＜Match Review＞
The opening match of this season, Alberto Tokyo's debut had many positive elements, but immediately after that, the team's activities were suspended from February 20th to 26th due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection. Finally, after resuming activities and a three-day preparation period, they faced the Fukuoka match today.
There are still teammates in the recovery period, and 17 players, including one specially designated player and two registered players, have come to Fukuoka. With the best lineup that can be formed at the moment, they played their second match of the season on the pitch.
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 regained the ball with a high press and launched a continuous attack. However, in the 22nd minute of the first half, they allowed the opening goal when Tatsuya Tanaka jumped into the gap between the players and met a cross ball from the right side.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, not only holds the ball but also pushes it in by inserting a wedge pass to the forward players. In the 24th minute of the first half, Kazuya Konno received the ball on the right side and made a big side change. Adailton controlled the ball in the penalty area just left of the goal, which went over the opponent defender's head, but his shot was blocked by the opponent goalkeeper.
The biggest chance of the first half came in the 35th minute. After earning a free kick near the right side of the penalty area, player Ryoya OGAWA aimed directly for the goal with a sharp kick, but hit the crossbar. Player Hotaka NAKAMURA then headed the rebound, but it went straight to the opposing goalkeeper.
Tokyo, aiming to turn the tide, will bring in Yuta ARAI, a player designated for reinforcement, 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. Araki, who entered the penalty area while controlling the ball, actively aimed for the goal but couldn't find the target. In the 29th minute of the second half, Yamashita and in the 38th minute, Adailton had chances for a header shot in front of the goal, but both were blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper and couldn't score.
While managing the risk against the opponent's counterattacks, we continued to press high, recovered the ball multiple times, and launched a thick attack, maintaining control of the game throughout. Even in difficult situations, the team demonstrated what they are capable of and fully showcased the Alberto-style. The issue of finishing, which we carried over from the Kawasaki Frontale match, is something we want to resolve in the league match against Cerezo Osaka, which we will face in 3 days.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please look back on today's 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 in terms of tactics, we considered various combinations and positions based on the players who could play, and fought with various combinations during the game. There were players who had to play in positions they don't usually play. Despite such circumstances, I think it is commendable that we were able to create multiple decisive chances while making various position changes.
Q: Among the limited number of players, Takuya AOKI was substituted due to injury. How is his condition?
A, I hope it's just a simple bruise and that you will recover quickly. I have plans to undergo a detailed examination, but I hope it will only be 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, the period of time when we were able to maintain a good condition, we were able to put the game under our control. However, we made a mistake in the build-up from the back. We conceded a goal from the chance created by our mistake. There was also a period of about 10 minutes where things were chaotic, but I think we had a long period of time after that where we were able to calm down and continue to dominate the game. And I think we were able to control the game in many periods of the second half as well.
It was the first official appearance for many players. There were also players who had to face this match within a few days after the recovery period ended. In that sense, I hope everyone understands that it was a difficult match for everyone. However, even in such circumstances, I think the players who played well should be praised.
[Player Interview]
Keita YAMASHITA
Q: How did you approach the game with limited members and concerns about combinations?
Throughout the 90 minutes, there were few shots and few scenes involving the ball, so it was a difficult situation, but I think 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 a player for FC Tokyo, so I approached this match with strong determination. I feel 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 think each player has to improve their quality in front of the goal. We are working on positional play and valuing the ball, but the purpose is to score goals. I feel that 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 game, but once we step onto the pitch, each player represents FC Tokyo, so I don't think we should make excuses. We didn't have much time to prepare together, but we talked about embodying what we built up during the camp and approached the game with that mindset.
Q: Did you feel any difficulties, especially in terms of condition?
A, honestly, there were difficult aspects in terms of physical condition and condition, but since the members will come back from here, I want to work together with everyone to move in a positive direction as a team.
＜Player 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 were able to dominate the game throughout the 90 minutes.
Even at my own team, I was able to dribble past opponents and create chances, but it doesn't mean anything if I can't produce goals or assists.
If we can delve deeper into that, I think the content will improve and we will also score goals. I have a good feeling about it, so I want to improve it further from here.
Q, did you have the consciousness of creating opportunities from the side and take that position?
A, the instructions from the coach were also "Enter the side and attack aggressively when in a good condition", so I am in good condition now and was able to cross and shoot without losing in one-on-one situations.
However, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of the final part and score a goal, otherwise it would be meaningless, 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 without losing the ball almost without losing the ball because I had many options such as cut-ins, crosses, and shots. It is a challenge to finish, but I think it was good there.
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, rather than constantly passing the coach's thoughts behind, I think we were able to create a starting point by coordinating with the surrounding players in order to possess the ball quickly and attack. After that, I want to do a good job of distinguishing 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?
The coach also said, "If we continue to build on this, the results will definitely come. So let's believe in ourselves and do our best together."
I think we feel the same way, and it's frustrating as a forward to have scored 0 points in the last two matches, but we will go into the next game with the determination to definitely score.
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, it is important to consider how the opponent will defend, but I think our own play and positioning are really crucial. The preparation period until the next match is short, but I want to prepare thoroughly with everyone and improve the quality of the game compared to today.
＜Ryoya OGAWA player＞
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 the first time I played as a center back in an official match. I didn't have much time to prepare, and I had never played a game with this team before. Therefore, during the match, we communicated with each other and played while being conscious of improving our condition, as our condition was not 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 participated. There were parts that were not done and parts that were done, but there were also many parts that were done, and I think we were able to prove that we can play an active role that can be involved even if everyone returns in the league match from now on.
Q: What do you think about the challenge of not scoring a goal in the league match?
A, we were able to create chances in today's Kawasaki match as well, and within that, if we don't improve our finishing ability, the game will continue to be one where the content was good but we couldn't win, so we need to firmly make the decisions that need to be made.
Q, I think there were some close scenes created with free kicks, etc. How was it?
A, I think the kicks themselves were good overall, but ultimately they didn't lead to any goals. We need to 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?
I actively encouraged the young players, including many teenagers and those younger than me, who participated in the game. I wanted to play while being in a winning position against the young players who would come in as substitutes if possible, so it's a bit disappointing.
Q, what specific words of encouragement did you give?
When Yuta ARAI (player) came on in the second half, he told me to keep playing my game and since he is a player who is good at dribbling, we had a conversation about playing without worrying about the people around us.
Q, how do you plan to break down opponents like Avispa Fukuoka who have a strong defense? What are your thoughts on finishing?
A, I think there will be teams that will solidify their defense firmly if we stick to our own style. In order to break down such opponents, we need to improve the accuracy in the attacking third, otherwise the passes will be off and we will lose the ball more often. I think it is necessary to improve the accuracy in 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 parts, and I think it's just a matter of aligning our ideas and coordination from there, so if that goes well, I think it will lead to goals.
