NEWS
Nita: "I need to switch gears and move forward."
On the 20th, after the Meiji Yasuda J1 League 24th round match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo [MATCH PARTNER Polas Group], Rio Nitta, who scored his first J1 League goal, looked back on today's match.
"At first, it seemed like we were going to play as a two-man front line, but after we conceded a goal, we decided to switch back and I moved to the right wing. No matter where I was, what I had to do remained the same - run, get behind the defense and show off my strengths, so I was always conscious of aiming for the goal.
We attacked as a team at that time, and although it was tough at the end, we aimed for the goal and had many chances to score. If we had scored one or two more goals there, I think the result would have been different, so in the next game, although I don't know what the situation will be, I think we need to be conscious of how we finish the game.
(What about the points?)
"I wasn't even thinking about crossing or anything like that, I was only thinking about taking the shot. I just wanted to get the ball into the goal and shoot, so I'm glad it went in a good direction. But for me, if I had scored at that time in the first header, the result might have been completely different, so it makes me really frustrated. The players around me were telling me to 'switch gears' and I thought that I shouldn't let that drag me down and cause me to play poorly later on, so I'm glad I was able to switch gears and score a goal. But I think that a point in a situation like that is very important, so from next time onwards I want to be more conscious of that during practice, including the aspect of feeling."
(You scored your first J1 goal in your debut match at Saitama Stadium?)
"Personally and in terms of the flow of the game, I wanted to turn things around. I'm very disappointed that we fell just short of that goal, but we have the next game, and we have a match against Newcastle United during the break. Today's result was like this, but we need to switch gears and move forward, so I hope we can create a good atmosphere together and do our best."
(After the four substitutions, rather than aiming for a specific spot tactically, each player worked hard to beat the opponent in front of them, which I think showed his toughness.)
"The players who were in the starting lineup in the first half did a great job, so I think the opposing defenders were a little tired physically. At times like that, I wanted to do things that bothered the opponents, so I think I was able to use my speed, my ability to get behind the defense, my one-on-one attacks, and my ability to get in front of the goal to do things that bothered the opponents."
(There was a huge booing when you greeted the crowd behind the goal. How did that make you feel?)
"Their passionate support is for us, so I think it's ok to be booed. I think the only way to show it is through results, so I'll keep practicing and working hard every day to win, and I hope to win the next game and put a smile on people's faces."
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)]
"At first, it seemed like we were going to play as a two-man front line, but after we conceded a goal, we decided to switch back and I moved to the right wing. No matter where I was, what I had to do remained the same - run, get behind the defense and show off my strengths, so I was always conscious of aiming for the goal.
We attacked as a team at that time, and although it was tough at the end, we aimed for the goal and had many chances to score. If we had scored one or two more goals there, I think the result would have been different, so in the next game, although I don't know what the situation will be, I think we need to be conscious of how we finish the game.
(What about the points?)
"I wasn't even thinking about crossing or anything like that, I was only thinking about taking the shot. I just wanted to get the ball into the goal and shoot, so I'm glad it went in a good direction. But for me, if I had scored at that time in the first header, the result might have been completely different, so it makes me really frustrated. The players around me were telling me to 'switch gears' and I thought that I shouldn't let that drag me down and cause me to play poorly later on, so I'm glad I was able to switch gears and score a goal. But I think that a point in a situation like that is very important, so from next time onwards I want to be more conscious of that during practice, including the aspect of feeling."
(You scored your first J1 goal in your debut match at Saitama Stadium?)
"Personally and in terms of the flow of the game, I wanted to turn things around. I'm very disappointed that we fell just short of that goal, but we have the next game, and we have a match against Newcastle United during the break. Today's result was like this, but we need to switch gears and move forward, so I hope we can create a good atmosphere together and do our best."
(After the four substitutions, rather than aiming for a specific spot tactically, each player worked hard to beat the opponent in front of them, which I think showed his toughness.)
"The players who were in the starting lineup in the first half did a great job, so I think the opposing defenders were a little tired physically. At times like that, I wanted to do things that bothered the opponents, so I think I was able to use my speed, my ability to get behind the defense, my one-on-one attacks, and my ability to get in front of the goal to do things that bothered the opponents."
(There was a huge booing when you greeted the crowd behind the goal. How did that make you feel?)
"Their passionate support is for us, so I think it's ok to be booed. I think the only way to show it is through results, so I'll keep practicing and working hard every day to win, and I hope to win the next game and put a smile on people's faces."
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)]
