NEWS
Okubo "All 60,000 people will fight. We're going to win."
After training on the 4th, Tomoaki Okubo answered questions from the media online and talked about his enthusiasm for the AFC Champions League 2022 Knockout Stage Final Round 2 against Al-Hilal at Saitama Stadium on the 6th.
(What is your impression and response after playing the first game away?)
“I have the impression that I respected my opponent too much in the early stages of the first round and became cautious when I entered the final. However, as the match progressed, I often felt that we were able to do better than we expected, and the team as a whole held onto the ball in the second half. We had plenty of time, and we were lucky enough to catch up, but we felt confident that we could do the same.”
(Shinzo Koroki also said that it was a “lucky form”, but it seemed that the Reds were aiming for that scene even in a short period of time. I think you scored a goal by facing forward and holding the ball, but what kind of image did you have?
“It was a scouting video that the side and back of the defensive midfielder was empty, and compared to J. There was also a scene where I was caught by Koroki, and it was the goal of the team to create many such scenes, and I think it was good in that area. want to go"
(Al-Hilal have to score at least one goal, so it is expected that they will come out to attack, but considering that, what is important for us to carry out the match in a good form and win the championship?)
“I think the opponents will come to score goals, but I think it is also important for us to show that we are going to score goals. It would be great if we could make them flinch, and if we stick to scoring the opening goal, I think Saitama Stadium will let us win.”
(Are you saying it's better not to go defensive?)
"Well, we're not thinking 0-0, and I'm thinking about scoring goals. I want to dominate."
(How did you see Urawa Reds' ACL fights in the past? On top of that, what do you think it means for Okubo himself to win the Asian title?)
“I think Urawa Reds and the ACL have a deep connection. We won the championship in 2007 and 2017, but this time we are saying ‘revenge’, and the shutout loss in 2019 left an impression on everyone. I myself went to see it in 2019, so losing to Al-Hilal is now impressive in ACL.I want to get revenge this time and rewrite history. And I still know the members of 2017, and I think that being part of the team that won the championship is really important for my football life. So, I want to win and make a name for myself.”
(In the J1 League and the ACL, the Reds are fighting hard to lose, and I think they are putting up a fight to win, but what do you think is the reason for that, having actually played? Based on that, the second game So what kind of play do you think you have to play?
“After losing the first two games, I think the reason why we have continued to play unbeaten games is because everyone is fighting for the team and making sacrifices. Even after conceding a goal, no one collapsed, and I was able to recognize that it was important not to concede a second goal. The head coach (Maciej Skorza) also said that the strength of this team is that they are united and play with a sense of unity. I'm working hard, and I think that's why we haven't lost as a team. And I think that winning in a one-on-one situation will excite the venue, and I think that we and the fans and supporters will get on the momentum at once. I am
(You said that Saitama Stadium will let you win, but how do you feel about having nearly 60,000 fans and supporters coming?)
“I was moved when I went to see the 2019 ACL. There were about 50,000 people in the first away game, but it was different from the 50,000 people of the Reds fans and supporters. I got the impression that there were a lot of people who felt like they were at a festival.I think all 60,000 people will compete at Home Saitama, so I'm really looking forward to it."
(After the match against Kawasaki Frontale on April 23, how did you feel about the atmosphere of the fans and supporters when you headed to the airport, and how did you feel about the atmosphere of the Reds fans and supporters away from home? are you there?)
“After the Kawasaki match, seeing the bus off was really moving. I felt that the Reds fans and supporters were putting their lives on the line, and I really wanted to win the first game. Al Hilal had more fans and supporters when the match actually started, but all Reds fans and supporters were fighting. I didn't get too excited when I was holding the ball, but the Reds fans and supporters always shouted out their voices to fight even after we conceded a goal or scored a goal. In the league, we continued to concede goals in rounds 1 and 2, and things didn't go well, but after (Ken) Iwao scored an own goal in the match against Cerezo Osaka in round 3, the people behind the goal said, 'It's okay, it's okay. We all felt that he called out to us.It is really wonderful, and we are playing while thinking that we really have to live up to expectations.”
(I think there are many players who didn't know about the ACL final, but were there any words from experienced players such as Koroki and Shusaku Nishikawa that left an impression on you?)
“I think it was my first time playing in the ACL final itself, but Sakai (Hiroki) has played in the (FIFA) World Cup and other teams where he was nervous. I was told that if I play with 1.5 times more courage, everything will go well.” I thought that feeling was important, and I myself was able to attack aggressively, so there were times when I was able to leave. “I will play with 1.5 times more courage than I did.” The words left an impression on me.
(Did Koroki say anything?)
"When Koroki was practicing in Japan, I was talking about the information in advance, such as where and where we are in the World Cup, and how foreign players are. , ``It's not a big deal.
(How about a message to the Reds fans and supporters and enthusiasm for the second game?)
“I think the first match ended in a good form of 1-1, but I think it means nothing if we don’t win. Thank you for your maximum support."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
(What is your impression and response after playing the first game away?)
“I have the impression that I respected my opponent too much in the early stages of the first round and became cautious when I entered the final. However, as the match progressed, I often felt that we were able to do better than we expected, and the team as a whole held onto the ball in the second half. We had plenty of time, and we were lucky enough to catch up, but we felt confident that we could do the same.”
(Shinzo Koroki also said that it was a “lucky form”, but it seemed that the Reds were aiming for that scene even in a short period of time. I think you scored a goal by facing forward and holding the ball, but what kind of image did you have?
“It was a scouting video that the side and back of the defensive midfielder was empty, and compared to J. There was also a scene where I was caught by Koroki, and it was the goal of the team to create many such scenes, and I think it was good in that area. want to go"
(Al-Hilal have to score at least one goal, so it is expected that they will come out to attack, but considering that, what is important for us to carry out the match in a good form and win the championship?)
“I think the opponents will come to score goals, but I think it is also important for us to show that we are going to score goals. It would be great if we could make them flinch, and if we stick to scoring the opening goal, I think Saitama Stadium will let us win.”
(Are you saying it's better not to go defensive?)
"Well, we're not thinking 0-0, and I'm thinking about scoring goals. I want to dominate."
(How did you see Urawa Reds' ACL fights in the past? On top of that, what do you think it means for Okubo himself to win the Asian title?)
“I think Urawa Reds and the ACL have a deep connection. We won the championship in 2007 and 2017, but this time we are saying ‘revenge’, and the shutout loss in 2019 left an impression on everyone. I myself went to see it in 2019, so losing to Al-Hilal is now impressive in ACL.I want to get revenge this time and rewrite history. And I still know the members of 2017, and I think that being part of the team that won the championship is really important for my football life. So, I want to win and make a name for myself.”
(In the J1 League and the ACL, the Reds are fighting hard to lose, and I think they are putting up a fight to win, but what do you think is the reason for that, having actually played? Based on that, the second game So what kind of play do you think you have to play?
“After losing the first two games, I think the reason why we have continued to play unbeaten games is because everyone is fighting for the team and making sacrifices. Even after conceding a goal, no one collapsed, and I was able to recognize that it was important not to concede a second goal. The head coach (Maciej Skorza) also said that the strength of this team is that they are united and play with a sense of unity. I'm working hard, and I think that's why we haven't lost as a team. And I think that winning in a one-on-one situation will excite the venue, and I think that we and the fans and supporters will get on the momentum at once. I am
(You said that Saitama Stadium will let you win, but how do you feel about having nearly 60,000 fans and supporters coming?)
“I was moved when I went to see the 2019 ACL. There were about 50,000 people in the first away game, but it was different from the 50,000 people of the Reds fans and supporters. I got the impression that there were a lot of people who felt like they were at a festival.I think all 60,000 people will compete at Home Saitama, so I'm really looking forward to it."
(After the match against Kawasaki Frontale on April 23, how did you feel about the atmosphere of the fans and supporters when you headed to the airport, and how did you feel about the atmosphere of the Reds fans and supporters away from home? are you there?)
“After the Kawasaki match, seeing the bus off was really moving. I felt that the Reds fans and supporters were putting their lives on the line, and I really wanted to win the first game. Al Hilal had more fans and supporters when the match actually started, but all Reds fans and supporters were fighting. I didn't get too excited when I was holding the ball, but the Reds fans and supporters always shouted out their voices to fight even after we conceded a goal or scored a goal. In the league, we continued to concede goals in rounds 1 and 2, and things didn't go well, but after (Ken) Iwao scored an own goal in the match against Cerezo Osaka in round 3, the people behind the goal said, 'It's okay, it's okay. We all felt that he called out to us.It is really wonderful, and we are playing while thinking that we really have to live up to expectations.”
(I think there are many players who didn't know about the ACL final, but were there any words from experienced players such as Koroki and Shusaku Nishikawa that left an impression on you?)
“I think it was my first time playing in the ACL final itself, but Sakai (Hiroki) has played in the (FIFA) World Cup and other teams where he was nervous. I was told that if I play with 1.5 times more courage, everything will go well.” I thought that feeling was important, and I myself was able to attack aggressively, so there were times when I was able to leave. “I will play with 1.5 times more courage than I did.” The words left an impression on me.
(Did Koroki say anything?)
"When Koroki was practicing in Japan, I was talking about the information in advance, such as where and where we are in the World Cup, and how foreign players are. , ``It's not a big deal.
(How about a message to the Reds fans and supporters and enthusiasm for the second game?)
“I think the first match ended in a good form of 1-1, but I think it means nothing if we don’t win. Thank you for your maximum support."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
