"Yojiro TAKAHAGI"

"I started as an attacking midfielder, but in the first half, I think I was able to find the areas that the opponent didn't like and get into them well."
Sendai made adjustments and in the second half, they were unable to create such opportunities.
We were first scored against and then we were unable to create solid blocks and generate space.

（What are the points for reflection?）
Myself and the FW should aim to exploit the opponent's backline, just like in the first half.
Even if the ball doesn't come out, we need to aim for the back, otherwise the line won't drop and it won't collapse. Let's discuss it with three people and prepare for the next.
It's a shame that we lost, but there were many good parts.
I believe it is important to continue and increase the good things rather than focusing only on the negative aspects.

Although I was moving quite a bit, by moving myself, I was able to create free time for other players to become open, and by moving again after moving, I could create more free time. I was conscious of that.

(It should have been a long time since the top of the two tops, right?)
I felt comfortable playing because I could face forward in a place close to the goal.
If I continue to play in this position in the future, I would like to be more involved in the attack. However, it was a game where I could feel that sense of accomplishment."

《Diego OLIVEIRA》

"The first half was very good, we created a lot of chances. However, we couldn't convert them into goals. I think that was one of the factors contributing to the defeat."
Football, no matter how good the play is, the outcome is determined by whether or not you score a goal.
That was something we didn't have today, but Sendai did.
Unfortunately, I have prepared to win without wavering next time.

(There were more scenes where I made use of my teammates rather than shooting myself?)
I think there were many scenes where I made last passes and crosses today, but I'm not too concerned about that.
My shooting opportunity should naturally come within the flow.

The team's result is important, and today is disappointing, but we fought hard. We have to accept the result.

"Summary of Tokyo - Kenta HASEGAWA Coach's Press Conference"

"I think it was a game where there were many opportunities to approach the goal compared to the opening match, and if we had scored first."
Sendai's attack, centered around the CB, was able to bounce back firmly and did not allow any dangerous situations to arise. It is very unfortunate that the shot went in.
I think the current challenge is that we couldn't score a goal in the remaining time. However, we were able to smoothly move the ball in areas where we could expand.
I think today we were able to get close to the goal to some extent, despite the fact that there are many games where it is difficult to shoot against a 3-back.
"So, while capturing the positive aspects, we still need to continue building up and training in order to aim for 3 points and fight."

《Q&A》
Q=Did the game change after the second half started?
"The defense was weak. Especially in the scenes where we conceded goals, the defense was weaker compared to the first half."

Q=What specific aspects have become smoother in terms of expansion?
"Takahagi added an accent as an attacking midfielder. It was a situation where we were chasing one goal, so I dropped him back to the anchor position, but I think his strengths came out more than when he was playing as a double pivot in the previous match."

"Summary of Sendai Watanabe Shintoku's press conference"

"First of all, thank you very much to the many supporters who came all the way from Sendai. Actually, there was a lot of snow in Sendai during training this week, and the situation was such that we had to shovel the snow off the ground. Many supporters, front staff, and academy coaches helped shovel the snow. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to prepare for the match against FC Tokyo at all, so I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude. Thank you very much. As for the match, FC Tokyo changed their system, and we were confused in the first half. We had received information about it, but we didn't expect it to come from the beginning of the game, so we were pushed back for a long time. So we also changed our position and proceeded with the game afterwards. With the changes, our defense became clearer, so we were able to calmly continue the game. In terms of attack, we made it clear at halftime that we could always create a numerical advantage, and I think we were able to create a place for us to move forward. Looking back, we also had a 1-0 winning streak from the opening last year, but it didn't go well afterwards at all, so we don't want to be satisfied with this and want to prepare quietly for the next Levain Cup match against Kobe."

Q=The change in the system was in the midfield positioning, right?
"We started with a 3-4-3 formation, but midway through the first half, we made a change to a 3-5-2 formation, just like in the previous match. At halftime, I gave instructions to improve our attacking play, and I think we were able to progress the game well."

Q=This was your first victory at Ajinomoto Stadium, right?

"I talked to the players this morning. However, what I told the players was, 'There's no point in lamenting the past that cannot be changed. We can change the games from now on. Let's put our energy into that.' I don't know if they appreciated it, but I think it was a result of them concentrating on the game in front of them and doing their best."