Q, First, please tell us about the 2021 season with Nagoya Grampus.
A, It wasn’t that I couldn’t get playing time, and we won titles while consistently ranking near the top in the league. Although it was early in the season, there was a period when we had a good battle with Kawasaki Frontale. We also competed in the ACL, so the team was fulfilling its goals. However, personally, it was not a season I was satisfied with, and while my appearances as a defensive midfielder increased, it is true that I played with complex feelings—balancing personal emotions and the desire to fight for the team. I believe the reason I stopped playing in that position was because the results didn’t follow when I played as a center back. It was a year full of things to think about.
During his time at Cerezo Osaka, Q played under coach LOTINA and formed a solid defense partnership with Matej JONJIC as center back. However, when he transferred to Grampus, he understood that he would face competition from rivals such as Yuichi MARUYAMA and Shinnosuke NAKATANI for the same position.
A, My time at Cerezo was very fulfilling, but I wanted to challenge myself by changing my environment rather than just playing matches. At Grampus, I had a strong desire to take the position from the two established regulars, but the main reason was prioritizing the change of environment. On top of that, I aimed to win the competition. At the beginning of the season, I started on the bench and occasionally played as a center back. I wasn’t too discouraged and understood the situation since I transferred to a team that was already well established. Then, when Maru-san (Maruyama) got injured, the situation changed, but I ended up playing more as a defensive midfielder rather than a center back. I had a similar experience during my time at Cerezo, and although I was able to play matches, which might be considered a luxury problem, I honestly had some internal conflict about that.
Q, Mr. Kimoto is a player who can play at a high level as a center back or a defensive midfielder, but his true desire is to compete as a defender.
A, the feeling there is very strong. To be honest, I feel like I have reached my limit as a defensive midfielder, but as a center back, I can show my strengths and I still have room to grow. In terms of age, I want to compete as a center back from here on. I experienced playing as a center back during the time of coach LOTINA, and it gave me a lot of new skills. That time became the foundation for me as a player.
Q, How did you feel when you received an offer from Tokyo?
A, I never expected to receive an offer, so I felt very grateful. With the new appointment of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, I think the style of play values both positioning and ball control, so I saw it as a challenge and an environment where I could grow. I have the strong desire to take on this challenge once again here.
Q, Have you ever talked to Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA? If so, what was your impression at that time?
A, he was a very cheerful person and talked a lot. Even though he is also a foreign coach, I felt he was different from Coach LOTINA. He himself said, "He (Coach LOTINA) is the complete opposite in personality (laughs)." I was very nervous, but he also told me, "Smile more" (laughs). Regarding soccer, he said, "Since it’s a style that values possession, I think you can grow even more."
Q, what are your impressions of Tokyo's offense and defense so far?
A, speaking of offense, the powerful attackers definitely make an impact. Of course, there are foreign players, but Japanese players like Kensuke NAGAI, who is a senior from Fukuoka University, also give a diverse impression. As for defense, Masato MORISHIGE is definitely a player who embodies the style I aim for, and there are many aspects of him that I want to emulate.
Q, What aspects of Morishige's play as a center back do you pay attention to?
A, First of all, in terms of building up the attack, he can deliver both long kicks and short passes. Defensively, he gives the impression of using his head very well to defend. In both aspects, I want to learn from him and see it as the style I should aim for. Although I don't yet have a concrete image of actually forming a partnership with him, he is an excellent player, so I might often receive help from him, but I definitely want to form a good partnership.
Q, Morishige is a versatile player, and like Kimoto, he also had opportunities to play as an anchor. However, both of them have the impression of being mainstream center backs in modern football.
A, yes. Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also told me, "Center backs will have more time on the ball." In that sense, if both center backs can distribute the ball, it will make it more difficult for the opponents. Besides Morishige, there are also young and good center backs on the team, so I want to win the competition there.
Q, By the way, did the name of your senior at university, Nagai, come up? Are there any other players you have a connection with?
A, I don't have any at all. (laughs)
Q, Do you really jump into a zero-base? (laughs)
A, Yes, that's also part of the challenge. (laughs) By the way, when I transferred to Grampus, Yoichiro KAKITANI from Cerezo also went with me, but he was the only player I was close with. I don't think I'm the type to jump into an unfamiliar environment, but I transferred from Nagoya to Tokyo this time. It's contradictory, isn't it? (laughs).
Q, Player Kimoto has won cup titles during his time at Cerezo and Grampus, but has yet to experience a league championship. This is also the same situation for Tokyo, so please tell us about your thoughts towards winning the league.
A, Winning a title is always an irreplaceable and unforgettable experience in my soccer career. I have a very strong desire to experience a league title, which I have yet to win. I definitely want to achieve that here in Tokyo.
Q, By the way, does Kimoto watch overseas soccer or other J-League club games?
A, I don't watch overseas soccer that much. I've watched a lot of J-League games since my student days. The players I liked were Yuki ABE and Ryota MORIWAKI from the Urawa Reds. After entering Fukuoka University, I started watching the Reds' soccer under Misha (Mihailo PETROVIC, current Consadole Sapporo manager), and I liked it because it was very offensive and interesting. MORIWAKI was a defender but very good at joining the attack, and since I was also a defender who liked to go forward, I watched him. ABE was a player with high quality both as a defensive midfielder and a center back, and like MORISHIGE, I have always watched him as a player whose style I want to aim for. Also, I respected his attitude of fighting for the team.
Q, starting life in Tokyo for the first time after living in Shizuoka, Fukuoka during university, and then Osaka and Nagoya. I've pretty much conquered all the major cities, haven't I? (laughs).
A, Now that I think about it, that's true (laughs). To be honest, I only feel anxious about living in Tokyo. I like the slow-paced atmosphere of Shizuoka, which is the place I feel most comfortable, and even when I went to the city, I lived while feeling that. I will be going to the capital of Japan, but I'm not very good with crowds, so I wonder how it will turn out (laughs).
Q, Depending on the impact of the coronavirus, there is a possibility that the audience restrictions will be relaxed for the 2022 season, and I think many fans and supporters will return to Tokyo's home, Ajinomoto Stadium. It used to be a stadium that we visited as an away team, but is there anything you are looking forward to about playing at Ajinomoto?
A, I had heard before that the attendance in 2019 was amazing, and when I played as a member of Cerezo, the matches were held in front of a very large crowd, creating a great atmosphere. The games between Tokyo and Cerezo at Ajinomoto Stadium, with Kenta HASEGAWA and LOTINA as managers, often turned into tactically interesting battles. I have fond memories of those matches because both teams’ characteristics really came through. This time, as a home team, I want to play in a match where Ajinomoto Stadium is filled to capacity as soon as possible.
Q, What do you want Tokyo fans and supporters to see?
A, I think I am a modest type of player, but I have always had a strong desire to contribute to the team, so I want people to notice that even in a supporting role. In terms of play, my strength is aerial battles. I am especially good at contests in defense, so I want people to pay attention to that. On the other hand, heading in attack has been a challenge since 2017, as I haven't scored goals, so I want to improve on that. Morishige scores every season, so I want to learn from him in that regard. Also, although I couldn’t show it much during my time at Grampus, I definitely want people to watch my passing out from the back line.
Q, and in the context of your own soccer career, it seems to make sense to compete here as a center back.
A、はい、センターバックでチャレンジしたいですし、逆にここで結果がでなければ終わりだという思いも強いです。危機感を持ってやっていきたいです。
text by YUKI NISHIKAWA
