<Match Preview>
Finally, the J1 League has reached the halfway point of the 34-match season and is entering the second half. At this timing, Tokyo is once again facing challenges on its path of evolution. This time, the first match of the second half of the J1 League is a perfect opportunity to gain hints on overcoming those challenges against a formidable opponent.
In Tokyo, towards the end of the first half of the season, we achieved consecutive victories against Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers, and both matches showed significant growth in our performance. However, in the match that concluded the first half against Shonan Bellmare, we were unable to find a way to attack in the face of the opponent's pressing and quick defensive transitions, resulting in a loss of points for the first time in four matches.
In the 3rd Round of the Emperor's Cup, held three days after the match against Shonan, we faced V-Varen Nagasaki and ended in a 2-2 draw, leading to extra time where we conceded the decisive goal in the first half of extra time, resulting in our elimination from the tournament. Nagasaki, while not applying intense pressure from the front, quickly organized their defense and built a solid defensive block with numbers in the center. On the other hand, Tokyo maintained possession of the ball but was unable to secure a goal that would lead to victory.
In this match, which comes just three days later, we face Sagan Tosu. As mentioned during our previous encounter in the first half of the season, Tokyo has struggled against Tosu in recent seasons. Since the 2019 season, we have lost six consecutive league matches against them. In the first half of this season's encounter, despite hitting the post twice, Tokyo failed to equalize after conceding a goal from a free kick.
Like Shonan, Tosu is characterized by its high intensity, closely marking the ball side from the front line. In the first half of the match, players were often marked man-to-man, struggling to build up play and losing the ball, leading to moments where they were pushed back by Tosu's dynamic attacks, with players rapidly advancing from the back during quick counters.
Conversely, if we can create situations of numerical superiority against opponents who come to capture the ball, move the ball to break free, and extend the time we hold the ball, we can significantly advance our strategies against teams that employ similar tactics. Challenges are also necessary for growth. Against the challenging opponent, Tosu, I want to find a build-up style that is not shaken by high pressing.
And above all, I want to send off Ryoya OGAWA with a victory in his last match before the transfer.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Will you bring fresh players to the Tosu match?
If there are matches continuing for 3, 4, or 5 games, player selection may prioritize condition, but it is not necessary to place too much importance on 3 consecutive matches. If there are weekday matches for 4 or 5 games over 2 consecutive weeks, it will lead to a congested schedule, so it becomes important to consider player usage based on their condition.
Q: Do you think you can approach the match against Tosu in good condition?
A. We must consider that there was an overtime match the other day. Some players are extremely fatigued after playing in overtime, so we take that into account. However, there are also players who can maintain their condition even after overtime, so we will handle that on an individual basis. Since we have injuries in the center-back position, we must select players in a delicate manner. In any case, there is no doubt that we will be able to approach the match with a good lineup.
Q: What kind of performance do you expect from player Ogawa in his last match?
A, he is one of the players in good physical condition. I spoke with him before the season started, and he has always had a strong desire to go to Europe. I suggested that he learn European-style football with me for at least six months until summer and prepare well to challenge Europe. Since that has become the flow, I hope he will do well over there. I think the league he is going to is a mid-tier one in Europe. In that sense, I hope he can perform well there and take the next step to the original Europe. I am satisfied with Ryoya OGAWA's professional behavior, play, and performance over the past six months, and I look forward to his further success in the future.
Q: After losing to Shonan and in the Emperor's Cup match against Nagasaki, I believe the match against Tosu will be an important game. What do you expect from the players?
I think the match against Shonan was the worst performance of the season. This is something that can naturally happen, and it just so happened in the match against Shonan. On the other hand, I evaluate the Emperor's Cup match against Nagasaki as a good game. I understand that many people focus solely on the match results. However, I am looking at different aspects. I have the role of focusing on parts that are not just the match results. In the Nagasaki match, I believe we clearly outperformed them in terms of play and the number of chances throughout the 120 minutes. However, in football, such match developments can occur. The opposing team can win the match by converting all their few chances. Nevertheless, in a long battle like the league, I believe that the team that consistently plays well will rise to the top. What we are currently seeking is to build a playing style that consistently brings good results. In other words, it is a fight to achieve continuous good performance in the long battle of the league. It is not about playing for good results in cup competitions. Naturally, I think Nagasaki achieved victory in their own way, but even though we lost, I am very satisfied with the players' performance in that match. Tomorrow, we have another difficult match ahead as a different battle, but I want to seize points in a good way.
Q: The second half of the league has started, and we will be playing against opponents we faced once in the first half. Will you change your strategy compared to the first half when you faced them for the first time?
Yes, of course, there is an impact from having played one match. However, quite a bit of time has passed since the last match against Tosu, and many things can happen in that time in football. There are recent trends and conditions that will have an impact, but it is not that significant. Our team is also growing. In that sense, the content of our play based on that growth is important, and at the same time, the match results are also important. However, the match results are not determined solely by our play; various factors influence the outcome of the match, so we cannot control the match results alone. Since our team is still in a growth phase, we have not yet reached a stable state where we can consistently express our playing style and be in a position to decide matches positively. Individual mistakes by our players can also affect the match results. On the other hand, even if the overall performance of the team is poor, a single action by an individual player can lead to a victory, which is possible in football. Such a single action can determine the flow of the match, and the development of the game can change significantly, so we must adapt and fight accordingly.
The team is growing in a positive direction, and I believe the quality of our matches is improving with each game. However, if we talk about stability, we have not yet reached that point. I don't think we are at a level where we can consistently score multiple goals and surpass our opponents. In that sense, when it comes to a single match, I think we are still in a situation where we cannot fully control what happens. We are currently in the second phase of growth, and I believe the team is still in an unstable state. Because the team is in a growth stage and still unstable, I have communicated to the players that maintaining a high level of focus and intensity in our play will lead to earning more points during this second phase of growth.
[Player Interview]
<Takuya AOKI>
Q: We lost to Nagasaki in a balanced match in the Emperor's Cup, and now only the league matches remain.
It was a tournament that offered a chance to go to the ACL, so it's really disappointing, but we have no choice but to switch our mindset and move forward.
Q: As we aim for a new style of football, I believe we are starting to feel confident in maintaining possession and building our attacks. How does Aoki feel about this?
I want to increase the variations to carry the ball further into the attacking zone, and I want to move the ball more smoothly.
Q: From Aoki's perspective, what kind of play do you think will be important moving forward to take the next step with the new style?
I believe that if each individual has the awareness to create the game and can make plays from anywhere during the match, it will improve even further. There are players who are used and players who use, but I think it would be great if everyone could do both.
Q: What impression do you have of Tosu?
A, there is an impression that many young players run a lot and work hard. Although we have back-to-back matches, we must not lose; we have had disappointing performances in the last two matches, so I think we need to show more aggression.
Q: What is the key to victory?
First, we need to play aggressively, run, and fight. In the match against Shonan, we were defeated in that aspect, so I believe we need to bring that part out.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm as a team and as individuals.
A, there are still opportunities to rise in the second half of the league, and I want to prepare mentally and fight to win each match.
<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q,This will be your last match with FC Tokyo, do you feel it?.
A, I don't feel it yet..
Q: You have continued to play as a left back, but, when you go to Portugal, how do you want to utilize your experience from Tokyo?
A: Carrying the emblem of Tokyo and being able to participate in many matches has been an asset, and I have confidence in the fact that I was able to play so many matches in Tokyo.I am confident.I want to play with confidence there.I think I want to play with confidence as well..
Q,Do you already have an image of yourself performing well?
A, yes. I have confidence, and since I intend to perform well, I can envision it..
Q,I think there will be a language barrier, but how will you overcome it?
A, at firstit will be tough, but I want to approach itpositively.I am notthe type to benaive, but by using various gestures and interacting cheerfully, I think they will understand what kind of person I am, and as I go to Portugal,I will graduallyget usedto it, which I believe is important.
Q,What kind of feeling do you want to have going into the match against Tosu?
A, In the last few matches, we have continued to have results that our fans and supporters are not satisfied with, so I definitely want to end with a win.
Q,Are you aiming for goals and assists?
A, I am aiming for them, but the most important thing is for the team to win the match, so anywaywhoever scoresis finesoI hope we can win by scoring.
Q,Please share your enthusiasm for the last match.
A, Since this will truly be my last match in Tokyo, I believe it will be a special game for me, and I think it will be a match filled with strong emotions. I want to play with the aim of achieving a victory.
Q,I would like to ask for a message to the staff, stakeholders, fans, and supporters in Tokyo who have supported me so far.
A, 7SeasonHalf,the level I have grown to be called overseas like this is100percentthanks to Tokyo, andthere was no mistakewhen I decidedto join Tokyoat the age of 18.I am truly grateful, and I want to repay that gratitude in the form of a victory in the last match.
Ryoya OGAWA Memorial Goods Available for Order!
