TOKYOism

＜Match Preview＞
The last game of the season with a focus on transformation.

The current ranking after 33 league matches is 6th place. Compared to last season's 9th place, the performance has improved, but it can be said that it was a year of growth more than the numbers suggest. Kuryu Matsuki, who has played in 30 matches so far, reflects on the team's changes throughout the season.

"Before the opening, it was a situation where it was difficult to move forward from the back. Now, we are able to hold the ball and also execute fast vertical short counters."

"The style of coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, who says 'Love the ball,' has gradually and steadily permeated. There are still many challenges, but each player is starting to feel a sense of accomplishment in the team's growth."

The opponent for this match is Kawasaki, a good rival across the Tama River. Since we lost 0-1 in the opening match of this season, they should be a perfect opponent to measure the team's growth. The opponent is also in a situation where the championship is at stake, but Matsuki says, "It doesn't concern us," and positions this Tama River Clasico as "a match that shows what kind of soccer we will play from next season onwards."

Tokyo demonstrates the culmination of this season, looking towards the future.

Matchday program is here

[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]

Q: Today is the last enclosed interview of the year. Thank you for this season.
A, I am the one who should be grateful. As the phrase "traveling together" suggests, traveling together with everyone, including all of you, is important to us because you warmly welcome us. Your articles are a very important part of the club. In that sense, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you.

Q: I have seen the team's daily efforts, but this past year felt like it went by in a flash. How was the coach?
A, it feels short now, but when I was there, I felt it was a long season. I think the past three seasons have been difficult for everyone due to the coronavirus. At this moment, the reason why it feels like time has passed quickly is because the players have been growing steadily. Because I could feel the players' growth every day, I felt joy and happiness, and looking back, it feels like time has passed quickly.

Q: I think tomorrow's game will be the culmination of the year.
A, as I mentioned the other day, if we limit it to one game, the result can change in various ways. That's why, whether good or bad, we shouldn't consider only that game as a summary of the season. I think everyone has witnessed the gradual growth of this season. For example, even in the recent Nagoya game, we were able to express our growth, but we lost the game. However, I think people felt that the team was growing even though we lost, and there may have been people among Nagoya fans and supporters who won but didn't feel good about it. And the Tokyo fans and supporters who came to support us away, even though we lost the game, they witnessed the team's growth by providing warm support and singing songs even after the game. That's why I would be happy if the team could once again express their growth this season on the pitch in tomorrow's game, but even if that's not the case, there is no doubt that the team has grown.

Q: I think this season was a year of challenges for Tokyo. Looking back, what are your thoughts?
First of all, I think it was a positive season. If we had won against Nagoya, it would have been a game to move up to the 3rd position (against Kawasaki), so I think we are in a good position. However, I want to focus not on the results of the game, but on the quality of football. I want to emphasize to everyone that it is not easy for the players to grow in a short period of time.

Q: When I asked you the other day about the team's progress, you said it had reached 60%. Was that within your expectations?
First of all, when I say 100% completion, it means playing in a mentality of a winner, where winning every game is a given, and proving it through both performance and results. With that in mind, at the start of this season, I had the expectation and hope that the team could reach a completion level of around 40-60% by the end of the season, and I would be satisfied with that. And as a result, the players' contributions allowed us to reach the best 60% completion level within the expected range of 40-60%. Now, looking ahead to next season, if we can reach 80% completion by the end of the season, I believe that would be a success. Filling the remaining 20% between 60-80% will be even more challenging than before. The addition of new players will become important, and of course, the current players, including the ones now, will continue to demand a lot from the players in every training session next season, and if they can clear that, we will give them even more difficult tasks, creating an environment where the players have no choice but to grow. This season started from scratch with a preseason at 0% completion. Next season, we will be able to start with a 60% completion level, so the starting point will be completely different. The growth of the new players adapting well to the team in a short period of time and being able to express their talents within the team is included in that 20% of growth. And I hope to continue working hard every day with the expectation of reaching 80% completion by the end of next season. After that, let's talk about how to fill the gap between 80-100%. One thing we must not forget in order to improve the team's completion level is to continue to focus on the competition. That is an important aspect that should not be forgotten. The closer the completion level gets to 100% and surpasses 80%, the team should be able to naturally focus on the competition and express it on the pitch. I believe that will allow us to compete for the top positions.

Q: What do you think about both teams being different from the opening match?
A, I think tomorrow's match is a match where either team can win. Tomorrow, what I imagine is that the team is already prepared to go out on the pitch without fear against teams like Kawasaki or Yokohama F.Marinos, as we approach the final match of this season. Tomorrow, of course, there is a possibility that we may lose. However, it is certain that the players will be able to go out on the pitch with confidence that they can compete equally with them. On the other hand, at the beginning of the season, when we heard the names of the opposing teams, we became a little nervous, but tomorrow, even against Kawasaki, it is not like that, and I think that is a big difference. That is the basis.

[Player Interview]
Masato MORISHIGE

Q: How do you feel about the team's growth over the past year as we approach the final match of the season?
A, I think that by positively embracing the challenge of new soccer and continuing to do so, we have been able to see the direction and gradually gain confidence in playing the game as we approach the end. There are still challenges, but I feel that a good cycle is being created as the players actively work to solve them.

Q: Looking back on the season, there were times when the results didn't come easily. As the captain, how did you approach the team?
A,We knew it would take time for results to show, so even when things didn't go well, we were conscious of not doubting the direction we were aiming for and focused on working on soccer. Now, little by little, we feel like we are getting closer to the ideal group. We can discuss soccer together, and training is enjoyable and challenging. In that regard, I think the attitude of players like Yuto NAGATOMO and Keigo HIGASHI has a big influence on the younger players.

Q: This season, there were many scenes where players discussed with each other after practice.
A, Tokyo is working on a "love for the ball" soccer, which has many options for play, so there is no end to the worries. There are many things that cannot be resolved without players discussing with each other, but perhaps it is because the work is enjoyable that they can actively engage in soccer.

Q: What kind of team do you want to build in Tokyo next season?
A, I believe that exciting and enjoyable football is ideal. In order to achieve that, we need to aim for a more attacking style of play that can score more goals. I think this season, the fans and supporters had to endure a lot, but I believe that we can make the next season a more enjoyable year. In this match, I will do my best to make it a game that everyone can expect and that will lead to the next season.

<Kuryu MATSUKI>

Q: After winning the high school soccer championship, what was your impression before facing the team that had won the J-League championship the previous year?
A, I think this team can be called an absolute champion in recent years, and although the members have changed a bit, I thought it was a very good team while watching the game.

Q, you made your professional debut and first start, what instructions did you receive from Coach Albert?
It was my first time playing soccer on a professional stage, and the coach told me that if I played calmly, everything would be fine. Diego TABA also talked to me and it was an environment where I could easily blend in on the pitch.

Q: How did you feel when you were chosen for the starting lineup?
A, I thought it would be fun.

Q, actually standing on the pitch and facing players like Leandro DAMIAO and Akihiro IENAGA, who are at a level not seen in high school soccer, how did you feel? Are there any players who left an impression?
I felt that not only Kechou and Damian players, but also all the players had a high level. Since I just became a professional from high school, it was a game in which the sense of speed was different, so at first I couldn't imagine it, but as I got used to it, I think I was able to play a game that didn't lose to such players. Damian's winning goal made me feel that this is what it means to be a professional.

Q, Lukian made a strong impact by shooting a powerful middle shot that was unfortunately saved by the opposing goalkeeper in that game. It is currently the end of the season, but if Matsuki player were to participate in that game again, would anything change?
A, I think that what I do in soccer now is different from the previous game. I have been playing in the game continuously and gaining experience, so I think there are more things I can do now than in the opening game.

Q: What are the differences between the previous football and the current football?
A, I think pressing from the front has not changed since the opening match and now, but I think the way of building up has changed.

Q: Have you experienced any changes in your mindset after spending a year as a professional? Also, please tell us about the areas where you feel you have grown.
Since becoming a coach, Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has taught me to "love the ball," and that has also contributed to my own growth. In terms of playing style, moving towards the goal while maintaining possession is an area where I have grown.

Q: In the Tama River Clasico in the 2018 season, Kuryu Matsuki has not won since he was in junior high school. Do you feel any special atmosphere?
A, I didn't feel that kind of atmosphere at the opening match. I don't have the feeling that it's a Clasico, but I intend to win the game in front of me. However, considering the fact that we haven't been able to win, the desire to win in the final match arises.

Q, what do you think of Albert's coaching style?
A soccer that aims for the goal while holding the ball, and I think that changes in each player's play are required. You can also attack with sharp counters if there is space ahead while connecting the ball, and I think it is a team that is strong in adaptability.

Q, please tell us your enthusiasm.
It is a big thing for us to be able to play the final match at home, and we want to end the season with a good game and carry it over to the next season.

<Koki TSUKAGAWA>

Q: What was the atmosphere like for Kawasaki Frontale, who had Tsukagawa as a player at the time of the opening match and had won two consecutive championships, in the opening match?
A, we had won two consecutive championships, but we considered it as starting from scratch. For Kawasaki Frontale, the first match is a crucial battle to determine whether we can ride the momentum or not. No one was thinking about winning two consecutive championships, and I believe everyone was fighting with their hearts in this season's first match.

Q: Tokyo, our opponent, just changed their coach. How were they scouted and what kind of countermeasures were prepared?
A historic Tama River Clasico, everyone felt that it was not just a regular match. We saw this battle as a fight that would affect the team's motivation in the future, whether we win or lose. We believed that it would take a lot of time to come up with new strategies against Tokyo, and we fought with the belief that there would be some weaknesses somewhere. I think we were considering putting pressure from the beginning of the match and taking control.

Q, Chanathip player came on the pitch as a substitute in the 63rd minute. What specific mission was assigned to Tsukagawa player? What were you feeling while playing?
In the first game, it was important for the team to win in order to gain momentum. We prepared to win and entered the game with a winning mindset. The message to win was conveyed as the score was 0-0. In the end, we were able to win 1-0, so we accomplished the task given by the coach. However, personally, I remember it as a frustrating game with remaining challenges.

Q: Are there any players from FC Tokyo that you were careful with?
A, Diego TABA is a player who has a good control of the ball and also has a sense of scoring in front of the goal, so I was personally cautious about being scored in that area.

Q, was there anything about player Matsuki?
A, I remember thinking, "Is he really a high school student?" when he graduated from high school and played confidently against Kawasaki in the opening match.

Q: Where do you think Kawasaki's strength lies?
A, I think there are many elements, but I think it is always thinking about soccer. Kawasaki has achieved something that is not easy to do, which is to win consecutive championships, and I think it is related to not getting too excited. What surprised me was that even when they were winning, they only celebrated in the locker room immediately after the game, and when they left the stadium, they switched their mindset. In the teams I have been in before, we often carried the joy to the next game, but Kawasaki had a switch after winning, and I think that team had the mentality that winning was normal. I also think their mentality was amazing.

Q, as a player of FC Tokyo, you will be facing your former team. Who do you need to be cautious of from the position of Tsukagawa player, and what kind of play do you want to focus on? Also, what is your state of mind?
I think the player to be cautious of is Akihiro IENAGA. IENAGA can create and change the flow of the game on his own. However, if we can contain IENAGA, it will be difficult for Kawasaki to play their desired style of soccer. Therefore, I think if we give him too much freedom, it will become Kawasaki's rhythm. I'm not sure if our positions will overlap, but I also want to stop IENAGA and be conscious of not allowing the opponent's game plan to unfold.

Q: How do you feel about facing Kawasaki in the middle of the season?
A, I am really looking forward to it. It is a team that I am very grateful for, and all the players are good people. It was a difficult time for me, but I also have many good memories. I am really excited to be able to play on the pitch with my teammates who have taken care of me.

Q, what do you think about Albert's coaching style? It is said to be "connecting football", but what is the difference from coach Oniki?
Rather than the difference between Coach Albert and Coach Oniki, I think it's more about the type of players and who will play. Playing connecting football means handling the ball well and seeing the surroundings. In that regard, I believe each team has its own style, and Kawasaki has player Ienaga who creates opportunities for the team to possess the ball. While Tokyo also has that aspect, the individual strength of the players in the front line is more powerful, so I want to make good use of that.

Q, please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, I knew that the final match would be Kawasaki Frontale when I transferred. If I don't win the position, I won't be able to play in this match, and I wanted to fight on this pitch with the teammates who have fought together for a year and a half. I have worked hard to earn the right to stand on this pitch, so I want to stand firmly on the pitch and win in the final match.