＜Match Preview＞
After a break due to national team activities, the J1 League is finally entering the final stage of the season. Tokyo will play a total of 5 matches, including a postponed match due to a typhoon. They will have 3 home games and 2 away games.
The opponent after the break is Kashima Antlers. They are currently in 5th place, 4 points behind Tokyo, so it will be a very important match to keep up with the top teams.
In the first half of the season, we played against Kashima in the 16th round, just before the halfway point of the league. With the outstanding performance of player Ryoma Watanabe, who scored two goals, we won 3-1. Although there were moments when Kashima pushed us back with their intensity in the ball contests at the beginning, after scoring the opening goal, we controlled the ball and dismantled their defense with a coordinated build-up play, scoring additional goals.
At the milestone timing of the 100th match in charge of the J-League for Coach Albert, the team also achieved a record of 300 wins in the J1 League. It was a match where they gained a great sense of accomplishment in terms of the content of the soccer and also produced results.
From this match and through many games, Kashima's team situation has changed with the appointment of new coach Daiki Iwamasa in the middle of the season, and in the league matches, they have been distant from victory with 4 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 matches. As it is the first home game in about a month, they should have a very strong determination for the match against Tokyo.
In the previous match at the Japan National Stadium, Tokyo won 2-0 against Kyoto Sanga F.C., setting a new record for the highest number of home game attendees. Tokyo maintained possession of the ball calmly, despite the high intensity and fast-paced attacking style of the opponent. They managed to handle the opponent's pressure, maintain their balance, and switch to an attacking mode until the finish, controlling the game at their own pace.
The focus is on Adailton, who is competing for the top spot in the goal scoring rankings and is close to reaching 50 goals in the J1 League. Also, it is important to see who will score the milestone goal for the team, as they are close to reaching 1000 goals in the J1 League. In this season's league matches, Tokyo has a 100% winning rate in games where they score the first goal. They want to stick to their style and actively aim for the first goal.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: It's been a while, but what kind of preparations have you made for the match against Kashima?
We have been working on making small tactical adjustments as usual over the past two weeks. We continue to focus on making corrections to every detail of the tactical and technical aspects. We are currently in a stage of growth, and I believe it is a good time and situation where we can feel that growth. The players are able to play with confidence day by day. I think tomorrow's match will be very challenging, but I hope we can approach it in a good way.
Q, the season will end in one month. Has the progress been smooth up until now?
A, now that some time has passed, I think it can be expressed in the past tense that the style has changed. This season, we had various goals, one of which was to change the playing style, and the other was to give young players the opportunity to play and encourage their growth. And also, to build a base for the team, to create a base for the future, I think we are doing these three things well now. For me, I had set three goals, and I think they have been achieved sufficiently. And there are five more matches from here. Of course, I want to grow more and finish the season well in those matches. I think many players found it difficult to adapt to this change, but I am satisfied that they have adapted well to the change. I want to fight the remaining five matches in a better way, leave better game results, and finish the season.
Q: Has the playing style changed significantly throughout the matches so far this season?
A, If you watch the team's play now, you can clearly see that they are playing in a different way from last season. They are producing top-level numbers in terms of possession rate and other statistics. It is more difficult to remember the games they lost in terms of possession rate. Of course, changes in style will continue, as growth is always necessary in the world of soccer. However, it is clear to everyone that the team has changed its style from one that emphasized lowering the defensive block and focusing on counterattacks. There is also a clear difference in the speed of building up from a low position and switching between offense and defense. Regarding style, there are preferences and differences of opinion. However, it is not necessarily guaranteed that changing the style will always lead to winning the game. There is still a long way to go. Looking at it from a longer span, the team is in a stage of growth.
Q: What is the plan you are considering since player Morishige cannot participate in the game?
A, of course, his absence is an important point for tomorrow's game. However, in times like this, it can also be seen as an opportunity for other players, especially young players, to take a different perspective. In that sense, I hope they can take advantage of that opportunity and make good plays.
Q: Players, do you think there have been any new learnings or discoveries this season? Also, it was a new experience for the coach to lead the team at a new club.
A, first of all, I was very surprised by the strong motivation of the players to learn and how quickly they have grown. I also learned a lot in adapting to each player's characteristics. When changing the style, I tried to make gradual changes rather than drastic ones. I think it worked well and it was also important to accumulate points while making changes. This is because if we don't accumulate points, we could struggle in the later stages of the season. I think J1 is a more competitive league than J2. In that sense, every match is very difficult and I think every team has the possibility of relegation in J1. If we couldn't accumulate points, we could have been in a dangerous situation, so I think the gradual changes worked well. It is a clear proof that clubs with a larger scale than us are struggling to avoid relegation. In such a competitive league, I think drastic changes are very risky. In that sense, I think it is highly commendable that both the players adapted to me and the new style and gradually implemented changes.
[Player Interview]
＜Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q: In the past, we haven't had good results against Kashima, but this season we won 3-1 at home. This time, the match will be at Kashima Stadium. What is your impression of playing away?
A, even though the coach changes every year, Kashima's playing style remains the same, and there is an image of everyone inheriting Kashima's traditional style and playing. I have been with Tokyo for a long time, but the impression is that we have not won much, so I don't have a good impression, but the stadium itself is a truly wonderful soccer-specific stadium, and as a player, it is truly fortunate to be able to play in such a place, so I want to play with all my heart.
Q: During the break, the interval was one week longer than usual. What aspects have the team been able to build up during this time?
A, from this season Albert Pobor has been in charge as the coach, and we are challenging the build-up from the back. There are also parts where we have been able to value the ball, and I hope we can continue to build on that. It will be a difficult away game at a challenging stadium, but I think it will be very important whether we can do what we want to do even against such opponents.
Q, I think we were able to defend from the front and keep possession of the ball until the finish in the previous match against Kyoto.
Even if you say that you value the ball, it is important to not only pass it, but also to have a fast attack, which is also a strength of Tokyo. I think intensity and running ability are also important, so there is an impression that you have to do them at the same time.
Q, if we can win here, can we see the AFC Champions League area?
As long as there is a possibility, I aim for it, and as long as I am in this team, it is always a goal. I want to fight together as one in such important matches.
Q: Do you have a sense that Tokyo's style has been analyzed by the opponents during the second half of the season?
As the second half of the season begins, the way of playing becomes more solidified, so it gets analyzed to some extent. That applies to us as well, but in that sense, J-League is easy to compete in or rather evenly matched. With 18 teams in the league, there are no easy opponents to beat, so I think every match will be a tough battle.
Q, in the previous match against Kyoto, there were many scenes where we were able to bring the ball to the shooting position, and I believe that goals were also scored from there.
A, when you can hit, you have to hit, but it's better to shoot at the right timing and use the free player on the side if there is one. It's up to individual judgment, so it can't be said definitively, but I want to create many opportunities.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the Kashima game.
A, we need to keep winning and accumulating points, so this is a really important match in that sense. I hope we can somehow bring back the points.
