Training on January 22
On the 11th day of the Okinawa Itoman Camp, the team worked up a sweat with two training sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning session was a closed full-team practice held at Nishizaki Athletic Stadium, and the afternoon consisted of group-specific training.
The morning practice mainly focused on defensive training. During the training for dealing with crosses, which is one of the challenges carried over from last season, the principles were reviewed. In the subsequent game-like practice, which also served to confirm the build-up play, players communicated with each other to adjust their positioning.
And in the afternoon of that day as well, each player worked on a menu tailored to them, concluding the training on the 22nd.
CAMP VOICE vol.5 Alexander SCHOLZ
Q: You started the 2026 season together with the team from the very beginning.
A. I feel that being able to start together as a whole team is an advantage. Since there are new players joining, I think there will be challenges we need to face just like in the 2025 season. I believe that taking the time during camp to build the team up like this is a good thing for making the team better.
Q, New signing Hayato Inamura mentioned that he wants to learn a lot from Alexander Scholz.
A, I think he is a player whose playing style is similar to mine. I believe he is a player who also enjoys playing with the ball, and being left-footed, he can dribble, pass, and switch sides. Perhaps he might learn more from Masato MORISHIGE than from me (laughs).
Q. I think we are having good competition this season as well.
A. Each player has their own characteristics and qualities, and I think it is a good thing for Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the coach, to be able to choose players from different qualities. The important thing is that everyone can maintain a high level, and so far in training, everyone has been able to play fresh without missing any sessions due to injury. I believe we are able to push each other forward.
Q. How do you feel about the build-up play that you have dedicated so much time to so far?
A. That’s a difficult question to answer clearly. I believe increasing possession was a plan the club has been aiming for since last season. However, I also think it’s necessary to change that approach when things aren’t going well in matches. Last season, we repeated similar mistakes and conceded many avoidable goals. For example, in the practice match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, we tried to connect the play but it didn’t go well, and we couldn’t find an alternative method. That said, I think Tokyo’s characteristic is the awareness to play vertically, so I hope we can maintain that without losing it.
Q. What areas do you want to focus on during the remaining time before the league opener?
A. If each player can consciously prepare themselves to be in their best condition, then there will be no excuses. The coaching staff has done a really good job managing the training load during the camp. This has given each player the opportunity to build their physical condition. Personally, I want to push my physical level as close to the limit as possible. At the same time, if the quality aligns, a good rhythm will emerge as a team, and I believe the chances of winning the league opener will increase.
Q. The team has set the goal of winning the championship.
A. As I mentioned in a previous interview, out of the 20 teams, how many actually say they are aiming to win the championship? It’s not just about those words, but also about the performance and actions behind them that matter. Personally, I want to support this team and see how far we can go.
FOCUS ON - Today's Shot -
‘FOCUS ON’ selects photos taken by the official photographer on that day. Today, we have chosen a shot capturing Masato MORISHIGE, who is taking on his 21st professional season.
Without looking back on the path he has walked, his attitude of facing the present remains unchanged this season. He warmly welcomes the challenges from the eager younger players and says with a dimpled smile,
"I'm even more fired up than that."
The man who has always been a challenger continues to leave trails of hope on the distant, fading "Morige Line."
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
