＜Match Review＞
Tokyo is in the midst of a congested schedule, playing 7 matches in 2-3 days. The 4th consecutive match was an away game against Shonan Bellmare in the group stage of the Levain Cup. They had previously faced each other in the 3rd match of the Levain Cup and won 2-1, but both teams have made significant changes to their lineups due to the consecutive matches. As Coach Albert mentioned the day before the match, "Both Shonan and us are expected to have different lineups from the match two weeks ago, so it will be a new game."
Tokyo made changes to the starting lineup, with all players replaced since the Urawa Reds match three days ago. Renta Higashi, who was registered as a two-category player, made his first start as a center-back. Sodai Hasukawa, who returned from a long-term injury, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE also made the bench.
In the early stages, Tokyo struggled to keep up with Shonan's fast passing speed and tempo, and they were pushed back as Shonan managed to get the ball into the vital area. However, Tokyo was able to break through the opponent's press with short passes and find their rhythm, aiming for the goal with wide attacks. In the 12th minute of the first half, they were able to break through the crowded penalty area with precise touches, but player Go Hatano tenaciously stuck to the ball and cleared it out of the frame. Tokyo's counterattack came in the 14th minute of the first half when they used player Yojiro Takahagi on the left side with a ball that was close to a side change from the right side. Takahagi drew the opponent's defender and dropped the ball to Ryoya Ogawa, who took a one-touch shot, but the shot missed the top left corner of the goal. In the 22nd minute of the first half, they created another scoring opportunity from the left side. Takahagi received a one-two pass with Keiki Mita and sent the ball into the goal area, but Keidai Yamashita couldn't find the target with his header. As they struggled to find their rhythm, they conceded the first goal in the 37th minute of the first half when Masaki Ikeda received the ball positively in the vital area, evaded a defender with a feint, and scored a powerful long-range shot.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, allowed the opponent to invade deep into the penalty area in the 3rd minute of the second half, and the shot missed the frame. Immediately after that, in the 5th minute of the second half, they regained the ball they had lost in the flow of a corner kick, and Junya Suzuki, who reacted to Mita's pass, broke through to the deep right side. When a pass in the minus direction was put in front of the goal, Ogawa, who had jumped in, slid it in with one touch and Tokyo caught up. After catching up, they were unable to hold onto the ball for a long time, and were pushed back. In the 19th minute of the second half, Tarik, who was free in the vital area, took a shot at the left corner of the goal, but Hatano made a sharp reaction and blocked it. Tokyo, who wanted to change the flow of the game, tried to turn the situation around by bringing in Hotaka Nakamura, Yuki Kajiura, and Rei Hirakawa. However, they were unable to take the flow away from the opponent who continued to push forward, and in the 27th minute of the second half, they gave away a penalty kick for a handball, which was scored by Shuto Machino, and they were overtaken.
Tokyo, who is behind, will bring in player Kashif BANGNAGANDE and player Naoki KUMATA, who is registered as a second type, in the 33rd minute of the second half. They want to possess the ball and push back, but the ball does not settle in the front line, and the game ends with a one-point difference. The next match is an away game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the J1 League, with only two days of rest.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, first of all, I am delighted that we can finally have a press conference in person.
I consider the Levain Cup as an opportunity to confirm and encourage the growth of each player. It has been a time to secure playing time for players who have had limited playing time so far, as well as a time to try out various options. It is also about giving opportunities to young players with potential in the future.
No one knows how long I will be with this club, but I want to contribute to the growth of players who will carry this club in the future. I think Renta Higashi's performance as a center-back today was fantastic. His success is good news for Tokyo. I also want to commend Naoki Kumata's debut in the latter part of the second half.
I think our play when we had the ball during the match was not bad. However, we struggled when we didn't have the ball and our defense did not go well. Especially, we couldn't close the spaces. As a result, our defensive line dropped back too much. Since today's lineup has never played an official match together before, I think it is natural for such defensive challenges to arise.
I would like to pick up positive aspects from today's Levain Cup and connect them to the next growth. This season, I consider it a season to challenge and establish a new playing style. And I believe that we should give many players a chance, so I think it was good that many players were able to participate today.
Q: How do you feel about Kashif's return today after suffering a serious injury in September last year?
A, he has returned from a major injury through rehabilitation. Therefore, I think it is necessary to give him some time to return to official matches. For example, this Levain Cup was a good opportunity for his comeback. It is difficult to give him a chance in the league immediately after a long period of injury. Today, we had a prior discussion with the medical staff and decided on the playing time. We had set a time to gradually go through the process of recovery. And today, we played him in the front row to reduce tactical load.
Q, Please evaluate Renta HIGASHI again.
A, he had been participating since the camp. He had also participated in practice and practice matches. At that time, I evaluated him as a promising player based on his play. He has the physicality suitable for a center back. To aim for a higher level center back in the professional league, physicality including height is necessary.
I was impressed by his high adaptability during the preseason. And he secured a spot in the previous Levain Cup. I've said it many times, but age is not important to me. If he continues to grow steadily, I believe he will make a significant contribution to this club.
I can only give him a chance to encourage his growth. However, I think that is the most important thing for him. I tell him not to be afraid of making mistakes. The important thing is how he can react after making a mistake.
He showed us a performance that met our expectations. Despite being only 17 years old, I think he fought well against high-level forwards, including Wellington.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoya OGAWA＞
Q: It was the first official match in a while, what were you conscious of when entering the game?
A, team victory is a major premise, but personally, it was my first official game in a while, so I was conscious of improving my condition and taking care of U-18 player Renta HIGASHI, who was next to me, as instructed by the coach.
Q: There was talk from the coach that you didn't fit in defensively, but how did you feel on the pitch?
A, there were times when the press didn't work well on the front line, and I feel that there were parts where the push from the back was slower compared to the league matches. I think we should raise the line more and do the work of raising the line more finely, even if it's just one meter with the opponent's sideways pass.
Q, the goal scene was in the form of a side back to side back, but is that also one of the forms to aim for?
A, that goal itself didn't come from the flow, as it started from a set play, but even within the flow, there are times when I take the inside position while attacking from the right side, and I think it's a scene that I want to aim for in the future.
Q, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA mentioned in the press conference that the defense was not working well and kept dropping back. What did you see from the back?
A, there were many situations where the last line dropped too far back and couldn't put pressure on the front line, so I was calling out there, but I couldn't make the correction, so I think there are still some issues remaining.
Q, I couldn't handle the pressure because I also fell behind in the first goal.
A, I should have put more pressure from the front, and I also conceded a goal due to a small mistake, so I want to improve.
Q, what are your thoughts and enthusiasm for the future, as it is expected that similar utilization will continue in the Levain Cup?
A, I want a title and I personally want to play more in the games and be involved in the league matches, so if I get another chance, I want to achieve results. I want to continue preparing for that through daily practice.
Q, I think you were able to save close-range shots and perform at a high level, but do you feel like this is something you should be able to do as a matter of course?
A, we have conceded 2 goals, so we still have a long way to go and we haven't been able to put our foot down yet, and right after conceding a goal, I immediately saw the goal scene on the big screen and realized that I haven't been able to position my feet properly. I want to improve more and reflect on my own play starting from practice.
Q: I think it can be difficult to play with U-18 players who you don't usually play with. What kind of instructions did you give to Renta HIGASHI?
A, I wasn't worried because we were training together at the camp. When I asked (Renta) HIGASHI before the game if he was nervous, he said "I'm not," so I thought it would be okay. There were also scenes where he aggressively went after the opponent's forward player today, and I am also young, so I want him to challenge more and if I can help him there, I want him to play with all his might.
＜Player Renta HIGASHI＞
Q, please tell us about your feelings when you found out that you would be starting for the first time.
A, I was surprised, but I prepared more than usual because I had a chance to play for 90 minutes. I think I was able to play better than usual, but I didn't do much against Wellington, so that is a challenge. I want to practice and improve even more so that I can perform well when I get another chance.
Q: I think you have been working on the challenges you faced in your first appearance in the U-18. Were you able to demonstrate your achievements in today's match?
A, the speed of each pass was a challenge in the previous session, but it is a part that we have been working on together with Coach Yasu in the U-18 practice, and I think we were able to challenge with a good pass speed in today's match.
Q, do you have a sense that you were able to fight against Wellington, who is physically strong, to some extent?
I think we still have a long way to go in terms of launching attacks from Wellington as a starting point. There were several scenes where we had to stop with fouls, but I believe it is my role to take the ball without fouling and connect it to the attack, so I want to work hard towards that next.
Q: Do you feel any changes have been made on the offensive side?
A, I was able to make good passes to Keigo HIGASHI and Hikaru MITA several times, but I couldn't dribble the ball and get past the opposing forward, so I think if I could do that a little more, I could have helped the team.
Q, there was a strong impression that the combination with player Makoto OKAZAKI was solid.
A, I was helped by Okazaki leading. I feel that if I could control the line a little more, I could have prevented the first goal.
Q, do you think there was an experience that will lead to future growth in this match?
Playing against Wellington, who is known for his physicality, in the J-League was a valuable experience for me. I was able to compete with him and make some good plays throughout the 90 minutes. I also identified areas for improvement, so I will go back to the youth team and work on them to continue growing.
