Review of the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia
A match that was a chance for three consecutive wins after a draw. The game allowed the opponent to take the lead from a set piece, but Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA equalized with a penalty kick, marking his first league goal since moving to Tokyo. However, they conceded a second goal from a long ball attack. Despite their efforts, they were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense and unfortunately suffered a defeat.
It was a match that left a sense of regret, but the 33rd player, who showed bold moves on the left side, made us feel many possibilities, which cannot be overlooked.
Not only did he cut in from the left side to take a shot, but he also created chances with right-footed crosses and sideways passes by switching the ball. He made dynamic moves, generating a sense of scoring opportunities.
From the start, Machida has been responding with multiple players due to the "unstoppable" performance, but even so, the blue and red number 33 cannot be stopped. While lightly stepping, he gauges the timing with the opponent and boldly gets involved in the finish by prying open the slight space that has emerged in the opponent's defense.
The highlight was the dribble that broke through four defenders in the 17th minute of the second half. Holding the ball on the left side, he broke through the gap between two defenders who came to mark him. He then sliced through two more approaching players, leaving them behind, and delivered a cross that was shot-bound. Although the shot from Keita ENDO, who followed up, hit the crossbar and did not result in a goal, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was an overwhelming presence on the left side.
However, he reflects with regret on the fact that he was unable to produce direct results such as goals or assists, saying, "I believe I created many chances from the left side, but I am aware that they only ended up being chances."
At just 19 years old in his second season as a professional, his plays are becoming a significant weapon for the team. He is also able to provide support that allows those around him to pass the ball in a good way. That's why he wants to respond with results.
"I have not reached a level that satisfies me at all. I can only continue to work hard to grow further from here. I want to aim for both goals and assists, but above all, I want to score to contribute to victory."
At the start of the second half against Machida, his personal chant echoed from behind the goal. Coming from the academy, expectations from those around him are high. The fact that he couldn't bring victory to the team while showcasing his strengths reinforces his desire for results. If this match allows him to reaffirm that feeling, even a frustrating loss should lead to a bright future for both the team and him.
Match Preview
Tokyo suffered a frustrating defeat to FC Machida Zelvia in the last match, bringing their league record to 3 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses. Both goals scored and conceded stand at 14, resulting in a goal difference of 0.
The total goals scored so far, 14, ties with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vissel Kobe for the most in the league, while the number of goals conceded is also 17, indicating defensive issues. Since the team is able to score goals, stabilizing their style of play seems to be the key to advancing to the top and achieving victory against Albirex Niigata.
Niigata, like Tokyo, has a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses so far. Led by head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI in his third year, they have been advocating for possession football that focuses on maintaining the ball and pushing forward.
The player to watch out for in Niigata right now is Kaito TANIGUCHI, who has scored in two consecutive official matches and won the Meiji Yasuda J1 Monthly Best Goal award for February and March. His natural scoring instinct has sharpened, and he is a striker who attacks the goal with sharp and powerful movements. With his strong shooting ability from a distance, Tokyo must ensure that they effectively disrupt the flow towards his powerful finishes by coordinating between the back line and midfield.
The key point of the match will be how the blue and red players respond to Niigata's ball movement. Tokyo has speedy players in the front line and strong ball-winning players in the midfield, so it will be interesting to see if they can draw the opponent, who will challenge them with ground play, into their own territory to launch long counters or short counters from high pressing, showcasing adaptable football. Offense and defense are two sides of the same coin. We should pay attention to how they will strategize to overcome the opponent, including risk management to avoid conceding goals.
Since April, we have shown a fierce battle with consecutive wins at the Japan National Stadium, a dramatic equalizer against Verdy, and four goals displayed in the 2nd Round of the Levain Cup against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama. Although we missed out on three consecutive league wins after a draw, we were able to showcase aggressive soccer. Without being discouraged by the loss against Machida, we want to rise up together as a team.
Additionally, for Takahiro KO, who was with Niigata until last season, this will be a match against his former club. It will be interesting to see if he can shine in his new environment at his former home.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: In light of the defeat in the last match, what are you seeking to improve upon?
A, it is important to firmly connect the pain and experience gained from defeat to the next step. In football, there are times when you have to undergo tough lessons. Of course, you should not continue such things. While building something special, you must accept and learn from the defeat in the previous match. As long as you are in that process, you must grow from it and are not allowed to repeat the same mistakes. In the previous match, we could not outperform the opponent in terms of performance and game content.
Q: Considering the results of the previous match, I think we need to be more focused on shots and goals than ever before.
A, football is a sport where how to create scoring opportunities is crucial. I believe we have been able to create chances to reach important elements. We have been able to play in areas that the opponent dislikes and create good situations for us. In the match against FC Machida Zelvia, more goals might have been scored. However, Machida converted their few decisive chances into goals. From our side, we were able to respond well in other situations. The opponent made the most of their chances, and we could not convert ours into goals. We want to turn this frustration into motivation for the upcoming matches.
Q: This week's opponent, Albirex Niigata, is a club characterized by its ball possession play.
A, we are steadily preparing for the match against Niigata. Of course, there will be times when the opponent controls the flow and holds possession of the ball. It is important to prepare for how to respond to that as well. If the opponent has the ball, we need to counter with solid defense, and when the time comes for us to take control of the game's flow and momentum, we must outperform them with our play. Football has many phases. The play and fighting style we have built up are meant to create scoring opportunities. It will be a tough away game, but we will aim to score many goals with high concentration and intensity.
[Player Interview]
＜Takahiro KO＞
Q: This match is against Albirex Niigata, a team that was in the league until last season.
After joining A, Tokyo, I have been focusing on this match as a target since the season schedule was announced. I am looking forward to competing. I was with Niigata for three seasons and am very grateful. I want to express my gratitude on the pitch, but first and foremost, I am focused on bringing back 3 points as a Tokyo player and securing a victory against Niigata.
Q: What points are important as measures against the Niigata match?
A, Niigata is a team that values maintaining possession of the ball while progressing through the match, so it is expected that the defensive time will be slightly longer compared to other games. It is especially important to have coordinated play, such as deciding at which moments to take the ball, while communicating firmly on the pitch. In terms of offense, we want to challenge ourselves without abandoning what the team has built up, while valuing play that maintains possession of the ball.
Q: What are the key points for attacking when switching from defense to offense?
A, I think it is important to control the timing of switching to offense. Soccer is not just about passing the ball around; it is a sport where scoring goals is the objective, so I believe plays should be made with the goal in mind. Whether to commit more players in a short counterattack or to patiently connect passes and penetrate the opponent's territory, I want to sense the atmosphere during the match and look for opportunities.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: Please reflect on the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia.
A, I think we were able to create many chances from the left side. However, I am aware that we couldn't convert those into goals or assists, and the chances ended up being wasted. There is also the frustration of not being able to finish. As a team, the goals conceded and the process leading up to them were not good. It was a match that revealed many points for us to reflect on.
Q: It seemed that from the beginning of the match, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's dribbling was driving the entire Tokyo attack.
A, my teammates understand my playing style and encouraged me to make the most of my strengths. Players like Takahiro KO, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, and Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, who play in areas close to my position, created an environment and situations where I could easily make my moves. I think we have good communication and coordination.
Q: Compared to last season, it is evident that there has been an improvement in both defensive contributions and physical stamina.
A, I think we are gradually moving in a better direction, but I have not reached a level that satisfies me at all. I believe the only way is to continue working hard to grow further from here.
Q: This match is against Albirex Niigata.
A, first of all, I believe it is important to direct the focus inward to play well and contribute to the victory. I think Tokyo's strong point is that any of the starting 11 players can show strength on the field, so we will all work together to win the away game.
Q: When you aim from your strong dribbling, is it for a goal or an assist? Which do you prioritize?
A, I believe that aiming for goals and scoring is the best, but I also feel that recently I have been able to provide many assists for my teammates' goals. I want to greedily aim for both, but most importantly, I want to score goals that contribute to victory.
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q, please start with a review of the match against FC Machida Zelvia.
A, although we lost the previous match, I don't think we should be completely pessimistic about the entire content of the game. There were moments when we were winning in certain situations, but as you know, in football, the team that scores more goals than the opponent wins. The opponent capitalized on their chances and scored 2 goals, and the fact that we couldn't surpass that is everything. We fully understood Machida's playing style and the characteristics of the forwards, including players like Se Hun OH who possess both height and strength, and there were several points to be cautious about as defenders. Of course, we prepared to suppress the opponent's strengths and approached the match accordingly, but I deeply regret conceding goals.
Q: What measures are necessary against Albirex Niigata this matchday?
A, I think this match will be a different kind of battle compared to the previous one. This week as well, we have been training while understanding Niigata's play style and tactics. In every match, we study the opponent and devise countermeasures before facing the game. Among that, it is most important to properly express on the pitch the things we have built up through practice, including myself, and the parts where we have grown.
Q, the series of matches in May will start with the game against Niigata.
In May, there are also midweek matches, and the number of games is very high. To get through consecutive matches, the strength of the entire team is necessary. It is essential to create a situation where anyone can play and to accumulate training to deliver good performance in matches. We want to take on the challenge as an all-out effort.
