<Match Preview>
After a break due to national team activities, the J1 League is finally entering the final stage of the season. Tokyo will play 5 matches, including postponed games due to the typhoon. They will compete in 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 very important match to stay competitive with the top teams.
In the first half of the season, we faced off in Sec. 16, just before the halfway point of the league, and won 3-1 thanks to Ryoma WATANABE's two goals. Although there were moments at the start where we were pushed back by Kashima's intensity in ball contests, after taking the lead, we maintained possession while neutralizing the opponent and scored an additional goal by breaking through their defensive line with a coordinated buildup from the entire team.
For coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, this marks the 100th match in charge of the J-League, and the team has achieved a milestone of 300 total victories in the J1 League. This match provided a significant sense of accomplishment in terms of the quality of soccer played, and it resulted in a positive outcome.
After many matches since this battle, Kashima's team situation has changed with the appointment of new manager Daiki IWAMASA during the season, and in the league, they have been far from victory with 4 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 matches. With this being a home game after about a month, their determination for the match against Tokyo should be very strong.
In Tokyo, in the match at the Japan National Stadium, which set a record for the highest number of home game attendees for the club in the previous round, we won 2-0 against Kyoto SANGA F.C. We maintained possession calmly against an opponent characterized by high intensity in ball contests and speedy attacks, switching to offense while observing the opponent's balance and bringing the play to a finish, allowing us to control the game at our own pace.
The focus is on whether Adailton can achieve his record as he competes for the top spots in the scoring rankings and is on the verge of reaching 50 goals in the J1 League, and who will score the milestone goal for the team that is on the verge of reaching 1000 goals in the J1 League. This season, Tokyo has maintained a 100% win rate in matches where they scored the first goal. They want to stick to their style and actively aim for the opening goal.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: It's been a while, but what preparations have you made for the match against Kashima?
We have been working on making detailed tactical adjustments as usual over the past two weeks. We are continuing to refine every detail in terms of tactics and technique. I believe this is a good time and situation where we can feel our growth, as we are in a stage of development. The players are gaining confidence in their play day by day. I think tomorrow's match will also be very challenging, but I hope we can approach it in a good way.
Q: The season will end in one month. Has the progress so far been smooth?
A, now that some time has passed, I think I can express that we have changed our style in the past tense. This season, we had various themes and goals, one of which was to change our playing style, and the other was to provide opportunities for young players and encourage their growth. Additionally, we aimed to build a foundation for the team, creating a base for the future. I believe we are currently achieving these three objectives well. For me, these were three goals I set, and I think we have accomplished them sufficiently. We have five matches left from here. Naturally, I want to grow further and finish the season strong. I believe many players found it difficult to adapt to this change, but I am satisfied with how well they have adapted. I want to fight the remaining five matches in a better way, achieve better match results, and finish the season positively.
Q: Has your playing style clearly changed through the matches so far this season?
A, If you watch the current team's play, I believe it will be clear that they are playing in a different way compared to last season's team. In terms of numbers, we are producing figures that compete for the top positions in the league, including possession rates. It is more difficult to recall matches where we lost in possession. Naturally, changes in style are ongoing, and growth is always necessary in the world of football. However, it is clear to everyone that we have changed our style from a team that previously focused on a lower defensive block and emphasized counter-attacks. I believe there is a clear difference in build-up play from a low position and the speed of switching between offense and defense. There are preferences regarding style, so that is a topic open to discussion and differing opinions. However, at the same time, just because we changed our style does not necessarily mean we will win matches, which is the difficult aspect of football. There is still a long road ahead. Looking at it over a longer span, the team is still in a growth phase.
Q: What plans do you have in mind since player Morishige cannot participate in the match?
A, of course, his absence is an important point for tomorrow's match. However, during times like this, it can also be seen from a different perspective as an opportunity for other players, especially the younger ones. In that sense, I hope they can make the most of that opportunity and perform well.
Q: I believe the players have had new learnings and discoveries this season, but it was also a new experience for you as a coach at a new club.
First of all, I was very surprised by the strong willingness of the players to learn and how quickly they progressed in their development. I also learned to adapt to the characteristics of each player. When changing the style, I attempted to make gradual changes rather than drastic ones. I believe that was successful, and it was also important that we were able to make changes while steadily accumulating points. This is because if we do not accumulate points, we could find ourselves in a difficult situation towards the end of the season. I think J1 is a more competitive league than J2. In that sense, every match is very challenging, and any team in J1 has the potential to be relegated. If we cannot accumulate points, we could fall into a dangerous situation, so I believe that the gradual changes were successful in that regard. The fact that clubs with larger management scales than ours are struggling in the relegation battle is proof of that. Given the competitiveness of this league, I think drastic changes are very risky. In that sense, I believe it is commendable that I adapted to the players and that the players adapted to me and the new style, allowing us to gradually progress in changing our style.
[Player Interview]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: Until now, we haven't had very good results against Kashima, but this season we won 3-1 at home. This time it will be a match at Kashima Stadium, but what is your impression of playing away?
A, even though Kashima changes coaches every year, their playing style remains unchanged, and there is an image that everyone inherits and plays in the traditional style of Kashima. I have been in Tokyo for a long time, but my impression is that there are few images of winning, and I don't have a good impression. However, the stadium itself is truly a wonderful soccer-specific stadium, and being able to play in such a place is really a happy thing for a player, and I want to play boldly.
Q, the interval was longer than usual by one week due to the break, but what aspects has the team built up during this time?
A, this season, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been in charge, and we are challenging ourselves with building up from the back. We have been able to take care of the ball in some aspects, and I hope we can continue to build on that moving forward. It will be a difficult away match in a challenging stadium, but I believe it is very important to see if we can execute what we want to do against such opponents.
Q: I think in the last match against Kyoto, we were able to defend from the front and maintain possession while finishing.
While it's important to take care of the ball, I believe that not only passing but also the fast attacks, which are a strength of Tokyo, are crucial. Additionally, intensity and running ability are important, so it seems we need to focus on both aspects simultaneously.
Q: If we can win here, won't we be able to see the possibility of qualifying for the ACL (AFC Champions League)?
As long as there is a possibility, I aim for it, and as long as I am in this team, I believe it will always be the goal. I want us all to come together and fight in such important matches.
Q: Do you feel that Tokyo's style has been analyzed by opponents as you fight through the second half of the season?
A, as the second half of the season approaches, our methods become more established, so they can be analyzed to some extent. We are in the same situation, but in that sense, it becomes easier to compete. The J-League has 18 teams, and there are no easy opponents, so I believe every match will be a tough battle.
Q: In the match against Kyoto in the previous round, there were many scenes where we were able to create opportunities for shots, and I believe we scored from those as well.
A, you have to shoot when you can, but it's better to shoot at the right timing, and if there is a free player next to you, it's better to use that option. It's a matter of personal judgment, so I can't say definitively, but I want to create many opportunities.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the match against Kashima.
We need to keep winning and accumulating points, so in that sense, this is a really important match, and I want to bring home some points somehow.
