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, we need to improve our condition more and the competition within the team is fierce, so I have a strong desire not to lose. I hope to be able to play while taking advantage of the good points of each player and make use of them 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, it is important to score more goals as a team, so it is important to score from the inside half position. I think it can bring the team closer to victory, so I think it is important to focus on making runs and taking shots in front of goal more than ever before. I also think that we are being asked to do more in those areas.
Q, do you have a preference for your position even though you mainly play as an inside half?
A, My strength is being able to play in various positions, so it is necessary to play my strengths and the plays that the team needs no matter where I play. In yesterday's game, I also played in different positions, but I was often thinking about the team's distance and how to make it work while playing. I think it is important to think more and share it with the whole team in order for it to work well, and I also see it as my role.
Q, What features do you want to appeal?
A, If Tsukagawa is playing in the game, I want the team to think that the ball is moving smoothly and that it is easy to play with Tsukagawa next to them, so it is important to show my strengths. However, I am not a player who can do something on my own, so I am a player who lives while being used well by those around me, and I want to do well in that aspect.
Q, I thought the team's overall ball possession has been smooth since the beginning of this camp.
A, now that we have built up what we have done last season, I think there are many things that we need to think about and play on our own in order to move forward. Until now, we just had to express what we were told and play, but as we move on to the next phase, each of us will need to make various judgments, and what we see will be different, so we need to communicate with each other and coordinate while sharing our thoughts. I hope we can push ourselves in that direction.
Q, What kind of conversation is being had with the players during the meeting?
A, Now, we are trying to bring the team together again with the new players added to the base of last season, and we are also aiming to improve the quality. In addition, we are challenging the shape in front of the goal in order to score more points.
Q, please tell us your goals for this camp.
A, my focus is on the opening starting lineup, so my short-term goal is to be there. We will continue to have practice matches to win the team's competition, and I want to do it through the camp.
Q, What kind of year do you want to make this season?
We are aiming for the league title as a team, and of course we also want to win the Levain Cup. I think we have enough players to achieve that, so I want to play an active role throughout the season and become a key player in the team.
