<Match Preview>
In the last match, we achieved a 2-1 victory against Hiroshima, marking our second consecutive win in the league. Although we faced a tough situation by conceding the first goal away, our defense held strong with just one goal allowed, and the attack responded by turning the game around just before the end. Morishige reflected, "The ideal is to always have the ball. However, when that is not possible, if we can endure without conceding, our time will come again. The fact that we fought patiently during difficult moments led to this result."
Shimizu, our opponent this round, has struggled this season, but since the appointment of new coach Ricardo in June, they have started to bounce back with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. During the break, they acquired experienced players such as Takashi INUI, Koya KITAGAWA, and Yago Pikachu. It would be better to consider them a different team compared to when we won 3-0 in our last match in May.
The team condition in Tokyo is improving. In the match against Hiroshima, the three players who joined during the break for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, Luiz PHELLYPE, Koki TSUKAGAWA, and Seiji KIMURA, all made their debuts as substitutes. It is also a significant positive that the ace, Diego OLIVEIRA, scored for the first time in six matches.
As we head into the final third of the season, I hope for a victory at home to gain momentum.
The match day program is here!
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: The physical coach, Eyu Gaviran, has left the team. Is there a replacement physical coach?
A, we are currently working on finding a suitable candidate. Naturally, it is not easy at this time. However, we understand that his resignation this time was due to personal reasons, so it cannot be helped.
Q: How are the training menus decided until the next physical coach is appointed?
A, there are currently no particular issues. Athletic trainer Matsubara is temporarily covering for the absence of physical coach Euga Villar. The training flow has already been established heading into the final part of this season, so in that sense, training is progressing without any problems.
Q: I think Mita's performance in the last match against Hiroshima was good. What is your evaluation of it?
A, I believe there is no doubt about his quality. However, quality in football alone is not enough to succeed. In addition, concentration is also important, as well as contribution in defense. Player Mita has recently improved well and contributed significantly to the team in various aspects during the Hiroshima match. A player with characteristics like his can also play as a winger or inside half, so I think he is one of the important players for us.
Q: In the scene where Abe missed a shot in front of the goal, there was a moment when Mita worked well with Yoshifumi to bring the ball in. Do you think being able to create scenes like that is one of Mita's strengths?
A, as I always say, we give players freedom in the final finishing zone. The space in the finishing zone is very tight. Because playing in such a narrow space is required, naturally, the quality of each individual player becomes essential. That play was very attractive, as we maintained possession for a long time and were ultimately able to break down the defense right in front of the goal. The final combination was definitely something worth paying attention to.
Q: You have two home games in a row. Please tell us about your enthusiasm and the importance of these matches.
A, I have been saying this since the beginning of the season, but I want to continue growing with each match we play. The same applies to these two consecutive home games. There are players who are absent. To fill the gaps left by those players, I want the other players to step up and perform well. Also, we are currently improving in playing with confidence. I want to continue emphasizing that as we approach tomorrow's match. However, each game is different. The flow and development of the match change due to various details, so it is important to focus carefully on each game. Of course, home games are more comfortable for us to play. But I do not expect anything beyond daily growth.
Q: Shimizu added players Kawai and Kitagawa in the summer, and they scored two goals at the end of the last match against Tosu to equalize. What are your thoughts on this?
A, the attacking lineup includes high-quality players such as Thiago SANTANA and Inui, so if we give them any leeway, they can launch dangerous attacks. As I always say, I think this J1 League is very evenly matched. Therefore, there isn't a significant difference in strength based on the standings. I believe Shimizu is a team that values ball possession. We also need to be cautious of attacks from the flanks. In that sense, I think they are an attractive opponent to face.
Q: How do you feel about Matsuki's growth so far, as he has continued to participate since the opening match?
A, Matsuki is a player with a very strong competitive spirit. I think he represents a typical type of player that modern football demands. Not just him, but players with a style like his. I believe that having more players with a character like Matsuki will greatly contribute to the further growth of Japanese football. In Japan, there are many high-quality wingers and attacking midfielders. However, I think it is necessary to have more players with a character like Matsuki in the central midfield. At the same time, I hope better players will emerge in the center-back and center-forward positions as well. Matsuki has been blessed with playing time and is steadily developing, and at the same time, our playing style is connected to helping each player grow. I believe players grow by playing with care for the ball. Without valuing the ball, whether a player is 20 or 25 years old, it is difficult to expect dramatic growth. Even if experience is gained without valuing the ball, it might lead to some improvement, but it will not enhance the quality as a football player. To seek improvement as a football player, it is necessary to continue playing while valuing the ball. In that sense, 19-year-old Matsuki is playing while valuing the ball and is steadily growing.
[Player Interview]
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q, please review the previous game against Hiroshima.
A, since this is a sport where results matter, I am happy and think it was good that we were able to win. However, there were still areas that need to be refined, so I want to work on aligning those through practice.
Q: What impression do you have of Shimizu?
A, there are many good attackers on the front line, and I think each player's ability is high. Among them, we want to keep possession of the ball while effectively using counters, and aggressively take the ball from the front line. I believe good results will come if we can show our strengths, so I want to play with that in mind.
Q: How was the team's atmosphere this week?
A, since we have been able to win consecutive matches, the atmosphere is also good. I think it is very important to learn while winning games. We want to continue focusing on that and working together from practice to improve the team's level.
Q: How is the development of team collaboration going?
A, the players are communicating with each other and making requests little by little, so I hope we can gradually develop a good form. I also want to better understand each player's strengths and coordinate our play accordingly.
Q: I felt that the level of basic skills such as trapping and passing was high, even while watching the practice.
A, I think I have improved a little by continuing to work on that even in my previous team. However, it is important to be able to use it in matches, so I hope to participate in games and produce results.
Q: There is a possibility of making a debut at Ajinomoto Stadium with vocal support during the Shimizu match, so please share your enthusiasm.
A, cheers support the players, and during tough times, the voices of fans and supporters often help the body move. Having many allies in our favor at home games is very reassuring, and we hope to fight hard and achieve good results.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: In the last match, we achieved a comeback victory against Hiroshima with a goal from Adailton.
Of course, the result of a victory is important, but I also think the content was not bad. I feel encouraged by the fact that there have been more moments where we were able to advance while maintaining possession of the ball.
Q: Player Higashi has started as an anchor in five consecutive league matches. Although it is a different position compared to last season, is there anything you are particularly conscious of?
A, since it is a position that must maintain balance in both offense and defense, I am very conscious of creating a situation where the surrounding players can play easily. Especially for the forward players, their movements become passive if the ball does not come to them, so even when I cannot pass the ball, I try to convey "I am watching you properly."
Q: You didn't have many opportunities to play in the first half of the season. What were your thoughts during that time?
My condition was good, and I was confident that I could perform when the opportunity came, so I thought I just had to keep doing what I needed to do without getting discouraged. Even in matches where I couldn't make the bench, I carefully watched the team from the outside, imagining the moment I would step onto the pitch. There were mentally challenging times, but overcoming them helped me grow once again.
Q: At this point, how would you assess the completeness of the football that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is aiming for?
If asked how much we can express the coach's ideas, I don't think it's 100 percent. However, even within that, the players must make their own situational judgments and choose good plays; otherwise, we cannot become a winning team. There is room for improvement there, and I believe it is also something expected of myself.
Q: This match will be a test match for vocal support operations. Please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters.
The July match against Sapporo, which was a test game for cheering with voices, was more energizing than usual. It was a match that once again made us feel the greatness and reassurance of cheering with voices. We hope that in this round as well, you will lend us your strength just like in the Sapporo match.
The match day program is here!
