- Both players who graduated from their respective academies will face each other. Did you know each other beforehand?
Sota MIURA "Nice to meet you."
Takahiro KO It was nice to meet you for the first time in today's interview.
- Today's interview is being held at the Koda Grand, but is this your first time back at Koda in a while, Mr. Miura?
Miura I have been to Kodaira many times and feel nostalgic. Even on the way from Kawasaki to Kodaira, I felt very nostalgic. When I was in elementary school, I attended Tokyo's Advanced School held in Kokubunji. The location of the school changed from Kokubunji to Kodaira, and we played soccer on this ground.
- During your time in school and academy, what kind of players did you interact with?
Miura When I was playing for FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, I was classmates and teammates with Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who is now a member of the top team. This season, we both got injured at the same time, so we contacted each other a little bit.
High Yasuto WAKIZAKA, who is currently playing for Kawasaki, is only an acquaintance. All the players I was close with have transferred overseas...
- During our academy days, how did you view each other's clubs?
I also went to watch a lot of matches and felt the excitement of the Tama River Clasico at the venue. I remember being booed in Tokyo (laughs).
At that time, I also had the desire to play and perform as a Kawasaki player, and I liked the atmosphere of the Tama River Clasico. I never thought that I would wear the Tokyo uniform more than a decade later.
Miura I was cheering for my parents and Tokyo from the stands behind the goal. Of course, I also booed Kawasaki. (lol)
- He also played in the Tama River "Ko" Classic.
High I don't remember what grade I was in elementary school, but I remember playing. I was most happy to be able to play soccer on natural grass.
Miura Like Takahashi, I was also excited to be able to play soccer on a pitch with natural grass and professional players. I remember playing on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium.
- Is the Tamagawa Clasico a different position for both players than other matches?
It seems high. There is a sense that the passion of the fans and supporters is one step higher than usual, and I felt that in the previous match as well, when I was a child, there was an atmosphere of "a battle that we absolutely cannot lose".
Miura It's a very exciting game, isn't it? It seems that they are putting a lot of effort into pre-game hype videos and promotions. I remember there used to be a hype video with dolphins and raccoons as motifs. I'm starting to remember more and more about that time.
- Did you have any players you admired at that time?
TAKA Juninho, who led Kawasaki's attack. I was also a forward, so Juninho, who had both speed and scoring ability, was very cool. He was an idol for me.
Miura Who did I like...? I was supporting the team as a whole, not just one person.
- Two people who stood on the pitch of the Tama River Clasico in the first half of the league. Did anything change significantly from the image or impression you had of both clubs and the Clasico before that?
High When I was enrolled in Kawasaki's academy, the image was that they were often runners-up. I even watched the game at the stadium when Tokyo won against Kawasaki and became champions in the Nabisco Cup at the time. In recent seasons, they have become a club that is always in contention for the championship and have left a strong impression.
Miura From both club's perspectives, the Tama River Clasico is a very exciting match. It was my first time experiencing the Tama River Clasico after transferring from Ventforet Kofu to Kawasaki, but I also felt the intensity and clash between both teams that I had seen in the past.
- Please tell us your impressions of each other's play.
High He seems to be a strong left-handed side back with a lot of propulsion. I could feel the strength of his play.
Miura I thought he was a smart player when we played against him last time. He has the impression of being a defensive midfielder who takes up uncomfortable positions for the opponent.
High We were beaten 0-3 (lol).
- Last time, Kawasaki won the Tama River Clasico 0-3.
High In the early stages of the league, it was my second official game after joining Tokyo. The 0-3 defeat was very frustrating for me.
Miura It was our first home victory of the season for us. The fact that the opponent was Tokyo left a strong impression on me personally. It was also a game where we were able to express our team's intentions, and personally, I was very motivated to face off against Yuto NAGATOMO.
- Is the Tama River Clasico also a high-tension match for the players?
High It seems so. I feel a different atmosphere from usual before the game, such as having a talk like today. The passion of the fans and supporters is also stronger than usual, isn't it?
Miura Personally, the Todoroki Tama River Clasico was my first experience and I could feel the atmosphere and excitement from the pitch. The next match will be at Ajinomoto Stadium, so I am looking forward to experiencing a different atmosphere again.
- Please tell us about the "play that you don't want to lose here" for each other.
Miura "Breaking power" is something I don't want to lose. It's also one of my strengths, and I feel that there is meaning in expressing that play at Ajinomoto Stadium above all else. I want to show it off.
Won the "capture". The play of taking the ball from the opponent, both individually and as a team, was also meant to capture 3 points as we have been losing in the first half of the league.
- Finally, please give us your enthusiasm for the 44th Tama River Clasico.
Kou players, staff, fans and supporters, let's all come together and win the 44th Tama River Clasico. Thank you for your support.
Miura We will aim for a season double in an exciting match. This is a must-win game. Thank you for your support.
