Post-match comments for the 9th round Trial Avispa Fukuoka in the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League

"I think we got off to a good start today. We were aggressive and were able to create dangerous chances for our opponents. Apart from the balls played behind our backs that created chances for our opponents, I think we were able to control the game well.

In the second half, there was more space and it was a bit chaotic at times, but I don't think either team created many chances. Both teams were able to play more organised in the middle zone, so we couldn't get into the final third.

However, we did have some chances from counterattacks. If we had been able to control the ball a little better from (Matsuo) Yusuke to (Thiago) Santana, I think we could have turned it into an advantageous opportunity.

When we were defending a corner kick, our clearance was short, and the opponent picked it up and took a great shot, which led to us conceding a goal. After that, we brought in fresh players, pairing Yusuke and Thiago in the center. Later, we also brought in (Nagakura) Miki, but we were unable to break down Avispa Fukuoka 's solid defense.

"Today, I don't feel like we were outplayed by the opponent. However, football can be cruel at times like this. We need to create more chances and convert them into goals."

[Question and Answer Session]
(What was the aim of starting Matheus Savio on the bench?)
"It was the third game of a three-game series, so I thought we needed to rotate. Anticipating that the intensity would increase in the first half, I tried to bring on the fresh (Matheus) Savio in the second half. Maybe we brought Savio on a little too late. We conceded a goal right after he came on, and we didn't have much time after that."

(How did you envision scoring against Fukuoka?)
"In particular, we approached the game with the image of breaking through using the flanks. We prepared for this in various ways. For example, one option was for the wingers to stay on the sides and attract the opposing wing-backs, creating space for Thiago to get behind the defense. We did that, but it only worked in the first half. In the second half, we aimed to appear in the side pockets in zones 2 and 3, and to get behind the defense if the ball was there.

However, the opponent's performance was also very good, and by being pushed back, the defensive midfielders had to go a long distance to get behind the defense. Also, one of our aims was to use players like Hiro (Hirokazu Ishihara) and Takuro (Kaneko) who are good at crossing, but I think the success rate of our crosses was very low today."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]