Interview with Yuka Kageyama, Appearing in the Latest PV for 'Sakatsuku 2026: Pro Soccer Club Maker'

SEGA Corporation is releasing a new promotional video for the game 'Pro Soccer Club Maker 2026' (hereinafter referred to as 'Sakatsuku 2026') for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, iOS, Android, and PC (Steam, Google Play Games on PC). This release features an interview with talent Yuka Kageyama, who appears in the PV.

Play 'Sakatsuku 2026' Now!

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id6741469353

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sega.FootballClubChampions

PlayStation®5/PlayStation®4: https://store.playstation.com/ja-jp/concept/10012672

Steam®: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3271000

Google Play Games on PC: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://play.google.com/pc-store/games/details?pcampaignid%3Ddev-launch-sega-football-club-champions%26id%3Dcom.sega.FootballClubChampions

The PV, titled 'Passion Continues,' features Yuka Kageyama and is themed around 'Passion for soccer is the origin of everything.' It depicts the history woven with soccer and the drama within it, narrated by Kageyama. Through the unique experience of 'building a club together' born from the passion that constitutes soccer, the video expresses the origin of the soccer management simulation 'Sakatsuku.'

In the interview released with this announcement, we asked Kageyama about her 'love for soccer' and 'drama related to soccer.' Please enjoy it along with the video.

[Sakatsuku 2026] PV 'Passion Continues'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAjMknKUa2k

■ Yuka Kageyama Interview

-- When and in what situation did you first encounter soccer?
Strictly speaking, my first encounter was before my own memory. During the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, I was only one year old, but my family apparently took me to Saitama Stadium. I feel like soccer has been close to me from the very beginning of my life.

I started playing soccer around the age of five, joining a local boys' soccer team.

-- Do you have any episodes from when you first encountered soccer?

My family were quite big soccer fans, and since I was little, recordings of World Cup matches from the 1960s to the 2000s and UEFA Champions League matches were shown almost every night, and I watched them with my family while staying up late. It was like an elite education.

Of course, I didn't understand everything back then, but I have memories of vaguely grasping things like, 'Soccer in the past had so much more space,' or 'The atmosphere is completely different depending on the country.'

-- Do you remember the moment you realized, 'I love soccer'?

It was when I was in junior high school and studying for a referee qualification.

Up until then, it was the joy of playing or cheering, but the moment I stood in the referee's shoes, I started thinking, 'What was this player aiming for?' or 'Why was that foul called?', and my viewing experience became three-dimensional.

I also realized the skill of the referees and grew more appreciative of the work and effort of those who support the game.

-- The PV you appeared in depicts the development of Japanese soccer and the journey of a person who loves soccer. If you were to insert a scene from your own memories, in what year and what kind of scene would you like to include?

The first is the 2013 Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) World Cup victory. As the only girl on my youth soccer team, I was struggling alone, and Nadeshiko Japan completely changed that for me. They are my lifelong inspiration.

The second is the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Personally, this tournament marked a significant change in my life, including my career. It wasn't just about being caught up in the excitement; it was a turning point where I started to think about how I would be involved with soccer.

-- The theme of this PV was 'passion for soccer.' As someone with a 'passion for soccer,' what do you find most appealing about the sport?

I think the appeal of soccer is that there isn't just one answer.

With the same 11 players and the same 90 minutes, teams have different philosophies. Some teams press high, while others set up and counter. Some believe in possession, while others aim to win the ball and attack within three seconds.

I particularly love the 'feeling of the entire team overwhelming the opponent,' and I'm drawn to high-intensity, forward-pressing soccer. It's a sport where you can see not just the win or loss, but 'what belief drove them in that match.'

-- Do you have any unforgettable dramas or episodes related to soccer?

My journey to becoming a serious soccer fan began with Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Especially from around 2012 to 2015, Coach Moriyasu, now a symbol of the Samurai Blue, led a team full of unique personalities, meticulously building up play. Their style of winning through solid defense, quick counter-attacks, positioning, spacing, and coordination... they taught me the beauty of 'all for one' soccer.

Speaking of 'soccer I still remember,' it's the promotion of Tokushima Vortis in 2013.

I vividly remember the passion when they achieved promotion to J1 for the first time from Shikoku through the playoffs. Consecutive goals from set pieces, defense with all their might... Whenever I see the newly renovated National Stadium (MUFG Stadium) for the Tokyo Olympics, I'm reminded of that promotion playoff.

-- I heard that 'tactical analysis using a whiteboard is your hobby.' Are there any club or national team tactics that have left an impression on you?

Marcelo Bielsa.

When I first saw his team, my impression was, 'They run so much,' and 'What is this?' Their attacking, organized soccer, full-man marking, and formations divided into several segments... the more I watched, the more organized it seemed, yet more questions arose. I've wondered for years what goes on inside the mind of 'El Loco' (Marcelo Bielsa's nickname).

More recently, I find Coach Iraola (Andoni Iraola), who is updating that style for modern times, very interesting. Having experience as a leader under Bielsa, his approach seems to incorporate not just intensity, but also transitions between offense and defense, and how to trap opponents, all designed in a fascinating way.