2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 30 match Kashima Antlers [MATCH PARTNER Mitsubishi Foods 100th Anniversary] Trial-match comments

"Early in the first half, we conceded another goal due to a mistake on our part. One of our themes today was to exploit the space behind the defense, so our striker was (Matsuo) Yusuke. Conceding a goal was a shock for us, but after a few minutes, I think we started to play well. We were able to steal the ball in zone 2 and launch counterattacks, and we were able to create chances while maintaining possession of the ball. This led to chances for Yusuke and (Kaneko) Takuro.

In the second half, we brought in some fresh players and switched to a two-man attack. We created two scoring chances. The opponent also created one, but (Nishikawa) Shusaku saved it.

Considering the number of chances we created today, the way we conceded goals, and the fact that our opponent was Kashima, it was a very painful defeat. However, there isn't much time until our next Trial. We want to keep fighting until the end."

[Question and Answer Session]
(A similar mistake led to a goal being conceded in the YBC Levain Cup match against Kawasaki Frontale. What do you think about that happening multiple times in a short period of time?)
"For me, it's an unacceptable situation. We are fighting for the title and if we want to win the title, we can't lose like this. We also need to be smart and when we make mistakes, we need to learn from them, and that's not what we did Trial."

(You were on the brink of defeat in the matches against Gamba Osaka and Kashima. Up until now, the team has been united in its aim to win the championship, but what do you want to encourage the team to do and what do you want to prioritize from here on out?)
"After today's Trial, I spoke with the players in the locker room. I told them that our first priority is to win the next Trial. I think that's what we have to do. We need to keep fighting until the end."

(Towards the end of the game, you lined up Isaac Kiesse Thelin and Hiiro Komori up front to increase the number of players up front, but this reduced your ability to carry the ball from the back and made it difficult for the ball to reach the players up front. How was your plan to get the ball to the strong players?)
"I think it can be said that we played with the same system as our opponents in the second half. Our aim was for the wingers to enter the half-spaces and link up with the defensive midfielders and full-backs there. We were thinking about the possibility of switching to a two-man attack in the second half, and we have been practicing this formation in training this week. We used the two-man attack of (Matsuo) Yusuke and Komori, as well as the two-man attack of Komori and Isaac (Kise Thelin) in today's Trial, and I think they are interesting options for us."

(I think your determination to win every game will remain the same, but with your position in the league Standings changing, will there be any changes heading into your next match against Shimizu S-Pulse?)
"Our approach to Trial will remain the same: to compete in this away game and bring home as many points as possible."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]