Q, when will the actual battle be?
A, it's been about two years since I played without any discomfort.
Q, how was it to actually participate?
A, I still think soccer is fun.
There are overwhelming differences between kicking soccer and connecting soccer. There are things that should be done differently, such as where to place the ball and things that can only be felt in actual combat, so it felt like a real challenge, but we played while trial and error for 45 minutes. Various challenges came up during the 45 minutes of play, and I thought there were still things that needed to be done, and there were actually things that could lead to better performance if I could do them.
It was good to be able to play for 45 minutes, including both good and bad parts for now.
Q, what changes have there been since returning to practice?
A, I was able to return to practice, but my knee would become stiff the next day when it was under stress. It has been a little over a month since I returned to practice, and gradually the recoil has decreased and I have been able to naturally exert my strength. I feel it myself, and the trainers and coaching staff who massage me also say, "(Your knee) is getting stronger," so I think I can show it in various places.
I think I have progressed to the stage of considering how to make the most of my strengths and integrate them into the team by using them in this match. How I can contribute to FC Tokyo, which has changed its characteristics, was something that I thought about and struggled with during these 45 minutes.
Q, I think it is Lin's characteristic that he kept calling out incessantly.
There were many concerns, and if it were true, we would have discussed things like taking positions during the camp and eliminating these negative aspects. However, since we couldn't do that, we are now focusing on it. As a team, we have the impression that there are still exploratory aspects in both the attacking and defensive sides, but I think we have improved significantly compared to the beginning of the season. Even if it hasn't translated into form and results, I believe the players are feeling the momentum.
Q, how do you look back on the two years away from actual combat?
A, I have never been so far away from football, so I felt uncertain if I could go back, and I felt the pain of not being able to play football again. And I was reminded once again that I love football. Now that I have returned, I want to fully satisfy that feeling.
Of course, I aim to secure the position of the main goalkeeper, but I also want to enjoy playing soccer while being grateful for the opportunity to do so. As a professional, it is assumed that I can do it, but for me, it was a period of two years where I felt that it was not a given. I believe that being able to participate in this practice match is thanks to having a healthy body, and I strongly felt that knees are really important.
Q: What were you confirming with Assistant GK Coach Yamashita before the match?
A, I always talk about how much of a perfect situation I am in as a performance, and how close I am to my ideal percentage. He has been watching my flaws for two years and has been responding to them, so he has been telling me things like "You have gained power in this movement" and "There is still stiffness in this area" one by one, and he has been approaching not only this game but also practice. For now, I have been able to enter the game, so I want to continue to coach and behave in a way that can help the team more.
Q: Is there any difficulty in entering a phase of trial and error for the team?
A, I want to enter the passing area with a good sense of distance and good positioning, but considering that the goal is behind me, it increases the probability of conceding a goal, so I have to consider the risk and take a position. However, I also don't want to lose the smoothness of the team, so there is a difficulty in taking both risk and smoothness. In the past, I thought that avoiding risks was the most important thing for a goalkeeper, but if you want to bring smoothness there, you need to have a more delicate positioning. In the past, I used to stop the ball in a place where I could make a long kick on the first touch, but now I need to make adjustments such as placing the ball at my feet once to see the movement of my teammates. I feel that change is necessary.
Q: Today you played for 45 minutes, what are you looking forward to in the next 90 minutes and beyond, Ao Lin ZHANG?
As a player, I always aim to contribute to the team's victory during the season. I believe it is something that I must do as a professional, regardless of my position on the field. However, regarding my position, rather than trying to appeal to the players who are on the field because I cannot participate in the game, I want to focus on doing what I can during practice and become a presence that can have a positive impact on the team from any position.
＜Player Hotaka NAKAMURA＞
Q, how did it feel when you tried moving today?
A, my body was also tired, and I still have a long way to go. The team has been making progress in terms of tactics and such, so I think I need to catch up quickly since I was absent.
Q: Do you feel there is any aspect that you lack since returning to the team?
A, when I actually started practicing, I felt that the positioning, passing and tempo have been unified in this month. If I don't take the right position or synchronize the timing, it will disrupt the team's balance and stop the flow, so I have to do more.
Q: What do you feel are the team's challenges?
During practice, we were able to have conversations, and we talked about how the team tactics and ball movement are coming together. Since that is something I personally have to be involved in, first and foremost, I want to regain the lost month for myself rather than the team. The most important thing is for me to catch up.
Q: How do you want to be involved in the remaining 10 games as an individual?
A, I want to quickly regain my condition and return to thinking about what it means to be myself, and play in my own style. Although I am just one member of the team, I think it is more refreshing to be able to show my strengths rather than feeling frustrated because I couldn't. So, I want to continue to strive for it while reminding myself.
Q, do you want to run aggressively?
A, I want to run, but today my body was tired so it seems like it will take a little time.
Q: Is the idea of "catching up" a tactical aspect?
A, it's more about the physical and condition rather than tactics. Today, I couldn't run anymore, so I think I have to do it personally. It's not about tactics if I can't fight as an individual, so I'll bring it back.
