"Kento HASHIMOTO"
"If you run hard, the ball will come out."
　I believed so, and my athleticism and power are also my strengths.
　(From the defensive midfielder) I thought that playing on the side would increase the chances of scoring by utilizing their strengths.
　I think both goals were able to be utilized as intended.

　After losing three consecutive games, our ranking has dropped to the middle and the situation is difficult.
　But no one on the team has given up.
　I really wanted to win, and it's frustrating that I couldn't, but we were able to fight against strong Kashima.
　Entering the break period, I want to use today's good fight as confidence and continue to the next one.

(On defense)
I think we were able to respond well by working together with Sei against the opponent's fullbacks.
　However, the second goal was created from the side and used the middle.
　"We want to improve our connection with the defensive midfielder."

"Takuji YONEMOTO"

"Was it your first start of the season in the league?"
"I wasn't really aware of that."
　Above all, the team is not in a good situation right now and has not been able to win, so I tried to fight for the team and for victory.

　I don't think the way the game started was very good.
　However, even if we conceded a goal first, we persevered and equalized without giving up. We were able to make a good start in the second half as well.
　Although it ended in a draw, we need to continue playing like we did today... or rather, we need to make it a normal thing and keep going.

(What did you focus on during the game?)
I personally felt that I couldn't press in the midfield, so I tried to switch on my defensive mode. In the front line, Nagai player was fulfilling that role, but I wanted to push them forward as much as possible and put power into our attack.
　If the opponent runs behind, I was also conscious of following them there.
　If we get done in the middle, it's not a game.
　Today, I played as a defensive midfielder for the first time with Yojiro, and even though our practice time was short, I think it went "okay".
　I think we can improve our teamwork more, and that will be our challenge from now on.

(What did you want to bring to the team on a losing streak?)
I felt like I was afraid of making mistakes and would shrink back when I did. I also felt like I lacked confidence and played too defensively, so I first said, "Don't be afraid of making mistakes." "Even if you make a mistake, let's cover for each other."

　He said to me today, "Even if you make a mistake, I'll make up for it. So keep moving forward. Don't be afraid to pass the ball forward."
　I think mental is really important.
　I think having such a positive attitude was necessary and also a factor that allowed us to move forward aggressively.

　Today, everyone played with passion and was full of energy.
　◈But, the fighting attitude should be natural for anyone.
　Plus, the alpha's decision will determine the outcome.
　I want to be able to play a game like today's at the very least, as a matter of course."

"Press Conference Summary by Coach Yoshiyuki SHINODA"
"It's frustrating that we couldn't show a victory in front of many fans and supporters. We want to reexamine the parts we couldn't win."
By conceding a goal from the side in the first chance, we made the game difficult. However, the players did not stop pushing forward and were able to catch up in the first half. I think the fact that we were able to score from a short counterattack at the start of the second half is a testament to the players' hard work and teamwork.
Although we were caught up in the end, I regret not being able to endure that time stubbornly and raise one more gear in the end.
However, the players persevered and never gave up. I want to re-examine this something that we couldn't win and keep doing it.

"Q&A"

Q=About the scene where the first goal was conceded
"Kashima is a team with a fast-paced attacking style, and even when they move to the sides, they will come at you with dribbles. The second goal was like that, but they are very cunning and will throw themselves at crosses to try and score. We had to stop them there, and it's a shame that we ended up conceding from a deflected ball."
There are people, but we have to play defense as if we are one step ahead. We knew Kashima's attack, but maybe there was more force than we thought among the players.

Q=About the position where Nakajima player entered
"(Nakajima) Shoya was in a position close to the top. He himself was also doing things like eliminating the opponent's defensive midfielder, but I think that was because our line dropped. We were able to create a chance at the very end, but I think it would have been better if the whole team could have raised the line a little more to step up the gear."

Q=What was the intention of using Hashimoto as a player in that position?
"Kashima's fullbacks come up to a very high position. They can stick to their opponents well. And, I chose to use them because they can attack the space left by the opponent's fullbacks along with Muroya."
Although there were times when he lost the ball while carrying it, his ability to make runs into crosses and short counters is his strength. He can also play in the center, but today that position was crucial, so we entrusted it to him."

Q=How did Yonemoto perform?
"First of all, I have the feeling that he has returned to the pitch firmly. In the first half, he went too far to steal the ball and was avoided, so I think there was still a gap in his sense of distance. However, his running for 90 minutes can be truly evaluated and I think he will continue to improve from now on."

"Summary of Kashima Go OIWA's Press Conference"
"I am impressed by their toughness and their great performance in this tight schedule."
"I am more surprised and happy about the players' toughness than the game content."

"Q&A"
Q=What is the motivation for this match in regards to the schedule of three consecutive away games?
"Before the previous match against Gamba Osaka, player Ogasawara told the players, "Don't use this tight schedule as an excuse. Instead, let's raise our own evaluation by winning in this kind of schedule." I think this statement summarizes it. The players themselves have prepared for the previous match against Gamba Osaka and this match against FC Tokyo with that statement in mind. Before I say anything, I feel that it's enough if the players have that kind of motivation and feeling."

Q=What was the intention of the first player substitution?
"I conveyed a message to the players to attack because we were in a losing situation. As a result, the players understood the message and played well, allowing us to push the opponent in the second half. I highly appreciate their good reaction."