1/31Training
On the 7th day of the Okinawa Itoman camp, we practiced scoring goals from free passes at the Itoman Nishizaki Athletic Stadium and confirmed set plays. Considering the fatigue accumulated so far, we also allocated time for warm-ups using various types of balls.
At the beginning of the camp, when I told coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, "The practice is interesting," he laughed and said, "It's just that you're not used to it. On the contrary, if it becomes uninteresting, please let me know."
There have been hardly any identical training menus throughout this camp, and we have instilled different objectives in each session. As a result, the ability to think and make judgments in actual match situations and scenarios should have been cultivated.
At the same time, it felt like the daily practices were independent, yet there was also a sense of connection. I could clearly see the players' daily reactions and changes in response to the messages conveyed by the coach. How these things will connect after the season starts begins from here.
Through this camp, we have become a group that wants to "grow" and "change ourselves." However, Coach Matsuhashi says, "I try not to think that this is good enough on a daily basis. I am thinking about how to improve further from here." The blue-red team has no intention of stopping their progress, saying, "Not enough yet" and "More and more."
FOCUS ON
The official photographer selects camp photos in the project "FOCUS ON." On the 7th day of the Okinawa Itoman camp, a four-shot featuring Masato MORISHIGE, Yuto NAGATOMO, Keigo HIGASHI, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA was chosen. They are in their thirties, yet still energetic and fresh. Burning with freshly picked ambition, they continue to face soccer every day. Even as they pursue their own paths like seekers of truth, their goal is to achieve the league title in Tokyo for the first time. While they intend to share their story, it is well known that these four will lead the blue and red this season as well.
CAMP VOICE vol.17 Masato MORISHIGE
This season marks the 20th anniversary of Masato MORISHIGE's career as a professional player. With only 10 matches remaining until his 500th appearance in the J1 League, he has set 'Continued Gira Gira' and 'Mera Mera' as his personal goals for the season, continuing from last season. For the 2025 season, he plans to spread the raw flames around him without holding back. We asked the player wearing number 3, who is aiming for the first J1 League championship promised to the blue and red singers, about his current honest feelings.
Q: I joined the camp halfway through, but how is the progress so far?
A: Since this is still the introductory phase, I believe the team will grow through repeated trial and error from here on. When problems arise, if we can think about and build the style of soccer that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI aims for, we can play interesting soccer and become an interesting team. What comes next is important, and the current evaluation is not everything. Honestly, there are still few things I understand, so how we proceed from here will become crucial.
Q: Coach Matsuhashi frequently communicated about the mindset and attitude towards soccer throughout the camp.
A: Coach Matsuhashi addressed not only the content of soccer itself but also the attitude toward the sport and, even before being a soccer player, how one should behave as a person during meetings and such. Since it is a team sport, I believe these are important aspects. It’s not enough to focus solely on soccer; I felt that these elements are also connected to what happens on the pitch. The determination to fight through this season together as a team was also conveyed by Coach Matsuhashi. He communicates even the subtle nuances, which makes it easier for us to understand.
Q: There were not only bright atmospheres, but also moments where we demanded a lot from each other.
A: We should actively do what is necessary. No one should hold back or be overly considerate of others. We need to raise our demands to match a higher level, and I believe it’s not good to lower our standards and settle into a small, complacent group. This season, I want us to be mindful of these things as well.
Q: Last season, you mentioned wanting to shine as a man. What goals do you have for this season?
A: We have no choice but to be fiercely competitive. We have to be the most fiercely competitive, and I believe that will have a positive impact on the team. I don’t think about trying to do things smoothly just because I’m a veteran; first, I want to pursue what I can bring to this team as an individual player. If the team can perform as a collective, we will surely become stronger. I also think each of us needs to break through as individual players first.
Q: If we can achieve the J1 League championship, which we have not been able to accomplish in the 20 years of being a professional, it will be the best season.
A: "Because there is not much time left," I approach each year with that mindset, but I want to fully dedicate myself to soccer. If results still don't come, I believe it means we are still not enough. We have no choice but to push ourselves further. Last season was better than the season before last, and this season is better than last season. I believe there is still much we can do, so I want to demand that not only from myself but from the entire team. If we do that, I believe the spirit, that flame, will definitely spread.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
