<Match Preview>
In the previous match, we lost 0-2 to Shonan at home and our winning streak stopped at 2. We were pushed back by the opponent's sharp start and physicality, but after the game, Diego OLIVEIRA emphasized his positive attitude.
"Instead of hanging our heads here, we want to prepare well for the next match against Cerezo Osaka. We want to fight desperately and run desperately, and show our fans and supporters that we can win at home."
Cerezo Osaka, who will face off this round, has a high motivation as they approach the YBC Levain Cup Final on the 22nd of this month. It is also a positive factor that MF Hiroshi KIYOTAKE, who had been out of action until the end of August, has finally regained his form. As Diego OLIVEIRA said, Tokyo must show a strong mentality and intensity in the game to surpass their opponents and demonstrate their fighting spirit to the home fans and supporters.
The key player in the attack this season is Adailton, who has scored his first 10 goals. He says, "I want to be the top scorer at the end of the season" and is aiming to score until the very end. In the last three games, Tokyo will give their all and show their final battle of the season.
Matchday Program here
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, What do you think about the need to review the details such as the placement of set plays and the space around the anchor?
A, of course, I think that kind of detail is important. However, if you focus too much on that, you have to think about what you lost in one shot. For example, Abe from Kashima scored a wonderful goal. That makes the tactics for one game great. In soccer, if there are no mistakes, there are no goals conceded. If you look at the details of the goal conceded in the Shonan game, it came from a throw-in. We have to focus on the details and reduce mistakes. However, the biggest mistake we made was not going towards the goal from the beginning. Shonan has a young team and plays good possession soccer. However, in games where they concede the first goal, their youth becomes their downfall and they lose control of the game.
We have lost to Shimizu and Iwata, for example. However, in the annual ranking table, we are competing for the top spot while they are at the bottom. I wonder what that means. We have to look at the overall picture. In recent years, the league has become very competitive. Therefore, the points we have acquired while gradually changing our style this season have become very important. If we only look at things from a broad perspective, we will be easily influenced by the results. For example, before this season started, I think many people expected this club to be in a relegation battle. We changed our style and moved up in the rankings. And the composition of the team hasn't changed much. I, too, have had many sad nights, and of course, I understand that everyone had hopes of going even higher, so it was a difficult night. Of course, I think I have to take the most responsibility and I feel sad. However, I cannot imagine criticizing players without looking at the overall perspective.
What position has the club built up its history in? What kind of club do we want to become in the future? As I always say, in order to travel together, everyone must work together as one. As I have said many times, the biggest thing about this club is its name, Tokyo. It is a burden that weighs on everyone. What we must think about is becoming a club that lives up to the name Tokyo. However, that name should not become a pressure to quickly reach a certain position. How many times have we become champions in the league? What is the best ranking we have achieved in the league and how many times have we competed for the championship? Please calm down. If those around the club cannot understand this, we will always move in the wrong direction. This is because unnecessary pressure will be put on us. It's fine for me, but it shouldn't become a pressure that makes the players calm and move in the right direction.
I understand that it is sad in this game. And I also understand that we need to be more aggressive from the first half. I also understand that we need to focus on many details. And I understand that Shonan is a good team and played a good game. However, we must not see everything as bad just because of that. If we don't have that composure, I don't think we will have a good future for Tokyo's club. There is still a lot of work to be done. And when we lose, it is my responsibility and the players' responsibility. So we need to change this firmly. Of course, there will be difficult games from now on, and there will be sad games next year as well. However, we need to reduce those sad games and continue to raise the level of the team little by little.
Q, in the first 10 minutes of the Shonan game, we were completely pushed back. In the C Osaka game, do you think we should push back the opponent with a score of 10-0, or should it be a 50-50 situation? I think it will be necessary to change that aspect, what do you think?
A, I also told the players, but it is not a problem to have more options behind when trying to play on the opponent's court without being too passive in the first high press. However, it is unacceptable to be pushed back by the opponent for 10 minutes. There are two important things to dominate the game with the ball. Holding onto the ball is one, but it is not enough to just hold onto the ball. You must also show the attitude of heading towards the goal while holding onto the ball in order to make the opponent fear. That is defending while holding onto the ball. Therefore, it is necessary to express the act of heading towards the goal while holding onto the ball from the beginning. The idea of always being with the ball remains the same. This will be tested tomorrow.
Q, what kind of members will you face tomorrow?
A, of course there will be changes in the members.
Q, What was your impression of the match against C Osaka in the spring?
A, I think there has been a change in style between the two teams. They have become a stronger team. We are pursuing possession of the ball. Currently, C Osaka has become a team focused on strength. And they use pressing and quick attacks as their weapons. Of course, we also had good qualities from the start. However, we are pursuing possession of the ball even more than they are. Therefore, as shown in the data, scoring the first goal will be important as always. I want you all to understand one thing. Every game is difficult, of course, but as I said, that's why I told the players to be aggressive from the beginning. At first, the team was even afraid to possess the ball. Now, we must continue to play with the consciousness of moving towards the goal while possessing the ball. I think that is the challenge for the remaining three games of this season and for the next season.
Q, when you score the first goal, there is a data that says you have a perfect record.
A, of course, I think that data will eventually break, but it also becomes a message for players to go on the offensive from the beginning. As a message, we have to play with a strong consciousness that we have to go for the first goal from the beginning. It is difficult to change the style at the beginning, and when we hold the ball, we may hesitate, thinking, "What if we make a mistake and lose the ball? What if we fail a pass and get scolded by the coach?" These things come up when we hold the ball. Overcoming them leads to confidence and maturity. Complete confidence and maturity is in the third year of the team. I hope to communicate with the fans and supporters both on and off the pitch and lead the club in a positive direction.
[Player Interview]
<Adailton>
Q, I have scored 10 goals so far this season. I am also in a position to aim for the top scorer, but what do you think about that?
A, Regarding the fact that we were able to score, I think one reason is thanks to God. Another reason is that my own efforts have also played a role, not just since coming to Japan, but also throughout my time here. I believe that what I have been doing since coming to Japan has now manifested as visible results in this season.
Q, Adailton has been seen taking many shots this season. Do you have anything in particular that you are conscious of when it comes to shooting?
A, of course, in order to score, you have to shoot, so I am always conscious of shooting. From practice, I am playing while being conscious of the shooting part, so I think the number of times I can naturally shoot in the game has increased. Since shooting is necessary to score, I want to increase the number of times I shoot.
Q, Fans must be hoping for a top scorer from Tokyo. Do you have any specific goals for becoming the top scorer?
A, I also want to aim for the top scorer as much as possible. However, more than that, I think it is important to fight each game seriously as if it were the final round. Of course, I want to become the top scorer, but I think it is more important for me to fight each game firmly. If I can become the top scorer in the end, I think it would be a great joy.
Q, This season, we have been fighting for a year under the guidance of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, but many players have felt the difficulty of the big change in tactics. How about yourself?
A, I felt a lot of difficulty, and there were certainly games that I thought would have been easier if we had played like last season. However, I don't think I was the only one feeling the difficulty, but as we played more games, the range of things the coach was asking for and what we could do expanded. Now, we have a lot more things we can do, and I think we are able to express the style of play the coach wants. I see this as a very positive year of change, and at this stage of the league, we have achieved a high level of completion, so I think it will lead to next year.
Q, This season, I achieved my 200th appearance in J1 in September. What do you think is the reason for your long-term success in Japan?
A, In my case, I think patience is important. (In my home country), in a completely different culture, I thought that I would get used to the culture by being patient, and as a result, I think I have been able to spend a long season in Japan.
Q, Are you enjoying life in Japan?
A, I have been living in Japan for a long time, so of course I have gotten used to it and it is a calm environment, so I think it is a really comfortable place to live once you get used to it.
Q, How do you feel about being able to cheer at the stadium from the middle of this season?
A, I think it's not just me, but all players feel it, but the cheers of fans and supporters during the game also reach us and I think they are a presence that pushes us forward. I feel very positive about the few games where I can hear everyone's voices.
Q, Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, we will give our all in every match, no matter who the opponent is. That is what matters. We want to aim for victory and share the joy with our fans and supporters by playing a solid game.
Ryoma WATANABE
Q, What was your impression of the Shonan game, where it seemed difficult to execute the final finish while holding onto the ball?
A, I think it was good that the team was able to hold the ball until the final finish, but it was a game that did not result in a goal. I want to improve the accuracy of the finish in practice.
Q, What preparations did you make in the three days between the Shonan match?
A, this season, we have 3 league matches, so we are talking as a team about winning them and finishing strong. We have also confirmed with the team that we will focus on making small adjustments rather than big tactical changes.
Q, with only 3 games left, how do you feel about the level of penetration of the new style that has been built up so far?
A, Each game is getting better and I think there are times when things don't go well with the team, but I think it's important to continue to persevere.
Q: How does player Watanabe feel about himself?
A, It is very important to incorporate what the coach is saying and how to output it, so I am trying various things. In order to achieve high goals for the next season, communication with those around me will be important, so I hope to make it possible in three smooth games.
Q, What do you think is necessary to reduce the waves that occur as a team?
A, I think we need to improve our tactical understanding individually so that we can play our own soccer no matter how the opponent defends. Therefore, I hope that we can eliminate fluctuations next season, as we have both practice and official matches.
Q, I think this will be an important match to narrow the point difference with C Osaka, what is your impression of the opponent?
A, I think everyone knows that the attacking and crossing of the side backs are dangerous, so we need to be careful.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the game.
A, With only 3 games left this season, we only have 2 home games left, so we want to deliver a solid victory to our fans and supporters, and we want to work hard to earn 3 points while playing our own style of football.