Seiji KIMURA and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. After many years as "allies" from U-15 Fukagawa, they will once again don the same uniform in Tokyo this season. After being promoted to the top team, KIMURA has grown through a series of loan transfers, becoming a key player for the U-23 Japan national team in the Paris Olympic generation last season, returning to the blue and red after gaining international experience. On the other hand, BANGNAGANDE honed his skills in Tokyo and made his debut for the A national team in March 2023. Although he could not participate in the main tournament of the Paris Olympics due to injury, he has evolved into a standout presence on the pitch. The two, who have walked different paths, will reunite in the 2025 season after each has evolved. What will both players think anew? In the second part, they discussed the upcoming season's soccer, each other's play, and their jersey numbers.
──How do you think Tokyo's football will change with the arrival of the new coach, Rikizo MATSUHASHI?
Seiji KIMURA Yoshifumi was watching from the outside, right? At first, I thought I wanted to connect the ball, but...
Kashif BANGNAGANDE Hmm... But I think what I'm focused on is scoring goals and the team's victory.
Kimura said that he wanted to align the team's characteristics with what the coach wants to do, so I thought we would settle into a style that utilizes the traditional vertical speed. However, it seems that what Mr. Rikuzou wants is different; he wants to hold onto the ball if possible and to keep moving the ball until the opponent is exhausted, even if it means starting over multiple times. He even said during practice matches to 'make the opponent a mannequin.' I thought he was the type who is particular about not losing the ball and maintaining possession, but he didn't say not to attack quickly vertically, and he mentioned that if we can do it, that's the best. He might originally be a coach who wants to connect the play, but he won't erase the strengths of this team. Given the current quality of the Tokyo players, I believe they can properly follow what the coach demands. We will start over using the goalkeeper multiple times, and I think the style of soccer will be more about connecting from the back than before.
Kashifu If you can hold the ball like that, I think the positioning of the full-backs will really become more detailed. There may be times when they take on the role of pinning down opponents, and in attack, the full-back on the opposite side is also required to move into the area in front of the goal when crosses come in. As long as the risk management at the back is handled, I believe that the full-back on the opposite side can actively enter the area like that.
Kimura Last season, he scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists in that formation.
Yoshifumi That's right.
──So, how do we want to shine in this football?
Kimura I think it is a style that is not significantly different from the possession image cultivated at Sagan Tosu last season. When holding the ball and moving it slowly, there are coaches who urge to "pass quickly!" to create tempo in the attack, but Mr. Rikuzou is not like that. He is a coach who understands the tactics of drawing in the opponent while holding the ball. He also said that if a long-distance pass can be made, that is the best option. I feel that it is quite close to the image and ideal I have. If we can firmly showcase the build-up we mastered last season, I believe we can be a great asset.
Kashifu The movements required of a side back are likely to increase, and since the coach demands aggressive attacking, I believe I can make better use of my strengths. There seems to be a lot to learn, so I think my range of play will also expand, and I am really looking forward to that from now on.
──Kashif's eagerness is evident to those around him.
Yoshifumi That's right.
Kimura But, there's no need to rush. If the return gets delayed again because of this, it would really be a waste.
Kashifu I think this is probably the most emotionally turbulent time. Just as my return is getting closer, a new team has started, and while watching the practice matches, I've been constantly thinking, "I want to play soon." Even while running on the pitch during rehabilitation, I get really curious when the players gather in a circle to listen to the coach. I felt the same way last season, but I've come to want to return even faster. Especially during camp, that feeling has been growing stronger.
──Last season, among the three clubs based in Tokyo, we ended up at the bottom of the league standings. Additionally, I think it is truly regrettable that we were unable to secure a single victory.
Kimura "When you think of Tokyo, the image of FC Tokyo should have been there all along, so both teams are definitely opponents that must not lose to each other."
Kashifu I truly believe that winning against them is the best proof. After all, the players from the academy must have that feeling stronger than anyone else, and since there are many players who have grown up in the blue and red this season, we want to raise our morale and face the battle with them.
──Last season, we finished 7th in the league. There may be fans and supporters who are filled with both expectations and anxieties as we approach this season with a new structure.
Kimura If the new team, with half of its players coming from the academy, wins, I believe it will naturally prove the strength of the academy. Even if not everyone can participate in the matches, I think the team reflects the strength of all the players who are part of it, and that will be reflected in the rankings. This is because the intensity and quality of regular practice serve as a barometer for the team's strength. Considering this, I also think it is a great opportunity to showcase the strength of the academy graduates.
Kashifu From an objective standpoint, it's amazing that players from the academy want to return even after going through university. That's why, if there are any fans or supporters who are feeling anxious, we must prove ourselves with results and performance. No matter what I say here, it won't mean anything unless we deliver results, and conversely, I believe that if we achieve results, our credibility will increase. This season, there are particularly many players from the academy, so as Seiji said, the results of the top team will inevitably lead to an evaluation of the academy. Therefore, continuing to deliver results is the most important thing, and for the fans and supporters in Tokyo, as well as for the younger players in the academy, I want to focus on proving ourselves through results. I want the entire team to show the kind of fight we had in the 2019 season when we were competing for the championship.
──Starting this season, Kafumi player will wear the number 6 jersey. What does Kimura player think about this?
Kimura I think it's good. (Kosuke) OTA and Ryoya-kun (Ryoya OGAWA, currently with Sint-Truidense VV) have different types, but since this is a number that has been worn by legendary left backs, I believe it is the most suitable number for Yoshifumi. If Yoshifumi can play in a way that surpasses the two seniors here, the value of the number 6 will increase even more, so I hope to work hard together with that expectation.
Kashifu Last season was challenging both in football and in my personal life. Every season is a competition, but I believe this season will be particularly crucial. I was considering changing my jersey number to put some pressure on myself and to change my mindset. At that moment, the club also suggested, "Why not change it?" so I thought it was a good opportunity and decided to take on the number 6.
Kimura If you say it like that, it makes it seem like I don't want to put pressure on myself and that number 47 is a safe number, right? (wry smile).
Yoshifumi No, no, no, no... that's not it, that's not it (sweat). But, there were good numbers available for Seiji too...
Kimura The club also asked me, "What number do you want?" but without thinking, I just answered, "47 is fine," and that was it (laughs). I guess I should have thought about it a bit more (wry smile).
──Finally, please make a promise to the fans and supporters that you will uphold this commitment as you fight through this season.
Kimura Of course, winning is the most important thing, but I want everyone to think that even if we draw or lose, it was a "good match," "interesting," or "exciting football," and I want us to play passionately as a team so that it leads to the next opportunity.
Kashifu I want to play in a way that allows all the fans and supporters who came to the stadium to go home saying, "That was fun." I want to be a team that people can wholeheartedly support, and I promise to show that kind of play in any situation.
The first part is here
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
