<Match Preview>
The J1 League, which was interrupted during the national team's activities, will resume. This is the last match of the first half of the 34-game league season. The opponent is Shonan Bellmare. They also faced each other in the group stage of the Levain Cup, making this their third official match of the season. In the Levain Cup, they used players who had also played in the league and won at home.
The away game, in which the team was selected mainly from young players, ended in defeat.
Kuryu MATSUKI is absent from the U-21 Japan national team's overseas expedition, but Yuto NAGATOMO has returned from the Japan national team and the injured players who were also absent have rejoined the team, and the main players are ready for this match. It will be a different battle from the Levain Cup, where young players have been actively used.
In particular, in the last two games of the league, we have won consecutive victories, and especially in the Shimizu S-Pulse game, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA directly conveyed to the players. Today was the start of a day when FC Tokyo's playing style began to change. (Omitted) As coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA praised, "We were able to feel what it means to love football and take a big step forward in terms of content by overwhelming the opponent and achieving victory at the same time."
In the match against the top-ranked Kashima Antlers, Ryoma WATANABE, who was deployed as a right winger, was able to join in the attack from the central area and score goals with quick transitions between offense and defense from a compact formation. Additionally, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's strategy of "defending with the ball" was also demonstrated, maintaining a lead while possessing the ball. This proved the team's growth and the establishment of their playing style.
However, it is a fact that in order to consistently develop our own style and achieve results, further training is necessary. In this round, we will pay attention to how coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA will choose players and arrange them in the absence of Matsuki, who has been the core of the midfield despite being a rookie.
In particular, Keigo HIGASHI has been playing as an anchor in the midfield and has been performing admirably, giving the team more options. The question is whether anyone can maintain the same quality of play while "playing with the ball". In order to continue winning and growing in the second half of the season, we will not only improve our soccer style, but also expand the range of players used.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: What did you work on during the two-week break in the league?
A, We were able to spend enough time on tactical training. It is also great news that multiple players who were injured have returned. I am very satisfied with the team's growth over the past two weeks. The team is making steady progress. It was a completely positive two weeks.
Q, What specific areas have you grown in over the past two weeks?
A, especially in terms of attack. Players without the ball constantly provide various options to the ball holder. We are moving in a good direction by training this fluidity. The time has finally come to work on this. This is because the players are already able to play with confidence. They have gained the confidence to play, so this is the next step for them to move forward.
Q, I think we will see the results of that practice in tomorrow's game, but what is your image of Shonan?
A, there is a strong impression of valuing the ball very much. In terms of the quality of play, I don't think the current ranking reflects the quality of play well. In that sense, I think it will be a game where we compete for the ball. Therefore, our defense will be important, and it will be important to prevent the opponent from playing the soccer they want. We have already experienced that if we give the ball to Shonan in the Levain Cup, it will be a difficult game.
Q, What will be important tomorrow based on that experience?
A, It is most important to score more goals than the opponent as usual. Football is a sport that competes for the number of goals, so it becomes important. And in order to win the game, it is important to express our own playing style better than the opponent. Teams that can express themselves have a higher chance of winning.
Q, what made the players gain confidence?
If you compare their play at the beginning of the season and their play now, you can easily understand how much confidence they have gained. At the start of the season, I think there were situations where the players were afraid of the ball coming to them. Now, on the contrary, they feel joy in receiving the ball. I think everyone is standing on the pitch wanting to receive the ball. If there is confidence and hope to have the ball, I think they can make better decisions in attack. As I have said many times, this season is about building a base with the team players. Based on that base, I think the team will continue to make leaps and bounds in the next season. In any case, there is no doubt that we are moving in a good direction. I am happy that the players are playing with confidence and I have a sense that they will continue to grow.
Q, What can be expected in the future as the players gain confidence?
A, we can expect further growth in all aspects. It was a team that had played a different play style for several seasons. It is a different play style that does not value the ball as much as it does now. Of course, we have achieved results and won titles, but there is an impression that we were gradually declining. I think we are able to turn that trend even more positively this season. We are giving the players motivation again, and I think we are moving in a good direction by changing our play style. However, it is certain that this project has just begun. The road ahead is still long.
Q, What are your thoughts on the inside half position while Matsuki is away on national team duty?
A, We have a good team and I am not worried at all because we have players who can fill in for him. Every player has been growing since the beginning of this season. In that sense, choosing players is not as difficult as it is at the beginning of the season. If there is one obligation as a coach, I believe it is to help all players grow. Whether we win or lose a game is influenced by various factors, so I cannot control it. On the other hand, I think it is my duty as a coach to encourage the growth of players, and they are currently growing in a good way. From there, I want to choose players in good condition.
[Player Interview]
Ryoma WATANABE
Q, We had the Emperor's Cup in between, but there was a gap in the league matches since the previous round. What kind of preparations have you made?
A, I had a break in the middle of a series of consecutive games and was able to rest and recover. I was able to move well and instead of completely resting, I was conscious of moving my body. It's been a while since the league game, but I am well prepared.
Q, I think the team has been able to score more goals by holding onto the ball and bringing it to the shooting area with two consecutive wins.
A, we have been able to score in the last few games, and we won the Emperor's Cup, but we didn't do well, so we need to improve on that.
Q, among them, Watanabe has also been able to score. I feel like I can play the game in a state where I can see the image of the goal and the movement of the opponent well, but was there any trigger for the change?
A, There is no particular reason, but I think the reason why I can produce results is because I can approach the game with a good feeling after practicing shooting after practice. I want to continue to grow through the game. I still want to score and assist, and I want to always focus on my own results while playing for the team to win.
Q, What will be the key point in building a new soccer style in the future?
First and foremost, I think it is important for everyone to have a shared understanding. It is not good if one person cannot do it, and it is meaningless if everyone cannot embody it, so we must be conscious of that.
What kind of analysis is the team doing against Shonan?
A, we need to be careful of their sharp counterattacks after taking the ball.
Q, What kind of play do you want to focus on as an individual when playing against Shonan this season?
A, We want to focus on winning the ball in the physical game and increasing our possession time while also striving for results.
Q, please give a message to the fans and supporters as we aim for our third consecutive win.
A, there are very important games coming up and we will need the support of our fans and supporters. The match against Sapporo on July 6th will allow us to have vocal support, which I believe will give our players even more power. We are all working hard to repay with results, so please support us until the end.
