<Match Preview>
In the previous match, we lost 0-2 at home to Shonan, ending our two-game winning streak. Although we were pushed back by the opponent's sharp start and high work rate, Diego OLIVEIRA emphasized a positive attitude after the match.
"Instead of lowering our heads here, we want to prepare thoroughly for the next match against Cerezo Osaka. No matter who steps onto the pitch, we want to fight hard, run hard, and show our fans and supporters a victory at home."
Cerezo Osaka, who will face off this round, is highly motivated as they prepare for the Levain Cup Final on the 22nd of this month. The fact that midfielder Hiroshi KIYOTAKE has finally regained his form after a long absence until the end of August is also a positive factor. As Diego OLIVEIRA said, Tokyo must surpass their opponents in mental strength and intensity in duels, and show their fighting spirit to the home fans and supporters.
The key player in the attack this season is likely Adailton, who has scored his first 10 goals. He stated, "I want to be the player with the most goals when the season ends," and is aiming to keep producing goals until the end. In the last three matches, Tokyo wants to show a culmination of their efforts this season.
The matchday program is available here
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: I thought it was necessary to reconsider the details such as the arrangement of set plays and the space around the anchor. What do you think?
A, of course, I think those details are important. However, if we focus too much on that, we need to consider how we lost, which was due to being caught off guard. For example, in the match against Kashima, player Abe scored a wonderful goal. That made the tactics for that match outstanding. In soccer, if there are no mistakes, there are naturally no goals conceded. Regarding the goal conceded in the Shonan match, it came from a throw-in. We need to delve into the finer details and, of course, reduce mistakes. However, our biggest failure was not directing ourselves towards the goal from the very beginning. I think Shonan has a good style of play with young players who maintain possession of the ball. However, in matches where they concede the first goal, their youth often becomes a disadvantage, leading to a loss of game control.
We have lost to teams like Shimizu and Iwata, for example. However, in the annual standings, we are competing at the top while they are at the bottom, which makes me wonder what that means. We need to look at the overall picture. In recent years, the league has become very competitive. Therefore, the points we have gained this season while gradually changing our style are becoming important. If we lose sight of the overall perspective, we can easily be swayed by immediate results. For instance, before this season started, many people probably predicted that this club would be in a relegation battle. It has been a year where we approached it with a changed style. We have moved up in the rankings. And the composition of the team has not changed that much. I have also experienced very sad nights, and of course, I understand it was a difficult night for everyone because there was hope to go higher. I believe I must accept the responsibility myself, and I feel sadness. However, I cannot imagine losing the overall perspective and criticizing the players.
What position has the club taken in building its history? What kind of club do we want to become in the future? As I always say, we must embark on this journey together; things cannot be accomplished unless everyone unites and travels together. I have said this many times, but the biggest thing about this club is the name Tokyo. That name weighs heavily on everyone. What we need to think about is that we must become a club worthy of the name Tokyo. However, that name should not turn into the pressure of needing to quickly reach that position. Have we become champions in the league? How many times? Among the league battles we have fought, what was the best ranking we achieved, and how many times did we compete for the championship? Please remain calm. If everyone around the club does not understand this, we will always head in a negative direction. This is because unnecessary pressure will be placed on us. I am fine, but we must ensure that the pressure does not become something that prevents the players from remaining calm and moving in a positive direction.
I understand that it is of course sad about this match. And I also understand that we need to be more aggressive from the first half. I know we have to delve into many details. And I understand that Shonan is a good team and played a good match. However, we must not interpret that everything is bad just because of that. Without that calmness, I believe we will not be able to properly reassess the true position of the Tokyo club, and a good future will not await us. There is still a lot of work left to do. And when we lose, the responsibility is mine, and the saddest ones are myself and the players. Therefore, we must change this properly. Of course, there will be difficult matches ahead, and I think there will be matches to be sad about next year as well. However, it is important to reduce such sad matches and to continuously raise the level of the team, little by little, little by little.
Q: In the first 10 minutes of the match against Shonan, we were completely pushed back. For the match against C Osaka, will we push the opponent back 10-0, or will it be an even match? I think it is necessary to change that, what do you think?
I conveyed this to the players as well, but for example, it's not a problem if we increase our options behind the scenes by first playing in the opponent's half without being passive during the initial high press. However, we must not allow ourselves to be pushed back by the opponent for 10 minutes. There are two important things in controlling the game with the ball. One is to maintain possession of the ball, but simply holding the ball is not enough; we must show an attitude of moving towards the goal while maintaining possession, which will instill fear in the opponent. This is what it means to defend while holding the ball. Therefore, we must express the intention to move towards the goal while maintaining possession from the very beginning. The principle of always being with the ball remains unchanged. This will be tested tomorrow.
Q: What kind of members will you be facing 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?
I think there has been a change in styles between us. They have become a much stronger team. We are pursuing ball possession. Now, C Osaka has become a team focused on intensity. They are using pressing and quick transitions to attack as their weapons. Of course, we originally had good aspects as well. However, we are pursuing ball possession more than they are. Therefore, as the data shows, the first goal will always be important. There is one thing I want everyone to understand. Every match is difficult, of course, but as I said, I conveyed the message to the players that we will go on the offensive from the start. At first, the team was even afraid to maintain ball possession. Now that fear has disappeared, and we must continue with the awareness of moving towards the goal while maintaining possession of the ball. I think the challenge is to connect this to the last three matches of this season and next season.
Q: There is data that indicates a perfect record when scoring the first goal.
A, of course, I believe that data will eventually break, but that data also sends a message that players should approach the game aggressively from the start. The message is that we must play with a strong awareness of going for the first goal right from the beginning. Changing our style at first is difficult; there are doubts like what if we hold the ball and make a mistake and lose it, or if we fail a pass and lose the ball easily, will the coach get angry? These concerns arise with a possession style. I believe that overcoming these challenges leads to confidence and eventually maturity. Complete confidence and maturity occur in the team's third year. I hope we can communicate well with our fans and supporters, not just on the pitch but off it as well, to guide the club in a positive direction.
[Player Interview]]
<Adailton>
Q: You have scored 10 goals so far this season. You are in a position to aim for the top scorer title; what are your thoughts on that?
Regarding the fact that I have been able to score, I believe one reason is thanks to God. Another reason is that I think the efforts I have accumulated over time are also related. It's not just since I came to Japan, but I believe that what I have consistently done since coming to Japan has resulted in visible outcomes this season.
Q: This season, Adailton has been seen taking a lot of shots. Is there anything you are consciously aware of regarding your shooting?
A, of course, in order to score, I have to take shots, so I am always conscious of taking shots. Since I focus on shooting during practice, I believe the number of times I can naturally take shots during matches has been increasing. If I don't take shots, I can't score, so I want to increase those opportunities.
Q: Fans must be hoping to produce a top scorer from Tokyo. Do you personally have any aspirations to aim for the top scorer title?
A, since I have the potential to become the top scorer, I want to aim for it. However, more than that, I believe I must fight each match in front of me as seriously as a Final Round match, so while I certainly have the desire to become the top scorer, I think it's more important for me to focus on fighting each and every match in front of me. If I can become the top scorer as a result of that, I think it would be a wonderful thing.
Q: This season, we have been fighting under Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA for a year, but many players felt difficulty due to the significant changes in tactics. How do you feel about it?
I felt some difficulty, and there were certainly matches where I thought it would have been easier to play like last season. However, I believe I was not the only one feeling this difficulty. As we continued to play matches, the range of what the coach is asking for and what we can do has expanded, and now we have significantly increased our capabilities. I think we are also able to express the plays that the coach desires. I see this year of change very positively, and since we have reached this level of completeness at the end of the league, I think it will lead to next year.
Q: This season, you achieved your 200th appearance in J1 in September. What do you think are the factors that have allowed you to thrive in Japan for so long?
For me, I believe that patience is important. In a culture that is completely different from my home country, I had the patience to try to adapt to the culture, 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 since it is a calm environment, I really think it is a very comfortable place to live after getting used to it.
Q: This season, we were finally able to cheer with our voices starting midway through. What do you think about being able to hear cheers in the stadium?
I believe that not only I, but all players feel this way: the cheers from fans and supporters reach us during the match and serve as a source of encouragement. In the few matches where I could hear everyone's voices, I felt very positive.
Q: Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
No matter what kind of team the opponent is, we will give our all in the match. I believe that is what it comes down to. We want to aim for victory and have a match where we can share joy with our fans and supporters.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: In the match against Shonan, it seemed that we struggled to finish despite maintaining possession of the ball. What are your thoughts on that?
I think it was good that the team was able to maintain possession of the ball until the final finish, but it was a match that did not lead to scoring. I want to improve the accuracy of our finishing in practice.
Q: What preparations did you make in the three days since the Shonan match?
A, this season, since there are 3 league matches, we are discussing as a team to finish strong with solid wins, and we have confirmed the finer adjustments as a team rather than focusing on major tactical changes.
Q: With three matches left, how well has the new style that we've built up so far been integrated?
A, we are improving with each match, and while there may be times when things don't go well for the team, I believe it's important to be patient and keep going.
Q: How do you feel about your performance, Watanabe?
It is very important to internalize what the coach is saying and how to output it, so I am experimenting with that. As we aim for high goals next season, communication with those around me will be crucial, so I hope to make the next three matches smooth in that regard.
Q: I think there will inevitably be ups and downs as a team, but what is necessary to minimize them?
I believe that regardless of how the opponent defends, we need to enhance each individual's understanding of tactics so that we can play our own style of football. I think that's what practice and official matches are for, so I hope that next season will be free of ups and downs.
Q: I think this will be an important match to close the gap in points with C Osaka. What is your impression of the opponent?
I think everyone understands that the attacking runs and crosses from the side backs are dangerous, so we need to be careful.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match.
A, with only 3 matches left this season and only 2 home games, I want to deliver victories to our fans and supporters, and I want to do my best to earn 3 points while playing our style of football.
