This weekend, Urawa Reds will Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the J1 League, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies will face INAC Kobe Leonessa in a crucial match that will determine the fate of the WE League championship.
Before Trial, we spoke to the goalkeepers of both teams about their impressions of each other and their enthusiasm for Trial.

I'm Shusaku Nishikawa Shusaku Nishikawa Urawa Reds goalkeeper! Today, I'd like to liven things up together with Sacco (Sakiko Ikeda)!
Sakiko Ikeda Sakiko Ikeda, goalkeeper for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies! Nice to meet you!

What are your impressions of each other?
Nishikawa Sacco has always been a big supporter of mine, and I'm also a big supporter of Sacco, so we're on friendly terms with each other. With both the top team and the ladies' team working hard, seeing Sacco working hard as the goalkeeper for so many years is inspiring, and I hope to work together to create excitement.

Ikeda: She always cares about the ladies' team and posts about them on social media. She has been following the same goal for many years, and I use her as inspiration.

Nishikawa: Thank you! I'm embarrassed (laughs).

The two have been guarding the goal for Urawa Reds for many years as guardians, but what are the rewards and difficulties?
Nishikawa: Guarding the goal every Trial comes with a lot of responsibility. The goalkeeper's position is even more important than the players on the field, and they also carry the expectations of the spectators, so they fight under that same amount of pressure. I think it's important to stay focused when the results aren't coming, so I try to avoid any ups and downs during the season.

Ikeda: I think that defending Urawa Reds' goal is something to be proud of, both for the top team and the ladies' team. There are many good players joining Urawa Reds, but I have a strong determination and am well prepared to continue defending my position. I'm not particularly big or physically gifted, so I think my strength is that I'm not particularly inconsistent, and I'm always preparing to bring that out. I always receive warm encouragement from the fans and supporters, so I don't feel a lot of pressure, but I think I play with a strong sense of responsibility.

Do you feel a certain strength in your position as a goalkeeper, where you can fight close to the fans and supporters?
Nishikawa has a lot of strength. It's been 12 years since I came to Urawa Reds, and the fans and supporters always lend me their strength when it matters most, and they understand when we're struggling and even change the chants, so I feel like they read the situation Trial and play alongside me.

Ikeda: Nishikawa said it all, but in the case of the ladies' team, there are many fans and supporters who cheer together, and also cheer loudly individually, and their voices reach the players. Those voices can give you the motivation to put in that last bit of effort, or they can help you realize what's going on, and the ladies' team can feel that they're fighting alongside them.

Nishikawa, who has had many big stage experiences, gave some advice to Ikeda, who will be facing the top-ranked Kobe on (Sat)
Nishikawa: Me? (laughs) No, no, Sacco doesn't need any more advice! Please give it to me.

Please give me lots of Ikeda!

Nishikawa: When I went to see a women's team Trial, I saw the players high-fiving before Trial. The women's team players were pretty energetic, like saying "Yay!", but Sacco was the only one who was really focused (silently touching her). There was a huge contrast with Sacco, who was smiling and standing next to me, and I thought that was really cool. I'm like "Way!" before Trial, so I thought I should follow her example. She can switch modes, so I don't think she needs any advice (laughs). But I think the most important thing is to be yourself. As always, have fun!

Ikeda: I often watch the top team's Trial, and seeing how Shusaku always plays makes me want to play in my own style, too, so I always try to do so. This time, it's a big game against INAC, so naturally everyone's excitement will be high, so I want to support everyone from behind, and while I support them, I want to do my job in my own style.

Nishikawa is looking forward to it!

On Sunday, November 9th, the team will play against Hiroshima away, and Ikeda, who played in front of over 20,000 people last year (at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima), gave some advice to Nishikawa.
No Ikeda no no (lol)!

Nishikawa: It's been over a year and a half since I last performed at that stadium, so I'd be happy if you could help me prepare myself!

Ikeda: It's true that there isn't... Eh... Seriously, there isn't... (laughs).

Nishikawa: Seriously?! The real Sacco came out (lol).

I hope Ikeda keeps the score at zero!

I think the greatest joy for goalkeeper Nishikawa is to finish Trial without conceding any goals, as that means he won't lose and his chances of winning will increase, so I hope he comes back with a clean sheet!

Trial are your thoughts and messages for the fans and supporters?
We will be 100% prepared for Trial Trial INAC, the top-ranked team in Ikeda, this week. Even one more person's support would be a great help to us, and we are really happy to see Komaba filled with Reds Ladies fans and supporters, which motivates us to try even harder, so we hope many people will come out and support us. Thank you!

Nishikawa: We're playing Trial in Hiroshima on Sunday. Before our Trial I'd be delighted if you could come and support our ladies team, who will be playing a big game against INAC Kobe at Urawa Komaba Stadium on Saturday, November 8th. I hope you all understand my request: "Meet at Komaba Stadium" (lol)?
Our goal is to have 5,000 fans and supporters, and if we can get more than 5,000 fans and supporters to the stadium, I'm sure the Ladies team will win. I'd be happy if we could all get excited together. We'll do our best on Sunday too! Thank you!


♢2025/26 SOMPO WE League Round 13
Saturday (Sat) 14:00, Urawa Komaba Stadium
vs INAC Kobe Leonessa

Trial Information
https://x.gd/RVUOo

Ticket Information
https://www.urawa-reds.co.jp/redsladies/tickets/


♢2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 36
11/9 (Sun) 13:00 EDION Peace Wing Hiroshima
vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Trial Information
https://www.urawa-reds.co.jp/topteamtopics/233570/




[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]