<Match Preview>
This season, designated as the year of reform, the J1 League has reached the halfway point of the schedule and is entering the second half. However, having recently lost 0-2 to Shonan and conceding a season-high 5 goals to Tosu, the team is facing a difficult situation.
After the match against Tosu, Masato MORISHIGE said, "I knew that this kind of time would come," and added, "We can only turn this situation around ourselves. We have no choice but to do what we need to do." He has been repeatedly discussing with the players to break through this situation. In order to create a winning team while establishing a new playing style, the players themselves are also working with a strong determination.
In the midst of this, Tokyo returns to Ajinomoto after a month.
To dispel the bad flow, the support of home fans and supporters is undoubtedly a strong ally. This week's opponent, Fukuoka, is a team that suffered a complete defeat of 1-5 in an away match. If we can break through Fukuoka's organized defense and achieve revenge, it should serve as an opportunity for the team to regain its upward momentum.
Ryoya OGAWA believed that "young players will lead the team" and set off for Portugal. I hope to see the rise of young talents that will make the Ajinomoto even hotter on summer nights.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Has the practice time been moved earlier considering this heat?
A, I thought that if I could avoid the heat even a little, I would start an hour earlier.
Q: How is Diego's return?
A, he is a very important player for us. I think his absence was greatly felt. He played many matches while enduring pain. I am truly grateful that he has returned here. This time, it’s not that the pain has disappeared, but he is hoping to expedite his return while enduring the pain in preparation for tomorrow's match. In that sense, I am very thankful for his efforts.
Q: Will the absence of several players who have adapted to this season's football have a significant impact?
A, it wasn't just the fact that we lost the match against Tosu in the last game, but I was concerned about the team's performance after the second goal. In the match against Nagasaki, we were able to play our game, and I think we played well in the first half against Tosu as well. There was also the fact that we conceded a difficult goal to Tosu in a similar manner to the goal we scored against Nagasaki, but we ended the first half without converting our decisive chances. However, after the second goal, I believe we lost our fighting spirit as a team, which is why the content of the match up to that point and the final result did not link well together.
Q: I was concerned about the fifth goal conceded. While it is fresh for a defender to come on and play, I think there are also difficulties involved. What was not good?
The substitution was made suddenly considering Morishige's fatigue. Of course, Okazaki made mistakes as well, but the fifth goal was not solely due to Okazaki's error; I believe there were multiple mistakes from other players leading to the third and fourth goals as well. I'm not trying to shift the blame onto anyone, but there were player mistakes that resulted in the last three goals. While a goal was conceded due to Okazaki's passing error, I don't feel he is solely responsible. Rather, it was a situation where I wanted to substitute Morishige, which necessitated the sudden introduction of another player.
Q: How is the players' conditioning this week?
A, we have been able to maintain good physical condition. Winning matches helps keep our condition good, but it's a typical example in the football world that losing matches is said to lead to poor condition. What happened in the match against Tosu was not that our performance dropped due to physical condition issues after the second goal, but rather that we lost our fighting spirit mentally, which led to multiple goals conceded afterward. I felt anger about that, and it must not happen again. I communicated directly to the players that while it's okay to lose matches, we must not lose our fighting spirit until the very end. I also conveyed to the players that losing the match against Tosu after losing our fighting spirit following the second goal, and conceding multiple goals, is unacceptable.
Q: How is player Abe's condition? Is it going to take a long time?
A, I am injured. I think I will be able to return in about 2 to 3 weeks. I was in good condition, but I believe I may have sustained a muscle injury when I fell after being hit. He was down on the pitch, so we hoped that the play would be stopped and we could make a substitution, but the play continued and the first goal was conceded.
Q: How is the side back position considered after the departure of player Ogawa?
A, we are considering how to fill the gap left by players Nagatomo and Yoshifumi (and player Ogawa).
Q: What changes will occur by moving Nagatomo back to the left, where he has always played, instead of using him on the right?
I believe that Nagatomo is, in a sense, ambidextrous. While we have a typical left-footed fullback like Ogawa, I think it's a waste to use the ambidextrous Nagatomo on the left side. Yoshifumi is a left-footed fullback, but he is still young and needs to gain more experience in the future. If we have a clear left fullback, I thought it was only natural to use an ambidextrous player on the opposite side.
Q: Will we be using both for a while?
A, I definitely want to utilize both players. By doing so, I hope to encourage Kafumi's growth. He has a lot of good qualities offensively. However, he needs to learn more about defense. He can learn how to improve in that area by being utilized in matches. Gaining experience in that regard is important, and I want to consider that when making selections. I think it's very positive that we have players in our team who can play both ways, like Nagatomo.
Q: There was a discussion about mental condition and physical condition, and I think there is a significant connection between the two. What are your thoughts on this?
A, I believe that the basic mental condition has the greatest impact. If there is no physical coach and the training is lackluster, it may naturally lead to a team with extremely low physical condition, but I think such teams are virtually nonexistent in the current professional world. Even if the same physical condition is maintained, the players' situations can lead to different performances. When the mind is fulfilled, I believe that even in the same state, higher performance can be achieved. I think the performance declined due to the drop in mental condition after the second goal conceded the other day. As a professional player, a mentality that is always focused on competition is necessary. Moreover, the entire club must build this competitive mentality not just among the players but throughout the whole team. Even if the playing style improves, if the winner's mentality does not grow well, nothing can be gained. Tokyo has yet to win a league title. We must create a new history.
Q: How do you want to utilize the reflections from June in the future?
Regarding the improvement of the mental aspect, we are actively discussing with the players and working towards improvement. Also, since we can make five substitutions in each match, we want to utilize players in good condition effectively. However, there are certain positions where substitutions are quite limited, which makes it challenging. That is the current situation, so we have to endure and continue using the same players.
[Player Interview]
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q: This will be the fourth match against Fukuoka this season. What impression do you have?
A, I have the impression that they solidify their defense and tend to focus more on direct attacks that lead to goals rather than connecting passes. They have played many matches this season, and they are a very difficult opponent.
Q: What measures are you considering as a team?
A, our desire to maintain possession of the ball does not change regardless of the opponent. Conversely, if we lose the ball poorly, as in the previous match against Tosu, we will give the opponent chances. I believe that if we avoid losing the ball in strange ways and manage to neutralize set plays and the opponent's strengths a bit more, we will have plenty of opportunities to win. I want to focus on each detail and play diligently.
Q: What have you been mindful of in your preparation as a team and as an individual since the last match against Tosu?
In the match against Tosu, we conceded a goal at the start of the second half, which caused the team to collapse all at once. I think we need to correct that part. As we enter the summer battles, there will be times when we can't play the soccer we want to. In the previous match against Tosu, we couldn't do it, but if we can play while being patient together during tough times, I believe we will improve even more.
Q: What kind of play becomes important when you are struggling to score goals?
I believe that if we can increase our chances, we can score goals. In some matches, we have been able to score multiple goals. However, in the last few matches, we have been conceding goals too easily, and when we fall behind, we get caught up in the opponent's pace. Therefore, I want to create opportunities to score from the back while ensuring that we do not concede goals first.
Q: What kind of strategy do you think is necessary during the hot summer months?
I think it is important to play while being decisive, even while pursuing the style of football we aim for. During the summer, due to physical stamina issues, it becomes necessary for the team to come together and play consistently, even when we cannot achieve what we desire.
Q: It's been a while since we had a home game in the league, please share your enthusiasm.
A, looking back, I think we have been able to play good matches at home and the results have been good. I believe the support of our fans is important, and we want to win decisively at home to show the place and results we aim for.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: In the last match, we lost to Tosu, conceding 5 goals. Since it was Ryoya OGAWA's last game, it must have been a frustrating result.
A, Player Ogawa has been a role model for me as a left back, just like myself. I felt sorry that I couldn't send off Player Ogawa in a good way. Personally, I couldn't be on the bench for the Tosu match and watched it in Tokyo, which makes me feel even more regretful.
Q: I think you had many opportunities to talk with player Ogawa. What kind of senior was he?
A, he is a player I have watched closely since my U-18 days and has been my ultimate goal. Even after moving up to the top team, I always tried to imitate Ogawa's play and create my own style from there. Although he is a rival in the same position, he created an atmosphere where I could consult him about anything. I am truly grateful for that.
Q: Has there been any change in your mindset towards future battles due to Ogawa's transfer?
I think the competition for positions will continue to be fierce, but I am practicing with the determination to secure a starting spot. Nobody likes to watch the game from the bench, and I feel the same way. I want to give my all in practice and continuously appeal to the coach with high-intensity play. Ultimately, I believe this will contribute to the overall strength of the team.
Q: This match is a home game for the first time in about a month. Please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters at Ajinomoto.
A, we haven't been able to achieve good results in the last few matches, but that's why I'm motivated to change this trend at home after a long time. I want this match to be a turning point that allows us to gain momentum for the second half of the season. Personally, I will do my best to produce visible results such as goals and assists. Thank you for your support!
