Approaching two attackers who are similar but different. The theme is "dribble".
When asked about his strengths in dribbling, Keita ENDO tilts his head in confusion and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA confidently responds with a vertical shake. While there are some aspects that they both agree on, there are also some completely opposite views. Despite both playing as left wingers, their ways of thinking are unique.
In the first part, we asked about each other's impressions of our play and dribbling, as well as our strengths and spacing. The two of us, who empathized with each other, particularly agreed on the differences in vision and sensation between the right and left sides. There were things that only dribblers could understand.
──How do you feel about the momentum and preparation just before the opening?
Keita ENDO I wasn't able to play much in Germany, so my theme for this camp was to improve my physicality. I was able to play 60 or 90 minutes and I think my condition is good. As a team, our challenge is how we enter crosses. It's not just me, but when I trap the ball and look inside, there are scenes where I want someone to come in, so I want us all to improve on that before the start of the season.
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA I still feel that it is difficult to improve my condition and adjust, but I am young so I want to keep pushing forward. However, I think I gained experience in playing throughout last season. I think I can show my skills in dribbling, scoring, and assisting in the preseason training matches, so I want to improve my stamina, defense, and off-the-ball movement.
──I think he is a rival for the left wing position, but do you see him as a rival?
Hiroshi ENDO It's definitely hard to say even though he's right next to me (lol).
Tawarazumi Ta That's not true. I think there are many things I can learn from Keita-kun. When I watch Keita-kun's play, not only his dribbling, but also the quality of his crosses and his movements when entering the box are all done at a high level compared to myself, which I think is amazing. I want to absorb that more and more. He is truly a role model (laughs).
Endo Stop lifting too much (laughs) when you come to Tokyo. When I came to Tokyo, I was told that there was a player who was fast, young, and similar to you, but when I played with him, I was surprised that he went up and down more times than I did. I think he's doing much better than my second year as a pro, so I can't afford to be careless.
Tawarazumida During practice, I often end up on the opposite team and can't talk much, but I do talk after practice.
Endo When practicing crosses, we are together on the left side. But honestly, there's not much advice I can give. I don't really think "you should fix this" or "you should do it this way".
Tawarazumida That's great (lol)
In Germany, Keita ENDO looks back on "being away from dribbling", and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who was trying to prove himself by focusing on dribbling in his first year as a professional last season. The situation they were in was slightly different, but they both say that they are "the same" type as "dribblers". Footwork, distance, field of vision - even if you summarize it as just dribbling, there are many things to consider. Surprisingly, the conversation progressed with the junior leading the way, asking "How about Keita-san?"
──I think the common factor between the two of you is "dribbling". Does it feel natural to be called a dribbler or have dribbling as your weapon or play style?
Hiroshi Endo I don't have many opportunities to play, rather, I feel like I can't make as many plays as before. That's because I didn't have many chances to play on the side in Germany, and I've been playing as an inside half for a long time, so I feel a bit rusty. Of course, I like dribbling, but when I can make a play, I'll go for it, and if I can't, I think it's better to choose a teammate who is in a good position.
Tawarazumida I have been playing with dribbling as my specialty for a long time, so I am aware of that. Since elementary school, I have been doing nothing but dribbling and have been polishing it. The trigger was my older brother, who was playing soccer with fast feet and dribbling, and I started playing soccer because of his influence. I think that trigger was big.
- What similarities and differences do you see between the two players?
Tawarazumida Is the way to dribble the same?
Hiroshi Endo I think the way of holding and carrying the ball and the distance are the same. I think I'm better at creating space by moving the ball about 2 or 3 meters forward and taking it to the cross, but Tawara is faster in a straight line. He's fast at tearing vertically.
Tawarazumida When you make a move, do you look at your opponent?
Hiroshi ENDO The opponent is watching. I'm not checking the movement of my feet until the end, but it's better for us to take the initiative, so I'm conscious of being able to take the initiative rather than being controlled by the defender.
Tawarazumida That's right. I always do it with a rough sense... (bitter smile).
──Do you have anything important to keep in mind when dribbling?
Tawarazumi Ta As Masashi Keta-kun said, I think it's important to take the initiative. If you let the opponent take control, you won't be able to bring the game to your own style, so it's important to be proactive. Depending on the opponent, they may try to prevent you from moving forward or even prevent you from dribbling, so if you can create space to dribble before they can react, you can bring the game to your own style. Rather than focusing on which situation is advantageous, I think it's important to take the initiative and start attacking.
Hiroshi ENDO When facing an opponent, it's better to have some distance so that you can attack on your own terms and at your own distance.
Erik There probably isn't a better player who is good at keeping close distance with the opponent (laughs). There may be players who are good at keeping the ball with their footwork, like in the defensive midfield position, but on the wings, it's not really about that. I think it's more about going to strip the opponent, so I don't think it's good to be too close.
──Is the main battlefield the same on the left side for dribblers, but does it feel different on the right and left sides?
Hiroshi ENDO is different, isn't it?
Tawarazumida It's completely different.
Endo The biggest difference is the dominant foot. Until now, I could handle the ball with my dominant foot on both the right and left sides, but even on the right side, it feels awkward and the sensation is completely different. To put it simply, in the Japan national team, Junya Ito (Stade Rennais) goes vertically on the right side, right? But if it's Take (Takefusa KUBO / Real Sociedad), he starts on the right side and goes to the center with his left foot. Each player has their own style, so there are difficulties and getting used to it.
Tawarazumi TaWhen I stand on the right side, the feeling and scenery are completely different. I think the biggest difference is the difference in the supporting leg. If you hold the ball with your right foot on the left side, most people will dribble on the outside, but that's the best way to go towards the goal. You can also hold the ball with your right foot on the right side and go towards the goal, but it's definitely easier to make a move when your right foot is on the inside.
Endo Isn't that his dominant foot? I don't think there are many players who are right-handed but use their left foot to go vertically. But Sei Muroya might do it.
Tawarazumi Ta Do you hold your left foot with your right hand? That's amazing.
──It doesn't make that much of a difference which foot you use.
Tawarazumida It's not easy to do the same thing on the opposite side as well as on the side you're good at.
Endo I think there is also some familiarity there. Can that person find a style that suits them while playing in that position? However, I don't think there are many people who can attack from both sides and make it to the cross.
The second part is here
Text by Daisuke Suga (El Golasso)
