On the 6th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 12 match against Yokohama F･Marinos, Shusaku Nishikawa reflected on the day's match and shared his thoughts on becoming just the third player in history to play in 600 J1 matches.

"We had played very well at home and felt confident playing. Today, too, we kept in mind to dominate the ball and control the game from the start, and even when the opponent came at us from the front, we were able to keep the ball moving well, which led to our opening goal.

We all talked at halftime about how this wasn't the end, and I think we were able to show our determination to go for the second and third goals."

(How did you plan to enter the game, considering that Yokohama F･Marinos had made significant changes to their members?)
"We had expected to some extent that the opposing team would change their members. I'm grateful to the analyst for that. Rather than the opponent, we focused on passing the ball around and being conscious of shooting, and that was something we all discussed before the match. The coach also said, 'We lost last time, but we saw a lot of good things in the game.' It's frustrating for us to win and lose, but I think what we're doing is heading in the right direction, so I think that's something we can all share by producing results."

(The second half, when they were pushed back, was that a problem that this season had to address?)
"We were under pressure for a while in the second half, but the two central defenders had to stay within the width of the goal, and the defensive midfielders had to return firmly in front of the two central defenders when crosses were made. This has been an issue we have had to address this year, so I think everyone was very conscious of that."

(Although you conceded a goal, you made some good saves, such as saving a shot from Jan Matthäus. What about your reading of the game?)
"I think that the accumulated experience over the past two years has helped me to be able to do things without even thinking about it. I can switch my mind to something else without worrying about my poor plays during the match. I think that being able to fight calmly is a strength, and even if we concede a goal, I no longer panic, so I would like to help the team in this area by encouraging them."

(This marks his 600th appearance in the J1 League.)
"I didn't have any special feelings about today's game, since it was just a milestone for me. But, doing my best for the team is something I've always valued. I'm really glad that Atsuki Ito scored a great goal today and we won."

(With the way Nishikawa is playing now, can he aim even higher?)
"Protecting Urawa Reds' goal is a good kind of tension, and I don't think I can play a single game without being on edge. I think that tension has helped me grow as a player, so by feeling everyone's voices and gazes and playing with the awareness that I'm being watched, even if I have a little pain, it doesn't hurt during the game, and it feels like some kind of strength is being given to me, like magic. Over 40,000 people came today, so I want to get good results and increase that to a full house of 50,000."

(I think the best thing about playing 600 games in 20 years as a pro is that you haven't had any major absences, but what about your daily care?)
"I can't remember ever having a muscle injury, so I haven't had any injuries. I've always been careful about my hydration, and if it decreases, fatigue accumulates in the muscles and it can become dangerous. I learned this from watching Urawa Reds legend Abe Yuki for 10 years. Abe spent more time than others on care, and when I thought I was in danger, I would have a trainer touch my body to check how it felt, which has been something I've done for a long time. I think I've been able to do this for so long thanks to the people who have been with me."

(After the game, you were given a T-shirt.)
"The staff gave me a commemorative T-shirt. They're going to have a commemorative T-shirt coming out soon, so I wanted to show it off (laughs)."

(What made you not panic even when you conceded a goal?)
"Since Joao (Millet), the goalkeeper coach, came, my way of thinking has changed a little. Even if the score was 2-1, I thought that because the other team was pushing forward, it might create opportunities for us, and we actually had some chances. I think that by being able to think positively in that sort of mentality, goalkeepers in particular can calm everyone down and lead to good attacks, so my way of thinking has changed quite a bit."

(Looking back on those 600 games, is there anything you'd like to say back then?)
"When I made my debut, we also faced Yokohama F･Marinos, and exactly one year ago we won the ACL (AFC Champions League). The weather was very similar, with strong winds, but we still managed to win, so it's a fond memory. Before the match today, I watched the video of when we won the ACL, and no matter how many times I watch it, I get goosebumps. I want to go back to that place and win the ACL again. That's why I sent a message to the F. Marinos players saying, 'Good luck in the ACL!' Also, the opposing goalkeeper, Pope (William), was playing for Oita Trinita when I played my 500th match. When Pope mentioned that to me, I said, 'Oh, that's right! We're destined to be together.' I hope they do their best in the ACL."

(What is the best part about being a goalkeeper?)
"I think it's a position where you can change the flow of the game, and when we lose, you get a lot of criticism, but that makes it very rewarding. The joy I feel when my play leads to the team winning, or when I think throughout the 90 minutes, 'That play was what helped us win,' is incredible. I think how I play determines whether I can make the people who come to watch smile or not, so that's a rewarding feeling that I can't get any older."

(You are now the third player in history to have played 600 J1 matches, the other two being Seigo Narasaki and Yasuhito Endo. What about those two and yourself beyond that?)
"My ideal is to play for as long as possible. In addition, what I envision most is to present the team with many victories. I want to continue to produce visible results, and I believe that the fans and supporters are always looking forward to winning titles and cheering us on, so I feel that I need to do my best in the responsibility that has been given to me."

What else do you value besides results?
"More than any records, I want to be a player who will remain in everyone's memory when I Shusaku Nishikawa. I don't know how that will remain in everyone's minds, but I want to be remembered in some positive way, like as a champion or as a goalkeeper with distinctive features."

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