<Match Preview>
In the most recent J1 League Sec. 8 match, we suffered a 1-2 defeat against Cerezo Osaka, marking our first home loss of the season. After conceding the first goal, we equalized with a beautiful volley from Ryoma WATANABE, but later on in the game, we lost our defensive balance and conceded another goal. We had chances to take the lead, so there are still areas for improvement in our game management. After the match, Yasuki KIMOTO said, "Losing can make us lose confidence and have doubts, but it's important to stay focused on one direction. We want to overcome this period together without wasting any time."
This round, we will welcome Gamba Osaka to our home stadium as we aim to advance to the Prime Stage of the Levain Cup. In the previous round, Tokyo faced Gamba Osaka with a team mainly composed of young players and suffered a complete defeat against a team with their key players. After finishing three matches in the group stage, we are in a situation where we cannot afford to lose with one win and two losses.
As Tokyo has not won any of their 4 official matches in April, they are hoping for the emergence of fresh players to boost the team. One player to watch is Naoki KUMATA, who scored 5 goals and was crowned top scorer in the U-20 Asian Cup in March. He will be aiming to avenge the previous match and stop Gamba Osaka, who are currently leading Group E, with a goal.
Matchday Program here
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, What do you expect from Takuya AOKI in tomorrow's team composition, which will be centered around young players?
A, As I always say, for me the Levain Cup is a chance to give playing time to players who haven't had much opportunity in the league, and to gain experience. By incorporating experienced players into a team mainly composed of young players, our aim is to promote growth while competing. Of course, we expect experienced player Takuya AOKI to lead the team, but since he has been out of the game for a long time, it is important for him to regain his game sense first. It will take a little more time for him to regain his game sense and ball control accuracy, rather than his physical condition. I think tomorrow's game will be an important one for him as well.
Q, Will it be difficult to make it into the league team with a young attacker in the front line if we do not deepen our understanding of defense?
A, Young players must continue to learn individually. Each player has different challenges. Some players need to deepen their understanding of defense, while others need to learn on the attacking side. It is my job to control their growth by considering each young player's challenges and situation, sometimes by giving them playing time and sometimes by waiting for opportunities. Many of these young players have trained as academy members on the artificial turf pitch next to our training ground. It is also my job to support newly promoted players in applying their skills effectively. In official matches, if a young player makes a big mistake, there is a risk of losing their potential for the future. I do not want such a thing to happen. I myself have gained a lot of experience. I want to give back that experience to Tokyo and promote the growth of young players. For example, there may be 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.
I am attracted to his confident playing style. Although I have only been able to confirm his playing for a few days, I recognize that he has great technique and a high level of skill.
Q, The Levain Cup group stage is also at the halfway point. How do you feel about the battles so far, the growth of young players, and the upcoming battles?
In the away match against Gamba Osaka, especially in the first half of the 45 minutes, it was the worst performance of the season so far. Some may think that when the team is unable to express good plays, it is because the young players are not able to show good plays, but the young players are fighting hard. In order to encourage their growth, we have integrated experienced players and have played the last three matches. The matches against Cerezo Osaka and Kyoto Sanga F.C. were good performances. Although we lost to Cerezo Osaka, it was not because of a bad performance. The match against Kyoto had many goals and was a good game in terms of both performance and results. However, in the third match against Gamba Osaka, nothing went well. In this match, we tried to make adjustments from the bad performance in the first half and actively used young players, which made them more conscious of playing more boldly. As a result, we gave away additional points in the end, but we still value their performance.
Based on the above, it is necessary to have a fusion of young players and veteran players. Of course, I believe that the fans and supporters want to win the game and win the title. On the other hand, I believe that creating opportunities to promote the growth of young players and providing such an environment is what the Levain Cup is all about. This season, many young players have joined the top team. It is very difficult for them to grow just by daily training. I understand fully that I am responsible when we do not advance to the group stage of the Levain Cup and when we do not achieve victory. However, as I have mentioned many times, my belief in providing a place for the growth of young players has not changed. As a club, we must gradually move towards a generational change. In that case, I believe it is even more valuable to promote the growth of young players. I am looking forward to seeing which players will grow into the core players of the team in the near future. In order for that to happen, we need to give them opportunities. I believe that the growth that can only be obtained by playing in official matches is important.
Q, Kanta DOI has also joined the practice.
A, it's only been a short time since I joined the club as a professional player, and I've only been able to join the practice for a few days. Last season, I suffered a major injury, so for him, it's still like joining the team at the start of the preseason. However, he is a young player, so I think he will quickly adapt to the team. He has just returned from a major injury, so I think it will take some time before he can play in a game.
[Player Interview]
＜Soma ANZAI＞
Q, What kind of play do you want to show if given the chance?
A, If I have the opportunity to play, I want to have many options such as taking a high position during attacks and changing positions between the center and the outside. There are many skilled players in Tokyo's midfield, so it is important to think about how to get involved and create a rhythm. As for defense, I think aggressiveness, including high pressing, is required, so I want to fully demonstrate my strengths.
Q, I think there is joy in being able to play at Ajinomoto as an academy-trained player.
If I could debut at Ajinomoto Stadium, I would be truly honored. After going through high school and college, I am happy to be able to play in front of Tokyo fans and supporters. Tomorrow, I want to actively show my strengths.
Q, What kind of image do you have when you approach the game?
A, I want to show my strong points and at the same time, show my fighting spirit first and foremost. I want to show my aggressiveness in winning the ball, my determination to run until the end, and my fighting spirit more than anyone else.
Q, What is your current state of mind after participating in practice since your acceptance of the offer?
A, It has been about a week since the announcement of my acceptance, and things are moving faster than I expected. I have a strong desire to give my all if given the chance. My determination to win is stronger than anyone else's.
Q, Please give a message to all fans and supporters.
If I could stand on the pitch, I would like to show the growth from my junior high school days when I played for FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa to the fans and supporters on the pitch. We are going through a tough time as a team, but I will do my best to deliver a victory. Thank you for your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, how is your current condition?
A, his physical agility is also good, and I think he can continue in a good state for a long time, so I don't have much concern about that.
Q, There is also a European expedition for the U-22 Japan national team, so it is a situation where there are not many opportunities to play in the league, but how do you feel about the current situation?
I have only been on the bench for one game in the A, J1 League, and that was when we played with a back three and three center backs were playing. It's frustrating that I haven't been able to contribute much so far, and while I do have the desire to be used more, I haven't been able to score when given the chance in the Levain Cup against Cerezo Osaka and Gamba Osaka, and we have been conceding goals and losing... As a coach, it's difficult to use players who aren't producing results, and in that sense, it's my own fault for not being able to deliver results. The match against Gamba Osaka on Wednesday is a chance for revenge, and I believe it's a must to get a good result in order to contribute to the league. I also feel a sense of crisis for not producing results, so I have to keep working hard.
Q, As a defender, does the team's condition and coordination affect the results, so there are some parts that cannot be done by one person's effort? As an individual, do you sometimes feel like "I could do more"?
A, of course. Unlike the league games, many young players participate in the Levain Cup, and it is not just experienced players, so there are not many scenes where combinations are well established like in the league games, and each player thinks and defends. As a center back, I have to call out from the back and move the players around. It is the role of the back players to make it easy for the team to defend, so it is meaningless to have complaints about it, and it is something that I have to do, so I have to do my best.
Q, After experiencing a temporary transfer with 3 teams, you returned to FC Tokyo last summer. It's been a while since then, but have you noticed any changes in yourself or the team?
A, Kenta HASEGAWA (former coach) doesn't kick as much as he used to, and I have an image of wanting to connect somehow. The coach always says that he wants to cherish the ball, and the players are also more conscious of it. I think that's the biggest change.
Q, How do you feel about adapting to the connecting soccer as an individual player, Kimura?
A, I am not originally a skilled player (in passing), so playing a kicking style is easier and if the ball is taken, I can just focus on defense. Trying to connect increases the risk and is difficult, but if I can do that, I think I can adapt to any team and it will greatly contribute to my personal growth. In that sense, being able to challenge with Tokyo's new style is a huge positive.
Q, have you played soccer under three coaches, Kyoto Sanga F.C., SC Sagamihara, and Montedio Yamagata, on a temporary transfer? Have you gained more experience and expanded your playing skills through those experiences?
A, I don't think it has changed much (laughs). Of course, each team has its own color, but even if you ask if there was something dramatically different, not really... The team I played the most for was Sagamihara, but at that time, I gained confidence in something other than soccer. When I was in Yamagata, I played a little at the beginning of the season, but then I didn't play at all. However, after gaining confidence in Sagamihara, I was able to have a rebellious spirit or a feeling of "why aren't you using me?" So the biggest change was being able to have confidence. I think coming back to Tokyo, my footwork has improved a little and I can see things around me better.
Q, Defense is also an important position where confidence is key.
A, I think the attacking players are physically tougher, but the players in the back are constantly under mental pressure, so it's a big deal for them to gain confidence.
Q, Recently, I often hear that "Kimura's condition is good" and I heard that he played well especially during the European expedition. I think fans and supporters also want to see him play in the league as soon as possible. What kind of play do you want Tokyo fans and supporters to see?
A, I've been saying this all along, but our high physical abilities are our selling point, so I want people to pay attention to that aspect. Also, the build-up part that we've been working on in practice should be better compared to before, so I want people to see us challenging that in the league matches.
Q, Please give us your enthusiasm for the Gamba Osaka match.
A, we lost 0-3 last time and were completely torn apart, so there are a lot of things we need to reflect on. However, I don't think we lost because of individual abilities, and I believe that if we improve on each reflection point, we can beat them. This time, we want to keep them from scoring and score points ourselves to win. Personally, I am also aiming to score from set pieces, so I hope I can contribute to a victory.
