Upgraded Arminia Bielefeld has it in her own hands before the last matchday to prevent relegation and play in the Bundesliga for another year.
That this is the case is also due to Ritsu Doan, who is supposed to help again in the away game at VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart – Arminia Bielefeld, Saturday 3:30 p.m. in LIVETICKER)
The Japanese, who was loaned from PSV Eindhoven before the season, quickly became a regular at Arminia and has so far played all 33 Bundesliga games. He got four goals and three assists. (Bundesliga: results and schedule)
The CHECK24 one-two with Stefan Effenberg, Olaf Thon and Peter Neururer on Sunday from 11 a.m. on TV on SPORT1
At SPORT1 he talks about the belief in relegation, the difficult time in the pandemic and the dream of FC Bayern and FC Barcelona.
SPORT1: Mr Doan, you are preparing for the last game of the season with Bielefeld. What are you working on in the training camp and what is the mood like in the team?
Ritsu Doan: Our coach made it clear to us once again that we are in a better position than Cologne and Bremen. This applies to the mental and also to the physical component. We have everything in our own hands, it doesn’t matter what the others do. We have to be proud of what we’ve achieved and focus on the game. You won’t have such an experience that often in your life. So I want to get involved and take on the challenge.
Doan: “Sure we will win in Stuttgart”
SPORT1: Will Arminia secure a place in the Bundesliga at VfB Stuttgart on Saturday?
Doan: I have full confidence in our team. I can’t say exactly why, but I’m sure we’ll win the game in Stuttgart. (Bundesliga: The table)
SPORT1: It is your first season in the Bundesliga. How was your early days in Germany? Did you quickly make friends?
Doan: The move from PSV Eindhoven to Bielefeld was a big change. PSV is a completely different team with a lot of young talents. Bielefeld, on the other hand, has many experienced players. The mentality here in Bielefeld is very good, everyone is happy to play in the Bundesliga and enjoys it.
The Bundesliga highlights on Sunday from 9 a.m. in Bundesliga Pur on TV on SPORT1
Enthusiastic about Arminia colleagues: “I love them all!”
SPORT1: How is it in your private life? Did you settle in quickly or do you still miss your homeland Japan often?
Doan: It wasn’t that difficult to settle in here as I’ve lived in the Netherlands for three years. My English has also improved a lot during this time, which is why I can communicate well with everyone – regardless of whether they are teammates, friends or people in the city. The problem was that because of the situation around the corona pandemic, no visitors could come from Japan. I haven’t seen friends and family in over a year, which is the longest time I’ve ever been apart from friends and family members. That is hard. But I’m not homesick and all of my teammates respect me very much for being able to cope with this situation as I do. They also supported me very well.
SPORT1: It sounds like you are a great team player. How important is the relationship with your fellow players to you?
Doan: I have a perfect relationship with my teammates. I love them all! I’ve only been here a year now, but it feels a lot longer. I’ve never had this feeling with any team, not in Groningen, not in Eindhoven and not even at Gamba Osaka in Japan. So I’m a bit sad that the season is now coming to an end.
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That’s why Doan believes in Olympic gold with Japan
SPORT1: If the season ends now, the Olympic Games will begin. You are with Japan, what role will you play in the team and what is your goal?
Doan: Six or seven years ago it became clear that Tokyo was going to host the Olympics. Since then, my goal has been to win the gold medal in my home country. I knew that by then I would be the right age. I think we have a much better chance of winning the Olympics than the World Cup. There are only 16 teams and the tournament is in our home country. I’ve already gained a lot of experience in the national team – not just in the youth field. That sets me apart from most of the other players. That’s why I want to lead the team in order to achieve our great goal.
SPORT1: You described earlier how much you like it at Bielefeld. Can you imagine playing in Germany for a few more years?
Doan: I’m in Bielefeld on loan and therefore don’t know where I’m going. I want to give everything until the end and have had very good experiences this year. I’ve shown that I can play in this league. I think there will be interesting options.
Dream? Champions League, FC Bayern and FC Barcelona
SPORT1: Do you have a precise career plan for the next few years?
Doan: I have now been able to gain experience in one of the top 5 leagues. I would like to stay in the Bundesliga. My big goal for the future is to play in the Champions League and to win it. In order to achieve such a goal, I have to show that I can play in an absolutely top team in the Bundesliga.
SPORT1: Do you have a favorite club that you would like to play at?
Doan: I’ve been a fan of FC Barcelona since I was little. I always loved the way Lionel Messi played. But since I’ve been playing in the Bundesliga, I’ve also come to appreciate FC Bayern. A great club that has had so many great successes. I already said that my biggest goal is to win the Champions League. For that I have to play in a club of this size one day.
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