TOKYOism

Match Preview

"Great success always comes with obstacles and suffering"

As Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned at the beginning of his tenure, Tokyo is going through a difficult time. In Sec. 13 of the league, they lost 1-2 to Iwata, marking their third consecutive defeat. After the match, Yasuki KIMOTO stated, "The fans and supporters have encouraged us positively. We have no choice but to change the results ourselves." The necessity of "time and patience," which Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has consistently emphasized, is understood by the players as well. Takuya AOKI expressed, "We have no choice but to continue playing our style. If we don't persist, we won't grow," showing his determination to overcome the pains of birth. Patience will be required until the style transformation is achieved and a new Tokyo takes its first breath.

This week's opponent, Kashiwa Reysol, is seeing a new generation rise under coach NELSINHO, and they are gaining momentum. The standout is forward Mao HOSOYA from the Paris Olympic generation, who has scored the most goals on the team with 4. Therefore, we want to tightly mark him in front of the goal. Additionally, we need to be wary of coach NELSINHO's seasoned strategies to neutralize the opponent's strengths.

To achieve victory after four matches, we have no choice but to believe in our football. It is a test of whether we can uphold our beliefs in adversity.

Matchday program here

[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]

Q: There were players Morishige and Okazaki at practice, but the center back has returned. What do you think?
A, the doctor has already given permission, and as seen in the match against Fukuoka, I am fully prepared to participate in the game. Currently, with three center-backs available, the issue is being resolved. Sodai HASUKAWA also played well in the Fukuoka match. In that sense, it feels like we have four players. I believe Renta HIGASHI has also played well enough to be valued in the professional world. Henrique is also progressing well with his rehabilitation. I think there is a possibility he could return after the week of the national team matches.

Q: I think the phrase 'pausa' (calmness) has been used recently. I believe it will take time to move the ball and break down the opponent's defense as the next phase, but what approach are you considering to proceed with?
A, I believe it is important to build confidence steadily and gain experience in official matches. The word "pausa" can be expressed as a change in tempo. When speed varies, it becomes difficult for the opponent to defend. In the past few matches, I think we have gradually been able to express pausa within our team play. It will take a little more time, but I believe we are moving in a good direction to improve the quality in front of the goal. I have also told the players that they must be able to perform well in practice. They must apply that good play in matches. Although we have not always achieved good results in recent games, I think there were many periods on the pitch where we clearly showed play that was different from Tokyo's past style. And as I told the players, since we are starting to express what we can do in practice during matches, we are in a state where we need the growth process of firmly connecting that to match results. I believe our playing style is valuable primarily for winning matches, so I want to pursue that thoroughly.

In the matches against Tosu, Iwata, and Fukuoka, we had a high possession rate and were able to play well, creating chances. However, we lost many games by allowing the opponent to capitalize on their few chances. Nevertheless, I believe we have been able to play well. In the Fukuoka match, I think the opponent hardly created any clear chances. We were able to maintain our defensive block for most of the match and fight for 90 minutes. This is because our ability to control the ball effectively functioned as the best form of defense. We were also able to create chances. (Toshirou) Yasuda and (Ryoma WATANABE) also had decisive chances. Towards the end of the match, there was a play where (Mita) was fouled in the penalty area, which could have resulted in a penalty kick. Creating chances like that and converting them into goals to influence the match result is the growth process that remains for us.

It is not the case that the team can smoothly progress through the growth process alone; I believe that growth will continue in a positive direction if the fans and supporters, as well as the people around the club, provide their support. Fortunately, the fans and supporters are currently giving the players a sense of calm. Even in the last few matches where we couldn't win, they have patiently supported the team and the players. They are encouraging the players to challenge themselves with a new playing style and to grow through trial and error with bold plays. The players are now becoming capable of good performances and are highly motivated to translate that into match results.

Q: Kashiwa plays a style of football that aims to neutralize the opponent's strengths. What kind of play do you want to implement against that?
I think Coach NELSINHO is a very experienced coach. We have room for improvement in our response to counterattacks. Perhaps that is where they will come at us. Since it is also one of their strengths, I hope we can prove the areas where we have grown by responding to the opponent's counterattacks. They are a team that ranks above us. I believe they are doing a great job, so I respect that and think it should be acknowledged.

Q: I believe that Kashiwa's NELSINHO has a track record of managing for a total of 19 seasons in Japan as a foreign coach. I think it is not easy for foreign coaches to stay in Japan for a long time. What are your thoughts on managing abroad for an extended period?
A, he likely has extensive experience abroad as well as in Japan, and I believe he has accumulated very valuable experience. I think it is difficult to manage for 19 seasons in the J-League. In that sense, Coach NELSINHO has more experience than Japanese coaches. To continue managing in the same league for a long time, one needs to accumulate more experience and reach a level where they are more familiar with the characteristics of that league than anyone else. Naturally, it is difficult to compete against a team managed by such a coach.

[Player Interview] 
<Masato MORISHIGE>

Q: How was your condition during the Levain Cup match against Fukuoka?
I have the impression that I was able to play longer than I thought, so I think it was a good 45 minutes.

Q: The team has not been performing well while I have been away.
I believe that it is common for good games not to yield results. However, it is important to capitalize on opportunities when they arise. The composure in front of the goal and the tenacity in defense are crucial factors that influence the outcome of the match, so I think the difference in those areas is greater than the overall performance of the game. I am not overly pessimistic about it. It feels like what I anticipated is now happening.

Q: What kind of play do you want to show when you return? What do you want to bring to the team?
I think it's common for forwards not to score goals. Conversely, it's also common for defenders to struggle even when goals are being scored. If defenders can maintain a clean sheet while the team isn't scoring, I believe that eventually, goals will come. Looking back at the past, there have been instances like that, so I hope to progress through the game without rushing, ensuring that I can be at the center of it all.

Q: Do you think your return was early, or did you accelerate the timing?
A, I had a sense of urgency and a strong desire to return quickly, but the trainer managed it well. Everyone agreed on the decision to play for 45 minutes in the Fukuoka match while monitoring my condition, so I believe that went according to plan.

Q: Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says that we are moving on to the next phase. How do the players feel about connecting the ball more in the attacking part and aiming for goals?
I think everyone understands to some extent what the team is trying to do and aiming for. From now on, I believe we will add ideas and create attacks that are harder for the opponent to defend against, as well as moving the ball in a way that doesn't become monotonous.

Q: It will take some time, won't it?
A, I believe the coach is saying that it takes time to protect the players. We always have to seek results, and there is not a single player who thinks it's okay to lose a match. Winning is the top priority, and while we choose to connect the ball as a means to that end, we must not forget how much we can improve our quality in a short period of time.

Q: Given the current situation of three consecutive losses, will the match against Kashiwa become one where we need to aim for both performance and results?
A, we also want victory, and I believe the fans and supporters watching feel the same way. We must show that kind of attitude.

Q: I think the low number of goals conceded is a selling point for Tokyo this year, but what is the reason for the low number of goals conceded?
The longer the time spent attacking, the more likely it is that the defense will lose focus. I believe the players in the back are feeling that difficulty. However, the coach also demands intensity in defense as a fundamental requirement, so I think finding that balance is important. Just because we play attacking football doesn't mean we can focus only on the attack; we need to keep an eye on that balance.

I think it's difficult to defend with the same intensity regardless of which players are on the field. What do you think?
Ideally, it would be great if everyone could play at the same level, and I think it's important for the team's level to rise to the point where it becomes a concern for the coach. However, each player has their own characteristics, and I believe that's something we have to accept.

Q: Do you want the players around you to grow to the point where they push you to improve?
A, Mako (Makoto OKAZAKI) was also playing well, and Henrique is a left-footed player who can handle the ball, so there are many good players, and I think it depends on who the coach chooses.

Q: Kashiwa plays a style of football that neutralizes the opponent's characteristics, but does it require patience?
A, that's right. I really feel that they are the perfect opponent for us right now. I think we will start to struggle against teams like this, so I hope we can enjoy figuring out how to break through. The opponent will try to nullify our strengths, so if we can think about how to break them down and where the spaces will open up while moving the ball, I believe we can play enjoyable football.

Q: Are you also aiming to score from set plays?
A, that's right. I've returned, and since tomorrow is my birthday, I want to aim for it.

<Ryoya OGAWA>

Q: The team suffered three consecutive losses starting from Sec. 11 in the league. What do you feel are the team's challenges?
In these three matches, Masato MORISHIGE and Henrique TREVISAN were both absent due to injuries, which made our defense quite unstable. In terms of offense, there were many situations where the players couldn't connect well in the vital area, leading to missed opportunities. However, we were able to control the game while maintaining possession of the ball, so I believe that if we improve our precision in the final stages, we will increase our scoring.

Q: In the matches against Fukuoka and Iwata, I played as a center-back, which is not my primary position.
A, as long as I am wearing the Tokyo uniform, I will give my all no matter what position I stand on the pitch. Anyone can miss a game due to injury. Even in tough situations, the players who can fight will cover for each other and do their best to increase our points, even if just a little.

Q, as a full-back, how do you feel about the new playing style proposed by Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA expects the full-backs to play a wide range of roles, including playmaking like a defensive midfielder and cutting in from the sides. The decision-making in play is challenging, but it also brings enjoyment, and I believe we are able to perform better compared to the time of camp. Personally, I have more opportunities to play closer to the goal, so I want to increase plays that lead directly to assists and goals. I am consciously working to grow into a higher-level full-back than last season.

Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match against Kashiwa with the fans and supporters.
A, I feel that the team is growing with each match this season, so the players are not satisfied with the three consecutive losses in the league. We want to grow while winning matches. We will do our best so that everyone who comes to Ajinomoto can go home with a smile!

Matchday program here