＜Match Preview＞
After a break due to the activities of the Japan national team, the J1 League resumes after a two-week hiatus. Tokyo will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima in an away game. Hiroshima is currently in 6th place, and for Tokyo, who is in 7th place with a 3-point difference, this is a direct confrontation with a close opponent in the standings. As the season enters its crucial phase, a victory in a match against a close opponent holds significant meaning in order to compete for the top positions.
The first match of the first half was a stage for Tokyo as the home game opener of the 2022 season. Hiroshima's coach, Michael Skibbe, who took command from this season, has just arrived in Japan and it was his second game. Despite the short time since starting his coaching, Skibbe's influence was strongly reflected in Hiroshima's play.
Tokyo continues to be pressed by Hiroshima, who aggressively press from the front line as soon as the match starts, and Tokyo struggles to build up as desired. In the second half, Tokyo took the lead with a goal from player Masato Morishige from a set piece, and scored another goal just one minute later. Despite facing a fierce attack from Hiroshima towards the end of the match, Tokyo managed to limit the counterattack to one goal and secured the victory.
The number of matches has increased compared to the first half of the season, and Hiroshima's tactics should be more refined. On the other hand, under the guidance of Coach Albert, Tokyo has been promoting the penetration of a new style. Although there are fluctuations in performance depending on the match, Tokyo has also evolved compared to the early season.
In particular, Tokyo often finds itself pushed back without being able to build up play in matches against opponents who press aggressively from the front, so this is an important match in overcoming that. We want to create a numerical advantage by sticking to our positions and penetrate Hiroshima's pressing net to threaten their goal. Although injuries have been ongoing and the situation is far from easy, Tokyo will strive for all 3 points with the collective effort of the team, including new signings.
Furthermore, as a team active in the atomic-bombed city, Hiroshima will hold the July 30th match as a "Peace Match" and send a message towards the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of everlasting world peace through soccer. Tokyo also supports the purpose of the "Peace Match" and, on the day before the match, Naohiro Ishikawa, the club communicator, visited Hiroshima on behalf of the club. He laid flowers at the Atomic Bomb Memorial Monument together with Hiroshima team officials and paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Kazumi Matsui.
Respect each other even in the game and fight the "Peace Match".
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: How do you feel about the new players who have joined and practiced?
We are delighted to have the addition of three players. They are already trying their best to adapt to the team properly. Moreover, they are wonderful individuals as well. We highly appreciate their combination of technical skills that we expect. Of course, they still need some more time to adapt tactically to the team. Nevertheless, we are very happy with the addition of these three players and satisfied with their professionalism and actions during this week.
Q, I think all three players have been playing the same style of football that Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda has in mind in their previous teams.
First of all, Luiz Phellype is a player with a very good level of technique, and he is a player we have high expectations for as a center forward. He is a player who can provide the team with the goal-scoring ability we needed in front of the goal, and he is also a player who can contribute in terms of connecting the ball.
Regarding player Tsukagawa, his original characteristics may have been different, but I believe that he has acquired the playing style that we expect through playing for Kawasaki for a year and a half. Also, his versatile abilities will be a great asset for the team.
Regarding player Yudai KIMURA, he has been playing in Yamagata this season and has a playing style that values the ball. In that sense, it can be imagined that he has been playing in a similar way to the three players we are aiming for. It is difficult for any team to reinforce in the middle of the season, especially during the summer. Therefore, I think it is great news that we were able to acquire these three players who have the characteristics we expect.
Q: In the previous Hiroshima match, we struggled with defense from the front line. What are the key points for this match?
A, I think Hiroshima also faces the same challenge and will face it in tomorrow's match. It is about how to break through our high press. I think that tomorrow's match depends on how both teams break through each other's high press. I think we are one of the teams that apply the most high press in J1. And we are aiming to possess the ball, but we are currently in a stage where we are growing while facing some difficulties.
Q: We had a two-week preparation period until the Hiroshima match. What areas did you spend your time on?
A, as the schedule was tight, we first prioritized the players' recovery from fatigue. Additionally, during the break period, we trained to achieve further tactical growth. We continued to emphasize to the players the importance of playing with confidence and not losing the ball easily, and we repeated the training.
Q, as the league season enters its final third, what are the goals and objectives that you want to achieve?
A, I want to emphasize the importance of ball possession. In the first third of this season, ball possession was not necessarily a high priority. If we focus too much on ball possession from the beginning, we will lose the ball more often and concede goals from a low level of completion. There was a risk of not achieving good game results, so we didn't emphasize it that much at the beginning. Confidence is necessary to continue growing. And for that, we need points. However, I'm not just talking about game results. People's emotions are influenced by the results of the game, but I am not a coach who only focuses on game results. Of course, I understand that game results are important, but that's not the only thing I prioritize as a coach.
Q: In the summer, Coach Albert Pobor mentioned that the team's phase had improved. Do you also want to raise it one more phase in the last three minutes?
A, as I mentioned the other day, we moved on to the next phase. However, there have been player transfers since then. And there have also been multiple injuries. With players like Kashif BANGNAGANDE leaving, for example, it allows other players to get playing time, and this week we have new players joining as well. Because various things like that happen, it is not accurate to think that adding a specific player will lead to victory in the game. Soccer is not that easy. Encouraging the team's growth is one of my most important tasks. I am able to calmly watch over the team because I recognize that the team is growing smoothly. It is not solely determined by the results of the game.
Q: How do you plan to utilize Tsukagawa as a versatile player, as he mentioned?
First of all, I am considering using him as a defensive midfielder. It is very difficult to play as a lone defensive midfielder in Japan, and it is also difficult to find players for that position. Therefore, I have the idea of trying him in that position. He is also a good player at the age of 28, so I have high expectations for him and would like to try him in a challenging position first. Of course, there are other options in terms of positions, so I would like to consider his usage while keeping that in mind.
[Player Interview]
＜Kashif BANGNAGANDE Player＞
Q: What preparations did the team make for the Hiroshima match?
A, the condition of my body is good because there was a gap from the Tosu match, and I was able to train in a good atmosphere this week, including the three new players. I think we were able to prepare well for the resumption of the league.
Q, how do you analyze Hiroshima?
A, everyone is talking about how the team is becoming really good and the team that comes pressing quite a bit from the front. If we can eliminate the opponent by building up from there, it will become a chance, and I think that will become important. I think that if I can take off one opponent in my area, I can attack effectively using the space on the side and behind, so I want to be conscious of that.
Q: How do you feel about playing more in the starting lineup as the games progress?
A, while receiving the opportunity to play in the match, I want to continue to demonstrate the play that is expected by the team and also bring out more of my own strengths.
Q, what kind of play do you want to show?
A, my characteristic is playing related to attack, but I haven't been able to fully demonstrate it yet while participating in the game. I want to contribute to the team's victory while actively demonstrating it.
Q, how is the cooperation with the team?
A, I feel that I am improving with each game and I am able to play well in practice as well.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, I think this will be an important match to determine whether we can move up in the rankings. I want the team to come together and definitely win against Hiroshima and share the victory.
