《Ryoichi MAEDA》

(Looking back at the scoring scene)
"Muroya provided a great ball, and the shot went in a good direction, which was nice."
However, it's disappointing that the team lost.
The first goal of this season came late.
We couldn't win today either, and I wanted to contribute to the team sooner.

(Reflecting on the season)
"I was given opportunities, but I couldn't make the most of them."
It was a season where I felt a lack of ability.

(Message to fans and supporters)
"You have always sent us your passionate support. Today, we received so much encouragement, and thank you very much for this entire year."

Yojiro TAKAHAGI

(I think it was a match where we were able to create attacking shapes)
"The whole team was able to play with the awareness of moving forward. I believe we were able to show what we have been working on this season."

(I think it was a match that brought up issues for next year, but is there anything you are thinking about now?)
"First of all, I feel that we cannot maintain a high level of play and the same intensity in every match. I believe it is necessary to approach all 34 matches with a similar motivation."

(The final ranking was 6th. What about this ranking?)
"In the first half of the season, we were in a position to compete for the championship, but in the second half, we struggled to secure victories. With a total of 34 matches in a season, we have to consistently perform under the pressure of being in the championship race. While I can't say I'm satisfied, I do think there are parts where the future is starting to look clearer."

Summary of the Press Conference with Tokyo's Kenta HASEGAWA

"What was good today was that until the very end, we showed our determination to demonstrate our strength to the fans and supporters, and we maintained an aggressive approach towards the goal. Even after conceding a goal, we did not lower our heads or our spirits, and we fought hard until the end, which reflects our ability to learn from the previous match's mistakes."
This season, there have been matches where we couldn't score much, but today, until the very end, the players showed their determination and I think they did well. Regarding the match, I believe the final result and development symbolized this season. It was very regrettable, especially the second goal conceded; Urawa is a team that excels at exploiting such opportunities, and we had discussed before the match about not showing any weaknesses.
After scoring a goal, it's a fundamental rule in soccer to maintain concentration for a few minutes, but we were caught off guard in that aspect. Additionally, conceding the second goal from a quick start was very regrettable. However, I believe that creating chances against a retreating opponent is a sign of growth, and being able to score a goal in that situation, with Ryoichi MAEDA showing his determination at the end, was a significant goal for the team.

In the end, finishing in 6th place, despite receiving tremendous support and expectations from fans and supporters until summer, I was ultimately unable to meet those expectations. I believe this year has made me acutely aware of my own lack of strength, and I feel that the team, Tokyo, must become much stronger.
However, I believe that we were able to show our strength throughout the season, so I want to take a good rest, have a great camp, and fight to aim for the top and the title next season.

To all the fans and supporters, thank you very much for your passionate support over the past year. I believe your warm encouragement has pushed us forward. We are grateful. Thank you for a year.

Q=I think the first half of this season had truly wonderful results and the content was good, but what do you think were the factors that prevented it from continuing for a full season?

"I think it was significant that we couldn't equip the team with new weapons, or rather, develop new players. Compared to Diego OLIVEIRA and Nagai, who are very fast, having another attacking option would have helped. On the sides, Higashi, Omori, and Tanabe worked very hard, but ideally, we should have developed another type of player from among our young players, and we couldn't fully nurture that aspect. If we could have expanded our player options more during the crucial moments in the second half, I believe the outcome would have been different."

《Urawa - Oswaldo OLIVEIRA Coach Press Conference Summary》

"Today, I have various comments to make, not just about the match. I would like to express my gratitude for your patience and apologize for making you wait. Today, we held a retirement ceremony for player Hirakawa. He has worked hard for many years at this club, and I believe it was a wonderful retirement ceremony that befits him. Seeing a player retire always stirs emotions. Especially in cases like his, where he has worn the same shirt for many years, the emotions are particularly stirred."
I think soccer players die twice in their lives. When they actually die, retirement is also a form of death. It's such an important event for players.

The match was a tough and difficult game against a very high-quality opponent.
While playing well, the opponent created many chances. I think we were fortunate to score in the decisive moments. Players who had not played in a while and those returning from injury fought on the pitch today. When we cannot outplay the opponent with technique as we did today, we must win with determination and guts. Thanks to the efforts of the players who stood on the pitch today, we won this match. I would like to dedicate this victory to Hirakawa.


Q=What is the summary of the league matches?

I think this season's J1 has very high skill levels and strong teams.
When I came to Japan, Hiroshima had a significant lead in points. Hiroshima couldn't maintain it, and Kawasaki accumulated points with a style of play that added value to their performance, ultimately winning the championship. I believe Kawasaki is the best this season and deserves the championship. Besides those two teams, Tokyo, Cerezo Osaka, and Nagoya also have wonderful players, and I think they were very good teams.
I played a game at a very high level with them. I think Japanese football as a whole has improved significantly. We have become a country that exports players, and I believe the national team has become stronger. I think the future of Japanese football is bright.