July 21 Training Match Report vs Nagoya Grampus
On the 8th day of the Hokkaido Shiraoi Camp, a training match (three 45-minute periods) was held against Nagoya Grampus at Shiraoi Sakuragaoka Park Athletics Stadium, securing a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.
In the 4th minute of the first period, after being caught behind by a single long ball, the rebound was pushed in, conceding the opening goal.
However, at 13 minutes into the second period, Sei MUROYA picked up the opponent's clearance and struck a mid-range shot with his right foot, bringing the match back to even.
Furthermore, it was at 38 minutes into the third period. Absent from the Montedio Yamagata match due to university exams, this day marked the first real game of the camp for the player, who immediately made an impact. Kizuna KOMINATO quickly reacted to a rebound from a teammate's shot and pushed it in with his right foot to score the winning goal.
Also, the highly anticipated Nikolai Vallys made a promising debut in his first match since joining the team, and the following day was the first day off during the camp to recharge.
Player Comment
Nikolai Vallys
Q: It was your first match. Please share your thoughts on the game.
A: Although it’s still preseason, I think we played a good match. The greatest takeaway today was being able to play alongside my new teammates in a game.
Q: Are you feeling tired?
A: I trained with my team in Denmark before coming to Japan. After arriving in Japan, I had a few days off and was gradually increasing my pace, so I was able to play normally today and don’t feel particularly tired.
Q: I think the weather during the match was especially hot.
A: Indeed, it was hot. It was hotter than in Denmark (laughs). However, many players have told me that Tokyo is even hotter. I think I need to get used to Tokyo’s temperature and humidity.
Q: You had good coordination after coming on as a substitute, didn’t you?
A: I think there are many talented and technically skilled players. I believe they are a different type of player compared to those I played with in Denmark. I want to get used to them as quickly as possible, setting up goals for those players and, conversely, having them set up goals for me, so that I can perform well.
Q. Do you feel it won’t take long to fit into the team?
A. I believe there is still much I need to learn. Building relationships with the players is a challenge going forward. Although I have a vague understanding of the team concept, there is still a lot I need to learn.
Q, tomorrow is a day off. Do you think you'll be able to relax?
A, first, I will focus on recovery. On the day off tomorrow, I plan to go for a drive with Alexander SCHOLZ and a few other players and explore the area around here. I think it will be a good way to relax.
Kizuna KOMINATO
Q: Please review the Final Round goal scene.
A: The ball advanced well, so during the match, I was conscious of entering on the same line when the ball was on the opposite side. As a result, the ball spilled to me, but I believe it was a goal I could push through precisely because I ran in firmly.
Q. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI also talked before the match about firmly securing the 3 points. How do you feel about being the one to score the winning goal?
A. I was absent for the previous match against Montedio Yamagata, and we couldn’t secure the win. Coach MATSUHASHI emphasized that point strongly during the meeting. I was playing with a vague sense that I could score, and while it’s not something to be taken for granted, I felt like, 'I knew it.' There was no surprise. Sei MUROYA scored the opening goal, and I believe the strong competitive spirit from Aomori Yamada High School really showed.
Q. I think the ball you dropped behind you was also good.
A. I saw Nikolai Vallys running, so the timing was a bit off and it ended up offside, but I can kick the ball there as well, so I want to communicate about that. I think it’s possible to create scoring chances even from deep positions, and Vallys has both power and height, so he can be a target. I want to coordinate well with him.
Q. How do you want to make an impression in the final stages of the camp?
A. Of course, I want to make an impression with numbers, but in terms of fulfilling what is required of my position, I don’t think I have done that yet. I want to focus on the individual aspects so that I can properly meet the team’s expectations without turning a blind eye just because the results were okay. There is still plenty of time to accumulate goals, so I want to finish strong and head into the league opener with confidence.
FOCUS ON – Photo of the Day –
'FOCUS ON' selects one photo taken by the official photographer.
On the 8th day of the camp, we selected Nikolai Varis, who made his first appearance in an actual match since joining.
Coming on as a substitute from the second half of the training match that day, he showed a promising trial run. The former partner of Yuito Suzuki, who was also selected for the Japan national team for the World Cup, demonstrated simple yet highly accurate play. Constantly turning his head to connect with those around him as he approached the goal, he also unleashed a header shot making use of his tall stature.
The mobile playmaker, who constantly shakes his head while making precise decisions, expressed a strong desire to either set up goals or be set up for goals, aiming for his first goal in blue and red.
