Akihiro HAYASHI

(Reflecting on today's match)
"It is difficult to play a perfect match, especially when the team is not in good form and we are playing away. I wanted to secure a victory to create a favorable situation for the second match. I knew it would be a tough game, and there were opportunities to defend and attack more efficiently, but above all, the result was important, so I am glad we were able to win."

(Could this victory be a good turning point?)
"There were parts of today's match where I felt we made progress, and there were good aspects even in the matches we lost. However, only the results were lacking. Today, I thought about how we could achieve good results, and I need to think even more about this."

(There were big saves today as well)
"That was because the team was effectively limiting the shooting angles, so it wasn't too difficult to stop. However, just because we are being shot at doesn't mean we are in danger; it's about whether we can limit the angles within that context. Perfect defense isn't something that can be achieved in every match, and I think it would be easier if we could adopt a more pragmatic mindset, like 'it's okay to let them shoot in certain situations.' Of course, I believe we can still prevent shots, and even if we do allow a shot, we need to focus on limiting the shooting angles through body positioning and other factors."

(Ahead of the weekend game)
"I want to approach the weekend game with a fresh mindset. In the match against Jubilo Iwata, I was involved in two goals conceded, so I really wanted to win today, and I want to make sure that today's match leads into the league matches. I have decided to communicate my thoughts more openly, so as a team, I think we should discuss anything that we are not satisfied with moving forward."

《Takuma ABE》
(Please review the scoring scene)
"I was preparing for a left-footed cross from Ogawa. I ended up in an offside position due to the switch, so I repositioned myself. I thought that if it was a right-footed cross, the ball would come in that trajectory, so I was glad I could connect with it."

(Wasn't the match progressed favorably with Abe's opening goal?)
"It was just before the end of the first half, and I think the timing was good."

(I think we've been struggling to score the second goal lately, but could this be a turning point?)
"We had several chances today, but we couldn't score the second goal, so we need to make sure we finish those opportunities."

(This victory comes after three consecutive losses in official matches, but how do you want to build on this win?)
"After all, without a victory, it's hard to feel energized, and there are parts where I tend to look down, so I'm glad we could win in 90 minutes."

(The second match is about a month away, but what aspects of the battle against Hiroshima did you feel you could grasp?)
"I felt that if we move together and pass the ball around, we can create chances. I want to maintain that approach in the second match as well."

《Summary of Coach Yoshiyuki SHINODA's Press Conference》
"The players' hard work and the support from fans and supporters have allowed us to secure a solid victory, which is significant for the team. It would have been better if we could have scored the opening goal earlier and then added a second and third goal to take control of the game. Right now, we are struggling not only to score the opening goal but also to add more goals, and there were many issues visible in today's match. We changed our system during the match to respond, but overall, I think there were moments when we could have pushed forward a bit more, and I want to work on this in practice. We haven't cleared anything yet, but we want to prepare for the second match in a month. With the league match in three days, I hope everyone can prepare for the game together."

《Q&A》
Q=What do you think about the fresh members of Hiroshima?
"First of all, I felt from the beginning that the opponent was fresh. They were very cohesive as a team, and no matter who played, Hiroshima would play the kind of football they did today, making them a very difficult opponent. In today's match, we needed a victory, so Morishige and Hayashi played consecutively, while we used other players who were in a fresh condition. I believe we were able to respond well with those players."

Q=Recently, the team has been struggling to score a second goal, and we couldn't score one today either. If you have any strategies for the future, please let us know.
"We struggled to break down the opponent who defended with a 5-4-1 formation, but I want to take the fact that we scored a goal positively. However, considering away goals, we needed to score a second goal. We have to keep working together. There were several chances from the first half, including (Ryoichi MAEDA) and set pieces, so we need the ability to finish those opportunities. I believe that scoring an additional goal would elevate our game. When we are in a situation where we haven't been winning, the mindset tends to become focused on defending a one-goal lead to win, so I think it's necessary for the group to train hard to dispel that mentality."

《Hiroshima - Summary of the Press Conference by Coach Hajime MORIYASU》
I would like to first express my gratitude to the many supporters who rushed to cheer us on despite it being a weekday night game. The Levain Cup playoff stage has reached the end of the first 90 minutes, and we are currently trailing 0-1. Overall, we were aggressive in both offense and defense, creating chances. A tough second leg awaits us away, but we want to capitalize on the opportunities we missed in today's match and advance. The players challenged themselves bravely, and I see this positively. There is no doubt they did well.
However, there is also reflection. It's not just about today, but we have lost matches despite having close games. Today, we conceded a goal due to a lapse. Losses, wins, and draws. While they may seem close, the difference is significant. We need to address this as a team issue. We must thoroughly investigate and delve into it.
The players said, 'The performance was good, both individually and as a team. However, we lost as a result. We need to focus on those moments of weakness.'

《Q&A》
Q=About Tsukasa SHIOTANI.
I am grateful that, when transferring from Mito, you chose Hiroshima despite offers from other teams. We fought together, grew, won titles, and you played for the Japan national team. You gained various experiences in Hiroshima, including participating in the Olympics, and we shared many joys together. Wonderful memories.
Next is a new challenge. As teammates who fought together on a different team, I wish for success in Al Ain.

Q=There is still a month until the second leg. In what way can we improve our scoring ability?
"There is nothing but practice. We are creating chances. The key is how relaxed we can be in the final moments. Can we finish naturally? There is pressure, so it's about how much we can remove it. That's what it comes down to."