＜Match Preview＞
In the previous match, we lost 0-2 to Shonan at home and our winning streak of 2 games came to an end. The content of the match was dominated by the opponent's sharp start and physicality, but Diego OLIVEIRA emphasized a positive attitude after the game.
"Instead of hanging our heads here, we want to prepare well for the next match against Cerezo Osaka. We want to show the fans and supporters a desperate fight and a desperate run to win at home, no matter who is on the pitch."
Cerezo Osaka, who will face off this week, has a high motivation as they approach the YBC Levain Cup final on the 22nd of this month. It is also a positive factor that MF Hiroshi Kiyotake, who has been out of action for a long time until the end of August, has finally regained his form. Tokyo must surpass their opponents with the mental strength and intensity in the game, as Diego Oliveira said, and show a fighting spirit to the home fans and supporters.
Adailton, who has scored his first 10 goals this season, is likely to be the key player in the attack. He said, "I want to be the player with the most goals at the end of the season," and he is aiming to score as many goals as possible until the end. In the last three matches, Tokyo will give their all and aim to show a culmination of this season's battles.
Matchday program here
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q, what do you think about the need for a reevaluation in terms of details such as set piece positioning and the space around the anchor?
A, of course, those kinds of details are important. However, if we focus too much on that, we must not forget to consider how we lost—specifically, that we were beaten by a single decisive moment. For example, in the match against Kashima, Abe scored a wonderful goal. That made the tactics of that one match look excellent. In football, if there are no mistakes, of course, there are no goals conceded. Regarding the goal conceded in the Shonan match as a matter of detail, that goal originated from a throw-in. We must thoroughly pursue the finer details and, of course, reduce mistakes. However, our biggest failure was that from the start, we did not sufficiently move toward the goal. I think Shonan has a good team of young players and plays good football with ball possession. But in matches where they concede the first goal, their youth often works against them, causing them to lose control of the game.
We lost to Shimizu and Iwata, for example. However, in the annual ranking table, we are competing for the top positions while they are at the bottom. I wonder what that means. We need to look at the overall picture. In recent years, the league matches have become very competitive. Therefore, the points we have gained while gradually changing our style this season have become important. If we only focus on the immediate results, we will lose. For example, before this season started, many people expected this club to be in a relegation battle. We changed our style and improved our ranking. The composition of the team hasn't changed much. I also had a very sad night, and I understand that everyone had hopes of going higher, so it was a difficult night. Of course, I think I have to take the most responsibility and I feel sad. However, I cannot consider criticizing the players or losing the overall perspective.
What position has the club built its history on? What kind of club do we want to become in the future? As I always say, it is necessary for everyone to travel together in order to achieve things. I have said it many times, but the biggest thing about this club is the name Tokyo. It is a burden that weighs on everyone. What we need to think about is becoming a club that lives up to the name Tokyo. However, that name should not become a pressure to quickly reach a certain position. Have we become champions in the league? How many times? What is the best position we have achieved in the league so far, and how many times have we competed for the championship? Please calm down. If those around the club cannot understand this, we will always move in a negative direction. Because unnecessary pressure will be applied. It's fine for me personally, but it shouldn't become a pressure that prevents the players from staying calm and moving in a positive direction.
Of course, I understand that this match was sad. I also understand that we need to be more aggressive from the first half. I know we need to thoroughly work on many detailed aspects. And I recognize that Shonan is a good team and played a good match. However, we must not interpret everything as bad just because of that. Without that composure, I believe there is no good future unless we seriously reconsider the true position of the Tokyo club now. There is still a lot of work left to do. And when we lose, I am the one who takes responsibility, and the saddest are myself and the players. Therefore, we must firmly change this. Of course, there will be difficult matches ahead, and I think there will be matches that bring sadness next year as well. But it is important to reduce those sad matches and steadily raise the team’s level little by little.
Q: In the first 10 minutes of the Shonan match, we were completely pushed back. In the C Osaka match, do you think it is necessary to change the situation, for example, by pushing the opponent with a score of 10-0 or by evenly pushing back? What are your thoughts on that?
A: I have also told the players that, for example, it is not a problem if the options behind increase when we try to play in the opponent's half without being passive against the initial high press. However, we must never allow ourselves to be pinned back by the opponent for 10 minutes. There are two important things to controlling the game along with the ball. One is maintaining possession of the ball, but simply holding the ball is not enough; we must take it to the point where the opponent fears us by showing an attitude of moving toward the goal while keeping possession. That means defending while maintaining possession. Therefore, from the start, we must express the intention to keep possession and move toward the goal. The principle of always being with the ball does not change. That will be tested tomorrow.
Q: What members will you face with tomorrow?
A: Of course, there will be changes in the lineup.
Q: We played against C Osaka in the early spring. What is your impression?
A: I think both teams have changed their styles. They have become a team with higher intensity. We have been focusing on ball possession. Currently, C Osaka is a team focused on intensity. They use pressing and quick transitions to attack as their weapons. Of course, we originally had those strengths as well. However, we are pursuing ball possession even more than they are. Therefore, as the data shows, scoring the opening goal remains as important as ever. There is one thing I want everyone to understand. Of course, every match is difficult, but as I said, I conveyed the message to the players that we will be aggressive from the start. At first, the team was even afraid to maintain possession. Now that fear is gone, and we must play with the awareness of moving toward the goal while keeping possession. I believe this is the challenge we need to connect to the remaining three matches of this season and next season.
Q: There is data that says when you score the opening goal, you have a perfect record.
A: Of course, I believe that data will eventually be broken, but that data also sends a message to the players to be aggressive from the start. The message is that they must play with a strong awareness of going for the opening goal right from the beginning. Changing the style at first is difficult; when holding the ball, doubts arise like, "What if I make a mistake and lose the ball?" or "If I fail a pass and lose the ball easily, won't the coach get angry?" Such hesitation comes with a ball-possession style. Overcoming that leads to confidence, which then leads to maturity. Full confidence and maturity come around the team's third year. Not only on the pitch but also off it, I hope we can communicate well with the fans and supporters and guide the club in a positive direction.
[Player Interview]
＜Adailton
Q: You have scored 10 goals so far this season. You are also in a position to aim for the top scorer title. What are your thoughts on that?
A: Regarding the fact that I have been able to score goals, I believe one reason is thanks to God. Another reason is the effort I have steadily accumulated over time. It’s not just since I came to Japan, but the things I have consistently done since coming to Japan seem to have started showing visible results this season.
Q, Adailton has been seen taking many shots this season. Do you have anything in particular that you are conscious of when it comes to shooting?
A: Of course, to score goals, you have to take shots, so I am always conscious of taking shots. From practice, I have been playing while being mindful of shooting, so I think the number of times I can naturally take shots during matches has been increasing. Since you can't score without taking shots, I want to increase those opportunities.
Q: Fans must be hoping for a top scorer from Tokyo. Do you personally have any specific goals of becoming the top scorer?
A: Since there is a possibility, I want to aim to become the top scorer. However, more than that, I believe we must fight each match ahead of us as seriously as a Final Round. Of course, I have the desire to become the top scorer, but for me, it is more important to fully focus on each match in front of me. If as a result of that I become the top scorer, that would be incredibly gratifying.
Q: This season, we have been fighting under the guidance of Coach Albert for a year, and many players have expressed difficulties in adapting to the significant changes in tactics. How do you feel about it?
A, I certainly felt some difficulties, and of course, there were matches where I thought it was easier to play like we did last season. However, I don't think I was the only one who felt those challenges. As we played more matches, the range of what the coach expects and what we can do has expanded, and now there are many more things we can do. I believe we have been able to express the style of play the coach desires. I view this year of change very positively, and since we have reached this level of completeness by the latter part of the league, I think this will lead into next year.
Q: This season, you achieved your 200th appearance in J1 in September. What do you think is the factor that has allowed you to have a long and successful career in Japan?
A: In my case, I believe patience is important. Since the culture is completely different from my home country, I had the patience to endure and try to get used to the culture, and as a result, I think I have been able to spend many seasons in Japan.
Q, are you enjoying life in Japan?
A: I have lived in Japan for a long time now, so of course I have gotten used to it. It is a calm environment, and since becoming accustomed, I truly feel it is a very comfortable place to live.
Q, How do you feel about being able to hear cheers at the stadium starting from the middle of this season?
A, I believe this is something not only I feel but all players do: the cheers from fans and supporters reach us during the match and serve as a source of encouragement. The few matches where we have been able to hear everyone's voices have felt very positive.
Q. Lastly, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, no matter what kind of team the opponent is, we will give our all in the match. That’s what it comes down to. We aim firmly for victory and want to play a game where we can share the joy with all the fans and supporters.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: The impression was that it was difficult to do well in the final finish while holding the ball against Shonan. How was it?
A. I think it was good that the team was able to carry the ball while maintaining possession up to the final finishing stage, but it was a match that did not lead to a goal. I want to improve the accuracy of our finishing in practice.
Q: What preparations did you make in the three days between the Shonan match?
A: Since there are only three league matches this season, the team is determined to finish strong with solid wins, and we have reviewed minor adjustments rather than major tactical changes as a team.
Q, there are only 3 games left, how do you feel about the penetration rate of the new style that has been built up so far?
A: We are improving match by match, and although there are times when things don't go well as a team, I believe it is important to be patient and keep going.
Q: How do you feel, Watanabe TSUBASA?
A: It is very important to internalize what the coach says and figure out how to output it, so I am going through trial and error in that process. As we aim for high goals next season, communication with those around me will be crucial, so I hope to make these three matches go smoothly in that regard.
Q, what do you think is necessary to reduce the impact of the waves that inevitably occur as a team?
A, I think we need to improve each player's tactical understanding so that we can play our own style of soccer no matter how the opponent defends. I believe that is the purpose of both practice and official matches, so I hope the ups and downs will disappear next season.
I think this will be an important match to narrow the point difference with C Osaka. What is your impression of the opponent?
A, I think everyone knows that the attacking runs and crosses from the full-backs are dangerous, so we want to be careful.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the game.
A, there are only three matches left this season, and only two of them are home games, so I want to firmly deliver victories to our fans and supporters, and I want to do my best to earn 3 points while playing our style of soccer.
