<Match Preview>
After completing three league matches, we welcome the start of the Levain Cup. With league matches before and after, we will face a tight schedule of three matches in just three days, but as one of the three major domestic titles and a team that has experienced victory twice in the past, we aim to pursue both content and victory in this tournament.
This season in Tokyo, we were placed in the same group as three teams from Kansai: Kyoto SANGA F.C., Gamba Osaka, and Cerezo Osaka. We faced Kyoto in the league on March 4, and will compete against them again in the Levain Cup on March 26. Additionally, we will play against Cerezo Osaka in the league on April 15, with matches scheduled closely across the tournaments.
While probing each other's strengths, improving the overall team strength through the emergence of young players is essential to accumulate points in both tournaments. Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has also stated his intention to actively utilize young players in the Levain Cup.
In the match against Kyoto on March 4, young players were sent onto the pitch in the second half, and their dynamic play invigorated the team as they showcased their strengths. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who made his second consecutive appearance, displayed aggressive dribbling to threaten the opponent's goal, while Yuta ARAI, making his league debut, cut in from the right side to deliver a sharp cross in front of the goal. Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who made his first appearance after signing a professional contract, also showed a fighting spirit by not giving up even after the lead was extended just after entering stoppage time, instead inspiring the entire team.
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been proactive in utilizing young players, such as giving a debut to Arai, who was specially designated last season, in the first match of the Levain Cup. Tomorrow, what kind of lineup will we see? Which players will show their skills? This match is not only crucial for the present but also cannot be missed when considering the future of Tokyo.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Given the small number of players in the midfield, what are your thoughts on the team composition?
Regardless of whether players are sidelined due to injury, we want to use the Levain Cup as an opportunity to foster the growth of young players. Of course, we aim to maintain a good balance and approach the league matches by effectively blending players who rarely get chances with the young players. In Europe, players endure playing two high-intensity matches every week with only three days in between. What I am aiming for tomorrow is to maintain a good balance, of course aiming for victory, while giving young players opportunities and promoting their development. I want to strike a good balance between both and approach tomorrow's match accordingly.
For example, if we cannot maintain that balance and end up using many young players in difficult matches, it can lead to those young players losing confidence. At the same time, for those players who are not given the chance to play in the league matches, I hope that by providing them with opportunities to play, they can be prepared to perform well in the league at any time. I certainly understand that fans and supporters wish for us to win titles. However, the situation we are in is that we have multiple injuries in the midfield position, and Matsuki is absent due to national team duties. What I would like fans and supporters to understand is that young players will not grow without opportunities to play. At the same time, if players who are not getting many chances in the league do not have opportunities to play in the Levain Cup, they will not be able to prepare well for the league. When players show good performances in the Levain Cup, my aim is to use those players more and more in the league matches.
I believe that tomorrow's match will also be an opportunity for players who have not had the chance to play in the league to prove that they are worthy of playing in the league. For young players, I hope it will be a chance for growth and to demonstrate their potential. In soccer, we must overcome everything. This includes pitch conditions, as well as the referee's decisions; we must overcome all obstacles to aim for victory. We must also overcome our own mistakes in our pursuit of victory.
Q: In the last two matches, there were many scenes where we lost the ball. What is necessary to overcome these mistakes?
A, we want to regain the balance we lost in the match against Kyoto. First of all, even if we lose the match, we want the players to always show on the pitch that they are fighting to win. The players demonstrated this in the Kyoto match. We must express this in every game at all costs. In the Kyoto match, we struggled with their high-intensity defense and were unable to control the game well. The absence of several players also had an impact, and this is a point we want to improve. What we must learn from the Kyoto match is that we also need to play high-intensity defense properly. When the opponent does the same, naturally, not everything may go well, but it is important to play in a way that firmly controls the ball and the game as time passes. We must learn from the Kyoto match and make improvements.
Q: I think continuing to fight steadily will be a challenge. What is necessary to keep the play calm even in a high-tempo match?
A, it is necessary to truly believe in our own play from the bottom of our hearts. I believe that the only way to overcome challenges is to keep believing and keep going. If each player continues to believe and persist, they will influence each other, and as a team, we will ultimately be able to overcome obstacles. We need to learn more about how to break through teams that lower their block and defend cautiously, rather than teams that defend with high intensity. This season, my personal goal is to stick to our style while focusing on winning. We must establish a unique Tokyo style, an original style that brings out the strengths of the players we currently have. Continuing from last season, one of our goals is also for each player to grow individually.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q: How is your condition?
My condition is improving, and I believe Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is also observing my state. If I can participate in the match, I want to express my opinions to anyone without hesitation, listen to the opinions of the surrounding players, and play while communicating closely.
Q: I think you have been building up Tokyo's style from the camp, but how about in terms of getting used to it?
A, I understand some parts about the soccer style. However, since I have never played in an official match after transferring to Tokyo, I honestly don't know if I can play as imagined. I am studying by watching the movements of players like Nagatomo, Nakamura, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. I hope to express the image I gained on the pitch. First of all, I want to play in a match as soon as possible.
Q: The Levain Cup is about to start. How do you perceive this tournament?
A, I think this is a highly anticipated tournament. It has been three years since the club last won the championship, so we want to win again and share the joy with our fans and supporters. When we won the championship in the 2020 season, I was watching it on TV. Being part of that team now is very exciting, and I believe this match will be just as important as the league games.
Q: I think this will be an important match to see if we can get involved in the league competition from here.
I want to participate in the Levain Cup and also be involved in the league matches. The first match will be an important one for me as well. Although the match against Yokohama FC is just three days later, I want to give more than 100 percent in the Levain Cup first and contribute to the team's victory.
Q: You had opportunities to play in positions other than side back during the camp. How did it feel?
A, side backs sometimes move their position to the defensive midfield area to play, and this is required by the team. I believe the experience of playing as a defensive midfielder is being utilized in playing as a side back. I have also proven that I can adapt if given opportunities to play in midfield. I am approaching this positively to help Tokyo become stronger, and I want to express this on the pitch.
Q: What impression do you have of Cerezo Osaka?
A, I think there are many players who are good with the ball at their feet. If you don't go firmly to the ball, you will be easily bypassed. In defense, while playing with high intensity, in attack, they have strong points, so I want to connect good defense to good attack.
Q: I think there are plays that are requested by Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, but what kind of plays do you want to perform?
A, I want to be conscious of involving myself in possession while considering positioning. By communicating with the surrounding players, I want to take the best position and play with a strong presence in both offense and defense.
Q: Are you aiming for goals and assists in terms of results?
A. I approach every match with the intention of scoring and achieving results. It is important not only to focus on myself but also to play by utilizing the strengths of the surrounding players. While thinking carefully, I want to run and fight for the team's victory first, rather than just my own results.
Q: It's an away game, but I believe many fans and supporters will come to cheer us on. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, the passion of the fans and supporters felt at the home opener was incredible. Tomorrow's match is away, but I believe many will come to cheer us on. The players will do their best to respond to the support. We all want to show everyone our fighting spirit so that they will want to come see the Levain Cup as well, and we hope you look forward to it. Thank you for your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, Please share your enthusiasm for the Levain Cup.
A, I haven't been able to play in any matches this season yet, so I want to deliver solid results and build on that. Since the Levain Cup is the first match, I will do my best to win and gain momentum.
Q: How is your condition?
A, I am always ready to play in matches, so my condition is not a problem.
Q: What do you want to be conscious of while playing?
A, I want to attack while valuing the ball as a team. Since I am a defensive player, I focus on not conceding goals, utilizing my physical abilities, which are my strengths, and aiming not to be outmatched by the opponent.
Q: What is your impression of Cerezo Osaka?
A. The opposing attacking lineup consists of highly skilled players, so in defense, we want to apply intense pressure to prevent their attackers from playing freely.
Q: I think there will be players who have had few opportunities to play in the league so far. I believe it will be a match that tests their mental strength, but how do you want to approach the game?
A, everyone strongly wants to participate in the league matches. Since the opponents play aggressively from the start, I believe that the mindset is especially important in close ball situations. We want to stay focused and encourage each other with our voices so that we don't lose in spirit as we enter the match.
Q: I believe that by showing good results and performance here, we have a chance to change our current position, especially since we haven't had results in the last two league matches.
As a defensive player, I think my evaluation will improve just by winning without conceding goals. When the team is not doing well, it is an opportunity for players like me who are not involved in matches, so I just have to do my best.
Q: Do you feel any anxiety about playing in a match with players you don't usually team up with?
A, as a team, we have a shared understanding of the style of play we aim for. I think it will be necessary to communicate with each other during the game to handle the finer details.
Q: You seem calm, but are you feeling excited?
A, I am feeling quite excited. I got injured before the opening and haven't been able to participate in matches, but the season has just begun. This first game is very important to me, so I want to deliver solid results. I'm not nervous at all, and tomorrow I want to play boldly. I am also aiming to score from set pieces.
Q: Do you have an image of your play against Cerezo Osaka?
A, first of all, I want to play while handling the ball simply. Vertical passes can create chances if successful, but aiming for vertical passes at the wrong timing carries a high risk of losing the ball. I don't think Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA likes that either, so I plan to play simply where it is easy, circulate the ball well, and play flexibly by aiming for vertical passes when the opponent is slightly off position.
