Match Preview
After winning the "Tamagawa Classico" against Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 at the Japan National Stadium, we stopped our losing streak at two. In the following away match against Kashima Antlers, Diego OLIVEIRA scored a penalty he earned himself, resulting in a 1-1 draw against an opponent that had five consecutive clean sheet victories. The performance suggested that the team's condition is improving.
However, Keigo HIGASHI reflected after the match against Kashima, saying, "We couldn't reach the point of a comeback," emphasizing his frustration at not winning. "It was good that we were able to recover without getting nervous after conceding a goal. However, we need to somehow secure 3 points and continue our winning streak; otherwise, we won't be able to rise higher in the standings," he is tightening his resolve towards high goals.
In this round, Tokyo will face Cerezo Osaka in the Levain Cup group stage, with only 2 matches remaining. This is a crucial match where a victory is desired to increase opportunities for the development of young players and advance to the prime stage.
One of the young players expected to make a leap, Soma ANZAI has vowed to become a player who can lead the team to victory on both offense and defense. To further propel Tokyo, which is riding a wave of success, we hope to see the dynamic performances and victories of these fresh players.
The matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: Tomorrow's match against Cerezo Osaka comes just three days after the match against Kashima Antlers. Are you considering using young players?
I want to continue giving opportunities to young players, but I believe that this match against Cerezo Osaka is an important one for advancing to the Prime Stage. I want to recognize that this is an important game and select the members accordingly. So far in the group stage of the Levain Cup, we have accumulated 3 points at home. I want to win this match as well and keep the possibility of advancing to the Prime Stage for the final match. After tomorrow's game, we have the league match against Vissel Kobe in two days. It's a tight schedule, but I want to win both matches.
Q: This season, Cerezo Osaka has not won any matches, including league games. Please share your impressions from the two matches played against them.
In the Levain Cup match, they showed play worthy of victory, but in the league matches, while the injured players returned and the team was improving, it seemed they were not in perfect condition.
Q, there are expectations for new goal scorers like Diego OLIVEIRA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA to emerge.
A, PEROTTI is a player who excels in play within the box. In the match against Kashima, Koki TSUKAGAWA was utilized as a forward player who can make runs into space.
Q: Kuryu MATSUKI, who was selected for the U-20 Japan national team, has already made an impact. Please tell us about his upgraded play since last season.
A, Matsuki already possesses the qualities necessary to succeed in the professional world. The first is a high capacity for learning, and the second is the ability to fight and a strong mentality towards victory. With these two qualities, Matsuki will undoubtedly continue to grow in the future. The reason he was given the opportunity to start from the opening match of last season was because I could strongly sense his mental strength. Without a doubt, he has continued to grow from the opening match of last season to today.
Q, it is not surprising to Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA that goals were scored in the group stage of the U-20 World Cup.
A, there is absolutely no surprise, but I believe he himself thinks that further improvement and growth are necessary from here. However, I think what he has been accumulating in daily training for leveling up has manifested in this way.
[Player Interview]
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: How is your condition after returning from injury in the Japan national team match in March?
A, I have been gradually improving. However, at the timing of my return from injury, I experienced a couple of setbacks in my condition and had a rather tumultuous return. Since then, I have been gradually increasing my training, so I feel like I am getting better.
Q: Please reflect on this season so far. It is your fourth season since being promoted to the top team, and you must be seeing a different perspective compared to the previous three seasons.
A, it was the first time I participated in the opening match, so being able to play as a starter,I was also selected for the Japan national team for the first time, and I think it has been a completely different start compared to the last3 seasons.
Q: You mentioned that participating in the Japan national team was a great inspiration. Do you feel that you are gradually seeing the results of that experience?
AHonestly, I still have a long way to go. Since my return, I haven't been able to play to my satisfaction, so before thinking about the national team, I am currently working hard to express my play better.
Q: Do you have an image of what kind of play you want to develop further or what aspects you want to promote more regarding your own play?
A, I want to be more involved in scoring from the offensive side. In particular, achieving clear results in terms of numbers has become a clear challenge for this season. Since I have not yet scored or assisted, I want to focus on achieving clear numerical results, and I believe I must do so.
Q: I feel that as I gain various experiences, I am becoming aware that I need to take on the role of a key player.
A, rather than being at the center, I have been supported by the surrounding players as a young player until now. However, starting this season, I feel that I am no longer young, so I am determined to play in a way that leads the team.
Q: Is the fact that you have been dyeing your hair this season also a reflection of your intention to "break out of your shell"?
A, it's not that I don't have that awareness. However, I think I would like to dye my hair at least once in my life (laughs). I was planning to dye it before the final match against Kawasaki Frontale last season, but I ended up not being able to play due to accumulated warnings. When I dyed it, I felt refreshed, so I've been thinking about continuing with this new hairstyle for the new season.
Q: In the last two matches, we won the 'Tamagawa Classico' and also managed to secure 1 point in a tough battle against Kashima Antlers in the previous match. Was winning the Tamagawa Classico significant for the team?
A,I think that being able to win on the big stage of the Clasico, despite not getting results for a while, has allowed the team to switch to a better direction.
Q: Wasn't it significant to have your feelings invested in the match in front of so many fans and supporters?
A, I think that is also true. In the matches leading up to the Kawasaki game, there were moments where we lost in terms of ball contests and mentality, so I believe the Kawasaki game was where we were able to correct those aspects.
Q: If we win against Cerezo Osaka this round, we will be significantly closer to advancing to the prime stage of the Levain Cup. Please share your enthusiasm once again.
A, this match is extremely important both in terms of advancing in the Levain Cup and for the team to gain good momentum moving forward. If there is a chance to participate, I want to focus on winning first. I believe the mental aspect is the most important, so I want to ensure we don't lose in that regard, and instead of settling for a draw, I want us to fight as a team with a focus on victory.
<PEROTTI>
Q、It has been a while since the last match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, how do you feel about your performance in that match and your current condition?
In the match against Sapporo, both as a team and personally, I did not perform well, and the opposing team, Sapporo, seemed to play with confidence. There are lessons to be learned from past defeats, but right now I am focusing on the upcoming match against Cerezo Osaka. Since the last match against Sapporo, I have been training well and my condition is good.
Q, Please tell us what you are conscious of when playing in the front line.
As a forward, I am always conscious of the movements needed to score goals, but the most important thing I think about is playing in a way that leads to the team's victory. To put it another way, contributing through actions such as running for the team and actively defending from the front line is also important, even if it doesn't directly lead to scoring. In that context, whether I score a goal or another player does is irrelevant; I believe that if I give my all for the team's victory, the results will naturally follow.
Q、This season, Cerezo Osaka has lost 2 matches including league matches. How do you want to contribute with your play?
A, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also mentioned before today's practice that the match against Cerezo Osaka is a crucial game that we cannot afford to lose in order to advance to the prime stage. To achieve a good result, we want to approach the match with strong focus from the very beginning.
Q、Please tell us again about your strong points.
I want you to see the precision as a finisher, such as movements in the box and middle shots from outside the area.
Q、We are looking forward to goals like the one in the Levain Cup Sec. 2 match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. Please share your enthusiasm.
The match against Kyoto was a very good game. I believe we fought well as a team and as individuals overall. Preparation for the matches, not just tomorrow's match against Cerezo Osaka, is very important. We want to work hard as a team and create a good game that we can share joy with our fans and supporters.
