July 14 Training
On the second day of the Hokkaido Shiraoi camp, two training sessions were held in the morning and afternoon at the Shiraoi Sakuragaoka Park Athletics Stadium. Before the morning training, the strengthening department informed the team of the promotion of Matthew WATANABE and Keita NIIBORI to the top team. After that, Matthew WATANABE greeted the team at the center of the huddle, saying, "I will do my best to contribute so that I can be a force for the team to achieve its goals. Thank you for your support."
The morning training included warm-ups, a 30-meter time trial, passing & control drills, followed by build-up training. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI emphasized the timing to synchronize the '+1' in game situations and presented several ways to break down defenses through the center and the flanks. Afterwards, the players split into two teams of 11 to practice in a form close to an actual match, concluding the morning session.
The afternoon session focused on training attacks from the flanks. After raising awareness and confirming the targets for breaking down defenses from the sides, the session concluded with a final 11v11 game-format training to reinforce these concepts.
In that game, there were moments where Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Kento HASHIMOTO combined perfectly to break through the defense exactly as planned.
After practice, Coach Matsuhashi spoke to the players in a huddle, saying, "There is always space on the soccer pitch. Let’s play more simply while being mindful of priorities. If we do that, the space will become even clearer." Once the method of attacking from the sides becomes ingrained in their bodies, the central breakthroughs they have excelled at so far will naturally come to life. As they acquire a more diverse range of attacks, an increase in scoring ability can be expected naturally. The second day of the camp clearly showed the path to aim for as the new season approaches.
CAMP VOICE vol.2 Matthew WATANABE
On the second day of the camp, we asked Matthew WATANABE, whose promotion to the top team from the 2026/27 season was announced that day, about his honest thoughts on the present and the professional career that is about to begin.
Q: Today, your promotion to the top team was announced.
A: I have been attending FC Tokyo’s school since kindergarten, so Tokyo has been a part of my life from a very young age. I am truly happy to have become a professional at this club. I believe I have come this far thanks to the support of my family, many coaches, and teammates. Becoming a professional here was a goal, but it is not the ultimate goal. I see this as a fresh start from zero. I want to work hard to reach even higher levels that I am aiming for.
Q: What kind of words did your family say to you?
A: Both my father and mother said, "First of all, congratulations." However, they also said, "This is just the beginning." I agree with that, and I believe that thanks to my parents' support, I was able to sign a professional contract. From now on, I want to continue working hard without forgetting my gratitude.
Q: There have been many outstanding goalkeepers in FC Tokyo's history. What kind of goalkeeper do you want to become?
A: Training alongside great seniors like Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and (Kim) Seung-gyu was a valuable experience. When I was attending the school, there were also high-level players such as Shuichi Gonda, Akihiro HAYASHI, and Go HATANO. While aiming to reach the level of those players, I also have the desire to surpass them someday and take on challenges overseas from this club.
Q: Is there a goalkeeper you look up to as an ideal?
A: When I watch goalkeeper highlight reels, I try to focus on each player's unique characteristics. Recently, I have been referencing the plays of former Swiss national team goalkeeper Yann Sommer, Spanish national team goalkeeper David Raya, and Costa Rican national team goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Since I am not very tall, I mainly watch the performances of overseas goalkeepers who are about the same height as me.
Q: Seeing you stay behind to train until the very end during this camp reminded me of Taishi Nozawa.
A: Because it’s fun. The training is tough, but I also feel the happiness of being able to play soccer. Without a doubt, the practice is strict. But there is enjoyment in it. Someday, I want to catch up and surpass that level.
Q: Keita NIIBORI, who is in the same age group, has also been promoted. It seems like a good rivalry will continue from now on, doesn’t it?
A: When we were in junior high school, I was with FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa, and NIIBORI was with FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, so he has been someone I was aware of since then. When we were promoted to U-18, Wataru GOTO was also there, and I think all the goalkeepers were able to create high-level training together. Those high-level training sessions helped raise my performance, skills, and tactics. I learned a lot not only from my juniors but also from my seniors. Because of that high-level daily environment, I believe I am who I am today. From here on, I will be able to train every day with professional players, so I think my level will rise even more. I hope to raise my level one or two steps higher.
Q: From now on, soccer will become my job.
A: After the interview, my perspective on games and training changed during the very next practice. I realized once again how tough it is to make this my job. I am able to train every day under constant tension. I don’t quite feel that this is my job yet, but to survive, I have to keep showing my strengths, otherwise it won’t work. After all, I think this is not the goal but the start. I want to reach even higher.
Q: I believe there are many people who have supported you since your academy days. What words would you like to share with them?
A: First and foremost, my family, who always supported me when I was going through tough times. There were moments when I wanted to quit soccer. Not only during those times but also in happy moments, they have always supported and encouraged me. I am truly grateful. I think my teammates are comrades who constantly push each other and create a great atmosphere. Various coaches at this club have been involved with me. Only recently have I come to realize that everything they told me was for my own good. I was often told harsh words, but ultimately, it is because of those words that I am who I am today. At the time, I sometimes felt down because of them. But without a doubt, they have become my strength now. From here on, I want to repay them through my results. Because I became a soccer player, I have to show it through my play. First, I want to get on the pitch and express my gratitude through my performance.
FOCUS ON – Photo of the Day –
'FOCUS ON' selects one photo taken by the official photographer. On the second day of the camp, during game-style training, we chose a photo capturing the moment Motoki NAGAKURA scored a lob shot.
The process leading to the goal, reminiscent of the winning goal against Tokyo Verdy in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, involved three players brilliantly. First, Hirokazu ISHIHARA delivered a diagonal pass across the pitch from the right side. Then, Motoki NAGAKURA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA broke through with a brilliant combination, and finally, NAGAKURA perfectly controlled the ball and gently floated it into the goal with a left-footed lob.
Nakagawa said that the goal was born precisely because the three players, including Ishihara, were able to envision the same play.
"Miki and I understood each other at that moment. We didn’t speak, but Hiro, the passer, also understood that, which is why the third player’s move was created," he said.
Then, Nagakura said, "Teru-kun and I had been coordinating well even before that. I think I was able to trap the ball with my right foot at a distance the opposing goalkeeper couldn’t reach. In the previous training, I swung at the ball when he rushed in, so I used that reflection to skillfully lift the ball." He proudly spoke of his clever goal full of his unique style.
