Q: This season, the club is undergoing significant changes. Have you noticed any changes so far, Mr. Higashi?
A, when the coach changes, the team's rules change and the atmosphere also changes. It's different from the way it was until last year, but I don't find it surprising that things change this much. If I can understand what the coach wants and express it, I think I will be used in the game and I know what I have to do.
Q, even if there are changes, there is no need to be so cautious.
I will no longer be the captain who has played for 3 seasons, so it's not that I don't think about the team, but I will be able to focus more on myself, so I strongly want to redirect myself and improve my play once again. I feel that I have had a very good camp so far because there is a lot of time to face myself during the camp.
Q, I used to talk a lot about the team as a captain, but I think I will talk more about myself from now on.
Being a captain was a great honor, and I was determined to fulfill the role given to me as a player. I believe that this mindset was reflected in my play, and I also felt responsible when the team was not performing well. I have a personality that is committed to giving my all to the responsibilities given to me, and I never want to deceive anyone. I am the type of person who wants to give everything and face challenges head-on.
Q: This year's captain is player Morishige.
Before the season, I had a conversation with Coach Albert about wanting to change the captain, and he said that he wanted to add a new stimulus to the team and make a change. I also thought that there might not be much benefit for the team if I continued to serve as captain. Even though it was a big change when I became captain, as the years went by, it became natural for the team, and I felt that the positives were decreasing. Honestly, being captain was tough, and after three years, I started to think that I wanted to focus more on myself. I feel like I put in a lot of effort and constantly thought about the team during those three years. At first, I think everyone was surprised when I was entrusted with the captaincy, but I think my changing attitude motivated those around me and they thought, "He's really working hard as captain." It might be self-satisfaction (laughs). Now, I can focus most of my thoughts on myself, so I feel that soccer is very enjoyable.
Q: There are also comments saying that "Tokyo player's expression is bright" and he looks physically sharp even during the camp.
A. I think it's fun now, and on the contrary, I think Morishige is having a hard time (laughs)
Q, player Morishige served as captain until 2017, and since then, he has further improved the quality of his play.
A, what I can definitely say is that it is important to do things without running away or deceiving. Honestly, at first, I didn't really want to be the captain, but even if I kept deceiving and doing it, the accumulation would disappear when I moved on to the next step. I think that it is only after facing the position of captain thoroughly and persevering that we can move on to the next step. It is really tough to keep facing it, but I think it was something worthwhile considering my future career. Right now, I am looking forward to how I can develop myself, and of course, there is pressure every year, and I think I have to play as a player. However, this time, I feel positive that I have a environment where I can concentrate on one thing because I am no longer the captain. There is a part of me that feels relieved, and since the coach will also change, I want to start a good restart. No one is promised a position, so I thought I had to appeal from the first day of camp, and I never had the idea of taking it easy just because I am a veteran. I want to maximize what I can do and continue to appeal. In the end, I think that such an attitude will be a good stimulus for young players and those around me. Also, I think that I have learned the atmosphere of a winning team and important things in these three years, so I want to firmly apply such experiences to this year as well.
Q: I think there will be difficult times for the team this year, and I believe that East player's performance at that time will be very important.
A, there, regardless of the captain or not, I think it is a job that I and veteran players who have accumulated experience should do.
Q, how do you feel about the soccer that Coach Albert is aiming for?
I feel that it is very interesting. It may take time to penetrate, but I think we can demonstrate amazing soccer once we are able to express what the coach desires. However, the season starts at the end of February. I think the key is how we can pursue ideal soccer while aiming for immediate victories. There is a dream in Coach Albert's soccer. If we can express the ideal of Coach Albert, whom everyone admires, both the players and the spectators will enjoy it, and I feel the determination to create a good team in any case. I think that Tokyo soccer is interesting and that we should strive to achieve victory while making people feel that way.
Q, the balance between team and individual focus is in place, and we can expect further performance from player Higashi.
A, I am most looking forward to myself, and it is true that I have been focusing less on myself since I have been captain for three years. Even if I was in good condition last year, I sometimes felt that my play was not good because the team was not doing well. This year, I want to focus a little more on myself.
Q, what is East player's goal for this year?
I don't have a fixation on numbers. There is no such thing as goals and assists. The goal is always to focus on myself. I want to make this year a year of growth by constantly looking at myself. I think that will benefit the team and help the team. I want to become better and push myself. However, my strength is also about using my skills to make the team work well with a broad perspective. While doing that firmly, I want to show a little bit of ego. I hope that will lead to a play that I have never done before. Of course, I want to score a lot of goals and aim for assists, but numbers come later, so I just hope to have good numbers when it's over.
Q, in this year's soccer that requires skills, wouldn't East player's skills come to life?
A, I am trying to practice soccer by connecting the ball firmly, and the opportunities to touch the ball are definitely increasing, so daily practice is really enjoyable.
Q, the running power part will also come alive.
I think that running, fighting, and the ability to finish are essential in modern football. I believe that everyone was trained in these aspects under former coach Hasegawa's football. I think we have a strong foundation, so I hope we can build on that. Coach Albert's football involves constantly moving the ball when the opponent comes, so it may take time to complete, but I believe it will become a very good football if everyone can do it.
Q, Player Higashi always responded to interviews without hesitation.
A, it may just be laziness or lack of interest (laughs). I also trust my teammates, so if I'm consulted, I believe in that person and respond firmly and directly. I feel that it's my personality. When I was captain, I strongly felt the need to be interested in others, and I believe I have the power to focus when it's necessary.
Q, on the other hand, you also have a mischievous image, right? (laughs)
A, when I was young, I might have been like player Ogawa, I guess. (laughs)
Q, Ogawa player will respond to interviews without hesitation.
A, because he is kind-hearted. Ogawa is the player we want to lead the team from now on. He has been with the team for a long time both in terms of age and years of service, and he is getting closer to the age I was when I became captain. At first, he may be teased by others, but courage to change is necessary. Once he overcomes the initial struggles, I think he will see a different world. I used to be the type of player who would come to practice just before it started and leave immediately. Now, I go to the training ground right after Morishige and prepare. As I get older, I can see what is important and it has resulted in that way. I hope Ogawa can have various experiences and grow another step.
