Q: Did the tactics become more ingrained after returning from the Okinawa camp to Kodaira?
A, not only tactics but also the mindset has changed significantly. I think we are able to have a common understanding as a team.
Q, what is consciousness, is it about valuing your position and the ball?
A, it is most important to value the ball and I think we have a common awareness of that.
Q, has the team been progressing with a sense of trial and error, with a change in tactics so far?
A, honestly, I also fought with a similar tactic as Tokyo in my previous team last season, so I felt the confusion towards the new tactic and the gap between what I had been conscious of until now and what is now required, just like everyone else. However, I think I was able to become conscious of it through the one-month camp.
Q, the demands on the defense are different from playing while waiting for the opponent and pushing forward with the ball.
A, I think both have their good and bad points.
When holding the ball and playing offensively, we often create dangerous 1-on-1 scenes on the counter. However, challenging these situations leads to growth, and we want to take them as positives.
Q: As the first stage of building a team, what kind of risk management do you plan to do as a center back, considering possible mistakes?
A, I think mistakes will always happen. However, what the coach often says is to eliminate big mistakes. Center-back mistakes lead directly to conceding goals and become a factor in not being able to win. As a professional, it is important to not only focus on the content but also on winning, so I think there will be mistakes as a center-back, but I want to eliminate big mistakes and mistakes that lead to conceding goals.
Q, as a center back, is there anything you need to be aware of in terms of positional play and coaching for corrections?
A, because I have the ball for a long time, I try to make it easy for myself to play and easy to pass the ball to my teammates. I also communicate with the players in the front line, but I think my teammates also have the freedom to move, so I hope we can discuss and coordinate with each other.
Q: Is there a play that Kimoto wants Tokyo fans and supporters to see?
In the build-up phase, it is important to hold the ball for a long time as it becomes the starting point of the attack. I would like you to pay attention to where the ball is being held. Of course, as defenders, I also want you to see plays where we defend aggressively and prevent the opponent's forwards from moving freely.
Q, Kawasaki Frontale, the opponent of the opening match, has Leandro DAMIAO.
A, we haven't played against each other many times, but since they were the league's top scorer last season, we want to prevent them from gaining momentum and aim to keep a clean sheet as a team.
