《Peter UTAKA》
(Did you feel it was a difficult match to create rhythm?)
"I think the biggest factor was that we gave away the lead due to our own mistakes today. We wanted to take the lead and approach the second half, but I believe it turned out this way because the opposite scenario unfolded."

(After Peter UTAKA came on in the second half, Yu OKUBO and Nagai created chances with good coordination, but?)
"Not just today, but I think Yu OKUBO and Nagai always understand each other and create a good combination. Speaking specifically about today, if we had scored at the start of the second half, we could have played with more confidence, and strikers build their confidence by scoring goals, so if we had scored there, it might have led to a different development."

(What about the goals?)
"Scoring a goal in such a situation brings emotions that are hard to put into words. The best scenario is to score and help the team win. However, if my goal could bring even a little positive energy to the fans and supporters for what comes next, then I think that’s great."

《Hyun Soo JANG》
(There were many goals conceded from mistakes)
"I still haven't processed the four goals conceded. I want to review the footage carefully again and think about the mistakes related to the goals conceded myself."

(After conceding a goal from a mistake, the game became difficult to control)
"In the last match, there were certainly mistakes in the style of football we are trying to play. In the match against Sendai, we were able to cover for those mistakes while playing, but in today's game, we didn't have that luxury due to pressure from the opposing players. It's inevitable to make mistakes, but I think it would have been better if we could have had more composure. Also, I believe the location of the mistakes is an issue. In the match against Sendai, mistakes occurred higher up the pitch, but today there were many such plays in our own half, which led to the goals conceded."

(Did you not feel a dilemma of being able to do more despite the pressure from the opponent?)
"I believe everyone has the ability to do it, but today, while conceding goals, we lost our composure."

《Tokyo - Takayoshi AMMA, Coach》
First of all, I am very grateful to the fans and supporters who rushed to fill the stands.

The match was a challenge against Kashiwa's fast vertical attacks, crosses, and set plays. In the beginning, we managed to respond well, but it was disappointing that we made mistakes in the part of moving the ball that we are currently trying to improve, which led to conceding a goal. Even after conceding, there were many moments where we focused more on the opponent rather than our teammates, which is something we need to reflect on.

Entering the second half, I think we managed to finish safely at 0-1, but the team is trying to play aggressively, so we challenged the opponent right from the start of the second half.
As a result, we were able to create two scoring opportunities, but looking at the outcome, I feel it was necessary to equalize at that point. Kashiwa, who is at the top, has really put their bodies on the line to defend at the very edge, and I think that's why they are in this position, as they were prepared to prevent conceding a goal there.

Although we lost the match, I saw the players, who had given up during the games against C Osaka and Kawasaki when the score was lopsided, desperately pushing towards the opponent's goal until the end for the first time in a while. I believe that the way (Yu) OKUBO, (Keigo) HIGASHI, and (Ryoichi) MAEDA firmly fell back to defend when we were countered will lead to better results next time.
Now, we are trying to stop the habit of giving up. Since the whole team is trying to change, we want to face the next match without falling apart again.

《Kashiwa - Takahiro SHIMOTAIRA, Coach》
"First of all, I am happy that we were able to secure a victory in front of nearly a full house at home, Hitachidai, after a long time. The game was played just two days after the last one, and while some players fought for 90 minutes, the team as a whole, including fresh players who avoided the last match, worked hard without reducing their effort until the end, and I believe we won thanks to our overall strength."
In the first half, the game started off nervously, but after settling down, we were able to score, and in the second half, we continued to score in good ways. The players ran until the end, and especially in defense, we applied pressure from the front, which allowed us to create good opportunities, and I am satisfied with that. However, if I were to be greedy, the last goal conceded was very regrettable. I think it would have been better if we could have finished without conceding until the end, but that remains a challenge that I want to continue to work on in the future.
Since there is another game soon, I want to prepare for the next one.

Q=In the first 15 minutes of the second half, Tokyo took control of the pace. Was that anticipated?
"FC Tokyo changed their system, and I think there were moments where we lost the ball due to the mismatches and combinations, and the pressure didn't work, but the players made adjustments."

Q=Please explain the reason for using player Takefumi and evaluate today's performance.
"Since there are two days between the Emperor's Cup, I was thinking of keeping the three midfielders as fresh as possible. Among them, Otani, Kim Bokyung, and Takefumi were rested for the Emperor's Cup, with the aim of being as ready as possible for the league matches."
After informing Taketomi that he was in the starting lineup, I learned it was his birthday, and I hoped that would motivate him. He really did score two goals today just as I hoped. He was very enthusiastic today, and it was really great.