Review of the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
On October 1st, in the Sec. 29 match against Gamba Osaka, he scored his 14th goal, matching his career high, and it seemed only a matter of time before he would break the record.
However, it has been three matches since we moved away from the goal. During that time, the team has also been distant from victory, and we have keenly felt how significant our presence and contributions are to Tokyo.
That is why the joy of scoring a career-high goal in the final home game of the 2023 season was particularly special.
In the 41st minute of the first half, with a flowing combination and passing work that included the movement of the third player from the point of stealing the opponent's ball, they managed to penetrate directly in front of Sapporo's goal.
Applying high pressure from the front, when the opponent inadvertently sent a feed to the front line to escape, Masato MORISHIGE chose to pass with a header instead of clearing the ball. Riki HARAKAWA, who received the pass, turned and carried the ball towards the goal, supplying a through pass to Adailton, who ran into the penalty area.
Adailton, who had Diego OLIVEIRA's support in sight, made a movement to draw the marking defender while dropping the ball towards Diego. Facing the goal, Diego executed a precise controlled shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
When a sniper places their target in front of them, there is no way to miss. As they watch the follow-through of their left foot, they stand up with confidence in the goal, clenching their fists, and at the moment the ball flows into the net, the blue and red stands erupt, with countless fists raised in triumph.
In the final match, we hope to see even more fists raised.
Match Preview
We have reached the match that concludes the 2023 season.
The 2022 season was a season that was eagerly awaited, as the club aimed for the league championship while competing for a spot in the AFC Champions League until the final stages. However, once the season began, they struggled to consistently accumulate points in the first half, leading to a coaching change before the midway point of the season.
In order to maintain the ball possession philosophy that was advocated during the time of former coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI attempted to instill intensity in the team through high pressing from the front and short counterattacks.
There were matches where the results showed, but there were also frustrating matches where the entire team's gears didn't quite mesh.
Although we are approaching the end of the season far from the position Tokyo aimed for, in this match, we want to fight not to reflect on the season, but to leave something hopeful on the pitch for the 2024 season, focusing on where the team is headed.
In the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we strengthened our attacking posture in the first half and took control of the game, but fell apart in the second half. Although it is an away game, we want to maximize the strengths of Peter AUGAR and end the season with a victory.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: How does Coach Klamovski feel about the length of time during the half season since his appointment?
A, it is neither too short nor too long, just about halfway. As we approach the final league match this weekend, I have various emotions within me. As a team, we are facing challenges in the process of building a strong foundation, but the past few matches have been frustrating. In the 16 league matches since my appointment, I have always encouraged the team's development, but I believe there is still much to do in terms of building up and establishing a foundation. In the final match against Shonan Bellmare, we will aim to secure 3 points with a good performance.
Q: Please tell us what you have been focusing on and working towards for this week's Shonan match.
A, I have great respect for Shonan's style of play and believe they are a wonderful team. Until the previous match, they were fighting to avoid relegation, and I understand how rigorously they have worked as a team under such difficult circumstances. We intend to fight hard for the full 95 minutes, including additional time, confront our opponents, and especially show superiority in physical battles. We know how to break down their solid defense to create chances, so we want to firmly score goals during the periods when we control the attack.
Q: What kind of performance do you want to show as a conclusion to this season?
A, we want to focus on a fighting spirit, scoring goals, and finishing the match without conceding. Although it is an away game, we will of course face it aggressively. The opponent is expected to come with an aggressive style as well, but we will demand our players to outwork them. We need to pay attention to Shonan's counterattacks, and without succumbing to the pressure from their front line, we want to increase plays where we bravely and confidently circulate the ball and move toward the goal. By increasing the time we hold the ball, I believe the space available to us will also increase.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q: What kind of motivation do you have for the final match of the season against Shonan Bellmare?
A: The most important thing for us as a team is to seize victory. I am very excited about how we can express our strong desire for victory through our play and what contributions I can make. I believe that results are also expected of me personally, and I want to make this match one that brings joy and smiles to everyone involved with the team, allowing us to conclude this season on a high note.
Q: Given the data showing a poor win rate in away games this season, what kind of game strategy is required against Shonan?
A, Shonan's playing style, especially in defense, involves aggressively pressing from the front line and often trying to win the ball with a man-to-man approach depending on the situation. However, we want to launch attacks that effectively exploit the space behind the opponent that opens up when they press forward. Not only focusing on attacking behind the defense, but since we have speedy players on both flanks, we also want to be mindful of building attacks that leverage their strengths. We aim to play Tokyo-style football by defending solidly and launching quick attacks.
Q, as an indispensable player in the midfield, has this season become fruitful with many appearances in matches and being selected for the activities of the Japan national team across various age groups?
A, to summarize briefly, I think this season was a very challenging year. Amidst that, through representative activities in each age group, we had the experience of playing matches in various countries. Adapting to changes in the playing environment, joining the club despite long-distance travel and time differences, and participating in official matches—there was certainly difficulty in striving for results while playing under these conditions.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match with the fans and supporters who continue to support you unwaveringly.
A, I believe that fans and supporters are also seeking victory above all else. We want to approach the match with 120 percent effort towards winning. Throughout the season, the unwavering passionate support has pushed us forward, and we want to show play that lives up to those feelings. I have heard that many fans and supporters will come to Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka, and I think we have a wonderful stage set. We want to deliver victory.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: This week's match against Shonan Bellmare will be the final match of the league.
A, As the final league match of this season, neither Tokyo nor Shonan has anything major at stake, but all the Tokyo players want to win this last game to close out the season and finish on a high note. Many fans and supporters have backed us throughout this season, and to respond to their support and encouragement, we want to make it an enjoyable match to watch. While it is of course important as a team to express play on the pitch that connects to next season, first and foremost, we want to seize victory against Shonan right in front of us with exciting play.
Q: What specific points do you want to demonstrate in the final match?
A, once this match ends, all league matches for this season will be over, and there will be a period without any games. Honestly, there is some anxiety that the things the team has built up and the match rhythm since Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over mid-season might be lost with the season ending, but first, we want to focus on the Shonan match and show, both as a team and individually, how much we have grown. Although the data shows a very low away win rate this season, we truly want to win. That is our single-minded determination.
Q: What kind of play do you want to show as a player, Nozawa?
A, as I mentioned earlier, I really want to win. We have been away from victory in the last few matches, and we are only seeking victory. I am focusing on expressing on the pitch what we learned from the defeat against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. As Tokyo's goalkeeper, I want to show the fans and supporters "this is what we can do," and similarly, I want to demonstrate this to the players and staff. I want to show plays that make people want to have high expectations. Continuing to challenge is an important attitude, but in addition to that, I want to show plays suited to the situation with calmness and accurate judgment.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: I think there were difficulties coming on as a substitute in the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo when we were in a behind situation.
A, in defense, there was a strong desire to be aggressive from the front line, but there were also moments when the coordination between the front and back was not working. While playing the match, I felt the difficulty of playing while thinking and exploring the causes—how to improve, why such phenomena occur, and how to raise the gear. The most frustrating thing was not being able to win the home game against Sapporo, and I have a strong desire to change our competitive edge. However, since the Shonan match is the last game of this season, I want to show a performance that somehow connects to next season. I believe it is necessary to clear the issues and move forward, building up step by step.
Q: I felt various emotions in Masato MORISHIGE's words during the final match ceremony. How did player Higashi, who has played alongside Masato for a long time, feel about it?
A, I completely agree. In such a setting, there are people with different thoughts and opinions about expressing feelings in words, and there is a possibility of various opinions both for and against being voiced. I believe Morishige spoke responsibly for the team. Having been with Tokyo for a long time, I especially feel this strongly this season.
Q: The match against Shonan Bellmare this round will be the final match of the season.
A, as a team, we are in a difficult situation, but even so, because we have fans, supporters, and everyone who cheers for us, we must show our professionalism properly. I believe that is what it all comes down to.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: With Yuto NAGATOMO's suspension, I believe there are more opportunities for starting appearances.
A, I see this match as a summary of my season. I transferred to Tokyo in the summer, encountered new discoveries and challenges, and I am currently facing daily challenges to overcome those obstacles. I believe that, while confronting my issues every day, I have been gradually improving. If I have the chance to play, I want to fully demonstrate the results and culmination of my efforts on the field.
Q: What specific aspects does that "wall" represent?
A, until now, I was a player who was utilized by others. After joining Tokyo, I have increased the number of plays and awareness to bring out my strengths as a side-back player and to make the surrounding players shine. I have been focusing on that, communicating with coaches and teammates, and I believe it is becoming something good.
Q: This week's opponent is Shonan Bellmare, a match that deserves to showcase a "culmination" as they start their professional careers.
A, I am grateful for being able to start my career as a professional soccer player at Shonan, and I hope to repay that by expressing good play firmly on the pitch. If I get the chance to play, first of all, I want to fully demonstrate my strengths and clearly show in my play what I have acquired since joining Tokyo. And I want to contribute to victory in terms of results.
