＜Match Preview＞
The third round of the Levain Cup in April will be held as an away game against Gamba Osaka. In the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., a mix of players who had limited playing time and players who had been given opportunities to play were fielded. With Naoki Kumada scoring his first professional goal, they achieved a resounding 5-0 victory, and Ajinomoto Stadium was filled with a goal show.
In this game where rain poured down, player Kuryu Matsuki, who participated in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 as a member of the U-20 Japan national team, made his starting lineup debut immediately after returning to Japan and showed an impressive performance that became the starting point for two goals scored in the first half. In addition, player Shuhei Tokumoto, who made his first appearance in a home game, repeatedly moved up and down the left side and contributed to the team with an assist. Player Perocchi scored the opening goal to give the team momentum and also demonstrated his skill by scoring a difficult shot that passed through the back of his supporting foot.
Naoki KUMATA, who won the top scorer of the U-20 Asia Cup, came on as a substitute in the second half. He skillfully pulled in his long-awaited first professional goal with a header, bringing an end to this match filled with many goals and new hopes.
Both Tokyo and Gamba Osaka faced tough results in their previous league matches away from home. In the short preparation period, it remains to be seen how well the team can recover both mentally and physically. The outcome and achievements of this match, which is expected to feature a lineup centered around young players, will undoubtedly contribute to Tokyo's future as they prepare for their upcoming league match against Shonan Bellmare this weekend. In the previous match, heroes were born in each position, and we look forward to the emergence of new heroes in this match.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: How will you approach tomorrow's match, considering that you made changes to the lineup for the Levain Cup match against Cerezo Osaka and also used some of the players from the league match against Kyoto Sanga F.C.?
Regarding the Kyoto Sanga F.C. match in the second round of the Levain Cup, we had a similar lineup to the league matches, but we included many young players on the bench. We want to effectively combine veteran players and young players and fight. We consider this as an opportunity to give chances to young players, and we want to continue doing that. We do not intend to change our ideas while playing in the Levain Cup. However, when using young players, if we compose the team only with young players, it can have a negative impact, so we want to use them in a good balance. We believe that a good fusion is important to play well. And if we perform well in the Levain Cup, we want to use them in the league matches as well.
Q, PEROTTI player, Naoki KUMATA player also scored goals in the previous match, so it is difficult to decide which one to use.
A, of course, I welcome happy troubles. I want to give opportunities to players who have been active, including player Kumada. I want to give young players a chance, and if they play well, I want to use them in league matches.
Q, isn't it difficult to form the squad for this match against Gamba Osaka, considering that many young players have been used?
A, we currently have many injured players. In certain positions, we don't have any substitute players. However, we also have young players who we want to give opportunities to, as well as players who need a lot of playing time. We are considering player selection that balances these factors. We believe that balance is important.
Q, there are differences between league matches and cup matches, but in the previous match against Sagan Tosu, there were also situations where we couldn't break through in front of the opponent's goal.
Since the opening match against Urawa, we have been facing issues with the midfield player depth. We have not been able to play with the same lineup for two consecutive matches. Of course, we understand that winning and losing is the most important thing. In the previous match, Terayama was selected as a starter. We gave a chance to a young player, but there were scenes where his performance slowed down in the middle of the first half. We used Nagatomo and Tokumoto as fullbacks. There were some good plays, but they do not have the attacking ability like Nakamura or Yoshifu. Watanabe is a unique player who enters the center from the side with his distinctive play. Abe is a player who excels at moving forward from the inside half position. Aoki has been out of action for more than 8 months.In such team circumstances, Slowik made a mistake that he usually doesn't make. However, as professionals, as our job, we must accept such situations and move forward. The way we ended the Tosu match was also a blow to me. It was an unbelievable turn of events.
However, once again, it became an opportunity for us to have a clear idea. I realized once again that I took command in Tokyo to change the team's playing style, give young players a chance, and promote generational change. We have been progressing step by step so that fans and supporters can calmly watch the team. We will continue to do so and push forward with what needs to be done. Rather than focusing on the current situation, I want to focus on what the team can leave behind in the future and work on it every day. I want to continue to have that idea and adapt it to the players who are used in each game. I understand that some people may find it difficult to understand, but we must make use of the characteristics of the players who can be used and face the game.In the previous Tosu match, there were several chances in the first half. I think there were comments that we had a high success rate of 80% in building up from our own defense, but it didn't become such a development, so it wasn't mentioned. Many people tend to focus only on the match results. In the Tosu match as well, there were players who were unfamiliar with building up from a low position, but they were able to play well. However, there are many players who are out of the midfield position, and the player depth is thin. Tsukagawa is a player who can demonstrate his characteristics in positions other than the midfield, and Terayama is still a young player. Koizumi has done everything he can in this team situation. The only midfielder on the bench who could be used from the middle of the game was Aoki. In such a limited situation, we will fight to win as a realist with the existing players.
However, there were also positive aspects. For example, the build-up from a low position had improved, and Tokumoto, who played as a left full-back, had a good performance, which is good news. Hatazumi, who is only 18 years old, has been consistently performing well as he gains more experience in matches, and Kumada has also been progressing in a positive direction as he accumulates playing time. I am committed to focusing on these positive aspects, as I believe they will contribute to the future of this club. Without doubting and believing that it will lead to great success, I will continue on this path and work while considering the future of this club. Once again, in the Levain Cup, I would like to see more young players in action. However, for young players to perform well, the support of veteran players is necessary.
Q: Players who have returned from injury were seen in today's practice. How did the coach perceive the returning players?
Regarding player Watanabe, it is necessary to improve his condition and regain his physical condition. Player Aoki also needs to improve his physical condition and regain his ball touch. Players Nakamura and Abe are entering the final phase of their return. I think they will regain their ball touch accuracy as they play official matches. There are no issues with players Matsuki and Higashi as their injuries are not related to muscle problems. Player Yoshifu is making the best effort to return as soon as possible. If everyone can play and young players can be used, in addition to maintaining continuity in the game, I think it will contribute to the team's maturity. Currently, there are many negative things happening. However, it is because of such difficult situations that players Tawaratsumida and Kumada have been given opportunities and have grown. Player Nishido is also progressing in a positive direction, as well as players Arai and Nozawa. Player Terayama is also starting to mature as a professional player by accumulating playing time. If this difficult situation is considered to contribute to the growth of young players, I think this situation can also be seen in a positive light.
[Player Interview]
Seiji KIMURA
Q: What kind of play will you show this round?
A, I want to not lose in physical strength and speed. Furthermore, I want to contribute to the attack by building up well.
Q: Have you gained more playing options by also experiencing a 3-back formation with the U-20 Japan national team?
There were many scenes where I played in a deep position, such as carrying the ball forward and using inner wraps. I can't say that I have increased my repertoire, but I think it was a good point that I was able to express plays that I have rarely experienced since becoming a professional.
Q, in the Sagan Tosu match, there were scenes where the team struggled to move the ball forward, but there were also moments where a long pass created opportunities.
A, the coach is showing a style of playing that connects from the back, which is what he originally wants to do, so I want to communicate while being mindful of the distance and play. I don't pay much attention to assisting with a single pass from the defensive line. I want to challenge myself to smoothly pass the ball from the back and allow the forward players to play comfortably without any brakes.
Q, it is important for Kimura to play calmly for 90 minutes.
A, ideally, I think it's best for a center back to not have any opportunities to shine. I want to fulfill my role as a center back by focusing on risk management during attacks. As for the offense, I want to trust the players in the front line and contribute to the attack through set plays, etc. If I can score in the process, I believe it will lead the team in a positive direction, so I want to play without pressure.
Q, if you can play well in the Levain Cup, you can also see the possibility of playing in the league.
A, of course it is possible. There were many games in the league where we couldn't get a victory, so if we can achieve good results in this round of the Levain Cup, I think the chances of playing in the games will increase. In the Sec. 1 match against Cerezo Osaka, I was able to express myself well as an individual player, but we couldn't win as a team and I couldn't get a chance to play in the subsequent games. I think it is absolutely necessary to lead the team to victory without conceding any goals as a defender in order to play in the future games.
Q, there is an impression that the number of times to build up from the center back position is small.
A, it is also important for the players in the last line to have no space and to shorten the distance after receiving the ball from the goalkeeper. There are scenes where the team's build-up doesn't go well, but I want to fix it well among the players on the pitch. It is not possible for everything to go well from the beginning, so I think that if we can pass well throughout the 90 minutes, we can also show the shape of the team.
Q, what kind of play do you want to show in the Levain Cup, where young players take the lead?
I think it is important to play greedily and challenge. Experienced players will cover for us, and our challenging attitude will be a stimulus and make us a better team. Young players need to seize opportunities, so I want to be conscious of actively challenging.
Q, please tell us your impression of Gamba Osaka, who you will be playing against tomorrow.
A, it gives the impression of connecting finely from behind. If we can take advantage of simple mistakes that occur when connecting passes and aim well, I think the chances of scoring will increase. There are players with high technical skills at their feet, so I think there will be times when the opponent takes the initiative. However, I think we can defend focusing on the members of the backline, so I want to endure difficult times firmly and seize the opportunity. If we can win, the young players will gain confidence that they can also succeed in the league matches, so I want to aim for victory.
＜Player Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, what kind of game do you want to have in this Levain Cup?
A, the previous Sagan Tosu match was not a very good game. First of all, I would like to fight for the team's victory in the Levain Cup.
Q, I want to shape it in a way that leads to the next league match.
A, yes. Young members, including myself, will work hard to have a good performance and contribute to the league matches.
Q, I think that Matsuki's abundant experience and leadership will be required in the Levain Cup, where young players will be the main focus.
A, I think the most important thing is to seek results, although showing leadership is also important.
Q: In the midfield, there were some areas where the game against Tosu was not good. In terms of carrying and connecting the ball, what kind of play does Matsuki himself focus on?
A, I am conscious of plays that directly lead to goals, but the connecting part before that did not go well in the Tosu match. I want to become a player who can play the role of connecting and game-making, and I want to join the team and enhance the team's attack.
I think you played as an attacking midfielder for the U-20 Japan national team. It seems like your experience playing in that position is paying off.
A, in the activities of the national team, I was able to play in a position close to the goal. I was given the opportunity to play in a position where I can receive the ball and see the whole field, so it was a valuable experience for me personally.
Q: Do you think Gamba Osaka, our opponent, is a team that can connect passes? If the high press works, do you think it will lead to scoring opportunities?
A, I think Gamba Osaka is a team that connects a lot of passes in the center. In that, I want to play while considering the goal difference with a large number of goals, as well as scoring goals by taking the ball in the center and connecting it to a short counterattack, just like the previous round because it is a group league.
Q, PEROTTI and Kumada players, including tall players, are threatening in set plays.
A, I think scenes that lead to victory can also appear when players with special features participate and play easily, such as crosses from the side. I think simple plays are also important, so I want to firmly control the game with myself at the center.
Q: Do you want to bring a tailwind and momentum to the team again?
A, I would like to aim for a good result in the Levain Cup and also in the league match against Shonan Bellmare, which was a difficult match last season, so that it will lead to a good result in the league.
Q: As mentioned earlier, what do you think is the cause when the build-up doesn't go well?
A, I think it is when players become isolated and the sense of distance becomes distant. However, I think it is something that can be resolved individually, and the passing game also changes with the sense of distance of each player. I want to continue playing while making adjustments on the pitch.
Q: Does player Matsuki feel that his perspective has broadened compared to last season?
A, what you can see is completely different from last season. It's also something I've learned from many experiences, so I want to fight in the Levain Cup to make it even better.
Q, in a good way, does it mean that individuals are becoming able to make corrections on their own?
I think that things that can be resolved individually will also be a plus for the team. I think it is important to enhance individual skills in order to improve team strength, so I will seek solid results in this Levain Cup in order to level up even more.
