＜Match Review＞
The first match of the Levain Cup, which had been postponed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection, was held as the first night game of the season at home. Alberto Tokyo, who has been winning in the league, actively used young players as the commander had previously stated. They approached this match with a lineup composed of a combination of veteran players.
Go Hatano, Junya Suzuki, Makoto Okazaki, and Takuya Uchida made their first appearances of the season in the starting lineup, and Yuta Arai, who was designated as a special player, made his first start as a professional. Additionally, Renta Higashi, who is registered as a U-18 player, was included on the bench.
Tokyo, who couldn't settle the ball from the beginning, had to endure a lot of time in front of the goal as they were pushed back by the opponent. There were scenes where Arai dribbled the ball up to a high position, but they couldn't provide an effective ball in front of the goal. There were also periods of time when they built up from the back line and entered the opponent's territory, but they couldn't carry the ball to the area that leads to a chance in front of the goal. There was also a scene where they shot in front of the goal just before the end of the first half, but it was blocked by the opponent's defender.
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow after the second half, created a chance in the first minute of the second half. A through pass found its way through the gap in the opponent's defense in front of the goal, and Keita YAMASHITA took the ball and attempted a shot, but couldn't find the back of the net. In contrast to the first half, Tokyo started using long passes to both sides in the second half, shaking the opponent and gaining a high position on the sides. In the 15th minute of the second half, they wanted to push the opponent back carefully, but they were caught off guard and Henrique TREVISAN fouled the opponent player just outside the penalty area, resulting in a red card. Similar to the match against C Osaka, they had to play the remaining 30 minutes at a numerical disadvantage.
In the C Osaka match, they defended with a one-goal lead, but today's FC Tokyo continued to attack while making successive substitutions. In the 28th minute of the second half, they had a chance from a cross from the right side, but it hit the crossbar. Even though they followed up on the rebound, player Hatano made two blocks to save the situation. In the 44th minute of the second half, player Watanabe Ryo picked up a loose ball near the penalty area after a corner kick from the right side and took a shot after a feint, but the opponent's goalkeeper made a great save and the ball narrowly missed the goal. In the 45+2 minute of the second half, they faced a powerful shot, but player Hatano reacted quickly and cleared the ball that was heading towards the corner of the goal.
In the first half, we struggled to build as we wanted, but in the beginning of the second half, and even after a player was sent off, we maintained our attacking posture without taking a step back, which was a positive point showing our determination to win towards the end of the match. The result was a scoreless draw, but it was a match where young players responded to their selection and demonstrated their strengths, so we gained some confidence.
[Albert Coach Interview]
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, in the first half, it was difficult to get into the game and we couldn't necessarily play well. It may have been influenced by many players being away from official matches for a long time. In addition, playing a match with members who have never played an official match before, along with a new playing style, also made the game difficult, I think.
In that sense, in the first half, we were unable to bring about good coordination when pressing. Furthermore, both the speed of play and the way the ball was moved were not as fast as expected.
The last 10 minutes of the first half were slightly improved, and I think the start of the second half was faster in terms of pace compared to the first half. However, when the press didn't work well, Henrique was sent off after being caught from behind.
I think it is worth evaluating that they played the ball carefully after having one player sent off. This is because even in the match against Cerezo Osaka, they were in a situation with one less player, but they ended up dropping back and going into defense. They were able to improve from that mistake and play their usual game properly even with one less player.
In addition, the success of young players such as Renta HIGASHI and Rei HIRAKAWA is great news for the team. HIGASHI is only 17 years old and has the potential to become a fantastic player who will lead the club in the future. Furthermore, goalkeeper Go HATANO has saved the team by stopping numerous scoring opportunities from the opponents.
And Yojiro TAKAHAGI also demonstrated his quality on the pitch. I am very satisfied with the players' performance in the second half today. Giving their all on the pitch is a characteristic of FC Tokyo that must be maintained. The players showed that through their play.
We do not wish to have any players sent off. However, even with one less player, I am proud that the team showed such a performance and that we can return home with pride knowing that the team is growing.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the many people who were able to come to the stadium on weekdays.
Q, Please tell us your evaluation of player Rei HIRAKAWA.
A, it has only been 2 months since the preseason started. It is not an easy task for a new coach to fully understand the characteristics of all players down to the smallest details. Including young players, I cannot say that I have fully grasped the details of all players.
I think it is difficult to evaluate players without giving them opportunities in official matches and seeing how well they perform. I would like to make good use of the Levain Cup, give many chances, understand what kind of potential they have, and further evaluate them in the future.
Of course, I am very satisfied with Reo's play in the second half today. And many players such as Uchida, Suzuki, and Okazaki who have not been given the opportunity to play in previous official matches were able to play today and they proved how much they can do, so I am also very satisfied with their play.
In addition, I am also satisfied with Yuta's bold play as a high school student. And Renta HIGASHI, also a high school student, has shown great play. I am satisfied with their play.
Q: What do you need to do in order to further compete at the front, considering that you didn't get off to a good start in the game?
A, there was also a lack of awareness of heading towards the goal, and I think there was also a lack of aggressiveness in defense.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoma WATANABE＞
Q, I felt the intention to attack the goal even during the time when we were one player short.
A, even though the opponent had one more player, they were pulling back, so there was a large space in front of their defense line, so I used that.
Q, did you feel that there was space and it was easy to move?
Rather than being easy to move, someone had to use that space, so even when the ball was on the opposite side, I took that position while watching Yamashita's movements. I think that desire to win was reflected in the play.
Q, even though we were one player short, I think the desire to win was evident. How was the atmosphere on the pitch?
A, it was a game that we had to win, and it was a common understanding as a team. In the end, I think it was a game that we could have won even if it ended in a draw.
Q: In the first half, the ball didn't move forward much. What do you think was the cause?
When the center back has the ball, I felt that our side back and wing players should consider their positioning and play based on the opponent's position.
Q: What do you feel is necessary to carry the ball forward, having experienced positions such as side back and forward line?
A, the more players who can determine who they are facing and how to create a numerical advantage when each individual possesses the ball, for example, how the space will change when they carry the ball, the more the play can be changed flexibly. I think such players become important.
Q: I think both Hiroshima the other day and Iwata today have been experiencing some deviations in the 3-4-2-1 system. What do you think is the cause?
A, I don't know the reason now, but we need to discuss and respond to such aspects among the players. I think it is important for the players to judge how the opponent is playing.
Q: There were many great saves, but what were you conscious of?
When pressed, the defense players Henrique and Okazaki communicated well and were able to approach the game without conceding any goals, which I think was a key factor.
Q: Did you feel good about your condition since the preseason? Are there any improvements compared to last year?
A, there are also places where the style of soccer has changed since last year, and I am conscious of connecting passes to nearby players as a goalkeeper and working on it, and I think that the results have come out because there are many practices of receiving shots in training. I would like to continue working on it firmly from practice so that I can stand on the pitch in the league match next.
Q: I think HATANO has experience playing when he was in his teens due to the goalkeeper's expulsion. What kind of advice did you give to HIGASHI, who played under similar circumstances?
I told him to play boldly. We have been playing together since the training camp, and I think we were able to coordinate well. He seemed a little nervous, but he fought well, so he was a reliable presence.
Q, I felt the burning passion to play today despite the decreasing opportunities to participate.
A, I want to aim higher based on today's performance of keeping a clean sheet, as the stage of the J1 League is where I want to participate.
Yuta ARAI
Q: How did you feel when you found out that you would be starting today?
A, I felt happy but also nervous.
Q, did you have an idea of the position you would be used in after the meeting?
I was prepared to play on either side. This time, I played on the left side, but the coach told me to "take the initiative and go for it" when I had the ball.
Q: In the previous Fukuoka match, we saw many instances of you cutting in while dribbling on the right side. Were you conscious of making vertical breakthroughs on the left side this time?
A, I want to increase my options such as cutting in and vertical breakthroughs by playing on either side to expand the width of play.
Q: The first half was a difficult period, but it seems like the tempo changed from the second half. Was there any change in the team?
A, during the first half, there was a period where the defense was lagging behind, so the coach told us to increase the intensity and press from the front line. In the second half, the team raised their awareness and were able to play with a better tempo.
Q, were you able to play while coordinating with your team?
A, I was able to play while being conscious of (coordinating with others).
Q, what did you think about the atmosphere at the end of the game, where there was a feeling that we could win?
A, even though we were one player short, we were able to play with a good atmosphere because we talked about pressing from the front line. Although it ended in a draw, I feel that it was a good game because everyone worked hard.
＜Player Renta HIGASHI＞
Q, please tell us how you felt when you found out that you made it into the team for the first time.
A, as someone who has been participating since U-18, it is a valuable experience to be able to feel the atmosphere of Ajinomoto Stadium and the atmosphere of the bench up close, especially when there are players who have not been able to enter the team. So, I had a sense of excitement that I could feel that for myself and a sense of excitement that I might be able to play in the game.
Q, what did you feel when you actually experienced it?
When I was in the first and second year of U-18, I had the opportunity to be a ball person at Ajinomoto Stadium and feel the atmosphere. It was really fun to actually be there and experience the professional atmosphere.
Q: How did you approach this match?
For professionals, this one game is a matter of life and death. So, if I were to approach it with a half-hearted attitude, it would inconvenience the team. Therefore, I approached this game with a strong determination.
Q, please tell us your thoughts on stepping onto the pitch as an emergency substitute.
A, I was always prepared to go out. It was an emergency appearance, but I was mentally prepared, so I didn't feel much nervousness.
Q: Did you have any specific mindset when playing in a situation where there was one less player?
A, I thought that if I went too strong, the opponent would come out free, so I tried to play while covering with the consciousness of seeing two people. It was a situation with one less person, but not only in defense but also in attack, I was able to create several good scenes and take it to a corner kick, so I think it was good that I was able to fight well.
Q, did you feel like it was a chance to appeal when you were playing?
A, I was aiming for the goal because corner kicks are my strong point. I couldn't score, but Takahagi-san kicked a really good ball, so I was frustrated that I couldn't convert it.
Q, how do you want to make use of this experience next?
A, I will return to U-18 after this, so I want to convey this experience to U-18. And if I have the opportunity to do so again, I would like to show the fans and supporters an improved performance compared to this match.
