<Match Review>
Tokyo, who has been playing 7 consecutive games in a tight schedule since April, played their last game of the consecutive games in today's Levain Cup Group Stage 5th game. With only 2 games left in the Group Stage and a direct match between two teams tied for 3rd place, they faced Júbilo Iwata away in a must-win game for their playoff qualification.
As coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has stated, in the Levain Cup, experienced players are combined with young players to promote their growth. In this match, Yuki KAJIURA was selected to start for the first time since being promoted to the top team, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE also made his first start since returning from a major injury. Renta HIGASHI, who was also selected to start in the previous Levain Cup match against Shonan, was once again in the starting lineup for the match against Iwata. The experienced players Yojiro TAKAHAGI, Keigo HIGASHI, and Hirotaka MITA will lead the young players and play a role in leading the team to victory.
After fending off a situation where they were pressured in front of the goal from the left in the 4th minute of the first half, Tokyo maintained possession of the ball and gradually pushed Iwata back into their own territory. In the 8th minute of the first half, they slowly moved the ball, including the defensive line, to press the opponent, and the player used as a defensive midfielder, Higashi, switched the play. Receiving a pass in the center of the midfield, he passed it to Mita and sprinted forward. Mita and Takahagi connected with a one-touch pass, and he received the ball freely, exploiting a gap in the opponent's defense, and took a shot. Although it was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper, they created a chance with a build-up that had variations in pace. In the 28th minute of the first half, Takahagi's flick allowed Keita YAMASHITA to break free in front of the goal area. He swung with his left foot outside the penalty area but could not hit the target. In the 30th minute of the first half, Takahagi created another chance. After winning the ball in their own half, Takahagi received a vertical pass and left the ball with a heel flick into space. As Yoshifumi ran forward and received the ball, he gained speed and carried it right outside the penalty area to aim for a shot. It was a shot that targeted the upper left corner of the goal, but it was thwarted by a fine save from the opposing goalkeeper.
At the end of the first half, the direct confrontation between Shonan, who is in first place in the group, and Fukuoka, who is in second place, ended with both teams tied at 9 points and a 5-point difference in points. This means that even if the match against Iwata ends in a draw, there is no longer a possibility for both teams to advance to the group stage.
Tokyo, wanting to continue the good flow they created in the first half, saw Mita steal the ball from the opponent in the 8th minute of the second half and pass it to the middle range behind the opponent. Yamashita reacted to it, broke free, and slotted it into the goal, but this was ruled offside. However, Tokyo continued the flow and capitalized on a good opportunity. In the 10th minute of the second half, Yamashita received a wedge pass from Henrique and, while being pressured by the opponent's marker, connected with Mita on the left side with a one-touch pass. Mita, controlling the ball at the left corner of the penalty area, sent a cross into the space between the opponent's goalkeeper and defender, and Kajiura, who dove in, connected with a one-touch to give Tokyo the lead. Tokyo wanted to control the game and maintain their lead, but in the 18th minute of the second half, Yuki OTSU broke free, and in the 22nd minute, they faced a crisis when a cross was met in front of the goal, but Go HATANO made a big save to deflect the shot and repel Iwata's counterattack. However, in the 23rd minute of the second half, after being shaken wide from a short corner, they were equalized when Fabian GONZALEZ pushed it in front of the goal.
As the game entered the final stage, an open development was created and Iwata was also pushed to the goal front, but the defense remained persistent and responded with strong slides and ball play on the ball side. On the other hand, in the 43rd minute of the second half, Yamashita player who had escaped behind the opponent collided with the opponent's goalkeeper and the loose ball came to Kajiwara player who entered the support. Kajiwara player shot towards the unmanned goal, but it hit the crossbar and went out of the frame. In the 45+7th minute of the second half, Mita player shoots a middle shot from the right side of the goal, but it is bounced off the right post. As they were unable to take advantage of their chances, towards the end of the game, they were pushed into the goal front from a cross ball and were unable to clear the loose ball, resulting in a reversal.
Young players were active and veteran players also led the team, creating numerous decisive chances, but it ended in a frustrating defeat.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: The flow of the game can be divided into two phases. One was the period when we were able to control the game along with the ball. However, there was a period of 10 to 15 minutes after we scored when we ceded control to the opponent. Playing defensively after scoring is something we need to improve.
After that, we were able to dominate the game again. Throughout the game, I think we were able to create multiple chances that deserved a victory. However, in football, if you can't make the most of the decisive chances you create, the opponent will have opportunities.
Of course, it is natural to feel anger after losing a game. However, I am calm. The team is currently in a growth stage. I believe that in order to promote the growth of many young players, we must give them opportunities. It is difficult to impose a tight schedule on players participating in league matches. In that sense, I think rotation is inevitable. In such a situation, I decide the members based on my own sense. Especially this season, I feel that I have to use such players, so I am organizing the members according to my own sense.
I believe the players who played today performed solidly with the aim of winning. I am especially satisfied with the performance of the young players, and there were many positive takeaways. My role is to develop Tokyo into a great club over several years. Naturally, no one wishes to be eliminated in the group stage of the Levain Cup. However, I believe that my player selections for this tournament were not wrong. I think that is the player selection we need.
Q: What was the intention behind the early substitution in the second half and the expectation of starting Kajiura as a player?
A: Regarding Kajiura, I spoke with the medical team and had planned from the beginning to limit his playing time since he had just returned from injury. Renta HIGASHI was playing well. However, since the team was going through a difficult period, we brought in Okazaki with the intention of stabilizing the team.
Including Kajiura, we want to give opportunities to all young players as much as possible. Recently, I have been paying close attention to his (Kajiura's) play during training. And I had a positive feeling. Despite being only 18 years old, I believe he made a significant contribution to the team as a starter. We approached today's match by fielding young players in the form of a 17-year-old center back and an 18-year-old defensive midfielder. Their growth is very positive news. Although I am disappointed that we lost today's match, if, in return, we were able to promote the growth of these young players by giving them opportunities, then looking ahead to the future, I believe today's match was a great gain.
[Player Interview]]
＜Yuki KAJIURA Player＞
Q: How was it to score your first professional goal?
A: For me, the most desired outcome was the team’s victory rather than my first goal. I also had another big chance, and while I’m happy about scoring my first goal, the biggest frustration is that we couldn’t achieve the result of winning.
Q, when attacking, did you form a shape like a one-anchor? How was that part?
A, when I was in the U-18 team, we played with a double pivot, so we talked about one of us being involved with the ball at a time, and I consciously played with that in mind.
Q: How do you feel about being able to show your strengths overall?
A, I was trying to get involved with the ball well throughout the first half, but there were several scenes where I lost possession. As a defensive midfielder, that kind of play is critical, so I want to become a player for whom making no mistakes is the norm. I see that as a point for reflection.
Q, it was impressive that you were able to aim for vertical passes with courage. How was it when you looked back on the game?
A, personally, I felt that I could have looked around a bit more. I was only able to complete one or two side change passes, so I feel that I could have played more boldly.
Q: Have you felt anything from the players around you like Takahagi, Higashi, and Watanabe?
A, Yojiro Takahagi, Keigo Higashi, and Ryoma Watanabe all played with the most positive attitude and really helped me, making it very easy to play. They took up supportive positions skillfully, and when they were nearby, I could look to them and play accordingly. For me, it was a match where I was supported by those around me.
＜Kojiro YASUDA＞
Q: How did you feel preparing while players from the same year like Kajiura and Matsuki were already playing in the game?
A, of course, I felt frustrated, and I approached the match with the determination to prove myself, but I think the issue was that I couldn't finish decisively when I had clear chances.
Q: How did you feel when you were called by the coach?
A: Finally, the chance came, so I entered the match with the determination to give it my all.
Q, I think we were able to show differences in dribbling breakthroughs and attacking aspects.
A, I am confident in that area, but the part about whether I can help the team win is lacking, so I think I need to keep focusing on that from next time as well.
Q, please reflect on the scene where you couldn't finish the shot.
I hesitated, including the position of the ball, unsure whether to go for a volley or to turn around once, and that hesitation led to that shot.
It's not just about experience; I want to keep working hard on my own from practice and be able to make those decisions with confidence.
Q, it has been said that the part of the result is missing, but it seemed that the connecting part in the midfield before that was done properly.
A, that part is also my responsibility, and as the link between the back and the front, as well as the starting point, I want to bring out my characteristics while connecting it to results.
Q: The game time today was short, but how confident are you in being able to perform from the start?
A, I hadn’t been able to play much in matches, so it was taking time to regain my confidence, but with today’s first touch and first play, I was able to start well and play with confidence.
