＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, who has been playing 7 consecutive matches in a tight schedule since April. Today's 5th match of the Levain Cup group stage was the last match of the consecutive matches. With only 2 matches left in the group stage and a direct confrontation between the tied 3rd place teams, they went to the away ground to face Júbilo Iwata in a match that they couldn't afford to lose in order to advance to the playoffs.
As coach Albert has stated, in the Levain Cup, experienced players are combined with young players to promote the growth of the young players. In this match, Yuki Kajiwara was selected as a starter for the first time after being promoted to the top team, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE also started for the first time after recovering from a major injury. Renta Higashi, who started in the previous Levain Cup match against Shonan, also started in this match. Experienced players Yojiro Takahagi, Keigo Higashi, and Keiki Mita lead the young players and play a role in leading the team to victory.
After successfully defending a threatening situation in the 4th minute of the first half, with Tokyo gradually pushing Iwata back into their own half while maintaining possession of the ball. In the 8th minute of the first half, Tokyo slowly moved the ball, including the defensive line, to press the opponent. Tokyo player, who was deployed as a defensive midfielder, switched on. Receiving a pass in the center of the midfield, the player entrusted the ball to Mita and sprinted forward. Mita and Takahagi quickly connected the ball, taking advantage of the gap in the opponent's defense, and received the ball freely to take a shot. Although the opponent's goalkeeper stopped the shot, Tokyo quickly created a chance with a well-paced build-up. In the 28th minute of the first half, Takahagi flicked the ball and Keidai Yamashita broke through the area in front of the goal with a positive attitude. He swung his left foot outside the penalty area but failed to 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 behind with a heel pass. Kafu, who was running forward, received the ball and gained speed, taking it all the way to just outside the penalty area and attempted a shot. The shot aimed for the top left corner of the goal, but it was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper with a fine save.
At the end of the first half, the direct confrontation between the first-place Shonan and the second-place Fukuoka ended, and the two teams' points are tied at 9 with a point difference of 5, and the situation is such that even a draw in the match against Iwata would eliminate the possibility of advancing to the group stage.
Tokyo, who wants to continue the good flow created in the first half, steals the ball from the opponent in the 8th minute of the second half, and passes a mid-range pass behind the opponent. Yamashita reacts to it, breaks through and scores a goal, but it is judged offside. However, Tokyo continues the flow and seizes the opportunity. In the 10th minute of the second half, Yamashita, who received a through pass from Enrique, connects with Mita on the left side with one touch, even though he is crushed by the opponent's marker. Mita, who controlled the ball in the left corner of the penalty area, crosses the ball into the space between the opponent's goalkeeper and defender, and Kajiwara, who jumped in, scores with one touch, giving Tokyo the lead. Tokyo wants to control the game and maintain the lead, but in the 18th minute of the second half, Otsu Yuki breaks free and in the 22nd minute of the second half, faces a pinch where the cross ball is combined in front of the goal, but both times, Hatano Go makes a big save and repels Iwata's counterattack. However, in the 23rd minute of the second half, when they are shaken wide from a short corner, they are pushed in by Fabian Gonzalez in front of the goal and equalized.
As the game entered the final stage, there were some open opportunities for Iwata to create chances in front of the goal. However, the defense remained resilient, maintaining their strength in sliding tackles and duels on the ball side. On the contrary, in the 43rd minute of the second half, Yamashita broke through behind the opponent and collided with the opposing goalkeeper, resulting in a loose ball that reached Kajiwara with support. Kajiwara took a shot towards the unguarded goal, but it hit the crossbar and went outside the frame. In the 45+7th minute of the second half, Mita took a middle shot from a position slightly to the right of the goal, but it was deflected by the right post. Failing to capitalize on these scoring opportunities, they conceded a goal in the final moments of the game as the ball was pushed into their own goal area from a cross, and they were unable to clear the loose ball.
While young players were active and veteran players led the team, they created numerous decisive chances, but it ended in a frustrating defeat.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, the flow of the game can be divided into two phases. One is the period of time when we were able to dominate the game along with the ball. However, there was a period of time after we scored a goal where we relinquished our dominance to the opponent. We need to improve on playing defensively after scoring a goal.
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.
The players who played today played well aiming for victory. I am particularly satisfied with the performance of the young players, and there were many positive gains. My role is to develop Tokyo into a great club over the course of several years. Of course, no one wishes to be eliminated in the group stage of the Levain Cup. However, I believe that my player selection for this tournament was not wrong. That's because I believe it 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?
Regarding player A, we had planned to limit his playing time as he had just recovered from an injury and had discussions with the medical team. Renta HIGASHI had been playing well. However, since it was a difficult period for the team, there was an intention to stabilize the team by bringing in Makoto OKAZAKI.
I want to give a chance to as many young players as possible, including Kajiura. I have been paying attention to his play during recent training sessions and had a positive feeling. Despite being only 18 years old, I think he made a significant contribution to the team as a starter. We started today's match by fielding young players, a 17-year-old center back and an 18-year-old midfielder. I think their growth is very positive news. I am disappointed that we lost today's match, but if we were able to promote their growth by fielding young players instead, I think today's match was a great achievement for the future.
[Player Interview]]
＜Yuki KAJIURA Player＞
Q: How was it to score your first professional goal?
A, personally, I wanted the team's victory more than my first goal. I had another big chance myself, and I'm happy with my first goal, but the frustration of not being able to achieve the result of victory is the most.
Q, when attacking, did you form a shape like a one-anchor? How was that part?
When I was in the U-18 team, I played as a double defensive midfielder, so we used to talk about one of us being involved with the ball. I 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 throughout the first half, but there were scenes where the ball was taken away from me several times. As a midfielder, that kind of play is fatal, so I want to be a player who is normal to not make mistakes, so I think that is a point of 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 wish I could have seen a little more. I feel like I should have played more boldly because I could only make one or two side change passes.
Q: Have you felt anything from the players around you like Takahagi, Higashi, and Watanabe?
Both Yojiro TAKAHAGI and Keigo HIGASHI, as well as Ryoma WATANABE, are playing with the most positive attitude. They have been a great help to me and made it very easy to play. They took positions that supported me well, and if they were nearby, I could play by watching them. So, for me, it was a game 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, there was a feeling of frustration, and I approached the game with a determination to do my best, but I think there was a challenge of not being able to score in the decisive moments, even though there were clear opportunities.
Q: How did you feel when you were called by the coach?
A, finally the chance came, so I entered the game with the feeling of wanting to do my best.
Q, I think we were able to show differences in dribbling breakthroughs and attacking aspects.
A, I am confident in that part, but I think we need to focus on the part of achieving results that can make the team win, so we have to pay attention to that from now on.
Q, please reflect on the scene where you couldn't finish the shot.
There was a moment of hesitation, including the position of the ball, whether to go for a volley or to turn around once, and it resulted in that shot.
Experience is important, but I also want to actively engage in practice and gain confidence so that I can make 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 job, and I want to connect the back and front while showcasing my own characteristics and leading the way, and I want to lead 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 couldn't participate in the matches for a while, so it took me some time to regain my confidence, but I was able to start well today with my first touch and first play, so I was able to do it with confidence.
