On the 22nd, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 19 match against Kashima Antlers [NIKE FOOTBALL x URAWA REDS 20th Anniversary Match], Hidetoshi Takeda spoke about his thoughts on scoring two goals, including his first in the J1 league.

(What did you keep in mind when coming on as a substitute?)
"Our goal was to win, to turn the game around, and to score. To achieve that, we had to send in a lot of crosses. Since I was on the left wing, I was conscious of delivering the ball in front of the goal."

What did the director say to you?
"It was my first time playing on the left wing, so I was told what my relationship with (Ohata) Ayumu would be."

(But did he score the first goal right after coming on?)
"When (Ito) Atsuki broke away, I thought I was a little late in getting in, but I knew Atsuki would be able to turn around and get back in front, so I'm glad I trusted him and ran."

(What were you thinking about when you took the free kick for the second goal?)
"We were losing and it was that time, so when I took my run-up I was unsure whether to take a shot or send in a cross, and when I looked at the goalkeeper I thought 'he's moving forward,' so I took a chance and went for it, knowing that the goalkeeper wouldn't go for it."

(Was it your intention to make it bounce once?)
"I wasn't aiming for a one-bounce ball, but I was conscious of kicking a fast and strong ball next to the post, and it went where I wanted it to."

(What about the mentality to be able to kick the ball to that course?)
"There was a scene like that at the end of the YBC Levain Cup match against V-Varen Nagasaki, and the goalkeeper caught it. I regretted not aiming for it, so this time I decided to go for it and take the kick."

(I think it takes a lot of courage to take that free kick when you're losing by one point, but did you have that kind of confidence?)
"Of course I was confident in my kick. I thought I could score, but it was a game of strategy depending on how much the goalkeeper was aiming for the cross. I took the kick with the resolve that if I scored it would be lucky, but if he read my plan it would be the worst. I didn't look at the goal until the very end, so as not to let the opponent suspect it."

(Maybe this goal will boost his confidence even more?)
"Through the daily practice, I'm beginning to feel like I can do it on my own."

(I think he must have felt frustrated at first when he wasn't involved in the games, but I think he's now showing his strengths because he didn't waste time like that.)
"Thanks to the staff, players and my family around me, I was able to train every day for myself and how I could contribute to the team without giving up, and I think that was great."

(Who inspires you?)
"I think the biggest reason I'm able to do my best now is thanks to my teammates, such as Nobu-Yota Horiuchi (Coach Nobuyasu Ikeda) and Sako-san (Coach Masato Maesako), who train with me on my own, as well as Yota Sato, who continue to train with me even after their training is over."

(You're known for assisting, but what about your third goal in an official match?)
"My strong point is my kicking, so I hope I can make better use of it, whether it's for assists or goals."

(Is this your first goal in the J1 League?)
"It would have been best if I could have helped the team win."

(There are a lot of injured players on the team right now, and we have a series of games coming up, so I think the team will need the power of the sub players.)
"There are various team situations, but no matter who plays, the most important thing is to win the game, not the content of the game. I want the whole team to be aware of that and prepare well and fight. And I also want to be able to contribute to the team."

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