Match Preview
This season, Levain Cup has already been decided to be eliminated in the group stage. However, according to coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, it is "positive news" that many young players have been given the opportunity to experience the professional stage in the first 5 games. "Losing the game is disappointing, but if we were able to promote the growth of young players instead, we can say that there will be a great harvest in the long run" (Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA). Whether the remaining final game will be treated as a practice game or seen as another opportunity for growth, there will be a significant difference in the experience gained.
The opponent in the final match will be Fukuoka, who defeated Tokyo 1-5 in the 11th round of the J1 League on May 3. In his third year as manager, Shigetoshi HASEBE has organized a team that patiently waits for opportunities in the opponent's defense while also looking to launch quick counterattacks. For Tokyo, the goal is to control the ball and avoid the risk of being countered, while also exploiting the gap between Fukuoka's midfield and final line to score.
For Tokyo, who is currently on a three-game losing streak in the league, this is a crucial match where the team needs a result and a performance to regain momentum. Keep an eye on the performance of the "fresh power" that will give Tokyo a boost.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q, two registered players participated in the practice.
A, I think their presence is important and they should have a stronger connection with the academy. The second team for the top team is the youth team. In that sense, I think there may be cases where players who are active there, even in the junior youth category, are called up to the top team. And regarding tomorrow's match, we have been fighting in the same way in the Levain Cup this season, but I want to give more young players the opportunity for a chance.
Q: I heard that for this season, the concept of Coach Albert's first team has also been incorporated into the U-18 team. Does that mean it is easy to integrate?
A, for me, a professional soccer club must focus on development, and training in the same direction as the first team is essential. Otherwise, what is the point of having an academy? The strengthening department of the first team must organize the first team and the academy comprehensively as part of the overall club strengthening. When the club adopts a new system and clarifies its direction, it is necessary to unify not only the first team but also the academy in order to promote a specific playing style. Currently, the academy is moving in the same direction as the first team, so there are some easy parts to work on. I think that moving in the same direction as we are currently working on is the normal way, and any other way is an exception. The academy of a professional soccer club is not a place for coaches in charge to express their own playing style as they please. There must be a staff who expresses a playing style that aligns with the club's direction.
Q: How do you think about the position of tomorrow's game?
A, it's the same as before. In this season, we consider the position of the Levain Cup as a place to encourage the growth of each player, especially young players. In addition, we want to utilize it as a place for players who have not been able to get playing time to regain their game sense. Since it is difficult to evaluate the talent and potential of young players without seeing them play in official matches, we also want to utilize it as a place to evaluate their latent abilities and possibilities. I think that is what we should do in the Levain Cup this season. It is quite difficult to win in all tournaments in a season where we are trying to clearly change our playing style, so this season we are asking for the Levain Cup to be fought in the manner I explained earlier. Also, at the beginning of this season, there was also the impact of the new coronavirus infection, which forced us to play the Levain Cup in its current form.
Q, How do you see the Tokyo U-18 players, such as Renta HIGASHI and Kanta DOI, who participated in the training as academy players, from the perspective of Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA?
A, I think the quality is high. Now, our top team players are also making efforts to adapt to changes in playing style. The U-18 players also need to continue to make more efforts to adapt in the same way and improve their focus on winning. And what they need to do is to express and appeal their hunger and ambition on the pitch if they have it. I expect bold plays. I always say that I don't mind the mistakes of young players at all. Rather, I think it's a bigger problem if there are young players who don't make bold plays without taking risks.
Q: How is player Morishige's condition?
A, thanks to everyone, I am finally able to join the team practice and participate in official matches. Based on today's training condition, I would like to gradually improve my condition after confirming how much I can play or if I cannot play. The league matches will continue with a tight schedule from this weekend, so I hope to contribute to the team in a positive way. After that, there will be a little break, so I hope Henrique can also come back. Although Makoto OKAZAKI's knee condition is not necessarily good, it is not a very bad situation. There is a high possibility that he will be able to return to the team soon.
[Player Interview]
<Shuto OKANIWA>
Q, what differences did you feel between the professional team and the university team when you joined the top team?
First of all, I felt the difference in the level of each player. There are many players with unique plays and techniques that cannot be imitated, and each player has clear characteristics. I think that is a big difference between university and professional.
Q, I think you have been practicing a new soccer style since the camp. Have you been able to understand the tactics?
A, because we often analyze using videos from the camp, it was easy to understand and come to mind, so it was easy to make corrections as an individual. I think it is efficient and good for the team to make corrections as well.
Q: There are many exemplary players in the side back position, but is there anything you feel during practice?
A, I also think it is important to stick to your own style. Of course, there are things that the coach is asking for and tactics, but I think it is also important to value the things that cannot be separated as an individual. That is the part I feel when playing with the players around me and watching.
Q, what kind of preparations have you made for the final match of the Levain Cup?
A, it is often a difficult situation where you don't really know when the chance will come, but I have been working believing that the chance will come someday. I want to leave a solid result here, including such aspects.
Q, what kind of play do you want to show when you participate in a match?
A, I want to value my own uniqueness, so I want to play with emphasis on physical activity, positive attitude, and running up the side to cross, etc.
Q, what do you need to do to seize the opportunity in this match?
A, I will try to play while thinking about not easily losing the ball as we build up the attack as a team. Among them, I want to play with a positive attitude and make plays that can add accents to the team. It is my characteristic to run up to the front line and be involved in scoring, so I think that if I play with even more awareness of that, it will lead to the future.
Q, I think you have come to Ajinomoto Stadium many times to watch games as an academy graduate. You may finally have a chance to step onto the pitch as a professional. What are your thoughts?
A, I haven't been able to play at Ajinomoto Stadium yet, including last season, so I'm really looking forward to it in that sense. I think many fans and supporters will come, so I definitely want to win and share the victory with everyone.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: Last October, I underwent surgery on my right knee and experienced a long-term absence of about 6 months. I finally returned to the field in the Levain Cup Shonan match on April 13th. How is my current condition?
A, I'm really enjoying soccer right now. I've never been away from soccer for half a year, so I'm happy to be able to live a soccer-centered life again. My game sense and physical sharpness are not yet 100 percent, but I'm even enjoying the feeling of physical exhaustion.
Q: How did you spend the time when you couldn't play soccer?
A, immediately after the surgery, I felt down. For the first 2-3 months, I had to use crutches and it was difficult to live a normal life, so I didn't want to think about soccer at that time. However, after gradually recovering, I worked hard on rehabilitation and focused on training my inner muscles, which was my challenge. Now, it is said that my body has become bigger than before the injury and I feel that my contact play has also become stronger. I think that is the result of strengthening during the period when I couldn't play soccer.
Q, are you adapting well to the new playing style that Coach Albert is seeking?
I have become accustomed to the speed of play, but I am still in the trial and error stage. However, I believe that I can still increase the frequency and quality of my attacking participation, which is my strength, so I want to challenge myself more in actual matches and showcase my skills.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the Levain Cup Fukuoka match this week.
A, Levain Cup has already been eliminated in the group stage, but that's why it's important to see what kind of play can be shown by players who have had few opportunities to play in the league. We had a bitter experience of losing to Fukuoka in the league match in May, so I want to challenge and fight fiercely for revenge. Thank you for your support!
