Q, please reflect on the camp so far.
A, with young players and new recruits coming in, the competition has become intense. Compared to the same period last season, I think we have been able to continue what we have been doing for a year, so we are in a very good atmosphere.
Q: Do you feel any improvement from last season?
A, the path we should take became clear in the past season. In order to improve our accuracy and achieve better results, I believe we need to increase the variety of our attacks. Therefore, we are focusing on that aspect during our training camp.
Q, I think the competition for the center back position is intense. Please tell us about your thoughts and aspirations for this season.
I don't think the number of appearances in the previous season matters. I have been approaching each year as a challenge since I turned professional, so I want to make a strong impression in this camp for the entire season. This season, there are particularly high-level players, so I want to prepare myself so that anyone can play and create a higher level of competition that makes the coach struggle with who to use in a good way.
Q: Do you feel the intensity of the position battle?
A, I also think that the surrounding players are playing really well, so I can't afford to lose.
Q: Please tell us your personal goals and team goals for this season.
The goal is to be involved in every game without injury for one year. As a team, of course, there is the goal of winning the league, but as the coach says, we want to win each game in front of us, one game at a time.
Q: There was talk about increasing the variety of attacks, but as a defender, is there anything necessary?
A, we want to not only create chances with one pass from our own side, but also supply passes that can relieve the opponent's pressure without losing the ball at the back. I think we need to be more conscious of supplying good balls to the midfield and forward players while circulating the ball firmly, more than last season.
Q: Is there anything that Kimoto player is conscious of in terms of livening up the atmosphere of practice?
A, I am not consciously aware of it, but because I am on the older side in terms of age, I think I need to raise my voice more to liven things up.
＜Ryoma WATANABE＞
Q: I see many scenes of you running with player Morishige after practice this year. What are you talking about?
A, the content of the conversation is mainly about private matters and not much about football.
Q: Do you talk about tactics or other football-related topics with players who have been with the team since last season, outside of meetings?
A: Since the members (even in practice matches) are not fixed, we have not yet had tactical conversations.
Q: The players are not fixed for the matches, but we often see scenes where every team enters dangerous areas. Are you focusing on scoring goals?
A: I believe that aspects directly linked to scoring, such as how crosses are delivered and how to break behind the defense, will become increasingly important.
Q, As a player who has been appearing in matches since last season, do you pass on techniques such as how to switch with the opposing DF to other players?
A, I don't see myself in a position to teach, and the way to score goals is the same; I believe everyone has their own method. However, with younger players who are high school or university graduates, I sometimes talk about positioning and mindset rather than how to score.
Q. What are you personally focusing on right now?
A. I want to play more forward and make plays that directly lead to goals. I believe my strength is being able to use those around me, but to become a feared player, I want to be conscious of aspects that directly connect to scoring, such as expanding my shooting range and always looking for the final pass.
Q. Tomorrow, you will be playing against FC Ryukyu, which belongs to the J.League for the first time this season. Will you be focusing on aspects like that?
A. Yes, that's right. However, having few mistakes is also my greatest strength, so if I lose that quality, it becomes a matter before even attempting a challenge. I think it will be difficult to adjust, but I want to proceed while maintaining my strengths.
Q. You mentioned that you are focusing on plays that directly lead to goals. Is that something the coach also expects from you?
A. It's not that the coach specifically demands it. Looking back at my individual results from last season, I felt that unless I score more goals, we can't aim for the league championship or higher goals. Soccer is a sport where scoring goals matters, so no matter how much you keep possession, you can't win without goals. This is why I personally want to score more.
Q. Looking back over the off-season, did you feel that plays directly leading to goals were necessary?
A. It’s something I’ve thought about for a while. This season, I’ve been given the chance to play in a more advanced position from the start, so I think this is the perfect timing. When I seriously want to achieve results, I believe this season will be the most important year.
Q. Please tell us the team’s goals and your personal goals.
A. As a team, we aim to win the league. Personally, I want to score 10 goals.
Q. What changes have there been between the 2022 and 2023 seasons as a team?
A. Of course, the foundation from last season remains, but I believe that all players have heightened their awareness of plays directly leading to goals and the goal itself. While valuing possession of the ball is a given, it’s not just about passing the ball; the priority in decision-making has shifted to not overlooking players who move to score and passing the ball forward when possible.
Q. Kimoto mentioned that he has become able to skillfully circulate the ball up to the penalty area, but breaking down the defense beyond that is important. Watanabe, do you have any personal keywords regarding creativity and attack?
A. I believe that to score more goals than last season, it is important for individuals to synchronize with each other. It may be obvious, but not only the person passing the ball, but also the person receiving it needs to watch the opponent and start moving accordingly; coordinating this timing is essential.
