Suwon: New Zealand born, Japanese citizen Michael Fitzgerald joined Kawasaki Frontale from Albirex Niigata prior to the 2017 J.League season in order to compete for honours both domestically and in the 2017 AFC Champions League.
Following four straight draws in Group G of the continental competition, the-AFC.com caught up with the defender ahead of the vital Matchday Five encounter with table-toppers Suwon Samsung Bluewings as the Japanese side seek a first win that would reignite their tournament aspirations.
Q: After signing for Kawasaki Frontale in the close season, how does it feel to be playing in the AFC Champions League?
Really good. It was always a step I wanted to take. Kawasaki were a good team last year and I’m enjoying it. The first game we played - a 1-1 Matchday One draw - against Suwon was a good eye opener and different from playing against Japanese players.
Q: When you heard that one of Japan’s biggest clubs was interested in you, how did that make you feel?
I was happy. I liked Niigata because they looked after me for so long. But it was that moment of my career where I’d probably stay at Niigata for the rest of my career or take a step up, so I decided to take the step up. It’s a big challenge but I’m happy I came here.
Q: What were the main challenges you faced in Japan when you moved there nine years ago?
The language barrier was a real big thing. But even the food and other aspects of the culture, like how they respect their elders, is a bit different to foreign culture. But once I got used to it, everything was good.
Q: How do you compare the difference in approach to sport between Japan and New Zealand?
Everyone works hard from a young age in Japan. You see the young kids coming through the youth programme, after training they’re still there and they train every day of the week.
Whereas in New Zealand, when I was nine or 10, I only trained two or three times a week.
But then I think that they don’t relax and enjoy it as much here like the foreigners do. You see that in training, they’re awesome trainers, but then when it comes to a game at the crucial point they aren’t as relaxed.
Q: So the players in Japan feel the pressure more than back in New Zealand?
Yeah, probably. When it comes to the crunch time some of them, not all of them, find it a bit more difficult. I think foreigners train and train but then want to be there at the crunch time, which I think is a bit different.
Q: Can the mentality you bring help improve the team?
Yeah, I think so. I want to play nice soccer and Kawasaki play nice soccer, but most of all I just want to win. I just want to defend and keep a clean sheet, which I think is a bit different.
Q: What do you think you can achieve at Kawasaki, both domestically and in the AFC Champions League?
We want to win something domestically. The J. League would be awesome to win but even the Emperor’s Cup, which we were close to last year. So hopefully we can replicate something like that but get a title. For the ACL, get through the group stages and then see what happens from there.
Q: Describe what it’s like to play alongside a club legend like Kengo Nakamura?
He’s a good guy. Even though he’s 36, his vision is amazing. He wants the ball the whole time and he already knows where he’s going to pass before he gets it, so he doesn’t even look. They had a programme on him in Japan and he has the fastest trap and release rate in the whole of the J. League, so that shows how much he’s looking all the time and is probably why he got the Best Player in the J.League award last year.
Kengo Nakamura in action against Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Q: Now in your late twenties, do you think you’ll be in Japan for the rest of your career? If not, where else would you like to play?
I would love to play in the A-League or even the Chinese Super League. I enjoy the Japanese culture but I love trying new cultures and new styles too. But I’m enjoying my time in the J.League right now and my time at Kawasaki.
Q: What would you like to achieve in the remainder of your career and how would you like to be remembered once your career is over?
The reason I came to Kawasaki was because I want to win something, so I want to finish with a title, of course. Then, I’d love to be remembered as a little guy who came from New Zealand and made it in the J. League. Hopefully that can happen.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com