<Match Preview>
In the recent J1 League Sec. 8, we lost 1-2 to Cerezo Osaka, suffering our first home defeat of the season. After conceding the opening goal, Ryoma WATANABE equalized with a magnificent volley, but we lost balance in defense towards the end of the match and conceded another goal. Given that we had a chance to take the lead, there are still issues to address in our game management. After the match, Yasuki KIMOTO stated, "Losing can lead to a loss of confidence and feelings of doubt. However, it is important to keep moving in one direction. We want to overcome this period together without wasting it."
In this match, we welcome Gamba Osaka at home for the advancement to the prime stage of the Levain Cup. In the previous match, Tokyo challenged Gamba Osaka with a young squad and suffered a complete defeat against a fully equipped opponent. After finishing 3 matches in the group stage, we are in a situation where we have 1 win and 2 losses and cannot afford to lose.
As we enter April, Tokyo has continued to go winless in four official matches, and we hope for the emergence of fresh players to energize the team. The focus is on Naoki KUMATA, who scored five goals in the U-20 Asian Cup this March and was crowned the tournament's top scorer. He aims to score and avenge the previous match while stopping Gamba Osaka, who are at the top of Group E.
The matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: What do you expect from Takuya AOKI in tomorrow's lineup, which will be centered around young players?
A: As I always say, for me, the Levain Cup is an opportunity to give players who haven't had much playing time in the league a chance to gain experience. By integrating experienced players with a lineup primarily composed of young players, we aim to promote growth while competing. Of course, we expect the experienced Matsuki to help unify the team, but since he has been away from the field for a long time, it is important for him to first regain his match sense. He will need a bit more time to restore his match awareness and the precision of his ball touches, rather than just his physical condition. I believe tomorrow's match will be an important one for him as well.
Q: With young attackers gathered in the front line, will it become difficult to be included in the league squad if we do not deepen our common understanding of defense?
A, young players must learn more individually. Each player has different challenges. Some players need to deepen their understanding of defense, while others need to learn about the attacking aspect. Based on the challenges and situations of each young player, it is my job to promote and control their growth by sometimes giving them opportunities to play in matches and sometimes having them wait for their chances. Many of the young players have been training as members of the academy on the artificial turf pitch next to our practice ground. It is also my job to support players who have just been promoted to the top team to adapt successfully. In official matches, if a young player makes a significant mistake, there is a risk that their potential may be lost. I hope such things do not happen. I have gained a lot of experience so far. I want to give back that experience to Tokyo and promote the growth of young players. For example, there are players like Kuryu MATSUKI, who grow with a sense of speed. However, not everyone is like that.
Q, Soma ANZAI has also joined the practice.
A, I am attracted to the way he plays with confidence. I have only been able to observe his play for a few days, but I recognize that he has technique and is at a high level.
Q: The group stage of the Levain Cup has reached its halfway point. How do you feel about the battles so far, the growth of the young players, and the upcoming challenges?
In the away match against Gamba Osaka, especially in the first 45 minutes, it was the worst performance of the season so far. Some may think that when the team cannot express good play, it is because the young players are not showing good performance, but the young players are fighting hard. To properly encourage their growth, we have integrated them with experienced players and have fought through the last three matches. The matches against Cerezo Osaka and Kyoto SANGA F.C. were of good quality. Regarding Cerezo Osaka, although we lost, the performance was not necessarily poor. The match against Kyoto saw many goals scored, resulting in a good game in terms of both outcome and content. In the third match against Gamba Osaka, nothing went well. For this match, we aimed to correct the poor performance from the first half in the second half by actively utilizing the young players, which strengthened their awareness to play more boldly. As a result, we conceded additional goals in the final stages, but I appreciate their play.
Given the above, it is necessary to integrate young players with veteran players. Of course, I believe that the fans and supporters want us to win matches and capture titles. On the other hand, I think that creating opportunities for the growth of young players, and such an environment, is what the Levain Cup represents. This season, many young players have joined the top team. It is very difficult for them to grow solely through daily training. I fully understand that we are expected to advance past the group stage of the Levain Cup and achieve victories, and that I bear responsibility when results do not follow. However, as I have mentioned many times, my belief in providing a space for the growth of young players remains unchanged. The club is also in a situation where we must gradually proceed with generational change. Therefore, I believe even more strongly that it is valuable to promote the growth of young players. I look forward to seeing young players thrive as key members of the team in the not-so-distant future. Who will grow in that way? To achieve that, we need to provide opportunities. I believe that growth can only be gained through playing in official matches.
Q: Kanta DOI has also joined the practice.
A, it has only been a short time since he joined the team, and he has only been able to practice with the club for a few days as a professional player. Last season, he suffered a serious injury, so it feels like he has just joined the team as if he is starting the preseason. However, he is a young player, so I believe he will adapt to the team quickly. Since he has just returned from a major injury, I think he will need a little more time before he can participate in matches.
[Player Interview]
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: If given the chance, what kind of play would you like to show?
If given the opportunity to play, I want to take a high position during attacks and sometimes change positions between the inside and outside, playing with many options. There are many skilled players in Tokyo's midfield, so how to engage and create rhythm is important. Regarding defense, I believe that an aggressive approach, including high pressing, is required, so I want to fully demonstrate my strengths.
Q: I believe there is joy in being able to play at Ajinomoto as a player from the academy.
I truly feel honored to be able to debut at Ajinomoto Stadium. After going through high school and university, I am happy to be able to play in front of the fans and supporters in Tokyo. Tomorrow, I want to actively showcase my strengths.
Q: What kind of image do you have when approaching the match?
I want to show my strong points while also demonstrating my fighting spirit. More than anyone else, I want to display my aggressiveness in challenging for the ball, my determination to run until the end, and my fighting spirit.
Q: Since you have participated in practice after your contract was tentatively confirmed, how do you feel now?
A: About a week has passed since the announcement of my tentative contract, and things are progressing faster than I had anticipated. If given the chance, I have a strong desire to give it my all. My determination for the matches is stronger than anyone else's.
Q, please send a message to the fans and supporters.
If I can stand on the pitch, I want to show the fans and supporters how I have grown since my middle school days playing for FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa. The team is going through a tough time, but I will do my best to deliver victories. Thank you for your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q: How is your current condition?
A, I think my physical condition is good, and I have been able to maintain a good state for a long time, so I don't have much anxiety about that.
Q: With the U-22 Japan national team having a European expedition, there have been limited opportunities to participate in league matches. How do you perceive the current situation?
There was only one match where I was included in the J1 league squad, and that was when we played with three at the back, so I was only on the bench because three center-backs played in the match. It's frustrating that I haven't been able to get involved well up to this point, and I do have the feeling of wanting to be used. However, I didn't score when I was given the chance in the Levain Cup matches against Cerezo Osaka and Gamba Osaka, and we lost due to conceding goals. I think it's difficult for the coach to use players who aren't producing results, and in that regard, it's my shortcoming, or rather, it's my problem for not being able to deliver results. The match against Gamba Osaka on Wednesday is a revenge match, and I believe that leaving a solid result there is a must for being involved in the league. I also have a sense of crisis regarding the lack of results, so I need to address that.
Q: As a defender, the team's condition and the quality of coordination affect the results, so there are aspects that cannot be changed by one person's efforts, right? Do you sometimes feel like you can do more as an individual?
Yes, of course. Unlike the league matches, the Levain Cup features many young players, and not all players have experience, so there aren't as many situations where combinations work as smoothly or where each player can think and defend effectively. As a center-back, I need to communicate and move those around me from the back, including that aspect. It's my role, as well as the role of the entire team, to make it easier to defend, so there's no point in being dissatisfied with that; it's something I have to do, and I think I need to work hard on it.
Q: After a loan transfer with three teams, you returned to FC Tokyo last summer. It's been a little while since then, but do you feel any changes in yourself or the team?
A, since Kenta HASEGAWA (former coach) was in charge, we have been kicking less, and there is an image of wanting to connect somehow. The coach has been saying that we want to take care of the ball, and the players' awareness in this regard has improved. I think that is the biggest change.
Q: How is your adaptation to the connecting style of football as an individual player, Kimura?
A, I am not originally a skilled player (with passing), so playing a kicking style of football is easier for me, and even if I lose the ball, I can just focus on defense. Trying to connect plays increases the risk and is difficult, but if I can do that, I believe I can adapt to any team, and it will significantly contribute to my personal growth. In that sense, being able to challenge myself with Tokyo's new style is a very positive aspect.
Q: You have played under three coaches during your loan spells at Kyoto SANGA F.C., SC Sagamihara, and Montedio Yamagata. Has that experience increased your range of play?
A, I don't think much has changed (laughs). Of course, each team has its own character, but if you ask whether anything has dramatically changed, not really... The team that played the most matches was Sagamihara, and during that time, I gained confidence outside of soccer. When I was in Yamagata, I played a little at the beginning of the season, but then I hardly played at all. However, because I gained confidence in Sagamihara, I developed a rebellious spirit, or rather, a feeling of 'why aren't they using me?' So, the biggest change has been that I've become more confident. Coming back to Tokyo, I feel like my footwork has improved a bit, and I can see my surroundings better now.
Q: Defense is also an important position where confidence matters.
I think the attacking players have it tougher physically, but the players in the back are always under mental pressure, so I believe it is quite significant that they have gained confidence.
Q: Recently, I've often heard that "Kimura's condition is good," and I've heard that he played well during the European tour. I believe the fans and supporters are eager to see him play in the league matches soon. What kind of play do you want the fans and supporters in Tokyo to see?
A, I have been saying this all along, but our strength lies in our high physical abilities, so I want everyone to see us competing in that aspect the most. Also, we have been working on the build-up during practice, and we should be able to do it better than before, so that is something we need to implement in the league matches, and I want you to see us challenging ourselves.
Q: Finally, please share your enthusiasm for the match against Gamba Osaka.
A, we lost 0-3 last time, and we were quite overwhelmed in terms of performance, so there are many points for reflection. However, I don't think we are lacking in individual abilities, and if we improve on each point of reflection, I believe we can defeat them. This time, I want to keep a clean sheet and score properly to win. I am also aiming to score from set pieces, so I hope I can contribute to the victory effectively.
