<Match Preview>
Finally, the J1 League has reached the halfway point of the 34-match season and is entering the second half. At this timing, Tokyo is once again facing challenges on its path of evolution. This time, the first match of the second half of the J1 League is a perfect opportunity to gain hints on overcoming those challenges against a formidable opponent.
In Tokyo, towards the end of the first half of the season, we achieved consecutive victories against Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers, and both matches showed significant growth in our performance. However, in the match that concluded the first half against Shonan Bellmare, we were unable to find a way to attack in the face of the opponent's pressing and quick defensive transitions, resulting in a loss of points for the first time in four matches.
In the 3rd Round of the Emperor's Cup, held three days after the match against Shonan, we faced V-Varen Nagasaki and ended in a 2-2 draw, leading to extra time where we conceded the decisive goal in the first half of extra time, resulting in our elimination from the tournament. Nagasaki, while not applying intense pressure from the front, quickly organized their defense and built a solid defensive block with numbers in the center. On the other hand, Tokyo maintained possession of the ball but was unable to secure a goal that would lead to victory.
In this match, which comes just three days later, we face Sagan Tosu. As mentioned during our previous encounter in the first half of the season, Tokyo has struggled against Tosu in recent seasons. Since the 2019 season, we have lost six consecutive league matches against them. In the first half of this season's encounter, despite hitting the post twice, Tokyo failed to equalize after conceding a goal from a free kick.
Like Shonan, Tosu is characterized by its high intensity, closely marking the ball side from the front line. In the first half of the match, players were often marked man-to-man, struggling to build up play and losing the ball, leading to moments where they were pushed back by Tosu's dynamic attacks, with players rapidly advancing from the back during quick counters.
Conversely, if we can create situations of numerical superiority against opponents who come to capture the ball, move the ball to break free, and extend the time we hold the ball, we can significantly advance our strategies against teams that employ similar tactics. Challenges are also necessary for growth. Against the challenging opponent, Tosu, I want to find a build-up style that is not shaken by high pressing.
And above all, I want to send off Ryoya OGAWA with a victory in his last match before the transfer.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Will you bring fresh players to the Tosu match?
When there are 3, 4, or 5 consecutive matches, player selection prioritizing condition may come into play, but 3 consecutive matches do not need to be given that much importance. If there are weekday matches for 4 or 5 games consecutively over two weeks, it becomes a congested schedule, so it is important to consider player condition when selecting players.
Q: Do you think you can approach the match against Tosu in good condition?
A, we have to take into account that there was an overtime match the other day. Some players are extremely fatigued after playing overtime, so we consider that. However, there are also players who can maintain their condition even after overtime, so we handle that on an individual basis. Since there are injured players in the center-back position, we need to select players carefully and delicately. In any case, there is no doubt that we will face the match with a good lineup.
Q: What kind of performance do you expect from player Ogawa in his last match?
A, he is one of the players in good physical condition. I spoke with him before the season started, and he always had a strong desire to go to Europe. I suggested that if that was the case, he should at least spend the next six months until summer learning European-style football with me to prepare well, and then challenge himself in Europe. Since things have progressed that way, in that sense, I hope he will succeed over there. The league he is going to is considered mid-level in Europe. In that regard as well, I hope he performs well there and takes the next step, truly stepping up to Europe. I am satisfied with Ryoya OGAWA's professional behavior, play, and performance over the past six months, and I look forward to his further success in the future.
Q: After losing to Shonan and in the Emperor's Cup match against Nagasaki, I believe the match against Tosu will be an important game. What do you expect from the players?
A, I think the match against Shonan was the worst performance of the season. That is something that can naturally happen, and it just so happened to occur in the Shonan match, nothing more, nothing less. On the other hand, I evaluate that we played a good match in the Emperor's Cup game against Nagasaki. Of course, I understand that many people focus only on the match result. However, I look at a different aspect. My role is to focus firmly on the parts beyond just the match result. In the Nagasaki match, I believe that throughout the 120 minutes, we clearly outperformed them both in terms of play quality and the number of chances. However, such a match development can happen in soccer. The opposing team scores on all their few chances and wins the match. But in a long league competition, I believe the team that consistently plays well will rise to the top. What we are seeking now is to build a playing style that consistently brings good results. In other words, it is a battle to continuously achieve good results over the long league season. It is not about playing to get good results in a cup competition. Naturally, I think Nagasaki secured their victory in their own way, but although we lost, I am very satisfied with the players' performance in that match. Tomorrow, another difficult match awaits as a different battle, but we want to snatch points in a good way.
Q: The second half of the league has started, and we will be playing against opponents we faced once in the first half. Will you change your strategy compared to the first half when you faced them for the first time?
A, of course, there is an impact because we are playing one match. However, quite some time has passed since the last match against Tosu, and in that time, many things can happen in football. There are also recent trends and form to consider, so while there is an impact, it is not that significant. Our team is also growing. In that sense, the content of our play based on that growth is important, and at the same time, the match result is also important. However, the match result is not determined solely by our play; various factors influence the outcome, so the result is not something we can control alone. Since the team is still in a growth phase, we have not yet reached a stable state where we can consistently express our playing style and secure matches in a good way. Individual mistakes by our players can affect the match result. On the other hand, even if the team’s overall performance is poor, a single action by an individual player can lead to victory in football. Such a single action can determine the flow of the match and significantly change the course of the game, which can happen in matches, so we must adapt and fight accordingly.
The team is growing in a positive direction, and I believe the quality of our matches is improving with each game. However, if we talk about stability, we have not yet reached that point. We are not consistently scoring multiple goals or outperforming our opponents at that level. In that sense, when it comes to a single match, I think we still cannot fully control what might happen. We are currently in the second phase of growth, and the team remains in an unstable state. Because the team is still unstable during this growth phase, to continuously achieve better match results, I have communicated to the players that maintaining strong focus and consistently playing with high intensity will lead to earning many points even in this second phase of growth.
[Player Interview]
<Takuya AOKI>
Q: We lost to Nagasaki in a balanced match in the Emperor's Cup, and now only the league matches remain.
It was a tournament where we had a chance to go to the ACL, so it's really disappointing, but we have no choice but to switch our mindset and move forward.
Q: As we aim for a new style of football, I believe we are starting to feel confident in maintaining possession and building our attacks. How does Aoki feel about this?
A, I want to increase the variations in carrying the ball further into the attacking zone, and I also want to move the ball more smoothly.
Q: From Aoki's perspective, what kind of play do you think will be important moving forward to take the next step with the new style?
A. I believe it would be even better if each player has the awareness to create the game and can make plays from anywhere during the match. There are players who are used and players who use, but it would be ideal if everyone could do both.
Q: What impression do you have of Tosu?
A, the impression is that there are many young players who run a lot and work hard. Although it is a series of consecutive matches, we must not lose either. We have played disappointing games in the last two matches, so I think we need to show more aggressiveness.
Q: What is the key to victory?
A, first of all, we need to play aggressively, run, and fight. We were defeated in those aspects in the Shonan match, so I think we must bring out that part.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm as a team and as individuals.
A, from here, there are still chances to climb higher in the second half of the league, and I want to prepare mentally and fight to win each and every match.
<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q,This will be your last match with FC Tokyo, do you feel it?.
A, I don't feel it yet..
Q. You have continued to play as a left side back,,when you go to Portugal,how do you want to utilizeyour experiencein Tokyo?
A. Being able to play many matches wearing the Tokyo emblem and gaining experience is a valuable asset, and I am confidentinhaving been given the opportunity to play in Tokyo.I want to play with confidence there as well.I hope toplaywith confidence.
Q,Do you already have an image of yourself performing well?
A, yes. I have confidence, and since I intend to perform well, I can envision it..
Q,I think language barriers will come up, but how do you plan to overcome them?
A, at firstit will be tough, but I want to approach itpositively.I’m not the type to be sensitive, but by using gestures and interacting cheerfully, I think the other side will understand what kind of person I am. Going to Portugal andgraduallygettingused to itis important.
Q,What kind of feeling do you want to have going into the match against Tosu?
A, In the last few matches, we have continued to have results that our fans and supporters are not satisfied with, so I definitely want to end with a win.
Q,Are you aiming for goals and assists?
A, I am aiming for them, but the most important thing is for the team to win the match, so anywaywhoever scoresis finesoI hope we can win by scoring.
Q,Please share your enthusiasm for the last match.
A, Since this will truly be my last match in Tokyo, I believe it will be a special game for me, and I think it will be a match filled with strong emotions. I want to play with the aim of achieving a victory.
Q,Please give a message to the Tokyo staff, officials, fans, and supporters who have supported you so far.
A, 7seasons and a half, the reason I was able to grow to the level where I could be called overseas like this is100 percent thanks to Tokyo, and deciding to join Tokyo at the age of18 was definitely the right choice. I am truly grateful, and I want to repay that gratitude even a little by winning in the last match.
Ryoya OGAWA Memorial Goods Available for Order!
