<Match Preview>
The match against Cerezo Osaka, which was scheduled for August 13th, has been postponed due to the typhoon, and Tokyo will face an official match for the first time in 3 weeks since August 7th. The opponent is 5th place Kashiwa Reysol. They are only 1 point behind 3rd place Kashima Antlers and are in a position to aim for the AFC Champions League qualification.
With only 2 fewer games played, the difference in points is "8". We are well within reach to catch up and compete for the top spot, so this is a crucial match that we must win. In our previous match in May, we struggled with Kashima's aggressive pressing and man-to-man defense, which made it difficult for us to smoothly build up our play and highlighted areas where we need to improve in terms of ball possession.
After about 2 months of working towards establishing a new style of soccer, Tokyo's style has also evolved and become more refined since the last match 3 months ago. The key will be how to break through Kashiwa's intense pressing and how to move the ball towards Kashiwa's goal. The hint for that can be found in the match against Hiroshima on July 30th.
In this match, as soon as the kickoff, Hiroshima was exposed to intense pressure, but as time passed, the build-up of players' delicate distances and lengths of passes began to function, creating multiple decisive chances. In addition, while conceding the first goal, they patiently held onto the ball, moved the opponent, created space, and created a path to the goal, ultimately pulling off a victory with a last-minute comeback goal.
There may be moments in tomorrow's match against Kashiwa where we will be caught in a tough pressing net. Can we adapt flexibly as a team, such as aiming for the opponent's back? We want to grab 3 points with a patient battle and give momentum to the home game on September 3, which will be the first in about a month.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, Is it okay to join on Wednesday?
A, it's Wednesday.I have been living in Japan for about 1000 days now, in my third season. During those 1000 days, I have been able to return to my hometown surprisingly few times. This time, there was a break period so I went back home temporarily. I was able to spend 6 days with my family. Even while I was away, the team continued to train with the staff that I trust. From about 2 months ago, we have been able to control the game by holding onto the ball. We are confident in playing with the ball and we are able to dig deeper and encourage the team's growth. We are satisfied with the progress in that direction. I see the away game against Shimizu as the start of the second phase. And in the second phase, we are also coming to an end in terms of being able to confidently hold onto the ball.
And now, in the next phase, we have started training to take more risks and aim for the goal. It is difficult to make high-quality passes in the final finishing zone without confidence. In that sense, I think it was important to first learn to play with confidence. The team has had good training in the past few days. We also had a training match with FC Machida Zelvia the other day. We were able to play in a good way to not forget the feeling of playing in a match. I am very proud of the team's growth, including all of that. Of course, there are wins and losses in a match. However, regardless of the result, I am very satisfied that the team is holding onto the ball, being conscious of playing, and gradually expressing themselves on the pitch.
And recently, many young players have been included in the starting lineup. This is a big difference from the team a few months or years ago. And we have to prepare for every game, so I think we have prepared well for tomorrow's game this week. We believe that it is more important to express our own characteristics than to consider the opponent's characteristics. If we can express the play we expect, I think we can make it very difficult for the opponent to defend. In that sense, it is more important to express our desired style of play than to prepare for the opponent's characteristics, and it is also true that it is difficult to do so.
Q, have you been properly refreshed in Spain?
A, I am truly grateful to everyone who showed understanding for my temporary return home this time. The detailed reasons for why I had to return home are delicate and cannot be explained. Of course, I think that if I explain in detail, you will understand more, but it is not something that can be explained honestly, so it is inevitable that doubts and suspicions will arise if I do not explain in detail. I returned home because there was an important matter concerning my family, but once again, the days spent apart from my family have become very long. If possible, I would like you to understand how difficult that is for us. In that sense, I am truly grateful for the understanding shown by the fans and supporters once again. It was not necessary for me to take a break, and I hope you can understand that I returned for a different reason.
Q, It was a practice match in the absence of the coach, but I think it was a good performance. What were your thoughts after receiving the report from the staff?
First of all, I think our team has wonderful players. And currently, we have four great professionals as captains, who I believe can serve as role models for any team. In that sense, even during my absence, I never felt any anxiety and had complete trust in them. As for the staff, we had many new members working together for the first time this season. But by taking the time to get to know them, I realized that they are also wonderful individuals, just like the players. They are very professional and sincere. That's why the team functioned even without me. I think it's proof that we have great people on our team.
Q, What is the most important thing to have confidence in order to connect the ball with confidence at this stage of the season?
A, First, it is important to face reality. Let's take the start of Manchester United's season as an example. I think they have a great manager and great players. However, it seems like they are too focused on expressing their play style clearly from the start of the season. I believe they can build a great new Manchester United if given enough time. However, in the world of football, people get nervous if good results don't come. This season, we needed to accumulate points to give confidence to the players. I think that will lead to their confidence. In that sense, at the beginning of the season, we were able to accumulate points while utilizing the characteristics of the team we had. We want to eventually have confidence in possessing the ball, but first we need to accumulate points to gain confidence.
If the current score was 20 points, how confident would the players be? I don't think they could necessarily gain confidence. I don't think they were playing poorly in the Shimizu game at home. On the contrary, I think they were playing well. However, if they lose, the evaluation from those around them changes, which can lead to a loss of confidence. Even if they play with such determination from the beginning of the season, they cannot gain confidence without accumulating points. I continue to tell the players to love the ball. However, even if I tell them that, if they cannot accumulate points and gain confidence, they cannot hold onto the ball and only time passes. The team has gradually gained confidence, but soccer is not that easy. There is still a long way to go to improve the team's completeness. That's why we are building the foundation for this season.
[Player Interview]
＜Kazuya KONNO＞
Q: What preparations have you made for the Kashiwa match?
A, First of all, I was thinking about maintaining my condition firmly. Since there was a practice match, I talked with players in similar positions after the match or after practice about combinations, and I have a pretty good image, so I hope to show the results in the match.
Q: How much were you able to build the foundation while aiming for possession soccer?
A, in the practice match, we had a lot of possession and were able to create many good opportunities. We also scored, so I think everyone has a good image, but it is important whether we can perform in tomorrow's match and that will also affect the result.
Q, the previous Cerezo Osaka match was postponed, and it will be the first league match in a while.
A, The start of the game may be difficult, but I think it will get better as time goes by. However, it is important to not concede at the beginning of the game and to be conscious of starting with a solid defense.
Q, How do you analyze Kashiwa?
A, I have the impression that there are good players in the front line. In defense, we need to create blocks and pull back, and in attack, the main focus will be to quickly counterattack after stealing the ball, so we need to be aware of how we lose the ball and how we finish our attacks with shots. We also need to be mindful of switching between offense and defense and managing the risks in defense, otherwise the opposing team's front line players will have free reign and we will be in trouble. Therefore, it is necessary for the entire team to be aware of this.
Q: What kind of plays does Konno want to bring out?
A, I am asked to play on the side, so I hope to create chances from there. Recently, I have been able to build good combinations with the side back, inside half, and center forward, so I hope to show my strengths while incorporating those as well.
Q, I also want points.
A, I think it's not enough because we only scored two points this season. Whether it's a goal or an assist, I hope we can increase the number of plays that lead to points.
Q, please share your enthusiasm.
A, I think everyone is well prepared. In away games, the support of the fans and supporters will be a source of strength, and I hope we can all fight together and win.
