Last Match: YokohamaFC Review
The first home game in about a month since the opening game, the players who should win scored a goal and brilliantly earned 3 points.
The game starts moving right away. In the 5th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA starts the play and Diego OLIVEIRA, who received a pass from Hotaka NAKAMURA, turns around and scores the opening goal.
In the first half, we were unable to control the game by holding onto the ball, and we allowed decisive situations such as being completely free in front of the goal and taking shots. It was Jakub SLOWIK who saved the team. On this day, SLOWIK made at least three big saves in decisive scenes throughout the 90 minutes. He supported the team's victory from the back until the end.
Despite struggling to control the game, the additional goal was born from another specialty of the team. In the 27th minute of the first half, a coordinated press from the front line led to a goal as Nakagawa intercepted the opponent's pass and scored, expanding the lead with a high press and short counter.
After conceding one goal due to an own goal, the team regained composure with the help of experienced players Masato MORISHIGE and Koki TSUKAGAWA, who were subbed in at the beginning of the second half and provided stability by moving the ball. As the experienced players calmed the game down, the young players were able to shine and the attack was revitalized. In particular, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA left a strong impression. He boldly dribbled through the left side and was involved in crucial moments.
In the 17th minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO, who was substituted in the first half, won the match-up and put a cross ball into the goal area. Diego TABA calmly headed it in, securing the second goal and winning the game.
After the match, as coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA expressed his dissatisfaction, we struggled in the first half despite taking the lead, as we were unable to maintain possession of the ball. However, we showed our ability to make adjustments within the 90 minutes and dominated the opponent in the second half both in terms of performance and content.
＜Preview＞
The match against Nagoya Grampus, led by former coach Kenta HASEGAWA, who brought titles to the club, will be the third time. The match played at home Ajinomoto Stadium last season ended in a draw, leaving some issues in terms of content.
In the away final match of last season, despite holding onto the ball for 90 minutes, they conceded the first goal. In the second half, they launched a fierce attack and equalized with a goal from Yasuki KIMOTO. However, a mistake in their own half led to a goal from Nagai, who had transferred mid-season, and they ended up losing. They continued to hold onto the ball and collect second balls in the opponent's half, but they were unable to find the final touch and ended up losing.
Can the blue and red players show their growth to the coach who knows Tokyo inside and out? After working on ball possession, which was a challenge last season, how will they score goals? They have been training rigorously during the preseason. They were able to demonstrate the results of their hard work in the previous match against Yokohama FC.
Can Tokyo open up the tightly packed goal with their ideas and individual skills, while confidently passing the ball and making the opponent run against Nagoya, who fights strongly in the ball and plays with a solid defense and quick counterattacks? It will be a great stage to show the growth of the second season under the Albert Puig Ortoneda regime, as Tokyo seeks revenge from last season.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview] 
Q: Kashif BANGNAGANDE has been selected for the Japanese national team.
A, I am very happy that he has been selected for the Japanese national team for the first time. I think the selection from the members who have been called up this time was a message that gives young players a chance. I also think that there is a message of expectation for young players, and even in J-League teams, if they play well, there is a message that they can be connected to the Japanese national team even if they are young. The important thing is that players grow by playing. It is not necessarily the case that they will grow if they go to Europe, and if they do not play, their growth will naturally stop. In that sense, I am very happy that they have called up young players who are playing in the J-League this time.
Q: What are the areas that have grown since last season?
A, since last season, I think his technical level has been amazing. There were areas for improvement in his plays involving attacks in the final zone. The defensive aspect, which was a major area for improvement, has now been solidly improved through continued training and effort. I believe that he should continue to improve his ability to respond in one-on-one situations. In terms of attacking, I expect him to become an even more amazing player if he can further improve the accuracy of his final crosses.
Q: Do you ever tell Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the coach, about overseas players you want to use as examples?
A, I think there are many players who have speed as a characteristic for a regular full-back, but he is a full-back with special features. He has many elements in balance at a high level, and his technique level is high, and he contributes greatly in attack. Because of this good balance, it is difficult to choose a player who should be a specific role model.
Q: I think it wouldn't be strange for Hotaka NAKAMURA to be selected for the Japanese national team.
A player who surpasses Nakamura's defensive ability, I don't think there is one in Japan. In that sense, I think he can also compete at the world level. To maintain the balance of the attack, he has honed his skills to match his high defensive ability. He has also improved the accuracy of crosses in the finishing zone. I think if he further improves in that area, he has the potential to become a great player. In the early stages of last season, not only Nakamura but also player Yoshifu did not participate in the matches. I think there are important points to grow to a high level. They are mental strength, ability to grow, and ability to learn. At the age of 36, which player do you think is better, Nagatomo at 34 or now? I think the current one is a better player. Because he has the ability to grow. That's why I also pay attention to how much growth ability each player has. In this world, there are many players who do not grow beyond a certain level. However, the players who have reached the great level all over the world are the ones who have the ability to continue growing every day. I think our play style is one of the factors that promote their growth. It is a style that requires each player to grow and continues to seek growth. Many players tend to play in fear, but they have to take risks. Our play style requires taking risks and playing with courage. And I think Nakamura is a player who has grown in response to that.
Q: Please tell us your enthusiasm for the Nagoya match.
A, Nagoya's coach Hasegawa, I think he is comfortably leading the team with three high-quality players in the front line. If we make a small mistake, the opponent will create a decisive chance from there. We have several players who are out of action, but it is a situation that can happen in a long season. Great clubs can overcome such difficult times. I think it is a difficult time now, and I want to overcome it. When the timing changes, the flow and the number of injured players will also change. A team that can accumulate points firmly in such difficult times is still a great team, and we aim to be such a team. We are well prepared this week, so I am confident that we can have a good game tomorrow.
Q: What are the challenges based on the Yokohama FC match?
A, the game against Yokohama FC was good in terms of pressing from the front and winning the ball, and the plays that led to goals were satisfying. We were able to create 11 clear scoring opportunities. In games other than the one against Kyoto, we have been able to create more than 10 clear scoring opportunities in every match. However, I am not satisfied with the team's performance in the first half of the game. There were mistakes in holding the ball firmly when building up from a low position, and we were not able to play as expected. In the second half, there were fewer mistakes overall, but we had a short period of time when we were able to dominate the ball. Therefore, I would like the team to understand the need to control the ball and make necessary adjustments for tomorrow's game.
[Player Interview]
＜Yasuki KIMOTO＞ 
Q: Are you feeling confident in your ability to contribute to the team in terms of stability, as you have continued to play since the start of the season?
A, I have been given the opportunity to play in the match, but there are still things that I need to do. I am not satisfied with my performance.
Q: Do you feel a stronger determination to lead the team than last season, and are you conscious of it?
A, I am conscious of leading the team from the end of last season. This season, there was a game where I became the oldest player when Morishige was not there. In such situations, I have to firmly raise my voice and lead the team. By doing so, my concentration and sense of responsibility also come out, so I want to continue doing it.
Q: What impact does the victory in the previous match against Yokohama FC have on the team?
Coach Albert also said that in the first half, we couldn't play the kind of soccer we had in mind. I think it would have been a game we would have lost last season. However, even though the performance was not good, the forward players were able to score goals and accumulate 3 points. I think it's a really good thing to be able to face the next match in a good condition.
Q, would you like to connect more from the back in terms of content?
In the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., they came to defend from the front line, so we had little time to possess the ball and often kicked it forward easily. In the match against Yokohama FC, we had a high awareness of connecting the ball. Although we lost the ball at times, I think our awareness of connecting was high in the past few matches.
Q, what is your impression of Nagoya Grampus this season?
A, the attacking power of the front three is amazing, but the defense centered around LANGERAK is also very good. I think it's difficult to break the opponent's defense if we concede first. In that sense, I think it will be a game of one or two goals. While keeping the goals conceded at zero at the back, I also want to actively contribute to the attack.
Q, it will be a match against Kensuke NAGAI, who I played with until midway through last season.
A, not only Nagai, but also Kasper JUNKER and Mateus CASTRO, are players who need to be careful when we are attacking. They are opponents who cannot be taken lightly even for a minute in the 90 minutes. I think the opponents will exploit my weak points such as speed and response to the back. We need to concentrate more and keep doing our best.
Q: When you were in Tokyo, Nagai-san told you to "speak more". I think it's surprising to see you talking this much now.
I want people to see unusual appearances and enjoying appearances.
Q, how much do you think you have changed compared to last season?
A, I think I have been speaking up quite a bit. I believe that I have been able to show more of my character as I have become accustomed to the team.
Q, I think I was able to play well with young players in the Levain Cup.
A, I have been talking about it since practice, and I don't have a character that scares my juniors. I think I have a personality that is easy to talk to from any player. In that sense, I think I am fitting in well with the members of the Levain Cup and moving in a good direction.
Q: Is it important to have the ball in the Nagoya match?
I don't think that just because we have the ball, we can always have a good attack. In last season's Nagoya game, we were able to possess the ball but couldn't create good attacks. In this season's camp, we have been training on how to break down the opponent's defense while having the ball. We want to show the results of that training.
Q, I heard that Nakagawa player said, "Let's fight as if it's the final round" in preparation for the Yokohama FC match in the previous round. Did you have such a strong determination?
A, it was a home game, and we had to avoid two consecutive losses because we lost the previous game. We entered the match with a strong determination like in the final round and were able to score in a good way. I think we showed our determination. This season, I want to play with the awareness of focusing on the game in front of us in every match.
Q: It appeared that Kimoto was also singing Yuruneva after the previous match against Yokohama FC.
A, I was able to hear the fans and supporters singing for the first time in a good atmosphere. I don't remember all the lyrics, but I like listening to chants and I had studied them on YouTube. I think I was able to sing along to some extent. I feel like I have become more familiar with the team.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: How do you feel after being selected as a player for the Japanese national team for the first time?
I was surprised to learn yesterday that I have been selected for the Japan national team, but I am filled with excitement.
Q: Wasn't it amazing to receive congratulations messages from various people?
A, I received a lot of messages from the people who have supported me until now. I was really happy and I want them to watch me play well. I have become strongly determined to repay their kindness.
Q: We were able to come this far with the support of many people, right?
A, among many things that didn't go well in my football career so far, I think I have been supported by many people and pushed up to this point. Being selected for the Japan national team and being able to make those people happy is the thing that makes me the happiest.
Q: Is your next goal to wear the Japan national team uniform and perform well?
A, representing Japan and performing well has always been one of my goals. I believe I am now closest to achieving that. However, I have only been selected, so I want to make a strong appeal through practice. I think players who can produce results will rise. I want to work hard to achieve good results.
Q: This will be your first league match against Nagoya since being selected for the Japan national team. It will also be a match against your former coach, Kenta Hasegawa. How do you feel about it?
A, Coach Hasegawa is the coach who made me a professional. He is the most important person in my professional soccer life, as he has helped me grow the most. It's a match against Nagoya led by Coach Hasegawa, so I want to win and show him how much I have grown.
Q: How about Kensuke NAGAI?
A, I am also very grateful to player Ryo NAGAI. I want to enter the game with a strong defense from NAGAI and win without conceding any goals.
Q: Please share your gratitude and enthusiasm for the fans and supporters.
A, even after this announcement, I have been receiving a lot of messages and it has been a source of strength for me. When I was in the academy, Kosuke OTA was called up to the Japan national team and he was someone I looked up to. This time, I have been called up to the Japan national team for the first time, so I want to give my all to inspire the academy players through my play. First of all, we will definitely win against Nagoya.
