Match Preview
"Great success always comes with obstacles and suffering."
As Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the coach, said at the beginning of his term, Tokyo is going through a difficult time. In the 13th round of the league, they lost 1-2 to Iwata, their third consecutive loss. After the game, Yasuki KIMOTO said, "The fans and supporters gave us positive voices. We have no choice but to change the results ourselves." The players also understand the necessity of "time and patience" that Coach Albert has been talking about. Takuya AOKI showed his determination to overcome the pains of birth, saying, "We have no choice but to continue playing our own style. Without persisting, there will be no growth." It will take patience until the new Tokyo, which has achieved a change in style, is born.
Kashiwa Reysol, who will face off this round, has been steadily bringing up a new generation under the guidance of coach NELSINHO and improving their form. The leader of this is FW Mao HOSOYA from the Paris Olympics generation. With a team-high of 4 goals, it will be important to shut him down with tight marking in front of goal. Additionally, we must be wary of coach NELSINHO's experienced strategy of neutralizing the opponent's strengths.
To achieve our first victory in four games, we must believe in our own soccer. Our ability to maintain our faith in adversity is being tested.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: Mori Shige and Okazaki were at practice, but the center back has returned. How is it?
A: The doctor has already given permission, and as seen in the Fukuoka match, he is fully prepared to participate in games. Currently, we have three center backs available, so the issue is moving toward resolution. Sodai HASUKAWA also played well in the Fukuoka match. In that sense, we effectively have four players in that position. I believe Renta HIGASHI has also demonstrated performance worthy of professional recognition. Henrique is progressing steadily with his rehabilitation. There is a possibility he will return after the week with the international matches concludes.
Q: I think you have been using the phrase "pause" recently. I think it will take time to move the ball and break down the opponent's defense in the next phase, but what kind of approach are you considering?
A: I believe it is important to build confidence and accumulate experience in official matches. The word "pause" can also be expressed as a change in tempo. When there is variation in speed, it becomes difficult for the opponent to defend. Over the past few matches, I think we have gradually been able to express this "pause" within our team play. It will take a little more time, but I believe we are moving in a good direction to improve our finishing in front of goal. I have also told the players that they must be able to perform well starting from practice. They must then apply that good play in matches. Although we have not always achieved good results in recent games, there have been many periods on the pitch where we clearly demonstrated play that was different from Tokyo’s past style. I also conveyed to the players that since they are beginning to express what they can do in practice during matches, we are now in a state where a growth process is needed to firmly connect that to match results. We believe our playing style is valuable primarily because it aims to win matches, so we want to pursue that thoroughly.
In the matches against Tosu, Iwata, and Fukuoka, we had a high possession rate and were able to play well, creating chances. However, we lost many games by allowing the opponent to convert their few chances. Nevertheless, I believe we have been able to play well. In the Fukuoka match, I think the opponent hardly created any clear chances. We were able to defend without lowering our defensive block for many periods and fought for 90 minutes. This is because our ability to control the ball effectively functioned as the best form of defense. We were also able to create chances. (Yasuda) Toshiro and (Ryoma WATANABE) also had decisive chances. Towards the end of the match, there was a play where Mita was fouled in the penalty area, which could have resulted in a penalty. Creating chances like that and converting them into goals to influence the match result is the growth process that remains for us.
If the team alone can continue the growth process smoothly, it will not be so, but I think that if the fans and supporters, as well as the people around the club, support it, the growth will continue in a good direction. Fortunately, the fans and supporters are giving the players stability. Even in the last few games, they have patiently supported the team and players. They are pushing the players in a good direction to challenge new playing styles and play boldly, and to grow through trial and error. And now, the players are motivated to connect the game results because they can play well.
Q: Kashiwa has been playing soccer to neutralize the opponent's strengths. What kind of play do you want to make in response to that?
A, I think Coach NELSINHO is a very experienced manager. We have room for improvement in how we respond to counterattacks. They will probably exploit that. Since it is also one of their strengths, we hope to prove the progress we have made by effectively dealing with their counterattacks. They are a team ranked above us. We respect them and believe they deserve recognition for the excellent work they are doing.
Q, I think Kashiwa's NELSINHO coach has a track record of 19 seasons as a foreign coach in Japan. I think it's not easy for a foreign coach to stay in Japan for a long time. What are your thoughts on taking command for a long time overseas?
A, He likely has extensive experience overseas as well as in Japan, and I think he has accumulated very valuable experience. It is difficult to coach for 19 seasons in the J.League. In that sense, I believe Coach NELSINHO has more experience than Japanese coaches. To continue coaching in the same league for a long time, one needs to gain more experience and reach a level of understanding the league’s characteristics better than anyone else. Naturally, it is difficult to compete against a team led by such a coach.
[Player Interview]
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q, How was your condition in the Levain Cup Fukuoka match?
A, I feel that I was able to play longer than I expected, so I think it was a good 45 minutes.
Q, while I was away from the team, the team did not produce any results.
A, I think it is a common pattern that even when we play a good game, the results do not follow. However, it is important to finish when given the chance. Calmness in front of the goal and resilience in defense near the goal are what decide the outcome, so I believe the difference there is greater than in the overall match. I am not that pessimistic. It feels like what we anticipated is happening now.
Q: What kind of play do you want to bring when you come back? What do you want to bring to the team?
A, I think it is quite common for forwards to go through periods where they cannot score. Conversely, it is also common for defenders to fail to hold on even when the team is scoring. When the forwards are not scoring, if the defenders can keep a clean sheet, I believe the goals will come eventually. Looking back at the past, such situations have occurred, so I hope to calmly manage the game without rushing, positioning myself at the center of that effort.
Q: Do you think you returned early, or did you move up the timing?
A, I was feeling a bit impatient and eager to return quickly, but the trainer managed it well. Everyone agreed on the decision for me to play 45 minutes in the Fukuoka match while monitoring my condition, so I believe that went according to plan.
Q, Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda says he is moving on to the next phase. How do the players feel about connecting more balls and aiming for goals in the attacking phase?
A: I think everyone has a certain level of understanding of what the team is trying to do and aiming for. From here on, I believe we will add ideas and launch attacks that are harder for the opponent to defend against, as well as move the ball to avoid becoming monotonous.
Q, it will take some time, won't it?
A: I think the coach is saying it will take time to protect the players. We always have to seek results, and there isn’t a single player who thinks it’s okay to lose a match. While not forgetting that winning is the top priority and that connecting passes is the chosen means to achieve that, I believe it comes down to how much we can improve our quality in a short period of time.
Q: Considering the current situation of three consecutive losses, does the Kashiwa match become a game where we have to go for both the content and the result?
A, We also want to win, and I believe the fans and supporters watching feel the same. I think we must show that kind of attitude.
Q: This year, Tokyo has a low number of goals conceded, which I think is a selling point. What are the factors behind this low number of goals conceded?
A: The longer the attacking time, the more likely it is that defensive concentration cannot be maintained. I think the players in the back are feeling that difficulty. However, the coach also demands defensive intensity as a fundamental premise, so I believe that balance is important. Playing attacking soccer doesn't mean you can just focus on attacking; we need to pay attention to that balance.
Q It is difficult to defend with the same tightness no matter which player is on the field. What do you think?
A: It would be ideal if everyone could play at the same level, and I think it’s important for the team’s level to rise enough to even trouble the coach. However, each player has their own characteristics, so I think that part is unavoidable.
Q: Do you want the players around you to grow more by pushing yourself?
A: Makoto OKAZAKI was also playing well, and Henrique is a left-footed player who can hold the ball. There are many good players, so I think it ultimately depends on who the coach chooses.
Q: Does Kashiwa need patience to play soccer that erases the opponent's characteristics?
A: Yes, I strongly feel that they are the perfect opponent for us right now. I think we will start to struggle against teams like that from now on, so I hope we can actually enjoy figuring out how to break them down. Since the opponent tries to nullify our strengths, if we can move the ball while thinking about how to break through and where the spaces will open up, I believe we can play enjoyable soccer.
Q: Are you also aiming for goals from set plays?
A: Yes, that's right. I've returned, and since (tomorrow) is my birthday, I want to aim for it.
<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q: In the league matches, we suffered three consecutive losses from Sec. 11. Where do you feel the team's challenges lie?
A, in these three matches, Masato MORISHIGE and Henrique TREVISAN were both absent due to injury, so our defense was not very stable. On the offensive side as well, when entering the vital area, the players were not in sync with each other, resulting in many situations where we couldn’t break through. However, we have been able to control the game while maintaining possession of the ball, so I believe that if we improve our accuracy in the final phase, the number of goals will increase.
Q, I played as a center back in the Fukuoka and Iwata matches, which is not my usual position.
A, As long as I am wearing the Tokyo uniform, I will give my all no matter what position I play on the pitch. Anyone can miss games due to injury. Even in tough situations, all the players who can fight will cover for each other and do their best to earn as many points as possible.
Q: As a professional full-back, how do you feel about the new playing style that Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda is promoting?
A, Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda expects full-backs to engage in a wide range of play, such as game-making like a defensive midfielder and cutting inside from the flanks. The decision-making in play is difficult, but that also makes it enjoyable, and I believe I have been able to perform better compared to the time of the training camp. Personally, since I have more opportunities to play closer to the goal, I want to increase plays that directly lead to assists and goals. I am consciously working to develop into a higher-level full-back than last season.
Q, please tell the fans and supporters about your enthusiasm for the upcoming match against Kashiwa.
A, I feel that the team has been growing with each match this season, so the players are not satisfied with the three consecutive losses in the league. We want to keep improving while winning games. We will do our best so that everyone who comes to Ajinomoto can go home with a smile!
