be strikers at first (laughs). When players like Dudek and Boruc were active, GKs also became popular, but when you think of Poland, you think of Robert LEWANDOWSKI. That's why I think many players aspire to be forwards.
Q: Looking at your career, you have played for domestic clubs in Poland, but I read news that you almost signed with Reading in England in 2015.
A: At that time, I went for a tryout for about a week. However, the team's goalkeeper position was already filled, and shortly after that, I got injured, so things didn't progress as I had hoped. Still, I always wanted to test my potential and skills overseas, and that first stage turned out to be in Japan. I have held onto that desire since my time in Poland.
Q: After playing in the J-League for two and a half years, is there a difference in your image of Japanese football from when you first arrived to now?
A: In my opinion, Japan is a wonderful country and league. I don't know about other Asian countries, but I think it's a fantastic league.
Q: Tokyo will be led by Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA in the 2022 season. He was in charge of Albirex Niigata until the 2021 season, but have you seen any of Coach Albert's team's matches?
A: I have watched a few matches from his time in Niigata. I checked to see what kind of soccer he plays and what kind of play is expected. I have the impression of a style that connects the ball, and I think there will be a demand for build-up play from the GK and DF. Originally, the role of the GK was to protect the goal and stop shots, but in today's era, there are many more expectations from that position. This includes foot skills and kicking. In Tokyo's new style, it is likely that many of these will be required. My approach is to absorb, learn, and enhance what is demanded from practice. I want to tackle this with a positive attitude to adapt well.
Q: Tokyo had a lot of goals conceded in 2021, which was a challenge. Fans and supporters expect the most from player Kuba in terms of shot-stopping, but how do you want to improve the defense, including the DF line?
A: No team can defend the goal with just one person, nor can one person score all the goals. Everyone from the FW to the GK must attack and defend together. In my case, I want to communicate more with the DF and specifically ensure that we can defend while maintaining a compact formation.
Q, Do you have a clear goal you want to achieve with this team?
A, I don't usually set personal goals, but as a team, I want us to face the right direction and achieve results. It would be great to win more trophies, but first, we need to fight hard and become a group that makes our fans and supporters proud, so they can say, "This is really a good team." The players must continue to play in a way that brings out such words from various places.
Q: Finally, what are you looking forward to while living in Tokyo, the capital of Japan?
A: Tokyo is truly a big city and I have the impression that it is a wonderful place globally. My family is looking forward to it as well, but what’s important is that we can always be together as a family no matter where we are. One thing I’m looking forward to is that it will be closer to Disneyland than from Sendai (laughs). I’m also looking forward to other famous spots. I love Japanese food, and sushi and yakiniku are the best. Natto? I didn’t like it the first time I tried it, but gradually it’s growing on me (laughs).
text by YUKI NISHIKAWA
