＜Match Preview＞
The J1 League is finally reaching the halfway point with 34 matches played, and now entering the second half of the season. At this timing, Tokyo is once again facing challenges in their journey of evolution. This time, the first match of the J1 League second half is a perfect opportunity to overcome these challenges and gain valuable insights from their opponent.
In the latter part of the first half, Tokyo achieved consecutive victories against Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers, and both matches showed significant growth in terms of performance. However, in the match against Shonan Bellmare, which concluded the first half, they were unable to find attacking opportunities in the face of the opponent's pressing and quick defensive transitions, resulting in dropping points for the first time in four matches.
And in the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup, which was held three days after the Shonan match, the game against V-Varen Nagasaki ended in a 2-2 draw and went into extra time. In the first half of extra time, Nagasaki scored the winning goal, resulting in Tokyo's elimination from the tournament. Nagasaki, although their pressing from the front line was not intense, quickly organized their defense and formed a solid defensive block by putting numbers in the center. On the other hand, Tokyo, despite maintaining possession of the ball, was unable to score a goal that would lead to victory.
Furthermore, this match, which we will face in just three days, will be against Sagan Tosu. As mentioned during the first half of the season, Tokyo has struggled against Tosu in recent years. Since the 2019 season, Tokyo has a record of 6 consecutive losses in league matches. In the previous match of this season's first half, Tokyo failed to equalize the one goal they lost from a free kick, despite hitting the post twice with their scoring opportunities.
Sagan Tosu, like Shonan, also has the characteristic of aggressively pressing the ball side from the front line. Even in the first half of the game, the players were caught in a man-to-man style, unable to build up the play successfully and losing the ball. There were moments when they were pushed back by Sagan Tosu's dynamic attack, with players constantly breaking out from the back and launching short counters.
On the other hand, if we can create a numerical advantage situation against the opponent who comes to catch people, move the ball and take it away, and extend the time to keep the ball, we can greatly advance the countermeasures against teams that play in a similar way. Challenges are also necessary for growth. I want to find a form of build-up that is not affected by high press against the weak opponent, Tosu.
And above all, we want to send off player Ryoya OGAWA with a victory in his final match before transferring.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, will you bring fresh players to the Tosu match?
If there are 3, 4, or 5 consecutive matches, player selection based on condition may come up, but it's okay not to prioritize it too much for 3 consecutive matches. If there are 4 or 5 matches and consecutive weekday matches over a period of 2 weeks, the schedule will be tight, so it will be important to consider the condition when selecting players.
Q: Are you ready to face the Tosu match in good condition?
A, we must consider that there was an overtime game the other day. Some players may be extremely fatigued after playing in overtime, so we take that into consideration. However, there are also players who can maintain their condition even after playing in overtime, so we will handle that on an individual basis. We have had injuries in the center-back position, so we need to carefully select the players. In any case, there is no doubt that we can approach the game with a good team.
Q, what kind of play do you expect from player Ogawa in his last match?
A, he is one of the physically fit players. I spoke with him before the season started, and he always had a strong desire to go to Europe. So, I suggested that he should learn European-style football with me and prepare well until at least the summer for challenging Europe. It turned out that way, so I hope he will perform well there. I think the league he is going to is a mid-tier league in Europe. In that sense, I hope he performs well there and can take the next step, stepping up to the true Europe. I am satisfied with Ryoya Ogawa's professional behavior, play, and performance in the past six months, and I look forward to his further success in the future.
Q: We lost to Shonan in the Emperor's Cup and Nagasaki in the league. I think the game against Tosu will be an important match. What do you expect from the players?
I think the Shonan match was the worst game of the season in terms of performance. It can naturally happen, and it's neither more nor less because it happened in the Shonan match. On the other hand, I evaluate the Nagasaki match in the Emperor's Cup as a good game. I understand that many people only focus on the game result. However, I am looking at other aspects. I have a role to focus on not only the game result but also other aspects. I think we clearly outperformed the opponent in terms of performance and number of chances throughout the 120 minutes in the Nagasaki match. However, in football, such game development can happen. It means that the opposing team scores all the few chances and wins the game. However, in a long battle like the league, I think the team that consistently plays well will rise to the top. What we are seeking now is to build a playing style that consistently brings good results in the long battle of the league. In other words, it is a battle to achieve consistently good results, not a play to achieve good results in cup matches. Of course, I think Nagasaki achieved victory in their own way, but on the other hand, although we lost, I am very satisfied with the performance of the players in that match. Tomorrow, we have another difficult match as a separate battle, but I hope to earn points in a good way.
Q, in the second half of the league, we will have matches against the opponents we played against in the first half. Will you change your playing style from the first half when facing them for the first time?
A, of course, there is an impact when playing one game. However, there has been a considerable amount of time since the previous Tosu game, and soccer is a sport where various things can happen during that time. There is also the recent trend and condition, so there is an impact, but not to that extent. Our team is also growing. In that sense, it is important to play based on that growth, and the game result is also important. However, the game result is not determined solely by our performance, but by various factors, so we cannot control the game result on our own. Our team is still in a growth stage, so we have not reached a stable state where we can consistently express our play style and decide the game in a good way. There may be mistakes by our individual players that affect the game result. On the other hand, even if the game content is bad as a team, one action by an individual player can win the game in soccer. Such a single action can determine the flow of the game and greatly change the course of the game, so we must adapt and fight accordingly.
The team is growing in a positive direction and I think the quality of the matches is improving as we play more. However, we have not yet reached a stable state. I don't think we have reached the level where we can consistently score multiple goals and surpass our opponents. In that sense, I think that in a single match, we are still in a situation where we cannot fully control what will happen. We are currently in the second phase of growth and I believe the team is still in an unstable state. In order to consistently achieve better match results in the midst of this unstable situation, we have conveyed to the players the importance of maintaining concentration and playing with high intensity. I think this will lead to earning many points in the second phase of growth.
[Player Interview]
＜Takuya AOKI Player＞
Q, we lost to Nagasaki in a close battle in the Emperor's Cup, and now only the league matches remain.
It was a tournament that was also a chance to go to the ACL, so it's really disappointing, but we have no choice but to switch our mindset and keep going.
Q: As you aim for a new style of soccer, there is a feeling that you are becoming more capable of holding the ball and building attacks. How do you feel about this, player AOKI?
A, I want to increase the variations of carrying the ball to the attacking zone and I also want to move the ball more smoothly.
Q, what kind of play do you think will be important in the future to take the next step with a new style from player Aoki's perspective?
A, I think it would be even better if each individual has the consciousness of creating the game and can make game plays from anywhere in the match. There are players who are used and players who use them, but I think it would be great if everyone could do both.
Q, what is your impression of Tosu?
A, the impression is that there are many young players who can run and work hard. We have consecutive matches, but we also need to show more aggressiveness because we have had disappointing performances in the last two matches and we cannot afford to lose.
Q, what is the key to victory?
First, we need to play aggressively, run, and fight. We were defeated in the Shonan match, so I think we need to bring out that aspect.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm as a team and as an individual.
A, there are still chances to go up in the league in the second half, and I want to prepare mentally and fight to win each game.
＜Ryoya OGAWA player＞
Q,This will be the last match at FC Tokyo, do you feel it?.
A, I don't feel it yet.
Q, I have been playing as a left back, but, when I go to Portugal, how do I want to use my experience in Tokyo?I want to use ittomy advantage.
A, It is an asset to have played in many games wearing the Tokyo emblem, and just being able to play in games in Tokyogives meconfidence.I amconfidentthat I can play with confidencein Portugal.I want to play with confidencethere.
Q,Do you already have an image of being active?
A, Yes. I have confidence and I have an image of being active because I intend to perform well..
Q,How do you plan to overcome the language barrier?
A, At first it may bedifficult, but I want to approach itpositively.I am not the type to be sensitive, but by using various gestures and interacting with a bright attitude, I think I can understand the other person and gradually get used to it in Portugal.It is important toget used togradually..
Q,How do you want to approach the Tosu match?
A, In the last few games, the results have not been satisfactory for the fans and supporters, so I definitely want to end with a win. .
Q,Are you also aiming for goals and assists?
A, I am aiming for them, but the most important thing is for the team to win the game, soanyone canscoreandif we can win by scoring, I would be happy.
Q,Please tell us your enthusiasm for the last match.
A, Since it will be my last game in Tokyo, I think it will be a special match for me and I will put a lot of effort into it. I want to play with the goal of winning.
Q,To all the staff, affiliates, and fans/supporters who have supported me up until now, I would like to send a message.
A, 7 seasons, I have grown to the level where I can be called overseas thanks to Tokyo, and there was no mistake in deciding to join Tokyo at the age of 18. 100 percent thanks to Tokyo, and I want to repay that gratitude in the form of a victory in the final match.
Ryoya OGAWA Player Memorial Goods Now on Sale!
