<Last Match Review: Vissel Kobe>
The achievement of a great record that will go down in J-League history could have been overshadowed by the end of the first half.
The match against the top-ranked Vissel Kobe was a smooth start despite being an away game. It can be said that Tokyo had a better start. They did not fall behind the opponent in intensity at the ball and showed a strong desire to push forward and score.
However, if mistakes continue during the build-up, the control of the game will be handed over to the opponent. Once they get on a roll, it is a difficult task to stop the momentum of the top team. After conceding the first goal, they continued to concede goals in quick succession towards the end of the first half as they tried to get back on track. They returned to the locker room with a 3-point deficit.
How to turn things around. The reasoning behind it was more passion than logic.
No matter how much we discuss tactics, nothing will change if we don't have the fighting spirit. The captain, who achieved the great record of playing in 450 J-League games, embodies this on the field. He throws himself into challenges to block the opponent's long balls, carries the ball forward to push the team up, and then sets up a pass from the middle range to reignite the team's desire to score.
The two goals that caught up were from penalty kicks, but without a strong determination to catch up and turn the game around, we wouldn't have even had the opportunity.
"We were able to show our strength in the second half, but there were also moments where we wondered why we couldn't do it from the first half."
After the match, the tone of Masato MORISHIGE, who spoke about the team's current situation, was harsh, but his passion was still burning. For the full 90 minutes from kick-off to the final whistle, he continued to surpass the opponent with his passion for victory. Returning home to face a top team in a big match, we can expect the blue and red warriors to be inspired by the fire of passion lit by the captain.
<Match Preview>
Vissel Kobe lost 2-3 to away and suffered their first defeat in three league games. After the match, Takuya AOKI, who tightened the midfield after coming on as a substitute, pointed out the defensive challenge of conceding consecutive goals in a bad flow. In the second half, when Tokyo showed their determination and narrowed the gap to one point with two PKs, AOKI looked back and said, "It was a goal we took with our hearts, but we want to be able to score with our own will in the future." The match against the top-ranked Kobe was a game where both attack and defense faced areas for improvement.
The Yokohama F.Marinos match this week will be a game that will test how well they have fixed their issues since the Kobe match. The reigning champions from last season have been earning points with their attacking style of soccer this season as well, placing them in second in the league. Tokyo will need to maintain their focus and actively take control of the game.
Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who played for Yokohama FM until last season, is putting strong feelings into this match. Before facing his former team, NAKAGAWA declared, "Of course we're going for the win." He also stated, "I want to play clean and intense and challenge for victory for Tokyo."
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming Yokohama F.Marinos match this week.
Among the J1 League clubs, I believe that Yokohama FM is the highest quality. They have many high-quality players and they have been playing with the same style for 4-5 seasons, giving the impression of continuity. That's why I know how difficult it is to play against Yokohama FM. They play with speed, dominate in the midfield, and make moves. They entrust the ball to their high-quality wing players and aim for the goal. Against such opponents, we must show a fighting attitude and express our attacking play by controlling the ball. We want to move the ball and aim for the goal aggressively and boldly. I feel that we have had a very fulfilling and good training this week. I am looking forward to a good game tomorrow. In a close game, small events can greatly influence the flow of the game. I think it's possible that one team will score the first goal and the flow of the game will change drastically in one play.
Q, What kind of instructions did coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA give to the players during the match regarding their ability to make adjustments?
In the match against Vissel Kobe in the previous round, the first goal we conceded was a big psychological blow for us. In other words, we must not overthink the tactical aspect. If we can score in a good way, it will give us confidence and lead to even better plays. Of course, the opposite can also happen. I think there was such a negative flow in the Kobe match. Therefore, it is important to regain confidence and play. I believe that playing with confidence also leads to reducing mistakes. We must not be afraid of making mistakes. Even if a mistake occurs, it is important to not fall apart, stand up, and continue playing. Perhaps there is some relevance to the Japanese culture and values that fear making mistakes.
Is it safe to say that you conveyed the message of playing calmly without fear of mistakes?
A, Each player emphasizes playing with confidence. It is important for players to have confidence in their own play, and mistakes in soccer are just a small part. Therefore, instead of thinking that making mistakes is bad, it is important to show how to act and play after making a mistake.
Q, the impression is that the results are greatly influenced by the games where we took the lead and the games where we gave up the lead.
I think this applies to any club in the J1 League. However, we have a strong impression that this tendency is particularly strong. We understand that in the J1 League, the team that scores the first goal has a higher winning percentage, and as I mentioned earlier, scoring first has a positive impact on the team. From the perspective of a winning mentality, Teruhito NAKAGAWA is having a positive impact on the team. This is because he is a player who has experienced winning championships.
Q, What kind of words did you say to Matsuki Kuryu and Naoki Kumata after finishing their representative activities?
A, I talked a little bit. As a member of the national team, I think it is very difficult to fight for the country. In order to achieve good results, I told them that they need to level up even more from here. As for tactics and individual techniques, I don't think there is a big difference compared to players from other countries, but I felt a difference in the mental aspect. This is something I have been telling the players since I came to Japan. I believe that having a strong mentality allows us to play at a high level.
Q, What was the reaction to the encouragement?
A, We received a sense of dissatisfaction with the results this time. Experiences like this are very important. I hope we can analyze, improve, and connect to the next game or tournament.
[Player Interview]
Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Q, please tell us about your current feelings about the match against your former team.
A, of course we will go for the win, and we definitely want to avoid consecutive losses as we lost to Vissel Kobe in the previous match. They are in good form and personally, I am looking forward to playing against my former team.
Q, Yokohama F.Marinos is in a situation where they have not won in 5 games. How will you approach the game?
A, when I was with Yokohama FM, my impression of Tokyo was that there were many plays where we would pass the ball well and head towards the goal, and it was difficult to play against them because I felt their strength in one-on-one plays and ball battles. (In this match against Yokohama FM as a member of Tokyo) it is important to not give them freedom and to continue playing with high intensity. If we give them room to breathe in certain situations, it could end up like the Kobe match from last week. So, we want to use playing at home as our weapon and approach the game with a stronger mentality than our opponents. It is clear to anyone who sees that Yokohama FM is a good team, so I want to share with the entire team how we should strategize by watching past footage.
Q, Yokohama FM's player Miyachi returned to the pitch in an official match the other day. Please tell us about reuniting with Miyachi, who has overcome a major injury, on the pitch.
I think I have endured and overcome a very long period of about 300 days, including rehabilitation. I also saw him play energetically in the Levain Cup match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, and I am personally happy about it. Even though he had such a big injury, I thought "he's really fast" and he is one to watch out for as he is expected to come on as a substitute. However, I am looking forward to reuniting with player number 23, Miyachi, and I want to grow and achieve results together while competing with each other. In addition to Miyachi, there are also players like Kida, who I have played with for a long time, and Matsubara, who is the same age, also playing for Yokohama FM, so I want to show a "clean and intense play".
Q: Is the team's progress going as Nakagawa envisioned?
I think it's a situation where the difference between good times and bad times is large. And that difference is very noticeable. Especially in bad times, one situation that doesn't fit together affects the whole team, and I feel fragility and weakness. I think it's a good state to gradually smooth out the ups and downs of the condition at a high level, and that's what the whole team is feeling. I think it's also connected to the low winning percentage in away games. We players are the ones who actually play on the pitch, and if we don't put ourselves at the center, the result will change and our weakness will show. I want to change that aspect and bring stability to the team.
Q, Is there a positive atmosphere within the team after the Yokohama FM match?
First of all, I think it is very important to be able to fight against Yokohama FM at home. We want to demonstrate the strength we can gain from the home advantage. Just because Yokohama FM is a strong attacking team, we cannot just defend and expect to win against the defending champions. We need to approach them as challengers and not show too much respect, as I believe that is the key to victory. Ultimately, I think it will come down to who has the mental advantage.
Q, it seems that the sense of unity as a team is increasing day by day.
A, I think the team has a strong sense of unity, but it seems that they have a bad habit of getting discouraged when they concede a goal. This is especially noticeable in away games. Even if they concede a goal, they need to show the attitude of going for 2 or 3 goals as a team in order to accumulate victories. The mental aspect after conceding the first goal greatly affects the outcome, and even if they concede a goal, it is not fair to the fans and supporters who are cheering for them if they do not show the attitude of going for a goal. I believe that we need to show a stronger determination to win.
Q, Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, the performance at Ajinomoto Stadium is very good, and because of the support and cheers from the fans and supporters, all the players feel that they can play in a good atmosphere. Including the fans and supporters, FC Tokyo as a whole creates an atmosphere of "going to defeat Marinos", which makes us feel responsible and motivated to respond to it. I think many supporters will also come from Yokohama, so I will fight with enthusiasm while looking forward to it. I am also aiming for a goal myself, so let's win and sing "Yuruneva" together.
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q, After the Vissel Kobe match, coach Albert emphasized the "fighting spirit". What will you focus on for the Yokohama F.Marinos match?
The coach told us to base our game on the intensity of the match against Kawasaki Frontale the other day and aim for victory by controlling the ball. As we will be facing Yokohama FM, we expect to have less possession of the ball, but we want to cherish the ball and aim for quick attacks to score. We have been working on this in training this week, so we hope to express it well as a team.
Q, Speaking of the home Yokohama FM match, you scored 2 goals last season. Do you have any personal awareness of compatibility or anything like that?
In that game, we were able to score two goals from set pieces. If I have the opportunity to play in tomorrow's game, I want to make sure to take full advantage of it. Personally, I won't be able to step onto the pitch unless I continue to produce results, so I want to actively aim for goals.
Q, Please tell us if you have ever shared a team with Yokohama FM.
A, I think there will be a lot of aggressive plays going towards the ball side in order to not give the opponent freedom. It will be important to cut off the ball after it goes to the opponent's lone striker, limit their options, and quickly transition to attack after winning the ball. If we give them too much time, they will be able to play facing forward, so it will also be important to respond with coordinated pressing. We have been working on this in practice this week, so I want us to be conscious of playing well together.
Q, Isn't this a game that you want to make a turning point for both the team and Tsukagawa as an individual?
A, I cannot become the core of the team, and for me, each game in front of me is very important. I have a desire to grab a good opportunity. I play in various positions, but I believe that showing results is everything. I want to continue playing with a focus on results. Playing in the position given by the coach and achieving results will also contribute to my value as a player, and I think I can gain experience from playing in various positions. I think soccer is all connected, so I want to be conscious of that and do my best.
