<Match Review>
With the national team activity period starting, the league matches are in a break, and Tokyo faced Fuji University, the representative of Iwate Prefecture, in the Emperor's Cup 2nd Round.
The team was composed mainly of players with long playing time in the league matches. In goal, we have Go HATANO. The defense line from the right includes Hotaka NAKAMURA, Yasuki KIMOTO, Masato MORISHIGE, and Ryoya OGAWA. As the anchor, we placed Keigo HIGASHI, who was also used in the league match against Shimizu S-Pulse. The inside half features a combination of Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE. Up front, Keita YAMASHITA is utilized as the center forward, with Kensuke NAGAI on the right wing and Adailton on the left wing.
The match progresses with Tokyo maintaining possession of the ball while Toyama University solidifies their defensive block and aims for counterattacks. From the early stages, they push the opponent back starting from the sides, creating scenes that lead to shots from Yamashita's hold-up play, but they cannot hit the target. Compared to the league matches, Tokyo has more composure in ball duels, but against an opponent that slides quickly to the ball side, they look to change the attack's timing by switching sides through the center-backs.
In the 24th minute of the first half, Ogawa's free kick was headed by Kimoto in front of the goal, but the shot hit the post. In the 26th minute of the first half, Adailton used his strong physicality to dribble past one and then another opponent, and although he took a shot inside the penalty area, it was blocked. While maintaining possession of the ball, they struggled to penetrate deep into the opponent's territory, but in the 36th minute of the first half, Adailton created a chance with a breakthrough. Adailton, who made a move on the left side and entered the penalty area, passed the ball back towards the goal line. Nakamura, who was positioned in front of the goal, managed to keep the ball in play, and Watanabe calmly slotted it in while observing the position of the defender covering the goal, scoring the opening goal.
In the 43rd minute of the first half, Adailton received a cross from the right side at the left edge of the penalty area and was fouled while trying to lift the ball to evade his marker, earning a penalty kick. Adailton himself converted it successfully, extending the lead just before the end of the first half.
At halftime, Yuki KAJIURA was brought on to replace Nagai. Watanabe was moved to the right wing. In the 10th minute of the second half, a long ball exploited the space, and they approached the goal with a counterattack, but the shot taken after cutting in from the left side went wide of the target. In the 13th minute of the second half, Yamashita received a pass facing the goal in a gap in the defense line, but the one-touch shot went straight to the opposing goalkeeper. In the 14th minute of the second half, Adailton broke free and passed between the opposing goalkeeper and defender, but it just missed Yamashita, who was diving in. Watanabe picked up the ball that flowed to the opposite side and aimed for a looping shot, but this also narrowly missed to the left of the goal.
In the 17th minute of the second half, Kazuya KONNO was brought on for Yamashita, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE was substituted in for Ogawa. In the 18th minute, Kashif made a move down the left side, completely shaking off his marker to deliver a cross. Adailton managed to evade the defender with a one-touch at the center of the goal, but his shot while turning went wide to the left of the goal. In the 35th minute, Kojiro YASUDA was sent onto the pitch in place of Watanabe. In the 43rd minute, Adailton unleashed a powerful shot from directly in front of the goal, creating several opportunities to threaten the opponent's goal as the match drew to a close. However, they could not shake the net against the resilient defense of Fujidai. Although they did not score additional points, they maintained their lead from the first half and secured advancement to the 3rd Round.
The 3rd Round will be held on June 22 (Wednesday) against V-Varen Nagasaki in Nagasaki.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
A, for us, it was an important match to continue growing. We aimed to play by firmly controlling the game and creating many decisive chances. Throughout the entire match, we were able to create numerous opportunities and maintain control of the game for the full 90 minutes.
The remaining point for improvement is that despite creating so many decisive chances, we only ended up with 2 goals. If we create chances but lack finishing ability, there is a risk that if the opponent scores, the match could become even more difficult.
However, there were also many positive aspects. Keigo HIGASHI expressed wonderful play for 90 minutes. Kashif BANGNAGANDE also showcased his strengths sufficiently.
You may have doubts, but for us, I think this was one of the most difficult matches of the season. In that sense, I want to commend the opposing team. I told their players directly after the match that as young players, they boldly and bravely expressed what they needed to do through their play. In that regard, I want to praise their performance today. It was precisely because they played boldly and wonderfully that our fans and supporters gave them enthusiastic applause.
Q: Please tell us about the significance of approaching this match with key players and the positioning of this match.
A, regardless of the opposing team, we must continue to grow. In that sense, I thought this was a very important match for our growth, and I conveyed that to the players. (Continuing with this style) After a few years, when the team has grown, I believe I will need to tell the players, "Do not relax against university students." However, we are not yet mature; we are still a team that must continue to grow. That is precisely why I conveyed to the players the message to use today's match as an opportunity for growth.
Q: You mentioned that the match against Fujii University was one of the difficult matches this season. What specific aspects made it challenging?
A, today's match was one of the difficult games. The opposing team had nothing to lose. I believe that to surpass the opponent, we must play with the same level of intensity. Since the university players have nothing to lose, it was naturally expected that they would play with high intensity. Facing such an opponent, we were able to create chances, but it was also quite possible that we would struggle to shake the goal net. When the scoreless state continues for a long time, the game becomes tense. In that sense, I think it was a difficult match. However, in front of such a challenging game, our players stayed focused and played with a proper understanding of the difficulty of this match. I want to commend the players for their performance.
In today's match, we saw better coordination in attack than ever before. Through today's game, I believe the team has grown even more. Go HATANO, who guarded the goal today, also played wonderfully. I think he is one of the young players full of potential who is highly likely to carry this club and this country in the future. Although he is still a young player, he has proven himself to be maturing every time he steps onto the pitch. Keigo HIGASHI played as if he were the brother of Busquets.
[Player Interview]
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: I think today's position was inside half. What were the differences compared to when you were wide?
A, on the defensive side. The positioning when going to take the ball from the front and the way of pressing are completely different from when in the wide position, so I was conscious of that. Also, I focused on plays aiming behind the opponent.
Q: It seemed that the team as a whole was not quite in sync during the first half. What do you think were the difficulties in starting the match, and what do you think the causes were?
A, (Immediately after the match) I haven't fully sorted out which parts were not working well yet, but overall the distance between players was too far. Even when circulating the ball at the back, there were times when the ball got stuck at the side back. I reflect on whether it was due to my poor positioning, the distance between me and Nagai, or which aspect I should have prioritized when choosing how to play.
Q: How do you feel about bouncing back and winning the first match even in such a game situation?
A, everyone knew from before the match that this would be a difficult game, so we approached it with a shared understanding about our mindset. Even if we couldn't score, we stayed calm without rushing, and even if we couldn't get a large number of goals like 5 or 6, the important thing was to win this match. That was the positive aspect.
Q, please review the goal scene.
A, I missed my first touch and couldn't shoot at the timing I wanted, but I feel that if I can score more gritty goals like that, my goal tally will increase. I want to keep aiming for goals.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: I think the first match of the Emperor's Cup will be difficult, but how have you prepared for it?
A, in last season's Emperor's Cup, we lost to Juntendo University in the first match, so we have been focusing on winning this past week, and I'm glad it led to a good result. This was Ryoya OGAWA's last match at Ajinomoto. Since I returned from injury, I have been going back and forth between being sidelined and rejoining the team, but knowing it was Ryoya's last match and that we had lost to Juntendo University last season, I really wanted to play in this match against the same university players. I injured my knee again a week ago and took a short break, but I was able to come on as a substitute for Ryoya, which was good. I had a chance to assist, and I am very frustrated that I couldn't connect to a goal in the final moments. I want to work hard to improve from here.
Q: Given the injuries and other factors, what do you focus on during training?
From Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, we are told to take on challenges even if we make mistakes. In regular practice, we are required to "bring out our own strengths," and since I believe my characteristic is offense, even though I am a side back, if I cannot create a difference in the offensive aspect compared to other players, there is no meaning for me to be on the field. In that regard, since I have nothing to lose, I entered the match thinking I would keep challenging myself.
Q: What were the differences compared to last season's Emperor's Cup battles?
A, there were chances in last season's matches as well, but we couldn't finish them off and ended up conceding goals, leading to extra time. This season, we've been able to push forward aggressively from the start, and although it would have been better to score more goals, our finishing ability has gradually improved, including in the league matches, and the team's form has been rising accordingly. I think that finishing ability is the key difference from last season.
Q: You mentioned that your strength is in the attacking aspect, and today you felt the potential in crosses. How do you want to coordinate with the players coming into the goal area?
A. From regular training, when I actively deliver crosses, my teammates position themselves expecting "this kind of ball will come." Today, when I looked up, I made eye contact with Adailton. I believe this is the result of my daily challenges in training and everyone adjusting accordingly. I also took corner kicks today, and by thoroughly working on delivering accurate crosses, including set pieces, in regular training, I think it will lead to assists in actual matches.
<Yuki KAJIURA>
Q: How do you feel looking back on it, considering you were up against university students?
A, immediately after entering the match, I was able to successfully turn and make through passes to Yamashita several times from passes by Higashi. However, I made many mistakes afterward, so I want to improve on that. Personally, I wanted to continue the initial plays, so it was a frustrating match for me.
Q: You came on in the second half, what was your strategy when entering the match?
A, since I played as an inside half, I entered the match with a focus on fulfilling my role properly and making runs behind the opponent. However, I painfully realized in today's game that my intensity was lacking, so I believe I need to work harder on that.
Q: How was it playing against a team that also connected their passes well?
I think it was necessary to control how to apply pressure while communicating with the surrounding players. I want to watch the plays of Abe and Matsuki more closely, re-recognize to what intensity I need to raise myself, and work on it starting from practice.
Q: I believe the team was definitely converting chances into goals.
A, it is important to reliably score goals, and we want to be able to score more goals from various positions.
Q: I think you were actively involved with the ball.
A, I made several mistakes repeatedly. They were simple mistakes while going to receive the ball, and since I think it's a position where mistakes must be eliminated, I want to improve on that.
Q: What preparations do you want to make for the next match?
A, I have been watching from the outside for a long time, and playing in this match made me realize that I still have a long way to go. I want to increase the intensity of my training so that I can grow to the level where I can participate in league matches and be ready to play whenever called upon.
