＜Match Preview＞
In the previous match, we won 2-1 against Hiroshima and achieved our second consecutive victory in the league. Although we faced a difficult situation of conceding the first goal away, our defense held strong with only one goal conceded, and our attacking line responded by scoring the winning goal near the end of the match. Morishige reflected, "Our ideal is to always have possession of the ball. However, when we can't do that, if we can withstand without conceding and patiently wait for our opportunity, our time will come again. Fighting resiliently during tough times led to the result."
Shimizu, who will be the opponent in this match, has been struggling this season, but since the appointment of new coach ZE RICARDO in June, they have been showing signs of recovery with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. During the break, they acquired experienced players such as Takashi INUI, Koya KITAGAWA, and YAGOPICHU. It would be better to consider them as a different team from the one we defeated 3-0 in the previous match in May.
Tokyo is also in good team condition. In the Hiroshima match, three players, Luiz Phellipe, Koki Tsukagawa, and Seiji Kimura, who joined during the break period due to the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, made their debut as substitutes. It is also a big plus that the ace Diego Oliveira scored a goal for the first time in six matches.
I hope for a victory at home to gain momentum as we enter the final third of the season.
Matchday program is here!
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, has Euga Villan Physical Coach left the team? Is there a replacement Physical Coach?
A, we are currently moving to find a suitable candidate. Of course, it is not easy at this time. However, we understand that his resignation this time was due to personal reasons, so there is no choice but to accept it.
Q: How do you decide on the training menu until the next physical coach is determined?
A, there are no particular problems at the moment. Matsubara Athletic Trainer is temporarily covering for the absence of Euga Villan Physical Coach. The flow of training has already been established towards the end of this season, so training is progressing without any problems in that sense.
Q: How do you evaluate the performance of Mita in the previous match against Hiroshima?
There is no debate about his quality. However, you cannot succeed in football with just quality. In addition to that, concentration is also important, and contribution in defense becomes important as well. Mita has also improved recently and contributed to the team in various aspects in the Hiroshima match. Players with such characteristics can also play as a winger or inside half, so I think he is an important player for us.
Q: In the scene where player Abe missed a shot in front of the goal, there was a moment where player Mita was able to bring the ball forward successfully in collaboration with player Yoshifu. Do you think that creating scenes like that is one of Mita's strengths?
As always, we give the players freedom in the final finishing zone. The space in the finishing zone is very narrow. Because play is required in a tight space, the quality of each player is naturally necessary. That play, where the ball was held for a long time and ultimately broke through to the goal, was a very attractive play. The final combination was also noteworthy.
Q: We have two consecutive home games. Please tell us your enthusiasm and importance.
A, as I have been saying since the beginning of the season, I want to continue growing with each game. This is also true for these two consecutive home games. We have some players who are absent. I hope that other players can step up and fill their shoes. And we have been improving in playing with confidence. I want to continue emphasizing that and approach tomorrow's game with confidence. However, each game is different. It is important to concentrate firmly on each game, as the flow and development of the game can change depending on various details. Of course, playing at home allows us to play more comfortably. However, I do not want to ask for anything more than daily growth.
Q: Shimizu added players Kandry and Kitagawa in the summer, and they also scored two goals in the last Tosu match to catch up in the final stages. What is your impression of them again?
A, there are high-quality players in the attacking lineup, including Thiago SANTANA and Kiyotake, so if we give them space, they will pose a dangerous attack. I always say this, but I think the J1 League is a very competitive league. Therefore, there is not a big difference in strength based on the standings. I think Shimizu is a team that values the ball. We also need to be cautious of attacks from the sides. In that sense, I think they are an attractive opponent to play against.
Q: How do you feel about Matsuki's continuous participation since the beginning of the season and his growth up to this point?
A, Matsuki is a player who is very passionate about competition. I think he is a typical type of player that modern soccer demands. It means not only him, but also players with a similar style. I think it will greatly contribute to the further growth of Japanese soccer to have more players with characters like Matsuki. In Japan, there are many high-quality wingers and attacking midfielders. However, I think it is necessary to have more players with characters like Matsuki in the central midfield. At the same time, I hope that better players will emerge in the center-back and center-forward positions as well. Matsuki has been fortunate to have playing time, and I think he is growing steadily. At the same time, I think our playing style is also contributing to the growth of each player. I believe that players grow by valuing the ball in their play. If you don't value the ball, it is difficult to expect dramatic growth from a player, whether they are 20 or 25 years old. Even if you don't value the ball, accumulating experience may lead to improvement, but I don't think it will enhance the quality of a soccer player. In order to seek improvement as a soccer player, I think it is necessary to continue playing while valuing the ball. In that sense, I think Matsuki, who is 19 years old, is playing while valuing the ball and growing steadily.
[Player Interview]
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA Player＞
Q, please look back on the previous Hiroshima match again.
A, because it is a sport that seeks results, I am happy that we won and I think it was good. However, there were parts that needed to be pursued further, so I want to continue practicing and coordinating from now on.
Q: What kind of impression do you have of Taku SHIMIZU?
A, we have many good attackers in the front line, and I think each individual has high ability. Among them, we want to aggressively take the ball from the front line while maintaining possession and effectively using counterattacks. I want to play with the awareness that if we can demonstrate our strengths, good results will follow.
Q: How was the team atmosphere during this week?
A, there is also the fact that we are on a winning streak, and the atmosphere is good. I think it is very important to learn while winning games. While sticking to that, I want to continue working together with everyone from practice for the improvement of the team.
Q: How is the construction of team coordination?
A, we are gradually trying to improve by communicating with each other and making requests. We also want to understand each player's strengths better and play together.
Q, I felt that the level of trapping, passing, and basic skills was high even when watching the practice.
A, I think I have improved a little while continuing to do that even in the previous team. However, it is important to be able to use it in the game, so I hope to participate in the game and produce results.
Q: There is a possibility of making my debut at Ajinomoto Stadium during the Shimizu match with vocal support. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, the support of the fans really pushes the players and their bodies move a lot in tough times thanks to the voices of the fans and supporters. It is reassuring to have many allies who are advantageous to us in home games, and I hope we can fight hard and achieve good results.
＜Player Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, we achieved a come-from-behind victory against Hiroshima in the previous match with Adailton's goal.
A, not only the result of victory, but I also think the performance was not bad. I feel a sense of accomplishment in the fact that there have been more instances of advancing while maintaining possession of the ball.
Q, John HIGASHI has started as an anchor in the league for 5 consecutive matches. It is a different position from the previous season, but do you have anything you are conscious of?
A position that needs to maintain balance in both attack and defense, so I am quite conscious of creating a state where the surrounding players can play easily. Especially for the players in the front line, if the ball doesn't come to them, their movements become passive, so even when I can't pass the ball, I try to convey "I am watching you."
Q: Did you have any thoughts during the first half of the season when you didn't have many opportunities to play?
A, my condition was good and I had confidence that I could perform well if given the chance, so I believed that I had no choice but to do what I had to do without giving up. Even in the games where I couldn't make it to the bench, I was watching the team from the outside, imagining the moment when I would step onto the pitch. There were also mentally challenging times, but I believe that I was able to overcome them and grow as a result.
Q: At this point, how do you feel about the level of completion of the soccer that Coach Albert is aiming for?
If asked how much I can express the coach's thoughts, I don't think it's 100 percent. However, even within that, if the players don't make good choices while judging the situation themselves, they won't become a winning team. There is room for improvement in that aspect, and I think it is also a part that is demanded of myself.
Q, this round will be a test match for vocal support operations. We ask for the enthusiasm of the fans and supporters.
The July Sapporo match was a verification game for vocal support operations, and it was filled with more energy than usual. It was a match where I once again felt the greatness and strength of vocal support. I hope that in this match as well, you will lend us your strength like in the Sapporo match.
Matchday program is here!
