<Match Preview>
After a break due to national team activities, the J1 League is finally entering the final stretch of the season. Tokyo will play a total of 5 games, including a postponed game due to a typhoon. They will have 3 home games and 2 away games.
The opponent after the break is Kashima Antlers. With a 4-point difference from Tokyo, they are in 5th place, making this a crucial match to keep up with the top teams.
In the first half, we faced each other in the 16th round, just before the halfway point of the league. With Ryoma WATANABE's two goals, we were able to win 3-1. Although there were moments where Kashima pushed us back with their intensity in the ball contest, we were able to take the lead and then control the ball, breaking through their defense with a coordinated build-up and scoring additional points.
On the occasion of the 100th game under the command of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA in the J-League, the team also achieved a record of 300 wins in the J1 League. It was a game where we gained a great sense of accomplishment in terms of the content of football and also achieved results.
After many matches since this one, Kashima's team situation has changed with the appointment of new coach Daiki IWAMASA in the middle of the season, and in the league they have been far from victory with 4 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 matches. With their first home game in about a month, they should have a strong determination for the match against Tokyo.
In the previous match, Tokyo won 2-0 against Kyoto Sanga F.C. at the Japan National Stadium, where they set a new record for the highest number of home game attendees. They were able to control the game at their own pace, calmly holding onto the ball and avoiding the intense and speedy attacks of their opponents. They also managed to switch to an attacking mode while maintaining their balance, leading to a successful finish.
The focus is on who will achieve the record of 50 goals in the J1 league and who will score the milestone 1000th goal for the team. Tokyo has a 100% winning rate in matches where they scored the first goal this season. We want to stick to Tokyo's style and actively aim for the first goal.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, it's been a while, but what preparations have you made for the match against Kashima?
A, we have been working on making small tactical adjustments as usual over the past two weeks. We continue to focus on every detail of our tactics and techniques, making improvements. We are currently in a stage of growth and I believe it is a good time and situation to feel that growth. Our players are gaining confidence day by day and I believe tomorrow's match will be a very difficult one, but I hope we can approach it in a good way.
Q, the season will end in one month. Has the progress been smooth so far?
A, now that some time has passed, I think we can express it in the past tense as having changed our style. This season, we had various goals, one of which was to change our playing style, and the other was to give young players more opportunities to play and encourage their growth. And finally, to build a base for the team, to create a base for the future, I think we have been able to do these three things well. For me, these were the three goals I set, and I think they have been achieved sufficiently. And now we have five more games. Of course, in those games, I want to continue to grow and finish the season on a high note. I think it was difficult for many players to adapt to this change, but I am satisfied that they were able to adapt well. I want to finish the remaining five games in a better form, leave better results, and end the season on a high note.
Q, Has the playing style changed significantly throughout the matches this season?
A, If you watch the current team's play, you can clearly see that they are playing in a different style from last season. They are also producing top numbers in terms of possession rate and other statistics in the league. It's harder to remember the games we lost in terms of possession rate. Of course, changes in style are always necessary for growth in the world of football. However, it is clear to everyone that the team has changed their style from one that focused on defense and counterattacks to one that prioritizes building up from a lower position and switching between offense and defense quickly. There is also a clear difference in the speed of these transitions. There may be differences in opinions when it comes to personal preferences for style. However, it is also important to note that just because the style has changed, it does not guarantee a win in every game. Football is a difficult sport in that sense. There is still a long way to go. Looking at the team over a longer period of time, they are still in a stage of growth.
Q: What is the plan for player Morishige who cannot participate in the game?
A, His absence is obviously a crucial point for tomorrow's game. However, in times like this, it can also be seen as an opportunity for other players, especially young players. In that sense, I hope they can take advantage of this chance and make good plays.
Q, I think the players have had new learnings and discoveries this season, and it was also a new experience for the coach to lead a new club.
A, first of all, I was very surprised by the strong motivation of the players to learn and how quickly they grew. And I also learned a lot in terms of adapting to each player's characteristics. When changing the style, I tried to make gradual changes rather than drastic ones. I think that worked well and it was also important that we were able to make changes while accumulating points. This is because if we don't accumulate points, we could have struggled towards the end of the season. I think J1 is a more competitive league than J2. In that sense, every game is very difficult and I think every team has the possibility of relegation. If we couldn't accumulate points, we could have been in a dangerous situation, so in that sense, I think the gradual changes worked well. The fact that there are multiple big clubs struggling to avoid relegation more than us is proof of that. In such a competitive league, I think drastic changes are very dangerous. In that sense, I think it is very commendable that both the players and I were able to adapt to each other and gradually make changes to the style.
[Player Interview]
＜Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, We have not had good results against Kashima so far, but this season we won 3-1 at home. This time, the match will be at Kashima Stadium, what is your impression of playing away?
A, Even if the coach changes every year, Kashima's playing style doesn't change, and there is an image of everyone inheriting Kashima's traditional style and playing. I have been with Tokyo for a long time, but the impression is that we don't win much and there is no good impression, but the stadium itself is a really wonderful soccer-specific stadium, and as a player, it is a really happy thing to be able to play there, and I want to play boldly.
Q, What were the parts that the team was able to build up during the one-week interval, which was longer than usual due to the break period?
A, From this season, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been in charge as the coach, and we are challenging from the back to build up, and there are also parts where we are able to value the ball, and we hope to continue building on that. It will be a difficult away game at a difficult stadium, but I think it will be very important whether we can do what we want to do against such opponents.
Q, I think we were able to defend from the front and hold onto the ball until the finish in the previous match against Kyoto.
A, Even if you say that you value the ball, it is not just about passing it, but I think that the fast attack, which is also a strength of Tokyo, is also important, and the strength and running ability are also important, so you have to do them at the same time.
Q, if we can win here, won't we be able to see the AFC Champions League zone?
A, we are always aiming for the best and I believe it is our goal as long as we are on this team. I want us to come together and fight in these important matches.
Q, Do you feel that Tokyo's style has been analyzed by the opponent during the second half of the season?
A, As the second half begins, the way of playing becomes more solidified and it becomes somewhat analyzed. This is the same for us, but in that sense, the J-League is easy to compete in and there are no easy opponents among the 18 teams, so I think it will be a difficult battle for any team.
Q, In the previous match against Kyoto, there were many scenes where we were able to bring the ball to the goal, and I think that's where the goal was born.
A, When you can hit, you have to hit, but it's better to shoot at the right timing and use the side if there is a free player. It's up to the individual's judgment, so I can't say it in general, but I want to create many chances.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the Kashima game.
A, we need to keep winning and accumulating points, so this is a really important match in that sense. I hope we can bring home some points.
