<Match Review>
The opening match of this season, Albert Tokyo's debut had many positive elements, but immediately after, due to the impact of the new coronavirus infection, the team's activities were suspended from February 20th to 26th. Finally, after resuming activities, they faced today's Fukuoka match with a 3-day preparation period.
There are still some teammates who are in the recovery period, and 17 players, including one designated player and two registered players, arrived in Fukuoka. With the best possible team composition at the moment, they played their second match of the season on the pitch.
After the kick-off, Keita YAMASHITA makes a move and approaches the goal, and continues to hold the ball and push the opponent. The transition between offense and defense is also fast, and they launch a continuous attack by winning back the ball with a high press. However, in the 22nd minute of the first half, they allowed the first goal to Tatsuya TANAKA, who jumped into the gap between players and received a cross ball from the right side.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, not only holds the ball but also pushes it in by putting a wedge pass to the front line players. In the 24th minute of the first half, Kazuya KONNO, who received the ball on the right side, made a big side change. Adailton controlled the ball in the penalty area on the left side of the goal, but his shot was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.
The biggest chance of the first half came at the 35th minute. Ryoya OGAWA got a free kick near the right side of the penalty area and aimed directly for the goal with a sharp kick, but it hit the crossbar. Hotaka NAKAMURA then headed the rebound, but it went straight to the opposing goalkeeper.
Tokyo, who is aiming for a comeback by stepping up their gear, will bring in strengthened player Yuta ARAI from the second half.
In the 24th minute of the second half, Adailton, who cut in from the left side to the center, attracted the opponent and moved to the right side. Arai, who entered the penalty area while controlling the ball, actively aimed for the goal but couldn't hit the frame. In the 29th minute of the second half, Yamashita and in the 38th minute, Adailton both had chances for a header shot in front of the goal, but were unable to score due to the opponent's goalkeeper's good defense.
While managing the risk against the opponent's counter, we repeatedly recovered the ball with a high press and continued to dominate the game with a thick attack. Even in a tough situation, the team showed what they were capable of and fully demonstrated the style of Albert Tokyo. The finishing power, which was a challenge carried over from the Kawasaki Frontale match, will hopefully be resolved in the league match against Cerezo Osaka in three days.
[Interview with Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review today's game.
First of all, I would like to praise the players' fighting spirit. Among the players who played today, there were also several who had tested positive for COVID-19 and had just recovered. In such a situation, I hope you understand that they had to face this match with extreme stress.I also want to praise the performance of the young players who stood on the pitch today. The result of the match was not what we expected. And we did not have a great game, but in terms of creating many decisive chances, I do not think that a loss is a suitable result.
And on the tactical side, we considered various combinations and positions based on the players who were able to play, and during the game we also thought about various combinations and fought. There were also players who had to play in positions they don't normally play. Despite such circumstances, I think it is commendable that we were able to create multiple decisive chances while making various position changes.
Q, how is the condition of Takuya AOKI, who was substituted due to injury, in the midst of limited players?
A, I hope it's just a bruise and you'll recover soon. I'm scheduled to undergo a detailed examination, but I hope it's just a bruise.
Q, you put pressure on from a high position from the start of the game, but compared to the opening game, it was much better, wasn't it?
A, during the time when we were able to maintain a good condition, we were able to dominate the game. However, we made a mistake in the build-up from the back. We were scored against by a chance created from our mistake. There was also a period of about 10 minutes where we were in chaos, but I think we were able to regain control of the game and dominate for a long time from there. And I think we were able to control the game in many periods in the second half as well.
It was the first official game for many players. Some players had to face this game within a few days after their recovery period ended. In that sense, I want everyone to understand that it was a difficult game for everyone. However, even in such a situation, I think the players who played well should be praised.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita YAMASHITA＞
Q, How did you approach the game while being limited in members and having concerns about combinations?
A, throughout the 90 minutes, we had few shots and few scenes involving the ball, so it was a difficult situation, but I think there was more we could have done.
Q, Did you have any expectations for the game in Fukuoka where you are from?
A, although it was in my hometown of Fukuoka, it was my debut match as a player for FC Tokyo. I had strong feelings for this match, so I am disappointed that we were not able to win.
Q, How do you feel about the fact that you have control of the ball, including the Kawasaki game, but it's difficult to make it happen in the end?
A, I think each player has to improve their quality in front of the goal. We are working on valuing the ball in positional play, but the goal is to score. I feel that we need to focus more on that aspect and work towards "scoring goals".
Q, I think you faced a difficult situation in the game. Have you communicated with each other in this lineup?
A, As you said, it was a difficult situation, but once we step onto the pitch, each player represents FC Tokyo, so I don't think we should make excuses. We didn't have much time to prepare, but we talked about embodying what we built up during camp and approached the game together as a team.
Q, Did you feel any difficulty in terms of condition?
A, Honestly, there were some difficulties in terms of physical and condition, but with the return of the members from here, I want to work together with everyone to move in a good direction as a team.
<Kazuya KONNO>
Q: Did you feel any sense of accomplishment in today's game?
A, I think we had a higher ball possession rate and were able to dominate the game for 90 minutes.
I was able to create chances by dribbling past opponents even at my own team, but it doesn't mean anything if I can't produce results like goals or assists there.
If we can dig deeper there, I think the content will improve and we will score more goals. So I want to make it even better from here.
Q, Did you have the awareness of creating opportunities from the side and take that position?
A, The instructions from the coach were also to "enter the side and aggressively attack when in a good state", so my condition is good now and I was able to cross and shoot without losing in 1v1 situations.
But still, we need to improve the accuracy of the final part and score goals, otherwise it will be meaningless, so we need to practice more there.
Q, Was the pass from the side change to Adailton in the first half successful because he showed a shot from the cut-in?
A, I was able to play without losing the ball almost entirely because I had many options such as cut-ins, crosses, and shots. It's a challenge to finish, but I think it was good there.
Q, were you able to create opportunities from a high position on the side today, and do you feel that the accuracy of possession has improved?
A, rather than constantly passing behind with the coach's thoughts, we want to quickly get the ball forward and possess it for attacking purposes. In that regard, I think we were able to work together with the players around us to create opportunities. From here on, I want to do a good job of using both receiving at our feet and making runs behind the defense.
Q, there have been no results yet in the first two games since the opening, but is it safe to say that we just have to improve the accuracy one by one?
A, The coach also said, "If we continue to build up like this, the results will definitely follow. So let's all believe and do our best."
We also think so, and it's frustrating to have scored 0 points in the last 2 games as a forward, but we will go into the next game with the determination to score points.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the match against Cerezo Osaka, which will be played in 3 days.
A, It is important to consider how the opponent will defend, but I think our own play and positioning will be crucial. The preparation period until the next game is short, but I want us to prepare thoroughly and improve our performance from today's match.
<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q, What did you focus on while playing as a center back after a long time, considering the limited number of players who can play?
A, It was almost the first time for me to play as a center back in an official game. I didn't have much time to prepare and I had never played a game with this team before. Therefore, during the game, we communicated with each other and also played while being conscious of improving our condition, as our condition was not at its best.
Q, How was it even though the condition was not good, I think I was able to move and there were also parts where I was able to play the soccer I wanted to play?
A, many young players played today. There were parts that we couldn't do and parts that we could do, but there were also many parts that we could do, and I think we were able to prove that we can perform well together even when everyone comes back in the league.
Q: What do you think about the challenge of not scoring a goal following the league match?
A, We were able to create chances in today's Kawasaki match as well, but if we don't improve our finishing, the game will continue to be good in terms of content but we won't be able to win. So we need to make sure to score when we have the chance.
Q, how was it to create close scenes with free kicks and other plays?
A, I think the kicks themselves were good overall, but in the end, they didn't lead to any points. We need to improve the accuracy of our kicks.
Q, Did you do anything like giving a voice while there are many young players and players who made their first appearance in the team?
A, I actively encouraged many players in their teens to play and there were many players younger than myself, so I wanted to play in a state of winning against the young players who would come in as substitutes. However, it is a little disappointing.
Q, What specific words did you use to encourage them?
A, when Yuta ARAI (Yuta ARAI player) came in from the second half, he told me to keep playing my own game and since he is a player who is good at dribbling, I told him that he can play without worrying about his surroundings.
Q, How do you break down opponents who defend like Avispa Fukuoka? What about the finishing touches?
A, If we stick to our style, I think there will be teams that will solidify their defense. In order to break down such opponents, we need to improve our accuracy in the attacking third. Otherwise, our passes will be off and we will lose the ball more often. I think we need to improve the accuracy of our final passes.
Q, towards the end of the game, the substitute player was able to enter the attacking third. What did you think about that?
A, I think there were a lot of good parts, and I think it's just a matter of aligning our ideas and coordination from there, so if that goes well, I think it will lead to points.
