Q, finally one week left until the opening.
A, coming back from Okinawa, Tokyo is cold (lol). The football I am aiming for is still difficult, but I think I am gradually understanding it, or rather, getting closer to the football that the coach intends.
Q, have you started to share the image of soccer as a whole team?
A, while we are playing on the pitch, there are parts that we think would be better like this, and while we are playing and thinking for ourselves, there are also new players who have joined, so I think the combination is deepening.
Q: In the previous style, even in scenes where I was speeding up, were there times when I slowed down due to voices from the surroundings?
A, last season I often sent the ball forward regardless of the situation, but now I use it depending on the circumstances. When we can attack quickly, we attack quickly, and when we need to securely connect to avoid losing the ball, we connect. I think it is important to make the judgment to use it appropriately. I don't force myself to go forward, but I don't miss the chance to attack when it arises. If we can score with a pass behind the defensive line, that's good, but there are no opponents who make it easy for us to do that, so that's why we want to play soccer by controlling the ball, creating rhythm, and drawing the opponent forward before making a pass behind (to the back).
Q: How do you unify the team's awareness in terms of usage?
A, I think it's about encouraging and raising awareness of everyone. As we continue to play games, I believe there will be a common understanding of when we can go and when we cannot go, so the level of completion or accuracy of judgment will increase.
Q: The opening match opponent is Kawasaki F. Is there anything you are conscious of?
A, as the champion team of last season, it would be good to have an early match since we will eventually face each other somewhere. They also have new players joining and some players transferring, so I don't think their level of completion is perfect. We respect them, but without fear, we want to express the style of soccer that we are aiming for first.
