<Match Review>
Tokyo, who has been playing seven consecutive games in a tight schedule since April, played their last game of the consecutive games in today's Levain Cup Group Stage 5th game. With only two games left in the Group Stage and a direct match between two teams tied for third place, they faced Júbilo Iwata away in a must-win game for their playoff qualification.
As coach Alber has stated, in the Levain Cup, experienced players are combined with young players to promote their growth. In this match, Yuki KAJIURA was selected as a starter for the first time since being promoted to the top team, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE also made his first start since returning from a major injury. Renta HIGASHI, who was a starter in the previous Levain Cup match against Shonan, was also included in the starting lineup for this match. The experienced players Yojiro TAKAHAGI, Keigo HIGASHI, and Hirotaka MITA will lead the young players and play a role in leading the team to victory.
After successfully defending against a threatening situation in front of the goal, Tokyo gradually pushed Iwata back into their own half. In the 8th minute, Tokyo slowly moved the ball around, including their defensive line, and then midfielder Higashi switched on. After receiving a pass in the center of the field, he passed it to Mita and sprinted forward. Mita and Takahagi connected with a one-touch pass, and Takahagi received the ball in a gap in the opponent's defense and took a shot. Although the opponent's goalkeeper stopped it, Tokyo had created a chance with a well-paced build-up. In the 28th minute, Takahagi flicked the ball to Keita YAMASHITA, who ran forward and broke through the center of the goal area. He took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but missed the target. In the 30th minute, Takahagi created another chance. After winning the ball in their own half, he received a vertical pass and left the ball behind with a heel pass. Forward Yoshifu received the ball and picked up speed, running towards the penalty area and taking a shot. Although the shot was aimed at the top left corner of the goal, the opponent's goalkeeper made a fine save to stop it.
At the end of the first half, the direct match between Shonan, who is in first place in the group, and Fukuoka, who is in second place, ended with both teams tied at 9 points and a 5 point difference. In this situation, even a draw in the match against Iwata would eliminate their chances of advancing to the group stage.
Tokyo, who wants to continue the good flow they created in the first half, steals the ball from the opponent and passes it to the middle range behind the opponent in the 8th minute of the second half. There, Yamashita reacts and breaks through to score a goal, but it is judged offside. However, Tokyo continues the flow and seizes the opportunity. In the 10th minute of the second half, Yamashita receives a wedge pass from Henrique and connects with Mita on the left side with one touch, despite being crushed by the opponent's marker. Mita, who controls the ball in the left corner of the penalty area, crosses the ball into the space between the opponent's goalkeeper and defender, and Kajiwara, who jumps in, scores with one touch, giving Tokyo the lead. Tokyo wants to control the game and maintain the lead, but in the 18th minute of the second half, Yuki Otsu breaks free and in the 22nd minute, they face a pinch where a cross ball is combined in front of the goal, but both times Go Hatano makes a big save and repels Iwata's counterattack. However, in the 23rd minute of the second half, they are shaken wide from a short corner and are pushed into a tie by Fabian Gonzalez in front of the goal.
As the game entered the final stage, there were some open plays and Iwata was also pressured in front of the goal. However, the defense remained strong and persistent, sliding to the ball side and maintaining their strength in duels. On the other hand, in the 43rd minute of the second half, Yamashita player broke through behind the opponent and the loose ball collided with the opponent's goalkeeper, then went to Kajiwara player who was supported. Kajiwara player took a shot towards the empty goal, but it hit the crossbar and went out of bounds. In the 45+7th minute of the second half, Mita player took a middle shot from the right side of the goal, but it was deflected by the right post. As they were unable to capitalize on their chances, in the final moments of the game, they were pushed into their own goal from a cross ball and were unable to clear the loose ball, resulting in a reversal.
Young players were active and veteran players also led the team, creating numerous decisive chances, but it ended in a frustrating defeat.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
A, you can divide the flow of the game into two phases. One is the period when we were able to dominate the game with the ball. However, there was a period of time after we scored a goal where we gave up our dominance to the opponent for 10-15 minutes. We need to improve on playing defensively after scoring a goal.
However, after that, we were able to dominate the game again. Throughout the game, I think we were able to create multiple chances that were worthy of a victory. However, in football, if you can't take advantage of those decisive chances, the opponent will have a chance to come back.
Of course, it is natural to feel angry after losing a game. However, I am calm. The team is currently in a growth stage. In order to encourage the growth of many young players, I think it is necessary to give them a chance. It is difficult to impose a tight schedule on players who are playing in the league. In that sense, I think rotation is inevitable. In such a situation, I decide on the members based on my own sense. Especially this season, I feel that I have to use such players, so I am organizing the members according to my own sense.
The players who played today, I think they played well aiming for victory. I am particularly satisfied with the performance of the young players, and there were many positive gains. My role is to develop Tokyo into a great club over the next few years. Of course, no one wishes to be eliminated in the group stage of the Levain Cup. However, I believe that my player selection for this tournament was not wrong. That's because I believe it was the necessary player selection for us.
Q, What was the intention behind the early substitution in the second half and starting Kajiwara as a starter?
A, Regarding Yoshinori Kato, we talked with the medical team and planned to limit his playing time as he had just returned from an injury. Renta HIGASHI played well. However, as it was a difficult time for the team, we intended to bring in Okazaki to stabilize the team.
We want to give all young players a chance, including Kajiwara. In recent training, we have been paying attention to his play. And we had a positive feeling. Despite being only 18 years old, I think he made a big contribution to the team as a starter. We started the game today by using young players in the form of a 17-year-old center back and an 18-year-old midfielder. Their growth is very positive news. We are disappointed to have lost today's game, but if we were able to promote their growth by using young players, I think today's game will be a great harvest in the future.
[Player Interview]]
＜Yuki KAJIURA＞
Q, how was your first professional goal?
A, Personally, the team's victory was more important to me than my first goal. I had another big chance and I am happy with my first goal, but the most frustrating thing is not being able to achieve a victory.
Q, I think we were in a one-anchor formation during the attack, how was that part?
When I was in U-18, I played as a double pivot, so we talked about how one of us would be involved with the ball, so I played with that in mind.
Q, How did you feel about being able to show your strengths overall?
A, I was trying to get involved with the ball throughout the first half, but there were a few scenes where the ball was taken away from me. As a midfielder, those plays are fatal, so I want to become a player who is normal to not make mistakes, so that is something I need to reflect on.
Q, how was it when you looked back on the game, where you were able to aim for vertical passes with courage?
A, personally I wish I could have seen a little more. I also feel like I should have played more boldly, as I was only able to make one or two passes during the side change.
Q, Have you felt anything from the players around you such as Takahagi, Higashi, and Watanabe?
A, both (Yojiro) Takahagi-san, (Keigo) Higashi-kun, and (Ryoma) Watanabe-kun are playing with the most positive attitude, and it was very easy for me to play with their support. They took positions to support me well, and since they were close by, I was able to play by watching them, so it was a game where I was helped by those around me.
<Kojiro YASUDA>
Q, How did you feel preparing while players from the same year, such as Kajiwara and Matsuki, were already playing in the game?
A, of course, there was also a feeling of regret, and I approached the game with a determination to do my best, but I think there were also challenges in not being able to make the most of the decisive chances.
Q, How did you feel when you were called by the coach?
A, I finally got a chance, so I entered the game with the feeling of wanting to do my best.
Q, I think we were able to show our differences in dribbling breakthroughs and attacking aspects.
A, I am confident in that part, but I think we need to focus on the part that determines whether we can make the team win or not, so we have to pay more attention to that from now on.
Q, please review the scene where you couldn't finish the shot.
A, there was a moment of hesitation, including the position of the ball, where I was unsure whether to go for a volley or to turn around once, and that resulted in that shot.
I want to be able to confidently make decisions by taking on more and more challenges on my own, not just through experience but also through practice.
Q, it has been said that there is a lack of results, but it seemed that the connecting part in the midfield before that was done well.
A, that part is also my job, and as a connecting role between the back and front, I want to show my strengths and lead to results.
Q, How confident are you in being able to play from the start even though today's game was short?
A, I couldn't play in the game for a while, so it took me some time to regain my confidence. However, I was able to make a good start with my first touch and first play today, so I was able to play with confidence.
