Yoko Tanaka's struggles in Spain Vol.3: Thoughts on the Tokyo Olympics
Yoko Tanaka transferred to Sporting Huelva in the Spanish women's first division this summer. She has been playing hard since the opening game of the league, which began in September. We spoke to her about a wide range of topics, including why she decided to transfer overseas and her preferences for cleats.
Koike Kikuchi
|
2019/11/12
Vol.1 from here
Vol.2 from here
--Nadeshiko Japan made it to the best 16 in the last World Cup. There are calls for the team to go professional. What do you think about that?
Tanaka：I think it's okay to play while working. I was happy with that, but wouldn't it be tough if you became a professional and ended up earning less than when you were working? I wonder what would be best. It's really difficult.
--But working from 9am to 6pm or 7pm is tough, isn't it? You get tired before practice. So working like Nojima is the best, right?
Tanaka: I think it would definitely be tough to work full time and play soccer at the same time.
-- It would be great if more teams had a system like Nojima. Other players besides Tanaka also work at Nojima, right?
Tanaka: Yes, many of our players work at Nojima stores. They work in customer service.
--Now, let's talk about your gear. You're currently under contract with Adidas. What brand of cleats did you use before?
Tanaka: I wore Adidas when I was in elementary school, and at the academy in middle and high school. I've had a contract with Adidas ever since.
-Why did you wear Adidas even when you were in elementary school?
Tanaka：Come to think of it, the first spikes I had were from Lotto. Yamaguchi's team was from Lotto. Adidas looks good and they sell a lot.
--What is your biggest priority when choosing spikes?
Tanaka：I have small feet, so I can't choose the size that much. I wear shoes that come in different sizes. I like shoes like Gloro (the name of an Adidas spike model) because they're not overly fashionable.
I like plain black leather shoes. I like basic and simple shoes, so I don't really like ankle-high spikes. I want to keep my ankles free.
To sum up, I like old-fashioned spikes.
-Any other things you're particular about besides cleats?
Tanaka：I picked out my outfit for today myself. I tend to prefer simple clothes. Also, I use a bed from Magniflex. I can sleep really comfortably on it.
I pay attention to sleep and food. At Nojima, catering is provided at the clubhouse after practice, so after practice, I take a shower and eat. I eat my own breakfast and lunch.
--Do you have any particular preference for your uniform number? At Nojima you wore number 8. (At your current team, Huelva, you wear number 18.)
Tanaka：Nothing in particular, but I like even numbers. I like the soft feel of them.
--What worries do you have about going to Spain?
Tanaka：I like pickled plums, so I'll miss Japanese food. Also, in Japan you can lie down on the floor. You can't do that in Spain, so I guess it's just a matter of getting used to it.
But for now, it's all about the words. If you can speak, you'll be recognized for it. The thing I'm most worried about is the words.
--Have you been to Spain several times?
TanakaI went to Spain to play in Barcelona with Aynac, and to a tournament called La Manga with the Japanese national team.
--So it's not an unknown country to you. Lastly, please tell us your thoughts on the Tokyo Olympics.
Tanaka: At the Olympics, everyone gets really excited and cheers on the team, and it's a battle between countries. And it's being held in Tokyo, so I definitely want to be a member. Definitely!
I think there will be a big difference between participating in the Tokyo Olympics and not participating. In order to participate, it is very important that I perform well this year.
Tanaka shared a little bit about his current situation with us (see below).
--It's been about two months since you arrived in Spain. How is it playing overseas for the first time?
Tanaka：At first, I struggled to get used to the language and the feeling of playing was different from Japan. It was also difficult to adjust my condition, and there were times when I couldn't play as I wanted in the games.
Recently, I'm gradually getting used to it and am starting to be able to play my own game.
--Please tell us what you have gained and what challenges you have faced in the past two months.
Tanaka：My team is more about quick attacks than possession, so I feel it's important to know how to get involved with the ball and get to the goal even when the opponent is physically strong.
It would be best if I can produce solid results there, so I will aim to score goals aggressively in every game.
())
Photo: Kohei Kikuchi
Vol.2 from here
--Nadeshiko Japan made it to the best 16 in the last World Cup. There are calls for the team to go professional. What do you think about that?
Tanaka：I think it's okay to play while working. I was happy with that, but wouldn't it be tough if you became a professional and ended up earning less than when you were working? I wonder what would be best. It's really difficult.
--But working from 9am to 6pm or 7pm is tough, isn't it? You get tired before practice. So working like Nojima is the best, right?
Tanaka: I think it would definitely be tough to work full time and play soccer at the same time.
-- It would be great if more teams had a system like Nojima. Other players besides Tanaka also work at Nojima, right?
Tanaka: Yes, many of our players work at Nojima stores. They work in customer service.
--Now, let's talk about your gear. You're currently under contract with Adidas. What brand of cleats did you use before?
Tanaka: I wore Adidas when I was in elementary school, and at the academy in middle and high school. I've had a contract with Adidas ever since.
-Why did you wear Adidas even when you were in elementary school?
Tanaka：Come to think of it, the first spikes I had were from Lotto. Yamaguchi's team was from Lotto. Adidas looks good and they sell a lot.
--What is your biggest priority when choosing spikes?
Tanaka：I have small feet, so I can't choose the size that much. I wear shoes that come in different sizes. I like shoes like Gloro (the name of an Adidas spike model) because they're not overly fashionable.
I like plain black leather shoes. I like basic and simple shoes, so I don't really like ankle-high spikes. I want to keep my ankles free.
To sum up, I like old-fashioned spikes.
-Any other things you're particular about besides cleats?
Tanaka：I picked out my outfit for today myself. I tend to prefer simple clothes. Also, I use a bed from Magniflex. I can sleep really comfortably on it.
I pay attention to sleep and food. At Nojima, catering is provided at the clubhouse after practice, so after practice, I take a shower and eat. I eat my own breakfast and lunch.
--Do you have any particular preference for your uniform number? At Nojima you wore number 8. (At your current team, Huelva, you wear number 18.)
Tanaka：Nothing in particular, but I like even numbers. I like the soft feel of them.
--What worries do you have about going to Spain?
Tanaka：I like pickled plums, so I'll miss Japanese food. Also, in Japan you can lie down on the floor. You can't do that in Spain, so I guess it's just a matter of getting used to it.
But for now, it's all about the words. If you can speak, you'll be recognized for it. The thing I'm most worried about is the words.
--Have you been to Spain several times?
TanakaI went to Spain to play in Barcelona with Aynac, and to a tournament called La Manga with the Japanese national team.
--So it's not an unknown country to you. Lastly, please tell us your thoughts on the Tokyo Olympics.
Tanaka: At the Olympics, everyone gets really excited and cheers on the team, and it's a battle between countries. And it's being held in Tokyo, so I definitely want to be a member. Definitely!
I think there will be a big difference between participating in the Tokyo Olympics and not participating. In order to participate, it is very important that I perform well this year.
Tanaka shared a little bit about his current situation with us (see below).
--It's been about two months since you arrived in Spain. How is it playing overseas for the first time?
Tanaka：At first, I struggled to get used to the language and the feeling of playing was different from Japan. It was also difficult to adjust my condition, and there were times when I couldn't play as I wanted in the games.
Recently, I'm gradually getting used to it and am starting to be able to play my own game.
--Please tell us what you have gained and what challenges you have faced in the past two months.
Tanaka：My team is more about quick attacks than possession, so I feel it's important to know how to get involved with the ball and get to the goal even when the opponent is physically strong.
It would be best if I can produce solid results there, so I will aim to score goals aggressively in every game.
())
Photo: Kohei Kikuchi
