<Match Review>
Tokyo, having hired Albert PUIG ORTONEDA as the coach, is challenging a new soccer style based on positional play. After about a month of preseason preparations, the time for departure has finally arrived. The opponent is Kawasaki Frontale, the reigning league champions. They fought the Tamagawa Classico in enemy territory.
In the early stages, the ball was unsettled due to the opponent's pressure, creating several situations where they approached the goal. However, center-back Henrique TREVISAN and goalkeeper Jakub SLOWIK threw their bodies to block the shots. They continued to endure firmly while communicating with each other on the pitch.
The flow began to change after the 20th minute of the first half. In the 24th and 28th minutes, Kensuke NAGAI initiated plays that led to shots from Leandro and Kuryu MATSUKI, but both were blocked by the opposing goalkeeper. Towards the end of the first half, they repeatedly threatened the Kawasaki goal, creating chances to challenge the Kawasaki goal in the 36th and 43rd minutes as well.
As the second half began, the time spent holding the ball increased, creating opportunities to push Kawasaki back. In the 16th minute of the second half, Leandro was fouled, resulting in a free kick just outside the penalty area. The kicker, Leandro, delivered a superb ball between the opposing goalkeeper and defense, and Kensuke NAGAI, who reacted quickly, headed the ball into the net, but it was ruled offside, resulting in no goal. In the 24th minute of the second half, Kensuke NAGAI broke through on the left side and delivered a backward cross in front of the goal, but Kuryu MATSUKI, who dove in front of the goal, had his attempt cleared by a sliding opposing defender just before he could reach it.
After conceding the opening goal to Kawasaki from a corner kick in the 36th minute of the second half, Tokyo's fierce attack intensified. They pressed the opponent, spread the play wide, and delivered crosses into the box to take shots, but they struggled to find the back of the net. In the closing stages after 90 minutes, Kazuya KONNO intercepted a pass on the right side and cut in towards the center to take a mid-range shot. The ball slipped past the opponent's goalkeeper's arms but was deflected off the left goal post.
The 7 minutes of additional time were mostly played in the opponent's half, but the final step was just out of reach. Albert Tokyo's first match started with a narrow defeat.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: How do you feel about today's match?
After significantly changing our playing style, we welcomed the opening with only a one-month preparation period. Many players understand the playing style, and there are also young players and new additions. Six players were forced to withdraw from the competition due to positive COVID-19 test results.
In this situation, the first 15 minutes after the match started did not go well, but after that, we had a long period of dominating the game. We were able to create many decisive chances, including hitting the post and facing important moments. Being able to dominate the game against a team that has won two consecutive championships is something that I believe you can imagine makes me very proud of the players. I am proud of being able to play this well despite many obstacles.
Kawasaki Frontale is a mature team that has maintained the same playing style for many years. Within that, they scored goals from set pieces. My players are hungry for victory and are full of a willingness to learn. The team has just begun to walk with a new playing style. In that sense, we need to build a foundation to become a team worthy of champions, and I want to achieve that every day. Naturally, mistakes will occur. However, I conveyed to the players that the fighting spirit expressed today is necessary to get closer to achieving our goals.
I was hoping that the whistle for the penalty would be blown because of VAR, but unfortunately, the whistle did not sound. The last part was a joke (laughs). I respect the referee, and I think they blew a wonderful whistle today.
Q: Although player Morishige was not present, did you have any concerns about the composition of the members?
A, we were able to have a wonderful preseason. However, it is unfortunate that six players have left the team. Kuryu MATSUKI made his professional debut. I am satisfied with his performance and would like to commend him. He must continue to grow, but I expect that in the near future, he will become a player who brings great joy to Japanese football.
There were players shedding tears in the locker room after the match. I take pride in that, and it conveyed how wonderful today's match was. Once again, we have just begun to walk this path. There will undoubtedly be many more mistakes in the future. However, I believe that our fighting spirit will definitely be expressed.
Q: I think you were progressing well in the second half of the match, but what kind of adjustments were you instructed to make?
A conveyed the importance of playing carefully with the ball. There are high-quality players, and I thought Kawasaki Frontale would aim for counterattacks, so I communicated the need for risk management in response. Kawasaki Frontale has been playing with this style for a long time and usually outperforms opponents in ball possession rate in most matches. Today, we were able to surpass the opponent in that aspect as well, and we dominated the game. This is the path we will continue on, but the players still have a lot of room for growth, and I believe their level of completion is still less than 20%. In that sense, I think there is still time this season for the players to develop further.
In the Levain Cup, we want to give young players a chance and hope they will grow as well. I believe that not only the team but also the club will grow step by step. The path we are advancing on is what we expressed today. While expressing our fighting spirit, mistakes may occur, but we will grow day by day and achieve great things. We want to grow into a great club.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q: What kind of training have you been doing in the two weeks since the camp ended? Also, how much were you able to express that in today's match?
We are working on the 'football that loves the ball' as Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says. In that process, there were some chaotic moments at first today, but gradually we had more time to circulate the ball with our style of play, and we had more chances than the opponent, so next, we want to focus on whether we can finish those chances.
Q: How do you feel about your performance today?
We had many scenes where we couldn't make the necessary decisions or lost the ball in Tokyo, so I want to improve on that and become a player who can maintain possession throughout the match and finish effectively.
Q: It seems that you have a good relationship with Leandro and Watanabe in the right-side position. What was your mindset going into this?
I often communicated with Watanabe during practice matches and training about defensive positioning. I was conscious of taking a position that would allow Leandro to showcase his characteristics the most. When Leandro was inside, I would position myself outside, always playing while keeping an eye on Leandro. I want to continue to improve and bring out my strengths even more.
Q: Your strong attitude towards scoring, such as with your left-footed mid-range shots during the match, was clearly evident.
I wanted to score in the opening match, and whether we could finish in that scene would determine the outcome, so I want to approach this part sincerely in practice.
Q: Were you nervous?
A, I wasn't nervous, but it was unexpected that the ball didn't connect with my feet at the beginning. I think I'll get used to it next time.
Q: The opponent was Kawasaki Frontale, known for their strong midfield. How did it feel to face them?
A, I don't think we were losing in terms of ball contests and physicality, so I believe this is an area where we can excel. If we can break through with myself, Aoki, and Abe, I think the front line will become even stronger, so I want to focus on that and work on it.
Q: There were scenes where Chanathip relied on his body to win the ball, as well as intense moments in the game. I think he showed plays that are not typical of a rookie player.
A, I just did what I always do, so I want to continue doing that part.
Q: Did any issues arise in today's match?
A: There were still some places to look around and some places that ended with a shot. I want to improve the quality in the final moments.
<Kensuke NAGAI>
Q: It was a wonderful match, but ultimately it ended in defeat. How do you feel when reflecting on the entire game?
I feel it was a waste not to be able to capitalize on opportunities while being mindful of attacking while valuing the ball.
Q: What were your aims before the match and what are your thoughts after actually competing in the official match?
I think we were able to create time to push forward as a team. However, we conceded from set pieces in the second half, and ultimately lost the match due to a lack of finishing ability. This is something the entire team needs to reflect on. It was a frustrating result, but I want to take it as a good experience for further growth and connect it to the next steps.
Q, you have been preparing with the new team through camp up to this point. I believe there were both anxieties and excitement about how far you could go, but how does player Nagai feel about it?
Before the season started, there were various irregularities, and I felt a sense of crisis that the older players had to lead the team. While that created a good sense of tension, it is truly frustrating that we were unable to win as a result.
Q: What is necessary in the future to win against Kawasaki Frontale, who are on a two-time league championship streak?
I think that improving our accuracy in front of the goal and the easy mistakes, including my own, will get better as we play more matches. I felt that it was very enjoyable to be playing in the matches.
Q: Although there were moments that resulted in offside, there were also scenes where we came close to scoring, and I felt the intensity as we moved towards the goal.
I intended to break out while being aware of Chanathip's line, but unfortunately, it resulted in an offside. I felt really good about it, so I want to focus on scoring goals.If I had been able to properly connect the ball to Matsuki after the cut, we could have taken the lead, and I want to reflect on those aspects and work on improving as a team while encouraging everyone.
Q: Was the moment you shook the net as you intended?
When Leandro stood by the ball, I had a feeling he was going to kick it here, so I aimed for it, but I think I might have been a bit early.
Q: Although it is the opening match of the league, how do you feel about the team's level of completion?
I still feel that we have a long way to go, and I believe we will grow while experiencing various things. I am excited to see how far we can develop from here, and I want to be able to score goals and share a lot of joy with our fans and supporters.
Q: Next, the Levain Cup is about to start, and the league's home opener is also approaching. What message would you like to convey to the fans and supporters waiting at Ajinomoto?
A, last season was a tough end to the season where we couldn't win many matches. I want to firmly defeat Iwata and Nagoya. Since (Hayato) HASEGAWA is also in Nagoya, I hope the whole team can work together to repay that debt.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q: How do you feel after the match?
AI believe we played a good match against our strong opponent, Kawasaki. There were times when we were able to dominate, and we created several opportunities to take shots. However, I am filled with regret that we could not score a goal and ultimately lost the match. I think it will take time for the new style of soccer to take root, and I want to gradually improve from here and connect it to the next match.
Q: Given the time it takes, do you feel you gained something from today's match?
A, I think it became clear that everyone understood that we were able to express the style of football the coach is looking for, even just a little, in this match. However, I believe it will take time to shape that into results, so I want to value our daily practice and connect it to results as soon as possible.
Q: It seemed that instructions were given from the bench during the first half. What were they?
A, I can't say much about that (laughs). There were areas that needed to be corrected at the start, and we shared that among the players. From there, especially at the beginning of the second half, I think we started to create chances. Unfortunately, we couldn't convert them into goals, which led to today's result, but we were discussing those things during the match.
Q: Diego TABA has created many chances, simply increasing the number of opportunities. What is needed to finalize those chances?
A, I believe that the current style and tactics of football are certainly creating more opportunities, but we must score goals. We will continue to work on what we are doing, and in order to improve the team, as well as ourselves, we aim to raise our quality even slightly. Today’s result of 0-1 was frustrating, but we want to quickly score and aim for a level of completion that allows us to win.
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q: First, please reflect on the match.
A, it is frustrating that we lost as a result. On the other hand, I feel a sense of fulfillment that we were able to play the football we aim for, and I believe it was a match that will lead to the next one.
Q: It seemed a bit chaotic at the start of the match, how did you feel about it?
A, we were prepared as a team for some tough moments, and those came at the start when we created chances, but we were communicating on the pitch to try to make adjustments. As time went on, I think we were able to control the game better. Since it was the opening match, I felt a bit tense myself, so I want to control the game from the start in the next match.
Q. Throughout the preseason, there were repeated trials and errors, and while there were certainly errors in this match as well, I believe there were also some positive outcomes, weren't there?
There were no major mistakes, and I believe the mistakes made were ones that can lead to improvement. I think the goal conceded was a result of the opponent's higher quality.
Q: I think it was a scene that we wanted to somehow prevent the conceding of a goal. What do you think?
In situations where we are pushing forward, we have experienced that a single set piece can determine the outcome. That's why I wanted to keep a clean sheet, and I think we needed a bit more patience in that regard.
Q: There were goals conceded from set pieces, but didn't you feel a sense of achievement as the final line of defense?
A, although Kawasaki's powerful attack created chances, I feel a sense of achievement in not allowing them to create decisive scenes in the second half, and it was a fulfilling 90 minutes.
Q: Next is the home opening match. Please share your enthusiasm.
I believe that the team is united and moving in a good direction, so while continuing to level up, I want to fight for victory in each match, aiming to show the same kind of football as today in the next game.
