NEWS
Per-Mathias Hoegmo manager, press conference after the Nagasaki match
2024 J.League YBC Levain Cup 1st Round 3rd Round V-Varen Nagasaki Post-Match Comments
"I would like to thank all the fans and supporters who made the long journey to Nagasaki.
Our possession rate was as expected, but our build-up wasn't precise enough today. As a result, we weren't able to create enough chances. However, we had enough chances to score in the second half.
As I said after the match against Jubilo Iwata, we need to improve our accuracy in matches where we have a high possession rate. I'm sure the players are very disappointed that we lost the game after conceding a goal from a single mistake in the second half, but this is football. (Nagasaki) is a very good team that is at the top of J2. We saw some great plays from them again today.
For us, it was good that (Sakai) Hiroki was able to play. (Iwao) Nori is back. And Ola Solbakken had a long journey to get here, but he finally got to play. So that was good, too.
"The cup competition is a tournament where a lot of things happen, whether in Norway or Japan, but it's important that we continue to do a good job. First of all, I want to focus on Sunday's match. I think we need to make sure the players recover properly."
【Question-and-answer session】
(Especially in the first half, it seemed like the attacks were all on the same side, but was it because the opponent's defense was good, or was the Reds not creative enough?)
"I think it was both. I thought the opponent's defense was good as well. In our play, we are also getting more and more into the details. In today's match, for example, I think we need to make sure that the width of the center backs does not become narrow. Also, we need to keep moving the ball patiently and get the ball to the opposite side at the right time.
In the first half, (Ohata) Ayumu was a little too far inside, which made it difficult to get the ball there. I think the relationship between the players is important, so I would like to continue to train hard in that area.
However, I think the players' attitude was fantastic, so I want to continue to think about how to beat teams like this. Of course, we had chances in the seventh and eighth innings today, so we need to be sharp and make the right decisions. If we had been able to make the decisions during those chances, the game might not have been a problem, but I want to work on those details as well."
(Ola Solbakken has played longer than expected, but what do you think of his condition and performance at the moment?)
"I think his condition will improve every day. He needs to play games and practice. I think his condition will improve by doing that, but I think he felt a little heavy today. The injured players have finally returned, and they are improving their condition every day during practice. Until now, we have been playing consecutive games with a small number of players, so I think that is a good situation."
(Was there a reason why Shoya Nakajima was not included in the team? Also, what was the purpose of using Ekanit Panya in the left wing position?)
"Shoya (Nakajima) is a player who has been playing in consecutive games and was having some problems before the Iwata match. We hope he will be ready for Sunday's game, but it is too early to say at this point.
Book (Ekanit Panya) later switched to an inside half position, and I think he performed better there. In the first half, I think the relationship between the players on the left side wasn't very good. It wasn't because of any particular player, but because it was the first time they had played together."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
"I would like to thank all the fans and supporters who made the long journey to Nagasaki.
Our possession rate was as expected, but our build-up wasn't precise enough today. As a result, we weren't able to create enough chances. However, we had enough chances to score in the second half.
As I said after the match against Jubilo Iwata, we need to improve our accuracy in matches where we have a high possession rate. I'm sure the players are very disappointed that we lost the game after conceding a goal from a single mistake in the second half, but this is football. (Nagasaki) is a very good team that is at the top of J2. We saw some great plays from them again today.
For us, it was good that (Sakai) Hiroki was able to play. (Iwao) Nori is back. And Ola Solbakken had a long journey to get here, but he finally got to play. So that was good, too.
"The cup competition is a tournament where a lot of things happen, whether in Norway or Japan, but it's important that we continue to do a good job. First of all, I want to focus on Sunday's match. I think we need to make sure the players recover properly."
【Question-and-answer session】
(Especially in the first half, it seemed like the attacks were all on the same side, but was it because the opponent's defense was good, or was the Reds not creative enough?)
"I think it was both. I thought the opponent's defense was good as well. In our play, we are also getting more and more into the details. In today's match, for example, I think we need to make sure that the width of the center backs does not become narrow. Also, we need to keep moving the ball patiently and get the ball to the opposite side at the right time.
In the first half, (Ohata) Ayumu was a little too far inside, which made it difficult to get the ball there. I think the relationship between the players is important, so I would like to continue to train hard in that area.
However, I think the players' attitude was fantastic, so I want to continue to think about how to beat teams like this. Of course, we had chances in the seventh and eighth innings today, so we need to be sharp and make the right decisions. If we had been able to make the decisions during those chances, the game might not have been a problem, but I want to work on those details as well."
(Ola Solbakken has played longer than expected, but what do you think of his condition and performance at the moment?)
"I think his condition will improve every day. He needs to play games and practice. I think his condition will improve by doing that, but I think he felt a little heavy today. The injured players have finally returned, and they are improving their condition every day during practice. Until now, we have been playing consecutive games with a small number of players, so I think that is a good situation."
(Was there a reason why Shoya Nakajima was not included in the team? Also, what was the purpose of using Ekanit Panya in the left wing position?)
"Shoya (Nakajima) is a player who has been playing in consecutive games and was having some problems before the Iwata match. We hope he will be ready for Sunday's game, but it is too early to say at this point.
Book (Ekanit Panya) later switched to an inside half position, and I think he performed better there. In the first half, I think the relationship between the players on the left side wasn't very good. It wasn't because of any particular player, but because it was the first time they had played together."
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
