Zenit Fans Abroad: Our new Japanese editor Takaaki Inokuchi

We're talking to Takaaki Inokuchi, the new co-editor of our Japanese fan site who's currently interning at the club.

Tell us a little about yourself, what do you do? What are your hobbies?

I am currently studying at St. Petersburg University and improving my Russian language until the summer. While I'm here I’m also interning at Zenit in the club’s PR department as well as assisting on the club’s Japanese fan site. Previously I have worked at other football clubs and sports businesses in Europe and America. My main roles were in marketing, sales and event planning in these clubs.
My hobbies are playing and watching football, listening to music, singing and cooking.     

How did you first get interested in Zenit?

When I studied at St. Petersburg State University in 2005-2006, all my Russian friends were interested in Zenit. So, I got to be interested in the club naturally and started going to the matches and supporting the club.

What has been your most memorable Zenit match you’ve seen? 

The best match I’ve seen live was in the last 16 in the UEFA cup against Marseille in March 2006. I watched the match in the Petrovskiy Stadium and it was the first time I saw Kerzhakov score a goal at the stadium.  

How do you feel about the Europa League, what are your predictions?

It is a good opportunity for us and for some of Europe’s great clubs to show our abilities to the rest of the world. I think we’ve got a chance to certainly get to the semi-final and maybe even repeat the success of 2008!

Who’s your all-time favourite Zenit player? Who do you like in the current squad and why?

It’s Alexander Kerzhakov, he’s my all-time favourite Zenit star. In the current squad, I like Yuri Zhirkov. We are the same age and I was impressed with him when I first saw him play in EURO 2008. I have been following him since then.   

What are you hoping for us this season?

I still think we have a chance of winning the Russian Premier League, if we start well and with some luck, we can close that gap. I’m also hopeful for us in the Europe League too, I'd love to see us lift that trophy in Lyon!

Which areas of the squad would you like to see Zenit strengthen in? Who realistically should we be looking at signing?

The balance is right now, we have quality in every position and have a mix of young and experienced players in the current team That is our strength.

You now live in St. Petersburg. How would you describe this city for your fellow fans?

Those who aren’t from Russia or St. Petersburg aren’t sure if Russian people love football that much, but, here we see lots of people playing and watching football everywhere in the city. I would like everyone to know that football culture in Russia is doing well, even better than ballet, opera and the other cultural things people here like.

If Zenit fans plan to visit Japan what place is a must-see and what food should they try?

OK, as for Tokyo, I would like to recommend them to visit our several wonderful football stadiums around Tokyo. Actually, we have more than 10-15 professional football stadiums in the Tokyo area.  In addition, each stadium has original and interesting food at the stadium. It is one of the best features of Japanese stadiums. Thus, I would like them to enjoy both football and food there.

Do you have a message for the manager, the team and all the Zenit fans out there?

Davai Zenit! You’ll never walk alone! And to the fans, see you at Stadium St. Petersburg!