[Player Comment]
Q, What did you focus on in your first match?
A, personally, I focused on intensity. Even in practice matches, we emphasized winning, and in team meetings, there were discussions about winning the current game rather than aiming for the championship. Whether it was the team's red and white scrimmage, practice matches, or official matches, we couldn't win without intensity. If we can win in that aspect, I believe we can naturally perform well in both offense and defense. Since there are many players with high abilities, I didn't think too much about adapting to the team and instead thought that if we don't lose in intensity, we can enter the game smoothly.
Q: The opponent is a local university student, but did you feel any response or were you conscious of your own intensity regardless of that?
A, regardless of the opponent, right? Whether the opponent is a college student or a J1 team, if we don't lose in terms of intensity, we can win and naturally play in our own rhythm, both in attack and defense. There are also many areas that need to be improved, but personally, I hope to start by not losing there.
Q, although it may have a low priority as it has just started, how smooth was the transition of player positions?
A, I have a rough idea of who is what type and what kind of play they like in that part. I want to adjust it to make it easier for that person, and the surrounding players also adjust it to make it easier for me. Also, since I came from Tosu, what I'm doing doesn't change much. I want to continue doing what I was doing in Tosu in Tokyo as well.
Q, the similar style is alive.
A, that's a big part. The formation is also similar, and I'm doing similar things in Tokyo as I did in Tosu for a year, so it's also one of the training menus, and there are many parts that haven't changed much even though I transferred.
Q: Is the ability to blend in quickly a result of experience?
A, no, at first I was also shy (laughs). At first, it's quite difficult to be proactive, but everyone welcomes new players and talks to them, so I also have to approach them because I am one of the older players on this team. Even in practice, I try to talk if something happens, and I am conscious of speaking up even to younger players.
Q, I spoke with Coach Albert either yesterday or the day before. If it's not a problem, please tell me what the conversation was about.
A, it wasn't about soccer, it was a silly conversation (lol).
Q: Are there any specific demands from the coach up to this point?
A, there is nothing in particular, but I understand what is being said in the team meetings and the type of soccer we want to play, so I think it's important for me to be proactive. Well, anyway, I think it would be great if Tokyo wins.
Q: What were you conscious of when entering the game for the first time this season?
It was a match in a situation where everyone was tired, but we approached the game by rebuilding the base that we had built up in the previous season, while taking a lot of communication.
Q, were you able to present it in a good way?
A, since not everyone is in top condition, we are trying things out, but I think we were able to do what we intended in terms of attack.
Q: Yesterday, player Nagatomo mentioned that he wants to re-focus on his physicality in terms of ball control. How do you feel about that?
I think what is required of an inside half is the strength in ball contests and the intensity and movement in all aspects. I think it is necessary for both the team and the individual to enhance that.
Q, I think there are players in their first year as professionals this season who are particularly becoming role models. Many players mentioned Matsuki's name at the new system announcement press conference. What do you think about becoming an aspiring presence?
A, last season I had a relaxed play as it was my first year, but this season we have new juniors joining, so I have to set a good example. A good sense of crisis has emerged, so I hope to convey it to the juniors in a positive way.
Q: The player in his first year said he was grateful to be approached by player Matsuki. Do you have any areas you are conscious of?
A, I am not conscious of it, but since I am still a young player, I hope to build relationships by communicating and discussing things properly, not only in soccer but also in other areas.
Q, today's play was quite intense. What is your evaluation of today's performance?
Since my goal for this season is to score goals and make assists, I couldn't score today, but I tried to contribute to the team by being involved in the game and connecting as a key player.
Q: How was the response as a unit with the surrounding players, considering that there were many situations where communication with the surroundings was necessary?
A, there are also new incoming players, so we need to adjust before the season starts to be ready for the first match against Urawa Reds. I think we are able to have a good competition while having a positive image.
Q: Last season's start was a bit uncertain, but I believe we have a foundation that has been built over the course of this season. However, do we still need to push hard to prepare for the opening?
A, we must seek a quality higher than last season, and last season was not a good ranking, so I want to tighten our focus in this camp to achieve a higher position.
Q: It was the first international match in Tokyo. Can you look back on it?
A, my physical condition is still not good at all, and it was my first game, so there were parts where I was talking inside about how to start moving and how to position myself while communicating. I think it was good as a result that we were able to score one point in that process. I hope to improve my condition even more from now on.
Q, as expected, we also saw some impressive plays.
A, no, not yet. Marinos had a match against Roma and will continue until November 28th, so I had a slightly shorter break and took a complete rest. There are differences in condition between me and everyone else. It's still just the beginning. I hope I can make a difference in terms of quality.
Q: We have several practice matches coming up. What aspects does the team want to improve on?
First of all, it is said that one of the challenges of the second year of the Albert PUIG ORTONEDA regime is how to move the ball inside the opponent's territory and how to score from there. So, it's about how to exploit that. I think if I can give advice and convey how to break through, we can play enjoyable soccer and score more goals, so I want to focus on that in the remaining six matches.
Q, my acquaintance player said that there are few players, but it seems that the "likeness" has been fully displayed in the camp so far.
A, on the first day, I was a little quiet in Kodaira, Tokyo (laughs), but I was doing it while looking around. When I started playing soccer in the camp, I was able to get along with everyone, so I think soccer is wonderful, and I think everyone accepted me. There are still some kids from the academy who I haven't been able to talk to yet, but I think I've pretty much fit in... maybe... (laughs).
Q, do you feel the difference in what is expected of you as a winger between Marinos and Tokyo?
A, in today's game, Leandro on the opposite side often took a position slightly towards the center, so I think that's the difference. There is a part where we aim to create movement or fluidity, so we also play while utilizing the players' characteristics. It's rare for the wide players to stay wide all the time, and we were conscious of moving while observing the positioning of our teammates and taking good positions.
Q: Do you feel any sense of accomplishment from being able to be conscious of that?
A, while doing things like getting into the middle or going to the opposite side, I was doing it while exploring and thinking, "What kind of feeling is this?"
Q, it seemed like the team had good rotation and fluidity.
A, when attacking, we are able to create a good feeling and a good sense of distance, and if we can time our movements to break through behind the defense, I think we can invade the opponent's goal area and we should aim to improve in that aspect. The way we allocate players and the quality of our play are also looking good for our first game.
Q: Marinos had players in the front line who could attack from anywhere and had the power to aim for goals. Do you want to have such an attack in Tokyo as well?
Scoring goals and winning is the charm of football, and by doing so, the number of spectators increases, and they also become interested. I think that if we win there, Tokyo will also become more exciting. If the team in the capital city of Tokyo does not get excited, the football world will not get excited either, so I want to play attacking and attractive football by scoring goals.
Q: I think you have had several experiences of transferring teams, but it seemed like you were playing with a relaxed and effortless style. Do you think your experience, including adjustments, is playing a role in this?
A, honestly, there are times when my body doesn't move, but first I confirmed the feeling of the game and the touch of the ball, and there were also parts where I controlled myself so as not to get injured unnecessarily, and the fact that the opponent was a college student. It's a situation where I'm doing it while focusing on things like my senses and my body. I was able to do it with a relaxed feeling.
Q: Did you have a conversation with Nagatomo when he joined?
A, I haven't had deep conversations yet, but it seems like they are talking about me (laughs). From now on, I want to communicate and absorb Yuto's good points. He's been teasing me or something.
Tsubasa TERAYAMA
Q, how was it to play in an international match for the first time as a professional?
It was good to be able to play in the game among many players who started in the last season. I was sincerely happy, but I felt it was tough based on today's performance. I want to absorb the skills of senior player Keigo HIGASHI and become a central figure there.
Q, what are the specific aspects that are considered to be tough?
A, I felt that there was a lack of speed and quality compared to other players, so I thought that I still need to work on those aspects before I can step onto the pitch.
Q, how was it to play as an anchor and inside half?
The requirements change when playing as an anchor or inside half, so what needs to be done is clear within the team. Whether as an anchor or inside half, I played while adhering to what is expected of my position and what needs to be done.
Q, what kind of play do you want to do more? Is it attacking by entering the goal area, physical activity, or defense?
There were a few things missing in terms of being involved with the ball as an anchor, moving the teammates a little more, and performing continuous movements such as using the teammates to redirect the ball. Watanabe TSUBASA taught me this, but there were still some areas where my positioning was bad, so I would like to make adjustments there.
Q, do you communicate with the players?
A, during the game and all, there are many players who give me encouragement, and after the game, I go and ask them for advice on how to position myself and when to get involved. I think communication will become really important from now on. My strengths haven't been fully conveyed to my teammates yet because I haven't been communicating, and I think everyone still doesn't fully understand how I play. So, in order to showcase myself, I want to proactively approach and communicate with others.
Q: When I watched the game again, I noticed that you have a good sense of maintaining a wide field of vision. Are you confident in that aspect?
A, the side change from the anchor position has become possible compared to high school from university, although the sense of tempo was possible at the university level, it can be slow at the top level, so I think that the sense of speed there is insufficient. However, I want to be able to keep up with the sense of speed without erasing my own strengths.
Q, It was the first actual game, but how was it to play under the second year of coach Albert's leadership after understanding soccer?
A, the team has become capable of many things, and the coach himself says that the team is moving in a better state than in the first year, so I hope to raise my condition so that I don't fall behind there.
Q, how is your current condition?
A, since we still have a long way to go, I want to work hard from here and create a good condition, and I want to value each day's practice.
Q, what are the parts where you were able to cooperate with your teammates during the match?
A, I think we were able to play soccer by holding the ball we have been continuing so far and taking the initiative. I hope we can improve the quality of the final pass and other single passes in front of the goal.
Q, what were you able to try in today's match?
A, in today's match, we focused on pressing from the front line and being conscious of our movement to improve our condition. I think we were able to run both in attack and defense, so now it's just a matter of fine-tuning our ball control and coordination with our teammates. I hope we can do that properly.
Q: In the future, I think there will be opportunities to play matches with various players. What do you want to be conscious of when playing?
A, no matter which player I team up with, I think Tsukagawa is the best partner. I want to play with good combinations with anyone and bring out the strengths of the players I team up with.
Q, how do you feel about your performance?
A, I have been moving my body since I was in Brazil, and of course I have been moving it since I came to Japan. I think my condition is gradually improving, and the season is starting, but I want to approach the season in an even better condition.
Q: During the game, you received the ball from the side and bravely headed towards the goal. Were there any specific plays that you were consciously doing?
A, I think everyone knows that my style is the team's style since last season, so I want to make use of my own characteristics. It has just started, so I think both myself and the team need to make adjustments and raise the level more.
Q, how was the coordination in the front line during the match?
I think it's not just about the three of us, but also about everyone's relationship. I think everyone understands the football that the coach is looking for, but I feel that we need to deepen our cooperation even more.
Q: Practice matches will continue from now on, please tell us your goals for the camp.
A, as the first practice match of the season, we will continue to have practice matches from now on. I think we need to step up our training, but first we need to think about not getting injured. Within that, we need to prepare well for the opening and in the end, I think it's just up to the coach to select the members.
Naoki KUMATA Player
Q: How do you feel about scoring two goals?
It wasn't a flashy goal, but I was able to move forward confidently and calmly score a 1-on-1, and it was good that I was able to score well in front of the goal. However, there were other opportunities to score 2 or 3 more goals, so I want to focus on improving in those areas.
Q, there were also scenes where it seemed possible to score a third goal.
A, I strained too much. I wish I had looked at the goalkeeper more and shot.
Q, there was an impression that you appeared in many decisive scenes, but did you feel any sense of cooperation with those around you?
If I can score with one chance, I think that will build confidence, and with that confidence, I believe better balls and opportunities will come, so I want to score more points.
Q: In your first year, did you feel a significant difference in physical strength compared to others?
A, we are not losing in terms of simple physicality. However, the strength of the lower body throughout the entire game is still lacking. Personally, I haven't been able to do lower body strength training yet, so I want to work on training my lower body from now on.
Q, what are you conscious of in your current position?
Since it is a position of A, one top, I have to look at the surrounding players and see where the opening is, and I have to move directly, so I increase the number of times I look.
Q: What do you want to ask the players around you?
A, honestly, I want to increase the movement of the players around me in my own mind, and it is necessary to increase the use of the space created by the movement of the players around me or to use the space created by my own movement.
Q: Do you want to start making demands in future matches?
A: Yes, that's right. In front of the goal, I think it's important to position myself in a way that allows me to score with one touch against any kind of cross. Personally, I'm good at scoring from crosses, so I want to work on my movement towards that area in detail.
Q: Does the goal of the opening starting lineup remain unchanged throughout these past few days?
A, you don't waver. It's not my goal to be on the bench because I'm aiming for a starting lineup, and it's not my goal to come on as a substitute either. My closest goal is to be in the starting lineup for the opening match.
Q, I initially thought it was a big goal even though I'm a rookie, but through the interview, I realized that it's not a big goal at all, but something I really aim for.
A, I scored a goal in today's match, but the coach told me that I could have scored more and that I need to score more. So, I really want to strive for the importance of one goal.
Q: Players who have come up from the academy often struggle with post-play, but I think they are able to drop the ball well and use their bodies effectively, including during practice. How do you feel about their progress?
A, you can drop the ball with one touch in front of the goal, but there is still a part that is lacking when connecting in the back and the opponent comes from the front and becomes free in the front, so I want to learn more about collecting the ball not only in front of the goal but also in the midfield.
Q: Do you want to continue to focus on scoring goals in actual matches?
A, because I have to make a decision, in my mind, regardless of the game, whether it's a practice match or a red and white game, it's difficult to be a starter without producing results, so first of all, I want to focus on achieving my own results.
