[Valencia (Spain) 16th (17th Japan time) = Takahashi Tomoyuki]Japanese national team midfielder Kubo Takefusa (24), who plays for Real Sociedad, scored his first goal of the season in the opening match against Valencia on the run. This is his third opening appearance in his fourth season with the club. He started on the right side in his regular position and scored a equaliser with a world-class mid-range shot. The team, with new manager Francisco, started the draw 1-1, but as an individual, they got off to a good start in the season following the World Cup North and Central America Tournament, one year away.
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Kubo, the “opening man,” recorded the team's first season again this year. In the 15th minute of the second half, with the ball being 0-1, he received the ball from his allies just before the penalty area and made a brilliant turn and touched him, swinging his left foot in a strong swing. It was sank to the right of the goal.
“We had to score a shot, but I think it was good that we could have different timing between the opponent (default) and the goalkeeper by doing that small one-touch.”
I looked back at the technical bullets. He scored his third opening game, following his first year as a transfer in 2012 and 2013, and his third year of his transfer, “My body is lighter.” He has proven that he is still a leading figure in the team this season.
I had a difficult off. Instead of starting the team, they met in Nagasaki to coincide with the Japan Tour in July. Although he received special treatment, he was criticized for urging the need for reinforcement, saying, “We need an experienced player like David Silva (former Spanish national team member who was previously a member of the Spanish national team).” He made a statement in hoping for the club, but was forced to apologise. With the transfer market open, rumors of his transfers both domestically and internationally continue to be heard. Still, he focused on his play, saying, “I just do what I can on the pitch,” and showed the results.
This season will be a special season. The World Cup North and Central America Tournament will begin in June next year. This year leads to a big stage once every four years. “I think it would be best to gain confidence and enter the World Cup in a good way, so I hope to get the peak there,” he said. As usual, he aims to be involved in a total of 20 goals, scoring and assisting. He steadily grows, saying, “I hope I can humbly score points one by one in each game.''
◆VTR of the opening game of the 2022 season against Cadiz In the 24th minute of the first half of his first match since his transfer, held on the enemy territory, Kubo started to break into the space behind the opposing defender, trapped a pass from the back and killed him with a right volley.
◆VTR of the opening game of the 2023 season against Girona On August 12th, in the first half of the match held at home, Kubo, a freeman, swung his left foot compactly in the center, swung his left foot to the right of the goal, in the first half of the match held at his home base.
