Match Preview
"Great success always comes with obstacles and suffering"
As Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned at the beginning of his tenure, Tokyo is going through a difficult time. In Sec. 13 of the league, they lost 1-2 to Iwata, marking their third consecutive defeat. After the match, Yasuki KIMOTO stated, "The fans and supporters have encouraged us positively. We have no choice but to change the results ourselves." The necessity of "time and patience," which Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has consistently emphasized, is understood by the players as well. Takuya AOKI expressed, "We have no choice but to continue playing our style. If we don't persist, we won't grow," showing his determination to overcome the pains of birth. Patience will be required until the style transformation is achieved and a new Tokyo takes its first breath.
This week's opponent, Kashiwa Reysol, is seeing a new generation rise under coach NELSINHO, and they are gaining momentum. The standout is forward Mao HOSOYA from the Paris Olympic generation, who has scored the most goals on the team with 4. Therefore, we want to tightly mark him in front of the goal. Additionally, we need to be wary of coach NELSINHO's seasoned strategies to neutralize the opponent's strengths.
To achieve victory after four matches, we have no choice but to believe in our football. It is a test of whether we can uphold our beliefs in adversity.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: There were players Morishige and Okazaki at practice, but the center back has returned. What do you think?
A, the doctor has already given permission, and as shown in the match against Fukuoka, he is fully prepared to participate in the game. Currently, with three center backs available, the issue is moving towards resolution. Sodai HASUKAWA also played well in the Fukuoka match. In that sense, there are effectively four players in that position. Renta HIGASHI has also demonstrated performance worthy of professional evaluation. Henrique is progressing steadily with rehabilitation. It is possible that he may return after the week with the international matches.
Q: I think the phrase 'pausa' (calmness) has been used recently. I believe it will take time to move the ball and break down the opponent's defense as the next phase, but what approach are you considering to proceed with?
A, I believe it is important to build confidence steadily and gain experience in official matches. The word "pausa" can be expressed as a change in tempo. When there is a variation in speed, it becomes difficult for the opponent to defend. In the past few matches, I think we have gradually been able to express pausa within the team play. It will take a little more time, but I believe we are moving in a good direction to improve the level of finishing in front of the goal. I have also told the players that they must be able to perform well in practice. They must apply that good play in matches. Although we have not always achieved good results in the past few matches, I think there were many periods on the pitch where we clearly demonstrated play that was different from Tokyo's past style. And as I told the players, since we are starting to express what we can do in practice during matches, we are in a state where we need a growth process to firmly connect that to match results. I believe our playing style is valuable primarily for winning matches, so I want to pursue that thoroughly.
In the matches against Tosu, Iwata, and Fukuoka, we had a high possession rate and were able to play well, creating chances. However, we lost many games by allowing the opponent to capitalize on their few chances. Nevertheless, I believe we have been able to play well. In the Fukuoka match, I think the opponent hardly created any clear chances. We were able to maintain our defensive block for most of the match and fight for 90 minutes. This is because our ability to control the ball effectively functioned as the best form of defense. We were also able to create chances. (Toshirou) Yasuda and (Ryoma WATANABE) also had decisive chances. Towards the end of the match, there was a play where (Mita) was fouled in the penalty area, which could have resulted in a penalty kick. Creating chances like that and converting them into goals to influence the match result is the growth process that remains for us.
It is not the case that the team can smoothly progress through the growth process alone; I believe that growth will continue in a positive direction if the fans and supporters, as well as the people around the club, provide their support. Fortunately, the fans and supporters are currently giving the players a sense of calm. Even in the last few matches where we couldn't win, they have patiently supported the team and the players. They are encouraging the players to challenge themselves with a new playing style and to grow through trial and error with bold plays. The players are now becoming capable of good performances and are highly motivated to translate that into match results.
Q: Kashiwa plays a style of football that aims to neutralize the opponent's strengths. What kind of play do you want to implement against that?
A, I think NELSINHO is a very experienced coach. We have room for improvement in responding to counterattacks. They will probably exploit that. Since it is also their strength, we hope to prove our growth by responding to their counterattacks. They are a team ranked higher than us. I think they are doing a great job, so we respect that and believe it is something to be acknowledged.
Q: I believe that Kashiwa's NELSINHO has a track record of managing for a total of 19 seasons in Japan as a foreign coach. I think it is not easy for foreign coaches to stay in Japan for a long time. What are your thoughts on managing abroad for an extended period?
He has extensive experience overseas as well as in Japan, and I think he has accumulated very valuable experience. It is difficult to lead a team in the J.League for 19 seasons. In that sense, Coach NELSINHO may have more experience than Japanese coaches. To continue leading in the same league for a long time, it is necessary to gain more experience and reach a level where you know the characteristics of that league better than anyone else. Naturally, it is difficult to compete against a team led by such a coach.
[Player Interview]
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: How was your condition during the Levain Cup match against Fukuoka?
A, I have the impression that I was able to play longer than I expected, so I think it was a good 45 minutes.
Q: The team has not been performing well while I have been away.
A, I think it's a common pattern that even when playing well, the results don't follow. However, it's important to finish when you get the chance. Composure in front of the goal and persistence in defense near the goal are what determine the outcome, so I believe the difference there is greater than in the overall match. I'm not that pessimistic. It feels like what we anticipated is happening now.
Q: What kind of play do you want to show when you return? What do you want to bring to the team?
A, I think it is common for forward players to sometimes fail to score. Conversely, it is also common for defensive players to struggle to hold on even when goals are being scored. When goals are not being scored, if the defensive players can keep a clean sheet, I believe the team will eventually score. Looking back at the past, such situations have occurred, so I hope to calmly manage the game and be at the center of it all.
Q: Do you think your return was early, or did you accelerate the timing?
A, I felt a bit impatient and eager to return quickly, but the trainer managed it well. Everyone agreed on the decision to play 45 minutes in the Fukuoka match while monitoring my condition, so I believe it went as planned.
Q: Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says that we are moving on to the next phase. How do the players feel about connecting the ball more in the attacking part and aiming for goals?
A, I think everyone understands to some extent what the team is trying to do and what it aims for. From now on, I believe we will add ideas and launch attacks that are harder for the opponent to defend against, as well as move the ball to avoid becoming monotonous.
Q: It will take some time, won't it?
A, I believe the coach is saying that it will take time to protect the players. We always have to seek results, and there isn't a single player who thinks it's okay to lose a match. Winning is the top priority, and as a means to achieve that, we choose to keep possession of the ball. We must not forget this while focusing on how much we can improve our quality in a short period of time.
Q: Given the current situation of three consecutive losses, will the match against Kashiwa become one where we need to aim for both performance and results?
A, we also want to win, and I believe the fans and supporters watching feel the same. I think we must show that kind of attitude.
Q: I think the low number of goals conceded is a selling point for Tokyo this year, but what is the reason for the low number of goals conceded?
It is common that the longer the attacking time, the harder it is to maintain defensive concentration. I believe the players at the back feel this difficulty. However, the coach fundamentally demands defensive intensity and strength, so balancing these aspects is important. Playing attacking football does not mean focusing only on offense; we need to keep an eye on maintaining that balance.
I think it's difficult to defend with the same intensity regardless of which players are on the field. What do you think?
A, it would be ideal if everyone could play at the same level, and I think it is important for the team's level to rise to the point where it challenges the coach. However, each player has their own characteristics, and I believe that is something that cannot be helped.
Q: Do you want the players around you to grow to the point where they push you to improve?
A, Mako (Makoto OKAZAKI) was also playing well, and Henrique is a left-footed player who can hold the ball, so there are many good players. I think it’s up to the coach to decide who to choose.
Q: Kashiwa plays a style of football that neutralizes the opponent's characteristics, but does it require patience?
A, that's right. I really feel that they are the perfect opponent for us right now. I think we will start to struggle against teams like this from now on, so I want to enjoy figuring out how to break through them. The opponent will try to nullify our strengths, so if we can move the ball while thinking about how to break them down and where the spaces will open up, I believe we can play enjoyable football.
Q: Are you also aiming to score from set plays?
A, that's right. I have returned, and since (tomorrow) is my birthday, I want to aim for it.
<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q: The team suffered three consecutive losses starting from Sec. 11 in the league. What do you feel are the team's challenges?
In these three matches, Masato MORISHIGE and Henrique TREVISAN were both sidelined due to injuries, so the defense was quite unstable. On the offensive side, there were many situations where the players' coordination broke down just as they entered the vital area, preventing them from fully breaking through. However, since we were able to control the game while maintaining possession of the ball, I believe that if we improve our accuracy in the final stages, the number of goals will increase.
Q: In the matches against Fukuoka and Iwata, I played as a center-back, which is not my primary position.
As long as I am wearing Tokyo's uniform, I will give my all no matter what position I stand on the pitch. Anyone can miss games due to injury. Even in tough situations, all the players who can fight will cover for each other and do their best to earn as many points as possible.
Q, as a full-back, how do you feel about the new playing style proposed by Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the coach, demands a wide range of play from the fullbacks, such as game-making like a defensive midfielder and cutting inside from the sides. The decision-making in play is difficult, but that also makes it enjoyable, and I believe my play has improved compared to the time of the camp. Personally, since I have more opportunities to play closer to the goal, I want to increase plays that directly lead to assists and goals. I am consciously working to grow into a higher-level fullback than last season.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match against Kashiwa with the fans and supporters.
A, I feel that the team has been growing with each match this season, so the players are not satisfied with the three consecutive losses in the league. We want to keep improving while winning games. We will do our best so that everyone who comes to Ajinomoto Stadium can go home with a smile!
