Departing from Kodaira Ground early in the morning, from Haneda Airport to Naha Airport. Tokyo will start its camp from the second day of the start.
The players were shaken by a 2 and a half hour bus ride from Naha City and moved to Kunigami Village. They were welcomed by many accommodation staff members and entered their rooms where they will spend about 2 weeks.
I arrived and immediately put on my new training gear, and then proceeded to the afternoon practice.
The players are able to practice with good expressions.
Today, we moved our bodies with a light menu, taking into consideration the fatigue from traveling.
From tomorrow, full-fledged second division training will begin. From here until the start of the season, the entire team will work hard in training and come together as one group.
I interviewed Yasuki KIMOTO on the first day of the camp.
Q, what did you focus on during the first day of training camp?
A, since there was also movement, I first focused on properly getting up and being conscious of being able to approach tomorrow's practice in a good condition.
Q, How is the atmosphere of the team?
A, it has been a really good atmosphere since last season, and I think everyone, including new players and young players, can train in one direction.
Q: Have the new players who joined also been able to blend into the team?
A, there are many players who have transferred and they are of similar age, and they are experienced players, so I think they can smoothly integrate into the team in that aspect. There are also many young players in the team, but I think they are able to blend in well.
Q: Who is leading the excitement?
A, honestly, right now we don't have the players who were energizing us last season, but even without those players, we are able to work in a good atmosphere, although there isn't a lot of excitement.
Q, I changed my jersey number to 4 starting this season.
A, I didn't say I wanted to change my jersey number myself, but the strengthening department suggested the number 4 in single digits. I think they evaluated my performance throughout the season and let me wear a single-digit jersey number. However, playing soccer is not about the jersey number, and it doesn't improve my skills. But I think wearing a single-digit jersey number has made my sense of responsibility towards the team even stronger, and in that sense, I want to express and lead it throughout this year.
Q, the competition for center-backs is also becoming intense.
A, there is no position that is promised, and there are many good players, including young players, especially in the center back position. In that sense, if anyone can always maintain a good condition for a year, it will naturally lead to personal growth and also contribute to the team's results. So, I want everyone to appeal together in a good way, to the point where the coach is always unsure of who to put in the game. I also want to win my position by showing my strengths without losing to myself.
Q, I think the build-up from Kimoto's center back is important in the soccer that Coach Albert is looking for.
A, the required soccer is to hold the ball firmly from the back and take care of it, so I have many opportunities to pass, and I think there will be many such situations this season as well, following last season. There were also parts that I struggled with last year because the opponent analyzed me, so if I can connect firmly no matter what the situation is, the forward players can play easily and it will lead to a good attack, so I want to level up firmly.
