Match Preview
This season, Levain Cup has already been decided to be eliminated in the group stage. However, according to coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, it is "positive news" that many young players have been given the opportunity to experience the professional stage in the first 5 games. "Losing the game is disappointing, but if we were able to promote the growth of young players instead, we can say that there will be a great harvest in the long run" (Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA). Whether the remaining final game will be treated as a practice game or seen as another opportunity for growth, there will be a significant difference in the experience gained.
The opponent in the final match will be Fukuoka, who defeated Tokyo 1-5 in the 11th round of the J1 League on May 3. In his third year as manager, Shigetoshi HASEBE has organized a team that patiently waits for opportunities in the opponent's defense while also looking to launch quick counterattacks. For Tokyo, the goal is to control the ball and avoid the risk of being countered, while also exploiting the gap between Fukuoka's midfield and final line to score.
For Tokyo, who is currently on a three-game losing streak in the league, this is a crucial match where the team needs a result and a performance to regain momentum. Keep an eye on the performance of the "fresh power" that will give Tokyo a boost.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q, two registered players participated in the practice.
A, I believe their presence is important, and I think there should be a stronger connection with the academy. The youth team serves as the second team for the top team. In that sense, if there are players performing well there, even in the junior youth category, they may be called up to the top team. Regarding tomorrow's match as well, we have been competing in the Levain Cup in the same way this season, but we want to give more young players the opportunity to play.
Q: I heard that for this season, the concept of Coach Albert's first team has also been incorporated into the U-18 team. Does that mean it is easy to integrate?
A, For me, a professional soccer club must focus on development, and training in the same direction as the first team is the minimum requirement. Otherwise, what is the point of having an academy? It would lose its very reason for existence. The first team’s development department must comprehensively organize both the first team and the academy as the club’s overall development department. When the club adopts a new structure and clarifies its direction, it is necessary to unify not only the first team but also the academy to promote a specific playing style. Currently, the academy is progressing in the same direction as the first team, which makes things easier. Moving in the same direction as we are now is the normal approach, and any other way is the exception. The academy of a professional soccer club is not a place where coaches can freely express their own playing styles as they please. There must be staff who express a playing style aligned with the club’s direction.
Q: How do you think about the position of tomorrow's game?
A, it is the same as before. The position of the Levain Cup this season is considered a place to promote the growth of each player, especially young players. In addition, we want to use it as an opportunity for players who have not been getting much playing time to regain their sense of the game. Since it is difficult to evaluate the talent and potential of young players without seeing them play in official matches, we also want to use it as a place to assess their latent abilities and possibilities. That is what we believe we should do in the Levain Cup this season. It is quite difficult to win every competition in a season where we are trying to clearly change our playing style, and this season we are asking to compete in the Levain Cup in the manner I just explained. Also, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection in the early part of this season, there is an aspect where we were forced to compete in the Levain Cup in the current form.
Q, How do you see the Tokyo U-18 players, such as Renta HIGASHI and Kanta DOI, who participated in the training as academy players, from the perspective of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A: I think the quality is high. Our top team players are also making efforts to adapt to the change in playing style. The U-18 players also need to continue making a bit more effort to adapt in the same way, and there is room for improvement in their focus on winning. What they need to do is to have a hungry spirit and ambition, and if they have it, they must express and demonstrate it on the pitch. I expect bold play. As I always say, I am not concerned at all about mistakes made by young players. Rather, if there are young players who do not take risks and do not play boldly, that is a much bigger problem.
Q: How is player Morishige's condition?
A, thanks to everyone, he has finally rejoined team training and is in a condition to participate in official matches. Based on his condition after today's training, we will check how much he can play or if he cannot play, and gradually work on improving his condition. From this weekend, the league matches will continue with a congested schedule, so we expect him to contribute to the team in a good way. After that, there will be a short break, so we hope Henrique will be able to return as well. Makoto OKAZAKI's knee condition is not necessarily perfect, but it is not in a very bad state either. There is a high possibility that he will be able to return to the team soon.
[Player Interview]
<Shuto OKANIWA>
Q, what differences did you feel between the professional team and the university team when you joined the top team?
A: First, I felt the difference in the high level of each individual player. Each player has distinct characteristics and many have skills and plays that no one else can imitate, so I think that is the major difference between university and professional levels.
Q, I think you have been practicing a new soccer style since the camp. Have you been able to understand the tactics?
A, since we often use video analysis from the camp, it is easy to understand and absorb, making it easier for me to make individual adjustments. I also think it is efficient and beneficial for the team when making corrections.
Q: There are many exemplary players in the side back position, but is there anything you feel during practice?
A, I thought it is also important to stick to your own style. Of course, there are things the coach demands and tactics to follow, but I believe it is essential to cherish the things you cannot compromise on as an individual. That is the part I feel the most when playing with the other players around me or watching them.
Q, what kind of preparations have you made for the final match of the Levain Cup?
A, it is mostly a difficult situation because you really don’t know when the chance will come, but I have been working with the belief that the opportunity will come someday. Including that, I want to firmly achieve results here.
Q, what kind of play do you want to show when you participate in a match?
A, I want to cherish my own style, so I will focus on things like my work rate, positive attitude, and making runs up the side to deliver crosses, and play with that commitment.
Q, what do you need to do to seize the opportunity in this match?
A, as a team, we build our attacks while maintaining possession of the ball, so I intend to play with the mindset of not losing the ball easily. Within that, I want to actively make positive choices and play in a way that adds an accent to the team. My characteristic is to make forward runs and get involved in scoring, so if I play with even greater awareness of that, I believe it will lead to future success.
Q, I think you have come to Ajinomoto Stadium many times to watch games as an academy graduate. You may finally have a chance to step onto the pitch as a professional. What are your thoughts?
A, including last season, I have not yet been able to play at Ajinomoto Stadium, so in that sense, I am really looking forward to it. I believe many fans and supporters will come, so I definitely want to win and share the victory together with everyone.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: Last October, I underwent surgery on my right knee and experienced a long-term absence of about 6 months. I finally returned to the field in the Levain Cup Shonan match on April 13th. How is my current condition?
A, I really can't get enough of playing soccer right now. I had never been away from soccer for as long as six months before, so I'm truly happy to be able to live a soccer-centered life again. My match sharpness and physical agility aren't at 100% yet, but I even enjoy the feeling of physical exhaustion.
Q: How did you spend the time when you couldn't play soccer?
A: I was depressed immediately after the surgery. For the first two or three months, I was on crutches and it was difficult to live a normal life, so at that time, I didn’t want to think about soccer. However, as I gradually recovered, I worked hard on rehabilitation and focused on strengthening my inner muscles, which had been a personal challenge. Now, people say my body is bigger than before my injury, and I feel stronger in contact play as well. I believe these are the results of the strengthening I did during the period when I couldn’t play soccer.
Q, are you adapting well to the new playing style that Coach Albert is seeking?
A: I have gotten used to the fast pace of play, but I am still in the trial-and-error stage. However, I believe I can still increase both the frequency and quality of my attacking contributions, which are my strengths, so I want to take on more challenges in actual matches and showcase my weapons.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the Levain Cup Fukuoka match this week.
A, although it has been decided that we will be eliminated in the group stage of the Levain Cup, I believe it is precisely because of this that it is important to see what kind of play players who have fewer opportunities to appear in league matches, including myself, can show. We also experienced the frustration of losing to Fukuoka in the league match in May, so I want to take on challenges and fight fiercely as a form of revenge. Thank you for your support!
