<Match Preview>
In this season, which has been positioned as a year of reform, the J1 League has reached the halfway point of the schedule and is now entering the second half. However, the team is facing difficulties after losing 0-2 to Shonan and conceding a season-high 5 goals to Tosu.
After the Tosu match, Masato MORISHIGE said, "We knew this time would come," and has been repeatedly discussing with the players to overcome this situation, saying, "We can only turn this situation around ourselves. We have to do what we have to do." The players themselves are also approaching with a strong determination to create a winning team while establishing a new playing style.
Meanwhile, Tokyo will return to Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time in a month.
To overcome the bad flow, the support of home fans and supporters will be the most powerful ally. This week's opponent, Fukuoka, was defeated 1-5 in the away match. If we can break through Fukuoka's organized defense and take revenge, it should be an opportunity for the team to ride the upward current again.
Ryoya OGAWA believed that "young players will lead the team" and left for Portugal. On a summer night, we also hope for the rise of young players to further heat up Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, has the practice time been moved up due to consideration for this heat?
A, we decided to start one hour earlier in order to avoid the heat as much as possible.
Q, how is Diego's return?
A, he is a very important player for us. I think his absence had a big impact. He played many games while enduring pain. I am sincerely grateful that he has returned here. This time, the pain has not disappeared, but he is enduring it and hoping to return as soon as possible for tomorrow's game. In that sense, I am very grateful for his efforts.
Q: Is the impact significant when some players are not adapting to this season's soccer?
A, I was not concerned about losing the game in the previous match against Tosu, but rather the team's performance after the second goal. In the Nagasaki match, we were able to play our own game, and I think we played well in the first half against Tosu as well. Although Tosu scored a difficult goal in a similar way to the one we conceded in the Nagasaki match, we were unable to convert our clear chances and ended the first half without scoring. However, after the second goal, we lost our fighting spirit as a team, and I believe that is why the overall performance and final result were not well connected.
Q, I was concerned about the 5th goal. It's difficult for a defense player to come in and play in a fresh state, but there are also challenges. What was not good?
A, that substitution was a last-minute decision considering Morishige's fatigue. Of course, Okazaki also made a mistake, but not only for the 5th goal, there were multiple mistakes from other players for the 3rd and 4th goals as well. I'm not trying to blame anyone, but there were player mistakes and we ended up conceding the last 3 goals. It's true that the goal came from Okazaki's pass mistake, but I don't feel like he's solely responsible. It was more because we wanted to substitute Morishige and had to make a sudden substitution.
Q, How is the player's conditioning this week?
A, Regarding physical condition, we have been able to maintain a good state. It is a typical example in the soccer world that when we win a game, our condition stays good, but when we lose, it is said to be bad. What happened in the Tosu game was not a decrease in performance due to physical condition after the second goal, but rather a loss of fighting attitude in the mental aspect, which led to multiple goals afterwards. I was angry about that and it should never happen again. I directly conveyed this to the players, but it's okay to lose a game. However, we must not lose our fighting attitude until the end. I also told the players that it is unacceptable to lose a game and concede multiple goals after losing our fighting attitude after the second goal in the Tosu game.
Q, How is player Abe's condition? Is it going to be a long one?
A, he is injured. I think he will be able to return in about 2-3 weeks. He was in good condition, but he may have suffered a muscle injury when he fell due to a bruise. As he was lying on the pitch, we were hoping to make a player substitution, but the play continued and we ended up conceding the first goal.
Q, What do you think about the side back who left, Ogawa?
We are considering filling the void left by players Nagatomo and Yoshifu with Ogawa.
Q, What changes will occur when you return Nagatomo to his natural position on the left, where he has always played, after using him on the right?
A, I think Nagatomo is ambidextrous in a sense. It's a waste to use Nagatomo, who is ambidextrous, on the left side when there is a typical left-handed side back like Ogawa. Although Yoshifu is a left-handed side back, I think he still needs to gain more experience as he is still young. If there is a clear left-sided back, I thought it was natural for me to use an ambidextrous player on the opposite side.
Q, will we continue to use it together for a while?
A, I definitely want to use these two players. By doing so, I want to encourage the growth of player Yoshifumi Kashiwagi. He has a lot of potential in attack. However, he still needs to learn more about defense. By using him in games, he will be able to learn how to improve in that area. It is important for him to gain experience in that aspect, and I want to consider using him with that in mind. I think it is very positive that we have players like Yuto Nagatomo who can play in both attack and defense on our team.
Q, there was talk about mental condition and physical condition, but what about the link between them?
A, I think the most influential factor is the basic mental condition. If the physical coach is not present and the practice is not good, the team may naturally become extremely physically unfit, but in the current professional world, I think there are no such teams. Even if the same physical condition is maintained, I think the play will be different depending on the player's situation. I think that when the mind is fulfilled, even in the same condition, a higher performance can be demonstrated. I think that the performance has dropped because the mental condition has dropped after the second goal during this time. As a professional player, it is necessary to always have a mentality that is dedicated to the game. And it is necessary to build such a mentality not only for the players but also for the entire club. Even if the part of the playing style is improved, if the mentality of the winner is not well developed, nothing can be gained. Tokyo has never won the league title. We must create a new history.
Q, How do you plan to use the lessons learned in June going forward?
A, Regarding the improvement of the mental aspect, we are working with the players to make improvements. Also, since we can make 5 substitutions per game, we want to use players with good condition. However, there are situations where it is difficult to make substitutions for certain positions, so it becomes challenging. That is the current situation, so we have to endure and use the same players.
[Player Interview]
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, this season will be the 4th match against Fukuoka. What is your impression?
A, they have a strong defense and tend to focus on attacking directly towards the goal rather than passing. They have played many games this season and are a very challenging opponent.
Q, What measures are you considering as a team?
A, We want to keep the ball regardless of the opponent. On the other hand, if we lose the ball badly, the opponent will create chances like in the previous match against Tosu. If we can avoid making strange mistakes and eliminate the opponent's strengths a little more, I believe we have a good chance of winning. We want to focus on every single detail and play with concentration.
Q, What have you been focusing on as a team and individually since the previous match against Tosu?
In the match against Tosu, we conceded a goal at the start of the second half and the team collapsed all at once. I think we need to fix that part. As we enter the summer season, there will be times when we cannot play the soccer we want. In the previous match against Tosu, we couldn't do it, but I think we can improve if we can all play while enduring the tough times.
Q, What kind of play becomes important when you can't score a goal easily?
A, I think we can score if we increase our chances. In some games, we have been able to score multiple goals. In the past few games, we have been conceding goals too easily and falling behind, which allows the opponent to control the pace of the game. So, while trying not to concede first, I want us to create chances from the back and score.
Q, What kind of fighting style do you think is necessary during the hot summer season?
A, I think it is important to play while keeping in mind the soccer we are aiming for. In the summer, there is also the issue of physical strength, so even when we cannot do what we want, it is necessary for the team to play together without wavering.
Q, please give us your enthusiasm for the first home game in a long time in the league.
A, Looking back, I think we had a good game at home and the result was good. I think the support of the fans and supporters is important, and we want to show our desired place and results by winning at home.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, In the previous match, we lost to Tosu with 5 goals. It was also Ryoya Ogawa's last game, so it must have been a disappointing result.
A, Ogawa has been a player who has been a role model for me as a left-back. I feel sorry that I couldn't send off Ogawa in a good way. Personally, I couldn't even make it to the bench for the Tosu match and watched it in Tokyo, so I have even more regretful feelings.
Q, I think I had many opportunities to talk with Ogawa. What kind of senior was he?
A, He is a player that I have been watching since my U-18 days and has been my ultimate goal. Even after joining the top team, I have always tried to imitate Ogawa's play and create my own style from there. He is a rival for the same position, but he was a senior who created an atmosphere where I could consult about anything. I am truly grateful.
Q: Has your mindset changed for future battles due to Ogawa's transfer?
A, I think the competition for positions will continue to be intense, but I am practicing with the goal of definitely becoming a starter. No one wants to watch the game from the bench, and I am no exception. I want to give my all in practice and continue to appeal to the coach with high intensity play. Ultimately, I believe this will contribute to the overall strength of the team.
Q, this round is the first home game in about a month. We ask for the enthusiasm of the Ajinomoto fans and supporters.
A, We haven't been able to achieve good results in the past few games, but that's why we're putting in all our effort to turn things around in our first home game in a while. We want to make this a turning point where we can step up our game and 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!
