"Keishin Togashi Player"

(It was a frustrating game)
"I think that everything was determined by the start of the game today. We couldn't play the soccer we wanted to play from the start. In the second half, the fresh players came in and turned the game around, but overall, the opponent was better throughout the game."

(There were many scenes in the first half where the ball didn't come)
"I feel that both our defense and offense lacked coordination. Unlike the home game against Yokohama in the Levain Cup, we showed our weaknesses. We had a similar lack of sharpness as in the Levain Cup game against Sendai, and the first half was a very wasteful development."

(I felt like the second half picked up momentum)
"It was good until we were able to turn the game around, but there might have been a moment where we let our guard down."
Although Levain Cup has been eliminated with this, I think it is important how the members who participated in Levain Cup can recover from this frustration and turn it into a positive for the team."

(About my goal)
I think it's the result of the substitute player who came in and switched on properly. The assist was also from player HIRAOKA, and thanks to the players who have been preparing well, we were able to score.
However, I think it doesn't mean much if I can score a goal but can't win. I play to help the team win, so I'm just frustrated.

(The goal was from a pass by player Hiraoka)
"It was my first time playing with player Hiraoka, but his determination led to the goal. That's why we wanted to win."

"Kiichi YAJIMA"

(The game ended in a disappointing result, but personally, did you feel a sense of accomplishment by scoring a goal?)
"Although it wasn't a league match, it was one of my goals to score a goal in this uniform, so I'm happy to have achieved that. However, since it didn't lead to a victory, I can't say anything."

(He was in a good position)
"Being 'there for some reason' is also one of my strengths, so if I stop making those movements in that situation, I think I won't be able to score. I felt that when Mr. Shinaida entered the kicking motion, he would float it to the far side or aim for the goal, so I thought there would be a chance if I stayed in that space, and I think it was good that the result led to a goal."

(Although I came on as a substitute, what instructions did Coach Hasegawa give you?)
"Since we were losing, I was instructed to change the flow of the game and to score a goal to get us back in the match."

(Although we were able to turn the tide for a moment and create a good flow)
"I think it was good in terms of being able to change the flow, but I don't think it will contribute to my evaluation if I don't eliminate conceding goals while being the starting point in the front line. It was good until the middle, but I want to continue to strive to go even further from there."

(It was a big step)
"But we couldn't win. I want to turn it into a victory next time. And of course, I want to participate in the J1 League matches. Instead of relying on turnovers for the lineup, I believe it's important to earn my place in the team with my own abilities and score goals to start. I want to take one step at a time and climb higher towards that goal."

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

"I am very disappointed that we have been eliminated in the qualifying round. I think the fans and supporters in Tokyo were looking forward to this Levain Cup, so I feel very sorry that it has come to an end."

Today's game was very bad in the first half. We couldn't fight, and the Niigata players were faster in terms of ball control and second ball reaction, so the ball naturally rolled to their side. I think it was a very slow first half in terms of movement. In the second half, we put in effort and were able to temporarily turn the game around, but we conceded a goal from a set piece and ran out of energy in the end, which was very disappointing as we were overwhelmed by Niigata.
How will young players connect this experience to the next? There is one more game left, so we want to prepare well and show a good performance at home, and achieve a result that can respond to the feelings of the fans and supporters.

《Q&A》
Q=In a situation where the game couldn't be progressed as desired, Player Hitoda was spreading the ball. What is the evaluation of Player Hitoda?
"I think the first half was completely terrible. In the second half, they showed a great attitude of going towards the goal with their emotions, and it was a very good play. I think the play in the first half and the second half was like that of a different person. Manato SHINADA is more of a slow starter player, so we always knew that Niigata would come in the first half in that way, so we had a conversation before the game saying, 'Go full throttle from the beginning.' If we could make more substitutions, I think he would have been replaced in the first half because his play was like that."

"Summary of Niigata Masakazu Suzuki's Press Conference"

"First of all, even though it's a different tournament, I am happy to win at home.
After the game was turned around, we caught up and surpassed. We have always had a never-give-up attitude and I think that by continuing to do so, it led to this result."

"Q&A" Q: What were the factors that allowed for a comeback? "The most important thing is to never give up. Each individual had a good awareness of not giving up and aiming for victory until the last minute. However, we allowed the opponent to break through our defense, which led to conceding a goal. This is an area that needs improvement. If our players on the ball side can cover and react to the ball situation, I believe the team can level up even more."