Post-match comments from the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, Trial 3, against FC Machida Zelvia

"I think our Trial was probably the only one in J1 playing on Sunday night. A really large number of fans came to this stadium. We wanted to play Trial worthy of that, so we aimed to exploit the opponent's weaknesses from the first half while showcasing our own strengths, and we were successful in many of those moments."

I think there's something about the team that's struggling right now, something that we need to be more patient about. We shouldn't make mistakes, but in soccer, mistakes happen. However, I think there's a problem within the team where those mistakes directly lead to goals conceded.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima match highlighted areas we need to improve immediately, and although the opponent was different, it was a very disappointing result considering we had many periods where we performed well. We need to analyze the good and bad points of these three Trial and then work towards the Emperor's Cup, which is next.

Machida started with three consecutive wins, but we want to persevere and do our best to overtake him in Pos after 38 Trial."

[Questions and Answers]
(In the first half, there were many attacking opportunities, but Machida players often ended up with corner kicks because their players would get the ball off their bodies at the very last moment. On the other hand, for Reds, it came down to whether they could get past the defenders and whether their goalkeeper could make the save. What do you think was the difference?)
"I think that's a very accurate analysis. It's not just about whether or not you can block shots, but also considering the start of both the first and second halves, Machida had more chances to block shots than we did. I think Machida's victory today was due to them making physical contact and preventing goals. That's something we can't avoid if we don't confront it directly right now."

However, rather than saying that the fighters lacked fighting spirit in today's Trial, I was reminded that the things we've been building up over a long period of time, even though I've only been here for less than two months, still haven't fully permeated the team. Of course, it's difficult to improve every theme and every element, but that's where the difference lies, in deciding whether to win, lose, or fail, and I felt that we're still lacking in that area."

(Regarding the goals conceded, three of them came from Machida's strong points, such as long throws and set pieces, as well as from Soma Yuki's strong left-handed pocket. What are your thoughts on the challenges and areas for improvement in this regard?)
"We were wary of the strength of their stationary balls, and we practiced against them repeatedly, but whether it was long throws or corner kicks, I think it was more that we were able to do something about it rather than the opponent having a better position. Because things like that happen, it's difficult to view the whole Trial positively, but in terms of how Trial progressed, we saw a lot of Trial. That's why it's a little difficult for me to look back on it. However, I'm not thinking, 'Why did it turn out like this?' That's the reality and I have to accept it, but even though we were able to show such progress, we couldn't shake the opponent's net with our shots, and they were shaking ours, so I want to review the video again and think about that."

(Yamane Mirai and Seko Itsuki are making their debut appearances. What are your expectations for them?)
"The biggest challenge was heat acclimatization. Because of the temperature difference, the question was how well the players, who had only recently arrived, would be able to perform, but I think they played for the maximum amount of time they could today. I think both of them understood Urawa Reds' style and made a very positive contribution, and although their arrival doesn't guarantee they'll play in Trial from now on, I'm confident from today's Trial that they will have a very positive influence on the current Urawa Reds members."

(You've lost the first three games of the season, which is a tough situation. How do you want to lead the team mentally?)
"Of course, we were aiming to start with three consecutive wins, and today we were aiming to make it one win and two losses. Whether we win or lose, the important thing is that we have to keep going, and in that respect, I think it's true that we came closer to that today than in the game against Hiroshima. That being said, I don't want to just say it as a consolation, but I've heard that this difficult situation we're in right now is something the Reds haven't experienced in decades, and as manager I feel a great sense of responsibility for that."

However, regarding the style of football we are trying to play right now, I see the players working hard every day on the pitch to express it, so I believe in them and will continue to work towards that. Also, since it's still early in the season, we need to encourage competition among the players and make the team stronger and more resilient.

It's difficult to say exactly how they feel mentally, but I think it's important as a coach to help them maintain a positive attitude."

(The starting lineup was different from the last two Trial, and there were new combinations in the backline and the three midfielders. What aspects did you find particularly promising?)
"I don't really think of it as a new starting lineup, but rather that the starting lineup changes from Trial to game. I selected today's players based on their current condition and what kind of players would be best against the opponent."

The four players in the back were a new combination, and while they conceded three goals, so it wasn't all perfect, I think they did a very smart job of containing the opponent's strengths. Above all, the biggest theme of today's match against Machida was to create periods where we were pressing the opponent, and there's no doubt that the new players, including Ueki (Hayate), directed their efforts forward in achieving that.

We also have the Emperor's Cup coming up, and with only two days between matches, it's a tough condition for us, but we want to select players who are in good condition and go into Trial."

[Urawa Reds Official Media]