Q: Please tell us your impression of Kawasaki Frontale, who you will be playing against tomorrow.
A: Kawasaki Frontale is a team that has maintained the same playing style for many years and gives the impression of a high level of completion. On the other hand, Tokyo has changed its playing style 180 degrees since last season and is undergoing a transformation. What we need to do for tomorrow's match is to stick to our own playing style and fight with a strong commitment to winning. Although Kawasaki’s team is more complete, it is important for each player to firmly demonstrate their quality on the pitch to close that gap. Since we are facing the first match at the stadium of a team that has won consecutive league titles, it will naturally be a difficult game, but we want to focus on victory and achieve a good result. Tokyo’s players also have high quality, and having spent a wonderful preseason over the past month since starting preparations, we have been able to establish a new playing style, so I believe we can have a great battle tomorrow.
Q: What does "Clasico" mean to the coach in regards to tomorrow's Tama River Clasico?
A: There are various Clasicos around the world, and in every Clasico, the desire to win becomes especially strong. That is why I try to play naturally. While understanding it as a special match, I approach it as just one game, which allows me to compete calmly.
Q: You mentioned that you want to show your own style while being committed to winning. However, I think it's quite difficult to balance both. Will you prioritize erasing Kawasaki's strengths or sticking to your own style?
A: I always consider myself to be the most important factor. If we can consistently express our own playing style, I believe the chances of winning increase. However, a soccer match involves many different elements. For example, how and when the first goal is scored, and which team scores it. Which team benefits from a bit of luck, and where the loose balls go. Various factors influence the flow of the game. That is the nature of soccer. Specifically for tomorrow's match, I think there is a clear difference between a highly mature team and a team that has just started its transformation. There is a way of playing that focuses on neutralizing the opponent's strengths. However, if you focus too much on negating the opponent's strengths, there is a risk that your own strengths will be lost. We are currently in a growth phase along with our new playing style. In that sense, how this team grows together with the playing style is something we place great importance on. Now, can we fully express the completed form of our playing style at this point? The answer is no, because the level of completion has not yet reached 100%. Especially during a match, various events occur, so it is necessary to make adjustments and make every effort to express our playing style as much as possible. I believe the team's playing style and level of completion will improve as we accumulate official matches, so this is just the beginning.
Q: Is the starting lineup for tomorrow's match already decided as of the previous day?
A: Naturally, as coaches, we predict the opposing team's lineup and devise strategies. Everyone does this, and I also pay attention to several key players. However, more than focusing on the opponent, I concentrate on the condition of our own players and whether they can give their all. For example, every opponent knows how Manchester City plays, yet no opponent can completely neutralize Manchester City's strengths during the full 90 minutes. What I want to say is that it is indeed difficult to eliminate the strengths of a highly polished team. I believe that if we can express our own style of play at a high level, our chances of winning increase. In that sense, I focus on my own team.
Q, I think this will be your first season as a coach in the top league category. You said you are calm, but do you feel excited?
A: First of all, I am calm because I am 53 years old and have accumulated various experiences throughout my life. In that sense, I am not nervous about tomorrow's match. However, I do feel excited. I started coaching when I was 16 years old, and since then, I have approached every match with passion, and this time is no different. What I always keep in mind is that it is just a single soccer match after all. There are many things in life that are more important than a soccer game. For that reason, I want to approach tomorrow's match calmly without seeing it as something overly significant.
