<Review of the previous match against Shonan Bellmare>
The heroic player recalled the scene from the final match of last season's league when he stepped onto the pitch at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka during the pre-match warm-up.
"Last season, after Kei KOIZUMI scored a goal, he ran towards the supporters behind the goal. If I score, I will run over there too."
The away match for Sec. 19 of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This game, which came at the timing of the halfway point of the league, saw the team overwhelmed from the start, facing numerous shots and being put at a significant disadvantage. Despite missing opportunities during occasional counterattacks, the team, led by the "guardian deity" Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's fine saves, worked together to defend the goal.
And then, in the 34th minute of the second half, as the match was approaching its final stages, a savior appeared for the team that had been holding on by a thread.
Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who was sent in as a left winger, was closely watching the movements of his teammates as they attempted to break through from the right side immediately after being introduced into the game.
Hotaka NAKAMURA, who broke through the near zone with a combination play with Soma ANZAI, sends a ground pass to the opposite side. There, Yuto NAGATOMO moves into the center.
It was truly a split-second decision.
"I was actually thinking of going to the far side, but I saw Yuto coming in, so I decided to stay put. I believe that split-second decision led to the goal."
A ground pass supplied from the right side rolls right in front of me. Keeping the ball, the goal, and the positions of both the opponent and my teammates in my sight, I adjusted my steps and swung my proud left foot compactly.
An accurate strike that seems impossible for a first touch. The shot slipped through the legs of the opposing defender who came in to block with a sliding tackle, and it pierced the bottom right corner of the goal with a low trajectory. It was as if I was watching the goal in slow motion.
"I had confidence from the moment the ball came from Hodaka. The moment I struck it, I could tell it was going in because I made solid contact. The coach had been telling us to place a mini-goal next to the post during practice and to aim for the corners with long shots, so I was really happy that the results of that paid off. Watching Taishi's saves really got me pumped, and I had the desire to help the team when I got on the field. Everything I had been holding back, the accumulated luck came to me and resulted in a goal. It was great that the fans and supporters were able to enjoy it too."
Suddenly realizing, the heroic player dashed towards the goal stand at a speed that seemed like fast forward.
I recalled the scene I was watching six months ago during the warm-up and recreated it with my own goal. Then, after showing a joyful dash as if to jump into the stands, I received a rough but affectionate celebration from my teammates.
"Even though we haven't been able to win at home, it was the fans and supporters who kept pushing us forward, and I truly jumped in with a feeling of gratitude. (The circle of joy) is the love from everyone, and experiencing that is the joy of being a football player."
Number 43, who scored a priceless goal, spoke with a smile after the match, expressing his feelings: "Having been rewarded at the halfway point of the league, I want to take it up another notch and fight for Tokyo from here." The man who experienced frustrating times this season, unable to even make it to the bench, saved the team with a brilliant goal and vowed to evolve further. What they achieved in the away game, marking the halfway point of the first half of the season, was truly a hard-earned 3 points for the entire team, with number 43 at the center of it all.
Match Preview
In the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 18 match against Júbilo Iwata, we drew 1-1 at home, and in the following match against Shonan Bellmare, we achieved a 1-0 victory away. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who kept a clean sheet in the Shonan match, proudly stated, "Even when we were pushed back, it was important to fight tough. If we can express the mentality of not missing the opponent's mistakes, there won't be any problems." In the final stages of the match, he made a series of big saves that made it look like the ball was sticking to his hands. With the guardian at the center, we defended tenaciously and brought home the victory.
Tokyo finished the first half of the season in 6th place and will enter the second half starting with the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo this round. Head coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI stated, "I am a person of the competitive world, so I aim for 1st place. We might have been able to earn more points in the first half, but as part of this club's journey, we are in a position to reach the top of the mountain," while giving a certain evaluation of the first half's performance and igniting his fighting spirit towards the title. "To achieve our dreams, improvement is necessary. I want to fight hungry while maintaining discipline."
In the previous match in May, we achieved a comeback victory with a score of 2-1, but Sapporo was certainly not an easy opponent. However, what is required at Ajinomoto Stadium is only victory. We want to gain momentum for the second half of the season with two consecutive wins.
This matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: In the match against Shonan Bellmare, we overcame difficult moments and won without conceding a goal.
A, we want to be able to score even more goals. Also, we want to promote overall growth in the attacking aspect, and at the same time, strengthen the defense, respond sharply, and aim to finish the match without conceding any goals.
Q: How do you perceive your scoring ability compared to the beginning of the season?
A, I feel that the number of chances we create by skillfully observing the opponent's movements is increasing. It is important to continue improving and growing in practice so that the chances we create directly lead to goals. We are now at the halfway point of this season, and looking back, we have scored many goals from open play. By refining our style of play and approach to attacking, I believe the number of goals will naturally increase. The first half of the season has ended, but from here, we want to develop our football and showcase our growth in the second half of the season.
Q: The first match of the second half of the league will be against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
Team A is a tough team. They are probably not satisfied with their league position. I think they will come at us with full force to grab the 3 points. Coach Mihailo PETROVIC is a coach who has built a very excellent team. We must take on the challenge of facing such a team and prove what kind of battle we can fight. I think it will be an exciting game, and we want to show many goals at home.
[Player Interview]
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA＞
Q: In the match against Shonan Bellmare, there were many times we were under pressure, but we contributed greatly to the shutout victory.
A, it was a difficult match, but I want to take a positive view of the fact that we were able to secure the win. Of course, reflecting on the tactical aspects and, as a defensive player myself, building an organized defense that does not allow the opponent to penetrate deep into our territory is important. However, even in a match like the one against Shonan where the opponent controlled the game, I think it was good that we were able to come out on top.
Q: Compared to the match against Júbilo Iwata, I believe there was an improvement in defense in the previous match against Shonan.
A, I believe that by playing more matches, we will move in a positive direction, and the defensive coordination will also improve further from here. Focusing on myself, I think that by continuing to participate in matches, my performance will improve, and I feel that good defense leads to stable and effective offense. Conversely, good offense also leads to proactive defense, so I believe that growth and improvement in both offense and defense will enhance the entire team.
Q: This season, there are many activities for the U-23 Japan national team, but is there a difficulty in balancing that with the club?
I always have a desire to contribute to Tokyo, so there are times when I feel lonely being away from the team. However, being selected for the U-23 Japan national team is something to be proud of both as a team and as an individual, so I focused on preparing myself mentally to give my all in the place I was given at that moment.
Q: The second half of the season starts with the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. What do you think is necessary for Tokyo to compete in the title race?
A, I believe that making mistakes is inevitable when expressing our style of football. Even if we make mistakes, it is important to have the mentality to keep moving forward and fight. Everyone feels that we can rise above our current ranking, so we want to improve together even more during our daily practice.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: Please reflect on the last match, where you made your appearance after a long time.
A, in terms of the match development, it was difficult to come on as a substitute while leading 1-0, but I focused on playing with the top priority of not allowing the opponent to score. I was also aware of counterattacks that would effectively exploit the space behind the opponent who was pressing forward, but first, I concentrated on defense.
Q: You were in a situation where you were being pressured and played as a right winger. What were you conscious of?
I have already experienced playing in the wing position, as in the match against Shonan Bellmare, or switching to a more forward or opposite side position during the game this season. When playing as a wing, I believe one of my strengths is understanding what kind of play the fullback players are looking for and what movements can support them.
Q: We are entering the second half of the league from this matchday. Please tell us your enthusiasm from here on.
A, it was very frustrating to be sidelined by injury just when I was eager to contribute more to the team. I want to express my driving force, which is my strength, once again on the pitch, and the coach also demands high intensity from the players. The matches where the whole team played with high intensity were good and led to victories. I want to contribute by increasing the winning rate even a little through my sprints, driving force, and hard work.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q: It seemed that the flow of the attack was created after Diego OLIVEIRA entered the match against Shonan Bellmare.
A, Shonan is a team with organizational defense and physical strength including hard work, making it a very difficult match for us. In that situation, I believe the players on the pitch expressing their respective roles and everyone fighting with the same vector led to the victory. It is not that I alone did something, but I think it is the result of the whole team working hard together.
Q: On your 34th birthday, you received many congratulations from teammates and fans/supporters at the venue of the Shonan match.
A, since the match day coincided with my birthday, I received many congratulatory messages. Also, my teammates celebrated with me at the hotel the day before the match. I am truly grateful to be able to play soccer in such an environment, and to the fans, supporters, and teammates. I want to finish this season with good results and next time, celebrate in a way where everyone can share the joy together.
