＜Match Preview＞
In the previous match, we won 2-1 against Hiroshima and achieved our second consecutive victory in the league. Although we faced a difficult situation of conceding the first goal away, our defense held strong with only one goal conceded, and our attacking line responded by scoring the winning goal near the end of the match. Morishige reflected, "Our ideal is to always have possession of the ball. However, when we can't do that, if we can withstand without conceding and patiently wait for our opportunity, our time will come again. Fighting resiliently during tough times led to the result."
Shimizu, who will be the opponent in this match, has been struggling this season, but since the appointment of new coach ZE RICARDO in June, they have been showing signs of recovery with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. During the break, they acquired experienced players such as Takashi INUI, Koya KITAGAWA, and YAGOPICHU. It would be better to consider them as a different team from the one we defeated 3-0 in the previous match in May.
Tokyo is also in good team condition. In the Hiroshima match, three players, Luiz Phellipe, Koki Tsukagawa, and Seiji Kimura, who joined during the break period due to the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, made their debut as substitutes. It is also a big plus that the ace Diego Oliveira scored a goal for the first time in six matches.
I hope for a victory at home to gain momentum as we enter the final third of the season.
Matchday program is here!
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q, has Euga Villan Physical Coach left the team? Is there a replacement Physical Coach?
A, we are currently working on finding a suitable candidate. Naturally, it is not easy at this time of year. However, we understand that his resignation this time was due to personal reasons, so it is something we have to accept.
Q: How do you decide on the training menu until the next physical coach is determined?
A, there are no particular issues at the moment. Athletic Trainer Matsubara is temporarily covering for the absence of Physical Coach Euga Villan. The training flow towards the end of this season has already been established, so in that sense, the training is progressing without any problems at all.
Q: How do you evaluate the performance of Mita in the previous match against Hiroshima?
A, I believe there is no doubt about his quality. However, football quality alone is not enough to succeed. In addition, concentration is important, as is contribution in defense. Mita has recently improved well and contributed solidly to the team in various aspects during the match against Hiroshima. Players with characteristics like his can also play as a winger or an inside half, so I think he is one of the important players for us.
Q: In the scene where player Abe missed a shot in front of the goal, there was a moment where player Mita was able to bring the ball forward successfully in collaboration with player Yoshifu. Do you think that creating scenes like that is one of Mita's strengths?
A: As I always say, we give players freedom in the final finishing zone. The space in the finishing zone is very tight. Because playing in such a narrow space is required, naturally the quality of each individual player becomes essential. That play, where the ball was held for a long time and ultimately broken down in front of the goal, was a very attractive play. The final combination was definitely something worthy of attention.
Q: We have two consecutive home games. Please tell us your enthusiasm and importance.
A: I have said this since the beginning of the season, but I want us to grow with each match we play. The same applies to these two consecutive home games. There are players who are absent. To fill the gaps left by those players, I want the others to step up and perform well. Also, the area where we play with confidence is something we have been improving on. I want to continue emphasizing that as we approach tomorrow’s match. However, each match is a different story. The flow and development of the game change due to various details, so it is important to focus fully on each match one by one. Naturally, home games allow us to play more comfortably. But beyond daily growth, I do not seek anything more.
Q: Shimizu added players Kandry and Kitagawa in the summer, and they also scored two goals in the last Tosu match to catch up in the final stages. What is your impression of them again?
A: The attacking lineup includes high-quality players such as Thiago SANTANA and Inui, so if we give them any leeway, they will definitely launch dangerous attacks. As I always say, I think this J1 League is a very evenly matched league. Therefore, it is not the case that there is a huge difference in strength based on the standings. I believe Shimizu is a team that values possession of the ball. We also need to be cautious of their attacks from the flanks. In that sense, I think they are an attractive opponent to face.
Q: How do you feel about Matsuki's continuous participation since the beginning of the season and his growth up to this point?
A: Matsuki is a player with a very strong competitive spirit. I believe he represents a typical type of player that modern football demands. Not just him personally, but players with a style like his. I think having more players with characters like Matsuki’s will greatly contribute to the further growth of Japanese football. In Japan, there are many high-quality wingers and attacking midfielders, but I believe there is a need for more players with characters like Matsuki’s in the central midfield. At the same time, I hope better players will also emerge in the center-back and center-forward positions. Matsuki has been blessed with ample playing time, so I think he is growing steadily. At the same time, I believe our playing style is connected to helping each player develop. Players grow precisely by valuing the ball in their play. If a player does not value the ball, whether they are 20 or 25 years old, it is difficult to expect dramatic growth. Even if they gain experience without valuing the ball, it might lead to some improvement, but it will not enhance their quality as a football player. To seek improvement as a football player, it is necessary to continue playing while valuing the ball. In that sense, 19-year-old Matsuki is playing while valuing the ball and is growing steadily.
[Player Interview]
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA Player＞
Q, please look back on the previous Hiroshima match again.
A: Since this is a sport where results matter, I am happy and think it was good that we won. However, there were still areas that we need to refine, so I want us to work on aligning those from practice onward.
Q: What kind of impression do you have of Taku SHIMIZU?
A, there are many good attackers up front, and I think each individual has high ability. Within that, we want to maintain possession of the ball while also effectively using counters, and aggressively win the ball from the front. If we can bring out our strengths, good results will follow, so I want to play with that awareness.
Q: How was the team atmosphere during this week?
A, Since we have been able to achieve consecutive wins, the atmosphere is also good. I believe it is very important to learn while winning matches. While focusing on that, everyone is working hard from practice to improve the team's level, so I want to continue doing so.
Q: How is the construction of team coordination?
A, the players are communicating with each other and making demands, so little by little, I hope we can shape it into something good. I also want to better understand each player's strengths and coordinate our play accordingly.
Q, I felt that the level of trapping, passing, and basic skills was high even when watching the practice.
A, I believe I have improved somewhat as I have continued to work on that even with my previous team. However, what is important is being able to use those skills in matches, so I hope to participate in games and deliver results.
Q: There is a possibility of making my debut at Ajinomoto Stadium during the Shimizu match with vocal support. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, the cheers really support the players, and during tough moments, there are many times when my body moves because of the voices of the fans and supporters. It is very reassuring to have so many allies in our favor at home games, and I hope we can fight hard and achieve results.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, we achieved a come-from-behind victory against Hiroshima in the previous match with Adailton's goal.
A, of course the result of the victory was important, but I also think the content was not bad. I feel encouraged by the fact that there have been more situations where we were able to advance while maintaining possession of the ball.
Q, John HIGASHI has started as an anchor in the league for 5 consecutive matches. It is a different position from the previous season, but do you have anything you are conscious of?
A, since it is a position where balance must be maintained both in attack and defense, I am very conscious of creating a situation where the surrounding players can play comfortably. Especially for the forward players, their movement tends to become passive if the ball does not come to them, so even when I cannot pass the ball, I try to convey that "I am watching you properly."
Q: Did you have any thoughts during the first half of the season when you didn't have many opportunities to play?
A, my condition was good, and I was confident that I could perform when given the chance, so I thought I just had to keep doing what I needed to do without getting discouraged. Even in matches where I wasn't on the bench, I visualized the moment I would step onto the pitch and carefully observed the team from the outside. There were mentally challenging times, but overcoming them has helped me grow once again.
Q: At this point, how do you feel about the level of completion of the soccer that Coach Albert is aiming for?
A, if asked how much we can express the coach's ideas, I don't think it is 100 percent. However, even within that, the players must make their own situational judgments and choose good plays; otherwise, we cannot become a winning team. There is room for improvement in that area, and I believe it is also something expected of me.
Q, this round will be a test match for vocal support operations. We ask for the enthusiasm of the fans and supporters.
A: The July match against Sapporo, which was a test match for vocal support operations, gave us more energy than usual. It was a game where I once again felt the greatness and reassurance of having vocal support. I hope that in this round as well, the fans will lend us their strength just like they did in the Sapporo match.
Matchday program is here!
