Voice of Indian Sports recently had the opportunity to interact in a mixed zone with Rei Tachikawa, a versatile midfielder known for his adaptability and dedication on the field. In this exclusive interview, Rei shares his thoughts on his preferred playing positions, insights into the coaching styles of Scott Cooper and Khalid Jamil, and his perspective on playing in Jamshedpur. Despite the challenges, Rei’s commitment to his team and focus on football shine through, offering a glimpse into the mindset of a dedicated professional athlete.
Given your success as a number 8 and advanced midfielder, what is your most preferred position on the field?
Rei Tachikawa: I’m ready to play for the team in any position, number 8s, Number 6s or higher up the pitch and bomb up and down of the pitch, as long as the team needs my service. I just follow the coach order.
Can you share your insights into the coaching styles of Scott Cooper and Khalid Jamil?
Rei Tachikawa: Scott Cooper, he’s more like a tactical coach. Coach Khalid, he asked us to work hard and let’s do this coach. For me, both are great coaches. Now, Coach Khalid, he tried his best, and unfortunately, the results have not come yet. He gave us everything for us, and I feel like sorry for him because we need to give him something back – repay the trust.
Jamshedpur is often considered a less lucrative destination compared to other ISL cities. Many players, both Indian and overseas, have expressed concerns about traveling and the lack of entertainment options. What are your thoughts on this?
Rei Tachikawa: Yeah, I mean, I’m not come here to enjoy, you know. I come here to my job. I come here to play football, you know. For me, there’s hospitality, food, everything. So everything, they give everything for us. For me, it’s very satisfying because I can focus on the football, I can focus on my job, you know. So this is the most important thing for me.