MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE Comments after the game Trial against FC Machida Zelvia in the 18th round of the Regional League

From the first half, we went into the Trial game with the same goal of getting the ball in our hands. After the first chance, we kept the ball more and Trial proceeded. Trial After the first half, I told the players, "There were some decisive chances, but let's swing our feet even if we don't get in where we can score.

In the second half, there were many times when we were countered, and we took risks, especially on the left wing, where the side backs are wingers, so they ran at us a lot, but the players worked hard and came back.

In the second half, with our opponents holding firm, I thought the combination, group and individual, was a challenge for the next Trial."

[Q&A].
(I think this was the first game in which you were ahead since Tanaka took over as coach.)
I told the players that there were several patterns in the way we had prepared for the ball possession, and that I thought this pattern would be better.

In the attack, I told the players that we had a good feeling that we were doing well by slightly changing the pattern between the lines, so I told them to continue with that. In the defense, I told them not to switch places in the individual battles, and to take the ball as a group rather than individually.

(After 18 Trial of the regional league round of the Centennial League, the team is in provisional fifth place. You didn't win a single game against the top four teams in 90 minutes and earned your points from the teams below you. What did you feel you lacked and how do you feel this team can improve in the future?)
I told the players that the first thing we need to do is to grow as individuals. We had chances to score goals and win the ball, and when we didn't get a decisive result there, I told them to turn the arrow first to themselves and grow.

I know that today was not a good Trial day to lose, but I share with the players that we will continue to play the soccer we are trying to 8 Trial play right now.

(Did you have the impression that you were not able to speed up the final part of the attack today?)
(What was your impression today?) "I think the opponent's defensive line was very good. When we got between the lines, they were one step ahead of us instead of staying there. After that, we were pushing them, so I think it is important to focus on individual players first. I also told them about such things as the accuracy of the last pass. There were several times in the first half when we had to shoot rather than pass, so I told the players to do that.

(Reds scored 25 goals and conceded 18 in the Centennial League. FC Machida Zelvia) Reds has 25 points and 18 goals in the Centennial League, while Machida has 23 points and 19 goals, and although Machida's numbers are lower than Urawa's, there is a 12-point difference in terms of points. What is your analysis of this?)
It is difficult. There are times when we score a lot of goals. However, Trial in terms of possession, I thought Machida was very good today. I had the impression that they are a team that can win not only today's Trial but also such a competitive Trial game. Including these points, you mentioned earlier that we haven't been able to get points against top teams, and I mentioned individuals earlier, but as a team and as a group, I think we need to have that kind of mentality.

(There was a difficult situation this season with seven consecutive losses, but now that Tanaka has taken over as coach, there have been some victories, and I feel that the players have regained their confidence.)
(You have had a difficult season with seven consecutive losses, but now that Tanaka has taken over as manager, there have been some wins, and I feel that the players have regained confidence. I changed the system to the current form in order to make the most of the individuality and characteristics of the players. So, it is not that I added something to give them special motivation or confidence, but I think the most important thing is the result. I think the most important thing is the result, and the other thing is that the players enjoy playing."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]