NEWS
"The support of more than 50,000 fans and supporters allows us to fight to the limit" (regular Maciej Skorza conference 11/10)
On 10th, Maciej Skorza director held a press conference online and talked about his enthusiasm for the Meiji Yasuda Seimei J1 League Section 32 Vissel Kobe game [MATCH PARTNER DHL] to be held at Saitama Stadium on Sunday, December 12.
(I know you had a tough time in Pohang, but how did you feel about the game against Pohang Steelers on August 8?)
I think we showed a good style and a good way of fighting, especially in the first half. (After the loss in the final of the YBC Lewan Cup, the players were able to show team spirit and were highly motivated. It was a very tough game, but I think we were able to show our style, and we got a good goal from (Jose) Kante on a counter. However, we could not keep it until the end. There was also a red card for Akemoto (Takahiro), but I think it was a second half substitution by the opponent that changed the course of the game. The scenario of conceding a goal in the 90+4th minute was too cruel for us. We lost a point, we lost players, and I think our fitness gauge was at zero after the game. Against such a physical team, I think we were able to play our style and show our team spirit. That was a big thing for me. It means that after the loss in the final, the players were able to get up and be ready for the next game."
(Maciej I didn't understand why the coach was ejected, but is he himself able to take it seriously and switch things up?)
'I have no recollection of a similar situation. I think it was 10 or 11 years ago. But regardless of what actually happened, when something like this happens, the referee is always right. So I do not want to make many comments on this matter. But I myself would like to know what the reason was."
(How do you feel going into the big game against Vissel Kobe after switching from the loss against Pohang?)
(How do you feel going into the big game against Kobe?) "The Pohang game is in the past and has already become history, so we can't turn back time, and we hope to do the same. We have an exciting challenge ahead of us against Kobe, so we need to focus on that.
(Maciej As the coach said, you played well in the first half against Pohang. What do you feel was good about the first half?)
I think you were asked earlier in the press conference about the difference between the first half and the second half, and it was a good question. I think something similar can be said this time. The first game against Pohang was my first against a Korean team, and after the experience of the first game, I think it was easier to prepare for what kind of build-up we should do and what kind of strategy we should use. In the (YBC) Lewin Cup, the second game against Gamba Osaka and the second game against Yokohama F･Marinos were both better than the first game. When playing in this type of format, the experience from the first game will be useful in the second game. We also emphasized physicality and contact play, and I think we were not good enough in those areas in the first game, but I think we improved in the second game.
(It must have been difficult to make a decision for about 20 minutes after Akemoto left the field, but did you want to go home with at least one point in a 1-1 situation away from home against a strong opponent? Did you want to take the three points even if you risked losing them?)
We fought for three points because we didn't know if one point would be enough. That's why we put in Shinzo Koroki and so on. In the current ACL (AFC Champions League), we decided that if this match was for one point, it would not be enough. This time, we couldn't get a point, so at most we will only have 10 points, so maybe that won't be enough to get us through the group stage."
(It will be a tough schedule, but how many of the players who did not play against Urahang will be back for the Kobe game?)
(It will be a tough schedule.) "To be honest, the answer is that we don't know yet. The medical staff is doing their best to recover them. We will know for sure who will actually be able to play at the end of tomorrow's practice."
(Maciej What does the director himself think of the match against Kobe?)
I think it is a very important game. We are playing Kobe, the top ranked team. And we still have a chance to win the title, however small it may be. As long as we have a chance, we will go for it.
(What kind of words do you plan to use to motivate the players for this important match?)
I can't say right now (laughs). I am sure the players will be well prepared and I have heard that over 50,000 people will come to this match. I believe that the wonderful fans and supporters will create a really great atmosphere. We are fighting against a very tough and tight schedule, but I believe that the atmosphere created by the fans and supporters will give the team a boost. I believe that this support will enable us to push the limits in our fight. What I want to say to the fans and supporters is, let's fight together and win together.
(What do you think Kobe's strengths and countermeasures are?)
(What do you think Kobe's strengths and countermeasures will be? I think it will be very important to keep Osako (Yuya) and Muto (Yoshinori) in check. We will be very strict in our one-on-one challenges. Again, it will be important to keep Osako and Muto in check.
(Koroki The player was not a member of the team for the YBC Lewan Cup and started on the bench against Pohang. Was it a condition issue? Or was it something strategic?)
I don't want to talk too much about it because I think it makes it easier for our opponents if we talk too much. With a series of matches and many games, each player reacts differently. I think it's about how you manage among many matches."
(Ekanit Panya player had an impressive performance against Pohang, what is your evaluation of him? Ekanit also scored a goal against Hanoi FC, has he grown even more in the past month?)
One of the positives against Pohang was the performance of Book (Ekanit). We have been preparing since the summer for Book to be able to play in the game, and I think he has adapted quite quickly. I think Book has a variety of abilities. He has skills, reads the game well, and I think he has physical strength. In the goal situation from the counter, there was Book's speed, reading of the game, and good passing. It was one of the better aspects of our game against Pohang."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
(I know you had a tough time in Pohang, but how did you feel about the game against Pohang Steelers on August 8?)
I think we showed a good style and a good way of fighting, especially in the first half. (After the loss in the final of the YBC Lewan Cup, the players were able to show team spirit and were highly motivated. It was a very tough game, but I think we were able to show our style, and we got a good goal from (Jose) Kante on a counter. However, we could not keep it until the end. There was also a red card for Akemoto (Takahiro), but I think it was a second half substitution by the opponent that changed the course of the game. The scenario of conceding a goal in the 90+4th minute was too cruel for us. We lost a point, we lost players, and I think our fitness gauge was at zero after the game. Against such a physical team, I think we were able to play our style and show our team spirit. That was a big thing for me. It means that after the loss in the final, the players were able to get up and be ready for the next game."
(Maciej I didn't understand why the coach was ejected, but is he himself able to take it seriously and switch things up?)
'I have no recollection of a similar situation. I think it was 10 or 11 years ago. But regardless of what actually happened, when something like this happens, the referee is always right. So I do not want to make many comments on this matter. But I myself would like to know what the reason was."
(How do you feel going into the big game against Vissel Kobe after switching from the loss against Pohang?)
(How do you feel going into the big game against Kobe?) "The Pohang game is in the past and has already become history, so we can't turn back time, and we hope to do the same. We have an exciting challenge ahead of us against Kobe, so we need to focus on that.
(Maciej As the coach said, you played well in the first half against Pohang. What do you feel was good about the first half?)
I think you were asked earlier in the press conference about the difference between the first half and the second half, and it was a good question. I think something similar can be said this time. The first game against Pohang was my first against a Korean team, and after the experience of the first game, I think it was easier to prepare for what kind of build-up we should do and what kind of strategy we should use. In the (YBC) Lewin Cup, the second game against Gamba Osaka and the second game against Yokohama F･Marinos were both better than the first game. When playing in this type of format, the experience from the first game will be useful in the second game. We also emphasized physicality and contact play, and I think we were not good enough in those areas in the first game, but I think we improved in the second game.
(It must have been difficult to make a decision for about 20 minutes after Akemoto left the field, but did you want to go home with at least one point in a 1-1 situation away from home against a strong opponent? Did you want to take the three points even if you risked losing them?)
We fought for three points because we didn't know if one point would be enough. That's why we put in Shinzo Koroki and so on. In the current ACL (AFC Champions League), we decided that if this match was for one point, it would not be enough. This time, we couldn't get a point, so at most we will only have 10 points, so maybe that won't be enough to get us through the group stage."
(It will be a tough schedule, but how many of the players who did not play against Urahang will be back for the Kobe game?)
(It will be a tough schedule.) "To be honest, the answer is that we don't know yet. The medical staff is doing their best to recover them. We will know for sure who will actually be able to play at the end of tomorrow's practice."
(Maciej What does the director himself think of the match against Kobe?)
I think it is a very important game. We are playing Kobe, the top ranked team. And we still have a chance to win the title, however small it may be. As long as we have a chance, we will go for it.
(What kind of words do you plan to use to motivate the players for this important match?)
I can't say right now (laughs). I am sure the players will be well prepared and I have heard that over 50,000 people will come to this match. I believe that the wonderful fans and supporters will create a really great atmosphere. We are fighting against a very tough and tight schedule, but I believe that the atmosphere created by the fans and supporters will give the team a boost. I believe that this support will enable us to push the limits in our fight. What I want to say to the fans and supporters is, let's fight together and win together.
(What do you think Kobe's strengths and countermeasures are?)
(What do you think Kobe's strengths and countermeasures will be? I think it will be very important to keep Osako (Yuya) and Muto (Yoshinori) in check. We will be very strict in our one-on-one challenges. Again, it will be important to keep Osako and Muto in check.
(Koroki The player was not a member of the team for the YBC Lewan Cup and started on the bench against Pohang. Was it a condition issue? Or was it something strategic?)
I don't want to talk too much about it because I think it makes it easier for our opponents if we talk too much. With a series of matches and many games, each player reacts differently. I think it's about how you manage among many matches."
(Ekanit Panya player had an impressive performance against Pohang, what is your evaluation of him? Ekanit also scored a goal against Hanoi FC, has he grown even more in the past month?)
One of the positives against Pohang was the performance of Book (Ekanit). We have been preparing since the summer for Book to be able to play in the game, and I think he has adapted quite quickly. I think Book has a variety of abilities. He has skills, reads the game well, and I think he has physical strength. In the goal situation from the counter, there was Book's speed, reading of the game, and good passing. It was one of the better aspects of our game against Pohang."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
