This is TOKYO.
Tokyo, which hosted the first J1 League match at the renovated National Stadium. In the land of the National Stadium, where numerous famous matches and memorable goals were born, they took a new step. Both teams stepped onto the pitch amidst glamorous fireworks, flames, and light displays. Despite being hit by heavy rain, they kicked off in an atmosphere befitting the beginning of a new history.
In slippery pitch conditions due to rain, both teams struggled to settle and the game went back and forth. As both teams approached the goal, Tokyo's Adailton made a move and entered the penalty area in the 8th minute of the first half. He passed to Shuto ABE, who took a well-aimed shot, but it went wide to the upper right corner of the goal. In the 35th minute, Tokyo was pushed back into their own half and faced a wide attack. Hiroto YAMAMI took a middle shot when the marking was off, but it went wide to the right of the goal. In the 38th minute, Tokyo gained control of the ball for a longer period of time and the game started to change. Ryoya OGAWA received a corner kick from the right side and placed the ball near the near post of the goal. Henrique TREVISAN headed the ball, hitting the post. However, the loose ball flowed towards the penalty spot, where Adailton was waiting. He took a powerful one-touch shot that went through the crowded area in front of the goal and shook the net. Even after taking the lead, Tokyo continued to control the ball and push the opponent back, but there were also moments when they lost the ball in a high position and were countered. In the 43rd minute, there was a scene where a dangerous cross ball was sent into the goal area from the right side, but Jakub SLOWIK and Henrique blocked it with their bodies. They held onto the lead and reached halftime.
In the second half, Tokyo started by moving the ball into G Osaka's goal area. In the 5th minute of the second half, Dawan's shot hit the crossbar after clearing the ball that was pushed into the goal area. On the other hand, Tokyo also had a decisive chance in the 12th minute of the second half. Although the ball was almost taken away by the opponent after a slow build-up and flowing to the right side, Yuto Nagatomo regained possession with a high press. Kusei Matsuki received the ball and took a powerful shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. Tokyo, who wanted to continue the good flow, sent Leandro onto the field in the 18th minute of the second half, replacing Adailton, who had returned from injury and made his first appearance since the opening match. This substitution worked perfectly. Three minutes after the substitution, in the 21st minute of the second half, Diego Oliveira aggressively challenged the opponent and won the ball near the halfway line. Leandro picked up the loose ball and started dribbling towards the goal. While shaking off the approaching opponent players, he carried the ball to the edge of the penalty area. He controlled the ball into the space created by his teammate's free run and struck a shot into the top left corner of the goal, scoring an additional point. In the 31st minute of the second half, Leandro shook the net in a 2-on-1 situation with the opponent's goalkeeper after Keisuke Nagai's high press, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Nagai, as determined by VAR. In the final stages, G Osaka launched a counterattack and put pressure on Tokyo, but Tokyo remained focused and defended until the end, keeping a clean sheet until the final whistle.
The entire Japan National Stadium left a strong impact, and Tokyo started the 3-game series with a victory after 4 matches. In the next match, they will face Avispa Fukuoka away with a 3-day break, and then return to Ajinomoto Stadium at home to play against Sagan Tosu with a 4-day break.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, I don't think it's necessary to look back separately at the first half and the second half. I think we were able to play with a strong focus throughout the entire game. Of course, there are areas where we can improve in terms of dominating the game with the ball. However, there were good moments and we were able to express the team's growth through our play. It has only been a few months since the team started, and there were moments where we seemed a little rushed when we had the ball.
With Leandro's return, the team was able to regain stability in the midfield. He is a high-quality player. I think his presence was clear from the moment he stepped on the pitch.
Gamba Osaka may have been trying to prevent us from playing freely by applying high pressure. I think there were many times when we were able to break through that press successfully. Just like us, Gamba Osaka has also undergone a change in coach this season and I believe they are in a growth stage. I think the team will grow with the new coach and be able to express a more attacking and good style of soccer.
We think that we had good plays in switching to good defense. By switching to good defense in a good way, we were able to dominate the game. There are still many areas for improvement in playing in the center. In a broad sense, we are satisfied with today's game. This is because the team has shown its growth on the pitch and played with a determination to win. We are very satisfied with today's victory.
Today's positive point is that we were able to play at this Japan National Stadium. FC Tokyo carries the name "Tokyo". This stadium may be playing a part in our future. We hope that the number of games we play at this stadium will gradually increase. By playing many games, I think the feeling that this stadium is our home will increase. Along with the Japan National Stadium, I hope that many people will consider FC Tokyo as our club.
I hope that when tourists return to Tokyo, they will also come to the stadium. I hope that FC Tokyo's matches will contribute to a large part of the entertainment in this city called Tokyo. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the many people who came, exceeding 40,000, in the rain. I hope that today's match held at the National Stadium will be a turning point for the future of this club. Of course, we need to improve our playing style more. We must achieve many victories. In the process of the club's growth, I hope that we can make use of this stadium located in the center of Tokyo.
Q, while Morishige was absent, the two center-back players did their best. It seems that player Henrique got injured near the end of the game, do you have a plan for the next game?
A, in the future, I will have to look for other options. We have the next game coming up soon. In football, these things can happen. There may be consecutive injuries to players in the same position. However, I am working to solve such problems, so I would like to find a solution. I hope that all players will be able to play as soon as possible.
Q, please tell us your evaluation of the Japan National Stadium in terms of playing.
I think it's a good stadium to play in. It would be desirable to not have a track and field, but stadiums used for the Olympics have the same problem in every city. The stadium used in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics has also been left unused for a long time. Olympic stadiums need to be utilized well in a good way. FC Tokyo may be able to make the best use of the new National Stadium. I think it's a wonderful, beautiful stadium. If we can create decorations that make us feel more like FC Tokyo's home stadium, we will be able to recognize it more as our home stadium. People who visit New York for sightseeing go to Yankees games. Not only in New York, but in big cities around the world, similar phenomena may occur.
Q, what is the intention behind the coach talking about not only the aspect of play but also the growth and vision of the club?
A, I do not consider myself a typical coach. After leaving FC Barcelona, I have continued to be involved in launching new projects. It was the same in Niigata. I am aware that I am not a typical coach. I do not have the ambition to become the coach of Liverpool FC. I only wish to live happily where I am. What is important is leaving something behind in the places I have been. For example, when I served as the Academy Director at FC Barcelona, I implemented various reforms in the academy. Even when I was working in the United States, I was involved in new projects and implemented many reforms. In Niigata, I was clearly involved in changing the playing style, and I feel that it has continued. At this club as well, I want to do work that leaves a bigger impact after I leave. I believe that everyone wants reform at the club. Even in this heavy rain, 43,000 people came.
[Player Interview]
＜Leandro＞
Q, it was a wonderful goal. Please look back on that scene.
A, to be honest, I don't remember that scene clearly, but Diego competed for the loose ball in the play before that and it came to me. (Regarding the shooting scene), I could see the goal, so I took the shot and it went in, that's the impression.
Q, after the goal was scored, he ran to the back of the goal and expressed his joy.
A, I was happy to be able to contribute to the team in the form of a goal in my first game back after a long absence, and I wanted to express that in front of the fans and supporters, so it became that kind of performance.
Q: Following the Levain Cup final, this is your second consecutive goal at the national stadium. Do you have any thoughts or feelings about playing at this stadium?
A, certainly this National stage has a good compatibility, so I hope we can continue to have every home game at this National stadium in the future (laughs)
Q, I think you had made a promise with Nakamura physiotherapist before the match, and you fulfilled it, right?
I am happy that I was able to score a goal as promised, but what I am most happy about today is that many fans and supporters came despite the bad weather, and I was able to score a goal among them.
Q, what was your aim when entering the game?
A, I always try to be aware of doing the same thing, but it is about putting into practice what I have prepared for a week in the game. Recently, as a team, we have been playing positional soccer, so I play while thinking about where my teammates will position themselves or where I should position myself.
Q, I think we were able to create good attacks with quick counterattacks after stealing the ball.
A, there are parts that are improving with each game as we challenge various things in every game. Among them, I think it was a good attack where all the players did their best with what they have.
Q, the team has been struggling to score goals.
A, I'm glad we were able to score today and end with a victory as there had been a streak of no goals. However, I want to continue without being satisfied with this.
Q, I think I was able to run tough during the game.
A, not only this time, but also in terms of positioning, the team is moving well. It was good that I was able to play as usual by giving the ball behind and starting the movement in order to make use of each other's quality.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next game.
I think it will be a difficult match, but I want to focus from practice and make a good effort, even though it's an away game, I want to bring back 3 points.
Shuto ABE player
Q, it was a long-awaited victory, please reflect on the game at Japan National Stadium.
It was a great honor for me to play at the Japan National Stadium, especially since we had drawn in the previous three matches. The team was determined to secure 3 points, so it feels good to have won 2-0 in that context.
Q, didn't you have a lot of things you wanted to do, such as pushing for a long time in terms of content, quickly regaining possession even if it was taken away?
A, today we had relatively long periods of time with the ball, so there were parts where we were able to play the soccer we wanted, but there were also moments where we kicked the ball long and lost it easily, so we want to improve on having solutions such as expanding to the opposite side.
Q, the league has finished 10 matches, and we are currently in 4th place with 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses. How do you perceive the fact that we have been able to win this much even in the process of building up?
A, I want to win and improve, and even if the content is not very good, I think it is important to get 3 points, so I want to continue winning and improving to mature our football.
Q, there was also a flashy production before entering. How did you feel when you played?
A, at the time of admission, fireworks and flames were set off, and they gave us a production that raised the motivation of the players, so we were very motivated and felt that we were returning to the pre-Corona daily life because many fans and supporters came to the stadium today. I hope that we can gradually return to the days when we can shout and support, even if it is gradually.
Q: Does player Abe have any memories at this stadium?
A, the Japan National Stadium is playing its second game today, and the first game was the final round of the Levain Cup, so there was a good image of winning.
Q: How will you make use of today's victory?
A, we have a game against Fukuoka away in 3 days, so today we will share what we were able to do and what we couldn't do in the meeting, and prepare to play better soccer from today.
Q: Other teams seem to be rotating their players, but Tokyo appears to have a fixed lineup. I especially feel that the three midfielders are highly trusted. Please tell us about the performance of these three players and what the coach demands from them.
A, Matsuki and I have been told by the coach to make movements to break through the defense and play with high intensity. Among them, we are able to play freely because Aoki, who is behind us, balances the team. We have a really good relationship and we communicate during the game and at halftime. Throughout the game, we want to improve the relationship between the anchor and the inside half.
＜Player Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, please reflect on the 90 minutes of the match played on the National stage.
I am sincerely happy that more than 40,000 fans and supporters came and we were able to win on such a great stage, including the atmosphere.
Q, I think we were able to defend aggressively from the front line.
A, I think the key to victory was that we surpassed the opponent in terms of intensity, which is one of our characteristics.
Q, I think we were able to smoothly pass the ball after scoring the opening goal.
A, I have also gradually become accustomed and realized that I can make time, so I want to continue doing that. It seems that we are gradually permeating Coach Albert's football.
Q, I think we were able to create good attacks even after stealing the ball.
A, ball recovery is also one of my characteristics, and I always think about making plays that lead to goals from there. Although I couldn't score in today's game, I want to continue to be greedy and aim for it next time.
Q, we earned 3 points, but please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, the consecutive battles will continue from here. I think there is more fatigue than I think, so I want to take good care of my body and do my best to prepare for the next one.
