NEWS
Sakai "I want to move forward together with everyone, including the fans and supporters."
On the 18th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League round 1 match against FC Tokyo, Hiroki Sakai spoke about the match, the support from fans and supporters, and his enthusiasm for the future.
(I saw him limping after being substituted?)
"I was injured at the time. But I was able to do it to a certain extent today, which is a positive thing, so I think I'll be in better condition for the next game. It's all about making it in time, and although we didn't get the result everyone wanted, FC Tokyo was a big opponent, and in the world of competition, the outcome is up to us. But, like in the first half, I think we showed the minimum amount of strength to fight and move forward as one. In the end, it all comes down to the quality of each individual. I think we had a decent attitude as a team in the first half. However, we didn't get the results we wanted, so I need to reflect on the fact that we weren't able to celebrate with the fans and supporters who came to play, or with the team."
How was it fighting as captain?
"What we have to do hasn't changed at all, and just like last year, we will put everything into winning. There are many other players who are candidates for captaincy, so we will all work together to build the team."
(How did you feel about being able to shout out in unison with everyone in the audience for the first time in three years?)
"I was shaking when I went to greet them for the first time, and I had the same conversation with (Alexander) Scholz. We had talked about how normal life was returning, and it was very disappointing that so many fans and supporters came and we weren't able to have them leave the stadium with smiles on their faces. The players feel more responsible and regretful than the fans and supporters do. I hope that you will continue to support us next time, and we want to get everyone involved, including the fans and supporters, and move forward together, so we want to show that with our attitude."
(What do you think was the reason for the fact that you were often ripped off defensively and were unable to keep possession of the ball in the second half?)
"In the first half, there were parts we were aiming for and parts we were able to get. In the second half, there were some scenes where we were aiming for but unfortunately the ball went to the other side. As for the first goal, it was a combination of a number of small mistakes on our part. In the end, it was an own goal, but there were several reasons that led to it being an own goal, so I think we need to investigate those."
(The result was 0-2, but did you feel anything when you saw the fans and supporters applauding after the match?)
"They have supported us and there is a lot we have to give them. As I said before, we want to move forward as a team, including our fans and supporters, as Urawa Reds, and we want to give them three points as soon as possible. We want to give them a better game."
(The moment he received the yellow card was a moment that showed his determination to win the opening match and his fighting spirit.)
"It's important not to get a yellow card, and for me it was just a part of my communication with the referee, so I'm still not happy about getting a yellow card, but we had a thorough discussion at the end of halftime, so it's not like I was protesting. However, we both wanted to move forward together, acknowledging the situation, and I think there was a misunderstanding there."
Is that because he became captain?
"No, I've been doing it since last year."
(There was a scene where it would have been ok for Higashi Keigo to receive a second yellow card, wasn't there?)
"We spoke about that in detail, but it's the first match, and not only the players but also the referees and the people in the venue are tense, and we're not machines, so we want to respect that and move forward."
(Did you talk to Yuto Nagatomo?)
"I spoke briefly with him before the match. He has only just joined the team, so I'm glad he wasn't in the starting lineup. It's inspiring to see a player who I've fought alongside for so long playing in the J.League again, and it makes me happy too. I want us to continue improving together."
(What do you want to improve in preparation for the next match against Yokohama F･Marinos?)
"I haven't been doing team training, so I think there's nothing I can do but improve. From here on, I want to give back to the team, and it's good to see (Takahiro) Akimoto doing well in the unfamiliar right-back position, but I want to improve my own condition so that I can let my juniors play in their own positions."
Further comments and match photos can be viewed by site members.
■ Site Membership (330 yen/month/tax included) is here → https://sp.urawa-reds.co.jp/
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[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
(I saw him limping after being substituted?)
"I was injured at the time. But I was able to do it to a certain extent today, which is a positive thing, so I think I'll be in better condition for the next game. It's all about making it in time, and although we didn't get the result everyone wanted, FC Tokyo was a big opponent, and in the world of competition, the outcome is up to us. But, like in the first half, I think we showed the minimum amount of strength to fight and move forward as one. In the end, it all comes down to the quality of each individual. I think we had a decent attitude as a team in the first half. However, we didn't get the results we wanted, so I need to reflect on the fact that we weren't able to celebrate with the fans and supporters who came to play, or with the team."
How was it fighting as captain?
"What we have to do hasn't changed at all, and just like last year, we will put everything into winning. There are many other players who are candidates for captaincy, so we will all work together to build the team."
(How did you feel about being able to shout out in unison with everyone in the audience for the first time in three years?)
"I was shaking when I went to greet them for the first time, and I had the same conversation with (Alexander) Scholz. We had talked about how normal life was returning, and it was very disappointing that so many fans and supporters came and we weren't able to have them leave the stadium with smiles on their faces. The players feel more responsible and regretful than the fans and supporters do. I hope that you will continue to support us next time, and we want to get everyone involved, including the fans and supporters, and move forward together, so we want to show that with our attitude."
(What do you think was the reason for the fact that you were often ripped off defensively and were unable to keep possession of the ball in the second half?)
"In the first half, there were parts we were aiming for and parts we were able to get. In the second half, there were some scenes where we were aiming for but unfortunately the ball went to the other side. As for the first goal, it was a combination of a number of small mistakes on our part. In the end, it was an own goal, but there were several reasons that led to it being an own goal, so I think we need to investigate those."
(The result was 0-2, but did you feel anything when you saw the fans and supporters applauding after the match?)
"They have supported us and there is a lot we have to give them. As I said before, we want to move forward as a team, including our fans and supporters, as Urawa Reds, and we want to give them three points as soon as possible. We want to give them a better game."
(The moment he received the yellow card was a moment that showed his determination to win the opening match and his fighting spirit.)
"It's important not to get a yellow card, and for me it was just a part of my communication with the referee, so I'm still not happy about getting a yellow card, but we had a thorough discussion at the end of halftime, so it's not like I was protesting. However, we both wanted to move forward together, acknowledging the situation, and I think there was a misunderstanding there."
Is that because he became captain?
"No, I've been doing it since last year."
(There was a scene where it would have been ok for Higashi Keigo to receive a second yellow card, wasn't there?)
"We spoke about that in detail, but it's the first match, and not only the players but also the referees and the people in the venue are tense, and we're not machines, so we want to respect that and move forward."
(Did you talk to Yuto Nagatomo?)
"I spoke briefly with him before the match. He has only just joined the team, so I'm glad he wasn't in the starting lineup. It's inspiring to see a player who I've fought alongside for so long playing in the J.League again, and it makes me happy too. I want us to continue improving together."
(What do you want to improve in preparation for the next match against Yokohama F･Marinos?)
"I haven't been doing team training, so I think there's nothing I can do but improve. From here on, I want to give back to the team, and it's good to see (Takahiro) Akimoto doing well in the unfamiliar right-back position, but I want to improve my own condition so that I can let my juniors play in their own positions."
Further comments and match photos can be viewed by site members.
■ Site Membership (330 yen/month/tax included) is here → https://sp.urawa-reds.co.jp/
*REX CLUB LOYALTY members can use the service free of charge.
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
