Are you surprised by your success this season?
Expected by many to be in the other half of the table, Samut Prakan City were launching an unexpected title bid just a few weeks ago, and now look to be on course to finish amongst the big sides at the top of the table. While this has taken many fans and journalists by surprise, Murayama isn’t in the least bit taken aback.
“I am not surprised by this,” Murayama revealed. “Before the season started, the board wanted to finish this season in the top 5. This is what everybody at the club agreed upon at the beginning of the season. However, I believed that the side could make even make it the top three – even before the season started. I mentioned this after the meeting was done, that we could realistically aim for a top three spot this season.”
Most people at the time would have thought that the then Sporting Director’s ambitions were completely out of step with reality, but he’s come far closer to making it happen than many expected due to the belief he has instilled in this squad.
“At the start of the season, most of the staff members or board members were not confident that the team could make it to the top five, let alone the top three,” Murayama admitted. “But the club was more confident, and the mood around the club started to improve as we began playing good football and getting results.”
However, he has been careful to stress that this belief does not come with the added weight and pressure of expectation. “The key this season was to focus on our plan. Keep working towards our philosophy, and that is how we could achieve our targets. If we expect too much of ourselves, it is just going to put unnecessary pressure on yourself. That is why I have never told my players that we are going to win titles or lift trophies. All I want is for the players to grow step by step in every training session.”
Your countryman and former Gamba Osaka colleague Akira Nishino is now leading the Thai National Team. What should we expect from him?
“Firstly, I am delighted that another Japanese coach is here working in Thailand,” Murayama stated. “We were colleagues at Gamba Osaka. Nishino is a famous coach, and once led Japan to a victory over Brazil.”
“The fact that Nishino will also take over the U23 team will make the pathway from the U23’s to the senior team more smooth and more effective.
Nishino once paid a visit to Murayama’s Samut Prakan City, to observe a training session and presumably discuss the differences between Thai and Japanese football with his old colleague. “There is a big working difference between Thailand and Japan,” Murayama explained. “I discussed with Nishino about how Thai football works, but I know he has the ability to improve Thai football.”
Tetsuya Murayama’s Samut Prakan City continue to upset the more established sides in the Thai League, with a side that continues to play attractive football by expanding the skillsets of budding players. It is a project worth keeping your eye on, as is the man in charge.