<Match Review>
In the midst of a congested schedule, Tokyo is in the middle of playing 7 games in 2-3 days. The 4th consecutive game is an away game against Shonan Bellmare in the group stage of the Levain Cup. They recently faced each other in the 3rd round of the Levain Cup, with Tokyo winning 2-1. However, both teams have made significant changes to their lineups due to the consecutive games. As coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned the day before the game, "Both Shonan and us are expected to have different lineups from the game two weeks ago, so it will be a new game for both teams."
Tokyo made a complete change to their starting lineup from the Urawa Reds match three days ago, with 2nd division registered player Renta Higashi starting for the first time as center back. Sodai Hasukawa, who returned from a long-term injury, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE were also on the bench.
In the early stages, the response was slow against Shonan's quick passing speed and tempo, leading to noticeable moments where the ball was pushed into the vital area. However, Tokyo managed to break free from the opponent's press with short passes, gaining rhythm and targeting the goal while shaking the opponent with wide plays. In the 12th minute of the first half, a shot was taken after breaking through a crowded penalty area with precise touches, but Go HATANO tenaciously clung to the ball and cleared it from the frame. Tokyo's counterattack came in the 14th minute when a ball close to a side change from the right side was used to find Yojiro TAKAHAGI on the left side. He drew the opponent's defender in and Ryoya OGAWA aimed for the ball dropped back with a one-touch, but the shot went wide of the top left of the goal. In the 22nd minute of the first half, another chance was created starting from the left side. After receiving a one-two with Hirotaka MITA, Yojiro TAKAHAGI sent the ball in front of the goal, and Keita YAMASHITA aimed with a header, but this too failed to hit the target. Struggling to find their rhythm, in the 37th minute of the first half, a forward ball was played to Masaki IKEDA in the vital area, who shook off his marker with a feint and scored with a powerful mid-range shot, allowing the first goal to be conceded.
Tokyo wants to launch a counterattack, but in the 3rd minute of the second half, they allowed an intrusion deep into the penalty area, and the shot went wide. Just after that, in the 5th minute of the second half, they regained possession of the ball after losing it from a corner kick, and Junya SUZUKI, reacting to a pass from Mita, broke free on the right side. He delivered a backward pass into the goal area, and Ogawa, who dove in, scored with a one-touch to equalize for Tokyo. After equalizing, they struggled to maintain possession, and the pressure continued. In the 19th minute of the second half, Tarik, who was free in the vital area, took a shot aimed at the left corner of the goal, but Hatano made a sharp save to deflect it. Wanting to change the flow, Tokyo brought in Hotaka NAKAMURA, Yuki KAJIURA, and Rei HIRAKAWA to try to turn the situation around. However, they couldn't seize the momentum from the opponent, who maintained their forward pressure, and in the 27th minute of the second half, they were awarded a penalty kick due to a handball, which Shuto MACHINO converted to take the lead.
Tokyo, who was behind, brought on players Kashiho and Naoki Kumata, who was registered as a type 2 player, in the 33rd minute of the second half. They wanted to hold onto the ball and push back, but the ball couldn't settle in the front line, and the game ended with a one-point difference. In the next match, they will play an away game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the J1 League with only 2 days of rest.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: First of all, I am glad that we can finally have a face-to-face press conference.
I consider the Levain Cup as an opportunity to confirm and encourage the growth of each player. It has been a time to secure playing time for players who have had limited playing time so far, as well as a time to try out various options. It is also about giving opportunities to young players with potential in the future.
No one knows how long I will be with this club, but I want to contribute to the growth of players who will carry this club in the future. I think Renta Higashi's performance as a center-back today was fantastic. His success is good news for Tokyo. I also want to commend Naoki Kumata's debut in the latter part of the second half.
Throughout the match, I think our play was not bad when we had the ball. However, we struggled when we didn't have the ball and our defense did not work well. In particular, we were unable to close the spaces. As a result, our defensive line kept dropping back. Since today's lineup has never played an official match together, it is natural that we faced defensive challenges like this.
I would like to pick up positive aspects from today's Levain Cup and connect them to the next growth. This season, I believe it is a season to challenge and establish a new playing style. And I think we should give many players a chance, so I am glad that many players were able to play today.
Q: How do you feel about Kashif's return today after suffering a serious injury in September last year?
A: He has returned after rehabilitation from a serious injury. Therefore, I believe we need to gradually give him time to get back into official matches. For example, this Levain Cup was a good opportunity for his return. Having been injured for a long period, it would be difficult to suddenly give him a chance in league matches. Today, I had already discussed with the medical staff and decided his playing time in advance. We set a time to gradually proceed through the recovery process. Also, today we had him play one line forward to reduce the tactical load.
Q, Please evaluate Renta HIGASHI again.
A, he participated from the camp. He also took part in practices and practice matches. At that time, I evaluated his play as that of a player with potential. He possesses the physicality suitable for a center back. To aim for a higher level as a professional center back, physical attributes including height are necessary.
I was impressed by his high adaptability during the preseason. And he secured a spot in the previous Levain Cup. I've said it many times, but age is not important to me. If he continues to grow steadily, I believe he will make a significant contribution to this club.
I can only give him a chance to encourage his growth. However, I think that is the most important thing for him. I tell him not to be afraid of making mistakes. The important thing is how he can react after making a mistake.
He showed a performance that met our expectations. Despite being only 17 years old, I think he was able to firmly compete against high-level forwards, including Wellington.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoya OGAWA＞
Q: It was the first official match in a while, what were you conscious of when entering the game?
A: The team's victory is the top priority, but personally, since it was my first official match in a while, I was conscious of improving my condition and also taking care of the U-18 player Renta HIGASHI next to me, as the coach had instructed.
Q: There was talk from the coach that you didn't fit in defensively, but how did you feel on the pitch?
A, the press up front didn’t quite work, and compared to the league match members, I felt that the push-up from the back was slow. I think we can raise the line more, and it was necessary to work on raising the line even by just one meter with each opponent’s lateral pass in a more detailed manner.
Q, the goal scene was in the form of a side back to side back, but is that also one of the forms to aim for?
A, that goal itself started from a set piece, so it was not a situation arising from open play, but even during open play when we were attacking from the right side, there are times when I take an inside position, and I think it is a scene we want to aim for going forward.
<Go HATANO>
Q, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned in the press conference that the defense was not working well and kept dropping back. What did you see from the back?
A, the back line dropped too far back, and there were many situations where we couldn't apply pressure from the front line. I was calling out to them, but we couldn't correct it, so I think this remains an issue.
Q, I couldn't handle the pressure because I also fell behind in the first goal.
A, We needed to apply pressure from further up the field, and I myself conceded a goal due to a small mistake, so I want to work on improving that.
Q, what are your thoughts and enthusiasm for the future, as it is expected that similar utilization will continue in the Levain Cup?
A, I want to win a title, and I personally want to play more matches and be involved in the league games, so if I get the next chance, I want to deliver results. I want to continue preparing thoroughly in daily practice for that.
Q, I think you were able to save close-range shots and perform at a high level, but do you feel like this is something you should be able to do as a matter of course?
A, since we conceded two goals, it is still far from enough. Right after conceding, I immediately watched the scenes of the goals on the big screen, and aspects like how I positioned my feet were still not right. I want to improve more and reflect on my play starting from practice.
Q: I think it can be difficult to play with U-18 players who you don't usually play with. What kind of instructions did you give to Renta HIGASHI?
A, since we trained together at camp, I had no worries. Before the match, I asked Renta HIGASHI, "Are you nervous?" and he said, "I'm not" (laughs), so I thought he would be fine. Today, there were also scenes where he aggressively challenged the opposing forwards. Like me, he is still young, so I want him to take on more challenges, and I hope to support him in that. I want him to play boldly.
<Renta HIGASHI>
Q, please tell us about your feelings when you found out that you would be starting for the first time.
A: I was surprised, but since I got the chance to play for 90 minutes, I prepared more than usual. I think I was able to play better than usual, but I didn’t do much against Wellington, so that remains a challenge. I want to work on it in practice and do my best to grow further and perform better when I get the next opportunity.
Q: I think you have been working on the challenges you faced in your first appearance in the U-18. Were you able to demonstrate your achievements in today's match?
A, the speed of each pass was a challenge last time, but I worked on it together with Coach Anma and have been conscious of it even in U-18 practice, so I think I was able to challenge myself with good pass speed in today's match.
Q, do you have a sense that you were able to fight against Wellington, who is physically strong, to some extent?
A, the attack was developed with Wellington as the focal point, so I think there is still a long way to go there. There were several instances where I stopped him with a foul, but I believe my role is to win the ball without fouling and connect it to the attack, so I want to work hard on that for the next opportunity.
Q: Do you feel any changes have been made on the offensive side?
A, I was able to make good passes to Keigo HIGASHI and Mita several times, but I couldn’t carry the ball and pull the opposing forwards away, so I think if I could do that a little more, I could have helped the team.
Q, there was a strong impression that the combination with player Makoto OKAZAKI was solid.
A, player Okazaki took the lead and helped me. I also feel that if I had controlled the line a little better, I could have prevented the first goal.
Q, do you think there was an experience that will lead to future growth in this match?
A, having the experience of competing to some extent against Wellington, who is physically strong even within the J.League, and fighting through the full 90 minutes while being able to deliver good plays was a significant experience. I also identified some challenges, so I plan to return to the youth team to work on them and connect this to future growth.
