Review of the previous match against Nagoya Grampus
Win every battle. The one who shone brightly in the game, approached with a strong spirit by everyone involved in Tokyo, was the player wearing number 10, who has been holding back feelings of frustration until now.
Keigo HIGASHI, who was named in the starting eleven for the first time this season in the league match. The 34-year-old, who has struggled to get playing time, finally seizes the opportunity and shines on the pitch.
After 40 seconds into the match, the team took their first shot, controlling the game with precise positioning and accurate passes from the central midfield position, reading the flow of the game. They strengthened their presence while maintaining overall balance.
In the 13th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA made a free run to disrupt the marking of the opposing defense, capitalizing on the open space with a bold dribble shot that resulted in a rebound goal. His strike helped the team early on, thrilling the Japan National Stadium, and chants praising him echoed from behind the goal.
"Teru took a bold shot, and it came to a good spot. I didn't expect it to roll over to me, so I was lucky. I went through tough times, but I believed that a chance would definitely come and practiced for it. I'm glad I was able to score a valuable opening goal. Maybe it rolled to me as a reward (for my efforts). I thank the soccer gods."
I absolutely wanted to win. The team, led by the veteran, was inspired by the support from the fans and supporters during this difficult period, including the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and I felt we had to respond. The team controlled the game with sharp attacking play typical of Tokyo, along with skillful ball possession. Diego OLIVEIRA scored a penalty kick, Takahiro KO scored his first goal in blue and red, and Nakagawa added a powerful insurance goal, marking a total of 4 goals for a convincing victory. We extended our unbeaten record at the Japan National Stadium and achieved our first win in 7 league matches.
After the match, the players linked arms behind the goal and shared the joy with the entire stadium through the victory anthem "You’ll Never Walk Alone" for the first time in a while.
"I thought that the fans and supporters in Tokyo are truly the best, and I have to work even harder for those people. The team has its challenges, and if we are satisfied with just this one victory, it will be the end. I have experienced 'Yuruneva' while competing for the championship, so I want to take it step by step to get back there."
We can't end just yet. I want to respond to those who support us with results. The determination of number 10, fighting with the pride of blue and red, turned into a game that thrilled the 55,896 people gathered at the Japan National Stadium.
Match Preview
We got the long-awaited victory at 'Our National' with a massive 4 goals against Nagoya Grampus, securing our first league win in about 2 months.
Overcoming numerous frustrations, the blue-red squad fought with determination to secure victory. In the match, Keigo HIGASHI, who started for the first time this season as a defensive midfielder, became the key player, scoring the opening goal in the 13th minute to energize the team. The entire team continued to press high and mix in short counters and side attacks, advancing into the opponent's territory while maintaining a high possession rate and displaying calm game management for a convincing win. The match also highlighted the efforts of experienced players, including Takahiro KO's first goal in blue-red and Teruhito NAKAGAWA's contribution to three goals, including one of his own.
This is the first league victory in about two months since the match against Albirex Niigata in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 23 on July 13. Having overcome a tough period of six winless matches, the entire team is gaining momentum, and we hope to use this opportunity to achieve consecutive victories in the match against Urawa Reds this round.
Additionally, this week, Soma ANZAI, who had been sidelined due to a nasal bone fracture, has fully rejoined team practice. There is no doubt that his ability to play in multiple positions will significantly enhance the team's strength.
Urawa faced Gamba Osaka away last match and won 1-0. At the end of August, they dismissed head coach Per Matthias Heggem, and Maciej SKORZA, who had been in charge until last season, returned. They secured a victory in his first match. This marks their first league win since June 30. After undergoing significant changes, they have emerged from a long tunnel, similar to Tokyo.
Since the last match in April at the Japan National Stadium, there has been a significant change in the player roster. Many players, including Sakai, Ito, and Iwao, have left the team, while new players such as Honma, Naganuma, and Nita have been acquired. Furthermore, on September 1, former Japan national team player Haraguchi made his return after 10 seasons, making an immediate appearance in the last match. He was utilized in a defensive midfield position, helping to secure a victory in his official match appearance at Urawa after 3,758 days. The veteran, known for his strong mentality, hopes to play an attacking role, making him a player to watch for Tokyo, regardless of how he is utilized.
This match will be a homecoming game for Coach Skorza and player Haraguchi, but for Tokyo, who will be playing away, they want to showcase an intensity that matches the unique atmosphere of Saitama Stadium 2002 and achieve consecutive victories. If they can continue the determination for victory shown at the National Stadium, the strategic gameplay, and the unified battle between the pitch and the stands, victory will surely be within reach.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: How do you want to build on the victory from the last match?
A, as I mentioned last week, it is important to carry the good performance into the next match. The same applies to the Urawa Reds match, where we just need to continue the good aspects.
Q: This week's opponent, Urawa, also won their last match and is a team that is gaining momentum.
A is a good team, but we want to focus on how we will compete against Urawa. We aim to embody the team's principles, deliver high performance, and work hard without hesitation to achieve results. Urawa has many high-quality players, but in attack, it is important to effectively utilize the opponent's space, make runs behind their defense, and not lose in tactical battles. Defensively, maintaining a compact formation, strongly confronting the opponent as they move the ball, and fighting patiently will lead to keeping a clean sheet.
Q: What points should we pay attention to in the away game against Urawa?
A, Maciej SKORZA, who has left a lot for the club (Urawa) so far, returns as the manager, and after winning the previous match, they come back home. It is important not to be overwhelmed by the opponent's home atmosphere. To do so, playing our football, controlling the game, and scoring the first goal are key points to advance the match advantageously. By expressing such a game on the pitch, I believe the unique emotions of being away can be removed. We want to deliver joy that makes Tokyo fans and supporters jump up.
[Player Interview]
＜Kota TAWARATSUMIDA＞
Q: It was a long-awaited starting appearance in the match against Nagoya Grampus in the last round.
A, the team won 4-1, but I was not able to show any numbers such as goals or assists myself. I am not satisfied with anything personally, so I want to prepare well for the next match.
Q: What were the factors that allowed you to score 4 goals against Nagoya after being away from victory for a while?
A, scoring the opening goal seemed to boost the momentum of the entire team. Momentum is important when playing, and we want to carry the victory from the previous match into the game against Urawa as well.
Q: It was your first starting appearance since the match against Kashiwa Reysol on July 6. The team also went through a tough period around the same time, but what did you personally focus on?
A, since the start of this season, I have been consistently focusing on the accuracy and quality of crosses during training. I believe that continuing this effort is crucial, and what we have done and accumulated will lead to better performance in matches. I want to keep working on this moving forward.
Q: In the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima two games ago, I assisted Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA's goal. I believe that goal led to our victory against Nagoya.
A, in the previous match against Nagoya, the opponent formed a solid defensive block and defended in a compact manner around the ball, creating a situation where there were always many opposing players right in front of me. The match against Hiroshima was towards the end of the game and the play was somewhat more open. In such situations, space opens up, allowing my strengths to come through more, and I can also carry the ball forward as in the scene where I assisted Kobayashi's goal. Conversely, when facing defense like Nagoya's that does not give any space, I believe the key point is how to break through.
Q: This round is a match against Urawa Reds. In the previous encounter, Tawaramizuki's assist led to the Final Round goal.
A, first of all, I think it is important to have the awareness to shoot. When we are not in good form, it feels like we can't carry the ball up to a shot or finish the attack with a shot. I want to strongly keep that awareness and approach this match with it.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q: This match is an away game against Urawa Reds. Please tell us what is necessary for consecutive wins.
A, I think forgetting the results of the previous match for now and focusing on the outcome and content of the Urawa match will lead to consecutive wins. The main reason we were able to win against Nagoya Grampus was that fundamentally, we were able to fight harder than the opponent. Our proactive attitude and fighting harder than the opponent led to many chances and ultimately to victory. By focusing on the fundamental aspects and the absolutely necessary pace for fighting, I believe the chances of winning will also increase. I think this is something required from each individual player.
Q: In the last match, was the victory we achieved after a long time a result of expressing what player Koizumi refers to as the 'fundamental aspect'?
A, we had gone about two months without a victory, and both the team and individual players struggled a lot. Everyone searched for "how to win," and that effort led to the victory against Nagoya. What I felt on the pitch was that we were winning the battles against the opponent in key moments of play. Being superior in these moments greatly influences the match result, and if you don't surpass the opponent, both the match content and the result become difficult. Of course, this "fundamental aspect" is absolutely necessary in every game. Perhaps, this is something not only required of us but also of the entire J.League.
Q. You played as a right back for the first time in a while in the Nagoya match. How do you feel about the challenges and your performance?
As a side back player, there are still many challenges to overcome. I feel unsatisfied, and I want to demand more from myself in plays involving scoring and the intensity of one-on-one defense. There were many scenes where I was saved by the opponent's mistakes. I want to properly improve and continue to enhance the parts I was able to express in the Nagoya match. I can do more, and I have to do more, so regardless of position, I want to prepare well for the team to win.
