<Match Preview>
In the last match, we achieved a 2-1 victory against Hiroshima, marking our second consecutive win in the league. Although we faced a tough situation by conceding the first goal away, our defense held strong with just one goal allowed, and the attack responded by turning the game around just before the end. Morishige reflected, "The ideal is to always have the ball. However, when that is not possible, if we can endure without conceding, our time will come again. The fact that we fought patiently during difficult moments led to this result."
Shimizu, our opponent this round, has struggled this season, but since the appointment of new coach Ricardo in June, they have started to bounce back with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. During the break, they acquired experienced players such as Takashi INUI, Koya KITAGAWA, and Yago Pikachu. It would be better to consider them a different team compared to when we won 3-0 in our last match in May.
The team condition in Tokyo is improving. In the match against Hiroshima, the three players who joined during the break for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, Luiz PHELLYPE, Koki TSUKAGAWA, and Seiji KIMURA, all made their debuts as substitutes. It is also a significant positive that the ace, Diego OLIVEIRA, scored for the first time in six matches.
As we head into the final third of the season, I hope for a victory at home to gain momentum.
The match day program is here!
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: The physical coach, Eyu Gaviran, has left the team. Is there a replacement physical coach?
A, we are currently in the process of looking for a suitable candidate. Of course, it is not easy at this time. However, I accept that his resignation this time was due to personal reasons, so it cannot be helped.
Q: How are the training menus decided until the next physical coach is appointed?
A, there are no particular issues at the moment. Athletic Trainer Matsubara is temporarily covering for Physical Coach Euga Villan. The training flow has already been established as we head into the latter part of the season, so in that sense, training is progressing without any problems at all.
Q: I think Mita's performance in the last match against Hiroshima was good. What is your evaluation of it?
A, I believe there is no doubt about his quality. However, one cannot succeed solely based on the quality of soccer. In addition, concentration is important, and contributions in defense are also crucial. Recently, player Mita has improved well, and in the match against Hiroshima, he contributed significantly to the team in various aspects. A player with characteristics like his can play as a winger or an inside half, so I think he is one of the important players for us.
Q: In the scene where Abe missed a shot in front of the goal, there was a moment when Mita worked well with Yoshifumi to bring the ball in. Do you think being able to create scenes like that is one of Mita's strengths?
As I always say, I give players freedom in the final finishing zone. The space in the finishing zone is very narrow. Because play in tight spaces is required, the quality of each player becomes essential. That play was very attractive, as it was able to break down the defense while maintaining possession of the ball for a long time, ultimately leading to the goal. The final combination was indeed noteworthy.
Q: You have two home games in a row. Please tell us about your enthusiasm and the importance of these matches.
As I have been saying since the beginning of the season, I want to grow with each match we play. This applies to our two home games as well. There are players who are absent. I want the other players to step up to fill those gaps. We are currently improving in terms of playing with confidence. I want to continue to emphasize that as we approach tomorrow's match. However, each match is a separate entity. The flow and development of the game can change due to various details, so it is important to focus and approach each match with determination. Naturally, I believe that playing at home allows us to perform more comfortably. However, I do not wish to demand anything beyond daily growth.
Q: Shimizu added players Kawai and Kitagawa in the summer, and they scored two goals at the end of the last match against Tosu to equalize. What are your thoughts on this?
A, with high-quality players such as Thiago SANTANA and Inui in the attacking lineup, it is indeed dangerous to give them any space as they can launch threatening attacks. I always say this, but I believe this J1 League is a very competitive league. Therefore, it is not the case that there is a significant difference in strength according to the standings. I think Shimizu is a team that places great importance on the ball. We also need to be cautious of attacks from the sides. In that sense, I think they are an attractive opponent to face.
Q: How do you feel about Matsuki's growth so far, as he has continued to participate since the opening match?
A, Matsuki is a player with a strong commitment to competition. I believe he is a typical type of player that modern football demands. Rather than just him, it means players with a style like his. I think that having more players with a character like Matsuki will greatly contribute to the further growth of Japanese football. In Japan, there are many high-quality wingers and attacking midfielders. However, I believe it is necessary to have more players with a character like Matsuki in central midfield. At the same time, I hope that better players will emerge in the center-back and center-forward positions as well. I think Matsuki is growing steadily due to the playing time he has been given, and at the same time, I believe our playing style is connected to the growth of each individual player. I think players grow by playing while valuing the ball. If they do not value the ball, it is difficult to expect dramatic growth from players, whether they are 20 or 25 years old. While accumulating experience without valuing the ball may lead to improvement, I don't think it contributes to enhancing their quality as football players. To seek improvement as a football player, I believe it is necessary to continue playing while valuing the ball. In that sense, 19-year-old Matsuki is playing while valuing the ball and is growing steadily.
[Player Interview]
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q, please review the previous game against Hiroshima.
A, as a sport that seeks results, I am happy that we won and I think it was good. However, there were aspects that we need to refine, so I want to make sure we can align on those from practice.
Q: What impression do you have of Shimizu?
There are many good attacking players in the front line, and I think their individual abilities are high. Within that, we want to maintain possession of the ball while effectively using counterattacks, and aggressively win the ball back from the front line. I believe that if we can showcase our strengths, good results will follow, so I want to keep that in mind while playing.
Q: How was the team's atmosphere this week?
A, we are on a winning streak, and the atmosphere is good. I think it's very important to learn while winning matches. While focusing on that, everyone is working together in practice to improve the team's level, so I want to continue this.
Q: How is the development of team collaboration going?
A, the players are gradually making demands of each other while talking, and I hope we can shape it into something good little by little. I want to better understand each player's strengths and coordinate our play.
Q: I felt that the level of basic skills such as trapping and passing was high, even while watching the practice.
A, I think I've gotten a bit better while continuing to do that in my previous team. However, what's important is being able to use it in matches, so I hope to be able to show results by participating in the games.
Q: There is a possibility of making a debut at Ajinomoto Stadium with vocal support during the Shimizu match, so please share your enthusiasm.
A, the cheers support the players, and during tough moments, the voices of the fans and supporters really help us move. It's reassuring to have many allies in our home games, and I hope we can fight hard and achieve good results.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: In the last match, we achieved a comeback victory against Hiroshima with a goal from Adailton.
Of course, the result is a victory, but I also think the content was not bad. I feel a sense of achievement in the increasing number of situations where we can advance while maintaining possession of the ball.
Q: Player Higashi has started as an anchor in five consecutive league matches. Although it is a different position compared to last season, is there anything you are particularly conscious of?
A position where you must maintain balance in both offense and defense, so I am quite conscious of creating a situation where the surrounding players can play easily. Especially for the forwards, if the ball doesn't come, their movements become passive, so even when I can't make a pass, I try to convey that I'm "watching properly."
Q: You didn't have many opportunities to play in the first half of the season. What were your thoughts during that time?
I was in good condition, and I had the confidence that I could perform when the opportunity arose, so I thought I just had to keep doing what I needed to do without getting discouraged. Even in matches where I couldn't be on the bench, I was firmly watching the team from the outside, imagining the time I would be on the pitch. There were difficult times mentally, but I believe that overcoming that has allowed me to grow a little more.
Q: At this point, how would you assess the completeness of the football that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is aiming for?
When asked how well we can express the coach's thoughts, I don't think it's 100 percent. However, within that, the players need to make their own judgments about the situation and choose good plays; otherwise, we won't become a winning team. There is room for improvement in that area, and I believe it's something that is also expected of me.
Q: This match will be a test match for vocal support operations. Please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters.
The match against Sapporo in July, which was a test match for vocal support operations, was filled with more energy than usual. It was a match where I felt once again the greatness and strength of support with voices. I hope that, just like in the Sapporo match, we can count on your support this time as well.
The match day program is here!
