The 5th day of camp consisted of only morning practice, and some players also participated in the afternoon practice.
Yuto NAGATOMO and Keigo HIGASHI arrived in Okinawa last night and have joined the training from today.
Today, we split into positions and the attacking team worked on finishing while the defensive team focused on various aspects of the game.
In the finishing practice, we repeated the process of receiving a pass in front of the goal and taking a shot, while the opposing goalkeeper was conscious of preparing for the shot.
In the defense menu, the coaching staff acted as the opposing team and the players played in a build-up style, connecting the ball from the defensive line while confirming their positioning.
Finally, we ended the fifth day of practice with a focus on set plays in preparation for tomorrow's first external match of the season.
After lunch, player Nagatomo, who announced contract renewal yesterday, responded to media interviews.
Many media members have come to Okinawa. Player Nagatomo has spoken passionate words about Tokyo. We have excerpted and published some of them, so please take a look.
Q: Yesterday, the contract renewal was announced and in the comments, it said, "I carefully thought about how I will live my life from now on." What were you thinking about leading up to the contract renewal? Please tell us what thoughts led to the contract renewal.
After the World Cup ended, I wanted to take a break both mentally and physically, so I took a break from thinking about soccer until the new year. However, during that month, I thought about what path I would take in the future by facing myself, and I felt a great passion for soccer, and as that feeling solidified, I began to feel a strong desire to win titles and raise the trophy in Tokyo. I talked to Tokyo after the new year. Tokyo also needed me, so I think this contract was able to be made.
Q: Please share your thoughts after finishing today's first practice, and also, could you tell us what Chairman Nonomura talked about?
A, I felt a sense of relief that I was able to return to my home. Seeing the smiles of my teammates and coach Albert, as well as the staff, I felt even more motivated to contribute to this team. I also talked with Chairman Nonomura about how we can continue to elevate the J-League in the future.
Q, I think the performance in the World Cup is still fresh in our memories, but how do you feel about the camp in Okinawa for the new season, including the training environment?
A, Okinawa is a place I love so much that I come here every year even during the off season. I can relax and time flows slowly, making it a wonderful environment. Being able to start again in such a place is a very happy thing for me, and I want to receive great energy here and give it back to the team.
Q, Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who is from Okinawa, joined us this season. He plays in the same position as you, but what is your impression of him?
A, I haven't seen him play yet, so I don't know much about him because I haven't practiced with him yet, but I've heard that he's a high-quality left-handed player, so I'm really looking forward to playing with him. And I welcome the competition for positions. It's a great honor as a professional to be able to compete with great players and I think we can have a high level of competition. There is no word to give in to this professional world, but I want to have a high level of competition where we can both grow and eventually contribute to the team, so I want to have a strong match.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for this season.
A, Last season, under the guidance of coach Albert, a great base for the team was built, so this season we want to fight for the title based on that base. We have great players, so we believe we can achieve that dream and goal.
Q, Please tell us about the team's goal and Yuto Nagatomo's personal goal.
A, the team's goal is, as I mentioned earlier, the J-League title. And for me personally, first and foremost, to show my abilities on the pitch as a player and contribute to the team's strength. Also, to gain a lot of experience... both overseas and with the Japan national team, and at the World Cup, I have had wonderful experiences, so my goal is to be able to give back that experience to young players and underclassmen, that is what I think is my big goal.
Q, 4 years later, in 2026, there will be a World Cup. What are your current thoughts and feelings about the activities of the Japan national team and their journey to the World Cup?
A, I will say it again, but the more I experience the World Cup, the more I become captivated by it, and I always have the desire to fight as a player in this place. And as long as I am still active, I want to aim for the Japan national team, so first of all, I think that by being able to demonstrate my abilities firmly under the wonderful coach, staff, and teammates in Tokyo, it will lead to the path of the Japan national team.
Q: After the end of the Qatar World Cup, what is the essence of football that is needed? Is it toughness that can match the intensity, or mental strength? How would you put it into words? How much of it exists in Tokyo currently, and how much is lacking?
To get closer to the top of the world, first of all, we need to improve our physicality in terms of duels. Of course, we still have to raise our level, and also, as you can see from the World Cup final, everyone is fighting for the ball and dueling with a fierce determination. Even Messi, who is considered a genius, showed great defense and dueling skills. That is the standard of the top of the world, I think. And when we think about the world standard, not just in Tokyo but also in the J-League, I feel that we still lack strength in duels. I have been playing in Europe for over 11 years, and have played hundreds of games representing my country in the World Cup, but I still feel that Japanese players lack that strength and soul in duels. In order to raise this standard, I want to fight this season in the J-League and in Tokyo to show what I am capable of, rather than just talking about it.
Q, What was the main factor that kept you active in your career, even though it was a World Cup that you put your life on the line for and could have burned out?
A, I have put everything into this World Cup for four years, so I honestly didn't think about the future after the World Cup at all. But during this month, as I faced myself, the first big inspiration I received was watching the final match between Argentina and France, and I was shocked and received a tremendous amount of energy. The greatness of football and how it can touch people. And I am standing on that stage. And if I don't give up, I might be able to come back to this stage. I feel a boiling passion and realize that it is up to me to grasp this future. And if I continue to play football, I want to win titles with this amazing coach, Albert, and have the best teammates, and I want to play in this beloved Tokyo. And I also want to create the condition to play for the national team again, and have the desire to play.
Q: During this month of rest, I think you have spent a lot of time with your family. Can you tell us about your family's reaction when you heard that Nagatomo will continue playing?
A, I don't think the children understand it, but my wife seemed to want me to continue playing, and she was very happy. She was still able to see me play at the Qatar World Cup, so she must have wanted me to continue. So she was very happy.
Q: After the defeat in the World Cup, you mentioned the importance of boosting the J-League. Is this something you have been saying since your first appearance in the World Cup? Also, please share your thoughts on how you want to promote the J-League and further develop Japanese soccer through this.
I believe that the development of the Japan national team cannot happen without the development of the J-League. This is because I myself grew up in the J-League, went abroad, and then came back. And now, the players who are playing overseas are also growing and developing in the J-League and are currently active. I think that the J-League is the base of Japanese soccer. If this base level does not improve, the development of the Japan national team will not happen. That's why I think it's a big return to contribute to the development of the J-League with the experience I have gained so far, and that will be a big thank you to the Japan national team. I myself have been raised in both the Japan national team and the J-League, so I think I can make a big return. If we don't do that, I don't think the development of the Japan national team will happen in the future.
Q, please tell us about your thoughts on winning the championship, as you mentioned earlier that you want to lift the trophy.
A, I have strong feelings that I can't quite express with my vocabulary. Tokyo has won the cup tournament, but we haven't won the J-League. I think we are the team that needs to bring the most excitement to the capital city of Tokyo. It's very sad and painful for me that this team still hasn't raised the trophy. So, I want to do my best to raise the trophy this season, carrying the pride of Tokyo and the blue and red. I believe everything is in place. I personally think we have the team, coach, and staff to achieve it.
Q, How intense is the current glare of Nagatomo, who is always shining?
A, is it shiny? I changed my hair color back to black, but the shininess hasn't changed. I think it's even higher. The passion is burning. I changed my hair color back because the World Cup is a festival, and the festival is over, so when it's over, I'll start over and focus on my current job. I changed it back to black as a way to dedicate everything. So, compared to red, it may look plain, but my heart is burning with passion.
Q, What do you want to work on first?
A, there are too many. I have never been satisfied with myself, but in this World Cup, I can see a lot of my own challenges, including physical, skills, and tactical aspects. I think I have reached the top level in terms of mentality in the world, but in terms of physical and skills, I still have to improve to meet the world standard. It may be thought that Nagatomo will not grow anymore due to his age, but I will not give up because I think my dream will end the moment I give up. I have achieved everything so far because I have an image of what I can do, so I think I can do it.
Q, Regarding mental strength, did you gain more confidence from this World Cup or did you always have the belief that you wouldn't lose?
A, this is about reaffirming my strength in this World Cup. I have experienced it four times so far, but I wasn't as strong as I am now. Looking back at these four times, I can confidently say that I have grown the most mentally and have become more resilient.
Q, Earlier you mentioned being captivated by the World Cup, but what specifically do you mean by captivated?
When you look at my eyes when I shouted "Bravo", you will understand that it is not common for people to get so excited in their daily lives. The reason why I can get so excited is because I am able to compete in this precious World Cup once every four years, and I feel the joy, pride, and pressure of representing Japan on this stage. As a professional football player, I feel honored to be able to experience everything in the World Cup, which only happens once every four years. And the more you experience it, the more you become captivated by the World Cup. That's what it means.
Q, 4 years later, 3 and a half years later, there will be another World Cup, but is it looking towards 3 and a half years later for Nagatomo or is it a year-by-year accumulation for the World Cup?
A, both. Of course, I think that without being able to imagine everything, you can't reach that place. However, I can imagine myself in 3 and a half years. But, just that is not enough, so every year, every day, from today's practice, how much can I improve myself, how much can I get closer to my ideal self in 3 and a half years, I think it's really a daily battle. So, I hope to overcome myself and show an interesting Nagatomo again.
Q, will we be able to hear the same kind of cheering as Bravo?
A, I don't even understand it myself. Those were words that came out instinctively, so I can't make any guarantees here since they came from my soul, but I think it will be interesting again. Everyone, please look forward to what an excited Nagatomo will do.
Q, There was a bravo and welcoming reaction from all over Japan except for fans and supporters after yesterday's announcement. How do you feel about receiving such a reaction?
First of all, I feel happy and my passion increases as I am praised with "bravo". Even though the coach told me to "take it easy and build my body" and "calmly build it", I want to play a game right now. That's how much my excitement has grown, and although "bravo" may be my own words, I have received a lot of them and I feel like I am gaining courage and passion from them.
Finally, here's a photo of the off-pitch scene.
The campsite is located near the sea, so you can enjoy the view of the blue sky and sea. The players also take time to go to the beach and refresh themselves.
The perfect temperature for swimming in the sea. It's around the time when fatigue starts to build up, but these two also gave me a good smile.
Tomorrow's practice game will be against the local Meio University.
Kickoff at 10:15, to be conducted in two 30-minute halves and one 20-minute half.
We would appreciate it if those who come to the venue could confirm the precautions.
https://www.fctokyo.co.jp/news/14344
