"Our philosophy is to win every match": A talk session featuring Manchester City legends Paul Dickoff and Yasuhiro Hato has been realized.

 
Premier League champions Manchester City make their first visit to Japan! What are the impressions of Japan from three key players? 





――Has Paul Dickoff ever been to Japan? 

Paul Dickoff:This is my first time in Japan. Throughout this Asian tour, I've met Manchester City supporters everywhere, and I've been able to see firsthand the knowledge and passion of the fans in Japan. I'm so happy to see so many supporters here today.

—What are your impressions of Japan? I've heard that Japanese food is popular in the UK. Is that true?

Paul Dickoff:Japan is a wonderful country. I love sushi and sashimi. The other dishes are also delicious, and I've never been disappointed.

 --Now, we move on to a Q&A session where questions submitted in advance by fans were presented. Questions from enthusiastic fans were submitted.  



――Speaking of Paul Dickoff, 1999Two events held during the year seasonHe's the player who scored that dramatic goal in added time during the promotion playoff. Did you have an image of the goal in your mind even before you received the pass?

Paul Dickoff:I think it was "luck" that I was able to score a goal in that match 20 years ago.

The reason is that Manchester City were losing 2-0 until the very end of that match. First, they scored a goal to pull one back, and then they scored another in the five minutes of added time to tie the game.

This match was a huge moment for the club. If it weren't for that goal, I don't think I'd be in Japan today. If we hadn't secured promotion from the third division to the second division in this match, we'd still be in the third division.I think he remained in the club league.

I am very happy that I was able to succeed at a beloved club like Manchester City.  

 —What are your impressions of the current team, which is racking up wins in the Premier League?

Paul Dickoff:They've reached triple-digit points and won four trophies. I think they're a truly fantastic team. From the legendary manager Guardiola to the countless other great players, the list goes on and on. I hope they become an even better team next season.



 
――Next, we'll hear from Ms. Hato, who is also an ambassador for Yokohama F. Marinos.How do you feel about being able to compete against a powerhouse like Manchester City?

Hato:Manchester City is part of the same City Group as Yokohama F. Marinos and is one of Europe's top teams.

While Marinos is generally described as having an "attacking style" similar to City's, "attacking football" isn't just about passing the ball around. I want to see how far Marinos can go, including their emotional approach to the game.


 
--What are your thoughts on Yokohama F. Marinos' performance this season? 

Hato:The quality of the matches and the results are improving, and I feel like the team is becoming one that is truly committed to winning. There are many top players who came up through the youth system, and it's great to see local players working hard on the pitch.

In particular, captain Takuya Kida has overcome difficult times and played a key role as a central player. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does next.

—What are your thoughts on Marinos? 

Hato:I was struck by how most of the players said, "We want to show how far the football we've built up so far can take us."

Opportunities to play against some of the world's top teams are rare, and the players all said in unison, "As long as we're on the pitch, we're determined to win."



--I'd like to ask you both: What kind of goals should children have while enjoying soccer? 

Hato:In my case, I was motivated to work hard at soccer because I admired Maradona when I was little. I think having a dream like, "I want to become a player like that," can be a source of support during tough times and can also lead to sustained effort.

Paul Dickoff:The key is to practice as much as possible. Manchester City players are among the most rigorously trained players in the world.

The rest is just listening to your coach and doing your best every day. If you do that, I think you can succeed.

I don't think I was particularly talented, but I was able to build a 20-year career as an athlete. I believe I did my best.   



--Paul, what are your impressions of Japanese soccer? 

Paul Dickoff:Leicester, the team I played for during my active career, has Shinji Okazaki, and the Japanese national team is also doing well.

I spoke with some of the Marinos players, and they said they want to win the match. I think we can have a good game.

(The match went on to end with Manchester City winning 3-1.)



――What kind of football do you want spectators to see? 

Paul Dickoff:It's hard to narrow it down to just one player, but since this is the last match before the Premier League season starts, I think everyone will take it seriously. I'd say De Bruyne and David Silva are the ones to watch. Be sure to keep an eye on them.


Hato:Since I'll be doing commentary for the Premier League, I'll be watching Manchester City matches a lot. David Silva has already announced he'll be leaving at the end of this season, so I'm curious to see how he'll spend this season.  

――Three players belonging to Manchester CityI spoke with the players, and I could sense their determination to show a great performance, especially since it was their first time in Japan. What kind of match are you hoping to see, Mr. Hato? 


Hato:I hope Marinos will give it their all and see how much of what they've worked on they can do. They have nothing to lose, and it's a chance to showcase themselves to the world. It's truly enviable that they have a stage like this.

 ――This is a match that Manchester City definitely doesn't want to lose, right?

Paul Dickoff:City's philosophy is to win every game. Even after winning a game, we think about the next one. We always crave to be the best, so I think we're the best team in the world. That's why we play with all our might.



The event then continued with attractions such as a quiz competition about both teams with fantastic prizes, and a photo session, before concluding with great success.

Manchester City, aiming for their third consecutive Premier League title, and Yokohama F. Marinos, intently eyeing the J. League championship—we look forward to seeing both teams achieve even greater success.


Premier League champions Manchester City make their first visit to Japan! What are the impressions of Japan from three key players?