<Match Preview>
The J1 League, which was interrupted during the national team activity period, will resume. This Sec. 17 will be the last match of the first half of the league season, which consists of 34 matches. The opponent is Shonan Bellmare. They also faced each other in the group stage of the Levain Cup, making this the third official match of the season. In the Levain Cup, they achieved victory in a home game using players who also participated in the league matches.
In the away game, which selected members mainly from young players, we were defeated.
Kuryu MATSUKI is absent due to the U-21 Japan national team's overseas expedition, but Yuto NAGATOMO has returned from the Japan national team, and players who were previously sidelined due to injuries have also rejoined the team, bringing together the main members for this match. This will showcase a different style of play compared to the Levain Cup, which has actively utilized young players.
In the league, we have won our last two matches, and especially in the match against Shimizu S-Pulse, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA praised the team by saying, "I conveyed directly to the players that today was the start of FC Tokyo's changing playing style. (Omitted) It was a significant step in truly realizing what football that loves the ball is all about." This reflects our ability to achieve both a dominant performance and a victory against our opponent.
In the match against the league leaders Kashima Antlers, Ryoma WATANABE, who was deployed as a right winger, effectively participated in the buildup of attacks by moving into the central area. The team quickly transitioned between offense and defense with a compact formation, accumulating goals. Additionally, the team's ability to maintain a lead while possessing the ball, as expressed by coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA as "defending with the ball," showcased their tactical prowess. This demonstrated the team's growth and the integration of their playing style.
That said, it is true that further refinement is necessary to consistently develop our style and translate it into results. In this match, I want to pay attention to how Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA will choose players and arrange them in the absence of Matsuki, who has been a core player in the midfield despite being a rookie.
Especially in the midfield, Keigo HIGASHI is being utilized as an anchor and is demonstrating his abilities without reservation, while options are increasing. The question is whether anyone who participates can maintain the quality and "play with the ball." To continue accumulating victories while growing in the second half of the season, we will expand both the refinement of our soccer style and the range of player utilization.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: The league has been on a break for two weeks. What have you been working on during this time?
A, we were able to spend ample time on tactical training. It is also great news that several injured players have returned. I am very satisfied with the team's growth over the past two weeks. The team is steadily progressing. These two weeks have been nothing but positive.
Q: What specific areas have you grown in over the past two weeks?
A, especially in the attacking aspect. Players without the ball constantly provide various options to the ball holder. We have been training this fluidity and it is progressing in a positive direction. The time has finally come to focus on this because the players are already able to play with confidence. Since they can now play confidently, this marks the next step forward.
Q: I believe you will demonstrate the results of your practice in tomorrow's match, but what kind of image do you have of Shonan?
Team A gives a very strong impression of valuing possession of the ball. Considering the quality of their play, I think their current ranking does not accurately reflect their performance. In that sense, I believe it will be a match where both teams fiercely compete for the ball. Therefore, our defensive efforts will be crucial, and it is important that we do not allow the opponent to play the style of football they want. We have already experienced that when we faced Shonan in the Levain Cup, giving them the ball led to a difficult match situation.
Q: Based on that experience, what will be important tomorrow?
A, as always, scoring more goals than the opponent is the most important thing. Soccer is a sport where the number of goals matters, so this is crucial. And to win the match, it is essential to clearly express our own playing style more than the opponent. Teams that can express themselves well have a higher chance of winning.
Q: You mentioned that the players have gained confidence. What made you feel that way?
A, I think you can easily understand how much confidence they have gained by comparing their play at the start of the season with how they play now. At the beginning of the season, I believe the players were afraid of receiving the ball. On the contrary, now they feel joy in receiving the ball. I think everyone is on the pitch wanting to receive the ball. If they have the confidence and desire to hold the ball, they can make better decisions in attack. As I have said many times, this season is about building a foundation with the team players. Based on that foundation, I believe the team will make even greater strides next season. In any case, there is no doubt that things are moving in a positive direction. I am happy that the players can play with confidence, and I also feel that the players will continue to grow.
Q: What can we expect in the future now that the players have gained confidence?
A, it is expected that we will further grow in various aspects once again. Until now, the team had played with a different playing style for several seasons. It was a playing style that did not value the ball as much as it does now. Of course, they achieved results and won titles, but there was an impression that they were gradually on a downward trend. I believe that this season we have been able to reverse that trend and move upward. We have given the players renewed motivation and changed the playing style in a positive direction. However, there is no doubt that this project has only just begun. The journey is still long ahead.
Q: What are your thoughts on the inside half position with Matsuki representing the team?
A, we have a good lineup of players, and there are players who can fully cover for his absence, so I am not worried at all. Every player has been improving since the start of this season. In that sense, selecting players is not as difficult as it was at the beginning of the season. As a coach, I believe my sole duty is to help all players grow. Whether we win or lose a match is influenced by various factors beyond my control. On the other hand, I see it as my responsibility as a coach to promote player development, and the players are currently growing well. From among them, I want to choose players who are in good condition.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoma WATANABE＞
Q: There was a break due to the Emperor's Cup, but there has been a gap since the last league match. What kind of preparations have you made?
A, there was a break amid consecutive matches, so I was able to recover from fatigue. I was able to move in good condition, so instead of resting completely, I consciously kept my body active. It's been a while since the league matches, but I am well prepared.
Q: I think the team has been increasing the number of situations where they maintain possession and take shots with two consecutive wins, and they are starting to score as well.
A, it is only in the last few matches that we have been able to score goals, and although we won the Emperor's Cup, things did not go smoothly, so I think we need to improve in that area.
Q: Among them, Watanabe has also been able to score. I feel that he is able to play the game with a good image of the goal and a clear view of the opponent's movements. Was there any trigger for this change?
A, there wasn't any particular trigger, but I think the reason I have been able to produce results is that after practice, during shooting practice, I was able to enter the game with a good feeling still remaining. I want to grow more through the matches in that regard. I still want to score goals and provide assists, and while playing to help the team win, I always want to be particular about my own results as well.
Q, what points will be key in building a new style of football in the future?
A, I think it is important that everyone has a shared understanding first. It is not good if even one person cannot do it, and it is meaningless unless everyone can embody it, so we need to be conscious of that.
Q: What kind of analysis does the team conduct regarding Shonan?
A, their counterattacks after winning the ball are sharp, so we want to be careful about that.
Q: You have faced Shonan many times this season, but what kind of play do you want to focus on as an individual?
A. I want to focus on winning the ball in physical contests without losing to the opponent's strength, increasing the time we maintain possession, and aiming for results.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for achieving three consecutive wins with the fans and supporters.
A, we have a series of very important matches coming up, and we will need the support of our fans and supporters. Since vocal cheering will be allowed at the July 6th match against Sapporo, I believe the players will gain even more energy. Everyone is working hard to repay that support with results, so please continue to cheer us on until the very end.
