NEWS
Okubo ``Today I saw the true value of one team.''
On the 14th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 13 match against Gamba Osaka [MATCH PARTNER POLUS Co., Ltd.], Tomoaki Okubo talked about his team's victory, his first goal of the season, and his impression of going around Saitama Stadium alone after the match. .
“I myself wasn’t able to score a goal last week, and in the current team, the second row is a position where people around me say, ‘You need to Sagan Tosu’. I was told that I was able to look back on it today, and I think I was able to meet my expectations.”
(You started on the bench, but what kind of image did you have when you participated?)
“In the first half, I thought there wouldn’t be much action behind us Atsuki Ito I was conscious of those two things because I thought that if we could catch up in a good form at the end of the first half and gain momentum, we would definitely win.”
(What about the goal scene?)
“I think I was able to take on the challenge very well because I thought I had to shoot for the time being. When (Alexander) Scholz flicked, I thought it would come to me. I thought too much about it, and I was late in making one or two decisions and playing.I knew that I was in front of the goal today, so I felt like I swung through without hesitation.”
(Did you really care about not scoring?)
"Well, I was aware that I wasn't scoring as an attacker in the second row in the starting lineup, but more than that, people around me were criticizing me a lot. I also search for my ego. However, the coach believed in me, and there were people who believed in my teammates, so I had confidence for those people as well. I was trying to think that I could decide.”
(Frankly, what did you think when you decided to start on the bench?)
“Of course, I want to be in the starting line-up for every game, but even so, I am tired, and Urawa Reds will win first, so I can control my ego. Once I'm on the bench, there are things I can do on the bench, and I'm used to playing as a substitute, so I think I was able to switch to that role right away."
(Do you think the team was put to the test after their unbeaten streak ended?)
"After the ACL (AFC Champions League) was over, I think there were many people who thought, 'Is it really no good?' I think, but we didn't give up on anything, and the team, including the coach, was able to fight with a sense of unity, so I think we were able to see the true value of the team today."
(Do you feel like you've made progress towards winning the league?)
“After the ACL is over, the fact that we were able to win today gives the team confidence, and I think that what we have accumulated up until now was not a mistake. I think the competition will be fierce again from here, so I think we got off to a good start.”
(Has the number of passes you made to Jose Kante increased recently?)
“I often become the starting point of counterattacks, and one of my strengths is that I can jump out of the box. The pass ended up being offside.Aside from that, I think the quality after cutting in is still an issue.To be honest, it wouldn't have been strange to have two assists today.Is that still an issue? I think"
(You scored one goal last year. What is your goal?)
“The manager has told me to score 12 goals, so I think it’s still not enough. I was also told that in the interview during the camp. I knew that, but I didn't score, so I felt responsible, and I think it's important from here."
(I think it was the first time you went around Saitama Stadium by yourself?)
“It’s my first time. Last time I was with (Ito) Atsuki and Shu (Urawa Reds Shusaku Nishikawa). I would be very happy if I could be an opportunity for everyone to think, 'Let's do our best tomorrow.'"
More comments and match photos can be viewed at Site Members.
■ Click here for site members (330 yen per month / tax included) → https://sp.urawa-reds.co.jp/
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[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
“I myself wasn’t able to score a goal last week, and in the current team, the second row is a position where people around me say, ‘You need to Sagan Tosu’. I was told that I was able to look back on it today, and I think I was able to meet my expectations.”
(You started on the bench, but what kind of image did you have when you participated?)
“In the first half, I thought there wouldn’t be much action behind us Atsuki Ito I was conscious of those two things because I thought that if we could catch up in a good form at the end of the first half and gain momentum, we would definitely win.”
(What about the goal scene?)
“I think I was able to take on the challenge very well because I thought I had to shoot for the time being. When (Alexander) Scholz flicked, I thought it would come to me. I thought too much about it, and I was late in making one or two decisions and playing.I knew that I was in front of the goal today, so I felt like I swung through without hesitation.”
(Did you really care about not scoring?)
"Well, I was aware that I wasn't scoring as an attacker in the second row in the starting lineup, but more than that, people around me were criticizing me a lot. I also search for my ego. However, the coach believed in me, and there were people who believed in my teammates, so I had confidence for those people as well. I was trying to think that I could decide.”
(Frankly, what did you think when you decided to start on the bench?)
“Of course, I want to be in the starting line-up for every game, but even so, I am tired, and Urawa Reds will win first, so I can control my ego. Once I'm on the bench, there are things I can do on the bench, and I'm used to playing as a substitute, so I think I was able to switch to that role right away."
(Do you think the team was put to the test after their unbeaten streak ended?)
"After the ACL (AFC Champions League) was over, I think there were many people who thought, 'Is it really no good?' I think, but we didn't give up on anything, and the team, including the coach, was able to fight with a sense of unity, so I think we were able to see the true value of the team today."
(Do you feel like you've made progress towards winning the league?)
“After the ACL is over, the fact that we were able to win today gives the team confidence, and I think that what we have accumulated up until now was not a mistake. I think the competition will be fierce again from here, so I think we got off to a good start.”
(Has the number of passes you made to Jose Kante increased recently?)
“I often become the starting point of counterattacks, and one of my strengths is that I can jump out of the box. The pass ended up being offside.Aside from that, I think the quality after cutting in is still an issue.To be honest, it wouldn't have been strange to have two assists today.Is that still an issue? I think"
(You scored one goal last year. What is your goal?)
“The manager has told me to score 12 goals, so I think it’s still not enough. I was also told that in the interview during the camp. I knew that, but I didn't score, so I felt responsible, and I think it's important from here."
(I think it was the first time you went around Saitama Stadium by yourself?)
“It’s my first time. Last time I was with (Ito) Atsuki and Shu (Urawa Reds Shusaku Nishikawa). I would be very happy if I could be an opportunity for everyone to think, 'Let's do our best tomorrow.'"
More comments and match photos can be viewed at Site Members.
■ Click here for site members (330 yen per month / tax included) → https://sp.urawa-reds.co.jp/
*Free for REX CLUB LOYALTY members.
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
