――Both players graduated from their respective academies that will face each other. Did you know each other?
Sota MIURA "Nice to meet you."
Takahiro KO It was nice to meet you for the first time in today's interview.
――Today's interview is being held at Kodaira Ground, but is it your first time back at Kodaira in a while, Miura?
Miura I have been to Kodaira many times, and I feel nostalgic. The journey from Kawasaki to Kodaira also made me feel very nostalgic. When I was in elementary school, I attended the Tokyo Advanced Class that was held in Kokubunji. The location of the school changed from Kokubunji to Kodaira, and I played soccer on this ground.
――During your time at the school and academy, what kind of players did you interact with?
Miura When I was playing for FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, I was classmates and teammates with Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who is now a member of the top team. This season, we both got injured at the same time, so we contacted each other a little bit.
High Yasuto WAKIZAKA, who is currently playing for Kawasaki, is only an acquaintance. All the players I was close with have transferred overseas...
――During your academy days, how did you view each other’s clubs?
Taka I went to watch many matches and felt the excitement of the Tamagawa Clasico at the venue. I remember booing Tokyo. (laughs)
At that time, I also had the desire to play and succeed as a Kawasaki player, and I liked the atmosphere of the Tamagawa Clasico. I never imagined that more than ten years later, I would be wearing Tokyo’s uniform.
Miura I was cheering for my parents and Tokyo from the stands behind the goal. Of course, I also booed Kawasaki. (lol)
――I heard you also participated in the Tamagawa "Ko" Clasico.
Taka I don't remember what grade I was in elementary school, but I do remember participating. Above all, I was just so happy to be able to play soccer on natural grass.
Miura Like Takahashi, I was also excited to be able to play soccer on a pitch with natural grass and professional players. I remember playing on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium.
――For both players, is the Tamagawa Clasico positioned differently from other matches?
Taka Yes, that's right. I feel that the passion of the fans and supporters rises a notch higher than usual matches, and the atmosphere of a "battle that absolutely cannot be lost" was something I felt both as a child and in the previous match.
Miura It's a very exciting game, isn't it? It seems that they are putting a lot of effort into pre-game hype videos and promotions. I remember there used to be a hype video with dolphins and raccoons as motifs. I'm starting to remember more and more about that time.
――At that time, was there a player you admired?
Takahashi It was JUNINHO, who led Kawasaki's attack. Since I was also a forward, JUNINHO, who combined speed and scoring ability, was very cool. He was someone I admired.
Miura Who did I like...? I was supporting the team as a whole, not just one person.
――The two of you stood on the pitch for the Tama River Clasico in the first half of the league. Up until then, was there anything that significantly changed from the image or impression you had of both clubs or the Clasico?
Taka When I was in Kawasaki's academy, the image was that Kawasaki often finished as runners-up. In fact, I watched at the stadium when Tokyo defeated Kawasaki to win the Nabisco Cup back then. In the most recent seasons, they have become a club that regularly wins championships, and my impression has changed to seeing them as a very strong team.
Miura From both club's perspectives, the Tama River Clasico is a very exciting match. It was my first time experiencing the Tama River Clasico after transferring from Ventforet Kofu to Kawasaki, but I also felt the intensity and clash between both teams that I had seen in the past.
――Please tell us your impressions of each other's play.
High He seems to be a strong left-handed side back with a lot of propulsion. I could feel the strength of his play.
Miura I thought he was a smart player when we played against him last time. He has the impression of being a defensive midfielder who takes up uncomfortable positions for the opponent.
High We were beaten 0-3 (lol).
――In the previous Tama River Clasico, Kawasaki won 3-0.
High In the early stages of the league, it was my second official game after joining Tokyo. The 0-3 defeat was very frustrating for me.
Miura It was our first home victory of the season for us. The fact that the opponent was Tokyo left a strong impression on me personally. It was also a game where we were able to express our team's intentions, and personally, I was very motivated to face off against Yuto NAGATOMO.
――Do players also get high tension for the Tamagawa Clasico?
High It seems so. I feel a different atmosphere from usual before the game, such as having a talk like today. The passion of the fans and supporters is also stronger than usual, isn't it?
Miura For me, it was my first experience of the Tamagawa Classico at Todoroki, and I could feel the atmosphere and excitement from the pitch. The next match is at Ajinomoto Stadium, and I look forward to enjoying a different atmosphere there.
- Please tell us about the "play that you don't want to lose here" for each other.
Miura "Breaking power" is something I don't want to lose. It's also one of my strengths, and I feel that there is meaning in expressing that play at Ajinomoto Stadium above all else. I want to show it off.
Won the "capture". The play of taking the ball from the opponent, both individually and as a team, was also meant to capture 3 points as we have been losing in the first half of the league.
- Lastly, please share your enthusiasm for the 44th Tamagawa Classico.
Takashi Let's all come together—players, staff, fans, and supporters—and win the 44th Tamagawa Classico. We appreciate your support.
Miura We will aim for a season double in an exciting match. This is a must-win game. Thank you for your support.
