＜Match Preview＞
In the recent J1 League 8th round, Cerezo Osaka suffered a 1-2 defeat, experiencing their first home loss of the season. After conceding the opening goal, they equalized with a splendid volley shot by Ryoma WATANABE, but later conceded a goal due to a defensive imbalance in the final stages of the match. There were opportunities to take the lead, so there are remaining challenges in managing the game. After the match, Yasuki KIMOTO said, "Losing may cause us to lose confidence or have doubts. However, it is important to move forward in one direction. I want us to overcome this period together without wasting it."
This week, we will welcome Gamba Osaka at home as we aim to advance to the Prime Stage of the Levain Cup. In the previous week, Tokyo faced Gamba Osaka with a team consisting mainly of young players and suffered a complete defeat against a strong opponent. After completing three matches in the group stage, we are in a situation where we cannot afford to lose with a record of 1 win and 2 losses.
In April, Tokyo has continued its streak of not winning in the official matches for four games. We hope for the emergence of fresh players to energize the team. One player to watch is Naoki KUMATA, who scored five goals in the U-20 Asia Cup in March and was crowned the top scorer of the tournament. He aims to score a goal to stop Gamba Osaka, who is leading Group E, and avenge the previous match.
Matchday program here
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q, What do you expect from Takuya AOKI in tomorrow's lineup, which will be centered around young players?
A, As I always say, for me the Levain Cup is a chance to give playing time to players who haven't had much opportunity in the league and to gain experience. By incorporating experienced players into a team mainly composed of young players, our aim is to promote growth while competing. Of course, we expect experienced player Takuya AOKI to lead the team, but since he has been out of the game for a long time, it is important for him to regain his game sense first. It will take a little more time for him to regain his game sense and ball control accuracy, rather than his physical condition. I think tomorrow's game will be an important one for him as well.
Q: Among the young attackers in the front line, is it difficult to make it into the league's match lineup without deepening the understanding of defense and other common aspects?
A, Young players each need to learn more on their own. The challenges differ depending on the player. Some need to deepen their understanding of defense, while others need to learn more about the attacking side. Taking into account each young player's challenges and situation, my job is to promote and manage their growth by sometimes giving them playing opportunities and other times having them wait for their chance. Many of these young players have trained as academy members on the artificial turf pitch next to our training ground. Supporting players who have just been promoted to the top team to adapt well is also part of my job. In official matches, if a young player makes a big mistake, there is a risk that their potential for the future could be lost. I do not want such things to happen. I myself have accumulated a lot of experience so far. I want to give back that experience to Tokyo and promote the growth of young players. For example, there are players like Kuryu MATSUKI who grow with a sense of speed. However, not everyone is like that.
Q, Soma ANZAI player has also joined the practice.
A, I am attracted to the way he plays with confidence. Although I have only been able to observe his play for a few days, I recognize that he has technique and a high level of skill.
Q, it is also the halfway point of the group stage of the Levain Cup. How do you feel about the performance so far, the growth of the young players, and the upcoming matches from here?
A: The away match against Gamba Osaka, especially the first 45 minutes, was the worst performance so far this season when looking back. Some might think that when the team cannot express good play, it’s because the young players are not showing good performances, but the young players are fighting hard. To properly foster their growth, we have integrated them with experienced players and have competed in the past three matches. The matches against Cerezo Osaka and Kyoto Sanga F.C. were good in terms of content. Although we lost to Cerezo Osaka, the content was not necessarily bad. The match against Kyoto was a good game both in terms of results and content, with many goals scored. However, the third match against Gamba Osaka did not go well in any aspect. For this match, we aimed to correct the poor first half in the second half by actively using more young players, who became more conscious of playing boldly. Because of this, we conceded additional goals consecutively towards the end, but I appreciate their play.
Based on the above, it is necessary to blend young players with veteran players. Of course, I believe the fans and supporters want us to win matches and secure titles. On the other hand, I consider the Levain Cup to be an environment that creates opportunities to promote the growth of young players. This season, many young players have joined the top team. It is extremely difficult for them to grow through daily training alone. I fully understand that we are expected to advance past the group stage of the Levain Cup and achieve victories, and that I am responsible if the results do not follow. However, as I have repeatedly stated, my belief that this is a place for young players to grow remains unchanged. The club is also in a situation where we must gradually proceed with generational change. If that is the case, I believe it is all the more valuable to promote the growth of young players. I look forward to seeing young players become central figures of the team in the not-too-distant future. Who will grow in that way? To achieve that, it is necessary to give them opportunities. I believe growth can only be gained by playing in official matches.
Q, Kanta DOI has also joined the practice.
A, He has just joined the team, and since becoming a professional player with the club, he has only been able to participate in practice for a few days. He suffered a serious injury last season, so it feels like he has just joined the team as if starting the preseason. However, since he is a young player, I believe he will quickly adapt to the team. Having just returned from a major injury, I think it will take a little more time before he can participate in matches.
[Player Interview]
Soma ANZAI
Q, What kind of play would you like to show if given the chance?
A, If given the opportunity to play, I want to take a high position during attacks and sometimes change positions between inside and outside, playing with many options. There are many skilled players in Tokyo's midfield, so how I connect with them and create rhythm is important. Regarding defense, I believe aggressiveness, including high pressing, is required, so I want to fully demonstrate my strengths.
Q, I think there is joy in being able to play at Ajinomoto as an academy graduate.
A, I think it would be a true honor to make my debut at Ajinomoto Stadium. Having gone through high school and university, I am happy to be able to play in front of FC Tokyo’s fans and supporters. Tomorrow, I want to actively show my strengths.
Q, what kind of image do you have when you approach a game?
A, I want to show my strengths while above all demonstrating my fighting spirit. I want to show more aggressiveness in ball challenges than anyone else, my perseverance in running until the very end, and my fighting attitude.
Q, What is your current state of mind after participating in practice since joining the team?
A, It has been about a week since the announcement of my joining the team, and things are moving faster than I expected. I have a strong desire to give my all if given the chance. My determination to win is stronger than anyone else's.
Q, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, if I am able to step onto the pitch, I want to show the fans and supporters how much I have grown since my junior high school days playing for FC Tokyo U-15 Fukagawa. The team is going through a tough period, but I will do my best to deliver victories. Thank you for your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, how is your current condition?
A, My body is sharp, and I believe I have been able to maintain a good condition consistently, so I don't have many concerns about that.
Q: There is also a European expedition for the U-22 Japan national team, and it seems that there are not many opportunities to play in the league matches. How do you perceive the current situation?
A, I have only been included in the squad for one J1 League match, and that was when we played with a three-back formation. I was on the bench simply because three center backs were on the field. It’s frustrating that I haven’t been able to get involved smoothly so far, and I do have the feeling of "please use me," but when I was given chances in the Levain Cup matches against Cerezo Osaka and Gamba Osaka, I couldn’t score, and we conceded goals and lost... I think it’s difficult for the coach to use a player who isn’t producing results, and that is my fault, or rather, it’s my own problem that I haven’t been able to deliver results. The match against Gamba Osaka on Wednesday is a revenge match, and I believe that firmly producing results there is a must to be involved in the league matches. I also have a sense of urgency about not producing results, so I have to work on that.
Q, as a defender, does the team's condition and coordination affect the results, so there are parts that cannot be achieved by individual efforts alone. As an individual, do you sometimes feel like "I can do more"?
A, of course there are. Unlike the league matches, the Levain Cup features many young players, and not all of them are experienced, so there are fewer scenes where combinations work as well as in the league or where each player can think and defend properly. As a center back, including that, I have to call out from the back and move those around me. That applies to me as well, and it is the role of the defenders to make it easier for the whole team to defend, so having complaints about that is meaningless. It’s something I have to do, so I feel I need to work hard.
Q: After experiencing loan transfers with three different teams, you returned to FC Tokyo in the summer of last season. It has been some time since then, but have you noticed any changes in yourself or the team?
A, we don’t kick the ball as much as we did under Kenta HASEGAWA (former coach), and there is an image of wanting to somehow connect the play. The coach often emphasizes the importance of valuing the ball, and the players’ awareness has also improved. I think that is the biggest change.
Q, how do you feel about adapting to the connecting soccer as a player, Kimura?
A, I was never really a player good at passing, so playing a more direct style of soccer is easier for me, and even if I lose the ball, I can just focus on defending. Trying to connect passes increases the risk and is more difficult, but if I can do that, I believe I can adapt to any team, and it will greatly contribute to my own growth. In that sense, being able to take on the challenge of Tokyo's new style is a very positive aspect.
Q, have you played football under the guidance of three coaches, Kyoto Sanga F.C., S.C. Sagamihara, and Montedio Yamagata, on a temporary transfer? Did that experience help you improve your playing skills?
A, I don't think I've changed that much (laughs). Of course, each team has its own style, but if you ask whether something has dramatically changed, not really... The team I played the most matches for was Sagamihara, and during that time, I gained confidence beyond just football. At Yamagata, I played a little at the start of the season but hardly played afterward. However, because I gained confidence at Sagamihara, I developed a rebellious spirit, or rather, a feeling of "Why am I not being used?" So, the biggest change is that I became able to have confidence. Since returning to Tokyo, I feel my ball skills have improved a bit, and I have become more aware of my surroundings.
Q, defense is also a position where confidence is important.
A, I think attacking players have it tougher physically, but defenders are always under mental pressure, so gaining confidence is a very significant thing.
Q, recently I often hear that "Kimura's condition is good", and I heard that he played well especially during the European expedition. I think the fans and supporters also want to see him play in the league as soon as possible. What kind of play do you want Tokyo fans and supporters to see?
A, as I have always said, my strong point is my physical ability, so I want people to see me competing in that aspect the most. Also, the build-up play that I have been working on consistently in practice should be better than before, so that is something I need to do in the league matches, and I want people to see me taking on that challenge.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the Gamba Osaka match.
A, we lost 0-3 last time, and the content was quite a mess, so there are many points to reflect on. However, I don't think we are inferior in terms of individual ability, and if we improve on each point of reflection one by one and move forward, I believe we can defeat them. This time, we want to keep a clean sheet and score properly to win. I myself am aiming to score from set pieces, so I hope to contribute well to the victory.
