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Determined to Not Concede Any Goals

Rina Yamashita Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies

For Good Performance,
“Preparation is Everything”

The third season of the WE League, Japan’s first professional women’s football league, begins this November.
What kind of performance should we expect from the Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies, who have achieved their debut in the WE League?
For the first installment in our series of interviews with players shouldering grand expectations, we are joined by guardian deity and vice-captain, Rina Yamashita.

Firstly, please tell us about your playstyle and defining characteristics.
My strong point is defending against cross balls. Since my time in junior high school, I was always inclined to make fearless attempts and it became my strong point.
What do you consider important as a goalkeeper?
Of course, my first priority as a goalkeeper is to not concede any goals. Even when it comes to practice games, it’s important to be meticulous about one or two goals. When it comes to play, I am also particular about preparation. From positioning to where my hands are, I think it’s fair to say, “preparation is everything.”
What role does the team expect you to play?
The team likes to take the offensive, so they look for strong ability for buildup play. Good rhythm and precise passing are essential. I try to keep that quality in mind. Of course, it’s important to stop strikes and prevent goals, but it’s desirable to have a keeper who can be the starting point of an offensive, so I want to try on focus on those areas.
Using her height as one weapon to defend against cross balls
Using her height as one weapon to defend against cross balls
What do you think of Maho Nishinaka and Erika Fukunaga who compete for your position?
While they are rivals, we have built a good relationship. We are always in touch, both during and outside practice. So, they are rivals, but we get along great. When training gets tough, we support each other by saying “let’s do our best!”
You have been made vice-captain for this season. Is there anything you try to keep in mind?
The goalkeeper is already a position where you have to play while showing strong leadership. Not as a vice-captain, but as a keeper, I see it as my role to “unify the team,” and “encourage (my teammates) from behind.” I want to continue to improve in that area.
There are many younger players in the team. Is there anything you are particular about when it comes to instructions and communication with younger teammates?
Communication with younger players have increased in the last year or two. During matches, when play breaks down, I try to find time to tell players what I want them to do, particularly defenders whose positions are close to mine. Because of that, more players tell me what they want from me, which leads to very good relationships.
What do you look for in yourself for the purposes of improving the team?
Firstly, I want to contribute to wins. And I want to keep calling out from behind, to improve the mood of my teammates.

To become the “heart of the team”

For the Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies’ first WE League Cup campaign, the team finished second in the group with three wins, one draw and one loss. What lessons and tasks did you take away from this tournament?
Our lesson as a team was that our aggressive defense from the front is successful. On the other hand, our task was the improve the quality of passes and decisiveness of shots. On the defensive side, I felt that we couldn’t fully protect against incoming shots.
I believe small differences in quality can lead to big changes in results. Please tell me what you plan to improve on most.
Personally, I want to focus on passing quality. Will the receiver use her right leg or her left. During practice I’m focusing on those points. I try to work on minor corrections during practice, such as which leg to step out with when blocking a shot.
Is there anything you want to focus on now that you will take part in a professional league?
I think results are everything in the end. I want to win and make our fans happy. At the same time, if the play isn’t interesting, fans won’t come to see it. So, I want to win while paying attention to the substance.
What kind of play do you think is “interesting play” for the Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies?
Pressing assertively from the front, stealing the ball using team play involving all players. And turning those plays into goals. I think those plays are our team’s strength. Further, I think plays where our defense line actively participates in goals. I don’t really see those kinds of plays in other teams, and our team is full of players who like offense, so I think our aggressive approach with active goal participation is where our appeal lies.
What do the Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies mean to you?
It’s a team that changed me. Having been here since my first year of junior high school, I have played with many footballers. Though many of those players have left the team, the reason I remain is because of the people around me. I am supported by the gentle characters of those around me, staff and players alike. The reason I could grow into who I am is because of this environment.
Yamashita places a strong focus on passing and buildup plays
Yamashita places a strong focus on passing and buildup plays
Currently, you are 22 years old. You have a long footballer career ahead of you. What kind of goalkeeper would you like to become?
My ideal future as a goalkeeper is someone with a wide defense, strong buildup participation, and being thought of as “the heart of the team.” I want to work hard to make that a reality.
The goalkeeper is an important position where one play can make or break a win. Are there elements of this responsibility that you find enjoyable or rewarding?
Very much so. Of course, it’s thrilling to block a strong shot, and the direct involvement in scoring (and losing points) is part of the appeal of being a goalkeeper. It’s important for me to be able to finish a game without conceding any goals. Even if we win the match, if we conceded even one goal, the goal differential could affect our league results. We as a team, and I as an individual, work hard to keep our conceded goals at zero as best we can.
Please give us your final words regarding the upcoming WE League, opening on November 12th.
We aim to accumulate as much points as we can, concede as few goals as possible, and break into the top of the league standings. We see it as our mission to make our fans and supporters find our matches fun, exciting, and for them to look forward to the next one. Please come see us at the stadium!
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