<Match Review>
Tokyo, who faced their third consecutive match against AFC Champions League participating clubs, welcomed Urawa Reds in their third match. In the previous match, they faced Vissel Kobe and although they conceded the first goal in the first half, they turned things around in the second half and scored three goals to secure a comeback victory. They gained a lot of confidence from their performance and approached this home series with determination.
There were some changes in the lineup due to the consecutive matches in 3 days. Henrique TREVISAN was used as a center back in place of Yasuki KIMOTO, who has played in every league match so far. In addition, Kazuya KONNO was placed on the left wing instead of Adailton, and Kensuke NAGAI, who assisted the equalizing goal in the previous match against Kobe, was placed on the right wing.
Tokyo, who showed a high level of intensity at the start, kept possession of the ball and pushed towards the Urawa goal. Although they were unable to create many chances to score, they moved the ball at a fast pace and pushed their opponents back. Even when Urawa pressed hard from the front, Tokyo maintained their advantage in each position and skillfully moved the ball with few touches to break through the press. As the first half went on and they were unable to score, Urawa gradually gained more possession of the ball. In the 22nd minute, they were pushed back near their own goal and David MOBERG's goal was disallowed due to an offside call. In the 33rd minute, a cross from the right side was headed by Hiroki SAKAI at the far post. Jakub SLOWIK was unable to react, but Morishige, who had come to cover the goal, cleared the ball and avoided any danger. The closest Tokyo came to scoring in the first half was in the 40th minute. Nagai, who had gained speed on the right side, dribbled to the goal line before the defenders could catch up and passed the ball on the ground in front of the goal. Diego OLIVEIRA took a one-touch shot, but it was blocked by the opposing defender and did not result in a goal. In the final minutes, Tokyo had more possession of the ball and took control of the game, but they were unable to shake their opponents and break through their defense before the end of the first half.
Both teams continue to share possession of the ball in the second half. Tokyo manages to bring the ball near the opponent's penalty area, but they struggle to finish and are unable to take a shot. On the other hand, there are close calls in defense as they are threatened with a shot from a counter attack in the 21st minute of the second half. In the 26th minute, a free kick is awarded in front of the goal, but Takahiro AKIMOTO's shot aimed at the top left corner is saved by the opponent's goalkeeper, Swobiyk. Tokyo makes substitutions to change the game, bringing in Hotaka NAKAMURA for Kuryu MATSUKI in the 19th minute of the second half, Hirotaka MITA for Ryoma WATANABE in the 29th minute, and Keita YAMASHITA for Nagai in the 36th minute. Despite struggling to create chances, Adailton takes a shot from mid-range in the 38th minute of the second half, but the curved shot is saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. In the 40th minute, Adailton crosses the ball from the left side and Keita YAMASHITA attempts a jumping volley in the penalty area, but the ball goes over the goal.
In the latter half, we were pushed back and had to endure, but the team as a whole persevered and slid to respond to the movement of the ball, locking the game at 0-0. The three consecutive games against ACL teams resulted in 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, providing us with 9 days to learn and grow. The consecutive games continue, with a Levain Cup match against Shonan Bellmare on the 13th and an away game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the league on the 16th.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
A, Today's match had several flows. It was not that the flow was different between the first half and the second half, but it was a match where the Tokyo time zone and the Urawa time zone alternated throughout the 90 minutes. Today's match was more tactical and more European-style. It was an attractive match where both teams had chances. And both teams' goalkeepers did a great job. It was a very close match where both teams played for victory. In that sense, it was not a result that matched the match development for one team to score and win, but a draw was a fair result.
We aimed to utilize the space behind the side by bringing in Adailton (Adailton) from the start of the second half. We made a substitution with Ryoma (Matsuki) in the middle of the second half, replacing him with Ryoma (Watanabe) in the attacking midfield position, in an attempt to control the game more. However, Ryoma (Watanabe) got injured and our game plan was slightly disrupted. Nevertheless, the players gave their all and played with full effort. I would like to comment on Yuto Nagatomo's excellent performance in particular. He was very focused and provided great defense.
I told the players directly that it is a plus in a way to be frustrated by not being able to win. It is wonderful to always have a hunger for victory regardless of the game content. Our project has only been going on for three months. Nevertheless, I am proud of the team that was able to have a close game against a team that has been working on positional play as Urawa for more than a year. And Urawa is one of the teams that represent Japan in the ACL. As a Japanese team, I pray for success in Asia.
Q, it seemed like the formation in the midfield had changed, what kind of strategy was it?
A, Urawa felt that they were playing dangerously in the center. In the Kobe game, there was a time when they struggled to break through the center of the midfield. Based on that, we decided to defend with a double pivot. Today, Urawa's forwards and attacking midfielders were dropping back and playing on the opposite side, and the wingers were coming inside to create a numerical advantage in the center of the midfield. To deal with that, we defended with a double pivot. We couldn't push forward as much as usual in order to maintain stability in the center of the midfield. There were times when we gave the ball away to the opponent in that way. As for our attack, we played in a 4-3-3 formation.
[Player Interview]]
＜Adailton＞
Q, What instructions did you have and what did you focus on when you entered the game in the second half?
A, in the first half, we received pressure from the opponent's press from the front line, so we were in a difficult situation. We were instructed to use space and regain our rhythm, so we entered the game with that in mind. We were able to regain our rhythm, but it is very disappointing that it did not lead to 3 points.
Q, I think there were many times when the starting point was created from Adailton.
A, Urawa is a team that attacks using the middle space, and there were many times when they used that space. However, after taking the ball, I was conscious of attacking the space behind and on the side where the opponent came out, so the ball often came to my side. Next time, I want to connect it to a goal.
Q, how has the team grown so far?
A, The biggest growth we feel as a team is in possession. There are still difficult parts that we feel, but I think we are getting better day by day, and I think we will continue to improve even more in the future.
Q, What is the biggest difference you feel compared to before?
A, I feel that the positioning is different from before. Since we have more time with the ball, it has become easier to understand where our teammates are and where the passes are coming from. This has made it easier for me to know where to position myself. I hope to continue improving and growing with each game.
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q, Please tell us about the competition between Morishige and Kimoto for the center back position, which is shared by the three players.
A, I think there should be competition within the team, and I believe that competition will lead the team in a positive direction. Looking back on the whole game, I am positive that I was able to finish the game without conceding a goal, which was a chance for me today.
Q, Do you feel that Henrique is able to utilize his dominant foot in his current role and showcase his strengths as a player?
A. The current answer to the question is "No." I still believe that my build-up using my left foot will improve, and I don't think I have reached the level of being able to break down the opponent's defense through build-up and reach a higher level of soccer. So, based on the fact that I will continue to improve, I would like to answer "No" for now.
Q, It has been 3 months since the start, but have you felt any signs of growth during that time?
A, Regarding the team's growth, our build-up has improved and we have been able to fulfill the coach's demands in each game. And in terms of switching, those are the two areas where we feel we have grown the most, and at the same time, we feel the team's growth by being able to improve the quality of those two areas in each game and play well.
Q: What was the most cautious thing about Urawa's attack today?
A, Urawa's attack was dangerous with their use of the central space and their speedy center forward. We were conscious of intercepting the ball in the center and closing the space, as well as not giving them a chance to break through the space behind us, and we focused for the full 90 minutes.
Q, When watching Henrique's defense, I get the impression that at the very end, his legs stretch out and his body comes out to block.
As a defender, one of my goals is to not allow any goals as a team, so I believe that throwing my body to make blocks until the very end without giving up is one of my characteristics.
Yuto NAGATOMO player
Q, please review the tough game.
A, it was a tough game because of the temperature during the consecutive matches, but we were able to have a good attack by defending together. However, I felt many challenges again, so I will fix them firmly. We are still a developing team, so I want everyone to do better.
Q, how was it to match up with Hiroki SAKAI, who also plays for the Japan national team?
A, Hiroki SAKAI returned and I thought, "It's a match-up," and I was also motivated. It was a really tough game, but the 90 minutes I played against him today were fun.
Q, please tell the children watching about the appeal of being a side back.
A, I felt that Hiroki SAKAI is a wonderful player once again. And the position of side back has a lot of work and does a lot of work in places that cannot be seen. I think it is a wonderful position that can contribute to the team's victory by running for the team in places that cannot be seen, so I would like children to try the position of side back as well.
Q, it was tough for both of us to compete for the ball against Sakai.
A, he was really strong. He's definitely a good player. He's strong in duels, has good positioning, and was a real nuisance to face. I didn't want to lose, so I played while watching Hiroki SAKAI. However, there were also some difficult situations where the midfielders came in between, but I think we were able to defend well in the end with everyone's efforts.
Q, How was the overall team performance after the 3 consecutive games with accumulated fatigue?
A, 3-game series plus today's heat was surprisingly intense. However, I think we were able to do what we could as a team. But if we can increase our possession time and make our own time longer, and become even better at possession, I think we can create more chances, so I want to work on that aspect.
Q, How is the team atmosphere?
A, we are able to have very good practices and the atmosphere is also good. I think the situation is wonderfully good. If we continue this, it will definitely contribute to the team's growth and all we have to do is believe and keep going.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming Levain Cup and league matches.
A, I want to do a good attack while fixing the tasks that came out today and connect it to 3 points for victory.
<Kensuke NAGAI>
Q, please review the 90 minutes of the last game of the 3 consecutive games.
A, it was hot. It was a close game where either team could have won with just one point, and I think if we can score from set pieces in these types of games, the team will continue to improve. We were able to secure 1 point, so I want to take that positively.
Q, I think we were able to effectively use the sides while holding the ball and attacking.
A, there are challenges because we couldn't push forward in the second half, but we want to make adjustments so that we can attack more from the sides like in the first half and improve.
Q, in the latter part of the first half, we were able to break through the right side and create a chance.
A, It was good to match with Diego, but I want to increase the number of times because I couldn't go easily, and I think we need to create more time to push the whole team in.
Q, Was there any harvest that led to the next game?
A, I want to become better at it because I was doing a different way of defense than usual. If I play a long season, I think various ways of defense will come out, so I want to learn one by one and grow while winning.
Q, many fans and supporters came to Ajinomoto Stadium.
A, it's amazing. It was a feeling I haven't had in a while. I want to win and end it properly, and if the fans and supporters can cheer us on, it will be even more fun. That's what I was thinking while playing the game today.
