Last Match: YokohamaFC Review
The first home game in about a month since the opening game, the players who should win scored a goal and brilliantly earned 3 points.
The game starts moving right away. In the 5th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA sets up the play and Diego OLIVEIRA receives a pass from Hotaka NAKAMURA, turning around and scoring the opening goal.
In the first half, we were unable to control the game by holding onto the ball, and we allowed decisive situations such as being completely free in front of the goal and taking shots. It was Jakub SLOWIK who saved the team. On this day, SLOWIK made at least three big saves in decisive scenes throughout the 90 minutes. He supported the team's victory from the back until the end.
The additional goal was born from another specialty of the team, as the control of the game was not working well. In the 27th minute of the first half, a coordinated press from the front line was launched, and Nakagawa intercepted the opponent's pass and scored a goal, expanding the lead with a high press and a short counter.
After conceding one goal due to an own goal, the team regained composure with the help of experienced players Masato MORISHIGE and Koki TSUKAGAWA, who were subbed in at the beginning of the second half and became the backbone of the team's ball movement. As the experienced players calmed the game down, the young players were able to shine and the team's attack was revitalized. In particular, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA left a strong impression. He boldly dribbled through the left side and was involved in crucial moments.
In the 17th minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO, who was substituted in the first half, won the match-up and put a cross ball in front of the goal, where Diego TABA calmly headed it in to secure the second goal and win the game.
After the match, as coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA expressed his dissatisfaction, we struggled in the first half despite taking the lead, as we were unable to maintain possession of the ball. However, we showed our ability to make adjustments within the 90 minutes and dominated the opponent in the second half both in terms of performance and content.
＜Preview＞
The match against Nagoya Grampus, led by former coach Kenta HASEGAWA who brought titles to the club, will be the third time. Last season, the match played at home at Ajinomoto Stadium ended in a draw, leaving room for improvement in terms of performance.
In the away final match of last season, despite holding onto the ball for 90 minutes, they conceded the first goal. In the second half, they launched a fierce attack and Yasuki KIMOTO scored to equalize. However, a mistake in their own half led to a goal from Nagai, who had transferred mid-season, and they ended up losing. They continued to hold onto the ball and collect second balls in the opponent's half, but they were unable to find the final touch to score and ended up losing.
Can the blue and red players show their growth to the coach who knows Tokyo inside and out? After working on ball possession, which was a challenge last season, how will they score goals? They have been training rigorously during the preseason. They were able to demonstrate the results of their hard work in the previous match against Yokohama FC.
Can Tokyo open up the tightly packed goal by passing the ball without hesitation and making the opponent run with strong ball control and solid counterattacks against Nagoya, who fights with strength in the ball? In a perfect stage to show the growth of the second season under the Albert regime, Tokyo will seek revenge from last season.
[Interview with Coach Albert] 
Q, Kashif BANGNAGANDE has been selected for the Japan national team.
A, I am very happy that he has been selected for the Japan national team for the first time. I think the selection was a message to give young players a chance from the members who were called up this time. I also think that there is a message that we are expecting young players and that even if they are young, they can be connected to the Japan national team if they play well in J-League teams. The important thing is that players grow by playing. It is not necessarily possible to grow just by going to Europe, and if you do not play, your growth will naturally stop. In that sense, I am very happy that they have called up young players who are playing in the J-League this time.
Q: What are the areas that have grown since last season?
A, I think his technical level has been amazing since last season. There were some improvements to be made in his plays in the final zone. The defense, which was a major improvement point, has now been solidly improved through continued training and hard work. I think we should continue to improve our response in one-on-one situations. In terms of attack, I expect him to become an even better player if he can further improve the accuracy of his final crosses.
Q: Do you ever ask for foreign players that you want to emulate from coach Albert?
A, Usually, side backs have players with a lot of speed, but I think he is a special side back. He has a high level of balance and many elements, and his technique level is high, and he contributes a lot in attack. Because of this good balance, it is difficult to choose a player who is like a specific role model to aim for.
Q, I think it wouldn't be strange for Hotaka NAKAMURA to be selected for the Japan national team.
A player who surpasses Manabu NAKAMURA's defensive ability does not exist in Japan. In that sense, I think he can also compete at a world level. He has honed his technical skills to match his high defensive ability in order to maintain a balance in attack. He has also improved his accuracy in crossing in the finishing zone. I believe he has the potential to become a great player if he continues to level up in that aspect. In the early stages of last season, not only NAKAMURA but also Yoshifu NAKAMURA did not play in the games. I think there are important points to grow to a high level. These include mental strength, the ability to grow, and the ability to learn. Yuto NAGATOMO is now 36 years old, but who do you think is a better player, him at 34 or now? I think he is a better player now because he has the ability to grow. That's why I pay attention to how much each player has the ability to grow. In this world, there are many players who reach a certain level and do not grow any further. However, the players who have reached the great level all over the world are the ones who have the ability to continue growing every day. I think our playing style is one of the elements that encourages their growth. It is a style that requires each player to grow and continue to seek growth. Many players tend to play in fear, but they must take risks in order to play. Our style of play requires taking risks and playing with courage. And I think the player who has responded to that and grown is Manabu NAKAMURA.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming Nagoya match.
A, Nagoya coach Masaru HASEGAWA is leading the team with confidence as three high-quality players in the front line play. If we make small mistakes, the opponent will create decisive chances from there. We have multiple players out of action, but this is a situation that can happen in a long season. Great clubs can overcome these difficult times. We are currently going through a tough period, but we want to overcome it. As the season changes, the flow will change and the number of injured players will also change. The team that can accumulate points during this difficult time is truly a great team, and that is what we are aiming for. We have prepared well this week, so I am confident that we can have a good game tomorrow as well.
Q: What are the challenges based on the Yokohama FC match?
A, the press from the front line against Yokohama FC was good and led to a goal, so I am satisfied. We were able to create 11 scoring opportunities. In all games except for the Kyoto game, we have been able to create clear scoring opportunities more than 10 times per game. Throughout the game, I am not satisfied with the team's performance in the first half. There were multiple mistakes when building up from a low position, and we were not able to play as expected. In the second half, there were fewer mistakes overall, but we were not able to dominate the ball for a long time, so tomorrow we want to understand the need for the team to dominate the ball and approach the game with that in mind.
[Player Interview]
＜Yasuki KIMOTO＞ 
Q: Have you been able to contribute to the team in terms of stability, as you have continued to play from the beginning of the season?
A, I am playing in the game, but there are still things I need to do. I am not satisfied with my performance.
Q, Do you feel more determined to lead the team than last season, and are you conscious of it?
A, I am conscious of leading the team from the end of last season. This season, there was a game where I became the oldest player when Morishige was not there. In such situations, I have to have the awareness to firmly lead the team by speaking up. By doing so, my concentration and sense of responsibility will also come out, so I want to continue doing it.
Q: What impact will the victory against Yokohama FC in the previous match have on the team?
Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda also mentioned that in the first half, we were not able to play the kind of soccer we had envisioned. If it were last season, it would have been a game we would have lost. However, even though our performance was not great, our forwards were able to score and we were able to accumulate 3 points. I think it's great that we can enter the next match in a good state.
Q, Do you want to connect more from the back in terms of content?
In the match against A, Kyoto Sanga F.C., they came to defend from the front line, so we had little time to hold the ball and ended up kicking it forward easily. In the match against Yokohama FC, we had a high awareness of trying to connect the ball. We did lose the ball at times, but I think our awareness of connecting has been high in the past few matches.
Q, What is your impression of Nagoya Grampus this season?
A, the attacking power of the front three is amazing, but the defense centered around LANGERAK is also very good. I think it will be difficult to break down the opponent's defense if we are scored on first. In that sense, I think it will be a game of 1 or 2 points. I want to actively contribute to the attack while keeping the goals against at 0.
Q, this will be a match against Kensuke NAGAI, who I played with until midway through last season.
Player A, as well as players Kasper JUNKER and Mateus CASTRO, are players that we must pay attention to when we are attacking. They are opponents that we cannot let our guard down against for even a minute in the 90 minutes. I think the opponent will target our weak points, such as speed and response to runs behind. We must concentrate even more and continue to play.
Q, I think when you were in Tokyo, you were told by player Nagai to "speak more". I think you will be surprised to see how much you are talking now.
A, I want people to see my unusual appearance and my enjoying appearance.
Q, How much do you think has changed compared to last season?
A, I think I'm making a lot of noise. I think I'm able to show more of my character now that I'm getting used to the team.
Q, I think we were able to play well with young players in the Levain Cup.
A, I talk about it from practice, and I'm not the type of character that scares my juniors. I think I have a personality that is easy to talk to from any player. In that sense, I think I am getting along well with the members of the Levain Cup and moving in a good direction.
Q: Is it important to have possession of the ball in the Nagoya match?
A, just because we have the ball doesn't mean we can always have a good attack. In last season's Nagoya game, we were able to hold onto the ball, but we couldn't create good attacks. In this season's camp, we have been training on how to break down the enemy's defense while in possession of the ball. We want to see the results of that training.
Q, I heard that player Nakagawa said, "Let's fight as if it were the final round" towards the Yokohama FC match in the previous round. Did you have such a strong feeling?
A, it was a home game, and we had to avoid two consecutive losses after losing before that. We entered the game with a strong determination like in the final round and were able to score in a good way. I think we showed our passion. This season, we want to focus on each game and play with a conscious effort.
Q, Did it seem like Kimoto was also singing Yuruneva after the Yokohama FC match last week?
A, I was able to hear the fans and supporters singing for the first time in a good atmosphere. I don't remember all the lyrics, but I like listening to chants and I was studying them on YouTube. I think I was able to sing along a little. I feel like I'm starting to fit in with the team.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, How has it been since you were first selected for the Japan national team?
I was surprised to learn yesterday that I was selected for the Japan national team, but I am filled with excitement.
Q, I'm sure you received a lot of congratulatory messages from various people, right?
A, I received a lot of messages from the people who have supported me so far. I was really happy and I want them to watch me play. I feel even more strongly that I want to repay them.
Q, I have been able to come this far with the support of many people.
A, I have had many failures in my soccer career, but I have been supported by many people and have been able to come this far. Being selected for the Japan national team and making those people happy is the most joyful thing for me.
Q, Is your next goal to wear the Japan national team uniform and play an active role?
A, playing for the Japan national team has always been one of my goals. I think I am now closest to achieving that goal. However, I have only been selected, so I want to make a strong appeal through my training. I believe that players who can produce results will rise up. I want to work hard to achieve good results.
Q: This will be your first league match against Nagoya since being selected for the Japan national team. It will also be a match against your former coach Kenta HASEGAWA. How do you feel about it?
A, Coach Hasegawa is the coach who made me a professional. He is the most important person in my professional soccer career, as he helped me grow the most. As we face Nagoya under Coach Hasegawa's leadership, I want to win and show him how much I have grown.
Q: How about Kensuke NAGAI?
Player A, I am also very grateful to Nagai. I want to enter the game with a strong defense from Nagai and win without conceding any points.
Q: Please share your gratitude and enthusiasm for the future with the fans and supporters.
A, even after this announcement, I have received many messages and they have been a great source of strength for me. When I was in the academy, Kosuke OTA was called up to the Japan national team and he was someone I looked up to. This time, I have been called up to the national team for the first time, so I want to give my all and play in a way that will make the academy players look up to me. First and foremost, we will definitely win against Nagoya.
