<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, Yesterday was the first practice game since entering the camp. How was it looking back?
A, It had been a week since arriving at the camp, and we had a match right away, but my body moved quite well. Also, having played under Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA last season, the quality wasn’t that low. Since there were things carried over from last season, I think it was a good match considering it was the start of the camp.
Q: I think the competition for positions will be really tough this season, but I saw in the practice games that the level is high no matter who plays. Can you tell us about your determination for the competition for positions?
A, Kimoto and Morishige, who played in matches throughout last season, were definitely the established players, so I think it will be difficult to break into that. The competition for center back positions in Tokyo is fiercer than any other J1 team. On the other hand, if you win that spot, it’s a great opportunity to rapidly increase your value, so I want to keep challenging myself there.
Q, Do you think Kimura's strength is his speed, and is that what you focus on to appeal to others?
A, Physical ability is not something you can actively display, especially in defense, and unless you are up against fast or strong opponents, it’s hard for people to recognize you as a player who can win with speed. However, even within that, if I can win when clashing with Adailton in terms of quick sliding or physical strength, I believe it will help me make an impression, so I want to handle that well.
Q, What are your personal goals for this season?
A: To be involved in many matches in J1.
What are the challenges to win the Q starting lineup?
A, In terms of defense, there are times when small adjustments to the defensive line or my confidence in my physical abilities cause me to neglect anticipation a bit. Last season, Akihiro HAYASHI told me that although I have physical ability, it would be better to adopt positioning that doesn’t require using it, and since this is still an area I can improve, I want to work on it. As for the attack, I believe it is essential to embody Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA’s style of play without making mistakes, and I want to focus on that.
Q, Mori Shige player, Kimoto player, Enrique player, Higashi Renta player, everyone has similar physical abilities and skills, so it is difficult to stand out. Do you think it is important to focus on the details one by one?
A, I think right now they are really looking at the details and how much I can reduce mistakes.
Q, Speaking of predicting plays, you mentioned wanting to improve your ability to keep up with the opponent's speed. Do you feel like you still have room for growth?
A, After all, since I have relied on my physical abilities, that is an area where I might be slightly behind other players, so I believe I can still improve more.
Q, Do you expect to surpass players Morishige and Kimoto as indicators as you gain experience in play prediction?
A, In terms of defense, I believe my physical abilities are higher than both Morishige and Kimoto, so if my prediction and positioning can reach the same level, I think I have an advantage. From a defensive perspective, I believe this is definitely an area where I can surpass them.
Q, Do you feel the expectations from the club even in a tough competition?
A, I’m not really sure, but as an academy graduate, I think it’s important to play matches here in Tokyo. Even U-15 and U-18 players watching will be more motivated if academy graduates are working hard, and if I can become a role model for them when I play, I’d be happy and want to do my best.
Q, Do you feel any sense of accomplishment in the current team's condition and ball movement, considering it was the first practice game of the year with new players?
A, It has only been a short time since the start, and even considering it as a continuation from last season, I think things are going well.
Q, What are your thoughts on playing this season with the Paris Olympics coming up in a year?
A, The Olympic qualifiers will also start this year, and the team building toward the Paris Olympics will steadily progress. However, just because I have been called up before does not guarantee that I will be selected for the national team. After all, only players who are playing in J1 matches or playing overseas will be called up, so first, I want to steadily continue to be involved in matches and get playing time here in Tokyo.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, Please give us your thoughts on yesterday's practice match.
A, I think I was able to play calmly without any particular mistakes in yesterday's practice match.
Q, how was it when you caught the highball and the crowd cheered? Do you think you were able to showcase your strengths as a player, Yonari Nozawa?
A, I feel that being able to catch high balls is something I must do as a matter of course, so I was able to perform that play with composure. By catching the ball, the opponent's attack ends, so in that sense, I think it was a well-executed play.
Q, Last season, I spent time with Iwate Grulla Morioka and had various experiences. I also played in games, but how was the year for you? What areas do you feel you have grown in?
A, Throughout the year, I challenged myself in J2, and although the results were not something to be happy about and the team ended up being relegated, personally it was a year I am very grateful for. Iwate Grulla Morioka gave me the opportunity to play in matches, so I wanted to repay them with victories, but that was not possible. However, I learned more than just results from the team. The club is made up of various elements, and I was able to represent the team by playing in matches, which taught me that we truly fight as a team. In that sense, I think it was good that I went to Iwate.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm and feelings for choosing to return to Tokyo this time.
A, Tokyo nurtured me and made me a professional, so I have a special feeling for the club. Of course, I am very grateful for playing last season with Iwate Grulla Morioka, but I also have strong feelings for the club where I was raised. Now that I have returned, my strongest desire is to achieve something with the team. I may be considered a young player, but I don’t see myself that way. I want to fully express my determination to fight for the team from now on and show it in my play.
Q, How much is the Paris Olympics being recognized?
A, I am not thinking about it right now; my strongest desire is to accomplish something in Tokyo.
Q, in terms of position competition, what do you think is necessary for Jakub SLOWIK to play in the game, as he is a very high wall?
A, It is the coach who decides who plays in the match, so I don't worry about it, but I believe that to get on the field, I have to bring out more than what I currently have.
Q, Did you feel that your individual performance improved while playing for Iwate Grulla Morioka?
A, We were promoted during the J3 season, but for me, it felt more like I was helped by everyone on the team rather than having personally seized the promotion. I entered the J2 challenge still feeling uncertain. As expected, there was a period when things didn’t go well, and when I reflected on myself, I realized I was somewhat intimidated or, you could say, playing with anxiety on the pitch. I had the impression that this was showing in my performance, so I thought I needed to change that mindset and was able to play with that in mind.
Q, I thought that there were some changes in various aspects because there were some difficult things.
A, yes. Last season, although it was a different category, I experienced hardship and difficulty, and now I feel that it was an experience to be grateful for, a truly valuable experience. For myself, being able to go through that will certainly be beneficial for my future, but I also seriously reflected on the meaning of being a professional, and I strongly felt that such experiences could become an opportunity to give something to others.
Q, I feel like my body has become much more agile than when I was in Tokyo before.
A, I originally played while thinking, but I also experienced that overthinking made my play somewhat restrained. It's difficult to put into words as a base, but there has been a change in my mindset, which I believe is connected to my current play.
Q, I want to hear about your ambition, but today you were running until the end during practice. I have seen that attitude from your first year as a professional, but how do you feel about the change in your ambition, Noguchi player?
A, One thing is that I want to be prepared to give 100% effort in practice. Of course, it would be ideal to practice until I am fully satisfied, but there are times when I am not satisfied. The final jog also serves as recovery for the next practice, and I have the desire to be 100% prepared for the match. I believe that people who are not sincere about small things cannot be sincere about big things either. What I value in life is the desire to be sincere starting from the small things, so in that sense, my feelings toward each and every play in practice have changed significantly.
Q, Without players like Go HATANO and Hayashi, who have left, and without the senior players we have been chasing after, I think there is a feeling that Nozawa also needs to stand on his own here. How do you feel about that?
A, The seniors were great players, and I played while watching their backs. At that time, I was in the fourth position and felt quite comfortable being in that fourth spot. But when it came to actually playing in a match, I wondered if I could play confidently there. Last season’s experience made me think deeply about what it means for me to actually play in a game, and I came to fully understand it. Although the category was different, there was a part I fully grasped, so I came back. Therefore, I believe I have changed from who I was before. I feel it myself, and of course, Go HATANO’s presence was incredible, but I also have a very strong desire to accomplish something for Tokyo. Just with that desire alone, I want to envision many big things, so I am really looking forward to what lies ahead.
Q, I felt that the range of my reach has expanded and that I have been practicing a lot while watching the practice, so in that sense, are you ready to play in the game?
A, I came back with that intention.
Q: You mentioned earlier that you are not considering the Paris Olympics, but among your peers, there is a good rival in Zion SUZUKI (Urawa Reds). How do you want to compete with him and liven up the J-League?
A, I did not go on the last expedition to Spain, but I watched the highlights and saw that the other goalkeepers have also improved significantly, which was very inspiring. I think all the goalkeepers of the same generation are probably even more motivated this season, so I want to work together to energize the J-League.
