<Match Review>
The Levain Cup Sec. 1, which was postponed due to the impact of the new coronavirus infection, was held as the first night game of the season at home. Albert Tokyo, who has been on a winning streak in the league, actively used young players as the commander had stated before. They faced this match with a combination of veteran players and young players.
Go HATANO, Junya SUZUKI, Makoto OKAZAKI, and Takuya UCHIDA made their first appearances of the season in the starting lineup, while special designated player Yuta ARAI made his professional debut as a starter. Additionally, Renta HIGASHI, who is registered as a U-18 player, was on the bench as a 2nd team player.
Tokyo, who couldn't settle the ball from the beginning, had a lot of time to endure in front of the goal as they were pushed back by the opponent. There were scenes where Arai's dribble took the ball up to a high position, but they were unable to supply an effective ball in front of the goal. There were also times when they built up from the back line and entered the opponent's territory, but they were unable to take the ball to the area that leads to a chance in front of the goal. There was also a scene where they took a shot in front of the goal just before the end of the first half, but it was also blocked by the opponent's defender.
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow after the second half, created a chance in the first minute of the second half. A through pass found its way through the gap in the opponent's defense in front of the goal, and Keita YAMASHITA took the ball and attempted a shot, but couldn't find the back of the net. In contrast to the first half, Tokyo started using long passes to both sides in the second half, shaking the opponent and gaining a high position on the sides. In the 15th minute of the second half, they wanted to push the opponent back carefully, but they were caught off guard and Henrique TREVISAN fouled the opponent player just outside the penalty area, resulting in a red card. Similar to the match against C Osaka, they had to play the remaining 30 minutes at a numerical disadvantage.
In that C Osaka match, they were able to hold onto their 1-point lead with a strong defense, but today's Albert Tokyo continued to attack while making substitution cards one after another. In the 28th minute of the second half, a cross ball from the right side was met in front of the goal, but it hit the crossbar. Even when the ball bounced back, Go Hatano blocked it twice with his body to avoid a dangerous situation. In the 44th minute of the second half, Ryoma Watanabe, who picked up a loose ball cleared from a corner kick from the right, made a one-fake shot near the penalty area, but the opposing goalkeeper made a great save and the ball narrowly missed the goal. In the 45+2 minute of the second half, a powerful middle shot was taken, but Go Hatano reacted quickly and deflected the ball that was heading towards the corner of the goal.
In the first half, we struggled to build up as we wanted, but in the second half, we maintained our attacking stance without taking a step back, even after a player was sent off, and showed determination to win towards the end of the game. The result was a scoreless draw, but it was a rewarding match as young players responded to their selection and showed their strengths.
[Albert Coach Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: In the first half, we struggled to get into the game and were not necessarily able to play well. I think the fact that many players had been away from official matches for a long time also had some impact. In addition, playing an official match with members who had never competed with the new playing style was also a factor that made the game difficult.
In that sense as well, in the first half, we struggled to coordinate effectively when applying pressure. Furthermore, neither the pace of play nor the way we moved the ball was as fast as expected.
We were able to improve slightly in the last 10 minutes of the first half, and I think the pace of play at the start of the second half was faster compared to the first half. However, when the press did not work well, Henrique was caught behind and ended up being sent off.
I believe it is commendable that after having a player sent off, the team valued possession and played carefully. In the match against Cerezo Osaka, we also found ourselves a player down, but we retreated and fell into a defensive posture. We have improved from that mistake and were able to play as usual even with one less player on the field.
Furthermore, the performances of the young players, such as Renta HIGASHI and Rei HIRAKAWA, are great news for the team. Renta is still only 17 years old. He has plenty of potential to grow into an excellent player who will carry the club’s future. Additionally, goalkeeper Go HATANO saved the team by stopping several clear scoring opportunities from the opponents.
And Yojiro Takahagi also demonstrated his high quality on the pitch. I am very satisfied with the players' performance in the second half today. Continuously giving their all on the pitch must be a defining characteristic of FC Tokyo. The players showed that through their play.
We do not wish to have any players sent off. However, I am proud that the team showed such a performance even when down to ten men, and I can head home feeling proud that the team is growing.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the many people who came to the stadium despite it being a weekday match.
Q, Please tell us your evaluation of player Rei HIRAKAWA.
A, It has only been two months including the pre-season. In that time, fully grasping the detailed characteristics of every player is by no means an easy task for a new coach. When it comes to understanding every detail of all the players, including the young ones, I would say I have not yet achieved that.
I believe it is difficult to ultimately evaluate a player without giving them a chance in official matches and seeing how much they can do. We want to make good use of this Levain Cup to provide many opportunities, understand what potential they have, and further evaluate them going forward.
Of course, I am very satisfied with Rei's performance in the second half today. Also, many players such as Uchida, Suzuki, and Okazaki, who had not been given opportunities to play in official matches until now, got the chance to play today and proved how capable they are, so I am also very satisfied with their performances.
In addition, I am satisfied with Yuta's bold play as a high school student. And Renta HIGASHI, also a high school student, gave a wonderful performance. I am satisfied with their play.
Q: What do you need to do in order to further compete at the front, considering that you didn't get off to a good start in the game?
A, I believe there was indeed a lack of awareness to move toward the goal, as well as insufficient aggressiveness in defense.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoma WATANABE＞
Q, I felt the intention to attack the goal even during the time when we were one player short.
A, even though the opponent had one more player, they were sitting back, and there was a large space right in front of their defensive line, so I used that space.
Q, did you feel that there was space and it was easy to move?
A, rather than feeling it was easy to move, someone had to use that space, so even when the ball was on the opposite side, I took positions while watching Yamashita’s movements. We were going for the win, and I think that feeling was reflected in our play.
Q, even though we were one player short, I think the desire to win was evident. How was the atmosphere on the pitch?
A, it was a match we had to win, and the team shared that common understanding. In the end, although a draw was inevitable, I believe it was a game we could have won.
Q: In the first half, the ball didn't move forward much. What do you think was the cause?
A, when the center back has the ball, I felt that we should check the opponent's position and that our side backs and wingers should consider their positioning and play accordingly based on that positioning.
Q: What do you feel is necessary to carry the ball forward, having experienced positions such as side back and forward line?
A: The more players there are who can judge who they are facing when in possession, how to create a numerical advantage, and, for example, how the space will change if they carry the ball, the more flexibly the play can be adapted. Such players will become increasingly important.
Q: I think both Hiroshima the other day and Iwata today have been experiencing some deviations in the 3-4-2-1 system. What do you think is the cause?
A: We do not know the cause at the moment, but the players need to discuss and address such issues themselves. I believe it is also important for the players to judge how the opponent is playing and respond accordingly.
<Go HATANO>
Q: There were many great saves, but what were you conscious of?
A: I think the reason we were able to keep a clean sheet was because I communicated well with defenders Henrique and Okazaki, and we aimed to stay compact when pressed.
Q: Did you feel good about your condition since the preseason? Are there any improvements compared to last year?
A: Since the style of soccer has changed since last year, I have been consciously working on connecting passes well to nearby players as a goalkeeper, and because I practice receiving shots frequently in training, I believe those efforts have paid off. Next, I want to continue working hard in practice so that I can step onto the pitch for league matches.
Q: I think HATANO has experience playing when he was in his teens due to the goalkeeper's expulsion. What kind of advice did you give to HIGASHI, who played under similar circumstances?
A: I told him to play boldly. We have been playing together since the camp, and I think our coordination was solid. He seemed a little nervous, but he fought well and was a reliable presence.
Q, I felt the burning passion to play today despite the decreasing opportunities to participate.
A: The matches I want to play in are on the J1 League stage, so I want to take today's performance of keeping a clean sheet as the standard and aim even higher.
Yuta ARAI
Q: How did you feel when you found out that you would be starting today?
A, I was happy but also nervous.
Q, did you have an idea of the position you would be used in after the meeting?
A, I was prepared to play on either side. This time, I played on the left side, and the coach told me, "When you have the ball, go for it boldly."
Q: In the previous Fukuoka match, we saw many instances of you cutting in while dribbling on the right side. Were you conscious of making vertical breakthroughs on the left side this time?
A, in order to broaden the range of my play, I want to increase my options such as cutting inside and making vertical breakthroughs regardless of which side I play on.
Q: The first half was a difficult period, but it seems like the tempo changed from the second half. Was there any change in the team?
A, in the first half, there were continuous periods where our defense was slow, so the coach told us to increase the intensity and press from the front line. From the second half, the team raised that awareness and was able to play accordingly, which improved the tempo.
Q, were you able to play while coordinating with your team?
A, I was able to play while being conscious of (coordinating with the team).
Q, what did you think about the atmosphere at the end of the game, where there was a feeling that we could win?
A, even though we were one player down, we talked about pressing from the front, so we were able to play in a good atmosphere. Although the match ended in a draw, I feel that everyone worked hard and we were able to have a good game.
<Renta HIGASHI>
Q, please tell us how you felt when you found out that you made it into the team for the first time.
A, I have been involved since the U-18 level, and while there are players who have not been able to make the team, being able to feel the atmosphere at Ajinomoto and experience the atmosphere on the bench up close is extremely valuable. I had an excited feeling to fully take that in myself, along with the thrilling feeling that I might get to play in the match.
Q, what did you feel when you actually experienced it?
A, when I was a first or second-year student in the U-18, I had the experience of being a ball person at Ajinomoto and feeling the atmosphere, so actually being there myself and being able to feel the professional atmosphere was really enjoyable.
Q: How did you approach this match?
A, for a professional, this one match is a game where their life is on the line. Therefore, if you approach it half-heartedly, you will cause trouble for the team, so I faced this match with a strong determination.
Q, please tell us your thoughts on stepping onto the pitch as an emergency substitute.
A, I was prepared to come on at any time. Although it was an emergency appearance, I was mentally ready, so I wasn't very nervous.
Q: Did you have any specific mindset when playing in a situation where there was one less player?
A, I thought that if I went in too aggressively, it would leave an opponent free, so I tried to play with the awareness of covering for two players. Although we were one player down, not only in defense but also in attack, we created several good opportunities and managed to get to a corner kick, so I think it was good that we were able to fight well.
Q, did you feel like it was a chance to appeal when you were playing?
A, corner kicks are one of my strengths, so I was aiming for a goal. Although I couldn't score, Takahagi-san delivered an excellent ball, so I was frustrated that I couldn't finish it.
Q, how do you want to make use of this experience next?
A, I will be returning to the U-18 team after this, so I want to share this experience with them. And if I get another chance like this, I want to show the fans and supporters an improved version of myself compared to this match.
