Head Coach Poyatos: "First of all, we expected that a match in this kind of tournament would play out like this. Even so, I think we started the match well, and although we may not have played beautiful football, we started well within the scope of what we expected, and I think we were able to develop the game well. While Kochi played fast, vertical football, I think we were able to handle the rhythm of the game well. In the second half, we were controlling the game well, but we conceded a goal, and it seemed like the opponent took control of the flow at the end, but I think we were able to hold on and win the game. Even when you look at matches like this at other venues, it's difficult to beat a J3 team, so I think it was a good thing that we managed to win."

Q: Today, five players from the league games were used in the starting line-up. What was your intention in keeping your main players instead of rotating them all over?
Head Coach Poyatos: "Considering the schedule ahead, we have a day off, so we made our team with the sole focus on winning this important match. We also considered Kochi's style and knew that we would definitely struggle, so we took that into consideration when choosing our team for today, and I think it was good that we were able to win under those circumstances."

Q: "Last year, you lost to Ryukyu in the Levain Cup. Is there anything you learned from that game that you could use in today's game?"
Head Coach Poyatos: "If you want to ask me about the game, it's quite difficult to answer. The reason is that it's been a long time since last year's match against Ryukyu, so I think it's a game that's too far in the past. Our members have changed, and the opponent is Kochi today, and last year's opponent was Ryukyu, so the opponent is different, and the only thing I can say is that I think it was good that we were able to fight with a high mentality, but in terms of the content of the play, I don't think there's any comparison between the two games."

Q: Kochi is a new J.League team, the first one to be established in this area. What are your impressions of the team, including the supporters, after playing against them?
Head Coach Poyatos: "I was impressed with what a wonderful team they have. Also, joining the J.League is a wonderful thing for both the prefecture and Kochi United SC. Kochi is a team with a clear way of fighting, and of course there are times when they win and times when they don't, but I think that their way of thinking, fighting with such a clear style, is truly wonderful. I am personally very happy to see the team, including Kochi, grow day by day and Japanese soccer grow."

Q: "This will be your third time playing against them, Head Coach Poyatos. Did you feel that you absolutely had to win?"
Head Coach Poyatos: "I think that motivation, or rather my enthusiasm for these kinds of matches, I fight with the same motivation in every match, regardless of the opponent, and it doesn't really matter who the opponent is. It's true that the loss to Kochi in the EMPEROR'S CUP two years ago was very painful for me, and I still feel that I'm really sorry for playing a game like that. However, regardless of the opponent, I always think that Gamba is the most important team to me, and this big club has been struggling for several years, and now we are on the road to success, and I hope that we can build on that and continue on our path to get Gamba back to where it belongs."