<Match Preview>
The “journey” of the 2022 season, which began on February 18, is now down to the last two matches.
The final away game is against Nagoya Grampus. The team is led by Kenta HASEGAWA, who managed Tokyo for four seasons until last season. In the first half of the season, Tokyo was unable to score against the measures taken by the coach, who knows Tokyo’s players well, and the match ended 0-0.
The biggest threat to Tokyo is undoubtedly Kensuke NAGAI, who played for Tokyo until this summer. With his top-class speed in the J.League, goal-scoring instinct, and bright, beloved character, he was an important figure for Tokyo’s fans and supporters. However, this time he is the key player for Nagoya aiming for Tokyo’s goal. Like Coach Hasegawa, NAGAI is also very familiar with Tokyo’s players. How to stop him as he aggressively attacks with the support of the home crowd will be the key point in this match.
On the other hand, Tokyo's players are also well acquainted with Nagai. How Masato MORISHIGE will confront him, and how Yasuki KIMOTO, who was cherished as a junior in university, will stop Nagai's speed—these intense matchups will unfold, and ultimately, we hope the Tokyo center-back duo will successfully neutralize Nagai.
The opponent's defense is led by Yuichi MARUYAMA, who faces his former club. Against Tokyo's attack, which scored four goals in the previous match against Cerezo Osaka, Coach Hasegawa is expected to implement thorough countermeasures. Although Tokyo's build-up accuracy fluctuates depending on the match, when the opponent presses from the front, they want to calmly break the press. If the opponent reinforces their defensive block with numbers in their own half, Tokyo aims to skillfully shake them by moving the ball at a good tempo and seize any openings without hesitation.
A season of building a new Tokyo style through the “journey” with Albert PUIG ORTONEDA. As the finale, we will bring home 3 points with the football that “journeys with the ball” (Albert PUIG ORTONEDA).
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q. There was a break in the league matches; how is the team's condition?
A. We were able to engage in good training. I think it was a two-week period during which various things progressed smoothly. Just because things go well doesn’t mean we will win the match, but I have a good feeling. I truly feel the team is continuously growing, and there is a strong sense that the team is in good condition. However, each match is different, and since various factors influence the match results, you really don’t know until you actually play.
Q. At the beginning of the season, you mentioned that reaching about 50-60% of the new style this season would be good, but what percentage would you say it is now?
A, I think we have reached about 60% of the level we are aiming for.
Q, what is the basis for that?
A, I feel that the current players have adapted well to this style. Naturally, I myself had to adapt to the characteristics of the players. As I mentioned previously, I never intended to do the same thing here as we did in Niigata. My aim was to do better work based on the players' characteristics. Of course, the part about valuing possession of the ball is non-negotiable, but from there, we incorporated team tactics based on the players' characteristics. As the first season of changing the style, I think the players have adapted well and reached a good level. Our attacking play in tight spaces is also steadily improving, and it is important to continue that growth going forward. However, there is still 40% left to achieve, so we are far from done. We want to continue making steady efforts in that regard. Reaching this level in about eight months is something worth recognizing. For example, Yokohama and Kawasaki, who are ranked above us, have been playing with this style for several years. We also need the same amount of time. I believe that as a club, by having all the fans and supporters join us on this journey, we will grow into a club worthy of winning the championship. I don't think there is any other secret.
Q, to fill the remaining 40%, you mentioned the distance between players during the recent practice. Will aspects like that become necessary?
A, Yokohama is skilled at playing in tight spaces. One of the very important concepts is playing in tight spaces. In addition, we emphasize making runs behind the defense. This is because we want to take advantage of the fact that we have many players in the second line who are good at making runs. If a player who is extremely good at playing with their feet joins us next season, we will need to adapt the team tactics based on that player's characteristics. However, it still takes time to create good combinations in tight spaces.
Q, heading into the Nagoya match, is maintaining possession important against teams that apply a high press?
A, the reason we want to build up from the goalkeeper is that if we can successfully break through opponents who defend with a high press from the front line, space will open up behind them, increasing our chances to create opportunities. We are not connecting from the goalkeeper aiming for beautiful play. Teams that build up from the back against opponents applying a high press inherently carry the risk of danger if the ball is lost. On the other hand, teams that apply a high press do so taking the risk of leaving large spaces behind them, hoping to create chances by winning the ball. I believe this is the kind of offensive and defensive battle between the two teams.
Q, what did you think about Diego as an important presence as a foreign player this season?
A, I believe he contributed in two key ways. There are several reasons why his goal count decreased. One is that he had discomfort in his hip joint since the preseason and continued to play while enduring it, which was one factor. Additionally, if you look at the team's growth process, you can see that the team gradually improved and the number of chances increased. For example, Adailton is better at making runs into space. I think he had opportunities from the start of the season. As the team grew and created more chances by pressing the opponent, players like Watanabe, Leandro, and Diego had more goal-scoring opportunities. For these reasons, various factors contributed to Diego’s reduced goal tally. Like Morishige, there is no doubt that Diego is a very important player for Tokyo. As vice-captain, it was crucial that he earned respect not only from the foreign players but from all players due to his past performances. Furthermore, there were several foreign players among the new signings, and Diego was the one who cooperated more than anyone else to help them adapt well to the team.
[Player Interview]
＜Yasuki KIMOTO
Q, What impression do you have about the match against your former club led by Kenta HASEGAWA?
A, My impression from when we faced them was that everyone worked hard, and as a team, no one slacked off. In terms of attack, I was impressed by their fast offense that makes use of the talents up front.
Q, I think this is a match at Toyota Stadium, which holds special meaning for you.
A, It’s a really great stadium, and since it can hold a large number of people, I think it creates a good atmosphere. I spent one year at Nagoya and experienced good things, but also many hardships, so in that sense, I am grateful to the club. However, more than that, I have a strong desire not to lose, and I want to focus on competing to win.
Q, in a previous interview, you mentioned that thanks to Kensuke NAGAI you felt you could enjoy playing soccer. Was his presence during your time in Tokyo really significant?
A, yes. Although he was a senior from university, he helped me blend into the team I had just joined, and I am very grateful for that. He always told me to enjoy playing soccer, and I believe that is a key reason why I am involved in matches now. I have that feeling of gratitude, but I also don’t want to be beaten by him, and I want to do whatever it takes to hold my ground.
Q, this time you will be matched up as an opposing player; how do you feel about that?
A, speed is the fastest in Japan, and I think it is important to take a position first and not be defeated by speed because I cannot match it in terms of speed.
Q, I think it is also important how to maintain possession of the ball and build up the attack against opponents who apply high pressure from the front line.
A, I think they will put pressure on us from the front line, focusing on player Ryo NAGAI. We haven't been able to achieve good results against teams that come forward, so we need to overcome that. We have been building up the ability to use long balls when there is a risk, not just relying on escaping with long balls, while connecting from the back. I think it is important to use them appropriately in the Nagoya Grampus match. While doing that, I want us to calmly connect from the back without being intimidated and show what we have been doing for a year.
Q, how do you feel about looking back on yourself up to this point in the season with only 2 games left?
A, I have been starting in the league matches all along, and this season has been the one with the most playing time in my career so far. I have been able to spend a fulfilling season. In these last two games, while aiming for both good performance and results, I want to make this my best season ever.
Q: What kind of game do you want to play while being in a position to aim for the ACL?
We can aim for third place, but honestly, there are also external factors, so in order to aim for that, we have no choice but to win two consecutive games. I hope to focus on the remaining two matches, both in terms of performance and results, without worrying too much about that, and end the year in a good way.
