Interview of Nakamura on Celtic-Man U | TalkCeltic

ShunsukeFan · Feb 26, 2007

Hi I'm new here... I'm a Japanese bhoy(I love the way you guys spell some words differently!), live in the U.S. I've just signed up on this forum!

A friend of mine (Celtic fan) asked me to translate this video into English. (He bought me drinks, of course.) And also he recommended me to post it on this forum so you guys can share it... It's a bit old material so possibly other Japanese fans may have posted it already. I tried to translate it into natural English the best I could so what Naka says isn't lost in translation. I'm not a professional translater so forgive me if English isn't so good. But here it is...

The link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vtUS_FAXGQ

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[Narrator] On the Mach-day 5, the visitors were the Manchester United. In this match Shunsuke played on the left side, instead of the right side where he had always played.

“In this season, even in the Scottish league, I have never started off a match on the left side. Obviously it makes differences by using my left foot or right foot, for instance, playing in coordination with the left side back and so forth. It creates a situation where I cannot see my teammates’ reactions. On top of that, the opponent was a very strong team to begin with. I was very nervous before the match.”

[Narrator]It was rather an ingenious strategy by Strachan. During the first half, Shunsuke makes mistakes that stand out.

“I made a few too many mistakes. Basically I was not doing anything productive. It is true that I wanted to play on the right side.”

[Narrator]In the second half, with the score remained tied 0-0, a scoring opportunity comes to Shunsuke, who was deployed back on the right side.

“I didn’t know that Telfer was there. (laugh) He dropped the ball in front of me nicely but the ball went to the wrong way as I kicked it. At that moment, I thought of trapping the ball to redirect it upward then shoot a volley, because once you put it down it takes too much time. Anyway, I should score in that type of situation as well.”

[Narrator] With nine minutes remaining, Celtic gains a great free-kick position as Jarošík pulls off a foul committed by Vidić.

“30 meters…that is a border-line distance for me.”

“I saw the clock and I thought ‘It is about 15 minutes left. It would be great if I can make it.’”

“I don’t really look at the goal (when I try to score from a free-kick position). I rely on my feelings more or less. Rather, I always look at the goalkeeper’s position before kicking the ball. I saw Saha’s head once, and it was when I had a flashback from the last free-kick which went over his head.”

[Narrator] Unleashed by Shunsuke’s left foot, the ball draws a beautiful line to the backside of the net.

[Commentator] “Parkhead responses only Parkhead can… to a wonderful freekick by Shunsuke Nakamura. Unstoppable!”

“When I glimpsed (the moment after kicking), the ball was curling down nicely in the air so I thought it’s going in, and the goalkeeper could not touch it. For me though, it is not (that big of a deal)…since it is a situation where you are free to kick. I don’t think of it as more than one of my arsenal.”

[Narrator] However, Shunsuke makes an unnecessary mistake which led to a dangerous situation for Celtic.

“Ah…(laugh) I slipped. Awful. I was like, “Oh no. If they score here that’s going to wipe out all the effort we have put in.” So I chased them in a rush.

[Narrator] At the last 5 minutes, Celtic supporters give Shunsuke a huge applause as he walks off the pitch.

“Well, it is great that we beat Man U., scored a goal, and that we are advancing to the knock-out stage. But for me, that mistake I made (as shown in the last video clip), and those mistakes I made in the first half, two or three times, are stuck in my head. That feeling of irritation is rather larger (than the joy of winning the match).”

[Narrator] And now, they are advancing to the knock-out stage.

For me personally, I would like to play against strong clubs. Recently the club that has interested me is Leon. I like their football style. Perhaps Leon and Barca (are the clubs I want to play against the most).

CELTBOY · Feb 26, 2007

nice one,that was a lot of work.
you desrve our company!!

ShunsukeFan · Feb 26, 2007

Thanks! Yeah the video is only 6 minutes long but it took me more than an hour. But it was fun.

Rymo · Feb 26, 2007

Nice one mate:50: I like how modest Naka is. In any interview ive read of his he always says he could play better and he's not afraid to say he's made a mistake during the game. Even though he's been outstanding this season.

Murdi · Feb 26, 2007

Well done. Thanks.

ShunsukeFan · Feb 26, 2007

Thanks guys. :)

T.D. · Feb 26, 2007

thanks mate :50:

clydebank celt · Feb 26, 2007

WELCOME TO THE FORUM MUCKER:50::50::50::shamrock:

hubert · Feb 26, 2007

Thank you! :50:

liamsquire · Feb 27, 2007

Good work, much appreciated. Welcome to the site mate. :D

GuitarBhoy · Feb 27, 2007

Thanks alot bud:50:

marioedz · Mar 19, 2007

thanks a lot for the translation mate! im also a big fan of naka.. his free kicks are sensationals! cheers!! :D

Overkill187 · Mar 20, 2007

Just noticed this thread! thanks for your effort mate!

Overkill187 Batshitcrazy