＜Match Review＞
This is TOKYO.
Tokyo, which hosted the first J1 League match at the renovated Japan National Stadium. In the land of National where many great battles and memorable goals were born, a new step was taken. Both teams stepped onto the pitch amidst the glamorous fireworks, flames, and light displays. Despite being hit by heavy rain, the kickoff was welcomed in an atmosphere befitting the beginning of a new history.
In the slippery pitch conditions due to rain, both teams struggled to settle the ball and the game went back and forth. In the midst of both teams pushing towards the goal, Tokyo made a move in the 8th minute when Adailton made a run into the penalty area and passed to Shuto ABE, but his well-aimed shot missed just above the right corner of the goal. In the 35th minute, Tokyo was pushed back into their own half and Hiroto YAMAMI took a shot from outside the box, but it went wide to the right. In the 38th minute, Tokyo took control of the ball and the game changed. They earned a corner kick from the right side and Ryoya OGAWA sent the ball near the near post, where Henrique TREVISAN headed it, but it hit the post. However, the ball bounced to the penalty spot where Adailton was waiting and he took a powerful one-touch shot that went through the crowded box and into the net. Even after taking the lead, Tokyo continued to control the ball and push their opponents back, but there were also moments where they lost the ball in a high position and were countered. In the 43rd minute, there was a dangerous cross from the right side, but Jakub SLOWIK and Henrique blocked it with their bodies. They held onto their lead and ended the first half.
Tokyo started the second half by moving the ball into G Osaka's goal. In the 5th minute of the second half, Dawhan's shot hit the crossbar after he picked up a cleared ball in front of the goal. On the other hand, Tokyo also had a decisive chance in the 12th minute of the second half. After a slow build-up, the ball was initially lost to the opponent on the right side, but Yuto NAGATOMO regained possession with a high press. Kuryu MATSUKI then received the ball and took a powerful shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. Tokyo wanted to continue their good momentum and in the 18th minute of the second half, they sent in Leandro, who returned from injury and made his first appearance since the opening game, in place of Adailton. This substitution proved to be a perfect move. Just 3 minutes after the substitution, in the 21st minute of the second half, Diego OLIVEIRA fiercely challenged the opponent for the ball near the halfway line and won it. Leandro then picked up the loose ball and started dribbling towards the goal. He shook off the approaching opponent players and carried the ball into the penalty area. He then controlled the ball and took a shot into the top left corner of the goal, scoring a second goal. In the 31st minute of the second half, Leandro scored again in a 2-on-1 situation with the opponent's goalkeeper after a high press from Kensuke NAGAI, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Nagai, with the support of VAR. In the final minutes, G Osaka launched a counterattack and put pressure on Tokyo, but even when defending, they remained focused until the final whistle and kept a clean sheet.
Japan National Stadium left a strong impact on the whole and Tokyo started the 3-game series with a victory after 4 games. In the next match, they will face Avispa Fukuoka away in 3 days, and then return to Ajinomoto Stadium at home to battle against Sagan Tosu in 4 days.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
A, I don't think it's necessary to look back at the first and second halves separately. I think we were able to play with a strong focus throughout the entire game. Of course, there are still areas where we can improve in terms of dominating the game with the ball. However, there were good moments and we were able to show the team's growth through our play. It's only been a few months since the team started, so there were times when we seemed a bit rushed when we had the ball.
Leandro's return has allowed the team's midfield to regain stability. He is a high-quality player. I think his presence was clear when he stepped onto the pitch.
Gamba Osaka may have been trying to prevent us from playing freely by applying a high press. I think we were able to break through that press many times. Like us, they also have a new coach this season and I believe Gamba Osaka is also in a growth stage. I think the team will grow with the new coach and be able to express a more attacking and better style of soccer.
We think that we were able to play well by switching to good defense. By switching to good defense in a good shape, we were able to dominate the game. There are still many areas for improvement in playing in the center. We are satisfied with today's game in a broad sense. This is because the team has shown its growth on the pitch and played with a strong determination to win. We are very satisfied with today's victory.
One positive point today is that we were able to play at the Japan National Stadium. FC Tokyo carries the name "Tokyo". This stadium may be a part of our future. We hope to gradually increase the number of games played at this stadium. By playing many games, I think the feeling that this stadium is our home will increase. Along with the Japan National Stadium, I hope that many people will think of FC Tokyo as our club.
I hope that when tourists return to Tokyo, they will also come to the stadium. I hope that FC Tokyo's matches will play a big part in the entertainment of this city. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the many people who came to the stadium in the rain, exceeding 40,000 people. Today's match at the National Stadium, I hope it will be a turning point for the future of this club. Of course, we need to improve our playing style. We must win many victories. In the process of the club's growth, I hope we can make use of this stadium in the heart of Tokyo.
Q, While player Morishige was absent, the two center backs did their best. It seems that player Henrique got injured towards the end of the game, do you have a plan for the next game?
A, in the future, we will have to look for another option. We have the next game coming up soon. These things can happen in soccer. There may be a series of injuries to players in the same position. However, I am working to solve these problems, so I hope to find a solution. I hope that all players will be able to play as soon as possible.
Q, Please tell us your evaluation of the Japan National Stadium in terms of playing.
A, I think it is a good stadium to play in. It would be desirable if there were no track and field, but stadiums used for the Olympics in any city have the same problem. The stadium used in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics has also been left unused for a long time. Olympic stadiums must be used effectively. Isn't FC Tokyo the best team to make the most of the new National Stadium? I think it is a wonderful and beautiful stadium. If we can decorate it in a way that makes us feel more like FC Tokyo's home stadium, we will be able to recognize it as our home stadium even more. People who visit New York for sightseeing go to see the Yankees' games. The same phenomenon may occur not only in New York, but also in other major cities around the world.
Q, What is the intention of the coach talking about not only the play aspect but also the growth and vision of the club?
A, I do not consider myself a typical manager. After leaving FC Barcelona, I have continued to be involved in launching new projects. It was the same in Niigata. I am aware that I am not a typical manager. I do not have the ambition to become the manager of Liverpool FC. I only wish to live happily where I am. What is important is leaving something behind in the place where I was. For example, when I was the academy director at FC Barcelona, I implemented various reforms in the academy. Even when I was working in America, I was involved in new projects and implemented many reforms. In Niigata, I was also involved in clearly changing the playing style, and I feel that it has continued. Even at this club, I want to do work that will leave a bigger impact after I leave. I believe that everyone wants to see the club reformed. Even in this heavy rain, 43,000 people came to watch.
[Player Interview]
＜Leandro＞
Q, it was a great goal. Please review that scene.
A, To be honest, I don't remember that scene clearly, but the loose ball that Diego competed for in the previous play came to me. (In the shooting scene), I saw the goal and took the shot, that's the impression.
Q, after the goal was scored, ran to the back of the goal and expressed their joy.
A, I was able to contribute to the team in the form of a goal in my first game back after a long absence, and I was happy to be able to express that in front of the fans and supporters, which is why I had that kind of performance.
Q, Following the Levain Cup final, this is the second consecutive game with a goal at the National Stadium. Do you have any thoughts about this stadium?
A, certainly this national stage has good compatibility, so I would like to ask for all future home games to be held at this national stadium (laughs)
Q, I think you made a promise with Mr. Nakamura, the physiotherapist, before the game. Did you fulfill it?
A, of course, I am happy to have scored as promised, but above all, I am most happy that many fans and supporters came out in this bad weather and I was able to score among them.
Adailton Player
Q, What was your goal when entering the game?
A, I am always conscious of doing the same thing, but it is to show what I have prepared for a week in the game. Recently, as a team, we have been playing positional soccer, thinking about where our teammates will take their positions or where I will take my position.
Q, I think we were able to make good attacks by taking the ball quickly.
A, There are parts that are getting better with each game as we challenge various things in each game. I think it was a good attack where all players did their best within their capabilities.
Q, it was a situation where the team was struggling to score.
A, I am glad that we were able to score and end with a victory today, as we had been unable to score for a while. However, I want to continue without being satisfied with this.
Q, I think I was able to run tough during the game.
A, Not only this time, but also in terms of positioning, the team is moving well. In order to play soccer that utilizes each other's quality, I was able to do well by always trying to play as usual in terms of passing the ball behind and starting the movement.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the next game.
A, I think it will be a difficult game, but I want to focus on practicing and bring back 3 points even though it's an away game.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, please review the game, including the fact that it was played at Japan National Stadium, after a long-awaited victory.
In the midst of three consecutive draws, it was a great honor for me to play at the Japan National Stadium, and the team was determined to take all three points, so it was great to be able to win 2-0.
Q, don't you think you were able to push for a longer time in terms of content, and even if it was taken away, you were able to quickly regain it and do many things you wanted to do?
A, Today, we had relatively long periods of time with the ball, so there were parts where we were able to play the soccer we wanted. However, there were also moments where we lost the ball by kicking it long too easily, so we want to improve by having strategies to break through, such as expanding to the opposite side.
Q, After 10 league games, we are in 4th place with 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses. How do you feel about being able to win this many games at this stage?
A, we want to win and improve, and even if the content is not very good, I think it is important to get 3 points, so we want to continue winning and improving and maturing our soccer.
Q, There was also a flashy performance before entering. How did you feel while playing?
At the entrance, fireworks and flames were set off, which raised the players' motivation and got us really pumped up. Also, there were a lot of fans and supporters who came to the stadium today, so I felt like we were slowly returning to our pre-COVID daily lives. Although it's a gradual process, I hope we can eventually return to the days where we can cheer and shout together.
Q, Do you have any memories at this stadium for player Abe?
A, Today is the second game at the National Stadium, and the first one was the final round of the Levain Cup, so there was a good image of winning.
Q, How will you make use of today's victory?
We have a game against Fukuoka away in 3 days, so today we will have a meeting to share what we were able to do and what we were not able to do, and prepare to play better soccer than today.
Q, Other teams are rotating players, but Tokyo seems to have a fixed roster. I feel that the three players in the midfield are particularly trusted. Please tell us about the play of these three players and what the coach is asking of them.
A, Matsuki and I are told by the coach to make movements that jump out from behind and play with high intensity. Among them, the reason we can play freely is because Aoki, who is behind us, balances us out. We have a really good relationship and we communicate during the game and at halftime. Throughout the game, I want to improve the relationship between the anchor and the inside half.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the 90 minutes we fought on the National stage.
I am sincerely happy that more than 40,000 fans and supporters came and we were able to win on the best stage, including the atmosphere.
Q, I think we were able to defend aggressively from the front line.
A, I think the key to victory was that we were able to surpass our opponents in terms of intensity, which is one of our strengths.
Q, I think we were able to smoothly pass the ball after scoring the first goal.
A, I have also gradually become accustomed and realized that I can make time, so I want to continue doing that. It seems that we are gradually permeating Albert's coaching style.
Q, I think we were able to make good attacks even with a quick counterattack after taking the ball.
A, ball recovery is also one of my strengths, and I always think about making plays that lead directly to goals from there. In today's game, I couldn't score, but I want to continue to be aggressive and aim for it next time.
Q, we took 3 points, but please give us your enthusiasm for the next game.
A, the consecutive battles will continue from here. I think there is more fatigue than I thought, so I want to take good care of my body and do my best for the next one.
