On the 7th day of camp, practice was held in occasional heavy rain.
Takuya AOKI and Kanta DOI have joined the team, and we are just a little bit away from having all players for the 2023 season.
It has been one week since coming to the Okinawa camp, and the new players have also blended into the team, with many scenes of smiling communication during practice.
Meanwhile, during the morning practice, running and passing work were followed by positional games. There is a clear improvement in smoothly circulating the ball compared to last season, and we are able to move the ball quickly with fewer touches.
Despite the rain, many spectators visited the stands.
From noon, Seiji KIMURA and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA held a group interview.
It is scheduled to be published in FANZONE.
Afternoon practice starts with physical conditioning training.
We are accumulating practice sessions to deepen the understanding of the soccer that Coach Albert is seeking, by incorporating possession exercises using half of the court and changing the number of players in each area such as the side and in front of the goal, interspersed with finishing practice.
On the 7th day of the camp, we conducted an interview with new signing Shuhei TOKUMOTO.
Q, how was it with many media outlets coming since the start of the camp, including local Okinawa?
A, I am happy about it, and I want to express myself on the pitch soon to meet those expectations.
Q, Have you ever visited Kunigami Village before?
A, This is my first time at this ground, and since I had only been to Motobu Town, which is a little south of Kunigami, it has been about 12 years since I last visited Kunigami itself.
Q, What did you imagine before joining Tokyo?
A, Tokyo has an absolute side back who is part of the Japan national team, so my image of Tokyo since I was in Ryukyu was that Tokyo means side back. I believe that if I listen carefully to the coach and staff, I can get closer to that presence, so I want to proceed without fear.
Q, I feel like I have a pretty good communication with the players, which I think is also a characteristic of Tokumoto. Is there anything you are conscious of?
A, I'm not consciously aware of it, but I value listening to others more than speaking myself when communicating. I'm always smiling, and I think that helps me fit smoothly into the team.
Q, Do you ask the coach or coach, or do you have something you are aware of yourself?
A, I do not fully understand the tactical aspects yet, so I actively ask questions whenever there is something I need to clarify.
Q, What is Coach Tokumoto being asked for by the team?
A, During practice, I am given very detailed instructions about positioning, so I am told to firmly maintain that while also bringing out my strengths.
Q, How is your physical condition?
A, It’s pleasantly tough. I think it’s a good kind of fatigue.
Q, have you been able to improve your condition? Are you making any adjustments while thinking about something?
A, I am now fully committed to the training menu prepared by the team, ingraining it into my body so that I can move effectively.
Q, Have you also understood the football that coach Albert is looking for?
A, Yes, gradually, I have come to understand it.
Q, yesterday's practice game was the first real match.
A, I think I was able to grasp the unique characteristics of each player, so it turned out to be a very good match.
Q, What did you imagine when you entered the game?
A, I was especially conscious of my positioning, and although it was tough, I made sure not to forget to push forward and run, so it went well.
Q, Did you find any challenges throughout the game?
A, There were many opportunities to show myself to the ball holder, so I want to work harder from now on to improve that aspect and to be able to run more.
Q, there will be more actual battle formats in the future.
A, While communicating during the game, I want everyone to understand the characteristics of my play, so I aim to express myself in this camp and work on it in the remaining practice matches.
Q, what are you aiming for through this camp?
A, I want to reach about 90 percent of my best condition at the Okinawa camp, and I hope to communicate with everyone and help boost the team's spirit.
Q, please tell us your goal for this season.
A, winning the championship. Before my own goals or assists, I want to prioritize the team's victory and focus on the matches and training right in front of me.
