＜Match Preview＞
In the previous match, FC Tokyo stopped their losing streak with a 2-2 draw against Fukuoka, thanks to Kazuya Konno's superb goal. However, Coach Albert expressed his disappointment after the game, saying, "We had the potential to turn the score from 2-1 to 3-1, so it's regrettable that we were caught up with a penalty kick. It's an important point, but we wanted to earn 3 points." He showed his frustration.
This time, aiming for a victory after 4 games, we welcome Sapporo to the home ground Ajinomoto. In terms of ranking, Tokyo is in 8th place while Sapporo is in 10th place, so this will be a crucial match that cannot be lost in order to climb up the rankings.
The coach leading Sapporo is Pedrovic, who is in his 17th year in Japan. With a career of over 500 J1 matches as a commander, he consistently employs an attacking style of soccer using a unique variable system. In the previous match held in April, both teams showed their strengths but ended in a 0-0 draw. Tokyo aims to demonstrate the progress made in the past three months on the pitch and seize victory with an aggressive attitude, taking advantage of the home field advantage.
Coach Albert said, "The longer we can possess the ball during the summer, the more advantageous it will be." The team's emphasis on "ball possession" is likely to be the key to victory.
On a summer night, Tokyo's attacking soccer further heats up Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: Will there be vocal support at tomorrow's match?
Since coming to Japan, I have only experienced one game where I could cheer out loud in two and a half years. I am looking forward to tomorrow because I haven't played a game with voices echoing since the away Gunma match in the 2020 season two years ago. I think having cheers is also one of the joys of soccer.
Q, do you think the voices of fans and supporters have a positive impact on the team?
A, first of all, I don't think we are in a bad state at all. If we were in a bad state, I think almost all of the coaches of the teams below us in the rankings would be in a crisis situation to the point of being fired. Of course, the game results have not been as expected recently. However, I don't think we are in a dangerous and bad state. And I believe that the voices of support in the stadium are a great source of support for us in any situation. It is an important part of entertainment.
Q, I think we have been building relationships with fans and supporters on SNS.
One of the great points that I feel in Japan is the warm support of the fans and supporters. It is one of the great points of Japan that this good relationship allows players to perform better. Despite not being able to build a close relationship with everyone in Tokyo, I still feel supported by the fans and supporters, even though I haven't been able to make any noise since the start of the season. I can still feel the love because of that. I think SNS is effective for me because I can deliver messages directly to the fans and supporters.
Q, what is something that has left an impression in your messages?
A, what surprised me the most was not specific comments, but rather the fact that they left many warm comments regardless of the team's situation.
Q, why are you using SNS?
A, of course (SNS) is only a part of the real world, but in the past, there was no tool for me to directly send messages. However, it exists now, and I want to make effective use of it. If used properly, I believe it can have a significant impact.
And based on my experience, I believe that it is important to communicate and explain in any situation. For example, if we do not continuously explain how difficult this season will be, many people will simply follow the game results and evaluate based on that short-sighted perspective. To prevent that, I hope that by properly explaining what is expected this season and the reasons for what could happen, fans and supporters will have a deeper understanding.
To summarize, I think we have built a wonderful and positive relationship with the fans and supporters in Tokyo from the first day, and I hope this continues. I think they are amazing people.
Q, Aoki player, Abe player, and Nakamura player were not present.
A, Ryo AOKI may be out of action for a little longer due to injury. While he has been managing his fatigue well, he got injured during yesterday's practice. Ryo NAKAMURA got injured during the Fukuoka match. I think he will be able to return in about 3-4 weeks. There is a high possibility that Abe will be able to join the team next week.
Q: In the midst of injured players, will the strength of young players be necessary?
We have high expectations for the players. We also have high expectations for player Kajiura. We have no hesitation in giving young players a chance. However, we expect two things from the players. First, to perform well. And second, to have a winning mentality. We allow mistakes. For example, I want to give young players more and more opportunities. However, I don't think players who don't express these two aspects well deserve a chance.
Q, how do you feel about the increase in goals conceded?
Excluding the 5 goals conceded in the away Fukuoka match and the 5 goals conceded in the away Tosu match, the goal difference is not a bad number and the number of goals conceded is kept low. However, it is still memorable to have a large number of goals conceded in two matches. There was a tactical mistake in the 1 goal conceded in the previous Fukuoka match. The second goal conceded may have been unlucky or resulted in a penalty kick being awarded.
I think there can be a debate about the number of goals conceded, but I also think that the same debate can be had about the fact that there are few goals. It is true that you cannot win without scoring goals, and even if you concede goals, you can still achieve victory by scoring more goals than that. You can focus on the goals conceded, but I also think that focusing on the lack of goals and improving in that area is one way to look at it.
Of course, I think fatigue is also affecting us. And there is also a shortage of center-backs, so fatigue is accumulating. The fact that Ogawa has transferred also has an impact. Naturally, we are not yet a perfect team. And just like us, other teams are also fighting for victory, so it is natural that the matches will be difficult. Excluding the two matches against Fukuoka and Tosu where we conceded a large number of goals, I interpret that our number of goals conceded is being kept sufficiently low.
Q: I think the term "box out" was used before, is it still being used? Or has the defense also changed along with the offense?
A, the first goal we conceded in the recent Fukuoka match was partly due to our failure to box out and defend properly. However, we are all human and we make mistakes. Apart from the high number of goals we conceded in the Tosu match, the three goals we conceded in the Nagasaki match and the first goal we conceded in the Tosu match were all incredible goals, the kind of super goals that only happen once in a lifetime. However, it is entirely possible for us to concede goals even in situations where there are few chances. Of course, we have not changed our defensive shape. However, we continue to make adjustments to reduce mistakes and defend properly. However, I think the fact that our squad has become thinner is having an impact. Ogawa and Henrique have left, Aoki is also out of action, and Abe is injured. Various players have been forced out of action in such situations, but as a team, we must adapt and respond to these challenges.
Of course, it is natural that the result of a match is determined by the number of goals, and while understanding that, I as a coach focus on the content of the game. I think we played well enough in the first half of the Tosu match, and we also created several decisive chances. The same goes for the Nagasaki match. We created enough chances to score multiple goals in the first 15-20 minutes of the game. That's why there is a discussion about whether it is better to reduce the number of goals conceded or to increase the number of goals scored. Of course, finding the right balance is important, but reducing the number of goals conceded is a key point. However, as a team, we also need to focus on increasing the number of goals.
[Player Interview]
＜Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q: It has been three days since the Fukuoka match in the previous round, what preparations did you make?
A, I prepared myself by taking good care of my body so that I can perform well in the Sapporo match.
Q, what kind of impression do you have of Sapporo.D?
A, Sapporo has become more offensive since Mr. Misha (Mihailo Petrovic) became the coach, using the sides effectively and breaking through with combinations. In terms of defense, I think they will come with man-to-man marking, so we need to be cautious about that and make sure we can showcase our strengths.
Q: What kind of play is expected of East player among them?
A, I think there will be space behind the defense when the opponent comes to defend from the front line, so I want to distribute passes well into that space and make use of fast players.
Q, is it important to play patiently even when things don't go well in soccer where it is difficult to hold the ball?
A, well. In the Fukuoka match, there were times when we were able to possess the ball but couldn't create chances. However, since we turned around the first half with a score of 0-1, the opponent started to drag on in the second half, and we were able to turn the game around when it became a bit more open. We ended up being caught up in the end, but I think it would have been a difficult match if we had conceded 2 or 3 goals in the first half. In the previous Tosu match, we collapsed because we couldn't endure, so I think there will be times when we are chased by the defense, but I want to play patiently in the Sapporo match as well.
Q, in the past few games, we haven't been able to score in the league matches, but we were able to score multiple goals in the Fukuoka match. What do you think the contributing factors are?
A, I think there are various elements, but whether or not the player can score depends on their final judgment. However, I think that if we increase the number of chances, we can score and it is important to go as far as shooting.
Q: How do you feel about the start of vocal support for the Sapporo.D match?
A, there is nothing happier than this. It's our home ground, and we have been supported by the cheers of our fans and supporters, which has given us strength. So, I am really happy to be able to receive that power again.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, as a team, we haven't been getting good results lately, but I believe that a better world awaits us when we overcome this period. I want you all to believe in us and support us with your voices, as the world is changing and we can still cheer even in these times. I think if we win at home, it will boost the team's momentum, so I want to play a good game and win firmly.
＜Player Jakub SLOWIK＞
Q, the previous match against Fukuoka ended in a frustrating draw after leading 2-1.
Considering the situation of consecutive losses away, I think we were able to achieve the minimum result, but of course we cannot be satisfied with just one point. Everyone involved in the team, including all players, staff, and fans/supporters, strongly desires victory for the current Tokyo. We want to express that feeling in this Sapporo match.
Q, what kind of play is required of goalkeepers in the "ball-loving" soccer that Coach Albert is aiming for?
In the soccer style that the coach aims for, technical skills at the feet are required. I am working on daily training to adapt myself as well. However, the most important job for a goalkeeper is to make saves and protect the goal firmly. This does not change in any style.
Q, when did Swobik start using Japanese for coaching his teammates?
When I came to Japan in 2019, I learned enough Japanese to give basic instructions. However, what is important is not the words, but the understanding between players and the ability to defend as a team. I think that if we communicate well during practice, the language we use during the game is not much of a problem.
Q: In this match against Sapporo, a "vocal support area" will be set up in a part of Ajinomoto Stadium. What kind of support do you expect from the fans and supporters?
I have played against Tokyo as a Sendai player before the 2019 season, so I know the true atmosphere of Ajinomoto Stadium. I am really looking forward to hearing the wonderful chants and support from Tokyo's fans and supporters. Even when the results are not good, I always appreciate the warm support from everyone. I will do my best in this match to hear the cheers of your victory.
