In the season's J-League opening match on February 18th, the match against Kawasaki Frontale ended in a close 0-1 defeat. However, under the guidance of newly appointed coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the team showed a style of possession-based football and dominated the game, surpassing Kawasaki in possession rate and number of shots. This left a clear impression of Tokyo's transformation on the pitch.
However, immediately after finishing the opening game, difficulties awaited. Many players and staff members tested positive for the new coronavirus infection, and the team's activities were suspended from the 20th to the 26th.
During that time, the home games scheduled for the 23rd and 26th were postponed, and tomorrow, March 2nd, will be the second game of the season for the YBC Levain Cup. The preparation period since resuming activities on the 27th has been only three days. There are still players and staff members who are in the process of recovery, and not everyone is fully present. Nevertheless, the team has been preparing to win with the current strength.
Pre-match comments from coach Albert Puig OrtonedaAs mentioned in yesterday's comments, tomorrow's match against Avispa Fukuoka is also aimed at adjusting the players' condition. However, as the coach says, "We will not compromise our determination to win," Tokyo will take to the pitch with a strong focus on winning.
Who is on the team and how do they play? Fans and supporters may have many worries. However, Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda's thinking remains unchanged regardless of the situation. "We will continue to focus on establishing our playing style and growing."
Even in Fukuoka, we will stick to the Albert Tokyo way. We want to bring back a souvenir that will connect to our first home game on the 12th, showing the Tokyo style.
▼Albert Tokyo's Charm Writer's Column
Albert Tokyo, betray me more and more!
(Daisuke Suga / El Golazo, FC Tokyo Correspondent)
There is a "compass" behind
(Satoshi Hojo / Soccer Writer)
The true identity of excitement and him of interior
(Atsushi Iio / Sports Writer)
