2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 17 match against FC Tokyo [MATCH PARTNER BizReach] Post-Trial comments

"I think it was a very interesting Trial for the fans and supporters. There were many excellent offensive plays at a high level of intensity. Once again today, the fans and supporters created a great atmosphere and fought alongside the team.

Trial itself was difficult. We conceded a goal early on, but we didn't lose confidence and managed the game well. We created chances by using the space behind the opponents. We especially tried to control the midfield when switching. One of FC Tokyo 's weapons is launching counterattacks through that area. I think it was good that we caught up in the first half.

In the second half, we tried to step it up, but we gave them a 3-on-1 advantage in front of the goal and we had some situations where we couldn't control it properly. We were behind again, but the substitutes injected new energy into the team and we made a strong comeback.

It was a happy result, and I'm also happy that Samuel (Gustafsson) was able to return from injury and play, and that Tomo (Tomoaki Okubo) was able to play for more than 60 minutes for the first time in a while. Also, if Thiago (Santana) returns, we will be able to have a full team.

We can be happy today, but next week we have two consecutive away games against Kawasaki Frontale and Nagoya Grampus in a short period of time, so we need to make sure our players recover properly while considering which members we will use for those games.

I would like to commend the entire team for not giving up until the final whistle and for continuing to fight with great teamwork and team spirit."

[Question and Answer Session]
(The team stepped up a gear after the substitutes came on. Why do you think that is?)
"I think one reason for this is that FC Tokyo ran a lot in the first half, tiring the opponents out, and we brought in fresh players."

(Do you think the effects of the first half, in which Tomoaki Okubo and Samuel Gustafson played well together, came into play in the second half?)
"I thought Samuel and Tomo were very good in the first half. In the second half, Tomo was quite worn down because he was in a winger position and had to sprint a lot. Samuel could have played longer, but we didn't take that risk because he was coming back from injury.

And I think that (Nagakura) Miki and (Matsumoto) Yasushi did a very good job from the bench. Of course, (Kaneko) Takuro, (Haraguchi) Genki, and (Takahiro Sekine."

(I think it was a fun Trial for the fans and supporters to watch, but perhaps the manager himself prefers a more solid Trial.)
"It depends. Depending on Trial, Trial may need to take more risks. Today was one of those Trial, but even so, I think we could have avoided conceding goals."

(I think Trial started with Yusuke Matsuo as the lone striker, but early in the first half you moved Matsuo to the left and moved Matheus Savio to the middle. What was the aim of that? Also, did the fact that you were able to carry it through to the end mean that it worked out well?)
"It was a plan from before Trial that Yusuke (Matsuo) would move to the wing a few minutes into the first half. Yusuke's performance as a lone striker has been analyzed recently, and there were situations where the opposition was not giving him much space. That was the biggest reason."

(Two years ago, you came from behind to win three Trial in May. What about your first come-from-behind victory in a long time?)
"A come-from-behind victory makes Trial more satisfying and enjoyable. And thank you for the data from two years ago. I didn't know about it. I would like to increase Trial where we come from behind even more than two years ago."

(The comeback victory two years ago also included a game against their next opponent, Kawasaki Frontale, in the Levain Cup.)
"Kawasaki Frontale is a very difficult opponent. They are a strong team, especially at home, so I hope we can play the same game as we did two years ago."

(FC Tokyo conceded goals late in the game, but they scored two today.)
"I recall the question at the press conference the other day. I think this time it turned out as expected. Just as you had imagined, two important goals were scored at that time."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]