[Player Comments]
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q, how is your condition throughout the game on the 9th day of camp?
A, There are many new players, and although it was a start with a new team, the team’s shape has become visible at an early stage, and I feel the level of completion is high even through practice matches. I also feel growth compared to this time last year.
Q, Where do you feel you are growing the most?
A, the tempo of ball circulation and the smoothness to advance the ball have become ingrained in the team's shared awareness, so I think we are now working on a higher phase.
Q, I think you were actively involved in the attack during the game.
A, last season, one of the challenges was providing assists from the attacking participation of the side backs, so this year, the players in the same position have been discussing how to improve that. If the side backs can participate more actively in the attack and break down the flanks, I believe the team's goal tally will increase. Therefore, during the camp, I consciously aimed to be more offensive and pushed forward aggressively.
Q, What were you able to do and what are the improvement points in a game where the opponent is pulling back?
A, The J.League will start in a month, and I think there will be opponents who pull back defensively. Although we struggled to break them down this time, I believe we were able to press the opponent and play in advanced positions. If we can further improve the quality of our final combinations during this camp, I think we will be able to break down those defensive opponents and embody the style of soccer the coach demands.
Q, What did you focus on while playing, considering that the competition for the side back position will be fierce this season?
A, Tokyo has some of the top-class side backs in J1. I believe that if I can secure a starting position in Tokyo, I can become a member of the Japan national team. There are truly several exemplary players right in front of me, and especially Nagatomo, who is an amazing player with experience in the Qatar World Cup. I think it’s incredible to be in an environment where I can play alongside him. However, that doesn’t mean I intend to lose; I want to keep challenging myself and secure a regular spot this season to become an indispensable presence in the team.
Q, What goals do you have for this camp?
A, First of all, I want to absolutely secure a starting position within the team and play the good football we want from the opening match. To achieve that, I want everyone to understand my style of play. Since many issues were identified last season, I intend to thoroughly work on those challenges and make this a preparation period where both the team and I can make a strong start from the opening game.
<Yuta ARAI>
Q, What were you thinking when you received the ball on the side?
A, In today's match, I was able to communicate well with the side back players, asking and telling them where it would be better to position ourselves while playing. Basically, I often played by opening up on the side, but throughout the entire match, I was able to have good involvement, so I want to continue that going forward. Personally, when I had the ball, I focused on taking on opponents. I want to improve the quality of that even more.
Q, were you able to put what you have built up in this camp into the game?
A, I have been practicing together since last season, so I believe I have come to understand the tactical aspects. Now, I just need to apply that in the matches.
Q, What were the areas where the team did not perform well during the match?
A, We practiced connecting the ball in detail and switching play to the opposite side, but I think we need to be more particular about this in practice so that we can show it more effectively in matches.
Q, I think we were pushing the opponent quite a bit. It's just the final finishing touch, I guess.
A, I want to score in every match and also provide assists. My challenge is that I lack the ability to finish goals decisively, so I hope to develop the skill to focus on and finish each ball during practice.
Q, What do you want to do for the next game?
A, I want to work on improving the issues we had today with finishing and carrying the play through to the final shot in the next match, and contribute to the team with goals and assists.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, While there were periods today when things didn’t go well as we communicated in various ways, we made corrections and were able to play the game in a good way. It was also good that we were able to maintain communication during that time.
Q, Are you able to communicate more actively during the ongoing camp?
A, having joined as a new player and now in my second year, the team needs to enhance its attacking power, and personally, I am aiming for more goals and assists, so I am actively engaging in communication.
Q, although we are able to connect the ball from behind, I think it is necessary to improve our final attacking play in order to compete at the top level this year.
A, including in matches, there are various scoring opportunities, but I believe that the current challenges we have set, such as penetrating dangerous areas and creating numerical superiority on the sides, are things we need to work on extensively throughout the games. We want to improve these aspects through the camp.
Q, it's always a good thing to be able to score against any opponent.
A, There will be more practice matches ahead, but no matter the team, we need to be able to play our style of soccer like we did today. I also think the schedule this season will be tight, so we want to spend a good camp together in preparation for that.
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q: Please reflect on the good goal.
A, Personally, I think the shot placement was a bit soft, but I was able to get the shot off just as I had imagined, so I believe that was a good part.
Q, There are players in Tokyo who can hold the ball and dribble, but I think there are few players who can break through the back.
A, I hope that my characteristics can match Tokyo even just a little. Not only making runs behind the defense but also breaking down the opposition by dribbling is something I want to do myself. In addition to that, making runs behind the defense is also very important for this team. By understanding the players' characteristics and communicating well within that framework, I believe we can become even stronger and develop various tactics and formations. That will make it harder for opponents to catch us, so I hope we can increase our variety.
Q, do you sometimes not come out when you want the ball?
A, There are still times when I don't come out. It's about adjusting to that, and the most important thing is communication, so I think if we keep communicating and building it up in practice, it will start to click. Even if I get caught offside in a match, I believe the most important thing is to keep challenging.
Q, Is it better to decide on a shape or to play with freedom when it comes to breaking through in the attacking third?
A, I think it’s both. To some extent, having a set shape makes playing easier. However, if you become too focused on that, you end up only being able to do that, so it’s important to maintain some flexibility and also work on combinations and drawing in opponents to break them down. There are many players who can do that, and I think that’s the kind of team we are, so using both approaches is good for winning the championship.
Q, there will be a practice match in 3 days.
A, I think it is important for the team to improve more in terms of condition. Personally, I have scored in the last two matches and have been able to participate in the camp in good form. However, when facing teams belonging to the J.League, we must avoid making small mistakes, or it won’t be so easy to score. From my perspective, I think we have been able to coordinate well for about a week of activity.
