Kyoto Shopping Center (Japan) captain Shinpei Fukuoka (26) pointed out the meaning of the Daejeon Hana Citizen Exhibition. The Daejeon match is Kyoto’s first Asian club competition.
Kyoto will face the first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) League Stage in the 2026-27 season at Daejeon World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m. on September 15.
This is the story told by Kyoto captain and Kyoto’s “One Clubman” Fukuoka at a press conference held at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on the 14th.
사진 확대 Shinpei Fukuoka, the captain of Kyoto Shopping Center. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung
Q. It took a long time for Kyoto to take the Asian stage. How do you feel before this competition.
It took a really long time. I grew up on the Kyoto youth team and made my professional debut. I played in Kyoto for a long time and waited a long time before I entered this competition. As Popovich said, I want to enjoy this tournament. I will win the first game and go back to Japan.
Q. Arrived in Daejeon and checked the stadium and lawn conditions. How did you feel.
When I first entered Daejeon World Cup Stadium, I felt it was a really big stadium. The facilities were also very good. The grass condition was not too bad. I think it’s in a condition that we can fully show the soccer we’ve prepared. While training, I shared information about Daejeon. The most important thing is to show the soccer we have. We will show you the best we have prepared so that we can get good results.
Q. What kind of player is Yoon Sung-joon competing in the same position.
He has a good personality and is mentally very strong. He’s a good player. I grew up with Yoon Sung-joon and the Kyoto youth team. Whenever I play, I say, “Let’s work hard together.” I want to make the team stronger through good competition and show them how to develop together.
사진 확대 Director of Kyoto Sanga Ranko Popovich. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung
Q. This is Kyoto’s first Asian Games. Did you feel any difference from the J1 League.
Japan and Korea are quite similar in cultural and environmental aspects. There was nothing very difficult about hotel life or dining. There was a slight difference in the ground. Differences were felt in detail, such as the hardness of the ground and the length of the lawn. But I don’t think there will be a big problem in playing the game.
Q. How are the players taking this game.
As I said earlier, it took me a really long time to get here. Recently, the J1 League has not produced as good a result as we want. I know the fans’ desire for victory is very high. The war is important. I want to boost the atmosphere through this game. It is the first Asian Games for us. It is a game that will remain in Kyoto history. I will prepare well until the end and make good results.
사진 확대 Daejeon Hana Citizen striker Martha. Photo = Reporter Lee Geun-seung
Q. Masatoshi Ishida of Daejeon started his professional career in Kyoto. Do you remember Martha.
I know Martha. When I was in my first year of high school. I have participated in pre-season first-team training. That’s when I saw Martha in person. I had a good dribbling ability. He was a player who could receive the ball and carry it directly in a difficult position for the opponent to defend. While preparing for the Daejeon match, I shared enough information about Martha. It’s definitely one of the key players to watch out for. Martha should be very aggressive and strongly pressed to prevent her from showing her strengths. I won’t let you play freely during the game. I think there will be a lot to talk with each other after the game. I’m looking forward to that part, too.
[Daejeon = Lee Geun-seung, MK Sports Reporter]
AloJapan.com