<Match Preview>
"Great success always comes with obstacles and suffering."
As Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the coach, said at the beginning of his tenure, Tokyo is going through a difficult period. In the 13th round of the league, they lost 1-2 to Iwata, their third consecutive loss. After the game, Yasuki KIMOTO said, "The fans and supporters gave us positive voices. We have no choice but to change the results ourselves." The players also understand the necessity of "time and patience" that Coach Albert has been emphasizing. Takuya AOKI showed his determination to overcome the pains of childbirth, saying, "We have no choice but to continue playing our own style. Without persisting, there will be no growth." It will take patience until the new Tokyo, having achieved a change in style, can make its first cry.
Kashiwa Reysol, who will face off this round, has been steadily bringing up a new generation under the guidance of coach NELSINHO and improving their form. The leader of this is FW Mao HOSOYA from the Paris Olympics generation. With a team-high of 4 goals, it will be important to shut him down in front of the goal. Also, we must be wary of coach NELSINHO's experienced strategy to neutralize the opponent's strengths.
To achieve our first victory in four games, we must believe in our own soccer. Our ability to maintain our faith in adversity is being tested.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, Mori and Okazaki were at practice, but the center back has returned. How is it?
A, The doctor has already given permission and I am fully prepared to play in the Fukuoka match as I did before. Now that we have three center backs, the problem is being resolved. Sodai Hasukawa also played well in the Fukuoka match. In that sense, we have four players available. Renta Higashi also played well enough to be evaluated in the professional world. Henrique's rehabilitation is also progressing smoothly. I think there is a possibility that he will be able to return after the week of international matches.
Q, I think you have been using the phrase "pause" since the other day. I think it will take some time to move the ball and break down the opponent's defense in the next phase, but what kind of path are you thinking of taking?
It is important to have confidence and gain experience in official matches. I think the word "pause" can also express a change of pace. I think it is difficult for the opponent to defend when there is a change of pace in speed. In the past few matches, I think we have been able to express pauses within our team play. It will take a little more time, but I think we are moving in a good direction to improve our completion rate in front of goal. I have also conveyed to the players that we need to be able to play well in practice. We must also apply that good play in the matches. In the past few matches, we have not always achieved good results, but I think there have been many times when we have been able to express a clear difference in play from past Tokyo matches on the pitch. And as I have also conveyed to the players, it is a necessary process of growth to be able to express what we can do in practice in the matches and connect it to solid results. Our playing style is always focused on winning the match, so we want to continue to push that to the limit.
We have been able to play well with high possession rates in the Tosu, Iwata, and Fukuoka matches, and we have also been able to create chances. However, we have also lost many games where the opponent was able to score with few chances. Nevertheless, I believe we have been able to play well. In the Fukuoka match, I don't think the opponent was able to create many clear chances. And we were able to fight for 90 minutes without lowering our defensive block in many time zones. This is because we were able to control the ball firmly, which functioned as the best defense. And we were also able to create chances. (Yasuda) Torarou and (Watanabe) Ryoma also had decisive chances. There was also a play where Mita was fouled in the penalty area and could have resulted in a penalty kick towards the end of the game. In this way, creating chances and scoring goals to lead to the result of the game is the growth process that we have left for ourselves.
If we were to say that the team alone is making progress in the growth process, that is not the case. I believe that growth will continue in a positive direction if not only the fans and supporters, but also the people around the club, support us. Fortunately, the fans and supporters have given the players stability. Even in the past few games where we couldn't win, they have patiently supported the team and players. They have pushed us in a positive direction to challenge a new playing style and make bold plays, and to grow through trial and error. And now, the players are motivated to connect their good plays to the game results.
Q, Kashiwa will play a soccer that eliminates the opponent's strengths, what kind of play do you want to make against that?
A, Coach NELSINHO is a very experienced coach. We have room for improvement in our response to counterattacks. Perhaps they will take advantage of that. It is also their weapon, so if we can prove our growth by responding to their counterattacks, I think it will be a good thing. They are a team that is ranked higher than us. I respect them and think they are doing a great job, so that is something that should be recognized.
Q, I think that Kashiwa's NELSINHO coach has a record of 19 seasons as a foreign coach in Japan. I don't think it's easy for a foreign coach to stay in Japan for a long time. What are your thoughts on leading for a long time overseas?
A, with extensive experience both overseas and in Japan, I believe NELSINHO has accumulated a very valuable experience. It is difficult to lead a team for 19 seasons in the J-League. In that sense, I think Coach NELSINHO has more experience than Japanese coaches. To continue leading a team in the same league for a long time, it is necessary to gain more experience and reach a level where you know the characteristics of the league better than anyone else. It is natural that it is difficult to compete against a team led by such a coach.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q, How was your condition when you played in the Levain Cup Fukuoka match?
A, I think it was a good 45 minutes because I had the impression that I was able to play longer than I thought.
Q, while away from the team, the team did not produce results.
A, I think it's a common flow that even if you play a good game, the result doesn't come with it. However, it's important to score when you have the chance. The composure in front of the goal, the persistence in defense in front of the goal, and such things are what determine the outcome of the game, so I think the difference there is bigger than the overall game. I'm not that pessimistic. I have the impression that what I expected is happening now.
Q, What kind of play do you want to make when you come back? What do you want to bring to the team?
A, It is common for the players in the front line to not be able to score. On the other hand, it is also common for the players in the back to not be able to hold on even when scoring. If the players in the back can hold on without conceding while not scoring, I think we can eventually score. Looking back at the past, there have been times like this, so I hope to stay calm and continue the game in the center of it all.
Q, do you think you returned early, or did you move up the timing?
A, I would say it was more of an impatience within myself, wanting to return as soon as possible, but the trainer managed it well. We all agreed to have me play 45 minutes in the Fukuoka match while monitoring my condition, so I think that went according to plan.
Q, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says he is moving on to the next phase. How do the players feel and how does it feel to aim for goals by connecting more balls in the attacking part?
A, I think everyone understands what the team is trying to do and what they are aiming for. From now on, we will add ideas and attacks that are difficult for the opponent to defend against, and we will also move the ball in a way that is not monotonous.
Q, it will take some time, won't it?
A, I think the coach is telling us that it will take time to protect the players. We always have to strive for results and there is not a single player who thinks it's okay to lose a game. While prioritizing winning, we must not forget that we have chosen to connect through the ball as a means to achieve that. I believe it's about how much we can improve our quality in a short period of time.
Q: Considering the current situation of three consecutive losses, is the Kashiwa game a match where you have to go for both the performance and the result?
A, we also want to win, and I think the fans and supporters watching also feel the same. I think we need to show that kind of attitude.
Q, What is the reason for the low number of goals conceded in Tokyo this year, which I believe is a selling point?
A, It is often the case that the longer the attacking time, the less the defense can maintain concentration. I think the players in the back feel the difficulty there. However, the coach also demands the intensity of defense as a major premise, so I think the balance there is important. It is not just about attacking because we play an attacking style of soccer, so we need to pay attention to that balance.
Q How difficult do you think it is to maintain the same level of tightness regardless of which players are on the field?
A, It would be ideal if everyone could play at the same level, and it is important for the team's level to rise to the point where it troubles the coach. However, each player has their own strengths and weaknesses, and I think that is inevitable.
Q: Do you want the players around you to grow more by pushing yourself?
A, Mako (Makoto OKAZAKI) also played well, and Henrique is also a left-handed player who can hold the ball, so there are many good players, so I think it's up to the coach to choose who to play.
Q: Does Kashiwa need patience to play soccer by erasing the opponent's characteristics?
A, yes. I feel that they are the perfect opponent for us right now. I think that in the future, these types of teams will become difficult for us, so I hope we can enjoy figuring out how to break through. The opponent will try to eliminate our strengths, so if we can think about how to break through and where there will be space while moving the ball, I think we can play enjoyable soccer.
Q: Are you also aiming for goals from set pieces?
A: Yes, that's right. I've returned and since tomorrow is my birthday, I want to aim for it.
<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q, In the league, we suffered 3 consecutive losses from Sec. 11. Where do you feel the team's challenges lie?
A, in these three matches, both Masato MORISHIGE and Henrique TREVISAN were absent due to injuries, so our defense was not very stable. On the attacking side, there were many situations where players were not in sync when entering the vital area, making it difficult to break through. However, we were able to control the game while possessing the ball, so I believe we can increase our scoring if we improve our accuracy in the final stages.
Q, I played as a center back in the Fukuoka and Iwata matches, which is not my usual position.
A, no matter what position I play on the pitch while wearing the Tokyo uniform, I will give my all. Anyone can get injured and miss a game. Even in tough situations, all the players who can fight will cover for each other and do their best to earn as many points as possible.
Q, How do you feel about the new playing style that coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is promoting as a professional side back?
A, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is asking for a wide range of plays, such as making plays like a midfielder and moving from the side to the center, even from the side back. It's difficult to make decisions during plays, but it's also fun, and I think I've been able to play better compared to the time of the camp. Personally, I want to increase the number of plays that lead directly to assists or goals because I have more opportunities to play in positions closer to the goal. I am working with the awareness of being able to grow into a higher level side back than last season.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for this week's match against Kashiwa with the fans and supporters.
A, I feel that the team is growing with each game this season, so the players are not satisfied with the record of 3 consecutive losses in the league. We want to continue to grow while winning games. We will do our best so that everyone who comes to Ajinomoto can go home with a smile!
![Takashi FUKUNISHI x Naohiro ISHIKAWA CC Discussion "The Allure of Tokyo Players [MF/FW Edition]"](/en/upload/Tokyoism/images/img_242_62879a9a-0314-43cb-bd48-1e9f0a000292.jpg)
