<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, Yesterday was the first practice game since entering the camp. How was it looking back?
A week after coming to the camp, we had a game right away. My body was moving pretty well and playing under coach Albert last season also helped, so the quality wasn't that low. I think it was a good game considering it was the beginning of the camp.
Q: I think the competition for positions will be really tough this season, but I saw in the practice games that the level is high no matter who plays. Can you tell us about your determination for the competition for positions?
A, Since KIMOTO and MORISHIGE, who played in every game last season, were solid, it will be difficult to break into that position. The competition for center back in Tokyo is stronger than any other team in J1. On the other hand, if you can win that position, it's a great opportunity to increase your value, so I want to keep challenging there.
Q, Do you think Kimura's strength is his speed, and is that what you focus on to appeal to others?
A, physical ability is not something that can be actively displayed, especially in defense, but unless there are fast or strong players on the opposing team, that player may not be seen as someone who can win with speed. However, even in that case, if you can win against a player like Adailton with a little bit of sliding speed or physical strength, I think it will lead to a good impression, so I want to do well.
Q, What are your personal goals for this season?
A, being involved in many games in J1.
What are the challenges to win the Q starting lineup?
In terms of defense, there are times when I neglect my predictions due to fine adjustments of the defensive line and my confidence in my physical abilities. Last season, Akihiro HAYASHI suggested that I should improve my positioning so that I can use my physical abilities more effectively, and I still have room for improvement in that aspect. As for the attack, it is important to embody Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's soccer style without making any mistakes, so I will continue to focus on that.
Q, Mori Shige player, Kimoto player, Enrique player, Higashi Renta player, everyone has similar physical abilities and skills, so it is difficult to stand out. Do you think it is important to focus on the details one by one?
A, I think we are now being watched closely on how much we can reduce mistakes in the finer details.
Q, Speaking of predicting plays, you mentioned wanting to improve your ability to keep up with the opponent's speed. Do you feel like you still have room for growth?
A, I think I can stretch it more because I have relied on physical ability, so there may be a part that is a little inferior to other players.
Q, Do you expect to surpass players Morishige and Kimoto as indicators as you gain experience in play prediction?
A, In terms of defense, I think I have a higher physical ability than Morishige and Kimoto, so if I can reach the same level of prediction and positioning, I think I have an advantage. In terms of defense, I think that is definitely an area I can improve on.
Q, Do you feel the expectations from the club even in a tough competition?
A, I don't really understand, but I think it's important to play in Tokyo as an academy graduate. Even if U-15 or U-18 players watch, I think they will be more motivated if they see academy graduates working hard. If they make me their goal when I play, I would be happy and want to do my best.
Q, Do you feel any sense of accomplishment in the current team's condition and ball movement, considering it was the first practice game of the year with new players?
A, it's still early since the launch, but I think it's going well considering it's a continuation from last season.
Q, What are your thoughts on playing this season with the Paris Olympics coming up in a year?
A, the Olympic qualifiers will also start this year, and the team building for the Paris Olympics will continue to progress, but just because you have been called up before does not guarantee that you will be called up for the national team. It's still important to play in J1 or play overseas in order to be called up, so I want to continue to be involved in games in Tokyo and work hard to play in them.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, Please give us your thoughts on yesterday's practice match.
A, I think we were able to play calmly without any mistakes in yesterday's practice match.
Q, how was it when you caught the highball and the crowd cheered? Do you think you were able to showcase your strengths as a player, Yonari Nozawa?
A, I feel that I should be able to catch a high ball as a matter of course, so I was able to do it with ease. Also, catching the ball means the opponent's attack is over, so I think it was a good play in that sense.
Q, Last season, I spent time with Iwate Grulla Morioka and had various experiences. I also played in games, but how was the year for you? What areas do you feel you have grown in?
A, throughout the year, we challenged J2 and unfortunately ended up with relegation as a team. However, personally, it was a year that I am very grateful for. Iwate Grulla Morioka gave me the opportunity to play in games and I wanted to repay them with a victory, but unfortunately it didn't happen. However, I was able to learn more than just results from the team. The club is made up of various elements and being able to represent them in games and truly fight as a team, I am glad I went to Iwate in that sense.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm and feelings for choosing to return to Tokyo this time.
A, I was raised in Tokyo and made into a professional player, so I have special feelings. Of course, I am very grateful for playing for Grulla Morioka last season, but I also have feelings for the club where I grew up, so now that I have returned, my strongest desire is to achieve something with the team. I may be a young player, but I don't have that intention, and I want to play with the feeling that I want to fight for the team even now.
Q, How much is the Paris Olympics being recognized?
A, right now I am not thinking about it, but my strongest desire is to achieve something in Tokyo.
Q, in terms of position competition, what do you think is necessary for Jakub SLOWIK to play in the game, as he is a very high wall?
A, It is the coach's decision who will play in the game, and I don't really care, but I think in order to play in the game, you have to give more than what you have.
Q, Did you feel that your individual performance improved while playing for Iwate Grulla Morioka?
When I was in J3, I was promoted, but as for me, I felt more like I was helped by my teammates rather than grabbing the promotion myself, so I entered the challenge of J2 with lingering anxiety. As expected, there was a period where things didn't go well, and when I looked at myself during that time, I was scared and anxious while playing, so I had the impression that I was on the pitch. I was able to change that and play by thinking that I had to change that.
Q, I thought that there were some changes in various aspects because there were some difficult things.
A, yes. Last season, even though the category was different, I experienced difficulties and hardships within myself, and now I can say that it was a grateful experience, or a valuable experience. Personally, I feel that this experience will also be useful for my future, but I also thought about the meaning of being in a professional position, so I was really made to think that this kind of experience could be a trigger for giving something to people.
Q, I feel like my body has become much more agile than when I was in Tokyo before.
A, I was originally playing while thinking, but I also experienced that if I think too much, my play will shrink somewhere, so it's difficult to put into words as a base, but I think the change in my feelings has led to my current play.
Q, I want to hear about your ambition, but today you were running until the end during practice. I have seen that attitude from your first year as a professional, but how do you feel about the change in your ambition, Noguchi player?
A, I have a desire to be 100% prepared for practice. Of course, it would be ideal to be satisfied with the practice, but there are times when I am not satisfied. Even the last jog has the meaning of recovery for the next practice, and I have a desire to be 100% prepared for the game. I think that if someone is not sincere about small things, they cannot be sincere about big things. What I value in life is to do things sincerely from small things, so in that sense, I think my feelings towards each play in practice have changed.
Q, Without players like Go HATANO and Hayashi, who have left, and without the senior players we have been chasing after, I think there is a feeling that Nozawa also needs to stand on his own here. How do you feel about that?
A, The senior players are great players, and I also played while looking at their backs. At that time, I felt comfortable being in the fourth position, and I thought about whether I could play confidently when I actually played in the game. With the experience of last season, I was able to think about what it means for me to play in the game, and I came back with a different perspective. So, I think I have changed from my previous self. I feel it myself, and of course, Go HATANO was amazing, but I also have a strong desire to achieve something for Tokyo, so I want to imagine big things even if it's just in my mind. I am really looking forward to the future.
Q, I felt that the range of my reach has expanded and that I have been practicing a lot while watching the practice, so in that sense, are you ready to play in the game?
A, I came back with that intention.
Q: You mentioned earlier that you are not considering the Paris Olympics, but among your peers, there is a good rival in Zion SUZUKI (Urawa Reds). How do you want to compete with him and liven up the J-League?
A, Although I did not go on the previous Spain expedition, watching the highlights, I can see that the other goalkeepers have also improved significantly, which has been a great motivation for me. I believe that all goalkeepers of the same generation are even more determined this season, so I want to work together to liven up the J-League.
