Ahead of Kobe Victory's upcoming friendly against English Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the team's head coach, Takayuki Yoshida, attended a pre-match press conference and gave his thoughts on the match itself, the opponents, Tottenham Hotspur, and the team's tactical adjustments.
Talking about the match against Tottenham Hotspur, Takayuki Yoshida couldn't hide his excitement: "The whole team is looking forward to playing against such a world-class English Premier League team. Although we are in the middle of the league break and facing the challenges of injuries and conditioning, this is the perfect opportunity for us to show our team spirit and will to fight. Tottenham will also need to adapt to the hot weather in Japan and we will do our best to be the best we can be at the moment and win this friendly."
Speaking about Tottenham Hotspur manager Postecoglou, Takayuki Yoshida spoke highly of him: "I first noticed Coach Postecoglou during the pre-season training camp, and I was impressed by his tactical concept of 'inward wing-backs' at that time. I think his soccer philosophy is very advanced and productive. Although we were fortunate enough to beat them in a past match (probably referring to a meeting when Postecoglou was coaching another team), Yokohama Mariners showed great aggressiveness in that match and put us under pressure at the defensive end. Their players were fast-moving and tactically versatile, making them both elusive and very entertaining to watch. This time, even though it is only a friendly, we will definitely be well prepared for the challenge posed by Coach Postecoglou and his Tottenham Hotspur team."
Regarding the match itself, Takayuki Yoshida said, "We know that the result is not the only thing we are looking for in this friendly match. More importantly, the players were able to play with world-class players, experience their shortcomings first-hand, and find room for improvement. Such an opportunity is priceless for the players' growth and improvement. At the same time, Kobe Victory and the J-League as a whole will be able to expand their influence in the world and attract more attention and support from fans through such international exchange programs. This is a good thing for the development of our club and the league as a whole."
