<Match Preview>
In this season, which has been positioned as the first year of reform, the J1 League has reached the halfway point of the schedule and entered the second half. However, the team is facing difficulties as they were defeated 0-2 by Shonan and suffered the most goals this season, tying with 5, against Tosu.
After the Tosu match, Masato MORISHIGE said, "I knew this time would come," and he has been having discussions among the players to overcome this situation, saying, "We can only rebuild this situation ourselves. We have no choice but to do what we have to do." The players themselves are also working with a strong determination to create a winning team while establishing a new playing style.
Meanwhile, Tokyo will return to Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time in a month.
To overcome the bad momentum, the support of the home fans and supporters will be the most powerful ally. This week's opponent, Fukuoka, was defeated 1-5 in the away match. If we can break through Fukuoka's organized defense and get revenge, it should be the opportunity for the team to get back on the upward trend.
Ryoya OGAWA believed that "young players will lead the team" and left for Portugal. On a summer night, we also hope for the rise of young players who will make Ajinomoto Stadium even more exciting.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q, has the practice time been moved up due to the heat?
A, we decided to start one hour earlier in order to avoid the heat as much as possible.
Q, how is Diego's return?
A, he is a very important player for us. I think his absence had a big impact. He played many games while enduring pain. I sincerely appreciate him coming back here. This time, the pain hasn't disappeared, but he is enduring it and hoping to return as soon as possible, preparing for tomorrow's game. In that sense, I am very grateful for his efforts.
Q: How significant is the impact of losing several players who have adapted to this season's football?
A, it's not about losing the game in the previous match against Tosu, but I was concerned about the team's performance after the second goal. Regarding the Nagasaki match, I think we were able to play our own game, and even in the Tosu match, we had a good performance in the first half. There is also the fact that Tosu scored a difficult goal similar to the one scored in the Nagasaki match, but we couldn't convert our decisive chances and ended the first half. However, after the second goal, we lost the fighting spirit as a team, and I think that's why the previous match performance and the final result were not linked well.
Q, I was concerned about the 5th goal conceded. While it is true that the defense player who came on as a substitute was in a fresh state, there may also be difficulties. What was not good?
A, that substitution was a last-minute decision made considering Morishige's fatigue. Of course, Okazaki also made a mistake, but not only Okazaki's mistake led to the 5th goal, there were also multiple mistakes by other players in the 3rd and 4th goals. I'm not trying to blame anyone, but there were player mistakes and we conceded the last three goals. It is true that the goal originated from Okazaki's pass mistake, but I don't feel that he is solely responsible. It was a situation where we had to make a sudden substitution because we wanted to replace Morishige.
Q, how is the conditioning of the players this week?
A, I can maintain a good physical condition. It is a typical example in the soccer world that when you win a game, it is said that the condition is good, but when you lose a game, it is said to be bad. What happened in the Tosu game was not a decrease in performance due to physical condition problems after the second goal, but a subsequent multiple goals due to losing the fighting attitude in the mental aspect. I was angry at that part and it should never happen again. I directly conveyed this to the players, but it's okay to lose a game. However, we must not lose the fighting attitude until the end. I also told the players that it is unacceptable to lose the game and concede multiple goals after losing the fighting attitude after the second goal in the Tosu game.
Q: How is player Abe's condition? Is it going to be a long one?
A, I am injured. I think I can return in about 2-3 weeks. I was in good condition, but I think there is a possibility that I injured my muscles when I fell after being hit. He was down on the pitch, so we hoped that the play would be stopped and a player substitution could be made, but the play continued and the first goal was conceded.
Q: How do you think about the side back position after Ogawa left?
We are considering filling the void left by Nagatomo and Yoshifu with Ogawa.
Q: What changes will occur when moving Nagatomo to his natural position on the left, where he has always played, after using him on the right?
I think that Nagatomo is ambidextrous in a sense. I think it's a waste to use Nagatomo, who is ambidextrous, on the left side when there is a typical left-handed side back like Ogawa. Although Yoshifu is a left-handed side back, I think he still needs to gain more experience in the future. If there is a clear left-sided back, I thought it was natural for me to use an ambidextrous player on the opposite side.
Q, will we continue to use it together for a while?
A, I definitely want to use the two of them. By doing so, I want to encourage the growth of player Yoshifu. He has a very good attacking ability. However, he needs to learn more about defense. He can learn how to improve by using him in games. It is important for him to gain experience there, and I want to consider using him in that aspect. I think it is very positive that we have players in our team who can play in both defense and offense, like player Nagatomo.
Q, there was talk about mental condition and physical condition, but I think the part about linking is also significant. What do you think?
A, I think the basic mental condition has the biggest impact. If we have a physical coach and practice that is not impressive, it may naturally become a team with extremely low physical condition. However, I think that in the current professional world, there are almost no such teams. Even if we maintain the same physical condition, I think the play will be different depending on the player's situation. I think that when the mind is fulfilled, even in the same state, we can demonstrate higher performance. I think that the performance dropped because the mental condition dropped after the second goal in the meantime. As a professional player, a mentality that always focuses on competition is necessary. And not only the players but also the entire team must build a mentality that focuses on competition. Even if the part of the playing style improves, if the mentality of the winner does not grow well, we cannot gain anything. Tokyo has not yet won the league title. We must create a new history.
Q: How do you plan to utilize the lessons learned from June in the future?
A, regarding the improvement of the mental aspect, we are having discussions with the players and working towards improvement. Also, since we can make 5 substitutions in every match, we want to use players in good condition effectively. However, there are situations where it is difficult to make substitutions for certain specific positions, so it becomes challenging. That is the current situation, so we have to endure and use the same players.
[Player Interview]
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, this season will be the 4th match against Fukuoka. What kind of impression do you have?
A, they have a strong defense and tend to focus on attacking directly towards the goal rather than passing. They are a very challenging opponent, even though we have played many games against them this season.
Q: What kind of measures are you considering as a team?
A, regardless of the opponent, we always want to keep possession of the ball. On the other hand, if we lose the ball in a bad way, like in the previous match against Tosu, we give the opponent a chance to create opportunities. I think if we can avoid making strange mistakes with the ball and continue to eliminate the opponent's strengths through set plays, we will have plenty of chances to win. We want to focus on each and every detail and play with concentration.
Q: What have you been focusing on as a team and individually in preparation for the Tosu match from the previous round?
In the match against Tosu, we conceded a goal at the beginning of the second half, and the team quickly fell apart. I think we need to fix that part. As we enter the summer season, there will be times when we cannot play the style of soccer we want. In the previous match against Tosu, we couldn't do that, but I think it will improve if we can all play while enduring the times when things don't go well.
Q, what kind of play becomes important when you can't score goals easily?
I think we can score if we increase our chances. In some games, we have been able to score multiple goals. In the past few games, we have been conceding goals too easily and when we concede the first goal, we get caught up in the opponent's pace. So, while trying not to concede first, I want us to create opportunities to score from the back.
Q: What kind of fighting style do you think is necessary during the hot summer season?
I think it is important to play while pursuing our own style of soccer and also being able to play with a clear mind. In the summer, there may be physical challenges, so even when we cannot achieve what we want individually, it becomes necessary for the team to come together and play without wavering.
Q, it's been a while since we had a home game in the league. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, looking back, we have been able to play good games at home and I think the results have been good as well. I believe the support of the fans is crucial and we want to win at home and show the place and results we aim for.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: In the previous match, we suffered a 5-goal defeat against Tosu. Considering it was Ryoya Ogawa's last game, it must have been a disappointing result.
Player Ogawa has always been a role model for me as a left fullback. I feel sorry that I couldn't send off Ogawa in a good way. Personally, I was not even on the bench for the Tosu match and watched it in Tokyo, so I feel even more frustrated.
Q, I think you had many opportunities to talk with Ogawa. What kind of senior was he?
A, I have been watching him since my U-18 days and he has always been my ultimate goal. Even after joining the top team, I have always tried to imitate Ogawa's play and create my own style from there. He is a rival competing for the same position, but he has always created an atmosphere where I can consult him about anything. I am truly grateful.
Q: Does the transfer of player Ogawa bring about any change in your mindset for future battles?
A, I think the competition for positions will continue to be intense, but I am practicing with the intention of definitely starting in the lineup. I don't want to watch the game from the bench, and I feel the same way. I want to give my all in practice and continue to appeal to the coach with high-intensity play. I think that will ultimately contribute to the overall team strength.
Q, this week's home game is the first in about a month. We ask for the enthusiasm of Ajinomoto Stadium's fans and supporters.
A, we haven't been able to achieve good results in the past few matches, but that's why we are determined to change the tide in this long-awaited home game. We want this match to be a turning point where we can step up our game and gain momentum for the second half of the season. Personally, I will do my best to contribute with goals, assists, and other visible results. Your support is greatly appreciated!
