Review of the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 20. Tokyo won 1-0 against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in a match that marked the start of the second half of the league season, achieving their second victory of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium, where they had only one win in the first half. The key player was Soma ANZAI, who scored the decisive goal, marking his second consecutive goal at Ajinomoto since his first professional goal.
Tokyo started the match cautiously, observing the opponent's tight defense. There was a long period where they couldn't take a shot, but from the 30th minute of the first half, they took control of the pace, pushing the opponent back and getting close to the goal. However, as the time continued without shaking the net, a tense atmosphere began to fill the stadium. In the 39th minute of the second half, player Anzai, who had moved from the right wing to the left wing, scored a brilliant opening goal.
As the ball was connected on the right side, Riki HARAKAWA delivered a superb cross that went over the heads of the opposing defense with a single touch. Number 38 broke free from behind the opposing defender and stretched out his left foot to where the ball would land. The attacker, who said he was focused only on making contact, saw his shot hit the crossbar and get sucked into the goal.
"When Harakawa entered the kick motion, I thought I would go into the opponent's most dangerous area. I knew the opponent was marking me, so I moved first and was able to take a position behind the opponent where they couldn't respond. In the end, I was competing with the opponent, and although I couldn't see the moment the ball went into the goal after the shot, I realized it had gone in from the cheers of the stadium. I really think it was a goal pushed in with determination."
The valiant attacker dashes toward the goal area. Despite the tough result of just one win at Ajinomoto in the first half of the season, his desire to share joy with the fans and supporters who have continuously cheered him on drove him to run. His first professional goal, scored in the match against Iwata in Sec. 18, was an equalizer, and since the desire to win overshadowed the joy, he couldn't fully savor the delight. Therefore, the taste of the goal scored in such a challenging situation must have been exquisite.
He has continued to say, "I want to make the team win," but he had another feeling hidden in his heart. The red card he received in the away match against Verdy. That memory is still vivid. The team, which was at a numerical disadvantage, managed to draw the match after being down 0-2 with a late equalizer.
"After the Verdy match, my desire to fight for the team has become stronger than ever. It's not in a negative sense, but I truly feel that it's my turn to help the team win this time. It took time to return visible results, but achieving this is significant for me. As a forward, my numbers are still not enough, so I want to give back even more. Of course, for myself, but also for the team, I will work even harder to ensure we achieve results."
After a strong start to the second half at home. In the post-match flash interview, he spoke powerfully towards the stands.
"FC Tokyo is not like this"
It is now time to repay the home crowd with results.
We can do more. We can go further──.
Those words were likely spoken because he truly believes in it. The number 38, who has gained a sense of scoring and confidence in addition to his dedicated playing style, leads with his passionate play from the front line.
Match Preview
In the previous match, we won 1-0 against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, achieving a second consecutive clean sheet victory. In the 39th minute of the second half, with the score at 0-0, Riki HARAKAWA delivered a cross from the right side, which Soma ANZAI jumped to meet, scoring the decisive goal with his left foot. Soma ANZAI, who scored his second goal of the season, said, "I think I can play freely now," while discussing the reasons for his good form and vowing to continue to excel. "As a forward, my numbers are still not enough. I want to work hard to achieve better results both for myself and for the team."
In addition, Teppei OKA, who contributed to two consecutive matches without conceding a goal, proudly stated, "In the last match against Shonan Bellmare, I was caught out of position, so I focused on preparing faster than the opponent. I was able to challenge and cover as a center-back, and I think we had good coordination."
In this match, we will welcome Avispa Fukuoka to Ajinomoto Stadium after a three-day break. For Tokyo, Fukuoka has been a difficult opponent, remaining winless in eight league matches since the 2016 season, but in the last encounter, we won 3-1 away. The match was also one of the best games of this season, dispelling our negative mindset. If we can maintain our momentum and continue our winning streak here, we can push into the upper ranks. Tokyo's 'hot' summer is finally beginning.
This matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: The team is currently on a two-game winning streak. How do you want to extend this winning streak from here?
A, it is important to continuously promote growth in what we have built up so far and to approach matches with a strong mentality. The match against Avispa Fukuoka is expected to be tough, but we want to prepare well and give our all.
Q: I believe that being able to fight tough until the end of the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo brought us the victory.
A, it was an important point as the match progressed. In the early stages of the game, there may not have been many attempts to pose a threat to the opponent. However, by calmly advancing the match, we found our rhythm. From just before the end of the first half, we gradually took control of the pace, and as plays heading towards the goal increased, it led to the late-game scoring. It is important to continue expressing what the team has built up, and in the match against Sapporo, that became the trigger to seize a good flow. Sometimes, like in the first half, there are periods where patience is required. In the second half, including the substitute players, we were able to control the match. The role of the players coming onto the pitch as substitutes at the timing when the opponent is getting tired is extremely important. I believe the late-game goals were the reward for the hard work of everyone on the pitch. It was a very significant victory for the team.
Q: Although we achieved consecutive victories, both matches required a lot of 'patience'.
A, the development and content vary depending on the match. I believe the solutions to various challenges and issues that can occur on the pitch are within what we have built up so far. There were many times of endurance in the matches against Shonan Bellmare and Sapporo, but it is important for us that we were able to connect those to victory. I think the match against Fukuoka will also be difficult, but we aim for victory.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q: You made a significant contribution to the victory in the two matches you started. How do you feel about it?
A, Keeping a clean sheet is always a goal as a defensive player, and in the matches I played, I worked from practice with the premise of winning without conceding any goals. This season, while there were many games where the team conceded multiple goals, I believe it was truly significant both for the team and personally to have contributed by starting in one of the few clean sheet matches and winning without conceding any goals.
Q: How do you feel about your personal achievements within that context?
A, the match against Shonan Bellmare involved a bit of tension and a probing period including observing the opponent's approach, so I couldn't defend as I wanted. I had the impression that we spent a long time on the defensive against Shonan's momentum and pressure coming from the sides, and I couldn't express my style in either defense or attack. In contrast, for the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we were able to enter the game having organized the issues and corrections from the Shonan match, and I think it was good that we fought tenaciously and toughly. I am currently learning and absorbing many things from the matches I have played. I believe a fast growth speed is also required, and before every match, I organize what I can do and face it.
Q: What kind of person do you envision yourself becoming after growth?
I want to become a player who can excite Tokyo. Since my academy days in Tokyo, Masato MORISHIGE has been my role model. Just as I admired him, I want to grow into a defender who is admired by the academy players.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q: In the last match, you started in the defensive midfielder position.
A, I think it was a positive factor that I was able to establish the rhythm of play from the start of the match in my first start in a while. Recently, I have often come on as a substitute in league matches, which made it challenging to play while understanding the flow of the game and the situation of my teammates. Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI each have their own strengths as defensive midfielders, and I want to show a relationship and combination that increases the team's options without diminishing each other's qualities.
Q: In the last match, it was a double pivot with Takahashi for the first time in a while.
A, since Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo confronted us with their unique defense, I was constantly communicating with Takahashi to avoid an open style of play. This match is against Avispa Fukuoka, and naturally, the approach will change with a different opponent. I think the match content and flow will have a different atmosphere, so entering the game in the same way as against Sapporo.D often won't work. I want to be mindful of that point as I approach the match.
Q: What do you see as Fukuoka's characteristics and strong points?
A, I think there are many aspects that cannot be understood until the match starts, but Fukuoka's strong defense, which aims to neutralize the opponent's strengths, is impressive. Especially in the first 10 to 15 minutes of the first half, if the team can grasp Fukuoka's intentions, I believe we can proceed with the match in a good way.
