Last Match: YokohamaFC Review
The first home game in about a month since the opening game, the players who should win scored a goal and brilliantly earned 3 points.
The game starts moving right away. In the 5th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA starts the play and Diego OLIVEIRA, who received a pass from Hotaka NAKAMURA, turns around and scores the opening goal.
In the first half, we were unable to control the game by holding onto the ball, and we allowed decisive situations such as being completely free in front of the goal and taking shots. It was Jakub SLOWIK who saved the team. On this day, SLOWIK made at least three big saves in decisive scenes throughout the 90 minutes. He supported the team's victory from the back until the end.
Despite struggling to control the game, the additional goal was born from another specialty of the team. In the 27th minute of the first half, a coordinated press from the front line led to a goal as Nakagawa intercepted the opponent's pass and scored, expanding the lead with a high press and short counter.
After conceding one goal due to an own goal, the team regained composure with the help of experienced players Masato MORISHIGE and Koki TSUKAGAWA, who were subbed in at the beginning of the second half and provided stability by moving the ball. As the experienced players calmed the game down, the young players were able to shine and the attack was revitalized. In particular, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA left a strong impression. He boldly dribbled through the left side and was involved in crucial moments.
In the 17th minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO, who was substituted in the first half, won the match-up and put a cross ball into the goal area. Diego TABA calmly headed it in, securing the second goal and winning the game.
After the match, as coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA expressed his dissatisfaction, we struggled in the first half despite taking the lead, as we were unable to maintain possession of the ball. However, we showed our ability to make adjustments within the 90 minutes and dominated the opponent in the second half both in terms of performance and content.
＜Preview＞
The match against Nagoya Grampus, led by former coach Kenta HASEGAWA, who brought titles to the club, will be the third time. The match played at home Ajinomoto Stadium last season ended in a draw, leaving some issues in terms of content.
In the away final match of last season, despite holding onto the ball for 90 minutes, they conceded the first goal. In the second half, they launched a fierce attack and equalized with a goal from Yasuki KIMOTO. However, a mistake in their own half led to a goal from Nagai, who had transferred mid-season, and they ended up losing. They continued to hold onto the ball and collect second balls in the opponent's half, but they were unable to find the final touch and ended up losing.
Can the blue and red players show their growth to the coach who knows Tokyo inside and out? After working on ball possession, which was a challenge last season, how will they score goals? They have been training rigorously during the preseason. They were able to demonstrate the results of their hard work in the previous match against Yokohama FC.
Can Tokyo open up the tightly packed goal with their ideas and individual skills, while confidently passing the ball and making the opponent run against Nagoya, who fights strongly in the ball and plays with a solid defense and quick counterattacks? It will be a great stage to show the growth of the second season under the Albert Puig Ortoneda regime, as Tokyo seeks revenge from last season.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview] 
Q: Kashif BANGNAGANDE has been selected for the Japanese national team.
A, I am very happy that he has been selected for the Japanese national team for the first time. I think the selection from the members who have been called up this time was a message that gives young players a chance. I also think that there is a message of expectation for young players, and even in J-League teams, if they play well, there is a message that they can be connected to the Japanese national team even if they are young. The important thing is that players grow by playing. It is not necessarily the case that they will grow if they go to Europe, and if they do not play, their growth will naturally stop. In that sense, I am very happy that they have called up young players who are playing in the J-League this time.
Q: What are the areas that have grown since last season?
A: Since last season, I think his technical level has been excellent. There were areas for improvement in plays involved in the final attacking zone. The defensive aspect, which was a major point for improvement, has been solidly improved through continuous training and effort. I believe the one-on-one situations still need to be worked on. On the attacking side as well, if he can further enhance the accuracy of his final crosses, I expect he will become an even more outstanding player.
Q: Do you ever tell Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the coach, about overseas players you want to use as examples?
A: Usually, full-backs tend to be players known for their speed, but I think he is a full-back with unique characteristics. He possesses many elements in a well-balanced manner at a high level, and on top of his high technical skill, he makes a significant contribution to the attack. Because of this good balance, it is difficult to choose a specific player as a model to aim for.
Q: I think it wouldn't be strange for Hotaka NAKAMURA to be selected for the Japanese national team.
A: I believe there is no player in Japan who surpasses Nakamura's defensive abilities. In that sense, I think he can compete at the world level as well. To maintain balance in attack, he has honed skills that match his high defensive capabilities. The accuracy of his crosses in the finishing zone has also improved. If he can further elevate that aspect, I believe he has the potential to become a great player. At the beginning of last season, not only Nakamura but also Yoshifu did not participate in matches. I think there are important points to growing to a high level. Those are mental strength, the ability to grow, and the ability to learn. Nagatomo is now 36 years old, but between when he was 34 and now, which do you think is the better player? I believe he is better now because he has the ability to grow. That is why I pay close attention to how much growth potential each player has. In this world, many players stop growing once they reach a certain level. However, the players who reach the great levels worldwide are those who have the ability to keep growing every day. I believe our playing style is one of the factors that encourages their growth. It is a style that requires each player to grow and continuously demands growth. Many players tend to play fearfully, but they must take risks when playing. Our style demands playing with risk and courage. And the player who has responded to that and grown is Nakamura.
Q: Please tell us your enthusiasm for the Nagoya match.
A: I think Nagoya’s coach HASEGAWA is comfortable leading the team with the three high-quality players up front. If we make even a small mistake, the opponent will create a decisive chance from it. We currently have several players sidelined due to injury, but that is a situation that can happen during a long season. Great clubs are able to firmly overcome such difficult periods. I believe we are in a tough phase now, and we want to get through it. When the timing changes, the momentum changes, and the number of injured players also changes. The teams that can steadily accumulate points during these difficult times are truly great teams, and that is the kind of team we aim to be. We have prepared well this week, so I am confident we can have a good match tomorrow.
Q: What are the challenges based on the Yokohama FC match?
A: In the match against Yokohama FC, the play where we pressed from the front to win the ball and created scoring opportunities was good, and I am satisfied with that. We created 11 clear chances. Except for the Kyoto match, we have been able to create more than 10 clear chances in every game. However, I am not satisfied with the team’s play in the first half throughout the match. During the build-up from the back, we made repeated mistakes where we should have maintained possession properly, and we were unable to play as expected. In the second half, there were fewer mistakes overall, but the time we controlled the ball was short, so tomorrow we want to properly correct this and approach the match with the team’s understanding of the need to dominate possession.
[Player Interview]
＜Yasuki KIMOTO＞ 
Q: Are you feeling confident in your ability to contribute to the team in terms of stability, as you have continued to play since the start of the season?
A: I have been given the opportunity to play in matches, but there are still many things I need to work on. I am not satisfied with my performance.
Q: Do you feel a stronger determination to lead the team than last season, and are you conscious of it?
A: Since the end of last season, I have been conscious of leading the team. This season, there was a match where I became the oldest player on the field when Morishige was not playing. In such situations, I must make sure to speak up and lead the team. By doing so, my concentration and sense of responsibility also increase, so I want to continue this.
Q: What impact does the victory in the previous match against Yokohama FC have on the team?
A: As Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA also said, we couldn’t play the kind of soccer we had expected in the first half. I think it was a match we would have lost last season. However, even though the content wasn’t good, the forwards scored goals and we were able to accumulate 3 points. I think it’s really great that we can head into the next match in good condition.
Q, would you like to connect more from the back in terms of content?
A: In the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., they defended from the front line, and we had little time in possession, often kicking the ball forward easily. In the match against Yokohama FC, we had a strong awareness of trying to connect passes. Although we did lose the ball at times, I think our intention to connect passes was higher than in the past few matches.
Q, what is your impression of Nagoya Grampus this season?
A, the attacking power of the three forwards is amazing, but the defense, centered around LANGERAK, is also very strong. I think it will be difficult to break down their defense if they score first. In that sense, it will likely be a match decided by one or two goals. At the back, we want to keep a clean sheet while actively participating in the attack as well.
Q, it will be a match against Kensuke NAGAI, who I played with until midway through last season.
A, not only Nagai but also Kasper JUNKER and Mateus CASTRO are players we must be especially careful of when we are on the attack. They are opponents you cannot let your guard down against for even a single minute during the 90 minutes. I think they will exploit my weak points, such as speed and dealing with runs behind the defense. I have to stay even more focused.
Q: When you were in Tokyo, Nagai-san told you to "speak more". I think it's surprising to see you talking this much now.
A, I want people to see the changed side of me and the side that is enjoying himself.
Q, how much do you think you have changed compared to last season?
A, I believe I am speaking out quite a bit. As I have gotten used to the team, I think I am able to express my character more.
Q, I think I was able to play well with young players in the Levain Cup.
A: I talk with them from practice, and in terms of character, I’m not the type to intimidate the younger players. I believe I have a personality that makes it easy for any player to approach me. In that sense, I think I have properly blended in with the Levain Cup members and am moving forward in a positive direction.
Q: Is it important to have the ball in the Nagoya match?
A: I don't think having the ball always means we can make good attacks. In last season's match against Nagoya, we were able to keep possession of the ball, but we couldn't create many good attacks. During this season's camp, we trained on how to break down the opponent's defense while holding the ball. I want to show the results of that training.
Q, I heard that Nakagawa player said, "Let's fight as if it's the final round" in preparation for the Yokohama FC match in the previous round. Did you have such a strong determination?
A, It was a home game, and since we had lost the previous match, we had to avoid a two-game losing streak. I entered the match with a strong determination as if it were a final round and was able to score in a good way. I believe we showed our fighting spirit. This season, I want to approach every game with the mindset of focusing on the match right in front of us.
Q: It appeared that Kimoto was also singing Yuruneva after the previous match against Yokohama FC.
A: For the first time, I was able to hear the fans and supporters singing in a good atmosphere. I don’t remember all the lyrics, but I like listening to chants and had prepared by watching them on YouTube. I think I was able to sing a little. I feel like I’m starting to fit in with the team.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: How do you feel after being selected as a player for the Japanese national team for the first time?
A: I was surprised to learn for the first time yesterday that I was selected for the Japan national team, but I am filled with excitement.
Q: Wasn't it amazing to receive congratulations messages from various people?
A: I received truly many messages from the people who have supported me so far. I was very happy, and I want them to watch my play carefully. My desire to give back has grown stronger.
Q: We were able to come this far with the support of many people, right?
A: Throughout my soccer career, there have been more setbacks than successes, but I believe many people have supported me and helped lift me up to this point. Being selected for the Japan national team and being able to bring joy to those people is the happiest thing for me.
Q: Is your next goal to wear the Japan national team uniform and perform well?
A: Performing well for the Japan national team has been one of my goals for a long time. I believe I am now the closest I have ever been to achieving it. However, I have only been selected so far, so I want to make a strong impression starting from practice. I think players who can deliver results there will be able to advance. I want to work hard to ensure I can produce solid results.
Q: This will be your first league match against Nagoya since being selected for the Japan national team. It will also be a match against your former coach, Kenta Hasegawa. How do you feel about it?
A: Coach Hasegawa is the coach who made me a professional. He is such an important figure in my professional soccer career that I feel he helped me grow the most. Since this is a match against Nagoya led by Coach Hasegawa, I want to win decisively and show him how much I have grown.
Q: How about Kensuke NAGAI?
A: I have also received a lot of support from Nagai. I want to enter the match with strong determination from the defense to ensure we don’t concede goals from Nagai and secure the win.
Q: Please share your gratitude and enthusiasm for the fans and supporters.
A: Even after this announcement, I have been receiving many messages regularly, which have been a great source of strength for me. When I was in the academy, Kosuke OTA was called up to the Japan national team and was someone I admired. Now that I have been called up to the Japan national team for the first time, I want to give my all on the field so that the academy players can look up to me. First of all, we will definitely win against Nagoya.
