<Match Review>
Finally, Albert Tokyo had its debut day at Ajinomoto Stadium. It was the first home game in about 3 months. They took their first step in a stadium filled with warm weather announcing the arrival of spring and the expectations of fans and supporters.
Takuya AOKI was suspended, and Yasuki KIMOTO was appointed as the anchor. Henrique TREVISAN, who has been absent since the opening match, formed a partnership with Masato MORISHIGE as the center back.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima took control in the early stages. Right from the kickoff, they applied intense pressure from the front, disrupting Tokyo's buildup. Faced with the sharp pressing of their opponents, Tokyo struggled to move the ball effectively, and until the middle of the first half, they continued to be pressured near their goal due to lost balls. The flow began to change around the 25th minute of the first half. In the 27th minute, Kuryu MATSUKI intercepted an opponent's pass. After passing to Diego OLIVEIRA, a short counterattack was initiated. Diego passed into the space on the left side, utilizing Adailton. Adailton broke free and aimed powerfully from a diagonal position to the left of the goal, but unfortunately, the shot veered just to the right of the goal. In the 33rd minute of the first half, they regained possession of the ball as the opponent was about to launch an attack from midfield. While Diego was being pressed by an opponent, he managed to keep the ball, which was picked up by Adailton, who then spread it wide to the right side. Kazuya KONNO, who had made a run into that space, took a shot with his right foot after a one-touch. The shot was blocked by an opponent defender, and the rebound was pushed again by KONNO with his left foot, but it also failed to find the back of the net, and the match went into halftime scoreless.
Tokyo, who wants to change the game, starts moving from the beginning of the second half. They send Hirotaka MITA onto the pitch instead of Henrique and Yuto NAGATOMO instead of Ryoma WATANABE.
Tokyo, who wanted to take the lead with a substitution, but the game moved with a set play. In the 15th minute of the second half, Mita kicked a free kick from the left, and Morishige won the header on the far side. The ball, which went over the opponent's goalkeeper's head, was sucked into the upper left corner of the goal, and Tokyo took the lead. Tokyo, who was on a roll, didn't stop. In the 16th minute of the second half, just after the goal, Diego received a pass from Mita and made a through pass. Shuto ABE broke through into the penalty area and shot from the center slightly to the right. This was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper's offense and defense, but Adailton followed up on the rebound and calmly slid it into the bottom right corner of the goal, leaving Hiroshima behind in one go.
After taking the lead, there were continuous scenes of being pushed back by Hiroshima. In the 29th minute of the second half, they faced a free kick danger near the penalty area, but the shot aimed at the goal was saved by Jakub SLOWIK's sharp reaction. Tokyo held on, but in the 29th minute of the second half, they were caught off guard for a moment. A through pass was sent behind the final line, and Shun AYUKAWA scored a one-on-one against SLOWIK, bringing one point back.
While the opponent's momentum continued, we tried to break through by making substitution cards, but we were unable to control the game by holding onto the ball. However, in critical moments, the defense, led by player Jakub SLOWIK, held on and secured a big 3 points in our first home game.
[Albert Coach Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: We started in a situation where it was quite difficult to break through Hiroshima's intense pressing. It was very challenging to overcome a team defense that pressed almost in a man-marking style.
In the first 10 to 15 minutes after kickoff, we struggled to break through, and perhaps because of that, we couldn't start the game with a good feeling. After that, although we didn't necessarily start playing well, we gradually improved to play with a certain level of composure.
There were many simple mistakes in the attacking phase, and at the same time, our pressing was often slow in defense, resulting in a first half where we could not play well.
We made adjustments at halftime and changed our formation to something like a 4-2-3-1 from the start of the second half. Kimoto played as the sole defensive midfielder for the first time in a while, but since he showed signs of fatigue, we switched to a double pivot. We also brought in Yuto NAGATOMO on the right side of defense to improve the defense with his experience. Additionally, to calm the game down a bit more, we introduced Mita into midfield, aiming to utilize his technical skills and decision-making.
In that flow, it was wonderful to score the opening goal from a set piece. It was also a plus that after the opening goal, when the opponent pushed forward, we were able to quickly switch between offense and defense after winning the ball and score an additional goal. While leading 2-0, it was unfortunate that we lost the ball due to our own mistake and conceded a goal on a short counterattack.
In the second half, there were periods when we were able to control the game to some extent, but it was not sustained continuously, and ultimately it is regrettable that the flow continued without us being able to keep the game under control throughout the full 90 minutes.
The team has only just begun to grow and start building. Henrique also returned to official matches after a long time. It is understandable that Kimoto, playing as a defensive midfielder for the first time, did not function well, especially at the start of the season. It is important not to be satisfied with today's match result but to direct our focus inward. This season, the most important thing is to keep making daily efforts and to grow. Also, it is necessary for the players to give their all on the pitch, as they did today. The next match will come soon, so we want to concentrate on preparing thoroughly within the short time available.
Q: I think we were expected to be pressed by the opponent, but what do you think was the factor that made it difficult for us?
A, the opponent applied pressure with numerical equality both at their defensive line and in the forward line. I believe their defense involved such a risk of maintaining numerical equality.
If we were able to skillfully break through and create multiple decisive chances while the opponent took risks and pressed high, but today we were unable to do so. When we were unable to do that, we lost control of the game.
Since Aoki was sent off in the previous match, we selected Kimoto, who has played as a defensive midfielder before, but the team situation where he had no choice but to play as a defensive midfielder—a position that is not his usual one at Tokyo—also affected today's performance.
Q, among them, I think it is commendable to adhere to the instructions given by the coach to win.
A: I am truly glad that we were able to earn 3 points, but I also believe that it is precisely when we win that we need to turn the criticism inward and reflect more. The players have high quality. The team is still in a growth phase. I think there will be matches that don’t go well like today. However, this was the first time in the fourth match since the season started that we were unable to play with a good feeling right from the start of the game.
Q, please tell us the reason for choosing Captain Morishige again and evaluate his performance.
A, first of all, I chose him as captain because I evaluated him as a player who represents the team. He is one of the players highly regarded by his teammates. I also appreciated that he has continued to play for this club for a long time. I see him as someone who will carry this club even after retirement. I am grateful that this season he has provided many things to the team as captain. He has consistently taken appropriate actions as captain. Together with Diego, the 2nd captain, he has led the team in the right direction. Also, I selected four other veteran players as 3rd captains, and I am proud and thankful that, including them, they have been guiding the team in a positive direction.
[Player Interview]
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q, it was the long-awaited home opening game. I think the first half was a tough situation.
A, it was a tough situation. I am happy that we won the match, but the content did not match up, so I feel there is still a lot we need to work on.
Q: While Ryo AOKI was absent, what specific defensive aspects were you paying attention to?
A, what we had to do was simple, so I thought it was important to carry it out without making any major mistakes. Within that, I feel that we lacked variations and ideas.
Q: How did you feel when you scored your first goal of the season, which was assisted by player Hikaru Mita?
A, I could only just manage to get my head to the ball, so it was a situation where it luckily flew to a good spot.
Q: Looking back at the challenging situation, how do you feel Hiroshima's press was able to break through?
A: I felt that we were perhaps too fixated on what we had been doing, so I think it would have been better to be a bit more flexible with our positioning and to change our positioning as well.
Q, it seemed like Coach Albert was observing the game situation in the first half. On the pitch, what kind of communication were the players using to outmaneuver the opponents?
A, we were also unsure about which approach to take. After today's match, I want to have a thorough discussion with the coach to align our thoughts and work towards the next game.
It's good for the team to grow while winning, so regarding today, at the very least, securing 3 points is positive, but we want to keep in mind that we need to improve the quality of our play even more and prepare accordingly.
Q: There were times when we couldn't find the rhythm of our attack. What were you conscious of during those times?
A, from the start, the opponent was well-organized defensively, making it difficult to attack. However, regarding today's match, I was focused on fighting hard, and I wanted to play with that determination throughout.
Q, Adailton's additional goal showed his quality. Looking back, how was it?
A, I calmly scored while watching the position of the opposing goalkeeper as the ball spilled loose.
Q, why is the team able to continue fighting without conceding even in situations where the team's situation worsens?
A, Reducing goals conceded, controlling the game, and securing victory is the game plan the coach demands. There are times when things don't go well, but I hope we can build our strength through continuous practice. We aim to reduce goals conceded and dominate the match.
Q: Do you want to continue defending in a high position, including the goal, and be able to launch a quick attack by stealing the ball?
A, playing a style of soccer that involves winning the ball from the front line and connecting it to counterattacks is one of our attacking patterns, so we want to improve the quality to turn it into goals.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, I think there was information that the opponent would press from the front, but it seemed like we were directly affected by it from the beginning.
A, the opponent's intensity was high, and while we were quite trapped, the first half ended without knowing how to break through. There were parts we were able to adjust well during halftime, but overall, I have the impression that we couldn't play the kind of soccer we aim for.
Q, in the middle of the first half, there were scenes where we were able to create chances by winning the ball in a high position and launching a short counterattack. However, were you still unsatisfied with the first half?
A, winning the ball from the front is also our intention, so that part went as planned, but on the other hand, it felt like that was the only style of play we were able to execute. Ideally, we wanted to break through the press, control the ball properly, and push the opponent back to advance the game.
Q, how was the communication on the pitch in terms of improving during the game?
A, today the distance between players was wide, and when the center back had the ball and passed to the side back, it didn’t work well, so we were calling out to each other to shorten the distance as an improvement, but even that didn’t fit well and we played under those conditions.
Q: Where do you think the factors for improvement in the second half lie?
A, it’s more about positioning or rather, we also changed the formation somewhat, so there were parts that fit well, but the only good time was when we scored a goal. I think if we had been able to keep possession of the ball for a longer time, the game would have developed more calmly.
Q, I think we are in a stage of growth through trial and error as we work on a new style. Do you have any points for improvement to grow for the next game?
A, we need to think about how to get past the high-intensity, almost man-to-man pressure from the front, otherwise the same issues will occur in the Levain Cup match against Iwata and the league match against Kyoto. I feel that if we don’t move more fluidly without sticking too rigidly to patterns and play while carefully reading the opponent’s reactions, it will become difficult to maintain a style that keeps possession of the ball.
Q, is it more about improving as a team tactic rather than individual tactics?
A, since we are always creating triangles, it is necessary not only to focus on close control but also to aim behind the defense, so we have to discern whether to connect passes or to push the ball forward and act accordingly.
Q, however, can we evaluate the part where we won?
A, the coach also said after the match that although the content was not good, securing 3 points was significant, so even though the performance was poor, winning is still a positive outcome, and I think we can view that positively.
<Hirotaka MITA>
Q, how was it looking back on your performance coming on in the second half?
A, I was able to show some good aspects, but there were also long periods where I was busy with defense, so I wish I could have played in a way that helped the team more.
Q, what did you keep in mind when playing in the match?
A, watching the first half, the ball situation was unsettled, so I wanted to change the flow once I came on. There were some parts I was able to do, but after taking the lead, there were many long balls and the ball often didn’t come to me, so I am not satisfied with myself.
Q, I wanted to be more involved with the ball and play a role.
A, as Albert PUIG ORTONEDA coach also said, I wanted to calm the game down by touching the ball more. It was a match where what I could do and what I couldn't do were about half and half.
Q, the opening goal was a goal that created the team's momentum in a difficult situation. Was the assist for the first goal as intended?
Player Mori is not aiming for it, butit was good that the goal was scored as he had been practicing to pass the ball quickly.
Q, how was the second point also the starting point of the attack?
A, I think that being able to defend from a high position immediately after the first goal, rather than pulling back, led to the score. I hope we can skillfully combine breaking down the defense while maintaining possession with launching quick counterattacks.
Q, could we have had a calmer game development?
A, I think it is possible. Since it has only been a short time with the new style, we should not be satisfied with this content. Although I believe the fans were pleased with the victory, we are not satisfied with the match performance, so I want to keep that in mind and work hard from practice onward.
