<Match Preview>
In the previous match, we lost 0-2 at home to Shonan, ending our two-game winning streak. Although we were pushed back by the opponent's sharp start and high work rate, Diego OLIVEIRA emphasized a positive attitude after the match.
"Instead of lowering our heads here, we want to prepare thoroughly for the next match against Cerezo Osaka. No matter who steps onto the pitch, we want to fight hard, run hard, and show our fans and supporters a victory at home."
Cerezo Osaka, who will face off this round, is highly motivated as they prepare for the Levain Cup Final on the 22nd of this month. The fact that midfielder Hiroshi KIYOTAKE has finally regained his form after a long absence until the end of August is also a positive factor. As Diego OLIVEIRA said, Tokyo must surpass their opponents in mental strength and intensity in duels, and show their fighting spirit to the home fans and supporters.
The key player in the attack this season is likely Adailton, who has scored his first 10 goals. He stated, "I want to be the player with the most goals when the season ends," and is aiming to keep producing goals until the end. In the last three matches, Tokyo wants to show a culmination of their efforts this season.
The matchday program is available here
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: I thought it was necessary to reconsider the details such as the arrangement of set plays and the space around the anchor. What do you think?
A, of course, those kinds of details are important. However, if you focus too much on that, you have to consider how we lost, specifically that we were beaten by a single decisive moment. For example, in the match against Kashima, player Abe scored a wonderful goal. That made the tactics for the entire match look excellent. In soccer, if there are no mistakes, of course, there are no goals conceded. Regarding the goal conceded in the match against Shonan, if we talk about details, that goal originated from a throw-in. We need to thoroughly examine the finer details and, of course, work on reducing mistakes. However, our biggest failure was not moving toward the goal enough from the start. Shonan has a team of young players and plays good soccer by maintaining possession. But in matches where they concede the first goal, their youth often works against them, causing them to lose game control.
We lost to Shimizu and also to Iwata, for example. However, when looking at the overall league standings, we are competing at the top while they are near the bottom, so I wonder what that means. We need to look at the bigger picture. In recent years, the league has become very competitive. Therefore, the points we have earned this season while gradually changing our style are now very important. If you lose sight of the overall, panoramic perspective, you can be easily swayed by immediate results and lose focus. For example, before this season started, many people probably expected this club to be fighting relegation. This was a year where we changed our style and improved our ranking. The team lineup hasn’t changed that much either. I myself have experienced very sad nights, and of course, everyone had hopes of going higher, so I understand why those nights were difficult. Naturally, I believe I must take the greatest responsibility and I do feel sadness. However, losing the overall panoramic perspective and criticizing the players is something I cannot accept.
What position the club has taken to build its history. What kind of club it wants to become from now on. As I always say, when we say let's travel together, it means that everyone must unite and move forward together to accomplish things. I've said it many times, but the biggest thing about this club is the name Tokyo. That name is a burden weighing on everyone. What we need to think about is becoming a club worthy of the name Tokyo. However, that name should not turn into pressure that demands we quickly reach that status. Have we become champions in the league? How many times? What is the best position we have achieved in the league so far? How many times have we competed for the championship? Please stay calm. If everyone around the club cannot understand this, things will always go in the wrong direction. Because unnecessary pressure will be placed. I don't mind personally, but the pressure should not cause the players to lose composure and prevent them from moving in a positive direction.
Of course, I understand that this match is sad. And I also understand that we need to be more aggressive from the first half. I know we have to thoroughly work on many details. I also understand that Shonan is a good team and played a good match. However, we must not interpret everything as bad just because of that. Without composure, I believe we will not see a good future unless we seriously reconsider Tokyo club's true position. There is still a lot of work left to do. When we lose, I take responsibility, and the saddest people are myself and the players. Therefore, we must firmly change this. Of course, there will be difficult matches ahead, and I think there will be matches that make us sad next year as well. However, it is important to reduce such sad matches and steadily raise the team's level little by little.
Q: In the first 10 minutes of the match against Shonan, we were completely pushed back. For the match against C Osaka, will we push the opponent back 10-0, or will it be an even match? I think it is necessary to change that, what do you think?
A, as I have also told the players, for example, when facing the initial high press, it is not a problem to increase options behind as long as we do not become passive and try to play first in the opponent's court. However, we must never allow the opponent to push us back for 10 minutes. There are two important things to controlling the game along with the ball. One is maintaining possession of the ball, but simply holding the ball is not enough; we must show an attitude of moving toward the goal while keeping possession, which will make the opponent fearful. This is what it means to defend while maintaining possession. Therefore, from the start, we must express moving toward the goal while keeping possession. The principle of always being with the ball does not change. This will be tested tomorrow.
Q: What kind of members will you be facing tomorrow?
A, of course, there will be changes in the members.
Q: What was your impression of the match against C Osaka in the spring?
A, I think there has been a mutual exchange of styles. They have become a team with higher intensity. We are focusing on ball possession. Currently, C Osaka is a team focused on intensity. They use pressing and quick transitions to attack as their weapons. Of course, we originally had those strengths as well. However, we are pursuing ball possession even more than they are. As the data shows, scoring the first goal remains as important as ever. There is one thing I want everyone to understand. Every match is naturally difficult, but as I said, I conveyed the message to the players that we will go on the offensive from the start. At first, the team was even afraid to maintain possession. Now that fear is gone, and we must play with the awareness of moving toward the goal while keeping possession. I believe the challenge is to connect this to the remaining three matches this season and the next season.
Q: There is data that indicates a perfect record when scoring the first goal.
A, of course, I believe that data will eventually become obsolete, but that data also sends a message that players should go on the attack from the start. The message is that we must play with a strong awareness of going for the first goal right from the beginning. It is difficult to change the style at first; when holding the ball, doubts arise such as what if we make a mistake and lose the ball, or if a pass fails and we easily lose possession, won't the coach get angry? Such doubts come with a possession style. Overcoming that leads to confidence, which then leads to maturity. Complete confidence and maturity come around the team's third year. Not only on the pitch but also off the pitch, I hope we can communicate well with fans and supporters and lead the club in a positive direction.
[Player Interview]]
<Adailton>
Q: You have scored 10 goals so far this season. You are in a position to aim for the top scorer title; what are your thoughts on that?
A, regarding the fact that I have started scoring goals, I believe one reason is thanks to God. Another reason is the effort I have accumulated so far. It's not only since I came to Japan, but the things I have consistently done since arriving in Japan seem to have produced visible results this season.
Q: This season, Adailton has been seen taking a lot of shots. Is there anything you are consciously aware of regarding your shooting?
A, of course, to score goals, you have to take shots, so I am always conscious of taking shots. From practice, I play while being aware of shooting, so I think the number of times I can naturally take shots during matches is increasing. If you don't take shots, you can't score goals, so I want to increase those opportunities.
Q: Fans must be hoping to produce a top scorer from Tokyo. Do you personally have any aspirations to aim for the top scorer title?
A, since there is a possibility for me to become the top scorer, I want to aim for it. However, more than that, I believe I must fight every match in front of me as seriously as a Final Round. Of course, I have the desire to become the top scorer, but for me, it is more important to properly fight each match in front of me. If as a result of that, I become the top scorer, I think that would be very gratifying.
Q: This season, we have been fighting under Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA for a year, but many players felt difficulty due to the significant changes in tactics. How do you feel about it?
A, I definitely felt some difficulty, and of course, there were matches where I thought it was easier to play like we did last season. However, I don't think I was the only one feeling this difficulty. As we played more matches, the range between what the coach demands and what we can do has expanded, and now we have a lot more we can do. I believe we have been able to express the style of play the coach wants. I view this year of change very positively, and since we have reached this level of completeness by the end of the league, I think it will lead into next year.
Q: This season, you achieved your 200th appearance in J1 in September. What do you think are the factors that have allowed you to thrive in Japan for so long?
A, in my case, I believe patience is important. (Compared to my home country) the culture is completely different, but because I had patience, I tried to endure and get used to the culture, and as a result, I think I have been able to spend long seasons in Japan.
Q, Are you enjoying life in Japan?
A, I have lived in Japan for a long time now, so of course I have gotten used to it. It is a calm environment, and after getting accustomed, I truly feel it is a very comfortable place to live.
Q: This season, we were finally able to cheer with our voices starting midway through. What do you think about being able to hear cheers in the stadium?
A. I believe this is something not only I feel but all players do: the cheers from fans and supporters reach us during the match and serve as a source of encouragement. In the few games where we have been able to hear your voices again, it has felt very positive.
Q: Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A. No matter what kind of team the opponent is, we will give our all in the match. I believe that is the essence. We aim firmly for victory and want to have a game where we can share joy with our fans and supporters.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: In the match against Shonan, it seemed that we struggled to finish despite maintaining possession of the ball. What are your thoughts on that?
A, I think it was good that the team was able to maintain possession of the ball all the way to the final finishing part, but it was a match that did not lead to a goal. We want to improve the accuracy of our finishing in practice.
Q: What preparations did you make in the three days since the Shonan match?
A, since there are only 3 league matches this season, the team is determined to finish strong with solid wins, and we have reviewed the finer tactical adjustments as a team rather than focusing on major strategic changes.
Q: With three matches left, how well has the new style that we've built up so far been integrated?
A, each match is getting better, and although there may be things that don't go well as a team, I think it is important to be patient and keep going.
Q: How do you feel about your performance, Watanabe?
A, it is very important to internalize what the coach is saying and figure out how to output it, so I am experimenting with that. As we aim for high goals next season, communication with those around me becomes crucial, so I hope to make these three matches go smoothly in that regard.
Q: I think there will inevitably be ups and downs as a team, but what is necessary to minimize them?
A, no matter how the opponent defends, we need to improve each player's tactical understanding so that we can play our own style of football. I believe that is the purpose of both practice and official matches, so I hope there will be no fluctuations next season.
Q: I think this will be an important match to close the gap in points with C Osaka. What is your impression of the opponent?
I think everyone understands that the attacking runs and crosses from the side backs are dangerous, so we want to be careful.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match.
A, with only 3 games left this season and just 2 home games, we want to firmly deliver victories to our fans and supporters, and we will do our best to earn 3 points while playing our style of football.
