Koki Anzai talks about why he went to Portugal vol.3 "The World Cup has been a dream since I was little and I definitely want to go out."
Japan national team Koki Anzai (24 years old) will play at Portimonense SC in the first division of Portugal from July 2019. He spent his upbringing years in Tokyo Verdy, played for Tokyo Verdy and Kashima Antlers as a professional soccer player, and has been selected as a representative of Japan since March 2019. This time, the final episode, he talked about his passion for participating in the World Cup.
Hidemi Sakuma
|
2020/02/14
Koki Anzai talks about why he went to Portugal vol.1
--- I've definitely stepped up since I became a professional player. When did you become aware of the Japanese national team and overseas transfers?
Anzai: When the pros were decided, I wasn't thinking about playing in J1, overseas, or national team. I was thinking, "I wish I could play the game first," but I think people are greedy (laughs).
I played in the starting lineup in the opening game of Verdy's first year, and I was able to play 41 games out of 42 games in the season, so I thought "maybe I can go to J1 or overseas", so I used the off period to West Ham (England) ) I tried to study abroad for a short time. "
-What did you get from Westham?
Anzai: Playing with Andy Carroll (New Castle), Alex Song (Zion), Mark Noble (West Ham) and others, I felt that there was a physical difference between adults and children, so I went to Japan. After returning, you started doing muscle training.
--Are there any players who you feel are rivals now?
Anzai: Yuma Suzuki (Sint-Truiden VV), who was a good friend in Kashima (laughs). I'm talking with Yuma, "Let's step up together." From the bottom of my heart, both I and Yuma think that we can play with a higher level team, so it would be great if we could play with the same team or match up as an opponent. Until then, I think I have to do my best.
--Are you particular about spikes?
Anzai: When the pros were decided, I wasn't thinking about playing in J1, overseas, or national team. I was thinking, "I wish I could play the game first," but I think people are greedy (laughs).
I played in the starting lineup in the opening game of Verdy's first year, and I was able to play 41 games out of 42 games in the season, so I thought "maybe I can go to J1 or overseas", so I used the off period to West Ham (England) ) I tried to study abroad for a short time. "
-What did you get from Westham?
Anzai: Playing with Andy Carroll (New Castle), Alex Song (Zion), Mark Noble (West Ham) and others, I felt that there was a physical difference between adults and children, so I went to Japan. After returning, you started doing muscle training.
--Are there any players who you feel are rivals now?
Anzai: Yuma Suzuki (Sint-Truiden VV), who was a good friend in Kashima (laughs). I'm talking with Yuma, "Let's step up together." From the bottom of my heart, both I and Yuma think that we can play with a higher level team, so it would be great if we could play with the same team or match up as an opponent. Until then, I think I have to do my best.
--Are you particular about spikes?
Anzai: I like Mizuno, and you wear a light and easy-to-move reviewer.
-Are you nervous before the match?
Anzai: I'm not nervous lately. I used to do it a long time ago, but after a lot of experience, I don't do much. In my first year as a pro, I was nervous like every game, and when I was a representative, I was nervous at first, but now I can play calmly. The representative is very exciting (laughs).
--Please tell us your thoughts on the Japan national team.
Anzai: You became the representative for the first time in March last year, and you were very surprised at the high quality of the people in the overseas group. I wonder if the same Japanese people have such a different sense of speed. I played against Bolivia and Colombia, and they were amazing too. In that sense, I thought, "I can't play in the starting lineup as a representative unless I go abroad," so I decided to play at Portimonense. I definitely want to take a starting lineup, and I think there are many things I have to study for that.
--- You mean looking ahead to the World Cup, right?
Anzai: That's right. The World Cup has been a dream since I was little, and I definitely want to go out, so I transferred overseas for that purpose, so I am doing it now with that goal. (End)
Match Photo / Portimonense SC
Interview photo / Hidemi Sakuma
-Are you nervous before the match?
Anzai: I'm not nervous lately. I used to do it a long time ago, but after a lot of experience, I don't do much. In my first year as a pro, I was nervous like every game, and when I was a representative, I was nervous at first, but now I can play calmly. The representative is very exciting (laughs).
--Please tell us your thoughts on the Japan national team.
Anzai: You became the representative for the first time in March last year, and you were very surprised at the high quality of the people in the overseas group. I wonder if the same Japanese people have such a different sense of speed. I played against Bolivia and Colombia, and they were amazing too. In that sense, I thought, "I can't play in the starting lineup as a representative unless I go abroad," so I decided to play at Portimonense. I definitely want to take a starting lineup, and I think there are many things I have to study for that.
--- You mean looking ahead to the World Cup, right?
Anzai: That's right. The World Cup has been a dream since I was little, and I definitely want to go out, so I transferred overseas for that purpose, so I am doing it now with that goal. (End)
Match Photo / Portimonense SC
Interview photo / Hidemi Sakuma
