Previous Match: YokohamaFCMatch Review
The home game, which is about a month since the opening match, saw the players who needed to score getting goals, and they brilliantly secured 3 points.
The match suddenly comes to life. In the 5th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA becomes the starting point, and Diego OLIVEIRA receives a pass from Hotaka NAKAMURA, turning and sliding the ball into the goal to score the opening goal.
In the first half, we were unable to control the game by maintaining possession of the ball, and we created decisive moments where we were completely free to shoot in front of the goal. It was Jakub SLOWIK who saved the team in that situation. On this day, SLOWIK made big saves in at least three decisive scenes throughout the 90 minutes. He supported the team's victory from the back.
In a situation where it was difficult to control the match, the additional goal came from another specialty of the team. In the 27th minute of the first half, they initiated a coordinated press from the front line, and Nakagawa intercepted the opponent's pass and slotted it into the goal, extending the lead with a ball recovery from high press and a short counterattack.
After conceding a goal due to an own goal, the team regrouped at halftime. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Koki TSUKAGAWA, who were brought on at the start of the second half, became the hub for moving the ball and brought calmness to the team. When experienced players stabilize the game, the younger players thrive and the attack becomes more dynamic. Particularly impactful was Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who boldly attempted dribbling breakthroughs on the left side and was involved in crucial moments.
In the 17th minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO, who was brought on during the first half, won the matchup and delivered a cross into the goal area, where Diego TABA calmly headed it in to secure the second goal of the match.
Although they took the lead in the first half, as Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA pointed out after the match, they struggled to maintain possession of the ball. However, they demonstrated the ability to make adjustments during the 90 minutes and overwhelmed the opponent in the second half.
<Preview>
This will be the third match against Nagoya Grampus, led by former manager Kenta HASEGAWA, who brought titles to the club. Last season, the match played at home at Ajinomoto Stadium ended in a draw, leaving some issues to address in terms of performance.
In the final away match of last season, despite maintaining possession of the ball for 90 minutes, we allowed the first goal. In the second half, we launched a fierce attack and equalized with a goal from Yasuki KIMOTO. However, due to a mistake that led to losing the ball in our own half, we conceded a goal to Nagai, who transferred mid-season, allowing them to take the lead. We maintained possession and recovered every second ball, advancing the game in the opponent's territory, but we were unable to find that final touch to break through and ended up losing.
Can the blue and red players show their growth against an opponent's manager who knows Tokyo inside and out? After focusing on ball possession, which was a challenge last season, they have thoroughly trained during the preseason on how to score goals. They were able to demonstrate that progress in the last match against Yokohama FC.
Can we confidently move the ball and make the opponent run against Nagoya, who is strong in duels and fights with solid defense and quick counterattacks, and break through the tightly packed goal area with ideas and individual skill? This is a perfect stage to show the growth in Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's second season, as Tokyo aims for revenge from last season.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA] 
Q: Kashif BANGNAGANDE has been selected for the Japan national team.
I am very happy that he has been selected for the Japan national team for the first time. I believe this selection sends a message about giving young players a chance from the members being called up this time. I think it also conveys the message that there are expectations for young players, and that if they perform well in J.League teams, they can connect to the Japan national team even at a young age. The important thing is that players grow by playing. Just going to Europe does not guarantee growth, and if they do not play, their growth will naturally stop. In that sense, I am very pleased that young players who are playing in the J.League have been called up this time.
Q: What areas have you grown in since last season?
A, I think his technical skills have been excellent since last season. There were areas for improvement in plays involving the attack in the final zone. The major area for improvement was defense, but through continuous training and effort, I believe he has now made solid progress. I think he should continue to work on handling one-on-one situations. In attack as well, if he can further improve the accuracy of his final crosses, I expect he will become an even more outstanding player.
Q: Have you communicated any overseas players that you would like Coach Albert to use as examples?
A, usually side backs are players who are characterized by their speed, but I think he is a side back with unique characteristics. He possesses many elements in a well-balanced manner at a high level, and in addition to having a high level of technique, he makes a significant contribution to the attack. Because of this good balance, it is difficult to choose a specific role model player to aim for.
Q, I think it wouldn't be surprising if Hotaka NAKAMURA were also included in the Japan national team.
A, I believe there is no player in Japan who surpasses Manabu NAKAMURA's defensive ability. In that sense, I think he can compete at the world level as well. To maintain the balance in attack, he has honed skills that match his high defensive ability. The accuracy of his crosses in the finishing zone has also improved. If he further levels up in that area, I believe he has the potential to become a great player. At the beginning of last season, not only Manabu NAKAMURA but also Yoshifu did not participate in matches. I think there are important points to grow to a high level. Those are mental strength, the ability to grow, and the ability to learn. Nagatomo is now 36 years old, but between when he was 34 and now, which do you think is the better player? I think he is better now. That is because he has the ability to grow. That is why I also focus on how much growth potential each player has. In this world, many players stop growing once they reach a certain level. However, the players who reach the great levels worldwide are only those who have the ability to keep growing every day. I believe our play style is one of the factors that encourage their growth. It is a style that requires each player to grow and continuously demands growth. Many players tend to play fearfully, but they have to take risks when playing. Our style demands playing with courage and taking risks. And the player who responded to that and grew is Manabu NAKAMURA.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the match against Nagoya.
A. Nagoya's coach Hasegawa is comfortable leading the team with three high-quality players up front. He believes that if a small mistake is made, the opponent will create a decisive chance from it. We have several players sidelined due to injury, but this is a situation that can occur during a long season. Great clubs are able to overcome such difficult periods firmly. We see this as a challenging time and want to get through it. When the season changes, the momentum changes, and the number of injured players also changes. A team that can steadily accumulate points during such difficult times is indeed a great team, and that is the kind of team we aim to be. We have prepared well this week, so I am confident we can have a good match tomorrow as well.
Q: What are the issues based on the match against Yokohama FC?
A, the match against Yokohama FC was good in terms of pressing from the front to win the ball and creating plays that led to goals, and I am satisfied. Also, we created 11 clear scoring chances. Except for the match against Kyoto, we have been able to create more than 10 clear scoring chances in every game. Throughout the match, I am not satisfied with the team's play in the first half. When building up from a low position, mistakes accumulated where we should have maintained possession properly, and we were not able to play as expected. In the second half, there were fewer mistakes overall, but the time we controlled the ball was short, so tomorrow we want to approach the match with the team understanding the necessity to properly correct this and control the ball.
[Player Interview]
<Yasuki KIMOTO> 
Q: You have been participating since the opening of this season, do you feel that you are contributing to the team's stability?
A, I have been given the opportunity to play in matches, but there are still many things I need to work on. I am not satisfied with my performance.
Q: I feel a stronger intention to lead the team than last season. Are you aware of this?
A, I have been conscious of leading the team since the end of last season. This season, there was a match where I became the oldest player when Morishige was not present. In such situations, I must be aware of speaking up firmly and leading the team. By doing so, my concentration and sense of responsibility also increase, so I want to continue this.
Q: How does the victory against Yokohama FC in the last match impact the team?
As Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also mentioned, we couldn't play the kind of football we had envisioned in the first half. I think this was a match we would have lost last season. However, even though the content wasn't good, the forwards scored goals and we were able to accumulate 3 points. I think it's really great that we can approach the next match in good condition.
Q: Would you like to connect more from the back in terms of content?
In the match against Kyoto SANGA F.C., they came to defend from the front line, and we had little time to hold the ball, often kicking it forward easily. In the match against Yokohama FC, we were more conscious of trying to connect passes. Although we lost the ball at times, I think our awareness of connecting passes was higher than in the past few games.
Q: What is your impression of Nagoya Grampus this season?
The attacking power of the three forwards is amazing, but the defense centered around LANGERAK is also very strong. I think it will be difficult to break down the opponent's defense if we concede first. In that sense, I believe it will be a match decided by one or two goals. At the back, we want to keep a clean sheet while actively participating in the attack as well.
Q: It will be a match against Kensuke NAGAI, with whom I played together until the middle of last season.
A, Nagai is one, but Kasper JUNKER and Mateus CASTRO are also players you have to be careful about especially when we are on the attack. They are opponents you cannot let your guard down against even for a minute during the 90 minutes. I think they will exploit my weak points such as speed and dealing with runs behind. I have to stay even more focused.
Q: I think when you were in Tokyo, Nagai told you to "talk more." You might be surprised to see me talking this much now.
A, I want people to see unusual appearances and people having fun.
Q: How much do you think you have changed compared to last season?
A, I think I am trying to speak up quite a bit. As I have gotten used to the team, I believe I am able to express my character more.
Q: I think you were playing well with the young players in the Levain Cup.
A, he has been talking since practice, and his character is not one that younger players are intimidated by. I think he has a personality that makes it easy for any player to talk to him. In that sense, I believe he has properly blended in with the Levain Cup members and is progressing well in a positive direction.
Q: Is it important to have possession of the ball in the Nagoya match?
A, I don't think having the ball always means you can make good attacks. In last season's match against Nagoya, we were able to keep possession of the ball, but we couldn't create good attacks easily. In this season's camp, we have been training on how to break down the opponent's defense while holding the ball in their territory. I want to show the results of that training.
Q: I heard that Nakagawa said, "Let's fight with the mindset of the Final Round" ahead of the match against Yokohama FC. Did he have such a strong determination?
A, it was a home game, and since we had lost the previous one, we had to avoid two consecutive defeats. We entered the match with a strong determination, like in a Final Round, and managed to score in a good way. I believe we showed our fighting spirit. This season, I want to focus on each match in front of us with full concentration.
Q: It seemed that player Kimoto was also singing Yuruneba after the match against Yokohama FC in the last round.
A, for the first time, I was able to hear the fans and supporters singing in a good atmosphere. I don't remember all the lyrics, but I like listening to chants and had been preparing by watching them on YouTube. I think I was able to sing along somewhat. I feel like I have started to fit in with the team.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: How do you feel after a night since being selected for the Japan national team?
A, I was surprised to learn for the first time yesterday that I was selected for the Japan national team, but I am full of excitement.
Q: Didn't you receive an overwhelming number of congratulatory messages from various people?
A, I have received so many messages from the people who have supported me until now. I was very happy, and I want them to watch my play carefully. My desire to repay their kindness has grown stronger.
Q: You have been able to come this far with the support of many people.
A, Throughout my soccer career, there have been more setbacks than successes, but I believe many people have supported me and helped me reach this point. Being selected for the Japan national team and making those people happy is the greatest joy for me.
Q: Is your next goal to participate and excel while wearing the Japan national team uniform?
A, playing an active role in the Japan national team has been one of my goals for a long time. I believe I am currently the closest to achieving that. However, I have only been selected so far, so I want to make a strong impression through my practice. I think players who can deliver results will advance. I want to work hard to ensure I can produce solid results.
Q: This will be your first league match against Nagoya after being selected for the Japan national team. It will also be a match against your former coach Kenta HASEGAWA during your professional debut. What are your thoughts on this?
A, Coach Hasegawa is the coach who made me a professional. I believe he helped me grow the most, and he is an important figure in my professional soccer career. Since we are facing Nagoya led by Coach Hasegawa, I want to win firmly and show him how much I have grown.
Q: What do you think about Kensuke NAGAI being here as well?
A, I am very grateful to player Nagai as well. I want to start the match with strong focus on defense, making sure not to concede goals from Nagai, and aim to secure the win.
Q: Please tell us your gratitude to the fans and supporters, and your enthusiasm for the future.
A, even after this announcement, I have received many messages regularly, which have been a great source of strength. When I was in the academy, Kosuke OTA was called up to the Japan national team and was someone I admired. This time, I was called up to the Japan national team for the first time, so I want to do my best on the field to be someone the academy players can look up to. First of all, we will definitely win against Nagoya.
