Tokyo, which is working to build a new style of soccer under coach Albert. The first season has reached the halfway point. Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI, who have formed a combination as inside halves in most of the league matches since the opening game, talked about their impressions of the battles so far and their outlook for the second half of the season in terms of the team's growth.
How do you feel looking back on the first half?
Kuryu
There was a period when we couldn't win the game. That period was tough, but we have been able to make good adjustments since then. I don't think we are playing the soccer that the coach wants yet, but I think we have made progress to a good stage. I think the scoring part will be very important in the second half of the season.
Taisei ABE
The league match ended the first half in 7th place. The ranking is not good as the new coach has taken over and the soccer style has changed, but I think what we have been doing is definitely right, so it was a first half where I wish we could have achieved better results if possible.
There were difficult times when we couldn't win, but we were able to achieve both results and performance in the Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers matches towards the end of the first half. What didn't go well compared to those two matches?
Kuryu
This is the scoring part. It's about not being able to score when it matters.
Abe
In terms of defense, we conceded 5 goals in the Fukuoka match, but I don't think it's too many compared to other clubs, so we are able to defend in our own way. However, we cannot win if we cannot score goals, and there were also 3 consecutive scoreless draws, so I think not being able to finish the chances, as (Kuryu) Matsuki mentioned, was a factor.
How do you feel about the build-up process leading to the goal?
Kuryu
It changed when Kuryu Matsuki entered the front line.
Shuto ABE
At first, there was a decided form of "let's do it like this", but sometimes it didn't go well, so while discussing "it would be better to improve like this next time" with Captain Morishige, we are improving it well.
Kuryu
It felt like we were able to adapt flexibly while playing and talking with other players on the pitch.
How do you evaluate the fact that you finished the first half of the season in 7th place, while focusing on the growth as a team?
Kuryu
I wanted to aim higher.
Taisei ABE
This season, the J1 League has become a close battle, and I think it's a really chance season. I had the feeling of aiming higher if possible, and I wanted to turn around in a higher position.There were many wasted games.
What is necessary to pick up the wasted points from the first half of the season in the second half?
Kuryu
It's the feeling of playing in one game. As the second half progresses, fatigue accumulates and the body becomes unable to move, so I think the emotional aspect gradually becomes visible. If there is even one player whose feelings relax, I think they will definitely take advantage of that opening, and if there is a relaxation like in the Fukuoka game (in the first half), it will become a game like that, so first of all, I think if we play the soccer that we are aiming for without showing any relaxation in our feelings, we will definitely get good results.
Abe
You must always approach with the mindset of a challenger without being complacent. The last match of the first half against Shonan ended in a 0-2 defeat, which was definitely due to complacency. We cannot win unless we remember the mindset of a challenger and approach the game. I think the mental aspect is also important.
So far this season, the two have been partnering as inside halves. What was the initial role of the inside half? How has the role changed since then and what has been the flow of the season up until now?
Kuryu
The role hasn't changed that much.
Abe
At first, I was told that I didn't have to come down too close to the defensive line and that I didn't have to participate in the build-up, but rather let the ball be carried by the anchor and the defensive line. However, there were many situations where the ball couldn't be circulated, so I decided to get involved as an inside half, and it changed quite early in the season.
Are there any rules about who should step back between the two people?
Kuryu
I always play while looking at my balance and constantly checking my position.
Abe
We are conscious of creating a numerical advantage and adjust accordingly (by dropping to the defensive line).
Did you have the awareness of covering a wide range by yourself, thinking that it would become a considerable amount of physical activity by making that movement in every game?
Kuryu
It feels like if we don't defend.
Taisei ABE
It is both our role and a part of our strengths, so if we stop doing that, there is no meaning for the two of us to come out. We have a lot of physical activity, but we don't consider it a hardship. We go forward in defense and also have to press back, so it feels like both roles.
As a team, what kind of movement is required in the attack when we want to possess the ball more than before and create decisive situations? How do the roles of the two players need to change?
Abe
In the Emperor's Cup match against Nagasaki, we were not able to create many scoring opportunities just by passing the ball. When considering the reasons for this, I think it is important for one of the inside halves to break through the corner of the opponent's penalty area defense line and disrupt their formation. I believe that how the two players can control that area and how much they can take advantage of it will be a great opportunity, so I want to increase that aspect more.
Matsumoku
Depending on the opponent's gap or position, I always try to take a position that is difficult for the opponent to see and where I want my teammates to be, and if I can receive the ball, turn and dribble forward, I think there will be more opportunities to use the pocket and increase the chances of taking a middle shot by ourselves.
For example, in the Kashima game, I think it was a decoy when Matsuki player broke through the space between the opponent's full-back and center-back, which led to the scene of the opening goal.
Matsuki
It would be great if I could become a decoy by running there, and we can make up for such plays with our own physicality. I think it's important because it makes it harder for defenders to mark when I get into the pocket.
Even in the build-up phase, there are moments when we lose the ball and get turned over, even if we are passing the ball at the back like in the Shonan game. When the opponent presses us with equal numbers from the front, we need strategies and ideas to break through that situation, don't we?
ABE
I think that the ball cannot be circulated only by the midfield and defense line without everyone's involvement, and the movement of the forward becomes important. If the opponent comes from the front, the space behind them will be empty, so the one top player can run into that space and use it, and the space after moving can also be effectively used, so I think it is important for everyone to be involved and who will use that space is the key to positional play.
Kuryu
I think that the ball cannot circulate only with the defense line and midfield, so everyone needs to be involved in the build-up.
Is it about the tendency for the way of involvement to become monotonous?
Taisei ABE
It's not just about coming down to get the ball, but there are also parts where I want you to run behind, so I think we have to talk and do it ourselves during practice.
I wondered if there was also such an intention in the Shonan match, what do you think?
Taisei ABE
The Shonan game had a lot of simple mistakes. It was a matter of aiming for the back or even before that.
Are you able to adapt flexibly within the pitch when the opponent's approach is different?
ABE
AOKI player feels it and tells it immediately.
Kuryu
Communication with player Ryo AOKI, saying "Let's press like this" has been made, and I am playing according to the opponent during the game. On the other hand, we communicate to avoid putting pressure on Ryo AOKI in a way that would cause the center to collapse.
What are your goals in playing in the second half?
Abe
As a team, we need to be involved in the competition for higher rankings. In order to do that, I think we have no choice but to keep winning. It is very important for both the team and individuals how many goals our inside halves can score, so I think how much we can contribute to the goals together will determine the fate of the second half. There are definitely chances to score points, so I want to make sure to convert them.
Kuryu
I want to actively shoot in the second half. If I hit the ball, it will definitely go in, so I want to do it with confidence. In the first half of the Kashiwa game, there was a scene where I regretted not being able to swing my leg in a shooting chance, so I think it's important to aim with all my might. I also felt this through the U-21 Japan national team's expedition that I participated in this time, but since the result is important, I want to be conscious of leaving numbers.
