<Match Preview>
Kawasaki Frontale won the "Tama River Clasico" against Kashima Antlers with a score of 2-1 at the Japan National Stadium, ending their losing streak at 2 games. In the following away game, Diego OLIVEIRA scored a penalty kick he earned himself, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Kashima Antlers who have been on a 5-game winning streak without conceding a goal. It was a performance that showed the team's improving form.
However, Keigo HIGASHI reflected on the Kashima game, saying, "We couldn't make it to the point of turning the game around," and emphasized the frustration of not being able to win. "It was good that we were able to recover without getting nervous even after conceding a goal. However, if we don't keep winning and getting 3 points, we won't be able to climb up the standings," he said, tightening his determination towards a high goal.
This round, Tokyo will face Cerezo Osaka in the remaining two matches of the Levain Cup group stage. It is an important match to secure a victory and advance to the Prime Stage, in order to provide more opportunities for young players to grow.
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." In order to give Tokyo an even stronger tailwind, we hope to see the dynamic play and victories of these fresh players.
Matchday Program here
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, Tomorrow's match against Cerezo Osaka, which comes three days after the Kashima Antlers match, are you considering using young players?
I want to continue giving opportunities to young players, but I think the match against Cerezo Osaka this round is an important game for advancing to the Prime Stage. I want to carefully select the members and recognize that it is an important game. In the group stage of the Levain Cup so far, we have accumulated 3 points at home. I want to win this match and keep the possibility of advancing to the Prime Stage in the final round. After tomorrow's match, we have a league match against Vissel Kobe in 2 days. It's a tight schedule, but I want to win both matches.
Q, this season, there have been no victories for Cerezo Osaka, including in the league matches. Can you tell us about your impressions from the two matches you played against them?
In the Levain Cup matches, we showed plays worthy of victory, but in the league matches, although the injured players returned and the team was heading towards improvement, the impression was that they were not in perfect condition.
Q, we have high expectations for new goal scorers like Diego OLIVEIRA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA.
Player PEROTTI is a player who excels at playing in the box. In the match against Kashima, we used Koki TSUKAGAWA as a forward who can make runs into space.
Q, Kuryu Matsuki, who was selected for the Japan national team U-20, has already produced results. Please tell us about his upgraded play since last season.
A, Matsuki has already possessed what is necessary to succeed in the professional world. The first is a high learning ability, the second is the ability to fight, and the third is a strong mentality towards victory. With these two qualities, Matsuki will continue to grow in the future. The reason why he was given the chance to start in the opening game of last season was because we could feel his mental strength from his eyes. Without a doubt, from the opening game of last season until today, he has continued to grow.
It's not surprising for coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA that he scored in the group stage of the U-20 World Cup.
A, there is no surprise, but I believe that he himself needs further improvement and growth from here. However, I think that his daily training to level up has manifested in this way.
[Player Interview]
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, How is your current condition since returning from injury in the Japan national team match in March?
A, gradually rising. However, after returning from injury, there were a couple of times when my condition deteriorated and it became a messy return. Since then, I have been gradually increasing while training, so I think I am getting better.
Q, Please review the season so far. This is the 4th season since being promoted to the top team, but the scenery seems to be different from the previous 3 seasons, don't you think?
A, it was the first time for me to participate in the opening game, and I was able to play as a starter. I was also selected for the Japan national team for the first time, and it was a completely different start compared to the previous 3 seasons.
Q, Have you felt the impact of participating in the Japan national team and are you able to see the results little by little?
A, Honestly, I still have a long way to go. Since returning, I haven't been able to play to my satisfaction, so before thinking about the national team, I'm working hard to be able to express my play better.
Q, Do you have any ideas about how to improve your play or how to appeal more here? Do you have any thoughts about your own play?
A, I want to be more involved in scoring on the attacking side. In particular, I have made it a clear goal for this season to have tangible results in terms of numbers. Since I have not scored or assisted yet, I want to focus on achieving clear results in terms of numbers and I feel like I have to do it.
Q, I feel like I have to become a key player as I gain various experiences.
ARather than being the center, I have been supporting the players around me as a young player. However, from this season, I don't consider myself young anymore, so I have to be prepared to lead the team and play at that level. That's how I am approaching this season.
Q, Do you have the consciousness of "breaking the shell" by dyeing your hair from this season?
A, it's not that I don't have that awareness. I just thought I'd like to dye it once in my life (laughs). I was planning to dye it before the last match of last season against Kawasaki Frontale, but I couldn't play due to accumulated warnings. When I dyed it, I felt refreshed and thought I'd continue with this new hairstyle for the new season.
Q, in the last two games, we have won the "Tama River Clasico" and also earned 1 point in a tough battle against Kashima Antlers in the previous match. Was winning the Tama River Clasico a big deal for the team?
A,I think we were able to switch to a good direction as a team by winning on the big stage of the Clasico, even though we haven't had good results lately.
Q, I think it was a big deal to have such passionate fans and supporters in front of us, and it really helped us get into the game.
A, I think there are also those things. In the games leading up to the Kawasaki match, there were areas where we lost in terms of ball control and mentality, so I think the Kawasaki match was a game where we were able to fix those things.
Q, if we can beat Cerezo Osaka this round, we will be one step closer to advancing to the prime stage of the Levain Cup. Please give us your renewed enthusiasm.
A, In terms of winning in the Levain Cup and also in terms of the team getting on a good flow, it will be a very important match, so if there is a chance to participate, I want to focus on winning first. I think the most important thing is the mindset, so I want to make sure we don't lose there and fight as a team with a focus on victory rather than settling for a draw.
<PEROTTI>
Q, It's been a little while since your last appearance against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. How do you feel about your performance and current condition for the Sapporo match?
A, the Sapporo match was not good for both the team and myself, and Sapporo seemed to be playing with confidence. There are things to learn from past defeats, but now I am switching my focus to the Cerezo Osaka match. We have been training well since the last Sapporo match and our condition is also good.
Q, Please tell us what you are conscious of when playing in the front line position.
As a forward, I am always conscious of my movements to score goals, but the most important thing for me is to be aware of plays that will lead to the team's victory. For example, contributing to the team by running and actively defending from the front line are also important, not just scoring goals. Within that, whether I score the goal myself or another player does, it doesn't matter. 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 twice in the league. How do you want to contribute to the team with your play?
As Coach Albert also mentioned before today's practice, the match against Cerezo Osaka is a crucial one that we cannot afford to lose in order to advance to the Prime Stage. In order to achieve a good result, we want to approach the game with full concentration from the start.
Q, Please tell us your strong points again.
A, I want you to see the accuracy as a finisher, such as movement in the box and mid-range 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 give us your enthusiasm at the end.
A, the Kyoto match was a very good game. I think we were able to have a good fight as a team and as individuals. Preparation is very important for not only the upcoming Cerezo Osaka match, but also for any game. We want to work hard as a team and have a good game where we can share the joy with our fans and supporters.
