"The difference is individual strength and core" Reo Kokubo Brian talks about his days spent with a prestigious team in Portugal
Japan's soccer world is remarkably active among the younger generation. Goalkeeper Reo Kokubo Bryan is steadily improving his skills in Benfica, one of the strong teams in Portugal. In January 2019, Kokubo left Kashiwa Reysol Youth for a foreign land. We interviewed Kokubo, who is seizing opportunities such as registering as a player in the UEFA Youth League and participating in training with top players.
Junichi Swan
|
2019/10/24
——Last season was your first time playing for an overseas club. What kind of feelings did you have? Did anything surprise you?
Kokubo:In Portugal, everyone in the city loves football and is full of love. In Japan, sumo is the national sport, and I think it is loved by many people, but I felt that there was more to it than that.
In terms of soccer, the speed of passing and shooting is completely different from Japan, and above all, I was surprised by the fact that Japanese players can shoot from a distance that Japanese players never shoot.
Although there are some differences from Japan, I am really glad that I came to Benfica because I am able to play here in a favorable environment.
——Kokubo, please tell us if there are any issues that you are currently facing in terms of playing, or if you have any feedback.
Kokubo:Are you good at build-ups and highballs? Actually, I was a forward all the time until I joined Kashiwa Reysol Junior Youth in my first year of junior high school.
Because of that, I like passing passes to teammates and playing with my feet.On the other hand, what I think is a problem is situational judgment. I think we need to improve, especially when it comes to jumping out and covering the space behind it.
——Surprisingly, you have just switched to GK, but how do you feel about catching?
Kokubo:At Benfica, the shots we take in practice are also fast, so we are becoming more and more aware of catching. There was a time when I was not good at it, but now it's becoming my selling point.
——You haven't played in Portugal yet, but are you communicating well with your teammates?
Kokubo:To be honest, I still feel the "language barrier". Originally in Japan, I was actively coaching while talking with my teammates. But now, we use the board at halftime and communicate in broken words.
——What image do European teams have of Japanese goalkeepers?
Kokubo:I think it's probably an image that the feed can be kicked accurately and the play is stable. Foreign players make difficult passes, which can lead to mistakes. However, it's not necessarily a bad thing because there are points that can be scored only if you score a try.
——Kokubo, what is the biggest difference between Japanese players and foreign players?
Kokubo:It's physical strength and core. Many athletes in Europe do strength training at least 2-3 times a week. In the bench press, there are some players who calmly lift about twice as much weight as Japanese players, so I think there is a difference.
——In terms of food, was there any difference from overseas?
Kokubo:Foreign players eat 5-6 meals a day. I felt the difference in that I ate a small amount in small portions rather than the amount I ate.
——This season will be the first time for you to start the season as a member of Benfica.
In 2017, I participated in the Arkas International Cup (Qatar) as a member of Kashiwa Reysol U-18.
——At the Arcas International Cup, they were the runner-up after defeating many European powerhouses, including Real Madrid. What are your impressions of the European teams?
Kokubo:I thought European teams tended to be more 'personal power' than tactical.
For example, let's say that one player slips out of a difficult time when the opposing team is in control of the ball, falls down like a simulation, and receives a foul. It's certainly a "bad" play, but it's a big help for the team.
In Japan, there is a tendency to value "harmony", so it is difficult to recognize it as a "team play", but overseas it is properly recognized. I think there is such a difference.
——As a goalkeeper, Kokubo, I think there are times when you have to face such a close-up simulation...?
Kokubo:When your team is losing, if the other team's players come to the simulation, I think you'll be stressed inside.
In such a case, I, as the goalkeeper, will first tell my teammates to "calm down!"
——At the Arcas International Cup, you played against your current team, Benfica.
Kokubo:The match against Benfica was a tough match where we were forced into our own half. In the end, we won on the counter, but all the Reysol players wanted to win by controlling the ball.
There were many scenes where Benfica's fast passes gave us trouble, and there were many scenes where our combinations were destroyed.
——What are your days like at Benfica?
Kokubo:Currently, I belong to the U-23 team. I usually practice with Benfica's B team, and a few times a month I get to practice with the top team.
——How many goalkeepers are there in your team?
Kokubo:The B team has 2 GKs and the A team has 3. As a member of the U-23 team, I would say that I am the 6th or 7th player counting from the regular goalkeeper. I'm the tallest. (smile)
——Next, I would like to ask about the equipment that supports Kokubo's play.
——Mr. Kokubo, what points do you emphasize when choosing spikes?
Kokubo:Emphasis is placed on the fit to the foot and the sense of stability when kicking. So, if anything, I like shoes with narrow feet and slim silhouettes.
The PUMA Evospeed shoes that I wore in high school and the Future shoes that I am currently wearing are really easy to wear.
——Next, I would like to ask you about the globe. Where is the emphasis?
Kokubo:Is it the fit and the tightness of the instep? I like gloves that are stable without slippage.
——It seems that the Portuguese league uses the official ball made by Nike. How is the affinity with a ball and the lawn?
Kokubo:I think it goes well with spikes and gloves. In terms of the difference from Japan, the grass in Portugal is longer than in Japan, so I practice with mixed soles.
It's easy to get tired if the grass is long, but it's good that the ball is slippery and you won't feel pain even if you play hard.
——Do you have any additional requests for spikes or gloves?
Kokubo:I like both the spikes and the gloves and use them.
The pitch in Portugal is very wet. By the end of my practice, my shoes are soaked with water, so I bring 3 pairs of mixed soles and 1 pair of regular spikes for a total of 4 pairs for each practice.
So, I sometimes feel that it would be nice if that area became easier.
——With less than a year left until the Tokyo Olympics, what do you think about your future goals and career?
Kokubo:At my age, I can participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but I definitely want to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, which will be held in my country. The Olympics are also encouraging in my daily practice.
As a professional player, I would like to play at Benfica first, then return to the J.
Kokubo is steadily improving his skills in a foreign land, Portugal. Further progress is noted.
Kokubo:In Portugal, everyone in the city loves football and is full of love. In Japan, sumo is the national sport, and I think it is loved by many people, but I felt that there was more to it than that.
In terms of soccer, the speed of passing and shooting is completely different from Japan, and above all, I was surprised by the fact that Japanese players can shoot from a distance that Japanese players never shoot.
Although there are some differences from Japan, I am really glad that I came to Benfica because I am able to play here in a favorable environment.
——Kokubo, please tell us if there are any issues that you are currently facing in terms of playing, or if you have any feedback.
Kokubo:Are you good at build-ups and highballs? Actually, I was a forward all the time until I joined Kashiwa Reysol Junior Youth in my first year of junior high school.
Because of that, I like passing passes to teammates and playing with my feet.On the other hand, what I think is a problem is situational judgment. I think we need to improve, especially when it comes to jumping out and covering the space behind it.
——Surprisingly, you have just switched to GK, but how do you feel about catching?
Kokubo:At Benfica, the shots we take in practice are also fast, so we are becoming more and more aware of catching. There was a time when I was not good at it, but now it's becoming my selling point.
——You haven't played in Portugal yet, but are you communicating well with your teammates?
Kokubo:To be honest, I still feel the "language barrier". Originally in Japan, I was actively coaching while talking with my teammates. But now, we use the board at halftime and communicate in broken words.
——What image do European teams have of Japanese goalkeepers?
Kokubo:I think it's probably an image that the feed can be kicked accurately and the play is stable. Foreign players make difficult passes, which can lead to mistakes. However, it's not necessarily a bad thing because there are points that can be scored only if you score a try.
——Kokubo, what is the biggest difference between Japanese players and foreign players?
Kokubo:It's physical strength and core. Many athletes in Europe do strength training at least 2-3 times a week. In the bench press, there are some players who calmly lift about twice as much weight as Japanese players, so I think there is a difference.
——In terms of food, was there any difference from overseas?
Kokubo:Foreign players eat 5-6 meals a day. I felt the difference in that I ate a small amount in small portions rather than the amount I ate.
——This season will be the first time for you to start the season as a member of Benfica.
In 2017, I participated in the Arkas International Cup (Qatar) as a member of Kashiwa Reysol U-18.
——At the Arcas International Cup, they were the runner-up after defeating many European powerhouses, including Real Madrid. What are your impressions of the European teams?
Kokubo:I thought European teams tended to be more 'personal power' than tactical.
For example, let's say that one player slips out of a difficult time when the opposing team is in control of the ball, falls down like a simulation, and receives a foul. It's certainly a "bad" play, but it's a big help for the team.
In Japan, there is a tendency to value "harmony", so it is difficult to recognize it as a "team play", but overseas it is properly recognized. I think there is such a difference.
——As a goalkeeper, Kokubo, I think there are times when you have to face such a close-up simulation...?
Kokubo:When your team is losing, if the other team's players come to the simulation, I think you'll be stressed inside.
In such a case, I, as the goalkeeper, will first tell my teammates to "calm down!"
——At the Arcas International Cup, you played against your current team, Benfica.
Kokubo:The match against Benfica was a tough match where we were forced into our own half. In the end, we won on the counter, but all the Reysol players wanted to win by controlling the ball.
There were many scenes where Benfica's fast passes gave us trouble, and there were many scenes where our combinations were destroyed.
——What are your days like at Benfica?
Kokubo:Currently, I belong to the U-23 team. I usually practice with Benfica's B team, and a few times a month I get to practice with the top team.
——How many goalkeepers are there in your team?
Kokubo:The B team has 2 GKs and the A team has 3. As a member of the U-23 team, I would say that I am the 6th or 7th player counting from the regular goalkeeper. I'm the tallest. (smile)
——Next, I would like to ask about the equipment that supports Kokubo's play.
——Mr. Kokubo, what points do you emphasize when choosing spikes?
Kokubo:Emphasis is placed on the fit to the foot and the sense of stability when kicking. So, if anything, I like shoes with narrow feet and slim silhouettes.
The PUMA Evospeed shoes that I wore in high school and the Future shoes that I am currently wearing are really easy to wear.
——Next, I would like to ask you about the globe. Where is the emphasis?
Kokubo:Is it the fit and the tightness of the instep? I like gloves that are stable without slippage.
——It seems that the Portuguese league uses the official ball made by Nike. How is the affinity with a ball and the lawn?
Kokubo:I think it goes well with spikes and gloves. In terms of the difference from Japan, the grass in Portugal is longer than in Japan, so I practice with mixed soles.
It's easy to get tired if the grass is long, but it's good that the ball is slippery and you won't feel pain even if you play hard.
——Do you have any additional requests for spikes or gloves?
Kokubo:I like both the spikes and the gloves and use them.
The pitch in Portugal is very wet. By the end of my practice, my shoes are soaked with water, so I bring 3 pairs of mixed soles and 1 pair of regular spikes for a total of 4 pairs for each practice.
So, I sometimes feel that it would be nice if that area became easier.
——With less than a year left until the Tokyo Olympics, what do you think about your future goals and career?
Kokubo:At my age, I can participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but I definitely want to participate in the Tokyo Olympics, which will be held in my country. The Olympics are also encouraging in my daily practice.
As a professional player, I would like to play at Benfica first, then return to the J.
Kokubo is steadily improving his skills in a foreign land, Portugal. Further progress is noted.
