Under the leadership of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, Tokyo is working to establish a soccer style based on positional play. The first season is now approaching its halfway point. How has Tokyo performed in the first half of the season? Five beat reporters who regularly cover Tokyo’s matches and training sessions reflect on Albert Tokyo’s first half campaign by reviewing the "Summary," "Best Game," and "Best Player by Position."
Masaru Goto (Freelance Writer)
▼ First Half Summary
The theme for both positive and negative evaluations is "young players"
It is gratifying that the concept of positional play has taken root faster than expected, and that a certain standard of 11 players plus alpha has been established. On the other hand, a series of injuries to key players and the fact that the current best lineup has not always been able to build momentum give the impression of stumbling, so it will be necessary to expand the "plus alpha," such as the use of Keigo Higashi as an anchor. Even if reinforcements come in summer and winter, that is a story for later. What is needed is not a squad of about 15 but around 20 immediate-impact players. Another piece of good news is the incorporation of Type 2 registered players and the revitalization of cooperation with FC Tokyo U-18. Renta Higashi and Naoki Kumata have had opportunities to play in the top team, and together with Yuta Arai from Shohei High School, they have proven they can play at a professional level. The sharing of Albert PUIG ORTONEDA’s concept between the top team and U-18, and the compatibility of tactics that allows movement between the two, is also working positively. The relatively bad news is the flip side of this: it remains only that "young players have appeared." Going forward, not only gaining experience but also showing some results along with the young players in the top team is necessary; otherwise, they will just be "there." The seeds have been sown for the second half. A battle awaits to nurture those sprouts and expand their potential.
▼Best Game of the First Half
J.League YBC Levain Cup Group Stage Sec. 5 vs Júbilo Iwata
(2022.04.23 @ Yamaha Stadium)
In terms of the attitude of not yielding to strong opponents, the J1 League Sec. 1 match against Kawasaki and Sec. 6 against Yokohama FM, as well as the high tension in the Sec. 10 National Stadium showdown with G Osaka, can also be listed as good games. However, the away Levain Cup match against Iwata, where Yuki KAJIURA scored a goal and Keigo AZUMA and Yojiro TAKAHAGI delivered attacking passes, is recommended as the best game. If Kajiura had scored more and Kojiro YASUDA had also scored to win, the evaluation of this match would have changed. The "pausa" (Spanish for a short break or calmness) that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned was embodied by Azuma and Takahagi; their long-range, space-passing foretells Tokyo’s near future. While Kusu Matsuki’s mentality and Shuto ABE’s intensity are important, this match gave a sense of the possibilities ahead.
▼Key Players in the First Half
GK & DF
No. 24 Jakub SLOWIK
He may have some weaker skills, but the impact of his close-range shot-stopping surpasses everything else. As a defensive hero, he exudes an aura comparable to that of a top striker, making him a rare figure admired by soccer fans. While this man is with the team, Tokyo should raise the level of its goalkeepers and establish a defensive culture that includes the defenders.
MF
44 Kuryu MATSUKI
When predicted in media articles to be in the starting lineup at the season opener, there were voices of opposition saying, "That can't be true," but now he has become an indispensable player who leads the sometimes lackluster top team with his fighting spirit. On the other hand, it is true that he is still young and requires emotional consideration from those around him, but as a player, he is already a reliable man at this point.
FW
15 Adailton
Among the various forwards rotated in the lineup, the iron man with the most durable physique is undoubtedly Adailton. The controlled shot he scored at his former club Yamaha will surely become a legendary strike. Even when the team is not functioning well, his overwhelming individual ability, known as Tactical Adailton, leads the team to victory. He is unquestionably a weapon for Tokyo.
Tadashi BABA (Football Writer)
▼Summary of the First Half
Establishing a New Style and the Struggles of the Next Phase
From the season opener through Sec. 10 against Gamba Osaka, the early part of the league gave the impression that the team was accumulating points by using the reserves built up from last season. This effectively bought time to instill a new playing style. During this period, the team was made to understand the strategic thinking behind positional play and transitioned to battles employing more localized tactics. However, in the last few matches entering the next phase, those tactics have not functioned as expected. In the Sec. 11 match on May 3 against Avispa Fukuoka, Leandro was positioned centrally at the front line. The plan was for Kuryu MATSUKI and Shuto ABE to exploit the space created by the false No. 9, but ultimately Fukuoka took the lead, forcing a positional reshuffle during the match. In Sec. 13 against Jubilo Iwata, Yojiro Takahagi was placed as an attacking midfielder to receive the ball in the freed-up position. However, this also resulted in conceding the lead and a system change during the game. From here on, success depends on how much the team can increase the patterns of tactical play and their successful experiences. Attention to detail, such as thoroughly preparing pre-movements before receiving the ball, is also indispensable. Can the team find a winning formula before exhausting the early reserves? Fortunately, the squad is rich in resources and packed with highly skilled veterans. To instill confidence in the players, the abilities of Coach Alber may be put to the test.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 1 vs Kawasaki Frontale
(2022.02.18 @ Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium)
The opening match was a game full of eagerness to learn a new playing style and hope for the new season. Leandro, who created many scoring chances in this match, said, "For us Brazilian players, the style of soccer the coach aims for is familiar, so it was easy to play from the start." And rightly so. The Brazilian national team, widely regarded as the strongest ever, who won the 1970 World Cup undefeated, also lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. This match was probably one where the bloodline that embodies artistic football flowed strongly. However, the best game of this season is expected to be born from now on.
▼Key Players in the First Half
GK & DF
No. 24 Jakub SLOWIK
The new addition to the team this season, Thales, has been making big saves from the beginning of the season. Off the pitch, he is a nice guy and after the away game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, he asked, "Can I say one last thing?" and expressed his gratitude, saying, "I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for coming all the way to support us in Hokkaido." He is undoubtedly the team MVP of the first half of the season.
MF
31 Shuto ABE
Since the opening match, he has taken on many tactical tasks both offensively and defensively, continuously making his presence felt. In addition to his natural stamina and playing intensity, the results of the repetitive practice of "stopping and kicking" that he has continued after training since last season are now showing. ABE himself is looking ahead to the next stage with the challenge of improving his scoring ability, saying, "I want to be able to compete with Kusu in the number of goals."
FW
15 Adailton
This season as well, his tank-like dribbling remains intact, and he has led the attack in the first half of the season with the team’s top 4 goals so far. Despite being immature and having clumsy combination play, he has often saved the team during this transitional period. Adailton himself has said, "It has become easier to understand where my teammates are and from where the passes will come," indicating that he may be one of the players benefiting from the new playing style.
Kei Sato (Soccer Magazine Web)
▼ First Half Summary
Passing Grade as an Initial Stage of Reform
To be honest, I thought it would be more difficult. I believed that it would take much more time for a team that had long relied on counterattacks to 'transition' to a style based on positional play. In fact, the team suffered three consecutive losses in May, but ball possession, which was 46.1% last season ranking 16th out of 20 teams, has risen to over 52% on average after 13 matches, climbing to 7th overall. The numbers clearly show that the players have changed their mindset and are putting the new style into practice. It can be said that this is a passing grade for the initial stage of reform. However, if we focus on where the ball is held, it is still far from ideal. There are frequent cases where the buildup gets stuck, forcing the team to circulate the ball in the back. The team spends a long time possessing the ball in their own half. To advance while the opponent is adjusting their tactics, it is necessary not only for players to position themselves appropriately but also to vary the speed of their passes. Quick passing to evade the opponent’s press and the technical skill to enable it are required. The question is whether these challenges will be overcome by changing personnel or by waiting for individual growth. Personally, I feel this will be a key point in the second half of the season. I want to pay close attention to the solutions that the coach, who says the team has 'entered the next phase,' will implement.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 7 vs Vissel Kobe
(April 6, 2022 @ Ajinomoto Stadium)
Of the five wins the team had achieved by Sec. 14, the three matches in which they outpossessed their opponents and earned 3 points were against Kyoto, Kobe, and G Osaka. Among these, the match against Kobe was probably the one where the team played closest to their ideal style. Although they fell behind early, they maintained a high line of engagement, skillfully maneuvered passes vertically and horizontally, and launched continuous attacks by recovering the ball in the opponent’s half. The opponent’s pressure was not very intense, but they scored three goals in the second half to complete a comeback. They moved the ball from inside to outside and from outside to inside, delivering vertical passes that changed the tempo with precision. Especially in the second half, the players’ coordination was excellent, repeatedly unsettling the opponent’s back line. It was a literal convincing victory.
▼Key Players in the First Half
GK & DF
No. 24 Jakub SLOWIK
The reason the team, which is working on a style vastly different from last season, remains within the top 10 is undoubtedly because of his presence. Especially impressive was his performance in Sec. 9 against Sapporo.D. With a series of excellent saves, he saved the team and secured a point by bringing the match to a scoreless draw. It’s no wonder he is revered as the 'Kuba God' for his outstanding work.
MF
31 Shuto ABE
In addition to his high-level standard attributes of speed, ball-winning ability, and dedication, this season he seems to have been refining his play by moving forward into the goal area to become a receiver. If his proactive movement into the pockets near the goal meshes well with those around him, it should lead to an increase in the team's scoring power. We hope that the attempts he showed in the first half of the season will bear fruit in the second half.
FW
9 Diego OLIVEIRA
He played in all matches from the opening game through Sec. 14 against Kashiwa, starting every game except the one against Tosu. The visible results of 2 goals and 2 assists might be unsatisfactory for a FW, but his attitude of never slacking off in defense as well as attack, always playing with the team first, is worthy of praise. He is the proud number 9 of the blue and red and likely the vice-captain.
Shintaro Inoue (Sports Hochi)
▼ First Half Summary
Changes at a Speed Exceeding Opponents' Expectations
When asked, "How is Tokyo this year?" it’s difficult to answer. The coach, who came via Niigata from Catalonia, mentioned the keywords "positional" and "possession" before the season started, so I thought they would play an idealistic style of soccer. But when the curtain was lifted, there were quick short counters utilizing speed, demands for intensity in midfield, and many scenes of pragmatic soccer. It’s understandable that a certain number of people watching say, "It’s no different from last year."
However, the direction they are heading is not wrong. A clear change is the ball possession rate, which was 46.1% last year. Although both matches ended in defeat, they recorded 59% against Tosu and 65.6% against Iwata. Both teams pressed from the front early on, but the defensive line did not retreat and kept moving the ball. As an Iwata official admitted, "We couldn’t take the ball from the front as much as we expected," they were forced to change their plan to defending by setting up a block midway through. The changes have come at a speed exceeding the opponents’ expectations. They have also made sufficient upfront investments. In the Levain Cup, despite the impact of the early-season COVID-19 situation, they utilized it as a showcase for young players, selecting 17-year-old defender Renta HIGASHI and others. There is also the enjoyment of watching to see when the seeds sown with an eye to the future will bloom.
That said, as Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA says, professionals should primarily be judged by results... Indeed, this season is difficult for Tokyo.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 10 vs Gamba Osaka
(April 29, 2022 @ Japan National Stadium)
It was a match that demonstrated the future of the capital’s club right in the heart of Tokyo. The first league match at the renovated Japan National Stadium. With a production featuring about 500 fireworks and LED lights in the club colors of blue and red, it invited the 43,125 spectators who braved the heavy rain into an extraordinary space. The match itself was a continuous series of fast-paced attacks, capped off by Leandro’s brilliant dribbling leading to a goal. The combined efforts of the players on the pitch and the club staff created the ultimate entertainment experience (I truly wish the National Stadium had been renovated exclusively for ball sports…).
▼Key Players in the First Half
GK & DF
3 Masato MORISHIGE
Ironically, the significance of his presence became even clearer during the three consecutive losses while he was sidelined due to injury. There are many excellent points such as his strength in aerial duels and build-up play, but the most important is that he provides the team with a “pausa” (Spanish for a short break or calm). In the league comeback match on May 21 against Kashiwa, Yasuki KIMOTO, who partners with him at center back, was boldly attempting long feeds and vertical passes. The influence of the 35-year-old captain is immense.
MF
44 Kuryu MATSUKI
If we consider only the playing aspect, Aoki, who excels in crisis awareness, and Abe, who is sharpening his scoring ability, might be superior. However, the shock of a high school graduate rookie starting in the opening lineup cannot be expressed in numbers. His tenacity in clinging to the ball like a fighting dog and fighting with his whole body ignites passion in those who watch. There is room for improvement in his technique and decision-making after gaining possession, but this can also be seen as potential for growth. Since this directly connects to the team’s development, we look forward to his further progress.
FW
11 Kensuke NAGAI
A presence you want to have in every household. It is true that having zero goals is somewhat unsatisfactory for a forward. However, there is no one else but NAGAI who acts as the pressing switch from the front line, which is the lifeline of the team. Whether starting or coming on as a substitute, he always manages to create chances by breaking behind the defensive line in every match. The feet of number 11 undoubtedly play a crucial role in making the team function.
Daisuke Suga (El Golazo, FC Tokyo Correspondent)
▼First Half Summary
Embedding the Style After Gaining Confidence Through Victory
I was surprised, having imagined a cheerful romanticist. Coach Albert is quite a realist. His public statement before the season that "reform takes time" and his reluctance to present specific numbers or goals likely stem from this mindset. In his first season in charge, Coach Albert seems to prioritize growth over winning, showing little interest in points or rankings. Instead, he appears to focus his energy on instilling his style and evaluating players for that purpose. Viewed this way, the three consecutive wins immediately after the season opener—when the team committed to a somewhat pragmatic and realistic style—and the subsequent three consecutive losses in the mid-season phase, where he is gradually trying to embed his own romantic vision, make sense. Initially, the team faced reality to "gain composure through winning," and once that phase was overcome, they began embedding the style he believes in to "continue winning in the future." This approach seems reasonable for building a long-term team style. The opponent for the final home game of the first half is the Kashima Antlers, who also brought in a new coach this season and are undergoing team reform. Much will be revealed in the match against an opponent who started from the same baseline. We look forward to seeing what kind of performance they will show when facing Kashima, who are already competing for the top spot. We want to take that as the answer to Albert Tokyo’s first half of the season.
▼Best Game of the First Half
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 3 vs Cerezo Osaka
(2022.03.06 @ YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM)
This match marked Albert Tokyo’s first official victory. Although there were concerns about the players’ condition due to the team’s activities being suspended because of the novel coronavirus, they dominated the game almost entirely in the first half. Triggered by the high press of the three forwards, inside halves Shuto ABE and Kusei MATSUKI repeatedly intercepted the ball in the opponent’s territory, creating numerous chances. The joy shown by Kazuya KONNO after scoring a goal, his embrace with Coach Albert, and the team’s relentless effort to keep running despite being down a player due to a sending off in the second half were truly inspiring. This 90-minute match strongly impressed their solid style of short counterattacks following a high press in the early season.
▼Key Players in the First Half
GK & DF
No. 30 Yasuki KIMOTO
True to his declaration upon joining that he wanted to compete as a CB, he has delivered a fulfilling performance in his primary position. The solidity and stability he shows when paired with Masato MORISHIGE rank among the best in the league, and he was one of the pillars supporting the strong defense in the early season. Additionally, his sharp vertical passes, utilizing precise kicking and a wide field of vision, serve as a trigger for attacks, making him an indispensable presence in the positional play that Coach Albert aims for.
MF
Shuto ABE
The length of playing time proves more than anything the size of its presence. As a field player, it is the longest and the only one to start in every game. Its endless stamina and powerful ball retrieval ability stand out even among positional plays. In the future, what is necessary for both the team and Abe himself to move on to the next stage is the quality of on-the-ball play. It will be interesting if he can learn to make the final pass.
FW
11 Kensuke NAGAI
In every match, it is number 11 who maintains the balance in attack and flips the switch in defense. Whether coordinating with the full-back or inside half to break down the flanks, or using his speed to drive toward the goal, he is always active. Leading the high press at the front line, he sprints back with full effort when facing counterattacks. His contributions in areas not reflected in statistics are outstanding, making him the most dedicated player on both offense and defense.
