NEWS
Iwao: "It's important to keep pushing forward in a hungry state."
On June 4th, after the Meiji Yasuda Life J1 League Round 16 match against Kashima Antlers [MATCH PARTNER TANITA], Ken Iwao shared his impressions of the game with over 45,000 people in attendance.
(How did you watch the game from the bench?)
``I was watching it trying to analyze the events on the pitch in my own way and understand the current situation.''
(The director said that today's build-up was different than usual, but did you feel that things weren't going well from the outside?)
``When you're on a bench, you're looking below the plane, so it's difficult to say what it looked like and whether it was correct or not.Of course, there were not only bad scenes, but also scenes where it was carried in a good way. As I was watching, I felt that there was room for improvement, or maybe I could do something a little more unpleasant for the other person, rather than saying it was good or bad.
(What changes did you have in mind when you started the second half?)
``I thought we could create a mismatch between the way our two top players track and the suitability of our opponent's back four, so that's what we wanted to do.''
(I think we were more aggressive in the second half, but what was your response?)
``I think I have my strengths.In the second half, there was a request from (Alexander) Scholz that I wanted to play with three players and use my right side, so I'm pretty strong on the right side.'' So, with that in mind, I have to differentiate between using long balls to move the opponent's block, and simply picking off the opponent's two top players in a 3-on-2 situation and having him dribble the ball to control the right side. I don't think it was that bad. However, most of the chance creation on the left side was through crosses, but I think the left side has a little more of an issue when it comes to intentionally breaking the line. I believe that if we improve our quality by communicating not only with ourselves but also with players on the left side, including ball and positioning, we will be able to create more powerful attacks on both sides.''
(With the addition of Jose Kante, will this be a way to take advantage of Kante, or will they try a different way of breaking things down, including Kante?)
``I don't think we've created many scenes like the so-called ``Aun's Breath'' yet, so we had to keep looking at various situations and making decisions over and over again, and there was a scene where (Jose) Kante finished. However, once you develop a sense of ``This is the way to sing,'' you will start to see a clear path to how to carry the ball in order to do that.I think that is where communication comes into play. I think it's still in the process of development."
(Iwao seemed to be effective in the second half, but how was he feeling?)
"Personally, I don't want to focus on that kind of thing. I'll leave it up to the person who sees it."
(Did we get one point today, or did we lose two?)
“I think you’re always going to lose 2 when you play at home.”
(From the warm-up today, I think the atmosphere was the same as the AFC Champions League final, or even better?)
``More than 45,000 people came to see us, and we fought with the support of Reds fans and supporters.However, there were also many Kashima supporters who came, and we were able to enjoy a spectacle like this.'' Being able to play matches is an opportunity to grow as a soccer player, and I think the question now is whether or not we can win these matches. I think I learned today that it's more important to push forward in a safe state."
(The Reds vs. Kashima is a very heated game, but as a player, do you find it difficult to maintain your composure in such a situation?)
``I think players like me tend to have a hard time, but when I came on as a substitute in today's situation, there was the fact that in the past, players who came on as substitutes have really helped the team and helped us win. I went into today with a really strong desire to somehow create chances and move the score. Unfortunately, I didn't get the results, but I want to continue with that attitude."
(I think he was appointed because he was tired from seven consecutive games, but what is his current condition?)
``In my mind, there is no change in my belief that I will always be in the best possible condition before competing.I don't really know how I feel about it, but my job is to do the given task in the given time. I think we need to continue to focus on those areas and not stop working on improving the quality, so that's what I want to focus on.''
Other comments and match photos can be viewed on the site members.
■Click here for site members (330 yen per month/tax included) → https://sp.urawa-reds.co.jp/
*REX CLUB LOYALTY members can use it for free.
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
(How did you watch the game from the bench?)
``I was watching it trying to analyze the events on the pitch in my own way and understand the current situation.''
(The director said that today's build-up was different than usual, but did you feel that things weren't going well from the outside?)
``When you're on a bench, you're looking below the plane, so it's difficult to say what it looked like and whether it was correct or not.Of course, there were not only bad scenes, but also scenes where it was carried in a good way. As I was watching, I felt that there was room for improvement, or maybe I could do something a little more unpleasant for the other person, rather than saying it was good or bad.
(What changes did you have in mind when you started the second half?)
``I thought we could create a mismatch between the way our two top players track and the suitability of our opponent's back four, so that's what we wanted to do.''
(I think we were more aggressive in the second half, but what was your response?)
``I think I have my strengths.In the second half, there was a request from (Alexander) Scholz that I wanted to play with three players and use my right side, so I'm pretty strong on the right side.'' So, with that in mind, I have to differentiate between using long balls to move the opponent's block, and simply picking off the opponent's two top players in a 3-on-2 situation and having him dribble the ball to control the right side. I don't think it was that bad. However, most of the chance creation on the left side was through crosses, but I think the left side has a little more of an issue when it comes to intentionally breaking the line. I believe that if we improve our quality by communicating not only with ourselves but also with players on the left side, including ball and positioning, we will be able to create more powerful attacks on both sides.''
(With the addition of Jose Kante, will this be a way to take advantage of Kante, or will they try a different way of breaking things down, including Kante?)
``I don't think we've created many scenes like the so-called ``Aun's Breath'' yet, so we had to keep looking at various situations and making decisions over and over again, and there was a scene where (Jose) Kante finished. However, once you develop a sense of ``This is the way to sing,'' you will start to see a clear path to how to carry the ball in order to do that.I think that is where communication comes into play. I think it's still in the process of development."
(Iwao seemed to be effective in the second half, but how was he feeling?)
"Personally, I don't want to focus on that kind of thing. I'll leave it up to the person who sees it."
(Did we get one point today, or did we lose two?)
“I think you’re always going to lose 2 when you play at home.”
(From the warm-up today, I think the atmosphere was the same as the AFC Champions League final, or even better?)
``More than 45,000 people came to see us, and we fought with the support of Reds fans and supporters.However, there were also many Kashima supporters who came, and we were able to enjoy a spectacle like this.'' Being able to play matches is an opportunity to grow as a soccer player, and I think the question now is whether or not we can win these matches. I think I learned today that it's more important to push forward in a safe state."
(The Reds vs. Kashima is a very heated game, but as a player, do you find it difficult to maintain your composure in such a situation?)
``I think players like me tend to have a hard time, but when I came on as a substitute in today's situation, there was the fact that in the past, players who came on as substitutes have really helped the team and helped us win. I went into today with a really strong desire to somehow create chances and move the score. Unfortunately, I didn't get the results, but I want to continue with that attitude."
(I think he was appointed because he was tired from seven consecutive games, but what is his current condition?)
``In my mind, there is no change in my belief that I will always be in the best possible condition before competing.I don't really know how I feel about it, but my job is to do the given task in the given time. I think we need to continue to focus on those areas and not stop working on improving the quality, so that's what I want to focus on.''
Other comments and match photos can be viewed on the site members.
■Click here for site members (330 yen per month/tax included) → https://sp.urawa-reds.co.jp/
*REX CLUB LOYALTY members can use it for free.
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
