《Diego OLIVEIRA》
"It was very difficult, and Sendai's marking was tough, but there were many high-quality players. I think it was good that we were able to seize victory today. Sendai was a very strong team."

(Looking back at the PK scene)
"It's important to play as usual, even in practice. It would have been great to score the first PK, but I was able to calmly convert the retaken PK. I'm glad we were able to secure victory in such an important and tough match."

(Took the solo first place in the scoring rankings)
"I don't pay attention to the scoring rankings. The important thing is that soccer is a team sport. I play with the team's victory as my top priority."

(In the scene of the first penalty kick, the opponent was making a similar move)
"I could see the GK's movement. Of course, I think they understand my style as well, so among the various GKs, there might be some who take such measures. It didn't bother me at all."

(How was it to face player Mate Shimao)
"He is a very strong player, and I felt that he utilizes his physicality to cover a wide defensive area. He is an excellent player, and the defense centered around him was very solid."

《Hirotaka MITA》
(First start after returning in a match against the former club. Did the coach give any instructions?)
"There wasn't anything special, but I was told, 'I'm looking forward to it.'"

(About my performance today)
"I wish I could have scored or contributed more, but I was able to raise my game in the second half and fight to win, so in the end, it was good."

(I was talking about surpassing the opponent at the ball and right in front of me)
"The defense line put their bodies on the line to protect, and both the midfield and the forwards worked hard until the end. Today, we really went hard for the ball, and I think that was a factor in bringing us the victory."

(Joining mid-season, I have to adapt to the team while playing)
"We talked about the agreements in defense and the positions to pick up second balls, in order to make adjustments with both center-backs."
Also, since there are two fast forwards when looking ahead, I think we need to align on what kind of passes and at what timing they want from now on.

(How was it to play as a starter at Ajinomoto after a long time)
"Hearing the entrance music got me excited, and I am grateful that the fans and supporters created that atmosphere. Stepping onto the pitch at Ajinomoto as a player from Tokyo felt very special."

(Today there were two free kicks, but Mita did not take them)
"Considering the distance, I judged that the shots from Morishige and Jael had a higher chance. I think the Sendai players expected me to take the kick, so I gave it up."

(Did it also serve as a way to repay Sendai?)
"Since this is a competitive world, it was good that we were able to accumulate points today towards winning for Tokyo rather than for Sendai."

Akihiro HAYASHI
"I often feel that a series of small plays have an impact when reflecting on the match. Since joining Tokyo, I have experienced a lot of frustrating moments, not just for myself, but for everyone who has gone through various frustrations. In that context, we are fighting this season with determination. I believe that it is not only about technical aspects, but also that strong feelings have a significant influence."

(Even with changes in the members, we are able to fight stably)
"Since the beginning of the season, we have been given various demands on the defensive line. I think this has created a situation where the opponent finds it somewhat difficult to attack. I believe that this accumulation has led to the result of not being broken down (not conceding goals) after fighting for 90 minutes. Even when the team creates decisive chances, being able to endure is largely due to the feelings being at the forefront, more than tactics, so I hope we can continue to do this."

《Tokyo - Summary of the Press Conference with Director Kenta HASEGAWA》
It was a difficult match, but Diego scored well.
We haven't been able to win against Sendai at all in the past year and a half, including the Levain Cup, so I wanted to do something about it today.
There were many situations where, even when I tried to apply pressure, I was easily bypassed. Today, I wish I could have played more aggressively, but I think I was able to effectively contain the opponent's style of play and, conversely, managed to break through from the first half.
There weren't many chances, but Nagai broke through the defense line in a good way. Being able to exploit situations like that once was significant. With the Emperor's Cup in between, the next league match is against Hiroshima, so I want to prepare thoroughly again.

(Both teams had no real chances, but we scored one goal. What was the strategy after taking the lead?)
"It was a substitution aimed at getting an additional goal. However, Sendai is good at stretching the opponent, so they have exploited gaps between players and picked up second balls from long balls in the past. I think the players fought while maintaining balance until the end today."

(If no goals had been scored during that time, were you planning to take offensive action afterwards?)
"Since it was a home game and it was a match we wanted to win, I was planning to do that. However, if we rushed too much, we would fall into Sendai's trap. In that context, it was good that we were able to score the opening goal at a good time.
Nagai was making good movements in the front line. However, Diego was not as energized as usual, but bringing in Jael would get the engine running. Sangho was also considering when to come in. He can also activate the attack with his individual skills.
Jael is the perfect player to break down the opponent's organization. Expectations are high.
Even while Na SANGHO was absent, Mita and Omori have been playing well. It is significant to have a speed player on the bench who can change the flow like Na SANGHO.

《Sendai - Summary of the Press Conference with Coach Susumu WATANABE》
"How to avoid giving them any openings and instead exploit their weaknesses; that was the discussion we had before sending the players out for the 90 minutes. In the first half, Tokyo intentionally dropped back, and while we tried to break through that, we also had to manage risks to avoid counterattacks. It was a 45 minutes spent considering various factors. And I anticipated that they would definitely step up their game in the second half."

I think a 0-0 draw was a fair result, but was the plan to be patient at the start?
"As the match progressed, we actually lost the ball and were hit by a quick counterattack. That scene revealed the opponent's intentions, but our positional balance during our attacks was an issue.
I immediately communicated this to the defensive midfielder and discussed how to manage risks in this way, but that meant we couldn't commit more players forward, so I wanted to shift to a more powerful attack. The current situation is that we held back.
"Since we have to think about the entire match, we can't recklessly attack and lose our balance, so it was fine for the first half to end 0-0."

(Did Tokyo aim for a quick attack from the start?)
"To be honest, I didn't expect Tokyo to pull back that much. In the previous match against C Osaka, Coach Hasegawa said that it was a strategic decision, so I understood that it was a 90 minutes like that, but I don't think we are a team that excels at holding the ball like C Osaka, and we couldn't break through."