While the Japan national team is preparing for the final Asian qualifiers for the World Cup, the J-League reaches the halfway point of the Levain Cup group stage. Tokyo will face Shonan Bellmare at home at Ajinomoto Stadium.
In Tokyo, Yuto NAGATOMO has been called up to the Japan national team, and Kuryu MATSUKI has been called up to the U-21 Japan national team. Shonan's goalkeeper Kosei TANI has been called up to the Japan national team, and midfielder Satoshi TANAKA has been called up to the U-21 Japan national team.
Shonan has won 2 matches in the Levain Cup so far, standing at the top of the group, while Tokyo is tied for 3rd place with 1 draw and 1 loss. Considering that 2 of the last 3 matches in the group stage will be away games, this match is crucial for accumulating 3 points at home against the top team.
One of the highlights of this match is the selection of members.
Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA stated after the match against Jubilo Iwata, "I want to effectively utilize this Levain Cup to provide many opportunities and understand what possibilities we have, and further evaluate them in the future." With about a week of preparation time before and after this match, it is possible to work on new concepts in practice and try different player combinations. If that happens, we can expect strategies that increase options for tactics and player selections throughout the long season, such as actively using young players or placing previously used players in new positions.
For players who have had few opportunities to play so far, their performance in this match is likely to lead to the next league game. For example, Yojiro TAKAHAGI and Rei HIRAKAWA, who made an impact when they came on as substitutes in the Levain Cup match against Jubilo Iwata on March 15, were also included in the squad for the J1 League match against Kyoto SANGA F.C. just three days later. Yojiro TAKAHAGI, who came on in the second half, played a central role in maintaining possession of the ball by utilizing his high technical skills, contributing to the acquisition of three points by "defending with the ball" (Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA).
Albert Tokyo is steadily growing while instilling their team style, achieving three consecutive league victories. Will the young players respond to their deployment and showcase their potential, or will new aspects of the players be discovered? We hope you will come to Ajinomoto Stadium while anticipating the next move of the coach.
Series "Expectations for Young Players"
Yuto NAGATOMO Interview
Yojiro TAKAHAGI Interview
Keigo HIGASHI Interview
Kensuke NAGAI Interview
Masato MORISHIGE Interview
