[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: I think the members will change between league matches and cup matches, but how did you incorporate the issues that arose in the Hiroshima match into your preparations?
A, just like in life, I believe that a team must continue to grow through each match. However, since the opposing team changes, we must also understand that each match has a different story. The difficult situations that arise in a match depend on the characteristics of the opposing team's play. Naturally, we are addressing the challenges from the match against Hiroshima as a team. However, if the characteristics of the opposing team change, the phenomena that can occur in the match will also change. We are preparing based on the characteristics of tomorrow's opponent.
Q: I think that Iwata is a team that moves the ball around, and their style is different from Hiroshima. They have an image that is closer to Tokyo.
A, I don't necessarily feel that it is close to our playing style. I think Hiroshima aimed for a play that values possession of the ball. And while there has been a change in the coach at Jubilo Iwata, I believe they tend to aim for fast play going forward. As I mentioned earlier, the preparation for the match changes based on the characteristics of the opponent, meaning that our game plan will change depending on the opponent's defensive methods. I think every club tends to use many young players in the Levain Cup. In that sense, there is a possibility that the characteristics of the team expressed in the league matches may not be fully reflected in the Levain Cup for any team.
Q: In the Levain Cup match against Fukuoka on March 2, young players like Yuta ARAI and Yuki KAJIURA showed lively performances. What do you expect from them?
A, the recent Levain Cup match against Fukuoka was very challenging in terms of player selection due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also hope to give many opportunities to young players in the Levain Cup. However, in terms of regaining condition, several key players need playing time. Including raising their condition, I want to make good use of tomorrow's Levain Cup. In any case, I would be happy if we could give more young players a chance in tomorrow's match. As you know, I am one of the coaches who expects the growth of young players. However, I also want to provide playing opportunities for players who need to improve their condition due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita YAMASHITA＞
Q: How do you feel about the response while challenging yourself with a new playing style?
A, we are fine-tuning the details in front of the opponent's goal during practice. I think it would be good to continue increasing our successful experiences mainly in matches.
Q: Is the image of the attack improving day by day?
A, I have been working on it since practice, and personally, I have had few successful experiences in matches, and since my coordination with teammates is still in its early stages, I want to keep challenging myself to improve in that area.
Q: Do you have the image of wanting to take more shots yourself and increase the number of chances?
A, I think that by increasing the number of shots, the chances of scoring will also increase, and I will find my own rhythm. However, I cannot do that alone, so I want to increase communication with the players around me.
Q: What kind of battle do you think will be necessary for the match against Iwata?
A, I think the opponent will also change their members, but there are still many players with quality. We cannot let our guard down, and right now, rather than focusing on the opponent, I believe it is important for us to embody the soccer we have practiced, so I want us to try as a team in that regard.
<Hotaka NAKAMURA>
Q: After playing 4 official matches since the season opener, with 2 wins and 2 losses. How do you feel about the battles so far?
As Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says, we are at a stage where we are challenging ourselves with a new style, and I believe we have been progressing smoothly so far. I think the quality of our football has been gradually improving with each practice and match.
Q: What kind of response do you feel about the new style based on positional play, Mr. Nakamura?
A, I have been the type to rely on physical strength and intensity in one-on-one situations, so I feel like I am learning a new style of football from scratch. There are many demands placed on a full-back, and it is challenging, but I knew that from the beginning. Because of that, I find it rewarding and enjoyable.
Q: Last season, you experienced a long-term absence of about six months due to injury starting in April. Don't you have strong feelings about this season?
I believe that the meaning of the time I spent away from the game due to injury depends on how I approach it from now on. There were times during the period I couldn't play soccer when I felt negative emotions, but I have been working on understanding and controlling myself objectively to avoid being swept away by those feelings. I think the future will be important in terms of applying this mindset to my life as a soccer player.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters for the upcoming match against Iwata.
A, the team's playing style has changed significantly compared to last season, but my underlying goal of wanting to be a player who helps Tokyo win has not changed at all. To achieve that, I need to grow more and demand of myself to play with more ambition and intensity. I want to contribute more to the team and focus on results such as goals and assists. I will play with all my might so that this attitude reaches the fans and supporters, so please fight alongside me!
Official match day program is here!
