<Match Review>
The opening match of this season, Albert Tokyo's debut had many positive elements, but immediately after, due to the impact of the new coronavirus infection, the team's activities were suspended from February 20th to 26th. Finally, after resuming activities, they faced today's Fukuoka match with a 3-day preparation period.
There are still some teammates in the recovery period, and 17 players, including one designated player and two registered players, arrived in Fukuoka. They played their second match of the season with the best possible lineup.
After the kick-off, Keita YAMASHITA made a move and approached the goal, and continued to hold the ball and push the opponent. The transition between offense and defense after losing the ball was also fast, and they pressed high to regain the ball and launch a continuous attack. However, in the 22nd minute of the first half, they conceded the first goal when Tatsuya TANAKA jumped into the gap between players and received a cross ball from the right side.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, not only holds the ball but also pushes it in by putting a wedge pass to the front line players. In the 24th minute of the first half, Kazuya KONNO, who received the ball on the right side, made a big side change. Adailton controlled the ball in the penalty area on the left side of the goal, but his shot was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.
The biggest chance of the first half was at 35 minutes. When they got a free kick near the right side of the penalty area, Ryoya OGAWA took a sharp kick directly towards the goal, but it hit the crossbar. Hotaka NAKAMURA then headed the rebound, but it went straight to the opposing goalkeeper.
Tokyo, who is aiming for a comeback, will bring in strengthened player Yuta ARAI from the second half.
In the 24th minute of the second half, Adailton, who cut in from the left side to the center, attracted the opponent and moved to the right side. Arai, who entered the penalty area while controlling the ball, actively aimed for the goal but couldn't find the frame. In the 29th minute of the second half, Yamashita and in the 38th minute, Adailton both had chances for a header shot in front of the goal, but were unable to score due to the opponent's goalkeeper's good defense.
While managing the risk against the opponent's counter, we repeatedly recovered the ball with a high press and continued to launch thick attacks, maintaining control of the game throughout. Even in a tough situation, the team showed what they were capable of and fully demonstrated the style of Albert Tokyo. The finishing power, which was a challenge carried over from the Kawasaki Frontale match, is something we want to solve in the league match against Cerezo Osaka in three days.
[Interview with Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: please review the game.
First of all, I would like to commend the players for their fighting spirit. Among the players who played today, there were also several players who had recently recovered from being tested positive for COVID-19. In such circumstances, I hope you understand that they had to face this match under extreme stress.I also want to commend the young players who took the field today. The result of the match was not what we expected. And we did not have a great game either, but in terms of creating many decisive chances, I don't think a loss is an appropriate result.
And tactically, considering the players available to play, we thought about various combinations and positions, and during the match, we fought while considering different combinations. There were players who had to play in positions they do not usually play. Despite such circumstances, the fact that we were able to create multiple decisive chances while making various positional changes is worthy of praise.
Q: Among the limited number of players, Takuya AOKI was substituted due to injury. How is his condition?
A: It is simply a bruise, and I hope he recovers quickly. He is scheduled to undergo a detailed examination, but I hope it will be just a bruise.
Q, you put pressure on from a high position from the start of the match, but it was much better compared to the opening game, wasn't it?
A: During the periods when we were able to maintain a good condition, we were able to keep the match under our control. However, we made a mistake in the build-up from the back. We conceded a goal after the opponent capitalized on the chance created by our error. There was a chaotic period of about 10 minutes after that, but from there, I think we had a long time of calmly continuing to dominate the match. I also believe we were able to control the game for much of the second half.
For many players, it was their first official match appearance. There were also players who had to participate in this game just a few days after their recovery period ended. In that sense, I want everyone to understand that it was a difficult match for all. However, even in such circumstances, I believe the players who played solidly deserve to be praised.
[Player Interview]
Keita YAMASHITA
Q: How did you approach the game with limited members and concerns about combinations?
A, throughout the 90 minutes, the number of shots was low and there were few scenes involving the ball, so it was a tough situation, but I feel there were more things we could have done.
Q: Did you have any expectations for the matches in Fukuoka, your hometown?
A: Although it was in my hometown of Fukuoka, it was my debut match as an FC Tokyo player, and I approached this game with strong feelings, so I am disappointed that we couldn't win.
Q, including the Kawasaki game, how do you perceive the point that we have control of the ball but struggle to make it count in the end?
A: I believe each player must improve their quality in front of the goal. We are working on valuing the ball through positional play, but the purpose of that is to score goals. I feel we need to focus more on that aspect and work towards "scoring goals."
Q: I think you faced a difficult situation in the game. Have you communicated with each other in this team?
A: As you said, it was a difficult situation for the match, but once we step onto the pitch, each player represents FC Tokyo, so I believe we must not make excuses. Although we had little time to coordinate, we talked as a whole team to embody and bring out what we built up during the camp, and we approached the game with that mindset.
Q: Did you feel any difficulties, especially in terms of condition?
A, honestly, both physically and condition-wise, there were difficulties, but as members return from here on, we all want to work together to move the team in a positive direction again.
<Kazuya KONNO>
Q: Did you feel any sense of accomplishment in today's match?
A: I think we had a higher ball possession rate, and I believe we controlled the game throughout the full 90 minutes.
Even on my side, I was able to dribble past opponents and create chances, but it’s meaningless if I can’t produce results like goals or assists there.
If we can pursue that further, I believe the quality will improve and we will score goals as well. I have a good feeling about that, so I want to make it even better from here on.
Q, did you have the consciousness of creating opportunities from the side and take that position?
A, the coach's instructions were to 'get into the side and, when in a good position, keep challenging aggressively,' so my condition is good now, and I was able to deliver crosses and take shots almost without losing in one-on-one situations.
However, it is meaningless unless we improve the accuracy in the final part and score goals, so we need to practice more in that area.
Q, Was the pass from the side change connected to Adailton in the first half because it showed a shot from the cut-in?
A, I was able to play with many options such as cutting in, crossing, and shooting, so I was able to play without losing the ball almost at all. Finishing is still an issue, but I think that part was good.
Q: Today, you were able to create opportunities from a high position on the side. Do you feel that the accuracy of possession has improved?
A, The coach's idea is not to keep circulating the ball at the back, but to quickly move the ball forward and possess it for attacking. Regarding that aspect, I think we were able to coordinate with the surrounding players and create opportunities. Also, I want to improve on effectively switching between receiving the ball at my feet and making runs behind the defense.
Q, there haven't been any results yet in the first two matches since the opening. Is it safe to say that we just have to improve the accuracy one by one?
A, The coach also told us, "If we keep building up like this, results will definitely come. So let's all believe and keep going."
I think the same applies to us. It's frustrating as a forward to have zero goals in the last two matches, but I will play with the determination to definitely score in the next game.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the match against Cerezo Osaka, which we will face in three days with only a three-day break.
A: Of course, how the opponent defends is important, but I believe our own play and positioning are truly crucial. Although the preparation period until the next match is short, we will all prepare thoroughly and aim to perform better than we did in today's game.
<Ryoya OGAWA>
Q: You were used as a center back after a long time, with limited number of players who can play. What were you conscious of during the game?
A: It was almost my first time playing as a center back in an official match. There wasn’t much time to prepare, and we had never played a match with this lineup before. Therefore, during the game, I focused on communicating with my teammates and also on raising our physical condition, which hadn’t been at its best.
Q: Even though the conditions were not ideal, I think I was able to move and there were also parts where I was able to play the kind of soccer I wanted to. How was it?
A: Today, many young players also participated. There were parts we couldn't do well and parts we did, but there were many things we managed to accomplish. I believe we were able to prove that we can perform in a way that involves everyone, even when the regular players return for the league matches.
Q: What do you think about the challenge of not scoring a goal in the league match?
A: We were able to create chances again today, as we did in the Kawasaki match, but unless we improve our finishing, the games will always end up being ones where the content was good but we couldn’t secure the win. We need to make sure to finish decisively.
Q, I think there were some close scenes created with free kicks, etc. How was it?
A, I think the kicks overall were good, but the reality is that they have not resulted in goals. We need to further improve the accuracy of our kicks.
Q: Did you do anything like giving instructions or encouragement to the team, considering that there are many young players and players making their debut?
A, Many teenage players appeared, and there were several players younger than me, so I actively spoke to them. Ideally, I wanted the young players coming on as substitutes to play while we were in a winning position, so that part is a bit disappointing.
Q, what specific words of encouragement did you give?
A, when Yuta (Yuta ARAI) came on in the second half, I told him to keep expressing his own play, and since he is good at dribbling, I told him it was okay to play without worrying about those around him.
Q, how do you plan to break down opponents like Avispa Fukuoka who have a strong defense? What are your thoughts on finishing?
A: If we stick to our style, there will be teams that firmly strengthen their defense. To break down such opponents, we need to improve our accuracy in the attacking third; otherwise, passes will be off target and we will lose possession more often. I believe it is necessary to increase the precision of the final pass.
Q: Towards the end of the match, the substitute players were able to penetrate the attacking third. What are your thoughts on that?
A, I think there were many good aspects, but from there, it comes down to aligning our ideas and teamwork. If that goes well, I believe it will lead to scoring goals.
