On the 14th, manager Tatsuya Tanaka held an online press conference, MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE Round 17 match against FC Tokyo [MATCHPARTNER BizReach] to be held at Saitama Stadium on the 16th (Sat).

(Looking back on the four Trial you've managed so far, what went well and what didn't, and how do you plan to use those lessons to your advantage in upcoming matches against top-ranked opponents like FC Tokyo and FC Machida Zelvia?)
"The first thing we've managed to accomplish, as I initially communicated to the players, is to maintain possession and prevent the opponent from defending. I've instilled this principle in the team. Now, I'm telling the players that we should push them into Zone 3 and then utilize their individual qualities. However, the next challenge will be how we can overcome the teams in second and third place, who have conceded few goals, not just individually, but as a team or as a group."

(After watching the four Trial, I wanted to ask about Ado Onaiwu. I think he's working very hard and is very dedicated, but he hasn't had many good scoring opportunities. It's true that in football, even if you work hard, you don't always get the good chances. I'm sure Coach Tanaka himself experienced this during his playing days, and he's also seen his teammates go through the same thing. In that regard, what are your thoughts on talking to Onaiwu and on the idea of everyone in the team properly acknowledging and appreciating this aspect of his game?)
"Not just me, but the whole team understands Ado's dedication and physical strength. In the match two games ago, we talked at halftime about trying to keep a closer eye on the number 9 during attacks. I think the next step is to address the issue with Zone 3 that I mentioned earlier, and to have the courage to break through the most dangerous area in the center when we push forward. I've also talked to Ado about the fact that he hasn't been scoring, and since I used to be a forward myself, I always tell him, 'There are times and periods like that, but I want you to continue doing what you do, like pressing from the front and holding up the ball.'"

(FC Tokyo still has a chance to win MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE Regional League Round, and they are a team that is highly motivated by external factors, so did you do anything to influence the team during training this week to avoid being overwhelmed by that? Also, do you have any particular feelings about facing Rikizo Matsuhashi, who was your manager when you were an assistant coach at Albirex Niigata?)
"Of course Trial Trial so we're just going to give it our all."

(You've been in charge of the team on a tight schedule since taking over as interim manager, and I imagine you've finally been able to take a breather. Looking back at Trial so far, what in particular have you focused on?)
"First of all, even though we had two days off, we had played five consecutive matches, so we focused on recovery at the beginning of the week. We also considered how the players' bodies were reacting, and we didn't want to change the training flow too much from when Maciej (Skolja) was in charge, so we spent the week doing things like slightly increasing the size of the pitch and giving more detailed instructions on possession."

(What do you think are FC Tokyo 's key characteristics and what do you think will be the key to their victory?)
"FC Tokyo is a fast, vertically-playing team with high individual and athletic ability. We need to be especially careful about our defense against them. We are currently working on that as a team. In order to win, we need to maintain possession of the ball and move it forward in a way that allows us to create 2-on-1 or 3-on-1 situations against those highly skilled players, rather than just 1-on-1. If we lose possession, we need to win it back. I think that will be the same as in the previous four Trial."

(How do you view FC Tokyo 's short counter-attacks?)
"I think it's extremely dangerous. That's why I'm emphasizing to the players more about their positioning and what to look for when they have possession of the ball."

(Do you have any anecdotes about Coach Matsuhashi from your time in Niigata?)
"He was my first coach when I became a coach myself, and he taught me what it means to be a coach, so as I mentioned earlier, I'm personally very much looking forward to it."

(What exactly constitutes a "leader"?)
"For example, I learned from Mr. Matsuhashi about the importance of trusting the players. I was able to observe him up close, and that has had a significant impact on me now."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]