《Yuichi MARUYAMA Player》
(Reflecting on today's match)
"Regarding the moment we conceded a goal, I lost the aerial duel to Lins. However, my determination to score and make a comeback led to the equalizing goal, which I think was really great. Even after Peter UTAKA was sent off, everyone, including the players on the bench, fought together in an organized manner, which contributed to today's result. It was an away game, so I want to take this result positively and carry it into the next home match."

(Was there any discussion with player Ota about the scoring scene?)
"There wasn't any particular discussion. Player Ota always delivers really good balls. It was such a wonderful ball that I just had to make contact with it."

(What was your mindset entering the second half of the match?)
"We were at a numerical disadvantage and losing 0-1, but both the players and the coach believed that a chance would definitely come. It would have been even better if we could have scored one more goal, but I really think we fought calmly as a team."

(It was a development that did not feel like a numerical disadvantage)
"Since Kofu did not come at us from the front, we were able to have possession of the ball. In terms of defense, I was talking with Hyun Soo JANG about being careful with the counter, so I think we were able to defend well by putting our bodies on the line, including the defensive midfielders."

《Kosuke OTA》
(It was a wonderful assist)
"Just before the end of the match, there was another chance for a direct free kick, so it's frustrating that I couldn't score there... I didn't have it. Of course, I wanted to go home with a win, but I think I did the minimum I could. Still, I feel a strong sense of regret."

(What were you thinking about the way to fight after conceding the first goal?)
"It’s not that I was thinking about it only after conceding the first goal, but I believe we were able to play with a good balance throughout the match. I thought that if we continued that way, the opponent's physical condition would decline in the second half, so I wanted to finish the first half without conceding any goals if possible. Just before the end of the first half, UTAKA was sent off, and in the second half, we had no choice but to play, which clarified what we needed to do. To be honest, I wanted to create our shape more within the flow of the game, but scoring from set pieces is also important, so I think it was a decent result."

(Wasn't the set play important precisely because we were at a numerical disadvantage?)
"I am focusing on each kick, and I felt that I was able to deliver good balls in other situations as well. I want to share that with the players coming in and build the strength to turn things around."

《Tokyo - Summary of the Press Conference by Coach Takayoshi AMMA》
"I am truly grateful to all the fans and supporters who rushed to the venue in the rain and gave their cheers."
In the last few matches, we have been conscious of reducing goals conceded by holding onto the ball and trying to express that on the pitch. We lost against Kashiwa, but by continuing to challenge without wavering, we achieved a 57% ball possession rate in the match against Iwata.
However, despite entering the attacking third 50 times, there was the issue of having zero shots, so we approached the match against Kofu with the intention of correcting that.
I think it was good that we were able to change the rhythm and launch attacks multiple times, whether it was slowly connecting the ball to the front line or quickly moving the ball to the goal area with long passes from the back line, and we managed to take 6 shots in the first half.
However, we conceded a goal from a set piece, and then a player was sent off, resulting in a numerical disadvantage.

During halftime, the players encouraged each other, discussing specifically how to turn the game around with phrases like, 'Let's do this' and 'Let's do that.' In the end, they were sent out with the determination to become a team that can win even in this situation.
In the second half, the players continued to challenge without reducing their activity until the very end, earning one point.
Their inner parts are really changing, and I hope for the next match.
The parts where we ended in a tie and had a player sent off are points for reflection, so there is still much to be done. I want to continue working on improving our quality.

《Q&A》
Q=In the second half, how did you try to care for Kofu's attacks? It was a movement that didn't make you feel the numerical disadvantage.
"First of all, we were in a situation where we were at a numerical disadvantage, so there was a way to safely end it at 0-1."
However, seeing the atmosphere in the locker room at halftime, I felt that we should choose to go for the win.
I think it looked like there were many people because we kept moving the ball while taking angles, like a touch and move. The quick transition after losing the ball also prevented the forwards from receiving good passes, which might be another reason it looked like there were many people. We were counter-attacked several times, but I believe it was good that we calmly created a 1-on-2 situation, including the goalkeeper, and responded to the opponent's situation until the very end.

《Kofu - Summary of Tatsuma YOSHIDA's Press Conference》
"Thank you for your support in the rain. Despite having two or three critical chances in the first half, it was an ideal way to end the first half by scoring a goal from a set piece. That makes it disappointing to concede a goal from a set piece and not win. However, I believe it is an important point that we must cherish."

Yesterday, I didn't know until today that we had escaped the relegation zone based on goal difference, but it is very important to surpass the points by even one, and to leave the possibility of staying in the league to our own efforts. I think it's significant that we have managed to put ourselves in a situation where, even with just one point, it depends on us.
The players returned to the locker room with faces that seemed to show defeat, but in a situation where frustration and negative emotions are likely to arise, it is important for the players to talk and share positive opinions to come together as one.
Even though we had one more player, we couldn't even bring the ball from the right side to the left side. This is not anyone's fault; it's our own ability. With five matches remaining, I want to elevate the team so that we can properly escape from situations like this and win tough.
Katsuya Ishihara has announced his retirement, and he will hold a press conference here shortly. I had hoped to create a situation where he could comfortably sit here and hold the conference, but I was unable to do that. I want to make the one point we earned today meaningful, and I would like to push through the remaining five matches with Ishihara's support.

≪Q&A≫
Q=In the second half, we didn't feel much of a numerical advantage; what was the reason we couldn't attack effectively?
"I think it was significant that we couldn't calmly connect the ball we won to where it should have gone. Even with one more player, we knew that FC Tokyo would have the ball. It felt like we pulled back a bit, and when we thought 'let's attack,' there were no players in the midfield, leading to a situation where we were stuck near the opponent's defensive line. We had too little time for ourselves, couldn't advance the clock, and couldn't wear down the opponent."

Q=What is your evaluation of the team's generational transition so far?
"The foundation that the best players always appear remains unchanged. Shimakawa, who came from J3, has gotten used to the speed of J1 and played in the match, but today he struggled a bit with passing. However, I believe the players are definitely growing, and rather than a generational change, players who previously didn't shine on this stage are certainly reaching a level where they can play in J1. But when the opponent was reduced to 10 players, the lack of ideas, speed, and experience became evident. Still, I think that's an area for growth as well."