<Match Preview>
This season, designated as the year of reform, the J1 League has reached the halfway point of the schedule and is entering the second half. However, having recently lost 0-2 to Shonan and conceding a season-high 5 goals to Tosu, the team is facing a difficult situation.
After the match against Tosu, Masato MORISHIGE said, "I knew that this kind of time would come," and added, "We can only turn this situation around ourselves. We have no choice but to do what we need to do." He has been repeatedly discussing with the players to break through this situation. In order to create a winning team while establishing a new playing style, the players themselves are also working with a strong determination.
In the midst of this, Tokyo returns to Ajinomoto after a month.
To dispel the bad flow, the support of home fans and supporters is undoubtedly a strong ally. This week's opponent, Fukuoka, is a team that suffered a complete defeat of 1-5 in an away match. If we can break through Fukuoka's organized defense and achieve revenge, it should serve as an opportunity for the team to regain its upward momentum.
Ryoya OGAWA believed that "young players will lead the team" and set off for Portugal. I hope to see the rise of young talents that will make the Ajinomoto even hotter on summer nights.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Has the practice time been moved earlier considering this heat?
A, I thought it would be best to start an hour earlier to avoid the heat as much as possible.
Q: How is Diego's return?
A is a very important player for us. I think his absence had a significant impact. He played many matches while enduring pain. We are truly grateful that he has returned here. This time, the pain has not disappeared, but he himself hopes to accelerate his comeback while enduring the pain and is preparing for tomorrow's match. In that sense, we are very thankful for his effort.
Q: Will the absence of several players who have adapted to this season's football have a significant impact?
A, it was not the loss itself in the previous match against Tosu that concerned me, but the team's play after conceding the second goal. In the Nagasaki match, we were able to play our own game, and I think we played well in the first half against Tosu as well. Although Tosu scored a difficult goal in a similar way to the goal conceded in the Nagasaki match, we failed to convert decisive chances and ended the first half. However, after conceding the second goal, the team lost its fighting spirit, and I think the match content up to that point and the final result did not link well.
Q: I was concerned about the fifth goal conceded. While it is fresh for a defender to come on and play, I think there are also difficulties involved. What was not good?
A, that substitution was an urgent decision made considering Morishige's fatigue. Of course, Okazaki also made mistakes, but I think the 5th goal conceded was not only due to Okazaki's mistake, but there were also multiple mistakes by other players in the 3rd and 4th goals conceded. I'm not trying to blame anyone, but there were player errors that led to the last three goals conceded. While the goal resulted from a pass mistake by Okazaki, I do not feel he is solely responsible. More than that, we had to urgently bring someone on because we wanted to substitute Morishige.
Q: How is the players' conditioning this week?
Regarding physical condition, we have been able to maintain a good state. It is a typical example in the soccer world that when we win a match, the condition remains good, but when we lose, it is said to be poor. What happened in the Tosu match was not a decline in performance due to physical condition issues after the second goal conceded, but rather multiple goals conceded afterward because the players lost their fighting spirit mentally. I was angered by that, and it must never happen again. I conveyed this directly to the players: it is okay to lose a match, but they must never lose their fighting spirit until the very end. I also told the players that losing the fighting spirit after the second goal in the Tosu match, resulting in a loss and multiple goals conceded, must never happen.
Q: How is player Abe's condition? Is it going to take a long time?
A is injured. I think he will be able to return in about 2 to 3 weeks. He was in good condition, but he received a bruise and may have suffered a muscle injury when he fell. Since he was lying on the pitch, we hoped the play would be stopped and a substitution could be made, but the play continued and the first goal was conceded.
Q: How is the side back position considered after the departure of player Ogawa?
We are considering how players A, Nagatomo, and Yoshifu can fill the gap left by (Ogawa).
Q: What changes will occur by moving Nagatomo back to the left, where he has always played, instead of using him on the right?
A, I consider Nagatomo to be ambidextrous in a way. Even though there is a typical left-footed side back like Ogawa, I think it is a waste to use the ambidextrous Nagatomo on the left side. Yoshifu is a left-footed side back, but he is still young and needs to gain more experience going forward. If there is a clear left side back, then it naturally makes sense to me to use the ambidextrous player on the opposite side.
Q: Will we be using both for a while?
A, I definitely want to utilize both players. By doing so, I want to encourage the growth of player Yoshifu. He has very good offensive skills. However, he needs to learn more about defense. How to improve that will be something he can learn by being used in matches. Gaining experience there is important, and I want to consider that when deciding to use him. Having a player like Nagatomo who can play both sides is very positive for our team.
Q: There was a discussion about mental condition and physical condition, and I think there is a significant connection between the two. What are your thoughts on this?
A, I believe that basic mental condition has the greatest impact. If there is no physical coach and the training is lackluster, naturally the team might end up in an extremely poor physical condition, but in today's professional world, such teams are almost nonexistent. Even if the physical condition is maintained at the same level, the play can differ depending on the player's situation. When the mind is fulfilled, I believe one can perform at a higher level even in the same condition. I think the performance dropped after the second goal conceded the other day because the mental condition declined. As professional players, a mentality that always focuses on winning is necessary. And the entire club must build this winning mentality not only among the players but throughout the whole team. Even if the playing style improves, nothing can be gained unless the winner's mentality grows well. Tokyo has yet to win a league title. We must create a new history.
Q: How do you want to utilize the reflections from June in the future?
Regarding the improvement of the mental aspect, we are having thorough discussions with the players and working towards improvement. Also, since we can make five substitutions per match, we plan to effectively utilize players who are in good condition. However, for certain specific positions, there are situations where substitutions are rarely made, which makes it challenging. That is the current situation, so we have to endure and continue to use the same players.
[Player Interview]
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q: This will be the fourth match against Fukuoka this season. What impression do you have?
A, they firmly strengthen their defense and tend to focus more on attacks that directly lead to goals rather than just connecting passes. We have played many matches this season, and they are a very tough opponent.
Q: What measures are you considering as a team?
A, our desire to maintain possession of the ball does not change regardless of the opponent. On the contrary, if we lose the ball poorly, like in the previous match against Tosu, we give the opponent chances. Avoiding careless ball losses and better neutralizing set plays and the opponent's strengths will give us a good chance to win. We want to focus carefully on every detail and play accordingly.
Q: What have you been mindful of in your preparation as a team and as an individual since the last match against Tosu?
A, in the match against Tosu, we conceded a goal early in the second half, and the team quickly fell apart. I think we need to correct that part. The summer battles are about to begin, and there will be times when we can't play the style of football we want. This was something we couldn't do in the previous match against Tosu, but if we can all endure and play together even when things aren't going well, I believe we will improve even more.
Q: What kind of play becomes important when you are struggling to score goals?
I believe that if we can increase our chances, we will be able to score goals. In some matches, we have been able to score multiple goals. In the past few games, there have been moments where we conceded goals too easily, and once we fall behind, the opponent takes control of the pace. Therefore, while making sure not to concede first, we want to create scoring opportunities from the back.
Q: What kind of strategy do you think is necessary during the hot summer months?
A, I think it is important to play with a clear mind while pursuing the style of soccer we aim for. During the summer, due to physical stamina issues, even when we cannot do what we want, it is necessary for the team to unite and play consistently without wavering.
Q: It's been a while since we had a home game in the league, please share your enthusiasm.
A, looking back, I think we have been able to play good matches at home and the results have been positive. I believe the support from our fans and supporters is crucial, and we want to secure solid wins at home to show the place and results we aim for.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: In the last match, we lost to Tosu, conceding 5 goals. Since it was Ryoya OGAWA's last game, it must have been a frustrating result.
Player A Ogawa plays the same left side back position as me and has always been a role model. I felt sorry that we couldn't send off Ogawa in a good way. Personally, I was not on the bench for the Tosu match and watched it in Tokyo, so I feel even more frustrated.
Q: I think you had many opportunities to talk with player Ogawa. What kind of senior was he?
<div>A, I have watched him right in front of me since my U-18 days, and he has been my ultimate goal. Even after joining the top team, I always tried to imitate Ogawa's play and from there, I felt like I was shaping my own style. Although we are rivals competing for the same position, he was a senior who created an atmosphere where I could consult him about anything. I am truly grateful.
Q: Has there been any change in your mindset towards future battles due to Ogawa's transfer?
A, I think the competition for positions will continue to be intense, but even so, I am practicing with the determination to definitely secure a starting spot. No one wants to watch the game from the bench, and I feel the same way. I want to give my all in practice and keep appealing to the coach with high-intensity play. Ultimately, I believe this will also contribute to the overall strength of the team.
Q: This match is a home game for the first time in about a month. Please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters at Ajinomoto.
A, we haven't had very good results in the past few matches, but that's why we're fired up to change the momentum at our first home game in a while. To gain momentum for the second half of the season, we want this match to be a turning point where we can shift gears. Personally, I will do my best to achieve visible results such as goals and assists. Please cheer us on!
