Interview With Dorian Babunski
Machida Zelvia －＞ Grasshoppers
JSoccer Magazine caught up with a former J.Leaguer, now plying his trade in Switzerland, when Lionel Piguet spoke to Dorian Babunski – who played for Machida Zelvia from 2017 to 2020 – to ask him about his experiences.
Interview With Dorian Babunski
Machida Zelvia －＞ Grasshoppers of Zurich
JSoccer Magazine caught up with a former J.Leaguer, now plying his trade in Switzerland, when Lionel Piguet spoke to Dorian Babunski – who played for Machida Zelvia from 2017 to 2020 – to ask him about his experiences.
JSoccer Magazine (JS): Thank you for talking to us... you spent some time with us in Japan, at Machida Zelvia... are you still following the Kingfishers' progress?
Dorian Babunski (DB): Yes indeed. I am checking their results, and I was very happy to see it when they were promoted and, especially now that they are doing so well in J1, so I wish them all my best.
JS: Are there any players there that you played with that you might still be in touch with?
DB: I do not think there are many left, but there are people at the club that I keep in touch with.
JS: How do you feel about your time in Japan?
DB: My time was there was fantastic, and very challenging, too, and I do not regret anything from my time there... maybe it was the best time of my life there. Then coming back to Europe was also a big challenge but I've done well and I'm happy.
JS: How hard was it to adjust from J.League to European play? Is there a big difference? Did you need to do certain things to adapt?
DB: No, not much. It took me much less time to adapt to playing in Europe than it did for me to get used to things in Japan, so I guess I've been OK!
JS: How did you end up in Japan at all? What was the process?
DB: Well, you may know of my father – who played for Gamba 27 years ago (Editor Alan's note – Boban Babunski - yes, I'm still in touch with him now and again!! Great player, and seemingly a great father and coach!!). Then my brother moved to Japan – to Yokohama F.Marinos about six months before I did, so there is a great connection with Japan.
JS: Have you followed the Japanese national team at all? And the current Olympic team?
DB: Yes, Japan has made great strides in their game, although, having grown up in Spain I was happy with Spain's win in the Olympic quarter-finals! Our Japanese player at Grasshoppers – Ayumu Seko – is great, I am very proud of him! I look forward to going back to visit Japan sometime soon, I have not been back since I left.
JS: And how do you feel about your chances in the Swiss League this season?
DB: We have to look at ourselves, and work out how to improve our game. It is still very early, of course, I think we have some quality players who can play better football than we have shown so far.
JS: You have mentioned Seko, already, and there is also another Japanese – Keigo Tsunemoto, at Servette – what do you think of these players?
DB: I see and train with Seko every day, and I must say he is an elite player, probably one of the best players in the Swiss League. And Tsunemoto is performing very well at Servette, a great player. Japan has some very talented players in every position but I look forward to when these players can join the Japan national team.
JS: Finally, do you think there is a chance that you'd return to play in Japan some day?
DB: Yes, I hope so very much!! JS: Thank you for your time.
