<Match Preview>
In the previous match, Kazuya KONNO's superb goal helped Fukuoka to a 2-2 draw, stopping their losing streak. However, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA expressed his disappointment after the game, saying, "We had the potential to turn the score from 2-1 to 3-1, so it's a shame that we were equalized by a penalty. It's an important point, but we wanted to get all three points," showing his frustration.
This round, we welcome Sapporo to our home stadium, Ajinomoto, aiming for our first victory in 4 games. With Tokyo in 8th place and Sapporo in 10th, this is a crucial match that we cannot afford to lose if we want to climb up the rankings.
Pedro is in his 17th year in Japan as the coach of Sapporo.D. With a career of over 500 J1 matches as a commander, he leads an attacking style of soccer using a unique variable system. In the previous match held in April, both teams showed their strengths but ended in a 0-0 draw. Tokyo will aim to demonstrate their progress in the past 3 months on the pitch and seize victory with an aggressive attitude, taking advantage of their home field.
Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda said, "The longer we can possess the ball in the summer, the more advantageous it will be," and it seems that the team's emphasis on "ball possession" will be the key to victory.
On a summer night, Tokyo's attacking football will further heat up Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, Will there be vocal support at tomorrow's match?
A, I have only experienced one game in 2 and a half years where I could cheer out loud since coming to Japan. I am looking forward to tomorrow as we have not played a game with cheering since the away Gunma match in the 2020 season. I believe that the cheers are also one of the joys of soccer.
Q, Do you think the voices of fans and supporters will have a positive impact on the team?
First of all, I don't think we are in a bad state at all. If we were in a bad state, I think almost all of the coaches of the teams below us would be facing dismissal due to the critical situation. Of course, the game results have not been as expected recently. However, I don't think we are in a dangerous and bad state. And the cheering voices in the stadium, no matter what the situation is, are a great support for us. It is an important part of entertainment.
Q, I think we have been building relationships with fans and supporters through SNS.
One of the great points that I feel in Japan is the warm support of the fans and supporters. This creates a good relationship where players can perform better, which is one of the great points of Japan. Even though I haven't been able to build a close relationship with everyone in Tokyo,I still feel the support of the fans and supporters, even though I haven't been able to make any noise since the start of the season. This allows me to feel the love and support even now. I think SNS is effective because I can directly send messages to the fans and supporters.
Q, What is something that has left an impression in your message?
A, What surprised me the most was not the specific comments, but the fact that they left many warm comments regardless of the team's situation.
Q, Why do you use SNS?
A, of course (SNS is) only a part of the real world, but in the past there was no tool for me to directly send messages. However, now that it exists, I want to make effective use of it. If used properly, I believe it can have a significant impact.
And in my experience, I believe it is important to communicate in any situation. For example, if we do not continuously explain how difficult this season will be, many people will simply evaluate based on the results of the game, which I think is a short-sighted perspective. In order to prevent this, I hope to deepen the understanding of fans and supporters by properly explaining what is expected this season and the reasons for what may happen.
In summary, I think we have built a great relationship with the fans and supporters in Tokyo from the first day, and I hope this will continue. They are wonderful people.
Q, Aoki, Abe, and Nakamura were absent.
A, Aoki player may be out of the game due to injury for a little longer. While managing fatigue well, he got injured during yesterday's practice. Nakamura player got injured during the Fukuoka game. I think he can return in about 3-4 weeks. Abe player is highly likely to join the team next week.
Q, Is the power of young players necessary in a series of games with injured players?
A, we have high expectations for our players. We also have high expectations for Kajiwara. We have no hesitation in giving young players a chance. However, we expect two things from our players. First, to perform well. And second, to have a winning mentality. We will forgive mistakes. For example, I want to give young players more and more opportunities. However, I don't think it's worth giving a chance to players who don't show both of these aspects well.
Q, How do you feel about the increase in goals conceded?
Aside from the 5 goals conceded in the away Fukuoka match and the 5 goals conceded in the away Tosu match, the number of goals conceded is not a bad figure and has been kept low. However, conceding a large number of goals in 2 matches is something that will definitely be remembered. The 1 goal conceded in the previous Fukuoka match was due to a tactical mistake. The second goal was either due to bad luck or a penalty was given against us.
I think there can be a discussion about the number of goals conceded, but at the same time, there can also be a discussion about the lack of goals scored. It's true that you can't win without scoring points, but even if you concede points, you can still win by scoring more goals. You can focus on the points conceded, but I also think it's one way to improve by focusing on the lack of goals scored.
Of course, I think fatigue is also affecting us. And the shortage of center-backs is also causing fatigue. The transfer of Ogawa player also has an impact. Naturally, we are not yet a perfect team. And just like us, other teams are also fighting for victory, so it is natural that it will be a difficult match. Except for the two games where we conceded a lot of goals against Fukuoka and Tosu, I interpret that our number of goals conceded is sufficiently low.
Q, I think the term "box out" was used before, is it still being used? Or has defense changed along with offense?
A, the first goal in the Fukuoka game was one of the reasons why we couldn't box out and defend. However, we are all human and we make mistakes. Except for the high number of goals we conceded in the Tosu game, the three goals we conceded in the Nagasaki game and the first goal we conceded in the Tosu game were all incredible goals, probably once in a lifetime super goals. However, it is possible for us to concede goals in such a way, as we continue to defend well and reduce our mistakes. Of course, we have not changed our defensive shape. However, we continue to make adjustments to reduce our mistakes and defend properly. However, I think the fact that our squad has become thinner has had an impact. Ogawa and Henrique have left, Aoki is also out of action, and Abe is injured. Various players have been forced to leave the front line, and as a team, we must adapt and respond to these changes.
Of course, the game result is naturally determined by the number of goals, but as a coach, I am focusing on the game content while understanding that. I think we played well enough in the first half of the Tosu game, and we also created several decisive chances. The Nagasaki game was the same. We created several chances that we had to score multiple goals in the first 15-20 minutes of the game. That's why there is a discussion about whether it is better to reduce the number of goals conceded or to increase the number of goals scored. Of course, that balance is important, but reducing the number of goals conceded is a crucial point. However, as a team, we also have to focus on increasing the number of goals.
[Player Interview]
＜Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, It's been 3 days since the Fukuoka match last week, what preparations did you make?
A, I have prepared myself to take good care of my body and perform well in the Sapporo match.
Q, What is your impression of Sapporo?
A, Sapporo has become more attacking since Mr. Misha (Mihailo Petrovic) became the coach, effectively using the sides and breaking through with combinations. As for defense, I think they will come with man-to-man, so we need to be cautious there and make sure we can show our strengths.
Q, what kind of play is expected from player Higashi in that situation?
A, I think there will be space behind the defense as the opponent comes to defend from the front line, so I want to distribute passes well into that space and make use of speedy players.
Q, Is it important to play patiently even when things don't go well in soccer when holding the ball?
A, yes. In the Fukuoka match, there were times when we were able to hold onto the ball but couldn't create chances. However, since we ended the first half with a score of 0-1, the opponent became sluggish in the second half and we were able to turn the game around when it became more open. Although we were caught up in the end, I think it would have been a difficult match if we had conceded 2 or 3 goals in the first half. In the previous Tosu match, we couldn't hold on and collapsed, so I think there will be times when we have to defend, but I want us to play patiently in the Sapporo match as well.
Q, In the past few games, we have not been able to score in the league matches, but we were able to score multiple goals in the Fukuoka match. What do you think are the reasons for this?
A, I think there are various elements, but whether or not the player can score depends on their final judgment. However, I think we can score if we increase the number of chances and it is important to go all the way to take a shot.
Q, how do you feel about the vocal support finally starting in the Sapporo match?
A, there is nothing happier than this. It's our home and we have been supported by the fans and supporters, so I am very happy to be able to receive that power again.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, Although the team has not been producing good results, I believe that a better world awaits us when we overcome this period. I want you all to believe and support us, and even if the world changes and we can cheer loudly, I want to win a good game at home and increase the team's momentum.
<Jakub SLOWIK>
Q, In the previous match against Fukuoka, we were leading 2-1 but unfortunately ended up with a frustrating draw.
Considering the situation of losing away, I think we were able to achieve the minimum result, but of course we cannot be satisfied with just one point. Everyone involved in the team, including all players, staff, and fans/supporters, strongly desires a victory for Tokyo right now. We want to express that feeling in this Sapporo match.
Q, What kind of play is required for goalkeepers in "ball-loving" soccer that Coach Albert is aiming for?
In the soccer that the coach aims for, technical skills at the feet are required. I am working on daily training to be able to adapt myself. However, the most important job for a goalkeeper is to stop shots and protect the goal firmly. This does not change in any style.
Q, When did player Jakub SLOWIK start using Japanese for coaching his teammates?
When I came to Japan in 2019, I learned the minimum instructions in Japanese. However, what is important is not the language, but understanding each other as players and protecting the team as an organization. If we communicate well during practice, I don't think the language used during the game will be a big problem.
Q, In this round's match against Sapporo, a "vocal support area" will be set up in some parts of Ajinomoto Stadium. What kind of support do you expect from fans and supporters?
I have played against Tokyo as a Sendai player before the 2019 season, before the corona disaster, so I know the true atmosphere of Ajinomoto Stadium. I am really looking forward to hearing the great chants and support from Tokyo's fans and supporters. Even when the results are not good, I am always grateful to everyone who warmly supports us. This time, I will do my best to hear everyone's cheers for victory.
