Soccer World Cup has started.
On the 23rd, the Japan National Team will play their first match against four-time champions Germany.
Endo Wataru, who plays the defensive midfield role, is likely to hold the key in this match.
He is determined to compete with the "strength" that he has honed in Germany.
(Sports News Section Reporter, Yoshihiro Takeda)
NHK will broadcast the Japan national team's first match against Germany from 9:30 pm on the 23rd.
[Click here for the latest information] Japan National Team 1st match vs Germany
Germany tops the number of “Duel” wins for the second consecutive season
(Endo Wataru)
"I think it's quite a fate to be able to play against Germany in the first match. I'm really looking forward to it."
29-year-old Wataru Endo, who plays for Stuttgart in the first division of Germany, is a midfield player who controls the game both offensively and defensively.
His greatest strength is his one-on-one strength.
The number of wins in the one-on-one phase called "Duel" in the German first division league, which has a strong team, has been the league top for the second consecutive season.
How could Endo, who is 1m 78cm tall in Germany, be able to win such a duel?
The Secret of Duel (1) “Defense is Tactics”
It is said that he emphasizes tactics, especially in defense that goes to steal the ball.
He has an eye for observation that doesn't miss even the momentary skepticism that arises in the other party.
(Endo Wataru)
“I try to predict where the opponent will put the ball, and then I try to steal the ball, and if the opponent releases the ball even just a little bit, I can hit my opponent with my body. It is a part where there is
Duel's secret (2) "Using the opponent's power"
In fact, Endo said that he was originally good at bargaining.
After moving to Germany, I feel that I have improved in particular in my tenacity to prevent the opponent from stealing the ball.
The symbolic scene is the dribbling scene that I showed against Dortmund last season.
Endo, who started dribbling with the ball, was able to keep up with the first player who came from behind to steal the ball.
As it is, dodge the second person who came from the left while twisting the body.
And this time, he used his right hand skillfully to parry the third person who hit him with his whole body from the right, carrying the ball about 30 meters.
(Endo Wataru)
“First of all, it is important not to get scared when you are hit with your body. I am conscious of dribbling while making good use of the opponent's power."
Training with a former Olympic bobsledder who supports evolution
Supporting this evolution of Endo is the online training that he has continued once a week for the past two years.
Former Olympic bobsledder Ryuichi Kobayashi asked him to be his trainer.
He has competed in Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010.
Mr. Kobayashi, who has pursued the use of his whole body to apply force to the sled, thought that he could learn how to use force efficiently.
I am being taught to be conscious of whether I can use my power more effectively.
The beginning of August just before the start of the German first division league.
On this day, I received guidance from Mr. Kobayashi for about an hour.
On this day, I worked on the movement when I step forward with one foot.
When Mr. Kobayashi pointed out that adding a twist to the base of the hind leg could lengthen the width of the step taken and increase the speed, Endo repeated the movement with a satisfied look.
It is analyzed that learning new ways to move the body has made it possible to deal with even if the opponent hits the body.
Mr. Kobayashi says, ``I've become very skillful with how I move my body.
Endo also feels the effects.
(Endo Wataru)
“In the past, I would lose my balance and fall more often when my body hit me with a bang. I can do it, and I can turn without being robbed of the ball, and the quality of detailed movements is improving.”
challenge Germany as the main force
Although Endo was a member of the team at the Russia tournament four years ago, he was unable to participate in a single match.
At the previous tournament in Russia, he said, "I felt like I was taken there." My position is different, and my behavior has changed."
In the remaining period until the first match, Endo will further refine his strength and face the big game.
(Endo Wataru)
"First of all, I will put everything into the first match against Germany. I personally think that the Bundes (Germany's first division league) will be the best preparation in the sense of against Germany. I have done it so far. If I can show a performance like that at the World Cup, I think I'll be able to see the top 8, so I'd like to try there."
Interviewer
Sports news department reporter
Yoshihiro
Takeda
Joined in 2009 In charge
of soccer