1/25 Training
The first day of the Okinawa Itoman camp was conducted privately. The second camp has started from this day, and coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI stated, "I want to bring out the challenges and good aspects that arise from the game as we prepare for it."
Furthermore, the coach expressed that he hopes a player will emerge to create surprises and astonishment.
Not only the key players from last season and the promising new additions, but also the players who returned to Tokyo after not achieving the results they hoped for during their training stints are motivated by this. Each of them is starting to showcase their strengths and abilities.
The emergence of players who overturn past rankings and achievements will further enhance competitiveness. If the secondary camp is filled with such surprises, we should be able to acquire a thick player pool that does not rely on any specific individual.
FOCUS ON
The official photographer selects camp photos in the project "FOCUS ON." On the first day of the Okinawa Itoman camp, this photo was chosen showing interpreter Kazunori IINO and Ewerton Gaudino smiling and talking. Since 2000, he has supported foreign players and staff both professionally and personally as an interpreter. He has also experienced farewells with Diego OLIVEIRA, who retired at the end of last season. Nevertheless, interpreter IINO said, "It's sad, but now we can see each other's faces and talk on our mobile phones no matter where we are in the world," turning tears into smiles as he continues to face the current players. Of course, the bonds with the players who have colored the history of the blue and red will remain unchanged going forward.
CAMP VOICE vol.12 Hisatoshi NISHIDO
Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the coach, said before the second camp, "I hope a player will emerge to create a surprise." Whether he knew it or not, Hisatoshi NISHIDO naturally expressed, "I want to surprise those around me." He has played for JEF United Ichihara Chiba, Kagoshima United FC, and FC Gifu since the middle of his first professional season. However, he has not been able to perform as he wished, and as he enters his third season, he voiced his sense of crisis, saying, "I feel pressured." On the other hand, during this camp, he stands out with a smile as if he has let something go. He is also showing bold plays without fear of making mistakes. I asked NISHIDO about the reason for this.
Q: The second camp has started.
A: I have been struggling with injuries for a long time, so being able to practice well without injuries during the first camp is quite significant. In that process, I am also challenging myself in different positions than before, and I am enjoying that environment. I believe I am in a situation where I am being pushed. Even so, I have no negative feelings at all, and I am approaching it with a "bring it on" attitude. I think those feelings are working positively, and looking back at the first camp, I realized that mindset is really important. Soccer is a mental sport, and I believe expressing my feelings on the pitch connects to how I express myself.
Q: You have shown good plays in practice. What do you think should be done to overturn the hierarchy from here?
A, this season feels like a new experience, and I am enjoying the camp. Until last season, I was often concerned about the performance of players in the same position, which led to negative feelings. However, here, there are wonderful players in the same position, and there is intense competition. But such situations exist in every club and team, and no matter where you are, you must continue to win in competition. I thought I understood this all along, but being pushed to this point, I may have truly understood it for the first time. With this mindset, I am now able to enjoy even the intense competition.
Q: Coach Matsuhashi also mentioned that he will take the initiative to do what he can for the team.
A, Coach Matsuhashi's words have influenced my own thinking to some extent. He is creating an environment like that as a coach. It may be that only I feel this way, and I think others have various feelings about it as well. I believe the coach is looking for attacking players, and since I also like to attack, I can clear my mind and focus on just showcasing my strengths.
Q, there were moments during the camp where it was acceptable to start over without pushing too hard, and plays were made boldly to break through and catch the opposing defenders off guard.
Yes, there is certainly fatigue and tension. However, my condition is the best it has been in my third season as a professional. My first season's camp started with rehabilitation, and last season I was dealing with pain while working. I believe I am in the best shape now, which contributes to my proactive play and confidence.
Q: It looks like every day is fun, even from the outside.
A, I think the style fits well. I also believe that there are not many constraints. Coach Matsuhashi communicates the direction and ideas during meetings, but there are no strict rules like you must do this or you must always do that in certain situations, which is significant for players like me who play with flow and momentum. I think having fewer constraints allows me to approach the game very positively.
Q: What kind of days do you want to spend in the remaining camp?
A, what I always have in mind is to avoid injuries. That is my concern, so I want to prevent injuries with the help of the trainers. I am a player who returned without achieving results during my loan spell, but I want to fight my way up from below. Of course, everyone is aiming for a starting position at the opening match, but I also want to aim for a spot and surprise those around me. I will work towards that goal and aim for a starting position at the opening match.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
