On the 7th, after the opening match of the 2026/27 season, the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Matchday 1 against Gamba Osaka, Takuro Kaneko, who scored a header that temporarily tied the score despite the loss, reflected on the new team's first official match.

"We had a good start, and scoring the opening goal was a result of the team's strategy, so I think we can be proud of that. We were down to ten men in the first half, but I think we were able to show our fighting spirit."

(What about the assist for the opening goal?)
"With Mr. Cho (Ki-jae) taking over as manager this season, the number of players getting inside the box has really increased. I feel like it's become easier to connect with crosses."

(Even when it was 1-on-2, they were aggressively attacking and creating chances, which seemed like a symbol of the team's forward-thinking mindset, didn't it?)
"At halftime, we made a correction to 'press forward in the second half.' We were able to do that, and I think we were mostly on the attack until we scored our third goal even though we were down to 10 men. But the fact that we still lost in the end shows that we still have a lot to work on."

(What about goals scored with a header?)
"I made eye contact with (Ryoma Watanabe), so I drew the opposing player to the far side once, and Ryoma put a good ball to the near side, so all I had to do was dive in."

(What about the scene where you shot from the right side and it hit the post?)
"Honestly, I thought it was going in, but the goalkeeper touched it and it hit the post, so I want to do my best to be able to score next time."

(With only 10 players, I think there was something about the game that appealed to the viewers that was different from an 11-on-11 Trial, but what about the mindset of the players themselves?)
"I think we were able to show that kind of attitude and spirit, but in this world, results are everything, so we have to win even if we're down to 10 men. In order to say that this match was 'good,' the next Trial will be really important. We'll do our best to secure three points at home."

(After taking the lead, the team seemed to lose some of its energy. What are your thoughts on the play after that?)
"Personally, I don't think some of the goals conceded were simply due to being down to 10 men. There were several situations where we could have defended, and some goals that we could have prevented. That's definitely our weakness, and something we need to improve."

(What are your thoughts on the season shifting to a summer start?)
"It was hot, but we couldn't let that stop us. There are ways to play even in hot weather, but I think we were able to move as a team better than I expected."

(What about measures to take against the heat?)
"We were training in Okinawa, so we were used to working in fairly hot conditions. Even after coming back, it didn't feel like it was 'extremely hot,' but when we came to Osaka, we did feel that it was hotter than Saitama."

(I think your play was sharp, but how do you feel about it?)
"There are challenges, but I want to continue this and make it even better so that the team can win."

(Having played many Trial for the Reds, it must have been a while since you'd been chanted by fans and supporters after Trial loss, right?)
"I think they see our attitude and feelings, but personally, I want to repay those who support us not with feelings or attitude, but with results. I'll keep that in mind, maintain this attitude, and work hard to repay them with results."

(We played a 70-minute Trial with 10 players, and even though we've been playing in hot weather, including the previous Trial against RB Omiya Ardija, we hardly saw any Reds players getting cramps. I think that shows they're well-prepared physically.)
"The pressing and running are tough, but we're also able to possess the ball, so I think that's why it's not too difficult. We can sense our own scoring opportunities even when the opponent has possession, so I hope we can continue to do that."

(Including the adjustments made in the second half, I felt that Coach Cho Kwi Jae 's style of football had taken hold in a short period of time.)
"Of course, we have to embody Coach Cho's style of football, and I think we are still a work in progress, so I believe we are getting better day by day, with each Trial. From here on, all we have to do is believe in ourselves and keep going."

[Urawa Reds Official Media]