The three consecutive matches against clubs participating in the AFC Champions League (ACL) have ended, but Tokyo is in the midst of a congested schedule, playing seven matches in just two to three days. The match against Urawa Reds in the league is followed by the fourth match of the group stage of the Levain Cup, an away game against Shonan Bellmare, just two days later.
After three matches, Tokyo is in second place in the group with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss. The opponent this time, Shonan, is in first place with 2 wins. In the last match, which was the third game, Tokyo won 2-1 at home at Ajinomoto Stadium, achieving their first victory of the season in the Levain Cup. It was a match where they gained significant confidence in terms of performance and felt a sense of growth.
Details of the 3rd match against Shonan are here!
With only two days between league matches, it is expected that the lineup for this match will be composed mainly of players who have had fewer opportunities to play in the league. In the Levain Cup, goalkeeper Go HATANO, who had the chance to play in the matches against Júbilo Iwata and Shonan, demonstrated stable saving skills and contributed to the build-up as well.
Even if the composition of the members changes, the style of Albert Tokyo remains unwavering. Utilizing positional superiority to dominate the ball and the game, creating many chances to seize victory. For young players, it is an excellent opportunity to showcase how they can contribute to the team's tactics while demonstrating their abilities, especially for those who have had fewer opportunities to play in league matches. They are hungry for match appearances, hungry for victory, and eager to secure their positions in the future. I want them to channel that strong determination onto the pitch.
As a team, although Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA acknowledges that we are experiencing rapid growth, we are still at a stage where we identify areas for improvement after each match and continue to work on them. Since we will no longer be a unit that has played together for a long time in official matches, there may be challenges in terms of coordination. However, as we pursue the same soccer style in our daily training, even if there are times when things do not go well, I want us to actively communicate on the pitch and make adjustments throughout the 90 minutes.
In the midst of a tough schedule with matches every two days, we want you to pay attention to the all-out battle of Albert Tokyo.
