The Okinawa camp is entering its final stage, with only 4 days left. Yesterday, we had our first match of the season against a J-League team and returned to Kunigami with various gains and challenges from the opponent's home ground.
After seeking high intensity in the match, the following day, I focused on stretching in the morning to recover my body.
The goalkeepers, under coach Fujiwara, start sparring with boxing gloves. By making them take small steps, it puts a load on their legs and lower back. The players who are working on this unique menu seem to be struggling quite a bit.
Among them, player Jakub SLOWIK fully embraced the role of the main character in the famous boxing movie "Rocky Balboa" and enjoyed this menu while working on it.
On Saturday, many fans and supporters came to visit us from the morning. Due to the short recovery menu, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA changed the usual closed afternoon practice to an open one. Many people also came in the afternoon and were able to see the passionate team.
Afternoon main menu, confirmation of form to bring from build-up to finish. While repeating earnestly, the passing work speeds up and the players worked on it while changing the course of action without limiting the form of the finish.
As we reach the peak of exhaustion, the atmosphere during training is at its best. It's not just about cheering each other on, but also giving each other instructions and confirming our positions, with the coach's voice guiding us all in one direction. Despite the short time, we were able to have a very intense practice session.
It has been decided to open the afternoon practice tomorrow as well. As it is Sunday, we hope that many people will come and watch the Tokyo players' preseason efforts.
On the 13th day of camp, we interviewed player Koki TSUKAGAWA.
Q, how is your condition on the 13th day of the Okinawa camp?
A, I need to improve my condition more, and since the competition within the team is fierce, I have a strong feeling that I cannot afford to lose. While observing the strengths of each player, I hope to play in a way that brings out the best in them even more.
Q, I think you understand Albert's football since you joined in the middle of last season, but what kind of demands are you facing this season?
A, As a team, we definitely want to score more goals, so it is important to score from the inside half position. I believe that will bring us much closer to victory as a team, so I think it would be good to focus even more on making runs into the penalty area and taking shots than before. I also think these aspects are being demanded of me more.
Q, do you have a preference for your position even though you mainly play as an inside half?
A, My original strength is being able to play in various positions, so no matter where I play, it is necessary to bring out my strengths and the play that the team requires. Even in yesterday's match, I played in different positions at times, but I often played while thinking about the team's spacing and how to make things work well. I believe that if we don’t think more deeply and share that understanding across the entire team, things won’t run smoothly, and I see that as part of my role as well.
Q, What features do you want to appeal?
A, I want people to feel that when Tsukagawa is on the field, the team’s ball movement flows smoothly, and that no matter who he plays alongside, having Tsukagawa next to them makes it easier to play. It’s important for me to bring out my strengths in that way. However, I’m not a player who can do everything on my own, so I thrive by being used well by those around me, and I want to manage that well.
Q, I thought the team's overall ball possession has been smooth since the beginning of this camp.
A, now that we have been able to build on what we accumulated last season, I think that in order to move forward, we need to play while thinking for ourselves more often. Until now, it was enough to express what we were told and play accordingly, but as we move into the next phase, each individual needs to make various decisions, and since what we see differs, we need to communicate and align with each other, as well as share our thoughts. I hope we can thoroughly pursue these aspects.
Q, What kind of conversation is being had with the players during the meeting?
A, Currently, we are working on aligning the team once again based on last season's foundation, especially with new players joining, and we are also being encouraged to further raise our quality. Additionally, to score more goals, the formations in front of the goal are crucial, so we are challenging ourselves in that area.
Q, please tell us your goals for this camp.
A, My focus is on being in the starting lineup for the opening match, so my short-term goal is set there. Practice matches will continue so that I can firmly win the competition within the team, and I want to keep working on that throughout the camp.
Q, What kind of year do you want to make this season?
A, Of course, the league title that the team aims for is a priority, and I also want to win the Levain Cup. I believe we have enough players to achieve that, so I want to play an active role throughout the season as a key player of the team.
