[Player Interview]
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q: You have been consistently producing results even during training camp. What does scoring goals mean to you, Teruhito NAKAGAWA?
A, During the off-season, I didn't move my body, so I think the feeling of the ball and other things were techniques that I have cultivated so far. I think it was very good as the start of the season that I was able to produce results.
Q, There may be differences in the details between Yokohama F.Marinos and others, but I think there are parts that are familiar with what we have been doing so far. What do you think?
A, Since the basic idea of building an attack while controlling the ball remains the same, there are many things that are easier to do as an individual.
Q, Are you able to grasp which position to take in order to make good plays by being able to do the obvious thing of taking a good position at the right timing?
A, I think it's important to create many scenes where we can break through with combinations and relationships with side backs and inside halves, as there are many powerful attackers in front. When breaking through on the left side, there are similarities to what I did at Yokohama F.Marinos, and I think the sense of sniffing out scenes like aiming for the ball that came after being crushed in the near position has been continued since last season, so rather than the condition, I think it's important to have the consciousness of entering the right position, and I think it leads to goals.
Q, will you enjoy improving the quality of your combination with other players?
A, the players have high abilities and everyone is working hard to express Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's football style, so we are focusing on training to break through the last attacking third. We are currently focusing on making mistakes and we believe that without taking on challenges, there is no progress. We are also actively communicating with each other during practice to do what we want to do. Taking all of this into consideration, we are very satisfied and everyone is working hard to get through the camp without any major injuries, so the overall team strength is increasing and the competition for positions is becoming more intense.
Q, Summary of this year's camp and request for the next one.
A, I think we need to increase our scoring power. I feel that 1 or 2 points are not enough, so I want to improve the final quality of our last pass and finish when we return to Tokyo or during the Miyazaki camp. If we can raise it properly, I think this year will be more interesting.
Q, What do you find attractive about Coach Albert's football?
Compared to Yokohama F.Marinos, there are advantages to not attacking with a sense of speed, so the part of holding onto the ball and playing is different and interesting, and there are strong attackers, so I think the strength is being able to break through individually and it's an interesting aspect. Personally, I think it would be good to establish my own style as Tokyo by using people to break through and taking advantage of my characteristics such as taking the back in an instant.
Q, Is there any difference in your play when you have time to think, unlike Yokohama F.Marinos? Also, does it make it easier or harder for you to play?
There is no difficulty and I think it is easy to do. Even in possession soccer, Tokyo and Marinos are completely different, and the system, distance and speed are different, so Tokyo has its own strengths. We use time to draw the opponent in, expand to the opposite side, and create 1v1 or 2v1 situations, so there are many similarities and differences that are interesting. I feel that I am fighting in a different style since I transferred here.
Q, What was the most surprising thing about transferring?
A, What surprised me was how lively it was, including the voices from the warm-up. I could really feel the positive team atmosphere. I believe that this kind of atmosphere also contributes to the quality of our practice, so it's important to see how long we can maintain it. That's where I feel the difference after transferring to this team.
Q, you mentioned that you transferred at the age of 30 during the announcement of the new system, and I think it's a time when you think about many things as a human being and as a player. When asked about your ambitions for the 2023 season, what do you have in mind? A, I decided to transfer in order to win in Tokyo, so my ambition is only to win. I think about what I can do to achieve victory, and the most obvious thing is to produce results. I think accumulating those points will bring us closer to victory, and I believe that is the mentality of a winner, so I want to express that. I am putting pressure on myself to do that, so my ambition is only to win.
Q, when considering winning, I think that Yokohama F.Marinos will definitely be the opponent that we must defeat. How do you think about facing Yokohama F.Marinos as a rival?
It is both exciting and nerve-wracking to play against them, as I think about how much I dislike it when I am on the opposing team. However, my time at Yokohama F. Marinos is in the past and I am now with a different team. I am training with pride for Tokyo and have a strong desire to defeat them and score points. I am eager to play at either Nissan Stadium or Ajinomoto Stadium as soon as possible.
Q, not only when facing each other directly, but also as an indicator of how close we need to get to that level of intensity, what do you think Nakagawa can bring to Tokyo?
A, If I can effectively exploit the spaces behind and the spaces where the side half is raised, I think it will be good. I think the intensity is not inferior to Tokyo, and I feel that the fierceness of the ball in the narrow area is higher than that of Marinos. I think it will be a very interesting game.
Q, If there are any areas where you surpass in strength, what do you think is the key to winning the title? Also, where do you think Nakagawa's strengths can make a difference?
A, I think my outstanding play in Tokyo is taking the back, so I think that the part of invading the last attacking third is a strength. I want to make chances for players such as Diego TABA, Leandro DAMIAO, Adailton, and Ryoma WATANABE by dribbling past one or two players. We are implementing formations and situations in daily training that bring out the strengths of other players, so if we can work together, we have a powerful attacking lineup that cannot be stopped, so I think that scoring one goal is a prerequisite and scoring two or three goals is necessary to win the championship.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, (due to injury) I joined the camp late, but can you tell me about your current condition?
A, when I got injured, it was said that it would take until one week before the opening game to fully recover, but my recovery has been going well and I was able to join practice during the camp, and now I can also participate in tomorrow's practice match. I think there will be many tough moments (in terms of physical strength) if I play in tomorrow's practice match due to my condition, but there is still time until the opening game so I want to make sure to improve my condition. I am grateful to the medical staff for being able to return to the pitch early, so I want to play while expressing my gratitude.
Q, there are also new players joining, and I think the depth of players in the inside half has increased, but how do you plan to win?
A, many players have joined and there are many players who can play the inside half position, but I have confidence that I can do better than any other player and if I can exert my maximum strength, I believe I can contribute to the game. Even though there are many players and the competition is fierce, I do not have any negative feelings and I believe that I can play if I can demonstrate my strong points, so I am enjoying the competition very much.
Q, What do you think is the difference between yourself and other players that you can create while watching practice games from the outside?
Each player has their own unique characteristics, for example, Kei KOIZUMI is good at controlling the ball and has excellent footwork, so I want to imitate his play and incorporate it into my own.
Q, now that you are 26 years old and entering the prime of your career, how do you feel about taking on a more central role and leading the team?
A, I also turned 26 years old and there are many younger players, so I thought that the time has finally come as the oldest player from the academy. I want to become a role model both on and off the pitch. I also think that I have to become a central player and I want to play and act with determination.
