《Kento HASHIMOTO》

(What are your thoughts on the game?)
"The Mainz players were skilled and launched powerful attacks, but we were able to defend well and keep a clean sheet."

(What were the challenges you noticed in today's match?)
"I felt that we still lack the decision-making ability to choose whether to launch a counterattack or possess the ball after regaining possession when the opponent attacks. The opposing team had a strong attitude of sending multiple players forward when going on a counterattack, so I think we need to learn from that."

(Enthusiasm for the second half of the season)
"I want to make use of the experience gained in Germany. Personally, I want to show more powerful plays in both attack and defense, and show plays that will contribute to the team's victory."

"Makoto OKAZAKI"

(What did you feel from playing against overseas clubs?)
I think I need to reflect on the fact that I was involved in conceding goals due to personal mistakes. It is a big challenge as a defender that we couldn't keep a clean sheet in the matches I played.
However, there were several areas where it worked well, such as one-on-one correspondence and the feed section, so I would like to work on my daily training to improve the challenges I felt during this expedition.

(Motivation for the second half of the season)
"Hyun Soo JANG has also joined the team, and the depth of the defense has become even stronger than before."
"I always want to be prepared to seize any opportunity that comes my way and fight."

"Summary of Coach Yoshiyuki SHINODA's Press Conference"

"Regarding the first half, I think we were able to effectively suppress the opponent's build-up. Our attack and the players' distance were better than in the Augsburg match, so we couldn't score, but I see that as a positive."
In the second half, we changed the members, but we conceded a goal due to individual mistakes, so we need to be more careful and proceed with the game. I think it was good that we were able to score a goal from the flow of the game, but I think it was not good that it led to conceding goals from a series of mistakes."

"Q&A"

Q=About scenes of scoring
"I think it was good. After that, we were able to create a scene where we broke through the opponent's left side twice, but I think the turning point of the game was whether we could score in that situation. Mainz was scoring solidly in those situations, so I felt they were amazing."

Q=What are the expectations and effects on today's system?
"I think the first half was good. We were able to prevent everyone from entering dangerous areas. In terms of attack, the distance was good, and I feel that it was good that we were able to create some chances starting from Nakajima."

What is the evaluation of UTAKA, NAGAI, MAEDA, and NAKAJIMA as Q=FW players?
"Each individual has their own personality, and of course, they must both attack and defend, but if they can combine well, I think they will show a good performance."

Q=What did you gain from the Germany expedition?
"I wanted to finish both matches with a win, but there were mistakes in various aspects. Long travel is not an excuse, and it was a very good experience to be able to compete against such opponents. I think it was an experience that will lead to future growth, but I believe we need to connect this experience to the league matches, so I want to work on that after returning."

Q=What is the stimulation brought by this expedition?
"One thing is that it was good that young players came out. It leads to competition within the team, and I think it gives them confidence to be able to compete against opponents at this level, so I hope for their growth in the future."