NEWS
Sakai: "It's disappointing that we didn't get any results. We know what we have to win next year, and we want to fight as one."
On the 22nd, after the final official match of the season, the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 3rd place match against Al Ahly FC, captain Hiroki Sakai shared his impressions of the match, his gratitude to the fans and supporters, and his enthusiasm for next season. Told.
(What are your thoughts looking back on the match against Al Ahly?)
``As a team, we wanted to finish in third place. Jose (Kante) and Alex (Schalk) are the same, and I think there will be players who will transfer in the future, and it was the last time for coach (Maciej Skorza). I wanted to be beautiful in the end, including fighting in the finals, but it's a shame that we couldn't achieve that result.''
(What do you feel was the difference between 3rd and 4th place and today's results?)
“There were a lot of accidents, and there were times when we scored goals by accident.It was a game that could have gone either way, so we as a team couldn’t control it well. That was unfortunate.”
(How do you want to connect this experience to the FIFA Club World Cup, which you will participate in again next season or a year and a half later in 2025?)
“Rather than 2025, I think we have to carry this into next season. It was good that we were able to score one point as a team and get into a counterattack mode, but I also think we were a little slow.”
(A lot of people came to Saudi Arabia, and I think there are many people in Japan who were watching and cheering on the game late at night. Please give a message to the fans and supporters.)
``I'm sure many people have said this, but I've received really great support. I myself never thought I'd be able to come this far (on the pitch), so I'm grateful to many people. I wish I could have done something like an assist, but I think I was able to contribute a little by being the starting point and getting one point.It's also a good off season for next year, and a good preseason. I think it's important for both me and the team to spend time and prepare properly.Next year, I want to be able to compete well from the start, and I have a clear idea of what we need to achieve.It's the same for the team. The same goes for the players. We all want to fight as one."
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)]
(What are your thoughts looking back on the match against Al Ahly?)
``As a team, we wanted to finish in third place. Jose (Kante) and Alex (Schalk) are the same, and I think there will be players who will transfer in the future, and it was the last time for coach (Maciej Skorza). I wanted to be beautiful in the end, including fighting in the finals, but it's a shame that we couldn't achieve that result.''
(What do you feel was the difference between 3rd and 4th place and today's results?)
“There were a lot of accidents, and there were times when we scored goals by accident.It was a game that could have gone either way, so we as a team couldn’t control it well. That was unfortunate.”
(How do you want to connect this experience to the FIFA Club World Cup, which you will participate in again next season or a year and a half later in 2025?)
“Rather than 2025, I think we have to carry this into next season. It was good that we were able to score one point as a team and get into a counterattack mode, but I also think we were a little slow.”
(A lot of people came to Saudi Arabia, and I think there are many people in Japan who were watching and cheering on the game late at night. Please give a message to the fans and supporters.)
``I'm sure many people have said this, but I've received really great support. I myself never thought I'd be able to come this far (on the pitch), so I'm grateful to many people. I wish I could have done something like an assist, but I think I was able to contribute a little by being the starting point and getting one point.It's also a good off season for next year, and a good preseason. I think it's important for both me and the team to spend time and prepare properly.Next year, I want to be able to compete well from the start, and I have a clear idea of what we need to achieve.It's the same for the team. The same goes for the players. We all want to fight as one."
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)]
