<Match Review>
Tokyo has been battling through a congested schedule with seven consecutive matches since entering April. Today's Levain Cup Group Stage Match 5 marked the final match of this series. With only two matches left in the group stage and a direct confrontation between teams tied for third place, it was a must-win game as they faced Júbilo Iwata away.
As Coach Albert has stated, in the Levain Cup, we are combining experienced players with young players to promote their growth. In this match, Yuki KAJIURA was used in the starting lineup for the first time since being promoted to the top team, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE also took the pitch as a starter for the first time since returning from a serious injury. Renta HIGASHI, who started in the previous Levain Cup match against Shonan, also started in this match against Jubilo Iwata. Experienced players Yojiro TAKAHAGI, Keigo HIGASHI, and Hirotaka MITA are leading the young players and forming a lineup that is responsible for guiding the team to victory.
After withstanding a situation in the 4th minute of the first half where the left side was the starting point and the opponent approached the goal, Tokyo maintained possession and gradually pushed Iwata back into their own half. In the 8th minute of the first half, Tokyo slowly moved the ball including the defensive line to press the opponent, and Higashi, who was deployed as a defensive midfielder, switched on. Receiving a pass in the center of midfield, he passed to Mita and sprinted forward. The ball connected with one touch between Mita and Takahagi, and exploiting a gap in the opponent's defense, he received the ball freely and took a shot. Although it was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper, the build-up with changes in tempo quickly created a chance. In the 28th minute of the first half, Takahagi flicked the ball and Keita YAMASHITA broke through the area directly in front of the goal facing forward. He swung his left foot outside the penalty area but failed to hit the target. In the 30th minute of the first half, Takahagi created another chance. After winning the ball in their own half, Takahagi, who received a vertical pass, left the ball with a heel pass into space. Yoshifu, running forward, received the ball and gained speed, carrying it just outside the penalty area and aiming for a shot. The shot targeted the upper left corner of the goal but was stopped by a fine save from the opposing goalkeeper.
The direct match between Shonan, ranked first in the group, and Fukuoka, ranked second, has concluded at the end of the first half, with both teams tied at 9 points, widening the point difference to 5. Even a draw in the match against Iwata will eliminate the possibility of advancing from the group stage.
Tokyo, wanting to continue the good momentum built in the first half, saw Mita steal the ball from the opponent in the 8th minute of the second half and deliver a mid-range pass behind the opponent. Yamashita reacted, broke free, and slotted the ball into the goal, but it was ruled offside. However, Tokyo maintained the flow and capitalized on a good chance. In the 10th minute of the second half, Yamashita received a wedge pass from Henrique and, despite being challenged by the opponent's marker, quickly passed with one touch to Mita on the left side. Controlling the ball at the left corner of the penalty area, Mita crossed into the space between the opposing goalkeeper and defenders, where Kajiura jumped in and connected with a one-touch finish, allowing Tokyo to take the lead. Tokyo wanted to control the match and maintain the lead, but in the 18th minute of the second half, Yuki OTSU broke free freely, and in the 22nd minute, they faced a dangerous moment when a cross was met in front of the goal. Both times, Go HATANO made big saves to block the shots and repel Iwata's counterattack. However, in the 23rd minute of the second half, after a short corner was used to shake the wide area, Fabian GONZALEZ pushed the ball in front of the goal to equalize.
As the match entered the final stages, the game opened up slightly, allowing Iwata to create some chances near the goal, but the defense remained resilient, maintaining their strength in sliding to the ball side and in one-on-one situations. Conversely, in the 43rd minute of the second half, Yamashita broke behind the opponent's defense, and a loose ball from a collision with the opposing goalkeeper fell to Kajiura, who had come in to support. Kajiura took a shot towards the unguarded goal, but it hit the crossbar and went wide. In the 45+7th minute of the second half, Mita took a long-range shot from a position closer to the right side of the goal, but it was deflected off the right post. As they failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, just before the end of the match, a cross led to a push into the goal area, and they were unable to clear it, allowing the loose ball to be picked up and conceding a turnaround goal.
Young players were active, and veteran players led the team, creating decisive chances multiple times, but it ended in a frustrating defeat.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
A, the flow of the match can be divided into two phases. One is the period when we were able to control the game with the ball. However, there was a 10 to 15 minute period after we scored a goal when we ceded control to the opponent. Playing defensively after scoring is something we need to improve.
However, after that, we were able to regain control of the match. Throughout the game, I believe we created multiple chances worthy of victory. However, in soccer, if you create decisive chances but fail to capitalize on them, it leads to situations where the opponent gets their chances.
Naturally, after losing a match, one feels anger. However, I remain calm. The team is currently in a growth phase. I believe we must give young players opportunities to foster their development. It is difficult to impose a congested schedule on players participating in the league. In that sense, I think rotation is inevitable. In such situations, I trust my instincts to decide the lineup. Especially this season, I feel that I must utilize players in this way, so I am organizing the team based on my instincts.
I believe the players who played today gave their best to aim for victory. I am especially satisfied with the performance of the young players, and there were many positive takeaways. My role is to develop Tokyo into a great club over several years. Naturally, no one wants to be eliminated in the Levain Cup group stage. However, I believe my player selections for this tournament were not wrong. I think this is the player selection we need.
Q: What was the intention behind the early substitution in the second half and what were your expectations for starting Kajihira?
Regarding A, Yoshifu, we spoke with the medical team and had planned from the beginning to limit his playing time as he has just returned from injury. Renta HIGASHI was playing well. However, since it was a difficult period for the team, we intended to bring in Okazaki to stabilize the team.
Including Kajiura, we want to give as many young players as possible a chance. Recently, during training, I have been paying close attention to his (Kajiura's) play. And I had a positive feeling. Despite being only 18 years old, I believe he made a significant contribution to the team as a starter. We approached today's match by fielding young players, with a 17-year-old center back and an 18-year-old defensive midfielder. Their growth is very positive news. Although I am disappointed that we lost today's match, if by giving young players a chance we were able to promote their development, then from a future perspective, today's match was a great gain.
[Player Interview]]
<Yuki KAJIURA>
Q: How was your first professional goal?
A, for me, the team's victory was more important than my first goal. I had another big chance, and while I am happy about my first goal, the biggest frustration is not being able to bring the result of a win.
Q: I think it was in a one-anchor shape during the attack, how was that part?
When I was in A and U-18, I played as a double defensive midfielder, so we talked about one of us always being involved with the ball, and I played with that awareness.
Q: I think we were able to showcase our strengths overall, what do you think?
A tried to get involved with the ball well throughout the first half, but there were several scenes where he lost possession. As a defensive midfielder, such mistakes are critical, so I want to become a player who normally makes no mistakes, and I see that as a point for reflection.
Q: It was impressive how you boldly aimed for vertical passes, but how do you reflect on the match?
A, personally, I wished I could have seen a bit more. Since only one or two side change passes were completed, I feel it might have been better to play more boldly.
Q: Did you feel anything from players around you, such as Takahagi, Higashi, and Watanabe?
A, Yojiro Takahagi, Keigo HIGASHI, and Ryoma WATANABE all played with the most positive attitude, and they really helped me, making it very easy to play. They took good supportive positions, and when they were nearby, I could watch them and play accordingly, so for me, it was a match where I was supported a lot by those around me.
<Kojiro YASUDA>
Q: How did you feel while preparing, knowing that your peers like Kajiura and Matsuki were playing in matches before you?
A, of course, I felt frustrated, and I approached the match with the determination to make an impact, but I think the issue was that I couldn't finish when I had decisive chances.
Q: How did you feel when you were called by the coach?
A, finally the opportunity came, so I entered the match with the determination to give it my all.
Q: I think we were able to show a difference in dribbling breakthroughs and attacking aspects.
A, I am confident in that part, but the aspect of whether I can lead the team to victory is lacking, so I think I need to focus on that from now on as well.
Q, please review the scene where you couldn't take the shot.
There was some hesitation, including the position of the ball, whether to go for a volley or to turn around once, and that hesitation led to that shot.
Experience is important, but I want to actively work on things myself during practice and be able to make decisions confidently.
Q: It has been said that the results are lacking, but it seemed that the connecting part in the midfield before that was done well.
A, that part is also my job, and as the link between the back and the front, I want to bring out my own characteristics as the starting point and connect it to results.
Q: The match time was short today, but how confident are you that you can perform well from the start?
A, I hadn't been able to play much in matches, so it took time to regain my confidence, but with today's first touch and first play, I was able to start well and play with confidence.
