Review of the previous match against Urawa Reds
Gave it all. The moment the final whistle signaling victory echoed, Teppei OKA lay on the pitch of Saitama Stadium 2002, repeatedly making strong little fist pumps with both hands.
"I feel like I've given it my all. I approach each match as an opportunity and challenge myself to unleash all the power I can."
In the previous match, we faced Urawa Reds away after securing our first league victory in about two months at Japan National Stadium. We were fortunate to take a two-goal lead with an own goal and a penalty kick from Ryotaro ARAKI within the first 15 minutes, showcasing a game plan that was described as "almost perfect in the first half" by Masato MORISHIGE, with high pressing and composed ball movement.
Tokyo maintained control of the match with solid defense and skillful possession even after entering the second half. Amidst an ideal game, it was the passionate sliding block shown by number 30 in the 16th minute of the second half that excited the packed away section behind the goal.
A major crisis faced in the penalty area of our own side. In response to a powerful shot from player Yu OKUBO, who ran in free from behind after a soft last pass, I dashed furiously from the center towards the left side, stretching out my right foot to make a desperate block just in time. I immediately got back up, let out a roar, and made a strong fist pump to assert my presence throughout the stadium.
"It's all about feelings now. I was really motivated. With a single-minded determination to help the team."
This is the second match as a left side back. In defense, he has shown his height against cross balls, and in attack, he has functioned as a target for goal kicks. The 186 cm tall defender states, "If I can't provide height, there's no point in my presence." Throughout the match, he demonstrated an awareness of taking high positions while coordinating with the defensive midfielder, supporting the team as a starting point to connect the ball to the front line and add depth to the attack while avoiding the opponent's press. He is currently in a phase of pioneering a new territory in a position he hasn't played since his time with FC Tokyo U-23 in 2019.
The team maintained the lead and won with a clean sheet. With a perfect shutout performance showcasing Tokyo's style in both offense and defense, they silenced the red-dyed Saitama Stadium 2002 and achieved a remarkable consecutive victory in the league.
Match Preview
In the last match, we achieved a convincing 2-0 victory against Urawa Reds away. We showcased our strengths in both offense and defense, securing another win following the match against Nagoya Grampus at National.
The team succeeded in taking control with a timely possession in addition to their traditional sharp attacks in the matches against Nagoya and Urawa. As the season comes to a close, they are beginning to show their skill in game control.
The driving force behind this is the presence of Keigo HIGASHI, who is establishing his position as a defensive midfielder. Not only does he maintain the team's balance with precise positioning, but he also actively plays the role of a playmaker by moving forward. He truly demonstrates the presence of a "number 10" while also showcasing the fighting spirit of a "warrior" in battle.
In the previous match, Ryotaro ARAKI scored a goal in the league for the first time in about four months since May 15. After scoring, he showed a powerful jumping fist pump, expressing his emotions for the long-awaited strike. The packed stands behind the goal shared the joy of number 71 with chants of "Araki! Tokyo!" after the match.
This match is an away game against Yokohama F.Marinos, aiming for the second three consecutive wins of the season. Since winning the match in July 2020, we want to shake off the poor record of two draws and six losses, including the club's worst eight goals conceded in the 2021 season. For coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, and Keita ENDO, this is also a match against their former club.
Yokohama FM is currently in 9th place in the league. In addition to advancing in the YBC Levain Cup and the Emperor's Cup, they are also participating in the AFC Champions League Elite, making for a truly packed schedule. Last week, they faced a tough situation, losing a total of 13 goals in two matches against Gwangju FC in the ACLE and Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the previous league match. However, they broke the streak of four consecutive official match losses by defeating Renofa Yamaguchi FC 5-1 in the Emperor's Cup quarterfinals held this Wednesday. The continued heavy losses have led to a strong sense of tightening both offense and defense, and there is a high possibility that the team will come into this week's match against Tokyo with a switched-on mentality.
First and foremost, Tokyo should be on high alert for the powerful attacking lineup centered around the Brazilian trio. Although the opponent will be without Nishimura due to suspension and this game comes just two days after the match against Yamaguchi, complacency is not an option. The players must have felt that taking the initiative leads to smoother gameplay, as seen in the two matches against Nagoya and Urawa. To start, we want to find our chances through a solid defense that has been tight in front of our own goal during our winning streak, mixed with both quick and slow attacks.
To return to Ajinomoto Stadium after achieving the second consecutive league victory this season. The blue and red players head to the pitch at Nissan Stadium with an aggressive style in mind.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, it will be a memorable match for Coach Klamovski at this venue.
A, the place where my son was born and Yokohama, where I touched the J.League trophy, are special places for me. However, it is most important to focus solely on the match and our way of fighting. We will not neglect hard work and will bring back 3 points to Tokyo.
Q: Please tell us your impression of Yokohama F.Marinos.
A, preparation is required assuming the opponent will compete in their best condition. Yokohama FM is a very good team with excellent players. To earn 3 points from such an opponent, it is important for us to demonstrate our maximum strength.
Q: Please tell us the reasons for winning the last two matches.
A, scoring the first goal is important to gain an advantage in the match. However, even more important is to carry the positive momentum from scoring the first goal into the subsequent play. We establish discipline as a team in all aspects. If we can perform what the team must do at a high level, the results will follow. We want to make good preparations to express this from the very first minute of the game.
Q: This will be a match where we aim for our second three consecutive wins of the season.
A, hard work is necessary for that. It's easy to just say it. We want to be aggressive, have strong belief in our football, and strive to outperform the opponent in every situation.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q: Yokohama F.Marinos has a strong lineup of attackers. How do you want to contain them?
Player Matheus YAN, who is left-footed and cuts inside, is a very skilled player. I want to block the opponent's dribbling routes, skillfully corner him, and bring him into my defensive area. I am committed to defense that completely takes the ball away and does not allow easy crosses or shots. This week, I have focused on one-on-one defense and handling situations near the sidelines. I want to make good use of what I confirmed in practice.
Q: Please tell us about your impressions regarding the coordination in offense and defense with the attacking players on the same side, such as Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Keita ENDO.
A, I focus on supporting the players in front of me so they can demonstrate power in attack, as well as on my own hard work in defense. I believe it is important to provide cover and support through communication and positioning so that the forward players do not exhaust too much energy in defense. I strongly hope that the players on the same side will utilize their dribbling and vertical momentum to make an impact in attack.
Q. On the other hand, it seemed that Teppei OKA was carefully confirming his involvement in the attack during practice.
A, I believe it is important to how effectively the left wing player can distract the opponent's marking and attention when holding the ball. I also demand myself to take a position inside and make drawing movements. When I have the ball, Takahiro KO and Ryotaro ARAKI support me nearby, so I want to work well in the build-up in coordination with both players.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: Despite changes in the members, you have achieved two consecutive wins. How do you feel about that?
A, each player has their own strengths, and it's not about who plays or not, but about thinking how to bring out the individuality and strengths of each player and playing accordingly—that's the true essence of football. Football has different situations in every match, requiring flexibility in tactics. In the Nagoya Grampus match, we gained momentum and secured victory by scoring the opening and additional goals at a good pace, but in the Urawa Reds match, the opponent took control from the middle of the game. It's necessary to adjust and control well on the pitch. These two matches reminded me once again of the excitement of football.
Q: It seems that the connection between the forwards and midfielders in play and movement is adding depth to the attack.
A. When I am not able to participate in matches, I watch the games thinking "This could be improved this way," and when I am on the pitch, I consciously express my ideas of "I want to change things like this" through my play. Naturally, my own positioning also requires judgment according to the situation. There are certainly moments when it is meaningful to hold the midfield position rather than pushing forward unnecessarily. I believe flexible and adaptive responses are required. In the last two matches, I played in advanced positions more frequently, but if not going forward is more effective, I will make that decision. I want to carefully observe the opponent's movements and tactics and make decisions accordingly.
Q: Particularly regarding defense, there were noticeable plays that showed attention this week's practice.
A, that's the fun part. I believe my strength lies in playing while being aware of my surroundings. Soccer is a sport that involves the opponent, and you have to assess the opponent's personality and style of play, and outmatch them defensively in ways that you would dislike if done to you. Offense and defense are two sides of the same coin. For example, if there is a player who acts as the opponent's focal point, you must approach them aggressively. This is not about tactics, but rather a sense or intuition, an ability to perceive the situation, and I believe that is what soccer truly is.
