[Pre-Opening Long Interview]
Commander's Philosophy
Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach
The long-awaited 2024 season of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League is about to begin. In order to win the league competition among all 20 clubs and raise the trophy, it is necessary to build a strong team to make a leap onto the Asian stage.
However, no matter how many diverse tactics are prepared, if the basic mindset and attitude necessary to fully execute them are not ingrained, it will not be possible to realize the desired football and showcase an exciting match.
What are the criteria that the coach demands from the players? In order to meet the expectations of the fans and supporters, and to uncover the secret of the essential abilities needed to play in matches, we delved into the philosophy of coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI.
──The coach prefers to use the word "hard work". Does this mean physically running, or mentally pushing through?
The first thing is to follow the rules for both offense and defense. Of course, this also includes the physical aspect of hard work, and it will lead to focusing on our own play. In terms of football elements such as offense, defense, and set plays, we need to improve our game and play even more. Hard work is necessary for that.
And run more than the opponent, win with a sprint against the opponent, and quickly carry the ball to the place where the opponent dislikes and go to take the goal. This is what I think is "hard work". Of course, we also work hard on defense to keep a clean sheet. I think it is important to follow and complete the rules that the team is working on, and to give it our all.
──If you don't quickly return after attacking, it means you're not working hard.
Yes, that's right. Our game is seamless and everything is connected. Everyone on the field is fighting to give their maximum output as a team. We want to make sure that even substitute players can play positively and bring out our collective style.
- It seems that for the coach, the 90 minutes of the game are depicted as a continuous thing as I listen to the story.
Everything is connected. In the game, each situation is connected, and what we practiced today is also connected. I think football is a living thing. What can we express with an exciting soccer, a highly entertaining style? While pursuing those aspects, we want to ultimately achieve victory.
- Not only the skill of handling the ball in an instant, but also the importance of being able to carry out a game successfully.
Certainly, each individual player may have excellent abilities. However, a great team can produce even more. As our philosophy, we aim to ensure that whoever plays in the game can contribute to the team's strength. Rather than relying on one player, it is important for all 11 players on the pitch to fight together.
--When listening to the players' comments, I feel like the coach's message of "be brave" and "have confidence" is being conveyed. This leads to an attitude of not fearing the opponent and taking the initiative ourselves.
Such awareness and play are also growing, and I think they represent the process of creating our own football. Brave, aggressive, and exciting plays for the viewers. We want to continue seeking this type of football, and we also hope that the players' brave fighting spirit will move and inspire others. We want to show our fans and supporters a soccer that they can believe in until the very end, while feeling proud of our intense fighting spirit. This is what we are striving for in order to create this type of football.
──The important thing is the aggressiveness of the mental and play. If the attitude of the coach is not set, I think that no matter what tactics are prepared, it is meaningless.
That is very important. I want to create a special team and build a style in Tokyo that everyone can fight together. Right now, we are in the process of building our football, and there is a big goal that the club aims for. We want to make our mark here. In the history of Tokyo, there is still no title of J1 League champion. Everyone involved with the club wants to win, and we also want to become the best club in Asia by winning the league. In order to reach that goal, we must have a strong belief. We hope to climb the mountain in front of us step by step, and weave our efforts one by one.
- From building up attacks from our own half, to quickly penetrating the opponent's defense, both have become sharper compared to last season.
That growth is also an exciting point. Football has evolved through the brave play of the players. We can see a bright future ahead and our philosophy is starting to be expressed. The progress made from the camp will become something special. We are having a good time during the preseason, but what is important is to show it in the opening game. And to continue to grow, learn, and create our own football.
──It seems that the players have also realized that they won't get playing time unless they work hard.
It also contributes to the growth of our football. If players set high standards and are able to push themselves to the limit in their daily training, I believe they can continue to grow even more.
- Cerezo Osaka, who will face off in the opening match, mainly employs a 3-top formation and their strong point is side attacks. How to defend against this will likely determine the outcome of the match.
The opening match, we hope to see good football. First of all, we need to execute our strategies in attack, defense, and set plays. If we can fully utilize our strengths, we should be able to win. We must have a winning mentality against all teams and we want to fight each and every game with importance.
- Coach Peter has an attacking mindset, but also puts a lot of emphasis on defense. Is it safe to say that his philosophy for winning is to concede as few goals as possible?
Yes, I think the team that becomes the champion can play in that way. Tokyo really has to stretch all elements. However, I am an offensive leader and I want to take as many goals as possible. At the same time, I want to impress the opponent with a game that is difficult to fight against and make them never want to play against Tokyo again. That is our football.
- There is a possibility that the members may be replaced due to condition or injury issues. How are you preparing for such cases?
It is most important not to have any injured players, but because it is football, it cannot be helped. I told the players, "We will fight for all titles, including the cup, throughout the long season. For that, we need everyone's strength. Even if you cannot play in the upcoming match, I want you to prepare without losing focus." It is something that naturally happens in a team that becomes champions. I want them to be prepared to contribute to the team when the opportunity comes. No matter who plays, we want to show our football.
──The coach has always said, "I want everyone to be like a captain."
Not only the "11 captains" standing on the pitch, but I want all 35 registered players to act like captains. Everyone trains at a high level and fights together as one. A group that faces the same direction is strong. There may be times during the season when things don't go well. Even in those situations, I want everyone to maintain their standards, continue to work hard, and have the consciousness to lead the team. Even during difficult times, I believe that looking forward together will lead to the future.
──This season, Masato MORISHIGE, Kei KOIZUMI, and Kuryu MATSUKI have been appointed as captains.
During the 4 days in Kofu, and then through the camps in Okinawa and Miyazaki, I thought the team as a whole showed growth in leadership. I want to continue to instill that mentality. The three players who serve as captains don't need to change anything in particular. If they continue to give their all as they have been, that's all I ask. The same goes for players who are not captains. As long as they don't forget to continue working hard every day, they will surely grow. This season's "captains" are Kryu, Kay, and Mori, but I want everyone to fight as if they are all captains.
──He said that by accumulating victories one by one, including the opening game, we will reach the title. Please tell us about the path to winning the title.
One game at a time. Without that, we cannot reach the top. We aim to grow through daily practice and create our own football. Then we focus on the next opponent and blow them away. And we prepare for the next game. We will continue this approach for 38 league games. Everyone can feel the club's desire to win the ultimate goal. However, we must know the path to reach there. What method, where to go. It is important to believe and move forward without wavering, and we believe that the football we are working on now will be the foundation for that. Like the world's renowned big clubs, we hope to master our own football and climb the big mountain together.
Text by Wataru GOTO (Freelance Writer)
