＜Coach Albert＞
Q, today was the first training match of the season against a J1 club. Please share your honest impressions and thoughts.
In the preseason, the results and number of goals in the matches are not important. What is important is the content of the matches. What did we feel there? I think both the players and I felt the same thing, that if we control the ball, we can firmly take control of the game. However, it is also true that there were areas that needed improvement. In the first 15 minutes of the first match, there were too many plays where we rushed forward and we couldn't control the game. After that, as the team gradually regained composure and started to control the ball, we were able to express the difference in level between each player and the opponent. I think that is the harvest of today. However, it is also true that there were many mistakes, so we need to improve and make corrections. We have to take time and continue to make daily efforts. It becomes important to convince the players. If the players believe firmly, it is not difficult to continue making daily efforts.
Q: Compared to the practice match on the 26th, the high press was more intense and powerful, and there were also opportunities to win the ball in advanced positions. How do you feel about that?
A, the result of the previous game was not important. However, we lost the ball many times in the previous game, and the opponent was good at connecting passes, so they had control of the game at times. We still need to convince and believe in our players. It is also important to continuously improve and correct our mistakes through daily efforts. We must reduce our mistakes. There are times when these mistakes do not lead to goals and we win the game. On the other hand, there are times when we concede goals and lose the game due to one or two mistakes. Therefore, reducing mistakes becomes important. As I have mentioned many times before, I believe we will face difficulties in the first few months. However, we have high-quality players. In that sense, if we continue to persevere and work hard, I am confident that we will move in the right direction.
Q, I think that if the forward players like Hyun Soo JANG can score chances like today, they can also buy time while realizing what they want to do.
A, I expect a player with a high scoring ability in the front line to give us calmness and confidence. However, if there is no intention to change the club, it will become a repeated journey. I think this season will be a difficult one. I believe that if the fans and supporters understand this and continue to endure together for the future success that will come, significant reforms can be achieved. The club also needs to take risks. I think it is the season to recognize that it is a difficult time for the brighter future of the club and endure. In order for the club to achieve stable success, we must build a team base over a long period of time. Otherwise, the game results will be determined by the quality of the players and the level of foreign players in that season. Naturally, I expect a lot of criticism at the beginning of the season. But I'm okay because I don't understand Japanese (laughs)
＜Takuya UCHIDA player＞
Q, how was today's practice match?
A, I think it was good because I gradually understood what the coach was asking for and felt that I was able to achieve it little by little.
Q: Is the feeling during practice different from the feeling during a game?
A, when it comes to whether what we do in practice can be done on the pitch (in the game), there are still areas where it is lacking. I think everyone feels the same way, but we are playing with the coach's demands in mind, so there are still areas where we haven't been able to showcase our own characteristics. From now on, I hope to respond to the coach's demands while also showing my own characteristics.
Q, are you now more focused on adapting to the team's style?
A, yes. There is also the aspect of responding to what the coach is demanding, and it is a soccer that we have to think about and do, so I think that once we get used to it, we can show our own characteristics and style. First of all, I want to respond to the coach's demands.
Q, there are still several practice matches remaining. Please tell us the challenges you want to tackle.
If asked whether I can meet 100% of the coach's demands, I still think there is a long way to go. At the same time, I understand that I need to focus on the numbers, so I want to be conscious of that.
Q, how is your condition even though your body is tired?
I feel that we are heading towards the season. It's only a few weeks until the opening, but I would like to make some more adjustments.
＜Ryoma WATANABE player＞
Q: This was the first match against a J1 club this season. Please reflect on the match.
A, it was fun playing today, and I also have a feeling that it finally started. I want to step up the gear from here.
Q: Up until now, the practice matches have been positioned as training in a real game format. How much success have you been able to achieve through the trial and error up until this point?
A, last season's soccer has not disappeared in a good way, and in a bad way, there are still many counters today, and we need to practice as a reflection material that we are not able to score in the soccer we want to play. However, I think that counterattacks are also one means of scoring goals. I hope that we can integrate well with Coach Albert's soccer, and if we can show our strengths in addition to what the coach is saying, I believe we can play even better soccer.
Q: How has your focus on positioning and training paid off so far?
A, now that I have a certain understanding of the overall position and where I should be while looking at the position of my teammates, communication with my teammates becomes important. It's not just about my own position, but the positions of the players in front and behind will be determined according to their respective positions, so I think it is essential to raise the level of understanding within the team.
Q: Have there been any moments where the entire team has been able to draw the same picture and take positions?
A, even if you can share on the same side, if you can't share on the opposite side, it's not a conversation, so even if 2 or 3 people understand, this soccer is difficult. Even if there is a feeling that you can do well in each situation to some extent, it was only sharing among those 2 or 3 people, so I felt that sharing is necessary for all 11 people in order to win in the game.
Q: We are halfway through the camp and heading towards the final stage, with two practice matches scheduled. Please tell us your goals for those matches.
A, I think I can understand this soccer to some extent, so I want to be conscious of bringing out my strengths and improving my conditioning on top of that.
