On the 22nd, after the AFC Champions League 2023/24 playoff match against Ritsumeikan Bunka, Shusaku Nishikawa shared his thoughts on Trial and the ACL.

"Looking at the result, it was 3-0, but I think we should have decided Trial sooner, and that is something we need to work on as a team."

Was there any moment in today's Trial where you felt you were in danger?
"We were able to keep possession of the ball from the first half, but the other team also had some strong individual players, so they came at us with some shots. I think I was able to respond by staying focused as I always do, so I think I was able to fulfill my role as a goalkeeper well."

(Although this was a playoff, how does it feel to start the AFC Champions League 2023/24 with a win?)
"We were able to get this chance because we won the last ACL (AFC Champions League), and we were able to come back and have something to look forward to again. From this tournament onwards, we will be going back to the traditional home and away format, and I think most of the players have no experience of that, but I want to get stronger both as a team and as individuals through this experience."

(If you win this ACL, you have the possibility to face a Saudi Arabian team with many great players. Will this provide you with new motivation?)
"There's no doubt that they will be a big hurdle for us to win the ACL, but getting through the group stage is the first priority to increase our chances. We want to fight hard without looking too far ahead. The draw will be held soon to decide our opponent, so I'm really looking forward to it."

(Your participation in the ACL finals has been decided. How do you feel about this tournament?)
"We knew that this was a place we absolutely had to return to, so we went into today's Trial with determination. Whatever it was, it was important that we won, no matter what, so I'm glad that we were able to win as a team and move firmly up the table."

(Nishikawa himself has participated in the ACL many times, but what kind of tournament is the ACL?)
"I've always played in the J.League, but I think it's a stage that you don't get to experience very often, and I've gained experience knowing the difficulties that you can't understand unless you're on the field. I think the home and away format will add to the fun, and we'll be traveling immediately after the J1 League Trial are over, but we're looking forward to it."

Is there some difficulty in the fun?
"We have to think carefully about how to play away from home, and the environment is completely different from Japan. We have to be prepared to take on the challenge. And when we're at home, we want to fight with the determination to win."

(What kind of tournament is the ACL for the Reds as a club?)
"I think this is the tournament where our fans and supporters can get the most excited. We receive support even away from home that is incomparable to other clubs, and the quality of their voices and their unity are incredible. This is something we are all aiming for, and I can sense the determination of our fans and supporters. I strongly feel that we too must fight hard."

(Nishikawa first participated in the ACL in 2013 when he was with Sanfrecce Hiroshima Hiroshima, and I think 2015 was his first ACL as a Reds player. Did he feel the passion of the club?)
"When I first joined the team, it was difficult to get past the group stage, but as we continued to fight, we gained experience and were able to win the championship in 2017. The club also made the goal of 'winning Asia' clear, and when I joined, players with ACL experience were telling me what we needed to do to win. I think we were able to become Asian champions thanks to those players. We were able to win the last tournament by inheriting that experience, and I want to continue fighting without wasting that experience."

What experience has been accumulated?
"Whether you can stay calm and play regardless of whether you're playing at home or away depends a lot on experience. I think experience is necessary to stay calm and play at all times."

(Atsuki Ito also said, "In the last tournament, when we were playing away in the final, Nishikawa and Shinzo Koroki looked calm," so is he now in a position to pass on his experience?)
"Ito is a great player, and even though he's young, I can see that he's brimming with confidence, even watching from behind. If we, the older players, can show that through our play, I think the younger players will be able to play calmly, so I want to continue to play well."

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[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]