<Match Preview>
After playing three league matches, we will now welcome the opening of the Levain Cup. It will be a tight schedule with league matches before and after, playing three matches in three days. However, as one of the three major domestic titles and a team that has won twice in the past, we want to pursue victory along with our performance in this tournament.
Tokyo entered the same group as Kyoto Sanga F.C., Gamba Osaka, and Cerezo Osaka, all from the Kansai region, in the group stage this season. They will face Kyoto, whom they played against in a league match on March 4th, in the Levain Cup on March 26th, and will also face Cerezo Osaka, whom they will play against tomorrow, in a league match on April 15th, with rematches scheduled in close proximity across different competitions.
While exploring each other's hands, it is essential to improve the overall strength of the team through the emergence of young players in order to accumulate points in both tournaments. Coach Albert has also stated his intention to actively use young players in the Levain Cup.
In the match against Kyoto on March 4th, the team was revitalized by sending young players onto the pitch in the second half and having them showcase their strengths. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who made his second consecutive appearance, showed a daring dribble and threatened the opponent's goal, while Yuta ARAI, who made his league debut, cut in from the right side and supplied a sharp cross ball in front of the goal. Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who made his first appearance after signing a professional contract, also showed a fighting spirit until the end, encouraging the entire team despite conceding a goal in additional time.
Despite the impact of the corona pandemic, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been proactive in using young players, such as giving CACA, who was a special designated player last season, his debut in the first match of the Levain Cup. Tomorrow, what kind of lineup will they face? What kind of performance will each player show? This upcoming match is not only important for the immediate future, but also for the future of Tokyo.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: How do you consider the composition of the team members in the midst of a shortage of midfielders?
A: Regardless of whether players are sidelined due to injury, I want to utilize the Levain Cup as an opportunity to promote the growth of young players. Of course, I aim to maintain a good balance and approach the matches by effectively blending players who have not had many chances in the league with young players. In Europe, players endure playing two high-intensity matches every week with only three days of rest in between. What I am aiming for tomorrow is to maintain a good balance, of course aiming for victory, while giving young players opportunities and fostering their growth. I want to strike a good balance between these two goals as we approach tomorrow’s match.
For example, if we cannot maintain that balance and end up playing difficult games with many young players, it can lead to those young players losing confidence. At the same time, for players who have not been given the chance to play in the league, I want them to be prepared to play well in the league at any time by giving them the opportunity to play. I understand that fans and supporters hope for a title. However, we are in a situation where we have injuries in the midfield position and Matsuki is absent due to national team duties. But what I want fans and supporters to understand is that young players cannot grow without opportunities to play. At the same time, if players who have not had many chances to play in the league do not have the chance to play in the Levain Cup, they cannot prepare well for the league. When players who play well in the Levain Cup emerge, my goal is to use them more and more in the league.
Tomorrow's match will be a chance for players who have not had the opportunity to play in the league to prove themselves worthy of playing in the league. For young players, it will be a chance to grow and prove that they have what it takes. In football, we must overcome everything. This includes the condition of the pitch and even the decisions of the referees. We must overcome everything and aim for victory. Even our own mistakes, we must overcome them and aim for victory.
Q: In the past two matches, there have been many scenes where we lost the ball. What do we need to do to overcome these mistakes?
A: We want to regain the balance we lost in the match against Kyoto. First of all, even if we lose the match, we want the players to always express on the pitch that they are fighting to win. The players showed that in the Kyoto match. We must express that in every match no matter what. In the Kyoto match, we struggled against their high-intensity defense and were unable to control the game well. The absence of several players also had an impact, and that is a point we want to improve. What we must learn from the Kyoto match is that we also need to defend with high intensity. When the opponent does the same, of course, not everything may go well, but it is important to play in a way that firmly controls the ball and the game as time passes. We must learn from the Kyoto match and want to make improvements.
Q: I think the challenge is to continue playing steadily. What is necessary to calm down the play even in high-tempo matches?
A, it is necessary to truly believe in our own play. I believe that we can only overcome challenges by continuing to believe and keep going. If each player continues to believe and persist, they will influence each other, and ultimately the team will be able to overcome together. We need to learn more about how to break through against teams that lower their block and defend cautiously, rather than teams that defend with high intensity. This season, my personal goal is to stick to our style while focusing on winning. We must establish a unique Tokyo style that brings out the strengths of the players currently with us. Continuing from last season, one of our goals is also for each player to grow.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q, how is your condition?
A, my condition is improving, and I believe Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA is also monitoring my state. If I get the chance to play in a match, I want to express my opinions to anyone without hesitation, listen to the opinions of the players around me, and play while maintaining detailed communication.
Q, I think you have been building up Tokyo's style from the camp, but how about the aspect of getting used to it?
A, I have understood some parts of the soccer style. However, since I have never played in an official match after transferring to Tokyo, I honestly don’t know if I can play as imagined. I am studying by watching the movements of Nagatomo, Nakamura, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. I hope to express the image I have gained on the pitch. First of all, I want to play in a match as soon as possible.
Q, how do you perceive the Levain Cup, which is about to begin?
A, I think it is a highly anticipated tournament. It has been three years since the club last won, so we want to win again and share the joy with our fans and supporters. When we won the 2020 season, I was watching it on TV. Being part of that team now is really exciting, and I believe it will be an important match just like the league games.
Q, I think this will be an important match that will also affect the league.
A, I want to play in the Levain Cup and also be involved in the league matches. The first match will be an important one for me as well. Although there are only three days between the Yokohama FC match, I want to give more than 100 percent in the Levain Cup and contribute to the team's victory.
Q: Did you have any opportunities to play in positions other than fullback during the camp? How did it feel?
A, there are times when the fullback moves up to the defensive midfield position to play, and this is something the team requires. I believe my experience playing as a defensive midfielder has been beneficial in my role as a fullback. I have also proven that I can adapt if given the opportunity to play in midfield. I approach this positively to help Tokyo become stronger, and I want to express this on the pitch.
Q, what kind of impression do you have of Cerezo Osaka?
A, I think there are many players who are skilled with the ball at their feet. If you don't challenge firmly in one-on-one situations, they will easily get past you. Defensively, they play with high intensity, and offensively, they have strong points, so I want to connect good defense to good attack.
Q, there are also plays that Coach Albert is asking for, what kind of plays do you want to make?
A, I want to be conscious of getting involved in possession while considering my positioning. By communicating with the players around me, I aim to take the best position and make a presence in both offense and defense.
Q: Are you also aiming for goals and assists in terms of results?
A, I approach every match with the intention of scoring and delivering results. It is important not to focus solely on myself but also to play by utilizing the strengths of the players around me. While thinking carefully, I want to run and fight for the team's victory first, rather than just my own results.
Q, it's an away game, but I think many fans and supporters will come to cheer. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, the passion of the fans and supporters I felt at the home opener was incredible. Tomorrow’s match is away, but I believe many will come to cheer us on. The players will do their best to respond to the support. We all want to show everyone the fighting spirit that will make people want to come watch the Levain Cup as well, so please look forward to it. We appreciate your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q,Please tell us your enthusiasm for the Levain Cup.
A, I have not yet played in any matches this season, so I want to firmly achieve results and build on them. Since the Levain Cup is the first match, I will do my best to win and gain momentum.
Q: How is your condition?
A, I am always ready to play in matches, so my condition is not a problem.
Q: What do you want to focus on during the game?
A, I want to attack while valuing possession of the ball as a team. Since I am a defensive player, I focus on not conceding goals, utilizing my physical abilities, which are my strengths, and making sure not to be outmatched by the opponent.
Q, what is your impression of Cerezo Osaka?
A, the opponent's attacking line is made up of highly skilled players, so defensively, we want to apply intense pressing and prevent their attackers from playing freely.
Q, I think that players who have had few opportunities to play in the league so far will have the chance to play. I think it will be a game that tests their mental strength. How do you want to fight?
A, everyone strongly wants to participate in the league matches. Since the opponent will play aggressively from the start, I believe that mental strength is especially important in one-on-one situations, so we want to stay focused, encourage each other, and enter the match without losing mentally.
Q, I think this is a chance to change our position so far by showing good results and plays here, as we have not achieved results in the last 2 league matches.
A, as a defensive player, I think if we can win without conceding goals, that alone will raise my evaluation. When the team is not doing well, it is a chance for players like me who have not been involved in matches, so I just have to do my best.
Q: Do you have any concerns about playing with players you don't usually play with?
A, as a team, we have a shared understanding of the style of play we aim for. For the finer details, I think it will be necessary to communicate with each other while playing.
Q, do you seem calm, but are your feelings rising?
A, I am quite excited. I got injured before the season opener and haven't been involved in matches, but the season has just begun. This first match is very important to me, so I want to deliver solid results. I'm not nervous at all, and I want to play boldly tomorrow. I'm also aiming to score from set pieces.
Q, do you have an image of playing against Cerezo Osaka?
A: First, I want to play while handling the ball simply and smoothly. A vertical pass can create a chance if it goes through, but aiming for a vertical pass at a bad timing carries a high risk of losing the ball. I believe Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also dislikes that, so I plan to play simply where it’s easy, circulate the ball well, and play flexibly by aiming for vertical passes when the opponent is slightly off position.
