Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has taken office and is working on the penetration of a soccer style based on positional play in Tokyo. The first season is approaching its halfway point. How did Tokyo perform in the first half of the season? Five reporters who regularly cover Tokyo's matches and training reflected on the battles of Albert Tokyo in the first half under the categories of "Summary," "Best Game," and "Best Player by Position."
Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
▼First Half Season Summary
Both Positive and Negative Evaluations Focus on "Young Players"
It is encouraging that the concept of positional play has taken hold faster than expected, and that a certain standard of 11 players plus alpha has been established. On the other hand, with a series of injuries to key players, the current best lineup has not always been able to build momentum smoothly, giving the impression of stumbling. Moving forward, it will be necessary to expand the "plus alpha," such as using Keigo HIGASHI as the anchor. Even if reinforcements come in summer and winter, that is a story for later. Instead of around 15 players, a squad of about 20 immediate-impact players is desired. Another piece of good news is the integration of Type 2 registered players and the revitalized cooperation with FC Tokyo U-18. Renta HIGASHI and Naoki KUMATA have had opportunities to play in the top team, and along with Yuta ARAI from Shohei High School, they have proven they can perform at a professional level. The sharing of Albert PUIG ORTONEDA’s concept between the top team and U-18, and the tactical compatibility that allows movement between them, is also working positively. The relatively bad news is the flip side of this: it remains only that "young players have appeared." Going forward, not only gaining experience but also showing some results together with the young players in the top team is necessary; otherwise, they will just be "there." The seeds have been sown for the second half of the season. A battle awaits to nurture those shoots and expand their potential.
▼Best Game of the First Half
J.League YBC Levain Cup Group Stage Sec. 5 vs Júbilo Iwata
(2022.04.23 @ Yamaha Stadium)
In terms of the attitude of not yielding to strong opponents, the J1 League Sec. 1 match against Kawasaki and Sec. 6 match against Yokohama FM, as well as the high tension in the Sec. 10 National Stadium showdown against G Osaka, can also be considered great games. However, the away Levain Cup game against Iwata, where Yuki KAJIURA scored a goal and Keigo Azuma and Yojiro TAKAHAGI delivered attacking passes, is recommended as the best game. If Kajiura had scored more and Kojiro YASUDA had also scored, the evaluation of this match would have changed. The "Pausa" (meaning a short break or calm in Spanish) that coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned was embodied by Azuma and TAKAHAGI; their long-range, space-passing foretells Tokyo's near future. While Kusu Matsuki's mentality and Shuto Abe's intensity are important, this match felt like a glimpse of greater potential ahead.
▼Key Players of the First Half
GK & DF
24 Jakub SLOWIK
There may be skills that he is not good at, but the strength of his impact in shot-stopping from close range surpasses everything. As a defensive hero, he radiates an aura comparable to that of a star striker, making him a rare presence worthy of admiration among soccer fans. While this man is with us, Tokyo should improve the level of its goalkeepers and establish a culture of defense, including defenders.
MF
44 Kuryu MATSUKI
In media articles predicting the starting lineup for the opening match, there were voices of dissent saying, "That can't be true," but he has become an indispensable player who now leads the top team with his fighting spirit, even when they sometimes struggle. On the other hand, it is also true that he is still young, and there is a need for those around him to be considerate emotionally, but as a player, he is already a reliable man at this point.
FW
15 Adailton
Among the various forwards used in rotation, the one with the most durable physique, who does not wear down easily, is undoubtedly Adailton. The controlled shot he scored at his former club Yamaha will surely become legendary. Even when the team is not functioning, his overwhelming individual strength leads to victory through the tactics of Adailton. Without a doubt, he is Tokyo's weapon.
Kohei Baba (Soccer Writer)
▼First Half Season Summary
Establishing a New Style and the Struggles of the Next Stage
The early part of the league from the opening match up to Sec. 10 against Gamba Osaka gave the impression that points were accumulated using the reserves from last season. This effectively bought time to instill a new playing style. During this period, the team was made to understand the strategic thinking of positional play and transitioned to battles employing more localized tactics. However, in the last few matches entering the next stage, those tactics have not functioned as expected. In the Sec. 11 match on May 3 against Avispa Fukuoka, Leandro was positioned centrally at the front line. The intention was for Kuryu MATSUKI and Shuto ABE to exploit the space created by the false No. 9, but ultimately Fukuoka took the lead and forced a positional change during the match. In the Sec. 13 match against Júbilo Iwata, Yojiro TAKAHAGI was placed as an attacking midfielder to receive the ball in the freed-up position. However, this also resulted in the opponent taking the lead and a system change during the game. From here, it depends on how much the team can increase patterns of tactical play and successful experiences. Also, attention to detail such as thoroughly preparing pre-movement before receiving the ball is indispensable. Can the team find a winning formula before exhausting the early reserves? Fortunately, there is a wealth of resources and strong veterans are assembled. To instill confidence in the players, the skills of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA may be put to the test.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 1 vs Kawasaki Frontale
(2022.02.18 @ Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium)
The opening match was a game full of enthusiasm to acquire a new playing style and hope for the new season. Leandro, who created many scoring chances in this match, said, "For us Brazilian players, the style of football the coach aims for is familiar, so it was easy to play from the start." And rightly so. The legendary Brazil national team, which won all matches in the 1970 World Cup and is hailed as the strongest ever, also lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. This was likely a match where the blood that embodies artistic football, flowing continuously through them, was stirred. However, the best game of this season is yet to come.
▼Key Players of the First Half
GK & DF
24 Jakub SLOWIK
The newly joined guardian of this season continues to make big saves from the early matches. Off the pitch, he is a nice guy, and after the away match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, he personally said, "Can I ask just one last thing?" and expressed, "I want to sincerely thank the many supporters who came all the way to Hokkaido to cheer for us, as it was a great encouragement." He is undoubtedly the team MVP for the first half of the season.
MF
31 Shuto ABE
Since the opening match, he has taken on many tactical tasks in both offense and defense, continuing to make his presence felt. In addition to his natural stamina and intensity of play, the results of the repetitive practice of 'stopping and kicking' that he has continued after training since last season are now showing. Abe himself stated, 'I want to be able to compete with Kuu for the number of goals,' focusing on improving his scoring ability as he looks towards the next stage.
FW
15Adailton
This season, the heavy tank dribble is still going strong, leading the team with four goals so far and driving the offense in the first half. In a time of immaturity and poor combination play, he has often saved the transitional team. Adailton has also mentioned, "It's become easier to understand where my teammates are and where the passes are coming from," indicating that he may be one of those benefiting from the new playing style.
Kei Sato (Soccer Magazine Web)
▼First Half Summary
Passing Grade as an Initial Stage of Reform
To be honest, I thought it would be more difficult. Since the team had long relied on counterattacks, I believed it would take much more time to 'transition' to a style based on positional play. In fact, the team suffered three consecutive losses in May, but ball possession, which ranked 16th out of 20 teams last season at 46.1%, has risen to over 52% on average after 13 matches, placing 7th overall. The numbers show that the players have changed their mindset and are implementing the new style. This can be considered a passing grade for the initial stage of reform. However, focusing on where the ball is held, the team is still far from ideal. There are frequent cases where buildup gets stuck, forcing the team to circulate the ball in the defensive area. The team spends a long time possessing the ball in its own half. To advance while the opponent is countering, players need to stand in the right positions and vary the speed of their passes. Quick passing to evade the opponent's press and the technical skills to enable it are required. The question is whether these challenges will be overcome by changing personnel or by waiting for individual growth. Personally, I feel this is the key point for the second half of the season. I want to pay close attention to the solutions the coach, who says the team has 'entered the next phase,' will implement.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 7 vs Vissel Kobe
(2022.04.06 @ Ajinomoto Stadium)
Out of the 5 wins the team achieved by Sec. 14, the matches where they outpossessed the opponent and earned 3 points were against Kyoto, Kobe, and G Osaka. Among these, the match that best reflected the team's ideal style of play was the game against Kobe. Although they fell behind early, they maintained a high line, skillfully controlling passes vertically and horizontally, and launched continuous attacks by recovering the ball in the opponent’s half. The opponent’s pressure was not very intense, but the team scored 3 goals in the second half to complete a comeback. They moved the ball from inside to outside and vice versa, delivering sharp vertical passes that changed the tempo. Especially in the second half, the players’ coordination was excellent, repeatedly unsettling the opponent’s back line. It was truly a convincing victory.
▼Key Players of the First Half
GK & DF
24 Jakub SLOWIK
The team, which is working on a style significantly different from last season, is likely staying within the top 10 thanks to its presence. In particular, the performance shown in the match against Sapporo in Sec. 9 was impressive. With a series of great saves, they saved the team and managed to secure one point with a scoreless draw. It is understandable why they are revered as the God of Kuba.
MF
31 Shuto ABE
In addition to the standard equipment of high-level running ability, ball-winning ability, and dedication, this season gives the impression of honing plays that advance into the goal area and become receivers. If the movement of actively exploiting the pockets next to the goal aligns with the surrounding players, it should lead to an increase in the team's scoring ability. I hope that the attempts shown in the first half will bear fruit in the second half.
FW
9 Diego OLIVEIRA
Participated in all matches from the opening to Sec. 14 against Kashiwa, starting in all but one match against Tosu. While the visible results may leave some dissatisfaction with 2 goals and 2 assists as a FW, the attitude of never holding back in both offense and defense, always playing with a team-first mentality, is commendable. He is a proud number 9 in blue and red and likely the vice-captain.
Shintaro Inoue (Sports Hochi)
▼First Half Summary
Changes at a speed that exceeds the opponent's expectations
"How is Tokyo this year?" It's difficult to answer. The coach, who came from Catalonia via Niigata, had been talking about keywords like 'positional' and 'possession' before the season started, leading us to believe he would implement an idealistic style of football. However, once the season began, there were instances of quick counterattacks utilizing speed, a demand for intensity in the midfield, and many moments showcasing a pragmatic style of football. It's understandable that some viewers might think, 'It hasn't changed from last year.'
The direction we are heading is not wrong. A clear change is the ball possession rate, which was 46.1% last year. Although both matches ended in defeat, we recorded 59% against Tosu and 65.6% against Iwata. Both teams pressed from the front early on, but our defensive line did not retreat and kept moving the ball. As an Iwata official admitted, "We couldn't take the ball from the front as much as we thought," they were forced to change their plan to defend by setting up a block midway through. The changes have come at a speed beyond the opponent's expectations. We have also made sufficient upfront investments. In the Levain Cup, despite the impact of the early-season COVID-19 situation, we utilized it as a showcase for young players by selecting 17-year-old defender Renta HIGASHI and others. There is also the enjoyment of watching when the seeds sown with the future in mind will bloom.
That said, as Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says, professionals should first be judged by results... Indeed, this season is difficult for Tokyo.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 10 vs Gamba Osaka
(2022.04.29＠Japan National Stadium)
It was a match that showed the future of the capital club right in the heart of Tokyo. The first league match at the renovated Japan National Stadium. With about 500 fireworks and a production using the club colors of blue and red LED lights, it invited 43,125 spectators who braved the heavy rain into an extraordinary space. The match itself was a series of fast-paced attacks, with a bonus goal from Leandro’s brilliant dribbling. The players on the pitch and the club staff’s efforts came together to create the best entertainment space (I really wish the National Stadium had been renovated exclusively for ball games...).
▼Key Players of the First Half
GK & DF
3 Masato MORISHIGE
Ironically, the three consecutive losses during his injury absence highlighted his significance. He has many excellent qualities, such as strength in aerial battles and build-up play, but the most important is that he provides the team with a "pausa" (meaning a brief pause or calmness in Spanish). In the league return match on May 21 against Kashiwa, Yasuki KIMOTO, who partnered with him as a center-back, was actively challenging with long feeds and vertical passes. The impact of the 35-year-old captain is immense.
MF
44 Kuryu MATSUKI
If we only consider the playing aspect, Aoki, who excels in crisis detection, and Abe, whose scoring ability is also improving, might be better. However, the shock of a high school graduate making the opening day starting lineup cannot be measured in numbers. Their tenacity in chasing the ball like a fighting dog and their all-out effort in battle ignite passion in those who watch. While there is room for improvement in their skills and decision-making after gaining possession of the ball, this can also be seen as potential for growth. Since this directly relates to the team's development, we hope for further growth.
FW
11 Kensuke NAGAI
It's the kind of presence that you want in every household. It's true that having zero goals is unsatisfactory for a forward. However, there is no one else but Nagai who plays the crucial role of switching the press from the front line, which is the lifeline of the team. Whether starting or coming on as a substitute, he breaks through the defensive line and creates chances in every match. The feet of number 11 undoubtedly play an important role in making the team function.
Daisuke Suga (El Golazo, FC Tokyo Correspondent)
▼First Half Season Summary
Building Confidence Through Victory and Then Embedding Our Style
I was surprised when I imagined a cheerful romantic. Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is quite a realist. Before the season started, he openly stated that "reforms take time," which likely explains why he did not present specific numbers or goals. In his first season as head coach, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA focuses more on growth than on winning, showing little interest in points or rankings. Instead, he seems to be putting his energy into instilling his style and evaluating players for that purpose. Considering this, it makes sense that the team won three consecutive games right after the opening by adopting a somewhat pragmatic and realistic approach, and then suffered three consecutive losses in the mid-season as they began to gradually embed their own romantic style in the next phase. Initially, to "gain composure through winning," they faced reality, and once that stage was overcome, they started embedding the style they believe in to "continue winning in the future." This approach seems reasonable for building a long-term team style. The opponent for the last home game of the first half is Kashima Antlers, who also brought in a new head coach this season and are undergoing team reforms. There will likely be much to learn from facing an opponent who started from the same starting line. We want to take what they show us when facing Kashima, who are already competing for the top spot, as the answer to Albert Tokyo's first half season.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 3 vs Cerezo Osaka
(2022.03.06 @ YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM)
Albert Tokyo’s first official match victory. The game took place immediately after team activities were suspended due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, raising concerns about the players’ condition, but the first half was almost entirely controlled by the team. Triggered by the high press of the three forwards, Shuto ABE and Kusei MATSUKI, the inside halves, repeatedly intercepted in the opponent’s territory, creating many chances. The joy after Kazuya KONNO scored a goal, the embrace with coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, and the sight of the whole team running without stopping even after being reduced to ten men in the second half left a strong impression. It was a 90-minute match that strongly established the solid style of short counterattacks from a high press early in the season.
▼Key Players of the First Half
GK & DF
30 Yasuki KIMOTO
As he declared immediately after joining, he showcased a solid performance in his primary position, wanting to compete as a center-back. His firmness and stability when paired with Masato MORISHIGE are among the best in the league, and he is one of the key players supporting the strong defense at the beginning of the season. Additionally, his sharp vertical passes, utilizing his kicking accuracy and wide vision, serve as a switch for the attack, making him an indispensable presence in the positional play that coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA aims for.
MF
Shuto ABE
The length of playing time proves the significance of his presence more than anything else. He is the only field player to have started every match so far. His boundless stamina and strong ball-winning ability stand out even in positional play. What is needed for the team and Abe himself to advance to the next stage is the quality of on-the-ball play. It would be interesting if he could start delivering the final pass.
FW
11 Kensuke NAGAI
No matter which match you watch, it is number 11 who maintains the balance of the attack and switches on the defense. Whether it's collaborating with the wing-backs or inside midfielders to break through the sides, or making a speedy advance towards the goal, he leads the high press at the front line and returns to his own half with full effort during counter-attacks. His contribution in areas that are not reflected in the numbers is exceptionally high, and his dedication on both offense and defense is number one.
