On the 16th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 6 match Kashima Antlers, Takuya Ogiwara, who showed dynamism on both offense and defense, looked back on the away game that ended in a draw.

"Against the league leader, we were able to play Trial our way from the beginning of the first half. We had been in good form throughout Trial, so it's disappointing that we conceded a goal at the end and weren't able to turn it into a win.

I think many people think that we lost two points, and I think so too, but I think it's rather easy to be pessimistic in this situation. The bad parts are clear. But I think the things we've built up so far, at least the things that have changed since the previous match and the match before that, are huge. Of course, there is the opponent, but I think it's great that we're gradually coming into our own style."

(Did you feel motivated because your opponent was Kashima Antlers?)
"I think it was the atmosphere created by Urawa Reds fans and supporters, including the opposing team supporters, in this stadium that really lit the fire in me. At the beginning of Trial, I wasn't able to show as much quality as I expected, but even when I was feeling bad, I was able to show what I could and my fighting spirit. Anyway, I'm really disappointed that we couldn't turn it into a win."

(You've been showing up at a lot of places, but how's your condition?)
"It's been difficult to improve my condition since the start of the season, but in the last few Trial I feel like I've finally regained the physical condition I should be in and the strength I need to compete. After the international break, I'll get myself in shape again and prepare to take on the league at full power."

(What about the next match against Cerezo Osaka?)
"Of course, we have an opponent, so we will prepare for that, but we will also work hard in practice to build the kind of football we want to play and show a better performance in front of our fans and supporters."

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[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]