＜Match Preview＞
After playing three league matches, we are now entering the opening of the Levain Cup. Despite the tight schedule of playing three matches in three days, as one of the three major domestic titles and a team that has experienced two championships in the past, we want to pursue victory along with the quality of the competition.
Tokyo entered the same group as Kyoto Sanga F.C., Gamba Osaka, and Cerezo Osaka in the group stage this season. They will face Kyoto, whom they played against in the league on March 4th, in the Levain Cup on March 26th. They will also face Cerezo Osaka, whom they will play against tomorrow, in the league on April 15th. They are scheduled to have rematches in close dates across different competitions.
In order to accumulate points in both tournaments, it is essential to improve the overall team strength through the emergence of young players while exploring each other's strategies. Coach Albert has also expressed his intention to actively use young players in the Levain Cup.
In the match against Kyoto on March 4th, the team was revitalized by sending young players onto the pitch in the second half and allowing them to fully demonstrate their strengths. Tawaratsumida Kota, who made his second consecutive appearance, showed a daring dribble breakthrough and threatened the opponent's goal. Arai Yuta, who made his league debut, cut in from the right side and supplied a sharp cross ball in front of the goal. Terayama Tsubasa, who made his first appearance after signing a professional contract, also showed a fighting spirit by encouraging the entire team without giving up, even after conceding a goal in the additional time.
Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, coach Albert has been proactive in using young players, such as Araki, who was also a special designated player last season, making his debut in the first match of the Levain Cup. Tomorrow, what kind of lineup will they face? What kind of performance will each player show? This upcoming match will be crucial not only for the immediate game, but also for the future of Tokyo.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: How do you consider the composition of the team members in the midst of a shortage of midfielders?
Regardless of the presence or absence of injured players, we want to utilize the Levain Cup as a platform to promote the growth of young players. Of course, we aim to approach the game by effectively integrating players who have not been given many opportunities in the league matches and young players while maintaining a good balance. In Europe, players play two intense matches every week with a three-day interval, and they endure it. What I am aiming for tomorrow is to maintain a good balance, of course, to aim for victory, to give young players opportunities, and to promote their growth. I want to approach tomorrow's match by striking a balance between both.
For example, if the balance cannot be maintained and difficult matches are played with many young players, it will lead to a loss of confidence for the young players. At the same time, regarding the players who have not been given the chance to play in the league matches, I hope they can prepare themselves to be able to play well in the league matches by giving them the opportunity to play. I understand that the fans and supporters hope for winning titles. However, we are in a situation where there are injuries in the midfield position and Matsuki is absent from the national team. But what I want the fans and supporters to understand is that young players cannot grow without the opportunity to play. At the same time, if the players who have not had many opportunities in the league matches do not have the chance to play in the Levain Cup, they cannot prepare well for the league matches. When a player who performs well in the Levain Cup appears, it is naturally my aim to use that player more and more in the league matches.
Tomorrow's match will be a chance for players who have not had the opportunity to play in the league to prove that they are deserving of playing in the league. For young players, I hope it will be a chance for them to grow and prove that they have something good. In football, we must overcome everything. This includes the condition of the pitch and even the referee's decisions. We must overcome everything and aim for victory. Even our own mistakes, we must overcome them and aim for victory.
Q: In the past two matches, there have been many scenes where we lost the ball. What do we need to do to overcome these mistakes?
We want to regain the balance we lost in the Kyoto match. First of all, even if we lose the game, we want the players to always express their desire to win on the pitch. In the Kyoto match, the players showed us that. We must express it in every match without fail. In the Kyoto match, we struggled with intense defense and couldn't control the game well. The absence of multiple players also had an impact, and that is an area we want to improve. What we should learn from the Kyoto match is that we also need to have a strong defense with intensity. When the opponent does the same, of course, not everything may go well, but it is important to play with a firm control of the ball and the game as time goes by. We must learn from the Kyoto match and strive for improvement.
Q: I think the challenge is to continue playing steadily. What is necessary to calm down the play even in high-tempo matches?
A, it is necessary to believe in our own play from the bottom of our hearts. I think that we can only overcome it by continuing to believe and continue to do it. If each player continues to believe and continue to do it, I think that we can influence each other and ultimately overcome it as a team. We need to learn more about how to break through against teams that come to defend with high intensity and instead defend carefully by lowering the block. This season, my goal is to stick to my style and pursue victory. We must establish a unique style that brings out the strengths of the players currently on the team. Continuing from last season, it is also considered one of the goals for each player to grow.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q, how is your condition?
A, my condition is improving and I think Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda is also keeping an eye on my situation. If I can play in the game, I want to express my opinion to anyone without hesitation, listen to the opinions of the players around me, and play while communicating in detail.
Q, I think you have been building up Tokyo's style from the camp, but how about the aspect of getting used to it?
I understand some aspects of the soccer style. However, since I have never played in an official match after transferring to Tokyo, I honestly don't know if I can play as I imagine. I am studying while watching the movements of players like Nagatomo, Nakamura, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. I hope to be able to express the image I have gained on the pitch. First of all, I want to play in a match as soon as possible.
Q, how do you perceive the Levain Cup, which is about to begin?
I think it is a tournament that attracts attention. As a club, it has been 3 years since we won the championship, so I want to win it again and share the joy with the fans and supporters. When we won the 2020 season, I watched it on TV. It's really exciting to be part of the team I used to watch, and I think it will be an important match just like the league games.
Q, I think this will be an important match that will also affect the league.
I want to participate in the Levain Cup and be involved in the league matches as well. I think the first match will be an important one for me. The Yokohama FC match is in three days, but first I want to give 100% or more of my strength in the Levain Cup and contribute to the team's victory.
Q: Did you have any opportunities to play in positions other than fullback during the camp? How did it feel?
A, side backs sometimes move their positions up to the position of a defensive midfielder and play, and it is required by the team. I think that the experience of playing as a defensive midfielder is being utilized in playing as a side back. I have proven that I can adapt if I have the opportunity to play in the midfield. I am working on it with a positive mindset to make Tokyo stronger and I want to express it on the pitch.
Q, what kind of impression do you have of Cerezo Osaka?
I think there are many players who are good at dribbling. If you don't go firmly into the ball, you will easily be bypassed. In defense, I want to connect good attacks from good defense by playing with high intensity, and in attack, I have strong points.
Q, there are also plays that Coach Albert is asking for, what kind of plays do you want to make?
I want to be conscious of getting involved in possession while considering positioning. I want to communicate with the players around me, take the best position, and make a presence in both offense and defense.
Q: Are you also aiming for goals and assists in terms of results?
A, I approach every game with the intention of leaving a mark with goals and results. It is also important to play while utilizing the characteristics of the players around me, not just myself. I want to run and fight for the team's victory first, rather than focusing on my own performance.
Q, it's an away game, but I think many fans and supporters will come to cheer. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
The passion of the fans and supporters that I felt at the home game of the opening match was amazing. Tomorrow's game is an away game, but I think many will come to support us. The players will do their best to respond to the cheers. We want to show everyone the effort we are putting into the Levain Cup so that they will want to come and watch, and we hope they look forward to it. Thank you for your support.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q,Please tell us your enthusiasm for the Levain Cup.
A, I haven't been able to play in any matches this season yet, so I want to leave a solid result and carry it over to the next one. I will do my best to win the Levain Cup first match and gain momentum.
Q: How is your condition?
A, I am always prepared to play in the game, so my condition is not a problem.
Q: What do you want to focus on during the game?
A, I want to attack while valuing the ball with the team. As a defensive player, I am conscious of not conceding goals and want to use my physical abilities, which are my strengths, to not lose to the opponent.
Q, what is your impression of Cerezo Osaka?
A, the opponent's attacking team has players with high abilities, so I want to apply strong pressing in defense and prevent the opponent's attacking team from playing freely.
Q, I think that players who have had few opportunities to play in the league so far will have the chance to play. I think it will be a game that tests their mental strength. How do you want to fight?
A, everyone strongly wants to participate in the league match. I think it is important to have a strong mentality, especially in the ball contest, as the opponent will play fiercely from the beginning. So, I want to enter the game while concentrating and encouraging each other so that we don't lose in terms of mentality.
Q, I think this is a chance to change our position so far by showing good results and plays here, as we have not achieved results in the last 2 league matches.
As a defensive player, I think my evaluation will increase just by winning without conceding. When the team is not doing well, it's a chance for players like me who are not involved in the game, so I have no choice but to do my best.
Q: Do you have any concerns about playing with players you don't usually play with?
As a team, we have a common understanding of the play we are aiming for. I think it will be necessary to communicate and play together while addressing the finer details.
Q, do you seem calm, but are your feelings rising?
A, I'm quite excited. I haven't been able to participate in the games due to an injury before the opening, but the season has just begun. This first game is very important to me, so I want to produce good results. I'm not nervous at all, and I want to play with all my might tomorrow. I'm also aiming for goals from set plays.
Q, do you have an image of playing against Cerezo Osaka?
First of all, I want to play while handling the ball easily. If the vertical pass is successful, it will become a chance, but there is a high risk of losing the ball when aiming for a vertical pass at a bad timing. I think Coach Albert also doesn't prefer it, so I will play easily where I can and circulate the ball well. I will try to play flexibly, such as aiming for a vertical pass when the opponent is slightly off balance.
