<Match Preview>
After playing three league matches, it's time for the Levain Cup to begin. With league matches before and after, and a tight schedule of three matches in three days, this is a tournament we want to win as one of the three major domestic titles, and as a team that has won twice in the past, we want to pursue victory along with good performance.
Tokyo entered the same group as Kyoto Sanga F.C., Gamba Osaka, and Cerezo Osaka in the group stage this season. They will face Kyoto, whom they played against in a league match on March 4th, in the Levain Cup on March 26th, and will also face Cerezo Osaka, whom they will play against tomorrow, in a league match on April 15th. This means they will have a rematch in a short period of time across different competitions.
In order to accumulate points in both tournaments, it is essential to improve the overall strength of the team through the emergence of young players while exploring each other's strategies. Coach Albert has also stated his intention to actively use young players in the Levain Cup.
In the match against Kyoto on March 4th, the team was revitalized by sending young players onto the pitch in the second half and having them demonstrate their strengths. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who made his second consecutive appearance, showed a daring dribble and threatened the opponent's goal, while Yuta ARAI, who made his league debut, cut in from the right side and supplied a sharp cross ball in front of the goal. Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who made his first appearance after signing a professional contract, also showed a fighting spirit until the end, encouraging the entire team despite conceding a goal in additional time.
Despite the impact of the pandemic, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been proactive in using young players, such as giving player Arai, who was also a special designated player last season, his debut in the first match of the Levain Cup. Tomorrow, what kind of lineup will they face? What kind of performance will each player show? This upcoming match is not only important for the immediate future, but also for the future of Tokyo.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: How are you considering the composition of the members with a small number of midfielders?
A, regardless of the presence or absence of players who are absent from the front line, we want to make the Levain Cup a place to promote the growth of young players. Of course, we want to approach the game by combining players who have not been given many chances in the league and young players in a well-balanced manner. In Europe, players play two games every week with a high intensity in three days, and they endure it. What I am aiming for tomorrow is to maintain a good balance, of course, to aim for victory, to give young players a chance, and to promote their growth. I want to strike a good balance between both and approach tomorrow's game.
For example, if the balance cannot be maintained and many young players are used in difficult matches, it can lead to a loss of confidence for those young players. At the same time, I have a desire for those players who have not been given a chance to play in the league matches to be prepared to play well in the league matches by giving them the opportunity to play. I understand that the fans and supporters hope for a title. However, we are in a situation where there are injuries in the midfield position and Matsuki is absent from the national team. But what I want the fans and supporters to understand is that young players will not grow without opportunities to play. At the same time, if the players who have not had many chances to play in the league matches do not have the chance to play in the Levain Cup, they will not be able to prepare well for the league matches. When a player who plays well in the Levain Cup appears, my intention is to use that player more and more in the league matches.
Tomorrow's game will be a chance for players who have not had the opportunity to play in the league to prove themselves worthy of playing in the league. For young players, it will be a chance to grow and prove that they have something good to offer. In football, we must overcome everything. This includes the condition of the pitch and even the decisions of the referees. We must overcome all obstacles and aim for victory. Even our own mistakes must be overcome in order for us to achieve victory.
Q: In the last two games, there were many scenes where we lost the ball. What do we need to do to overcome these mistakes?
A, We want to regain the balance we lost in the Kyoto match. First of all, even if we lose the game, we want the players to express on the pitch that they are always aiming for victory. In the Kyoto match, the players showed us that. We must express this in every game. In the Kyoto match, we struggled with intense defense and couldn't control the game well. The absence of multiple players also had an impact, and that is an area we want to improve. What we should learn from the Kyoto match is that we also need to have a strong defense. When the opponent does the same, of course, not everything will go well, but it is important to play with control over the ball and the game as time goes by. We must learn from the Kyoto match and improve.
Q, I think the challenge will be to continue playing a stable game. What is necessary to calm down the play even in a high-tempo match?
A, It is necessary to believe in our own play from the bottom of our hearts. I think that we can only overcome it by continuing to believe and continue to do it. If each player continues to believe and continue to do it, I think we can influence each other and eventually overcome it as a team. We need to learn more about how to break through against teams that defend carefully by lowering the block, rather than teams that come to defend with high intensity. This season, my goal is to stick to our style and pursue victory. We must establish an original style that brings out the strengths of the players we have now. As in the previous season, we also consider it as one of our goals for each player to grow.
[Player Interview]
Shuhei TOKUMOTO
Q, how is your condition?
A, my condition is improving and I think coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is also keeping an eye on my state. If I can play in the game, I want to communicate openly with anyone and listen to the opinions of my teammates while playing, taking detailed communication.
Q, I think you have been building up Tokyo's style since the camp, but how about the aspect of getting used to it?
I understand some aspects of the soccer style. However, since I have never played in an official game since transferring to Tokyo, I honestly don't know if I can play as I imagine. I am studying while watching the movements of players like Nagatomo, Nakamura, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. I hope to be able to express the image I have gained on the pitch. First of all, I want to play in a game as soon as possible.
Q, The Levain Cup will kick off, how do you perceive this tournament?
I think it's a tournament that is attracting attention. As a club, it has been three years since we won, so I want to win again and share the joy with the fans and supporters. When we won in the 2020 season, I watched it on TV. It's really exciting to be on the team now, and I think it will be an important match just like the league games.
Q, I think this will be an important match that will also affect the league games from here on.
A, I want to participate in the Levain Cup and also be involved in the league games. I think the first game will be an important one for me. Although the Yokohama FC game is in 3 days, I want to give 100% of my strength to the Levain Cup first and contribute to the team's victory.
Q, How was your experience playing positions other than side back during camp?
A, side backs sometimes move to the position of a defensive midfielder and play, and it is expected of them by the team. I think that their experience playing as a defensive midfielder is being utilized in their play as a side back. They have also proven that they can adapt if given the opportunity to play in the midfield. They are working towards making Tokyo stronger and want to express themselves on the pitch.
Q, What is your impression of Cerezo Osaka?
A, I think there are many players who are good at their feet. If you don't go firmly to the ball, you will easily be avoided. In defense, while playing with high intensity, in attack, I want to connect from good defense to good attack because I have a strong point.
Q, What kind of play do you want to make, as requested by coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, I want to be conscious of getting involved in possession while considering positioning. I want to communicate with the players around me and take the best position to make an impact in both offense and defense.
Q, are you also aiming for goals and assists in terms of results?
A, I am approaching each game with the intention of leaving behind goals and results. It is also important to play while utilizing the characteristics of the players around me, not just for myself. I will think carefully and run and fight for the team's victory first, rather than my own results.
Q, it's an away game, but I think many fans and supporters will come to support us. Please give us your enthusiasm.
The passion of the fans and supporters that I felt at the home game of the opening match was amazing. Tomorrow's game is an away game, but I think many will come to support us. The players will do their best to respond to the cheers. We want to show everyone the way we are fighting to make people want to come and watch the Levain Cup, and we hope you will look forward to it. Thank you for your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q,Please tell us your enthusiasm for the Levain Cup.
A, I haven't been able to play in any games this season yet, so I want to leave a good result and carry it over to the next one. Since it's the first game of the Levain Cup, I will do my best to win and gain momentum.
Q, How is your condition?
A, I am always prepared to play in the game, so my condition is not a problem.
Q: What do you want to focus on during the game?
A, I want to attack while valuing the ball with my team. As a defensive player, I am conscious of not conceding goals and want to use my physical abilities, which are my strengths, to not lose to the opponent.
Q, What is your impression of Cerezo Osaka?
A, the opponent's attacking team is composed of players with high abilities, so we want to apply a strong press in defense and prevent them from playing freely in the opponent's attacking team.
Q, I think that players who have had few opportunities to play in the league so far will have a chance to play. I think it will also be a game that tests their mental strength, so how do you want to approach it?
A, Everyone strongly wants to participate in the league match. The opponent will play aggressively from the beginning, so I think it is important to have a strong mentality, and we want to enter the game by encouraging each other and staying focused so that we do not lose with our emotions.
Q, In the last two league games, we haven't had any results, but I think this is a chance to change our position by showing good results and plays here.
As a defensive player, I think my evaluation will go up if I can win without conceding. When the team is not doing well, it's a chance for players like me who are not involved in the game, so I have no choice but to do my best.
Q, Do you have any concerns about playing with players you don't usually play with?
As a team, we have a common understanding of the play we are aiming for. I think it will be necessary to play while communicating with each other about the details.
Q, do you seem calm, but are your feelings rising?
A, I am quite excited. I haven't been able to play in any games due to injury before the start of the season, but the season has just begun. This first game is very important to me, so I want to produce good results. I am not nervous at all and I want to play with all my heart tomorrow. I am also aiming to score from set pieces.
Q, Are you able to imagine how you will play against Cerezo Osaka?
First of all, I want to play while handling the ball easily. If we can pass vertically, it will be a chance, but the risk is high when we lose the ball by aiming for a vertical pass at a bad timing. I think that coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also does not like it, so I will play easily where I can and try to play flexibly, such as aiming for a vertical pass when the opponent is slightly off balance while circulating the ball well.
