Q. First of all, welcome back.
A. I'm back. Thank you very much.
Q. Was the atmosphere different from the age-group national teams, not only in matches but also in training with the Japan national team?
A. Yes, that's right. In the age-group national teams, it's a gathering of players of the same age, but this time there were players from various age groups. Each one of them is a top player competing in the world's top leagues. The sense of tension was on a completely different level and was intense.
Q. How was the tension during the match at the Japan National Stadium?
A. I was always ready to play. When the match actually started and I was warming up in the second half, honestly, I was quite nervous wondering if I would be called in, and what I would do if I was called.
Q, You started in the match against Colombia, but did you have a feeling during the training after the Uruguay match that you would get to play?
A, During training, I had a sense that there was a chance for the fullback position. I was prepared for the Uruguay match as well, but when I didn't play, I switched my mindset and prepared myself thinking that I might play in the next match against Colombia.
Q, how was it to actually play in the match?
A, to be honest, I wasn’t able to show my best. In defense, the first goal was conceded from my side. Honestly, my evaluation isn’t very good. Even so, the coordination on the flank with Kaoru Mitoma, which we had been discussing continuously since two days before the match, had some successful moments. The challenge remains that I couldn’t turn those into results.
Q, Did you feel that you were able to demonstrate the positioning and other skills you developed at Tokyo throughout the match?
It was a similar style of football to Tokyo. We played a style of football where the fullbacks would come inside and disrupt the relationship between the wingers and fullbacks. I was familiar with that style, so I think I was able to get into the game more smoothly than other players.
Q, you were also the kicker for set pieces.
A, the day before and the day before that, I knew that I might become a kicker in practice. I haven't been able to kick a good ball in Tokyo for the past few games. I only kicked one, but I gained confidence because I was able to kick it exactly where I aimed by relaxing my shoulder. I want to be able to do the same in Tokyo.
Q: Were you nervous during the match against Colombia?
A, I was extremely nervous. I was tense during warm-up, and it felt like I was losing the ball every time we passed it. But that's when I let go of my feelings. Even in Tokyo, when warm-up wasn't going well, I had a sense that I could relax and release my strength at the start of the game. I told myself that even if I made mistakes during warm-up, I could still enter the game in a good state.
Q: Weren't you nervous during the match?
A, I was somewhat settled, but when I entered and sang the national anthem, I felt a renewed sense of being on the pitch as a member of the Japan national team. My excitement increased rather than being nervous.
Q: You took on the number 5, worn by a great senior player.
A: I also found out by looking at Tokyo’s Instagram and Twitter posts after practice ended, at the same time as everyone else. I was surprised. It is truly an honor to wear the number that Nagatomo has carried for 15 years. However, I still feel that I haven’t reached the same level yet, so I don’t know if I will continue to wear number 5 from now on, but I want to keep giving my all and show what Tokyo’s side back is all about.
Q: Have you talked to Nagatomo since he came back?
A, I was told, "I carried it for 15 years, so you have to play with that same level of determination." This time it's number 5, and I don't know what will happen when I'm selected in the future, but for me, the number 5 strongly reminds me of Nagatomo. That won't change.
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