Q, before talking about joining Tokyo, please tell us about your time in Sendai, where you played for 2 and a half years after coming to Japan for the first time.
A, For me and my family, living in Sendai was a very happy experience. We received a lot of support from the fans and supporters in Sendai. I have only good memories. I am grateful to the club staff, and I still remember the debut match against Cerezo Osaka. Of course, there were also matches against Tokyo, and I have only happy memories.
Q, the press release from Sendai included the loving words "Let's meet again in J1 for sure." Player Kubo (nickname for Słowik) will continue to fight on the J1 stage as a member of Tokyo from here.
A, I am of course disappointed with the result of Sendai's relegation to J2 in the 2021 season. However, I approached everything from practice to games with full effort. In the midst of that, I was very happy to receive an offer from Tokyo, a big club in Japan, and I want to win many things with my teammates at this club.
Q, What was your impression of Tokyo as an opponent?
A, In the 2019 season, when I first came to Japan, Tokyo was competing for the championship. They were a strong team that was at the top of the standings. They are also a team that always has quality players who play well in matches.
Q, in the 2021 season, Tokyo won 2 games against Sendai, but in both games, Silva's big save stood out.
A, I remember (laughs). However, Sendai ended up losing in the end. We did our best, but Tokyo has a team of high-quality players, so that's the result.
Q, Who is the most memorable player among Tokyo players?
A, It's Diego (Oliveira). I have a strong impression of him because I had two penalty shootouts against him. His way of taking penalties is unique, and I really think he is a skilled player. It's a difficult way of shooting from the perspective of a goalkeeper, but now we are on the same team, so I feel like I can adapt to any style by practicing with him (laughs).
Q: What is your impression of the level of Japanese goalkeepers, considering there are excellent goalkeepers in Tokyo?
A: Of course, there are capable goalkeepers in Tokyo, and Shonan's Kosei TANI is also a fantastic talent. Hiroshima's Keisuke OSAKO and Sendai's Yuma OBATA, who also played in the same team, are the same. It gives the impression that there are more promising and talented players in the future. There is no doubt that the quality of Japanese goalkeepers is improving.
Q, Poland, the home country of player Kubo, has produced many great goalkeepers such as Jerzy Dudek and Wojciech Szczesny. Former Iwata player Krzysztof Kaminski also had a successful career.
A, That is very important in the Polish football world. Many goalkeepers have played for big clubs in Europe and continue to do so. In addition to the mentioned players, there are also great goalkeepers like Artur Boruc (played with Nakamura Shunsuke at Celtic and with Yoshida Maya at Southampton) and Lukasz Fabianski. Kaminski's outstanding achievements in Japan led to my decision to come to Japan as well. I also want to demonstrate the skills of Polish goalkeepers in Tokyo.
Q, by the way, at what age did Kubo start playing as a GK?
A, it's a long time ago... (laughs), I think it was around 5 or 6 years old. My older brother started playing soccer first, and since I was the youngest, I ended up being the GK. Everyone didn't like being a GK because they had to fall down when making saves or fall from high places, but for me, it was normal and didn't bother me. After that, I also had experience playing as a defender. I was a member of a big academy, but my playing style wasn't very technical (laughs), so the coach recommended me to try being a GK. Getting GK gloves also became one motivation for me, and since then, I've been solely a GK.
Q, I thought it was a popular position in Poland because there are many famous GKs.
A, I think children from any country initially want to become strikers (laughs). When players like Dudu and Boltz were successful, GKs also became popular, but when it comes to Poland, it's all about Roberto Lewandowski. That's why I think there are many players who aspire to be forwards.
Q, looking at your career, you have played for domestic clubs in Poland, but I read news that you were close to signing with Reading in England in 2015.
A, at that time, I went for a test for about a week. However, the team's goalkeeper position was already filled, and shortly after that, I also got injured, so the conversation didn't progress as I had hoped. However, I always had the desire to test my potential and skills overseas, so Japan became the first stage for that. I had held onto that desire since my time in Poland.
Q, After playing in the J-League for 2 and a half years, do you see any differences in the image of Japanese soccer between when you first came to Japan and now?
A, In my opinion, Japan is a wonderful country and league. I can't speak for other Asian countries, but I think it's a great league.
Q, Tokyo will be led by a new coach, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, in the 2022 season. He previously coached Albirex Niigata until the 2021 season. Have you ever watched the soccer of Albert's team?
A, I have watched a few matches during the Niigata era. I checked to see what kind of soccer they play and what kind of plays are expected. They have an impression of playing a style that connects the ball, and they also expect attacks to be built up from the goalkeeper and defenders. Originally, the goalkeeper's role was to protect the goal and make saves, but in today's era, there are many things expected from that position. This includes technical skills and kicks at the feet. In Tokyo's new style, it is likely that such things will be demanded more. As for my style, it is about absorbing, learning, and improving what is required from practice. I want to approach it with a positive attitude so that I can adapt well.
Q, Tokyo had a lot of goals conceded in 2021, which was a challenge. The fans and supporters expect Kubo to excel in shot-stopping, but how do you plan to improve the defense, including the defense line?
A, No team can defend the goal with just one player, and no player can score goals alone. It is about attacking and defending together, from the forwards to the goalkeeper. In my case, I want to communicate a lot with the defense and specifically maintain a compact formation to defend effectively.
Q, Do you have any clear goals you want to achieve with this team?
A, I don't usually set personal goals, but first and foremost, as a team, I want us to firmly face in the right direction and produce results. And if we can win more trophies, that would be great. But first and foremost, we want to become a group that fights well and that the fans and supporters can be proud of and say, "It's a really good team." The players must continue to play in a way that such words come from various places.
Q, What are you looking forward to when living in Tokyo, the capital of Japan?
A, Tokyo is truly a metropolis and an amazing city globally. My family is also looking forward to it, but what's important is being able to always be with my family no matter where we are. One thing I'm looking forward to is that it will be closer to go to Disneyland than from Sendai (laughs). I'm also looking forward to other famous places. I love Japanese food, sushi and yakiniku are the best. Natto? It was not good when I first tried it, but gradually (laughs).
text by YUKI NISHIKAWA
