<Match Review>
With the national team activity period starting, the league matches are in a break, and Tokyo faced Fuji University, the representative of Iwate Prefecture, in the Emperor's Cup 2nd Round.
The team was composed mainly of players with long playing time in the league matches. In goal, we have Go HATANO. The defense line from the right includes Hotaka NAKAMURA, Yasuki KIMOTO, Masato MORISHIGE, and Ryoya OGAWA. As the anchor, we placed Keigo HIGASHI, who was also used in the league match against Shimizu S-Pulse. The inside half features a combination of Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE. Up front, Keita YAMASHITA is utilized as the center forward, with Kensuke NAGAI on the right wing and Adailton on the left wing.
The match progresses with Tokyo maintaining possession of the ball while Toyama University solidifies their defensive block and aims for counterattacks. From the early stages, they push the opponent back starting from the sides, creating scenes that lead to shots from Yamashita's hold-up play, but they cannot hit the target. Compared to the league matches, Tokyo has more composure in ball duels, but against an opponent that slides quickly to the ball side, they look to change the attack's timing by switching sides through the center-backs.
In the 24th minute of the first half, Ogawa's free kick was headed by Kimoto in front of the goal, but the shot hit the post. In the 26th minute of the first half, Adailton used his strong physicality to dribble past one and then another opponent, and although he took a shot inside the penalty area, it was blocked. While maintaining possession of the ball, they struggled to penetrate deep into the opponent's territory, but in the 36th minute of the first half, Adailton created a chance with a breakthrough. Adailton, who made a move on the left side and entered the penalty area, passed the ball back towards the goal line. Nakamura, who was positioned in front of the goal, managed to keep the ball in play, and Watanabe calmly slotted it in while observing the position of the defender covering the goal, scoring the opening goal.
In the 43rd minute of the first half, Adailton received a cross from the right side at the left edge of the penalty area and was fouled while trying to lift the ball to evade his marker, earning a penalty kick. Adailton himself converted it successfully, extending the lead just before the end of the first half.
At halftime, Yuki KAJIURA was brought on to replace Nagai. Watanabe was moved to the right wing. In the 10th minute of the second half, a long ball exploited the space, and they approached the goal with a counterattack, but the shot taken after cutting in from the left side went wide of the target. In the 13th minute of the second half, Yamashita received a pass facing the goal in a gap in the defense line, but the one-touch shot went straight to the opposing goalkeeper. In the 14th minute of the second half, Adailton broke free and passed between the opposing goalkeeper and defender, but it just missed Yamashita, who was diving in. Watanabe picked up the ball that flowed to the opposite side and aimed for a looping shot, but this also narrowly missed to the left of the goal.
In the 17th minute of the second half, Kazuya KONNO was brought on for Yamashita, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE was substituted in for Ogawa. In the 18th minute, Kashif made a move down the left side, completely shaking off his marker to deliver a cross. Adailton managed to evade the defender with a one-touch at the center of the goal, but his shot while turning went wide to the left of the goal. In the 35th minute, Kojiro YASUDA was sent onto the pitch in place of Watanabe. In the 43rd minute, Adailton unleashed a powerful shot from directly in front of the goal, creating several opportunities to threaten the opponent's goal as the match drew to a close. However, they could not shake the net against the resilient defense of Fujidai. Although they did not score additional points, they maintained their lead from the first half and secured advancement to the 3rd Round.
The 3rd Round will be held on June 22 (Wednesday) against V-Varen Nagasaki in Nagasaki.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
A, it was an important match for us to continue growing. We aimed to play while firmly controlling the game and creating many decisive chances. Throughout the match, we were able to create numerous opportunities and maintain control of the game for the full 90 minutes.
The remaining point for improvement is that despite creating so many decisive chances, we only ended up with 2 goals. If we create chances but lack finishing ability, there is a risk that if the opponent scores, the match could become even more difficult.
However, there were also many positive aspects. Keigo HIGASHI expressed wonderful play for 90 minutes. Kashif BANGNAGANDE also showcased his strengths sufficiently.
You may doubt it, but I believe this was one of the most difficult matches of the season for us. In that sense, I would like to commend the opposing team. I conveyed this directly to their players after the match, as they boldly and bravely expressed what they needed to do as young players through their play. For that reason, I would like to praise their performance today. It was because they played boldly and wonderfully that our fans and supporters gave them a warm round of applause.
Q: Please tell us about the significance of approaching this match with key players and the positioning of this match.
A, regardless of the opposing team, we must continue to grow. In that sense, I thought this was a very important match for our growth, and I conveyed that to the players. If, after a few years of continuing this style, the team has grown, I believe I will need to convey the message to the players, "Do not relax against university students." However, we are not in a mature state yet; we are still a team that needs to grow. That is why I conveyed the message to the players today to connect this match to our growth.
Q: You mentioned that the match against Fujii University was one of the difficult matches this season. What specific aspects made it challenging?
A, today's match was one of the difficult ones. The opposing team had nothing to lose. I believe that in order to surpass the opponent, we must play with equal intensity. University students have nothing to lose, and it was expected that they would play with high intensity. In front of such an opponent, we were able to create chances, but it is also quite possible that we couldn't shake the goal net. If the state of not scoring continues for a long time, it can lead to a nervous situation. In that sense, I think it was a difficult match. However, in front of such a challenging match, our players remained focused and played with a correct understanding of the difficulty of this match. I would like to evaluate the players' performance.
In today's match, we saw better teamwork in our attack than ever before. Throughout the match, I believe the team has grown even more. Go HATANO, who guarded the goal today, also made some wonderful plays. I think he is one of the young players with great potential to carry this club and this country in the future. He is still a young player, but he is proving himself to be maturing with every match he plays. Keigo HIGASHI played as if he were a brother of Busquets.
[Player Interview]
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: I think today's position was inside half. What were the differences compared to when you were wide?
A, on the defensive side. The positioning when going to win the ball from the front and the way to apply pressure is completely different from when in a wide position, so I was conscious of that. Also, I focused on plays that target behind the opponent.
Q: It seemed that the team as a whole was not quite in sync during the first half. What do you think were the difficulties in starting the match, and what do you think the causes were?
At this stage right after the match, I still can't sort out where things weren't clicking, but overall, the sense of distance was off, and there were times when the ball got stuck with the fullbacks while we were moving the ball around in the back. I reflect on whether my positioning was poor, whether the distance with player Nagai was too far, and what I should have prioritized in my play selection.
Q: How do you feel about bouncing back and winning the first match even in such a game situation?
A, everyone knew from before the match that it would be a difficult game, so we approached it with a shared understanding of how to maintain our mindset, and that it was important to win this match, even if we couldn't score points or if we couldn't score a large number of points like 5 or 6. That was a positive aspect.
Q, please review the goal scene.
I missed my first touch and couldn't shoot at the timing I wanted, but I feel that if we can increase those scrappy goals, our scoring will also increase, so I want to aim for more goals again.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: I think the first match of the Emperor's Cup will be difficult, but how have you prepared for it?
A, in last season's Emperor's Cup, we lost to Juntendo University in the first match, so I have been focused on winning this past week, and I'm glad it led to a good result. It was the last match at Ajinomoto for Ryoya OGAWA. Since I returned from injury, I have been alternating between being sidelined and rejoining the team, but knowing it was Ryoya's last match and that we lost to Juntendo University last season made it a match I really wanted to play in, especially since we were facing another university team. A week ago, I hurt my knee again and had to rest for a bit, but I was glad I could come on as a substitute for Ryoya. I had a chance to assist, and I'm really frustrated that I couldn't convert in the final moments. I want to dig deeper from here.
Q: Given the injuries and other factors, what do you focus on during training?
A, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has told us to challenge ourselves even if we make mistakes. In regular practice, we are asked to "show our strengths," and since I believe my characteristic is in attack, even though I am a full-back, if I cannot create a difference in the attacking part compared to other players, there is no meaning in my presence. In that regard, I have nothing to lose, so I entered the match thinking I would challenge myself more and more.
Q: What were the differences compared to last season's Emperor's Cup battles?
A, there were chances in last season's matches as well, but we couldn't capitalize on them and ended up conceding goals, which led to extra time. This season, we have been aggressive from the start, and it would have been great if we could have scored more goals. However, our finishing ability has gradually improved, including in the league matches, and the team's form has been rising accordingly. I believe that this finishing ability is a key difference compared to last season.
Q: You mentioned that your strength is in the attacking aspect, and today you felt the potential in crosses. How do you want to coordinate with the players coming into the goal area?
When I actively cross the ball during regular training, my teammates position themselves as if to say, "This is the kind of ball that will come." Today, when I looked up, I made eye contact with Adailton. I believe this is the result of my challenges during training and everyone adjusting to it. I also took a corner kick today, and if I continue to refine my ability to deliver crosses to my teammates, including set plays, I think it will lead to assists in actual matches.
<Yuki KAJIURA>
Q: How do you feel looking back on it, considering you were up against university students?
As soon as I entered the match, I was able to make several scenes where I turned well with a pass from player Higashi and delivered a through pass to player Yamashita. However, I made many mistakes afterward, so I want to improve. Personally, I wanted to continue with the initial play, so it was a frustrating match for me.
Q: You came on in the second half, what was your strategy when entering the match?
I played as an inside half, so I focused on fulfilling my role and being aware of making runs behind the opponent. However, I realized painfully in today's match that my intensity was lacking, so I think I need to work on that more.
Q: How was it playing against a team that also connected their passes well?
I think it was necessary to control the pressing while discussing it with the surrounding players. I want to observe Abe and Matsuki's play more closely, re-recognize the intensity I need to raise, and work on it from practice.
Q: I believe the team was definitely converting chances into goals.
It is important to consistently score goals, and I want to be able to score more goals from various positions.
Q: I think you were actively involved with the ball.
I made a few mistakes. They were simple mistakes while trying to receive the ball, and I believe that in my position, I need to eliminate those mistakes, so I want to improve on that.
Q: What preparations do you want to make for the next match?
A, after watching from the outside for a long time, I felt that I still have a long way to go after playing in this match. I want to increase the intensity of my practice so that I can grow to the level where I can participate in league matches and be ready to play at any time.
