<Match Preview>
From the 2023 season, the popular "mechacomic" from the AO-AKA PARK online project will be featured in the FANZONE! The "MATCH PREVIEW & INTERVIEW" delivered the day before the match will now be distributed as "MATCH PREVIEW & INTERVIEW supported by mechacomic", and the "Review of the Previous Match" project will include "mechacomic". Please enjoy the collaboration between mechacomic and FANZONE!
The 30th season of the J-League begins. Teruhito NAKAGAWA from Yokohama F.Marinos, Kei KOIZUMI from Sagan Tosu, Shuhei TOKUMOTO from Fagiano Okayama, and PEROTTI from Brazil's Chapecoense have joined the team. In addition, two college graduates and five high school graduates have also joined as rookies. In the second year under the leadership of Albert, they will continue to challenge themselves to evolve and improve their positional play, which they have been working on since last season, by maintaining possession of the ball.
The theme is to break through the opponent's defense in the attacking third and open up a path to the goal. In the preseason, we have been trying out a new attacking pattern that utilizes the space on both sides of the penalty area to connect to shots. The coach also feels a sense of accomplishment, saying that the team is progressing smoothly in a good direction.
For Tokyo, what is even more reassuring is the energetic presence of Diego OLIVEIRA. Last season, he was troubled by pain in his hip joint, but now he shows a smile saying, "I can practice and play without any pain." Not only fans and supporters, but also himself is looking forward to the full recovery of the ace with overwhelming power and speed, saying, "I think everyone knows that the previous Diego will come back again" and eagerly awaiting the opening game.
Among the new players, Nakagawa and Koizumi have quickly fit into the team and shown their presence. In addition, the expectations for young players, led by second-year player Kuryu Matsuki, are higher than ever before. High school rookies such as Naoki Kumata, Kota Tawaratsumida, and Yuta Arai have continued to make strong appeals during the preseason period, and their proactive attitude to absorb as much as possible from their seniors has stood out. Their ability to threaten the positions of key players will also be an important factor in fighting through a long season.
As expectations rise, we face the opening match against Urawa Reds. Urawa has appointed Maciej SKORZA, who has won the Polish league four times, as their coach this season. Shinzo KOROKI has returned from Sapporo and they have acquired Norwegian defender Marius HOIBRATEN. The new coach has a more aggressive style, with a focus on keeping the ball and taking control, making it crucial for Tokyo to be able to maintain possession and take the lead.
Manager Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says, "We want to continue our style and fight for victory." Captain Masato MORISHIGE, who is entering his 18th year as a professional, also says, "Our biggest enemy is ourselves." First and foremost, our attitude of sticking to our style will not change this season. In this memorable season, what kind of football will Tokyo show on the pitch? The first match will kick off to show us that.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, it has been 6 weeks since the start date, what do you think about the team's situation?
A, We were able to spend the pre-season in a good shape. Of course, in soccer, even if you have a good feeling, you can still lose the game. However, the feeling is important. However, since various elements are involved in the game, each game is a different world. The team is currently growing in a good shape. The new players have quickly blended into the team, and the young players who joined the team are contributing to maintaining the balance of power within the team by being involved in the competition for positions. Of course, to further improve the completeness, there is still a long way to go. As I have mentioned before, what I want to aim for this season is to firmly connect the accumulation of last season to victory. I want to establish FC Tokyo's unique style and lead it to victory. Instead of imitating the styles of other clubs, I want to establish Tokyo's unique style. And I want to continue to push forward while being aware that the ball is the main character.
Q, I think we were able to play aggressively and progress the game with our own soccer regardless of the opponent in the practice match at the camp.
A, we aim to level up our attacking game even more than last season. Of course, we want to become a team that can push our opponents back, but we also expect to connect short passes and make breakthroughs by sending through balls to players running behind the defense. We also want to become a team that excels at high pressing and quickly transitioning from defense to offense after winning the ball. Of course, we want to maintain a high ball possession and create numerical advantages near the ball carrier. However, we also want to make runs into open spaces, not just play with the ball at our feet. In other words, we want to further improve various aspects and establish a unique Tokyo style.
Q, Who do you expect among the players?
A, This season, the good part for the team is that the level of players is evenly matched and it is difficult to prioritize.
Q, Are players strongly encouraged to win the game in front of them, is it because they want them to have a strong desire to win?
A, it is assumed that we want to focus on each game. However, I do not possess the magic to make the team change in 24 hours in order to achieve that. This club has also accumulated a history of over 20 years. Even in this long history, we have not achieved a league championship. In order to aim for that, we have a sense that we are walking the right path. The reason why we want to focus on winning each game is because if I were to say that we are aiming for a league championship in the way that everyone expects, and then we lose two games in a row in the opening game and the second game, it could easily make people nervous and wonder, "What happened to aiming for the championship?" On the other hand, if we grow into a club with a management scale that can enter the top three, and if we reinforce the team with five or six new players who can play as starters, then we will have over 40,000 fans and supporters filling the stadium for every home game. Also, when everyone living in Tokyo becomes aware that Tokyo is our club, I think we will be in a position to say that we are aiming for a title. However, not everything I have said exists in reality. If the reality is not yet in place, I think it is important to take one step at a time and move forward.
Q, What is your evaluation of Kashif BANGNAGANDE?
A, His continuous growth is remarkable. I think the element that a player must have is the ability to learn. I think that players with the ability to learn like him cannot be predicted how much they will grow. He needs to grow more and still has room for growth. I think he is a player who is expected to grow more. The same goes for Nakamura. He has grown dramatically in one year.
Q, what are your thoughts towards the opening?
A, I feel very confident towards the opening. I have confidence that my team can play with a strong determination to win against any opponent. However, the J1 league is a very competitive league. I cannot predict what the result will be, but I can feel the confidence of the players.
[Player Interview]
Diego OLIVEIRA
Q, Entering my 6th year in Tokyo, the opening game of this season is coming up this weekend. Can you tell us about your current state of mind?
A, this is my 6th season, but every year at this time, every team is thinking about "a good start dash", and this opening game is at home, and the opponent is Urawa Reds, so I think the stadium will have a great atmosphere. We want to do what we can and start off in a good way.
Q, Is it a feeling of excitement before the opening, or is there anxiety?
A, of course every game is important and it is natural for us to have high motivation towards it, but the opening game is even more exciting. As I mentioned earlier, our opponent this time is very tough, so we want to keep our focus and tighten our feelings.
Q: "The coach, Albert Puig Ortoneda, said, "I have a feeling that we have been able to prepare smoothly from the camp this season," but how do you feel about the current condition?"
A, this season is the second year for coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, so the players understand the style that the coach aims for. In that regard, I think there are advantages to starting in various ways, and we have been training with a high intensity, including during the camp, so I think we can start the opening game in a good shape. Personally, last season I had many periods where I couldn't play my usual game due to injuries, but now I have no pain and I am in a very good condition. However, since it is the opening game, I want to approach it with a firm mindset.
Q, It has been said that new players such as Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Kei KOIZUMI have also adapted well to the team. From Diego TABA's perspective, do you have high expectations for the new players?
A, I also think that this year's new players are very wonderful and reliable players. In addition to the two mentioned, there are also young players and players promoted from U-18, all of whom are very high-quality players, so I think they will be a plus for the team. PEROTTI has also joined, and NAKAGAWA and KOIZUMI are players with a proven track record in the J-League, so I think they will be a plus for the team. It has only been a few months since we played together in Tokyo, but I feel that they are able to demonstrate their strength and have adapted well to the team, including their combination, and I think they will be a big plus for us. The other new players also have strength, so I feel that the team's overall strength has been raised.
Q, please tell us your goal for this season.
A, I want to have a great season throughout the year. Of course, I have the desire to win the title, but in order to do so, I believe it is important to fight each and every game in front of us and achieve good results. The opening match against Urawa will be tough, so I am thinking about preparing for that first. I hope that by winning each game, we will ultimately achieve good results. While aiming for the title, I want to focus on each and every game first.
Q, In the final round of the 2019 season and the Levain Cup final of the 2020 season, both of which brought Tokyo closer to the title, Diego was not on the pitch. I believe that fans and supporters have a desire to win the title with Diego. Including such expectations, I would like to ask fans and supporters for a message.
A, I have been in Tokyo for a long time, but since I came here, I have been warmly welcomed by fans, supporters, and various team members. I would like to express my gratitude once again. I was unable to play in those two games due to injury, which was very disappointing. However, injuries are a part of soccer and I think it's just something that can't be helped. Fans and supporters are a source of strength for us, and their support motivates us to "run" and "win", so I want to fight together with them this season as well. Thank you again for supporting us. From now on, I hope you will continue to support us as you have in the past, and we also want to work together with you to achieve our team's goals for ourselves and for you. So, please continue to support us this season as well.
Q, The opening game will allow vocal support and the Ajinomoto Stadium, which has been without cheers for a long time, will be back. In that sense, are there high expectations for the fans and supporters?
It's been a while since we've been able to experience that atmosphere, so I'm really looking forward to it. Even during the pandemic, we've had a lot of fans and supporters come to the stadium, but due to regulations, they weren't able to cheer out loud. However, this time, I think we'll be able to shout as loud as we want, so I believe we'll receive even more energy than before. We know that the match against Urawa will be tough, but we're focusing and directing our emotions towards the game, and we believe that many people will come to support us. Of course, we're the ones playing on the pitch, but we'll fight together with the fans and supporters and do our best to achieve a good result. We still have a few more days of tough training, so we'll continue to work hard to achieve a good result.
Q, will you show us "the strongest Diego" again this year?
A, of course, I am doing it with the desire to have a good season every season. There are times when I can score goals and play well, and there are times when I can't. However, I will not forget what I can do for myself and for the team. I have been doing it like this so far, and I want to continue doing it in the future. Last season was a very tough season for me, including injuries, so I want to approach this year in a good way and send off the season.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, the J-League is finally starting. How do you feel the day before?
A, every season, I feel like the time from the start of camp to the start of the season passes quickly. I'm really looking forward to the long season starting tomorrow. I think there are many things that can change depending on us.
Q, all players are said to be feeling the momentum.
A, first of all, we need to have confidence and we need confidence to win. However, I think a lot of things will happen during the long season. There will be injuries and the impact of COVID-19, but I believe that there will be a good view after overcoming such situations. So, I think tomorrow's game will be important and I want to win each game one by one.
Q: Where do you feel the accumulation?
Since the appointment of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, we have been able to challenge ourselves in a clearly dominant style of football, and we have a sense of accomplishment in that. However, no matter what tactics we use, I believe that attention to detail will be the deciding factor in crucial moments. I think this season will be crucial in our ability to focus on those details.
Q, Speaking of attention to detail, I think it's about scoring goals, but I heard that you have been focusing on it in practice as well.
A, it is necessary to win. However, I think there are times when it cannot be opened depending on the game. At that time, I think it is important to somehow defend and get 1 point, and also to challenge to accumulate points because we cannot aim for the top without accumulating points.
Q: Do you have any thoughts on the upcoming season, which will be significantly different from last season?
A, I have been playing as an anchor since last season and there are still many challenges and uncertainties. In the midst of that, I have to gain confidence by practicing and approach the game with the belief that I can do it, and I think that is something I have to do every day. In that sense, I want to play with confidence because I was able to prepare well from the camp.
Q, Please tell us your thoughts on the opening game.
A, I think they are the opponents we have to beat. Of course, there is some discomfort, but we have to win against such opponents. I am very excited and anxious, but I hope we can have a good match and make the J-League more exciting.
Q, what is your impression of Urawa?
A, Although I haven't watched any games or players' plays, and I don't have much information about the team, there are still some difficult parts. However, I think the members are mostly the same as last season. The coach has changed and the expectations may be different, but I believe we can adjust while playing. Since we won't be able to watch the game footage at the opening, I think it's important to focus on the game once we're in it.
Q: How is new signing Teruhito NAKAGAWA doing?
A, he is an experienced player, so I think he understands what kind of play we will do together. In that, I think there will be a new accent that was not there last season, so of course there are many good existing players, but I think I can support from behind a little, so I want to bring out the goodness of everyone, and there are players with various characteristics, so I want to bring them out and be brought out.
Q, As the number 10 in Tokyo, what kind of play do you want to make? A, The content of the play does not change with the jersey number, but I have to take responsibility when playing in a game and I am thinking of playing with the desire to win in the forefront.
Q: Tomorrow's game will be 100% capacity and all seats will be allowed to cheer, but what kind of power do the fans and supporters' voices have?
A, it is a privilege of home games, and Urawa also has a lot of supporters, but we can also put pressure on the opponent with the voices of fans and supporters, which I think is important. It's been a while since we had a game where we could shout from all seats, so we've forgotten about that environment. I think there will be cheers from the warm-up, so I want to bring my feelings to each play while savoring it.
Q: Are you aiming for a goal in the opening match?
A, I think there is no image of the goal because there is a lot of time to defend, but of course I want to aim if there is a chance. I don't think that scoring goals alone can make the team win, so I want to contribute to the team's victory in other ways., Anyway, I want to fulfill my role.
Q, Have you felt any changes in Matsuki in your second year?
A, Matsuki has been playing with a strong determination since last season, and I think he will continue to do so this season. I think there is pressure as everyone has high expectations, and there is also a significant age difference between us, so I hope to support him well. I want him to play freely on the pitch. There is a lot to learn from him, and he is a wonderful player.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, the J-League is finally starting. How do you feel?
I am very excited. We are becoming a good team as we approach the opening, and I am also in good shape, so I want to focus on winning against Urawa and do my best. I am really looking forward to having many fans and supporters come to Ajinomoto Stadium.
Q, What is your impression of not being able to beat Urawa for the past few seasons as Tokyo?
A, Urawa will come with a new coach and a renewed spirit. However, I believe their tactics are not yet set, so we should take advantage of that and make the most of it.
Q, how is the team or individual's condition? Also, what kind of play do you want to make as an anchor?
A, we want to switch between offense and defense quickly and win the battle for second balls. Through our training camp, we have also increased our variety of scoring options. I believe we have been able to level up while maintaining our strengths such as passing and short counter attacks. I hope you can see our improved ability to calm the game down and make runs into the box.
Q: Do you feel like you are growing day by day during practice?
A, I have to keep growing and I understand that the best. I hope to grow one or two sizes in the game, without looking too far ahead and keeping my feet on the ground.
Q, I think the addition of new players has made the team's roster even stronger. How do you feel about the competition for positions and the atmosphere of the team's training?
A, I think that no matter who plays in the team this season, they will be able to play good soccer. Compared to last season, the player depth has become thicker this season, and I hope that they can win with team strength by playing with 100% confidence from the beginning.
Q, Ajinomoto Stadium will fully lift the ban on vocal support, so I think many fans and supporters will visit.
A, I hope many fans and supporters will come to the home game, and I want to do my best to win and make them happy. I want to play with confidence and entertain the audience, and I am the type of person who gets fired up when there are many fans and supporters, so I am really looking forward to it.
Q, What kind of role do you want to play for the team in your second season?
A, last season, I was able to learn a lot about coach Albert's football by playing in many games. I want to spread that to the team. And I want to prove that I can fight for the team and get results. The ultimate goal is to win. As the coach says, everyone has a common understanding of winning the game in front of us, so we are only thinking about winning against Urawa first.
