Q: Please tell us your impression of Kawasaki Frontale, who you will be playing against tomorrow.
A, Kawasaki Frontale is a team that has been playing with the same play style for many years and gives a high impression of completeness. On the other hand, Tokyo is a team that has changed its play style 180 degrees since last season and is undergoing a transformation. What we need to do for tomorrow's game is to stick to our own play style and fight with determination. The completeness of the team is higher for Kawasaki, but it is important for each player to prove their quality on the pitch in order to bridge that gap. It will naturally be a difficult game as it is the first match at the stadium of a team that has won consecutive championships, but we want to strive for victory and achieve good results. Tokyo's players also have high quality, and they have had a wonderful preseason for a month since the start, creating a new play style, so I believe we can have a great battle tomorrow.
Q: What does "Clasico" mean to the coach in regards to tomorrow's Tama River Clasico?
A, there are various classics in the world, and each classic has a strong determination to win. That's why I try to fight naturally. By understanding it as a special match and treating it as one game, I can calmly fight.
Q: You mentioned that you want to show your own style while being committed to winning. However, I think it's quite difficult to balance both. Will you prioritize erasing Kawasaki's strengths or sticking to your own style?
A, I always consider myself to be the most important. I think that if we can express our playing style consistently, our chances of winning will increase. However, football matches involve various elements. For example, how the opening goal is scored, at what time, and which team it goes to. Small luck can roll to either team, and loose balls can flow to either team. Various factors influence the flow of the game. That's the nature of football. If we talk about tomorrow's match, I think there is a clear difference between a mature team and a team that has just started reforming. There is also a way to approach the game while neutralizing the opponent's strengths. However, if we focus too much on neutralizing the opponent's strengths, there is a risk of our own strengths disappearing. Right now, we are in a growth stage with a new playing style. In that sense, we place importance on how this team will grow along with the playing style. So, can we express the completed form of our playing style at this point? It is impossible because the completion level is not 100. Especially during the match, various events occur, so we need to make adjustments and make efforts to express our playing style as much as possible. I think the team's playing style and completion level will improve as we play official matches, so it has just begun.
Q: Is the starting lineup for tomorrow's match already decided as of the previous day?
A, of course, the coaches are expected to anticipate the members of the opposing team and come up with strategies. Everyone does it, but I also pay attention to a few important players. However, more than focusing on the opposing team, I focus on how our own players are doing and whether they can give their all. For example, every opponent knows how Manchester City plays, but every opponent still fights against them for 90 minutes without being able to neutralize their strengths. What I'm trying to say is that it is still difficult to neutralize the strengths of a well-rounded team. I believe that if we can express our own play at a high level, we have a high chance of winning the game. In that sense, I focus on my own team.
Q, I think this will be your first season as a coach in the top league category. You said you are calm, but do you feel excited?
First of all, I am calm because I am 53 years old and have accumulated various experiences in my life. In that sense, I am not nervous about tomorrow's game. However, I am excited. I started coaching when I was 16 years old, and since then I have always approached every game with passion, and this time is no different. What I always keep in mind is that it is just a soccer game, nothing more. There are many things in life that are more important than a soccer match. In that sense, I want to approach tomorrow's game calmly without exaggerating its significance.
