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《FC Tokyo U-23 Coach Tetsu NAGASAWA Press Conference Summary》

"Following yesterday's J1, I am very grateful for the passionate support from the fans and supporters."

Although we were ultimately defeated, I think the team, with an average age of 17, fought well. Some players were experiencing playing in a stadium with such an atmosphere for the first time, but while firmly executing the essential aspects, we were thinking about how to bring the decisive moments of the game to the final stages and take our chances there. I believe it was very significant for high school students to have such experiences, and if we had won, it would have boosted their confidence even more, but it wasn't that easy. In the locker room now, we have been discussing how to turn these experiences into our own and apply them in our daily practice.

The game was good in terms of calmly taking and moving the ball under the pressure of the opponent and the strength of the top players, but with the young members, we struggled to switch on effectively. There was a water break, so we made some adjustments there, and I want to commend the team for creating a few big chances in the second half.

However, overall, we were pushed back quite a bit by the opponent, so while goalkeeper Nozawa desperately defended by throwing his body, I think this score is fair. Conversely, I believed that if we couldn't score, we wouldn't be able to earn points in this game, so in that sense, the opposing goalkeeper, who defended our big chances with his body, is the reason for the opponent's victory.

Even though the members change every match and the average age is young, the game has been able to function. I think it's significant to experience 'competitive football' at this age. After this, there will be a little break, but I hope we can practice hard and prepare for the next match.