<Match Preview>
After a break due to national team activities, the J1 League is finally entering the final stage of the season. Tokyo will play 5 matches, including postponed games due to the typhoon. They will compete in 3 home games and 2 away games.
The opponent after the break is Kashima Antlers. With a 4-point difference from Tokyo, they are in 5th place, making this a very important match to stay competitive with the top teams.
In the first half of the season, we faced off in Sec. 16, just before the halfway point of the league, and won 3-1 thanks to Ryoma WATANABE's two goals. Although there were moments at the start where we were pushed back by Kashima's intensity in ball contests, after taking the lead, we maintained possession while neutralizing the opponent and scored an additional goal by breaking through their defensive line with a coordinated buildup from the entire team.
For coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, this marks the 100th match in charge of the J-League, and the team has achieved a milestone of 300 total victories in the J1 League. This match provided a significant sense of accomplishment in terms of the quality of soccer played, and it resulted in a positive outcome.
After many matches since this battle, Kashima's team situation has changed with the appointment of new manager Daiki IWAMASA during the season, and in the league, they have been far from victory with 4 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 matches. With this being a home game after about a month, their determination for the match against Tokyo should be very strong.
In Tokyo, in the match at the Japan National Stadium, which set a record for the highest number of home game attendees for the club in the previous round, we won 2-0 against Kyoto SANGA F.C. We maintained possession calmly against an opponent characterized by high intensity in ball contests and speedy attacks, switching to offense while observing the opponent's balance and bringing the play to a finish, allowing us to control the game at our own pace.
The focus is on whether Adailton can achieve his record as he competes for the top spots in the scoring rankings and is on the verge of reaching 50 goals in the J1 League, and who will score the milestone goal for the team that is on the verge of reaching 1000 goals in the J1 League. This season, Tokyo has maintained a 100% win rate in matches where they scored the first goal. They want to stick to their style and actively aim for the opening goal.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: It's been a while, but what preparations have you made for the match against Kashima?
A, over the past two weeks, we have been working by continuously making tactical and detailed adjustments as usual. We are focused on refining every detail in both tactical and technical aspects. We are currently in a growth phase, and I believe this is a good time and situation to feel that growth. The players are gaining confidence in their play day by day. Tomorrow's match will also be very challenging, but we hope to approach it in a good way.
Q: The season will end in one month. Has the progress so far been smooth?
A, now that some time has passed, I think I can express it in the past tense that we changed our style. This season, we had various goals under different themes, one of which was to change our playing style, and another was to give young players opportunities to play and promote their growth. Also, building a base for the team, creating a foundation for the future — I believe we have firmly achieved these three things so far. For me, these were the three goals I set, and I think they have been sufficiently accomplished. There are five matches remaining from here. Naturally, I want to grow further during these matches and finish the season strong. I believe many players found it difficult to adapt to this change, but I am satisfied that they adapted well. We want to fight the remaining five matches in a better way, achieve better results, and finish the season on a high note.
Q: Has your playing style clearly changed through the matches so far this season?
A, If you watch the current team's play, you will clearly see that they are playing in a different style from last season. In terms of numbers, including possession rate, they are competing among the top in the league. It's harder to recall matches where we lost in possession rate. Naturally, the change in style is ongoing, and constant growth is essential in the world of football. However, it is clear to everyone that the team has shifted from a style that focused on dropping the defensive block and emphasizing counterattacks to a new style of play. There is also a noticeable difference in build-up from deep positions and the speed of transitions between offense and defense. Preferences for style vary, so this is a matter open to debate and differing opinions. At the same time, changing the style does not necessarily guarantee winning matches, which is one of the challenges of football. There is still a long road ahead. Looking at the bigger picture, the team is still in a growth phase.
Q: What plans do you have in mind since player Morishige cannot participate in the match?
A, naturally, his absence is an important point for tomorrow's match. However, in situations like this, looking from a different perspective, it can also be seen as an opportunity for other players, especially the younger ones. In that sense, we hope they make good use of this chance and perform well.
Q: I believe the players have had new learnings and discoveries this season, but it was also a new experience for you as a coach at a new club.
A, first of all, I was very surprised by the players' strong desire to learn and how quickly they developed. I also learned a lot myself in adapting to the characteristics of each individual player. When changing the style, we attempted a gradual change rather than a drastic one. I believe that went well, and it was also important that we were able to make the change while steadily accumulating points. This is because if we didn't accumulate points, we could have faced difficulties toward the end of the season. I think J1 is a more competitive league than J2. In that sense, every match is very challenging, and any team in J1 has the possibility of relegation. If you don't accumulate points, you can fall into a dangerous situation, so in that regard, the gradual change worked well. The fact that multiple clubs with larger management scales than ours are struggling in the relegation battle is clear proof of this. Because it is such a competitive league, drastic changes are very risky. In that sense, I think it is highly commendable that I adapted to the players, and the players adapted to me and the new style, allowing us to gradually progress with the style change.
[Player Interview]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: Until now, we haven't had very good results against Kashima, but this season we won 3-1 at home. This time it will be a match at Kashima Stadium, but what is your impression of playing away?
A, even though Kashima changes managers every year, their playing style does not change, and I have the image that everyone inherits and plays in the traditional Kashima style. I have also been with Tokyo for a long time, but my impression is that we have fewer wins and not a very good impression. However, the stadium itself is truly a wonderful soccer-specific stadium, and being able to play in such a place is really a blessing as a player, so I want to play boldly.
Q, the interval was longer than usual by one week due to the break, but what aspects has the team built up during this time?
A, from this season, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been in charge as the coach, and the team is challenging building up play from the back. There are parts where they have been able to value possession of the ball, and I hope they can continue to build on that going forward. Although it is an away game at a difficult stadium, I think it will be very important whether we can do what we want to do even against such opponents.
Q: I think in the last match against Kyoto, we were able to defend from the front and maintain possession while finishing.
Even though it is important to value possession of the ball, I think that not only passing it around but also quick attacks, which are one of Tokyo's strengths, are crucial. Intensity and running ability are also important, so I have the impression that we need to work on these aspects simultaneously.
Q: If we can win here, won't we be able to see the possibility of qualifying for the ACL (AFC Champions League)?
A, as long as there is a possibility, I am aiming for it, and as long as I am on this team, I believe it is always the goal. In such important matches, I want everyone to come together and fight as one.
Q: Do you feel that Tokyo's style has been analyzed by opponents as you fight through the second half of the season?
In the second half of the season, the way of playing becomes more fixed, so to some extent, it gets analyzed. It's the same for us, but in that sense, it's easy for the competition to be balanced. The J.League has 18 teams, and there are no easy opponents to beat, so I think every team will face tough battles.
Q: In the match against Kyoto in the previous round, there were many scenes where we were able to create opportunities for shots, and I believe we scored from those as well.
A, you have to shoot when you can, but it is better to shoot at the right timing, and if there is a free player on the side, it is better to use that option. Since this depends on individual judgment, it cannot be said definitively, but we want to create many opportunities.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the match against Kashima.
A, we have to keep winning consecutively and steadily accumulate points, so in that sense, this is a really important match, and we want to bring back points somehow.
