NEWS

Matsuo: "There's no need to respect the other team too much. We can do better."

On the 17th local time, after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group Stage MD1 match against CA River Plate (Argentina), Yusuke Matsuo, who scored the penalty kick, looked back on today's Trial.

(Looking back on the whole Trial)
"It was a close call, but I think we had a chance to win."

What is your aim before entering Trial?
"We had prepared countermeasures against our opponents, but we struggled to execute them for about the first 20 minutes of the first half. After that, we were able to control the game a little better, and just when we were gradually getting into our own rhythm, we conceded the second goal, which was painful. However, this is a sport where mistakes are made, so I feel like we didn't have the power to make up for it."

(Even though you lost, were there any mistakes you were able to correct?)
"Gradually, especially in the second half, we were able to control the game and create chances, and I think there were moments that gave us confidence that we can do it."

(About the penalty kick that led to the goal)
"It was probably the first time in my professional career that I did this, but I had trained a lot and I think I was able to approach it very calmly. I think it was good that I was able to take the penalty kick with a sense of responsibility, knowing that it had been awarded to me."

(The opposing player had received a warning before the penalty kick was taken. Did that upset you?)
"That moment actually helped me calm down, so I think it was a good moment."

(What did you learn from today's Trial and what do you need to work on?)
"I don't think we need to show too much respect to our opponents, and if we can play with the same enthusiasm we normally do in Trial, I think we can do better."

(The match against Inter Milan will be held in three days. What improvements do you want to make to prepare for the match?)
"I think it's very important to switch gears and recover first."

What is the biggest challenge in today's Trial?
"I think we had some problems with control in the first 20 minutes."

What was the atmosphere like in the stadium?
"There were a lot of fans and supporters there, but we could have communicated a little better."

(The reason it took so long for you to be able to play as you normally do? Was it because there were many things you couldn't understand until you actually played against your opponent?)
"That was one reason, and the other team also put a lot of pressure on us early on. The bounce of the ball on the pitch was a little different, so I think that's why it took us a while to adapt."

(At the penalty kick scene, he went to get the ball himself, but had the kicker been decided before Trial?)
"It was decided."

(There were some awkward moments due to skirmishes and such, but what was the overall situation like leading up to the kick, including the decision on the course?)
"I hadn't decided which direction to kick until I was about to kick. I was thinking that if the goalkeeper moved quickly, I would kick in the opposite direction, and I was determined to do exactly what I had learned in training."

(I think the score became 1-2 when you scored the penalty kick, and the chances increased.)
"In that sense, it was a very serious penalty, but I think I was able to stay calm and take it firmly."

(When were you told that you would be the penalty taker?)
"If there was a penalty kick in the J-League, I would have been the one to take it, but the opportunity never came."

(Did you do a lot of PK training?)
"I wouldn't say 10, but I took about seven kicks after the set-piece training, so I think it was good that I had many opportunities to do so."

(Did you regularly train for PKs?)
"I started kicking midway through the season and started training."

(I think Matsuo's move was effective, but how effective do you think your aim was?)
"It's been a while since I last played on the wing, but I think I was able to show my strengths better in today's Trial."

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[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]

Matsuo: "There's no need to respect the other team too much. We can do better."

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