Today we played very well and won. We hadn't been able to beat Sendai for a long time, but we were able to win in Sendai, so in that sense I think it was the best result. A lot of supporters came to the game, and we were able to give them a victory as a gift. The players also played really well, so everyone got to see it. If Takashi had scored a goal, we wouldn't have had any complaints, but we can't be that greedy, so I think the fact that we scored three points and got the three points is the best victory and result.
I told the players that today would be a very difficult game. Because we already knew the result. If we win, we'll be in third place. But when that happens, it can be easy to let distractions get in the way and not concentrate on the game. You start calculating things before you even start playing. I told them that it would be a very difficult game and how much they could concentrate on their own play and football. They really stayed focused from the start, and even though they conceded a point, I think they continued to play their own style of football until the end.
There is a one-week break between league matches, and as we head towards the Nabisco Cup final, the game can often be very difficult after playing such a good game, so we need to pull ourselves together again and do our best to beat Kashima and secure consecutive championships.

Q: Substitutions were generally slow, but perhaps it was difficult to replace players because they were performing so well.
A It's not that it was difficult to replace, but rather that there was no need to replace it.

Q: As autumn approaches, Kurata's form is improving and he has been involved in scoring in the last few games. What is your evaluation of Kurata?
A: That's right. Kurata: Since my name is "Autumn," I think I'm good at autumn (laughs).

Q: Usami said that if he could score a goal, there would be no complaints, but was there anything the Head Coach was concerned about in terms of how the team was carrying on from the ACL?
A: I didn't say anything in particular, and he played great today. The only thing he was missing was a goal, but I think he played like a true national team player.

Q: As of today, you're in third place, and Gamba is the only team still with a chance of winning the treble. Next week is the Nabisco Cup final. How motivated are you for that?
A: Naturally, this is a game with the title at stake, and it's the final, so the players will be very motivated and emotional. And because we're playing against Kashima Antlers, a really great opponent, I'm sure they'll be excited without me having to say anything and will prepare thoroughly. However, after such a complete win today, if we don't watch our steps carefully, there are risks of making mistakes, so we will prepare thoroughly over the five days, and as I said earlier, this is a game with back-to-back victories at stake, so I would like to fight together with the players so that we can win the Nabisco Cup for the second time in a row.

Q: What does it mean to win the triple crown for the second year in a row?
A I'll think about it after I win one title.