Match Preview
This season's Levain Cup has already been decided with the group stage elimination. However, the fact that many young players have been utilized in the five matches so far and have gained experience on the professional stage is "positive news," says coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA. "Losing the matches is frustrating, but if we were able to promote the growth of young players instead, we can say that there has been a significant gain in the long run," says coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA. Whether to treat the remaining match as a mere formality or as an opportunity for further growth will make a big difference in the experience gained.
In the final match, Tokyo will face Fukuoka, who defeated them 1-5 in Sec. 11 of the J1 League on May 3. The team organized by head coach Shigetoshi HASEBE, in his third year, will look for opportunities with solid defense while aiming for quick counterattacks. Tokyo aims to control the ball and avoid the risk of counterattacks, while effectively exploiting the gap between Fukuoka's midfield and defensive line to break through for a goal.
For Tokyo, who are on a three-game losing streak in the league, this match is also one that requires results and performances to boost the team's momentum. Attention is on the performance of the "fresh power" that will give Tokyo a tailwind.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Players registered as Type 2 participated in the practice.
A, I believe their presence is important, and I think there should be a closer connection with the academy. The second team for the top team is the youth team. In that sense, if there are players performing well there, even in the junior youth category, I think they will be called up to the top team. Regarding tomorrow's match, we have been competing in the Levain Cup in the same format this season, but I want to give more opportunities to young players.
Q: I heard that this season, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's concept for the top team has been integrated into the U-18 team as well. Does that mean it is easier to incorporate?
A, I believe that professional soccer clubs must focus on development, and training in the same direction as the top team is the minimum requirement. Otherwise, having an academy would be meaningless, and its very existence would be lost. The top team's development department should comprehensively organize both the top team and the academy as the club's overall development department. When the club adopts a new system and clarifies its direction, it is necessary to unify not only the top team but also the academy to promote a specific playing style. Currently, the academy is moving in the same direction as the top team, which makes things easier. Moving in the same direction as we are now is the normal approach, and any other approach is the exception. The academy of a professional soccer club is not a place where coaches in charge can freely express their own playing styles. There must be staff who express a playing style aligned with the club's direction.
Q: What is your perspective on tomorrow's match?
A, it is the same as before. This season, we consider the Levain Cup to be a place to promote the growth of each player, especially young players. In addition, we want to use it as an opportunity for players who have not been able to get much playing time to regain their game sense. Since it is difficult to evaluate the talent and potential of young players without seeing them play in official matches, we also want to use it as a place to assess their latent abilities and possibilities. That is what we believe we should do in the Levain Cup this season. In a season where we are trying to clearly change our playing style, it is quite difficult to win every tournament, and this season we are asking to approach the Levain Cup in the way I just explained. Also, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection in the early part of this season, there is an aspect that forced us to compete in the Levain Cup in the current form.
Q: How do you view the U-18 players in Tokyo from the perspective of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, considering that academy players like Renta HIGASHI and Kanta DOI participated in the practice?
A, I think the quality is high. Our current top team players are also making efforts to adapt to the change in playing style. The U-18 players also need to continue making a bit more effort to adapt in the same way, and there is room for improvement in their focus on winning. What they need to do is to have a hungry spirit and ambition, and if they have it, they must express and demonstrate it on the pitch. We expect bold play. As I always say, I am not concerned at all about mistakes made by young players. Rather, if there are young players who do not take risks and do not play boldly, that is a much bigger problem.
Q: How is Morishige's condition?
A, thanks to everyone's support, I have finally rejoined team practice and am in a condition to participate in official matches. Based on today's training condition, I want to gradually improve my condition by confirming how much I can play or if I cannot play at all. The league matches will continue with a tight schedule starting this weekend, so I expect to contribute positively to the team during that time. After that, there will be a short break, and I hope Henrique will be able to return as well. Makoto OKAZAKI's knee condition is not necessarily perfect, but it is not in a very bad state either. There is a high possibility that he will be able to return to the team soon.
[Player Interview]
<Shuto OKANIWA>
Q: What differences did you feel when you moved up to the top team compared to college and professional levels?
First, I felt the difference in the high level of each individual player. Each player has distinct characteristics, and many have plays and skills that no one else can imitate, so I think this is a major difference between university and professional levels.
Q: I think you have been practicing a new soccer style since the camp, but have you understood the tactics?
Since we often analyze using footage from the camp, it is easy to understand and absorb, making it easier for individuals to make corrections. I also think it is efficient and good for the team to make improvements.
Q: I think there are many players who serve as role models for side backs, but is there anything you feel during practice?
A, I thought it is also important to stick to your own style. Of course, there are things the coach demands and tactics to follow, but I believe it is essential to cherish the things you cannot compromise as an individual. This is the part I feel the most when playing with other players and watching them.
Q: What preparations have you made so far for the final match of the Levain Cup?
A, it is often difficult because you really don't know when the opportunity will come, but I have been working with the belief that the chance will come someday. Including that aspect, I want to firmly achieve results here.
Q: What kind of play do you want to show if you participate in the match?
A, I want to cherish being myself, so I want to focus on aspects like my work rate, positive attitude, and running up the sides to deliver crosses, and play with that commitment.
Q: What is necessary to seize the opportunity in this match?
A, as a team, we will build our attack while maintaining possession of the ball, so I intend to play with the mindset of not losing the ball easily. Among that, I want to make proactive and positive choices to add an accent to the team’s play. My characteristic is to make forward runs and get involved in scoring, so I believe that by being even more conscious of that and playing accordingly, it will lead to future success.
Q: You have probably come to watch matches at Ajinomoto Stadium many times as an academy graduate. Now that you have the chance to finally step onto the pitch as a professional, what are your thoughts?
A, including last season, I have not yet been able to play at Ajinomoto Stadium, so in that sense, I am really looking forward to it. I believe many fans and supporters will come, so I definitely want to win and share the victory together with everyone.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: You underwent surgery on your right knee last October and experienced a long-term absence of about 6 months. You finally returned to action in the Levain Cup match against Shonan on April 13. How is your current condition?
A, I really can't get enough of soccer right now. I hadn't been away from soccer for even half a year until now, so I'm happy to be able to live a life centered around soccer once again. My sense of the game and physical sharpness are not yet at 100%, but I am even enjoying the feeling of physical exhaustion.
Q: How did you spend the time when you couldn't play soccer?
A, I was depressed immediately after the surgery. For the first two or three months, I was on crutches and it was difficult to live a normal life, so at that time I didn’t want to think about soccer. But as I gradually recovered, I worked hard on rehabilitation and focused on strengthening my inner muscles, which had been a personal challenge. Now, people say my body is bigger than before the injury, and I feel stronger in contact play. I believe this is the result of the strengthening I did during the period when I couldn’t play soccer.
Q: Are you adapting smoothly to the new playing style that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is seeking?
I have gotten used to the fast pace of play, but I am still in the trial and error stage. However, I believe I can still increase the number and quality of my offensive contributions, which are my strengths, so I want to challenge myself more in actual matches and showcase my skills.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming Levain Cup match against Fukuoka.
Although we have been eliminated from the Levain Cup group stage, I believe it is precisely because of this that it is important for players like myself, who have fewer opportunities to play in the league matches, to show what kind of performance we can deliver. We experienced the frustration of losing to Fukuoka in the league match in May, so in the spirit of revenge, I want to keep challenging myself and fight fiercely. Thank you for your support!
