Q, please review the C Osaka game.
A, I think we were able to play the style of football we wanted very well until players were sent off in the first and second halves. After the send-offs, the game became difficult, but it was good that we were able to secure the victory.
Q: What factors contributed to being able to play the soccer you wanted?
A, we were able to immediately try to regain the ball after losing it. We managed to nip the opponent's attack in the bud early and connect it to our own offense. This was true in the scoring scenes as well, but I believe one of the factors that helped us seize the momentum was our ability to switch between offense and defense quickly and defend from a high position in the opponent's territory.
Q: I think it was significant that the players behind were able to move in coordination. What are your thoughts on that?
A, I think there was a part where the players in the back pushed up in coordination so that the forwards could press, raising the line high and keeping it compact.
Q: It seemed like you were able to induce mistakes in the opponent's build-up. Was it because you were applying pressure effectively?
A. Since our pressing was quick after losing the ball, I think we were able to force the opponent into making many mistakes. It was easier for us to grasp the flow of the game.
Q: I think the last 30 minutes were a long time to endure. What were you conscious of during that time?
A, anyway, defending resolutely has been a strength or something we were accustomed to since former manager Kenta HASEGAWA's time, but I wanted us to have a bit more awareness of keeping possession even after being down to 10 men. Once we were reduced to 10, we stopped connecting passes and focused on defending, but I think it would have been better if we had continued to keep possession and show Tokyo's style even with one player less. This is still a challenge, so I want to work on improving it going forward.
Q: In the first half, it seemed smooth to change positions while being aware of the lanes and the surrounding players.
A, we decided the positioning while watching Adailton and Matsuki so that their positions would overlap as little as possible, and from the camp, we have been working on positioning that makes it easier for Morishige to pass.
Q: For the next match, do you envision controlling the game for a long time, including possession?
A, I want to play in a way that allows me to control the ball and the game throughout the match.
