《Kento HASHIMOTO》
If you run hard, the ball will come out.
　I believed so, and my stamina and intensity are also my strengths.
　(From the defensive midfielder position) I believed that playing on the side would increase the chances of scoring by utilizing my strengths.
　I think we were able to utilize that shape as intended for both goals.

　After three consecutive losses, the ranking dropped to the middle, creating a difficult situation.
　But no one on the team has given up.
　I wanted to win somehow, and it's frustrating that I couldn't, but I was able to fight well against the strong Kashima.
　We are entering a break period, but I want to use the confidence gained from today's good fight to carry it forward to the next.

(Regarding defense)
I think we were able to respond well in coordination with Naruki against the opponent's full-back.
　However, the second goal was created from the side, and the middle was exploited.
　I want to improve that, including the coordination with the defensive midfielder.

Takuji YONEMOTO

"(Was this your first start in the league this season?)
I wasn't really thinking about that."
　Above all, the team was not in a very good situation and had not been winning, so I tried to fight for the team and for victory.

　I don't think we started the match very well.
　However, even after conceding the first goal, we fought patiently and managed to equalize without giving up. We also had a good start in the second half.
　Although it ended in a draw, I think we need to continue fighting like we did today as if it were normal... or rather, as if it were a matter of course.

(What did you focus on in your play?)
I felt that I couldn't press in the midfield, so I tried to switch on my defensive efforts. While Nagai was fulfilling that role up front, I wanted to push them as far forward as possible to add power to our attack.
　If the opponent runs behind, I was also aware of following them there.
　If we get overwhelmed in the midfield, the match will not go well.
　Today, I partnered with Yojiro for the first time as a defensive midfielder, and although the practice time was short, I think it was 'not bad'.
　I believe we can enhance our collaboration further, and that is a challenge for the future.

(What did you want to bring to a team on a losing streak?)
I felt that they were somehow afraid of making mistakes, and that making a mistake would make them shrink back. They seemed to lack confidence and often played in a negative way, so I first said, 'Let's not be afraid of that (making mistakes).' I said, 'Even if we make mistakes, let's cover for each other.'

　I told Narumi today, 'Even if you make a mistake, I'll make up for it. So keep pushing forward. Don't be afraid to pass it forward.'
　I think mental health is really important.
　I think that kind of positive attitude was necessary and was a factor that allowed us to move forward aggressively.

　Today everyone played with emotion and was lively.
　◈ However, the fighting spirit should naturally exist in everyone.
　In addition, the extra factor will determine the outcome.
　I want to make sure that we can at least perform as expected in matches like today.

《Summary of Coach Yoshiyuki SHINODA's Press Conference》
I am frustrated that we could not show a victory in front of many fans and supporters. I want to reflect on the parts where we could not win.
Conceding a goal from the side due to an early chance made the match difficult. However, the players did not stop pushing forward, and they managed to equalize in the first half. Scoring from a short counterattack at the start of the second half shows that the players ran well and fought together effectively.
Although we were caught up at the end, I reflect on how we could have held on tenaciously during that time and wished we could have shifted into another gear at the end.
However, the players were truly patient and did not give up. I want to examine this inability to win once again and move forward.

Q&A

Q=About the scene where we allowed the opening goal
"Kashima is characterized by a fast-paced attack, and even when they move to the sides, they initiate plays with dribbling. The second goal was similar; they are very opportunistic and throw their bodies into crosses to connect. We needed to stop that, and it is very disappointing that we conceded a goal from a deflected ball."
There are people, but we have to defend in a way that allows us to step forward. We understood Kashima's attack, but among the players, it may have been more powerful than we expected.

Q=About the position where Nakajima scored
"(Shoya NAKAJIMA) was positioned close to the attacking midfielder. He himself was doing things like neutralizing the opponent's defensive midfielder, but I think that happened because our line dropped back. In the end, we were able to create a chance, but I think it would have been better if the whole team could have pushed the line up a bit more to raise the gear."

Q=What was the intention behind using Hashimoto in that position?
"Kashima's full-backs take very high positions. They can keep up with the opponent effectively. I believe we can attack the space left by the opponent's advancing full-backs together with Muroya, which is why I utilized this strategy."
There were times when he lost the ball while carrying it, but his ability to dive into crosses and quickly break out on short counters is his characteristic. He can play in the middle, but for today, that position was important, so I entrusted it to him.

Q=How is the performance of player Yonemoto?
"First of all, I feel that he has returned to the pitch properly. In the first half, he went too far in trying to win the ball back, and I think he still had some issues with his sense of distance. However, his performance throughout the 90 minutes is truly commendable, and I believe he will only get better from here."

《Kashima - Go OIWA's Press Conference Summary》
"I am impressed by their toughness and the wonderful performance they have shown in this tight schedule."
"I am surprised by the toughness of the players and feel joy more than the content of the game."

《Q&A》
Q=Regarding the schedule of three consecutive away games, what is the motivation for this match?
"I think it is encapsulated in the words that player Ogawa said to the team before the last match against Gamba Osaka: 'We will not use this tight schedule as an excuse. Rather, we should raise our evaluation by continuing to win in such a schedule.' The players themselves have prepared for the last match against Gamba Osaka and this match against FC Tokyo with those words in mind. I feel that it is enough that the players were able to find that motivation and mindset before I even said anything."

Q=What was the intention behind the first player substitution?
"Since we were in a losing situation, I conveyed the message to the players to be aggressive. As a result, the players understood that message and played well, allowing us to push the opponent back in the second half, and I really appreciate their good reaction."