"Keigo HIGASHI"

"(About the goal)
I received a good pass from Takahagi player, so I focused on getting in front of the opponent's defender first."
There is also a lucky aspect, but the ball flowed from the opponent's feet.
It was great to be able to take the lead, but conceding a goal immediately afterwards is a problem. What a waste.

（There are often intentional passes from Takahagi, right?）
That is something we have been working on since before the start of the season.
I am trying to make it not just about myself, but about the team as a whole.

(In the second half, the side of Urawa MF Martino's player changed?)
Not only that, but also in terms of attack and defense, we are constantly discussing and trying to play in coordination with Ota player at the back.
I think I was able to defend well because I received instructions from behind during defense.

(Regarding the scene where a corner kick was given to Urawa)
It is important not to give Urawa, who specializes in side attacks, a corner kick, but it was also often the case that we escaped the corner kick by putting our bodies on the line against the opponent's crosses. I think that was not bad.
Isn't it more important not to be beaten by set plays?

In terms of attack, we are also working on putting more power forward as a challenge. Although there are still many things that are not going well, we want to focus on increasing the number of times we do it and pursue it by first practicing to add more sharpness...

《Diego OLIVEIRA》

"Urawa is also a strong team, and it was a tough match."
Although we took the lead and felt like we had a good momentum, unfortunately, we were caught up.
However, everyone ran well and I also gave my all, resulting in success.
I think it was good, and I want to do my best to achieve victory in the next battle.

(There were many moments when the passes did not connect well with the forward line?)
Although there were times when the passes did not come, there were also many instances where we lost the ball in the forward line while competing with the opposing defenders.
I want to make improvements in that area, but overall it's not bad.
'There was an opponent' and I think it was a good game.

(Regarding the collaboration with player Taira MAEDA)
Not only with player Taira MAEDA, but I feel that the team's collaboration is improving day by day.
I also think it will get better if you spend more time.

(What about the playing time of 70 minutes, which requires defense from the front line?)
Pressed quite a bit with player Maeda and chased after the ball.
However, Urawa's build-up play was skillful and we couldn't win the ball, resulting in a very demanding match.
I still gave it my all. I want to become able to take the ball at the FW position."

"Summary of Tokyo - Kenta HASEGAWA Coach's Press Conference"

"We fought aiming for victory in the opening match, but unfortunately we were only able to earn 1 point. However, I believe that the players fought until the end with a determination to earn 3 points."
We need to increase our attacking power and train to secure 3 points at home in the future.
In the first half, there were several scenes where we couldn't move the ball well, similar to the preseason match.
In the second half, the opponent's energy decreased and there was space in the midfield, so I think it would have been better if we could have moved the ball a little more.
I think they are players who can do that, so there is still a lack of training.
The way we conceded the goal was the worst pattern, where we immediately conceded after scoring. We are still lacking in that aspect.
"After the score moves firmly, let's refocus and aim to score additional points without letting the opponent do so. We want to prepare thoroughly for the next Sendai match."

《Q&A》
Q=What is the intention behind substitution cards?
"First of all, that time zone was a time zone where Urawa had a hard time scoring the winning goal, so I wanted to use Nagai's speed on the counterattack and decided to start him."
If we can make use of Nagai's speed, I thought Kubo's technical skills at his feet would come alive, and he had been playing well in training matches. However, the Urawa players responded firmly there, and we couldn't create chances that seemed like chances, so we brought in Tomogashi, who can put his body on the front line and also jump into crosses."

Q=What kind of play do you expect from Hiroshi OMORI?
"I have only been saying 'Go! Do it!' to Omori, so I think he did exactly that."

Q=What part did you feel confident about?
"I think it's about defense."
Apart from the shot by Urawa's FW Koroki in the first half, the team, including the goalkeeper, responded attentively.
I have played against Urawa many times during my time at G Osaka, and I have experienced many tough matches where it seemed like we would lose. Of course, I think the fact that it was the opening match made the opponent strong, but I think it was very good that we were able to respond without breaking our organization.
The team called Urawa is the champion of last year's AFC Champions League and a well-rounded team.
If it is a 1-1 draw with more dangerous scenes in terms of content against such a team, we will have to do various things in training from now on, but I think we fought very well with a good balance.
"However, when it comes to offensive power, we must make an approach that allows us to make the most of the players who have weapons."

Q=What were the words spoken to the players before the game?
"Before the opening, I tend to use fancy words, but I talked about the necessary 'fighting spirit', 'ball control', and 'transition' for the season."
Some players may have put too much effort into it, but I think they were able to show that kind of attitude.
"We want to show a more fighting spirit without fear of the opponent in order to earn 3 points in the home game."

"Summary of Urawa Takafumi Hori's press conference"

"I think it was a tough match due to the opening."
"We want to take the positive aspect of being able to catch up from conceding the first goal through a set piece and continue to fight in the remaining match."

Q=What are the current areas for improvement in terms of attack?
"In the part of the attack that started from the side, there was an increase in advancing to deeper positions in the second half."
From there, the quality of crosses is important. Specifically, I think the improvement points are the timing with the players inside and the accuracy of the player delivering the crosses."