NEWS
Per-Mathias Hoegmo manager, press conference after the match against Iwata
Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 21 match against Jubilo Iwata [MATCH PARTNER TANITA] Post-match comments
"Before the match, I said that we wanted to make further progress from the match against Nagoya Grampus. I asked them to especially step up their intensity and deepen their tactical knowledge. We were able to win the ball back with high intensity, and by managing the risks well when we were attacking, we were able to deny the opponent any chances to counterattack.
Kaito (Yasui) was able to keep a firm grip on the opposing attacking midfielder, and Marius (Hubraten) and Yodai (Sato) were able to keep the opposing striker in check. I think we were able to control the ball very well.
We created a 2-on-1 situation on the side, crossed the ball, and a player who had entered the penalty area scored a wonderful first goal. After the Nagoya match, I told Hiro (Hirokazu Ishihara) that we should take a position a little further inside and aim for the opponent's goal.
(Watanabe) Ryoma's shots to stop the ball were in a class of their own. (Ito) Atsuki had two assists and scored one goal. I think you could say he was in a class of his own, there's nothing else to say. He played at a high level in all areas, whether it was defense, running without the ball, or playing with the ball. (Ohata) Ayumu and Hiro have grown not only in offense, but also in defense.
To sum up today's match, I think we took another step up from the Nagoya match and showed consistent play throughout the match."
[Question-and-answer session]
(Today, your response to the opponent's long balls was particularly impressive. How have you improved your ability to win the ball back?)
"First of all, I think it was good that we executed our tactics well. We didn't lose our shape by playing patiently, so even when we lost the ball, there were enough players around us.
In previous matches, there were times when we got close to the ball holder but would wait a little longer, so in today's match, we talked about "let's close in tightly and firmly." At the same time, we managed the risks well, so we were able to create a situation where the opposing striker and attacking midfielder were not an option for them.
The only way out was a back pass to the goalkeeper, but we were able to apply pressure and force a long ball, which we were able to collect."
(I think Atsuki Ito was the first time that you wore the captain's armband since you turned professional. Did you notice any changes as a result?)
"Atsuki is a player who has continued to improve since we first joined. Last season he played in many games, so we had to give him some rest due to the accumulated fatigue. He has invested heavily in himself, improving his physical condition through training, including his concentration and attention. His sense of responsibility has also increased, and he has begun to demonstrate good leadership within the group. I also think that his tactical knowledge and knowledge of football are at a very high level. I have spoken to him, and by having such conversations, we as coaches can grow, and I hope that the players will also grow from such experiences."
(Can we consider Atsuki Ito as the new leader?)
"Please wait for the announcement regarding the captain and vice captain tomorrow."
(Today, Hidetoshi Takeda Takeda and Ryoma Watanabe started in the same positions as they were in the Nagoya match, but were switched back in the second half. What were your aims and evaluations of each player?)
"Firstly, Hide (Hidetoshi Takeda) started as an attacking midfielder and Ryoma on the left wing. Hide is more of an attacking player, while Ryoma is good at both offense and defense. As we were trying to dominate the game, we placed Ryoma closer to the goal. Hide is also good at playing on the wide areas.
When Thiago (Santana) came in and partnered Bryan (Linssen), we moved Ryoma back to the left again, but this was more of a tactical change because we have a lot of injuries on the wing right now and Ola (Solbakken) came in to replace him.
Ryoma was able to steal the ball well in defense, and when we moved to attack, he received the ball in the space off the line and was a threat to the opponent's goal, so I would like to praise him. I think he showed the answer to the offensive skills of the number 10 today.
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
"Before the match, I said that we wanted to make further progress from the match against Nagoya Grampus. I asked them to especially step up their intensity and deepen their tactical knowledge. We were able to win the ball back with high intensity, and by managing the risks well when we were attacking, we were able to deny the opponent any chances to counterattack.
Kaito (Yasui) was able to keep a firm grip on the opposing attacking midfielder, and Marius (Hubraten) and Yodai (Sato) were able to keep the opposing striker in check. I think we were able to control the ball very well.
We created a 2-on-1 situation on the side, crossed the ball, and a player who had entered the penalty area scored a wonderful first goal. After the Nagoya match, I told Hiro (Hirokazu Ishihara) that we should take a position a little further inside and aim for the opponent's goal.
(Watanabe) Ryoma's shots to stop the ball were in a class of their own. (Ito) Atsuki had two assists and scored one goal. I think you could say he was in a class of his own, there's nothing else to say. He played at a high level in all areas, whether it was defense, running without the ball, or playing with the ball. (Ohata) Ayumu and Hiro have grown not only in offense, but also in defense.
To sum up today's match, I think we took another step up from the Nagoya match and showed consistent play throughout the match."
[Question-and-answer session]
(Today, your response to the opponent's long balls was particularly impressive. How have you improved your ability to win the ball back?)
"First of all, I think it was good that we executed our tactics well. We didn't lose our shape by playing patiently, so even when we lost the ball, there were enough players around us.
In previous matches, there were times when we got close to the ball holder but would wait a little longer, so in today's match, we talked about "let's close in tightly and firmly." At the same time, we managed the risks well, so we were able to create a situation where the opposing striker and attacking midfielder were not an option for them.
The only way out was a back pass to the goalkeeper, but we were able to apply pressure and force a long ball, which we were able to collect."
(I think Atsuki Ito was the first time that you wore the captain's armband since you turned professional. Did you notice any changes as a result?)
"Atsuki is a player who has continued to improve since we first joined. Last season he played in many games, so we had to give him some rest due to the accumulated fatigue. He has invested heavily in himself, improving his physical condition through training, including his concentration and attention. His sense of responsibility has also increased, and he has begun to demonstrate good leadership within the group. I also think that his tactical knowledge and knowledge of football are at a very high level. I have spoken to him, and by having such conversations, we as coaches can grow, and I hope that the players will also grow from such experiences."
(Can we consider Atsuki Ito as the new leader?)
"Please wait for the announcement regarding the captain and vice captain tomorrow."
(Today, Hidetoshi Takeda Takeda and Ryoma Watanabe started in the same positions as they were in the Nagoya match, but were switched back in the second half. What were your aims and evaluations of each player?)
"Firstly, Hide (Hidetoshi Takeda) started as an attacking midfielder and Ryoma on the left wing. Hide is more of an attacking player, while Ryoma is good at both offense and defense. As we were trying to dominate the game, we placed Ryoma closer to the goal. Hide is also good at playing on the wide areas.
When Thiago (Santana) came in and partnered Bryan (Linssen), we moved Ryoma back to the left again, but this was more of a tactical change because we have a lot of injuries on the wing right now and Ola (Solbakken) came in to replace him.
Ryoma was able to steal the ball well in defense, and when we moved to attack, he received the ball in the space off the line and was a threat to the opponent's goal, so I would like to praise him. I think he showed the answer to the offensive skills of the number 10 today.
[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]
