- Thank you for your hard work during your career. How do you look back on your last season as a player?
Nakata: I didn't get many chances to play... It was a tough season because I wasn't injured or in bad condition. So, I focused my motivation on other things. For example, how to approach practice. It was a season where I focused not only on myself but also on how to interact with the younger players.
- I heard some young players say, "When a veteran player works so diligently and hard in training, young players have no choice but to do the same. He was a good role model."
Nakata: I can't slack off in practice just because I'm not playing in games (laughs). I was thinking about "what I could do for the team" and trying to do what I could.
- How do you look back on the 2014 season as Antlers?
Nakata: It was a season where many young players got a lot of chances. For the young players, they definitely gained experience and confidence. However, I think it was a season with a lot of ups and downs. We started strong with a big win, but then we couldn't win in May, and again in October. Hindsight is 20/20, but we made it to a situation where if we won the final match, we would be champions because the top two teams stumbled. The fact that we couldn't win then is proof that we just weren't strong enough. If we had picked up just one or two more wins throughout the year, we would have won the championship. It was a shame.
Annual Miyazaki Camp
"The camp where we just ran and ran was incredibly tough."
- The camp is about to begin. Do you have any memories from past camps?
Nakata: I don't have any memories (laughs). It's just tough. Some teams might prepare by playing games, but for Antlers, the primary goal of the camp is to "build a body that can fight for a year," so we just run. We run more than we use the ball. The only good thing was the food. After practice, you could eat delicious food. The hotel also prepared a variety of thoughtful menus. Also, during the camp, thanks to sponsor support, there was a lot of good food. That was a comfort during the tough training.
- Antlers will participate in this year's "J.League Sky Perfect! New Year Cup." They've also had practice matches during the Miyazaki camp before. What do you think about having such a preseason warm-up match right after the camp?
Nakata: This hasn't happened before, so Antlers might have to change their approach. Until now, physical conditioning was the most important thing, but they will also need to incorporate training with the ball. This year, there's also the AFC Champions League (ACL), so they need to get into shape earlier, so in that sense, I think it's a good thing. Antlers didn't have many matches before the start of the season, so having a tournament like this beforehand means they'll get into game rhythm faster. I think it will bring out good aspects that were different from before. In Europe, many teams start the season by playing a series of matches.
- The actual games start on February 1st. How will this affect the players' conditioning?
Nakata: It's a different rhythm than before, so I think it'll be fine if they can manage to digest it well themselves. They can just improve their conditioning as they play games. However, on the other hand, as a player, there will probably be more training using the ball, so the amount of running will decrease, which might be good (laughs).
J.League Sky Perfect! New Year Cup to be held
"Antlers are not allowed to lose."
- J.League Sky Perfect! What exactly are the highlights of the New Year Cup?
Nakata: It's the best match to see how well the team is shaping up. Antlers used to have practice matches with Honda Lock, but this year it's a tournament, so they can play in a more realistic situation. In that case, Antlers is a team that is not allowed to lose, so they have to show their pride. On the other hand, J2 teams will come to win against J1 teams. In that sense, I think it will be an interesting match.
- This time, Nakata C.R.O. will be appearing as a commentator. Antlers will play two matches: against Oita on Sunday, February 1st, kicking off at 12:30 PM, and against Fukuoka on Wednesday, February 4th, kicking off at 2:00 PM. What will you be focusing on?
Nakata: Of course, the team's readiness, but also how much extra effort the young players have put in since last season. This year is important for the young players. It's not enough to have performed well last year; this year they will likely be marked and watched closely by opponents, so how much they can achieve in that situation will be key.
- Since these are your former teammates you trained with until last year, you'll probably get a very real sense of their progress.
Nakata: That's true. I think there are things only I can grasp, so that's interesting in itself. I'll immediately know if someone is slacking off (laughs). I hope to deliver that unique perspective to the viewers. For those who can't come to Miyazaki, I'd be happy if you could watch it on Sky Perfect!.
- What kind of year will the 2015 season be for Antlers?
Nakata: We haven't won a title in the last two years, and it's been a long time since we won a league title. This year, we also have the ACL, which is a title the club absolutely wants. We must face the season with determination, all for the sake of the title. For that, I hope this tournament can be the catalyst.
~ Promotional Video Now Available! ~
The 2015 J.League Sky Perfect! New Year Cup promotional video is now available on the Antlers Channel (YouTube), so please take a look. Also, for those who cannot attend the matches, all matches will be exclusively broadcast live on Sky Perfect!, so please enjoy them on Sky Perfect!
Click here for the promotional video (YouTube Antlers Channel)
