<Match Preview>
After completing three league matches, we welcome the start of the Levain Cup. With league matches before and after, we will face a tight schedule of three matches in just three days, but as one of the three major domestic titles and a team that has experienced victory twice in the past, we aim to pursue both content and victory in this tournament.
This season in Tokyo, we were placed in the same group as three teams from Kansai: Kyoto SANGA F.C., Gamba Osaka, and Cerezo Osaka. We faced Kyoto in the league on March 4, and will compete against them again in the Levain Cup on March 26. Additionally, we will play against Cerezo Osaka in the league on April 15, with matches scheduled closely across the tournaments.
While probing each other's strengths, improving the overall team strength through the emergence of young players is essential to accumulate points in both tournaments. Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has also stated his intention to actively utilize young players in the Levain Cup.
In the match against Kyoto on March 4, young players were sent onto the pitch in the second half, and their dynamic play invigorated the team as they showcased their strengths. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who made his second consecutive appearance, displayed aggressive dribbling to threaten the opponent's goal, while Yuta ARAI, making his league debut, cut in from the right side to deliver a sharp cross in front of the goal. Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who made his first appearance after signing a professional contract, also showed a fighting spirit by not giving up even after the lead was extended just after entering stoppage time, instead inspiring the entire team.
Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been proactive in utilizing young players, such as giving a debut to Arai, who was specially designated last season, in the first match of the Levain Cup. Tomorrow, what kind of lineup will we see? Which players will show their skills? This match is not only crucial for the present but also cannot be missed when considering the future of Tokyo.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Given the small number of players in the midfield, what are your thoughts on the team composition?
A, regardless of whether there are players who are out of the lineup, I want to utilize the Levain Cup as an opportunity to promote the growth of young players. Of course, I believe we should maintain a good balance and approach the matches by skillfully integrating players who have not had many chances in the league with young players. In Europe, players endure playing two high-intensity matches every week with only three days in between. What I am aiming for tomorrow is to maintain a good balance, of course aiming for victory, while giving young players opportunities and promoting their growth. I want to skillfully balance both and approach tomorrow's match.
For example, if we cannot maintain that balance and end up using many young players in difficult matches, it can lead to those young players losing confidence. At the same time, for those players who are not given the chance to play in the league matches, I hope that by providing them with opportunities to play, they can be prepared to perform well in the league at any time. I certainly understand that fans and supporters wish for us to win titles. However, the situation we are in is that we have multiple injuries in the midfield position, and Matsuki is absent due to national team duties. What I would like fans and supporters to understand is that young players will not grow without opportunities to play. At the same time, if players who are not getting many chances in the league do not have opportunities to play in the Levain Cup, they will not be able to prepare well for the league. When players show good performances in the Levain Cup, my aim is to use those players more and more in the league matches.
I believe that tomorrow's match will also be an opportunity for players who have not had the chance to play in the league to prove that they are worthy of playing in the league. For young players, I hope it will be a chance for growth and to demonstrate their potential. In soccer, we must overcome everything. This includes pitch conditions, as well as the referee's decisions; we must overcome all obstacles to aim for victory. We must also overcome our own mistakes in our pursuit of victory.
Q: In the last two matches, there were many scenes where we lost the ball. What is necessary to overcome these mistakes?
We want to regain the balance we lost in the match against Kyoto. First of all, even if we lose the game, I want the players to express their constant pursuit of victory on the pitch. In the match against Kyoto, the players demonstrated that. We must express this in every match at all costs. In the Kyoto match, we struggled with high-intensity defense and could not control the game well. The absence of several players also affected us, and that is a point we want to improve. What we should learn from the Kyoto match is that we must also maintain a high-intensity defense. When the opponent does the same, it may not go well, but it is important to play in a way that allows us to control the ball and the game as time goes on. We must learn from the Kyoto match and strive to improve.
Q: I think continuing to fight steadily will be a challenge. What is necessary to keep the play calm even in a high-tempo match?
A, it is necessary to truly believe in our own play from the bottom of our hearts. I believe that we can only overcome challenges by continuing to believe and keep pushing forward. If each player continues to believe and persist, we can influence each other and ultimately overcome as a team. We need to learn more about how to break through against teams that defend carefully by lowering their blocks, rather than those that defend with high intensity. This season, my personal goal is to stick to our style while being committed to winning. We must establish a unique Tokyo style that brings out the strengths of the players we have now. Continuing from last season, I also consider the growth of each player as one of our goals.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q: How is your condition?
A, my condition is improving, and I believe Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is also monitoring my status. If I can participate in the match, I want to express my opinions without hesitation to anyone, listen to the opinions of my teammates, and play while maintaining detailed communication.
Q: I think you have been building up Tokyo's style from the camp, but how about in terms of getting used to it?
I understand some aspects of the soccer style. However, since I have never played in an official match after moving to Tokyo, I honestly don't know if I can play as I imagine. I am studying by watching the movements of players like Nagatomo, Nakamura, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. I hope to express the image I gained from that on the pitch. First of all, I want to play in a match as soon as possible.
Q: The Levain Cup is about to start. How do you perceive this tournament?
I think it is a tournament that is attracting attention. As a club, it has been three years since we last won, so I want to win again and share the joy with our fans and supporters. When we won the championship in the 2020 season, I was watching on TV. It makes me very happy to be part of that team now, and I believe this will be an important match just like the league matches.
Q: I think this will be an important match to see if we can get involved in the league competition from here.
I want to participate in the Levain Cup and also be involved in the league matches. I believe the first match will be an important battle for me as well. There is a match against Yokohama FC three days later, but first, I want to give more than 100 percent in the Levain Cup and contribute to the team's victory.
Q: You had opportunities to play in positions other than side back during the camp. How did it feel?
A side back may move to the position of a defensive midfielder and play, which is expected by the team. I believe that the experience of playing as a defensive midfielder is beneficial for playing as a side back. I have also proven that I can adapt if given the opportunity to play in the midfield. I am working positively to strengthen Tokyo and want to express that on the pitch.
Q: What impression do you have of Cerezo Osaka?
I think there are many players who are skilled with the ball at their feet. If you don't go in firmly for the ball, you'll easily be bypassed. In defense, I want to play with high intensity, and in attack, since we have strong points, I want to connect good defense to good attack.
Q: I think there are plays that are requested by Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, but what kind of plays do you want to perform?
I want to be aware of my positioning while getting involved in possession. I want to communicate with the players around me, take the best position, and play with a strong presence in both offense and defense.
Q: Are you aiming for goals and assists in terms of results?
I approach every match with the intention of leaving a score and result. It is also important to play while utilizing the characteristics of the players around me, not just focusing on myself. I want to run and fight for the team's victory first, while thinking carefully, rather than just focusing on my own results.
Q: It's an away game, but I believe many fans and supporters will come to cheer us on. Please share your enthusiasm.
The energy of the fans and supporters felt during the home opener was incredible. Tomorrow's match is away, but I believe many will come to support us. The players will do their best to respond to the cheers. We want to show our fighting spirit so that everyone will want to come watch the Levain Cup as well, and we hope you look forward to it. Thank you for your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, Please share your enthusiasm for the Levain Cup.
A, I haven't been able to play in a match this season yet, so I want to achieve good results and connect it to the next opportunity. Since the Levain Cup is the first match, I will do my best to win and gain momentum.
Q: How is your condition?
A, I am always prepared to play in the matches, so my condition is not a problem.
Q: What do you want to be conscious of while playing?
I want to attack while valuing the ball as a team. As a defensive player, I want to focus on not conceding goals, utilizing my physical abilities, and ensuring I don't lose to the opponent.
Q: What is your impression of Cerezo Osaka?
A, the opponent's attacking lineup consists of highly skilled players, so we want to apply intense pressure in defense to prevent them from playing freely.
Q: I think there will be players who have had few opportunities to play in the league so far. I believe it will be a match that tests their mental strength, but how do you want to approach the game?
A, everyone strongly wants to participate in the league matches. The opponent will play aggressively from the start, so I believe that having the right mindset is especially important in the battles for the ball. We want to stay focused and encourage each other so that we don't lose our spirit as we enter the match.
Q: I believe that by showing good results and performance here, we have a chance to change our current position, especially since we haven't had results in the last two league matches.
As a defensive player, I believe that if we can win without conceding goals, that alone will increase our evaluation. During tough times for the team, it's an opportunity for players like me who are not involved in the matches, so I have no choice but to do my best.
Q: Do you feel any anxiety about playing in a match with players you don't usually team up with?
As a team, we have a common understanding of the style of play we are aiming for. I believe it will be necessary to communicate with each other while playing in the finer details.
Q: You seem calm, but are you feeling excited?
A, it has risen quite a bit. I got injured before the opening match and couldn't participate, but the season has just begun. This first match is very important for me, so I want to deliver solid results. I'm not nervous, and I want to play with all my might tomorrow. I'm also aiming to score from set pieces.
Q: Do you have an image of your play against Cerezo Osaka?
First of all, I want to play while easily distributing the ball. Vertical passes can create chances if they succeed, but the risk of losing the ball when aiming for vertical passes at the wrong timing is high. I don't think Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA would prefer that either, so I plan to play simply where I can, circulate the ball well, and aim for vertical passes when the opponent is slightly out of position, adapting my play as needed.
