The achievement of a significant record in J-League history could have been overshadowed by the end of the first half.
The match against the top-ranked Vissel Kobe was a smooth start even though it was an away game. It can be said that Tokyo had a better start. They did not fall behind in intensity in the duels and showed a strong drive towards the goal and a strong desire to score.
However, if mistakes continue during the build-up, the control of the game will be handed over to the opponent. Once they get on a roll, it becomes extremely difficult to stop the momentum of the top team. After conceding the first goal, they conceded goals one after another in the latter part of the first half, where they desperately tried to recover. They returned to the locker room with a 3-goal deficit.
How to rebuild. The reasoning behind it was more passion than logic.
No matter how much you discuss tactics, if you don't have the will to fight, nothing will change. The captain, who has achieved the great record of playing in a total of 450 J-League matches, embodies this through his play. He throws himself into challenges, repels the opponent's long balls, takes the ball out himself, pushes the team forward, and then, after drawing out the opponent, plants the desire to score again by delivering a pass in the middle range towards the goal.
The two goals that caught up were penalty kicks, but if there was no strong determination to catch up and turn the game around, they wouldn't have even had the opportunity.
"We were able to show strength in the ball contest in the second half, but there are also moments where we wonder why we couldn't do it from the first half."
After the game, the tone of Masato MORISHIGE's player's speech about the team's current situation was harsh, but the passion was still there. For the full 90 minutes from the start to the final whistle, they continued to surpass the opponent with their passion for victory. Returning home to face a top team in a big match. We hope that the warriors in blue and red will be inspired by the passion ignited by the captain.
FC Tokyo suffered a 2-3 defeat away to Vissel Kobe, marking their first loss in three league matches. After the game, Takuya Aoki, who came on as a substitute and tightened the midfield, pointed out the defensive challenge of conceding three goals in the first half, saying, "It's not good to concede goals continuously in a bad flow. We need to at least limit it to one goal." Aoki also reflected on the moment when Tokyo showed determination and closed the gap to one goal with two penalty kicks in the second half, saying, "It was a goal we took with our spirit, but we want to be able to score goals with our own will in the future." The match against the league-leading Kobe presented challenges in both attack and defense.
The match against Yokohama F.Marinos this time will be a game that will test how well we can address the issues from the Kobe match. The reigning champions from last season have been earning points with their attacking style of soccer this season as well, and they are currently in 2nd place in the league. It will be important for Tokyo to maintain focus and actively take control of the game.
Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who played for Yokohama FM until last season, is putting strong feelings into this match. Before the match against his former team, Nakagawa declared, "Of course, I will go for the win." He aims to challenge Tokyo with clean and intense play.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the Yokohama F.Marinos match this week.
I think Yokohama FM is the highest quality club in the J1 League. They have many high-quality players and they play with continuity for 4 or 5 seasons in the same style. That's why I know how difficult it is to play against Yokohama FM. They play with speed, have an advantage in the midfield, and make moves. They entrust the ball to wing players who have high quality and aim for goals. Against such opponents, we must show a fighting spirit and express our attacking play by controlling the ball. I want to aim for goals actively and boldly while moving the ball. I feel that we have had a very fulfilling and good training this week. I hope we can have a good game tomorrow. In closely contested matches, small events can greatly influence the flow of the game. I think there may be situations where the first goal determines the change in momentum with one play.
Q, what kind of instructions did coach Albert give to the players regarding the ability to make adjustments during the game?
In the match against Vissel Kobe in the previous round, the first goal we conceded to the opponent was a significant psychological blow for us. In other words, we should not overthink the tactical aspect too much. If we can score in a good way, it will boost our confidence and lead to even better plays. Of course, the opposite pattern is also possible. I think there was such a negative flow in the Kobe match. Therefore, it is important to regain confidence and play. I believe that playing with confidence also leads to reducing mistakes. We should not fear mistakes. Even if a mistake occurs, it is important to not collapse, stand up, and continue playing. There may be some relevance to the Japanese culture and values that fear mistakes.
Q, is it safe to say that you conveyed the message of playing calmly without fear of making mistakes?
A, each player emphasizes playing with confidence. It is important for players to have confidence in their own play, and mistakes in soccer are just a part of it. Therefore, instead of thinking that making mistakes is bad, it is important to show what actions and plays you can make after making a mistake.
Q, there is an impression that the outcome is greatly influenced by the game in which the first goal is scored and the game in which it is conceded.
I think this applies to any club in the J1 League. However, we have a very strong impression of this tendency. We understand that in the J1 League, teams that score the first goal have a higher winning percentage, and as I mentioned earlier, scoring first has a positive impact on the team. From the perspective of a winner's mentality, Teruhito NAKAGAWA has a positive influence on the team. This is because he is a player who has experienced winning championships.
Q: What kind of message did you give to Kuryu MATSUKI and Naoki KUMATA after their national team activities?
A, I talked a little bit. I think it is very difficult to represent and fight for the country. In order to achieve good results, I told them that they need to level up from here. I think there is not much difference in tactics and individual techniques compared to players from other countries, but I felt a difference in the mental aspect. This is something that I have been telling the players since I came to Japan. I believe that having a strong mentality allows you to play at a high level.
Q: What kind of reaction did you receive in response to the encouragement?
A: I received the impression that they were not satisfied with the result this time. Experiences like this are very important. I hope they analyze it, make improvements, and connect it to the next game or tournament.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Teruhito NAKAGAWA＞
Q: Please tell us about your current feelings regarding the upcoming match against your former team.
A, of course we will go for the win, and since we lost in the previous match against Vissel Kobe, we definitely want to avoid consecutive losses. They are in good form and personally for me, it's a match against my former team, so I'm really looking forward to it.
Q, Yokohama F.Marinos is in a situation of not winning in 5 matches. How will you strategize?
The impression of Tokyo when I was playing for Yokohama FM was that there were many plays where they skillfully passed the ball while heading towards the goal, and I felt the difficulty in playing against them in terms of personal play and ball control. (In this match against Yokohama FM as a member of Tokyo) It is important not to give the opponent freedom and to continue playing with high intensity. If we allow the opponent to have room to play in certain situations, it will become like the Kobe match in the previous round. Therefore, I want to approach the game with a stronger mentality than the opponent, using the fact that we can play at home as our weapon. It is clear to anyone that Yokohama FM is a good team, and I want to share with the entire team how we should strategize by watching past footage.
Q: Please tell us about the reunion with player Ryo Miyaichi on the pitch, who recently made a comeback in Yokohama FM's official match after a serious injury.
I think I endured and overcame a very long period of about 300 days, including rehabilitation. I saw him play energetically in the Levain Cup match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, and I am personally happy about it. Even though he had such a big injury, I thought, "He's really fast." He is someone to be careful of as he is expected to come on as a substitute. However, I am looking forward to reuniting with Miyaichi, who wears the number 23 and plays, and I hope we can grow together and achieve results while pushing each other. In addition to Miyaichi, Kida, who has been playing together for a long time, and Matsubara, who is the same age, are also at Yokohama FM, so I want to show "clean and intense play."
Q: Is the team's progress as you imagined, Nakagawa?
A, I think it's a situation where the difference between good times and bad times is large. And it seems that the difference is very noticeable. Especially, in bad times, a situation where things don't come together affects the whole team, and I feel fragility and weakness. I think it's good to gradually level out the ups and downs in condition at a high level, and that's something the whole team feels. I think it's also connected to the low winning percentage in away games. Actually, we players are the ones who play on the pitch, and if we don't put ourselves at the center, regardless of the opponent, the result will change and weakness will show. I want to change that aspect and bring stability to the team.
Q: Is there a feeling that the team is changing for the better starting from the Yokohama FM match?
First of all, I think it is very important to be able to compete with Yokohama FM at home. I want to demonstrate the strength that can be obtained from the home advantage. Just because the opponent is the attacking Yokohama FM, I think it is important to not just accept it and approach as a challenger against the defending champion, otherwise Tokyo's strengths will not be shown and I believe that not respecting too much will be the key to victory. Ultimately, I think it is about how we can have an advantage in the mental aspect.
Q, it seems that the sense of unity as a team is increasing day by day.
I think there is a strong sense of unity as a team, but it seems that there is a bad habit of getting discouraged when conceding a goal. Especially in away games, it gives the impression that it happens. Even if we concede a goal, we need to show the attitude as a team to go for 2 or 3 goals and not be able to accumulate victories. The mental aspect after giving away the first goal greatly affects the outcome, and even if we give away a goal, it is not fair to the fans and supporters who support us if we don't show the attitude to go for a goal. I believe that we need to show a stronger commitment to victory.
Q, finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, the performance at Ajinomoto Stadium is very good, and all the players feel that they can play in a good atmosphere thanks to the support and encouragement of the fans. Including the fans and supporters, FC Tokyo as a whole creates an atmosphere of "going to defeat Marinos", which switches on the responsibility and feelings that we have to respond to. I think many supporters will come from Yokohama, so I will fight with enthusiasm while looking forward to it. I myself am also aiming for a goal, so let's win and sing "Yuruneba" together.
Koki TSUKAGAWA Player
Q, after the end of the Vissel Kobe match, Coach Albert Puig Ortoneda emphasized the "fighting spirit". What will you be conscious of for the Yokohama F.Marinos match?
A, the coach told us to base our game on the intensity of the play, like in the recent Kawasaki Frontale match, and aim for victory by controlling the ball. Yokohama FM is our opponent, so we expect to spend a lot of time with the ball in their possession, but we want to value the ball and aim for goals with quick attacks. We have been working on this in training this week, so I hope we can express it well as a team.
Q: Speaking of the Yokohama FM match at home, last season I scored 2 goals. Are there any specific aspects or personal considerations you are aware of, such as compatibility?
In that game, I was able to score two goals from set plays. If there is an opportunity to play in tomorrow's game, I want to swing firmly. Personally, I cannot stand on the pitch unless I continue to produce results, so I want to actively aim for goals.
Q: If you have any experiences of playing against Yokohama FM, please share them as a team.
A, I think there will be many plays that aggressively go to the ball side in order to not give the opponent freedom. It is important to cut off the ball after it enters the opponent's one top player, skillfully limit the course, and after taking the ball from the opponent who is spreading out during the attack, I think it is important to quickly turn to the attack. If you give too much time, you will let the opponent play with the front facing, so I think it is important to respond with coordinated press back. We have been working on it in practice this week, so I would like to be conscious of playing well in coordination.
Q, isn't this a game that both as a team and individually as Tsukagawa player, you want to make it a turning point to come back from here?
I cannot become the core of the team, and for me, each and every game in front of me is very important. I have a desire to seize a good opportunity. I play in various positions, but I believe that everything is shown in the results. I want to continue playing with a focus on the results. Playing in the position given by the coach and achieving results will also contribute to the value as a player, and I think there are also experiences gained from playing in various positions. I think that soccer is all connected, so I want to be conscious of that and do my best.
