On the 28th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 22 match Cerezo Osaka [MATCH PARTNER Meiji Yasuda], Shusaku Nishikawa reflected on Trial and spoke about his enthusiasm for the match against Yokohama FC.

"We were under attack more than we expected and had to endure for a long time in the second half, but I think I was able to concentrate on my job. We were able to keep possession of the ball in the first half and started well in the second half, but after about 20 minutes, we started to let the opponents have the ball, so I think that's something we need to improve on."

(Even though we had a tough schedule with five consecutive games in two weeks and we had some changes to our members, it felt like we managed to pick up the minimum number of points today.)
"I think players have different thoughts, some saying "we lost two points" and others saying "we gained one point." We wanted to win at home, and we needed a win to move up the table, so in all honesty we wanted to end the game with a win, but we're also playing against other teams, so we need to take this one point as a positive and show our fighting spirit that we will definitely win Trial on Sunday, regardless of the opponent."

(The manager said that the team lost a little power midway through the second half, but what do you think about the front line?)
"I feel that it is probably very tough for the players on the field. But the players who have played are working hard and trying to do their best, so I think that is wonderful, even watching from behind. However, there are times when we are paired with players we don't normally play with, and we only have time to coordinate during Trial, so that can be difficult, but I think it is a positive thing for the team that various players are getting a chance. It's a long season, and we may get injured, and I don't think we can keep fighting with the same members all the time, so I think we have to go at it this season as a total war."

(What about keeping a clean sheet in a tough Trial?)
"I think we managed to keep the score at zero thanks to the efforts of our teammates, and it's important not to lose. While we were playing, we were in trouble, hitting the post and making saves myself, but I remained positive and thought, 'On the other hand, this could be a situation where we can score a point.' Okubo (Tomoaki) had a chance, and the battles after the 20th minute of the second half were fun to play."

(Looking at other teams, goalkeepers of the same age are being replaced, but do you still have something you want to show on the pitch?)
"I think I'm the oldest out of all the goalkeepers playing in Trial, and I believe many young players are watching, so I am always striving to be a goalkeeper who can keep playing, keep producing results with good performances, and bring points to the team. Even if I get injured, I make it a priority to not let it become an injury, and since I couldn't take a break, I was able to heal my body and mind by always thinking, 'I want to play.' That was partly because I was facing myself, and conversely, I think my physical condition really improved after missing one Trial, so I thought of it as a good rest and switched my mind."

(You were watching the team from the outside while you were absent, but has your perspective changed since returning?)
"After only getting one point in the matches against Gamba Osaka and Albirex Niigata, I thought the match against FC Tokyo was very important in the sense that it would bring three points to the team. Whether I play or not, I think it's important for the team to continue to get three points, and I really wanted to be on the pitch and help out, so I'm really glad I was able to come back so quickly."

(Nishikawa doesn't criticize the players involved in the goals conceded, but what kind of mental state is he in going into Trial?)
"There are still Trial to go, and I think there will be regrets that only those who have experienced it can understand, as well as lessons to use next time. If you make a mistake and can use that experience to your advantage next time, I think you'll be able to think of it as a good thing. Rather than criticizing, I want to encourage players to move in a positive direction, and I have grown in ways that way. Even now, after I make a mistake, I always analyze it, asking myself, 'Why did I make that mistake?' and 'I should have done this,' so I think it's important not to let a mistake be just a mistake."

(Is Zion Suzuki there?)
"Yes, I met him. I asked him a little about Inter Milan. When I asked him, 'Which team was the strongest that you Trial in Italy?' he said, 'Napoli won the championship, but Inter were strong.' I also heard about the quality of the crosses he mentioned, about the left-footed wing player. Rather than whether the keeper would come out or not, he said that he was really fast, and that he had a left foot like Ryosuke Yamanaka, who used to play for the Reds in Japan and is now at Nagoya Grampus.

I also heard that he's now 100kg, and his body looks beefy again. I'm glad to see that he's doing well."

(Do you feel inspired when Zion Suzuki comes to watch you?)
"Yes, (Suzuki) Zion was watching, as were (Akimoto) Takahiro and (Ohata) Ayumu. I'm glad that players who are working hard overseas, breathing in a different atmosphere, are concerned about the Reds. I also got energy from meeting Zion, so I want to do my best again."

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