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Summary of the press conference with FC Tokyo U-23 coach Tetsu NAGASAWA

"First of all, I am grateful that we were able to play the match despite the many people in Fukushima Prefecture who are suffering from the recent heavy rains. Since all we can do now is play on the pitch, we want to do our best."

I had previously felt that it would be difficult for a young team with an average age of 19 to maintain a one-point lead, so we discussed aiming to score multiple goals to secure the win. As a result, we were able to score two goals and win, and the players fought well.

Although we started by conceding the opening goal to Yuji WAKASA, who is from FC Tokyo U-18, we created chances from the first half. There were moments when we were on the back foot, but center-backs Kimura and Omori have been growing stronger with each match. They have been able to put their feet in and touch the cross balls before the opponents, not just in training but also in matches. In today's game, the goalkeeper and center-backs held their ground well.

In the final scoring scene, Shinada bravely ran well to the goal line and delivered a good cross during a physically demanding time. Although Hara scored the goal, multiple players entered the area, and the players are becoming capable of making the decision to run forward, even at the risk of danger. I believe that to win in J1, it is essential to have players who can decide the match in difficult situations, especially in the final moments. In that sense, Shinada, Hara, and Na SANGHO also ran well and contributed significantly.

It is normal for a team to move forward with confidence, but the U-23 players are competing to be involved in J1, so I hope they will further showcase their skills starting from next week's practice.