<Match Review>
Tokyo is in the midst of a congested schedule, playing 7 matches in 2 to 3 days. In the fourth match of this consecutive series, they faced Shonan Bellmare in an away game for the fourth match of the group stage of the Levain Cup. They recently played against each other in the third match of the Levain Cup and won 2-1, but both teams have made significant changes to their lineups during this series. As Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned the day before the match, "Both Shonan and we are expected to have different lineups from the match two weeks ago, so it will be a new game."
Tokyo replaced all the starting players from the Urawa Reds match three days ago, placing Renta HIGASHI, who is making his first start as a second registration, in the center back position. Sodai HASUKAWA, who has returned from a long-term injury, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE have also made it to the bench.
In the early stages, the response to Shonan's quick passing speed and tempo was slow, leading to noticeable moments where they were pushed back as the ball entered the vital area. However, Tokyo managed to break free from the opponent's press with short passes, gaining rhythm and targeting the goal while shaking the opponent with wide plays. In the 12th minute of the first half, a dense situation in the penalty area was broken down with precise touches, resulting in a shot, but Go HATANO tenaciously clung to the ball and cleared it from the frame. Tokyo's counterattack came in the 14th minute when a ball close to a switch from the right side was used to find Yojiro TAKAHAGI on the left side. He drew the defender in and Ryoya OGAWA aimed for the ball dropped back with a one-touch, but the shot went over the top left of the goal. In the 22nd minute of the first half, another chance was created starting from the left side. After receiving a one-two with Hirotaka MITA, Yojiro TAKAHAGI sent the ball in front of the goal, where Keita YAMASHITA aimed with a header, but this too failed to hit the target. Struggling to find their rhythm, in the 37th minute of the first half, a forward ball entered the vital area to Masaki IKEDA, who shook off his marker with a feint and unleashed a powerful middle shot, allowing the first goal to be conceded.
Tokyo wants to launch a counterattack, but just three minutes into the second half, they allowed an intrusion deep into the penalty area, and the shot went wide. Immediately after, in the fifth minute of the second half, after regaining a ball lost from a corner kick, Junya SUZUKI reacted to a pass from Mita and broke through deep on the right side. He delivered a backward pass into the goal area, and Shuto MACHINO, who dove in, scored with a one-touch finish, bringing Tokyo level. After equalizing, they struggled to maintain possession, continuing to be pressed. In the 19th minute of the second half, Tarik, who was free in the vital area, took a shot aimed at the left corner of the goal, but Hayatono made a sharp save to deflect it. Wanting to change the flow, Tokyo brought in Hotaka NAKAMURA, Yuki KAJIURA, and Rei HIRAKAWA to try to turn the situation around. However, they couldn't seize the momentum from their opponents, who maintained their forward pressure, and in the 27th minute of the second half, a handball decision led to a penalty kick, which was converted by Shuto MACHINO, putting them ahead.
Tokyo, trailing behind, brought in Yoshifumi KASHI and registered player Naoki KUMATA in the 33rd minute of the second half. They wanted to maintain possession and push back, but the ball could not settle in the front line, and the match ended with a one-point difference. The next match is an away game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in two days for the J1 League.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review today's game.
A, first of all, I am very happy to finally be able to hold a press conference in person.
I believe that this Levain Cup is a place to confirm and encourage the growth of each player. It has also been a time to secure playing time for players who have had limited minutes so far, as well as an opportunity to try various options. Additionally, it is about giving chances to promising young players.
No one knows how long I will be with this club, but I want to contribute to the growth of players who will support this club in the future. I think Renta HIGASHI's performance as a center-back today was excellent. His success is good news for Tokyo. I also want to commend Naoki KUMATA for his debut, which took place towards the end of the second half.
I think our play when we had the ball was not bad throughout the match. However, we struggled when we didn't have the ball, and our defense did not perform well. In particular, we were unable to close down spaces. As a result, the defensive line kept dropping back. Since this group of players has never played an official match together before, it is natural that such defensive issues would arise.
I want to pick up the positive aspects from today's Levain Cup and connect them to our next growth. I believe this season is about challenging and establishing a new playing style. I also think we should give many players the opportunity, so I am glad that many players were able to participate today.
Q: What are your thoughts on Kashif, who suffered a serious injury last September and has returned today?
A, he has returned after rehabilitation from a serious injury. Therefore, I think we need to give him some time to gradually return to official matches. For example, this Levain Cup was a good opportunity for his comeback. After being injured for a long time, I think it would be difficult to suddenly give him a chance in the league matches. Today, I had a prior discussion with the medical staff to determine his playing time. We set a schedule to gradually walk through the recovery process. And today, to reduce the tactical load, I had him play one position forward.
Q: Please provide your evaluation of Renta HIGASHI.
A, he had been participating from the camp. He also took part in practices and practice matches. At that time, I evaluated him as a promising player based on his performance. He possesses the physical attributes suitable for a center-back. To aim for a higher level center-back in the professional league, physical attributes including height are necessary.
I was also surprised by the high level of adaptability during the preseason. And, I decided to participate in the previous Levain Cup. I have said it many times, but age is not important to me. I believe that if he continues to grow steadily, he will make a significant contribution to this club.
The only thing I can do to encourage his growth is to give him opportunities. However, I believe that is the most important thing for him. I tell him not to be afraid of making mistakes. What matters is how he can react after making a mistake.
He showed a performance that met our expectations. Despite being only 17 years old, I believe he was able to compete well against high-level forwards, including Wellington.
[Player Interview]]
＜Ryoya OGAWA＞
Q: It has been a while since the last official match, but what were you conscious of as you entered the game?
A, the team's victory is a prerequisite, but personally, since it was my first official match in a while, I was focused on improving my condition and taking care of Renta HIGASHI, who is next to me, as the coach had mentioned.
Q: The coach mentioned that we didn't get into a defensive rhythm, but how did you feel on the pitch?
A, there were times when the pressing in the front line didn't work, and I felt that the support from the back was slower compared to the league match members. I think we could have pushed the line higher, and it was necessary to work on raising the line even by just 1 meter with a single lateral pass from the opponent.
Q: The goal scene was from one fullback to another, but is that one of the forms we should aim for?
A, that goal itself started from a set play, so it wasn't from the flow of the game, but there are times when I take an inside position while attacking from the right side during the flow, and I think it's a scene I want to aim for in the future.
<Go HATANO>
Q: Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned in the press conference that the defense was not working and kept dropping back. What did you think from your perspective at the back?
A, there were many instances where the final line dropped back too far, and we couldn't apply pressure from the front, so I was trying to communicate about that, but we couldn't make the adjustments, and I think there are still issues to address.
Q: You couldn't apply pressure because you fell back on the first goal, right?
A, I should have applied pressure earlier, and I also conceded a goal due to a small mistake on my part, so I want to improve.
Q: It is expected that similar usage will continue in the Levain Cup, but what is your enthusiasm for the future?
I want a title, and I personally want to play more matches and be involved in the league, so if I get the chance next time, I want to deliver results. I want to continue to prepare for that through daily practice.
Q: I think you were able to save close-range shots and perform at a high level, but do you feel that this is something you should be able to do as a matter of course?
We have conceded 2 goals, so we still have a long way to go. After conceding, I immediately saw the scene on the large screen, but I still haven't figured out how to position my feet properly. I want to improve more and reflect on my play from practice.
Q: I think playing with U-18 players who you don't usually play with can be challenging. What kind of encouragement did you give to Renta HIGASHI?
A, since we were practicing together at camp, I had no worries. When I asked Renta HIGASHI before the match, "Are you nervous?" he said, "Not at all," (laughs), so I thought he would be fine. There were also scenes today where he was going in hard against the opposing forward, and I feel the same way, but since we are still young, I want him to take more challenges, and I hope I can support him in that, so I want him to play with all his heart.
<Renta HIGASHI>
Q: It was your first starting lineup. Please tell us about your feelings when you found out you were starting.
Yes, there was surprise, but since the chance to fight for 90 minutes came, I prepared more than usual. I think I was able to play better than usual, but I did not do enough against Wellington, so that is a challenge for me. I want to practice and work hard so that when I get another chance, I can show even more growth.
Q: I believe you have been working on the issues that arose during your debut match with the U-18 team. Were you able to demonstrate the results in today's game?
A, the speed of each pass was a challenge from the last time, but it is something we have been working on with Coach Anma and have been conscious of in U-18 practices, and I believe we were able to challenge with good pass speed in today's match.
Q: Do you feel that you were able to compete to some extent even against a physically strong player like Wellington?
A, the attack was developed starting from Wellington, so I think there is still room for improvement there. There were several scenes where the play was stopped by fouls, but I believe my role is to take the ball without fouling and connect it to the attack, so I want to work hard on that for the next time.
Q: Do you feel there have been any changes in the attacking aspect?
A, I was able to make some good passes to players like Keigo HIGASHI and Mita, but I couldn't carry the ball and evade the opposing forwards, so I think if I could have done that a little better, I could have helped the team more.
Q: I had the impression that the combination with player Okazaki was well established.
A, I was helped by Okazaki leading the way. I feel that if I had been able to control the line a bit better, I could have prevented the first goal.
Q: Do you think there were experiences in this match that will contribute to future growth?
It was a significant experience to have faced Wellington, one of the physically strong players in the J-League, and to have been able to compete to some extent while also performing well throughout the 90 minutes. I found some areas for improvement, so I would like to return to the youth team and work on those to connect to the next step.
