<Previous Match - Kawasaki Frontale Review>
A strike from the dutiful grandson.
41st Tamagawa Classico.
The Tamagawa Classico against Kawasaki Frontale took place at the National Stadium. Moreover, it was designated as a special match to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the J-League. Unlike regular matches, various elements heightened the stadium's voltage, and despite Tokyo being on a seven-match losing streak in the Classico, there was an atmosphere throughout the stadium that we could not lose at our National Stadium.
That atmosphere spread to the team.
The most recent matches have resulted in two consecutive losses. Moreover, in the last match, we conceded five goals to the momentum of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. The pre-match predictions are hardly positive. Nevertheless, to respond to the love of the fans and supporters who continue to cheer us on even from afar in away games, the team has been thoroughly preparing.
Even if it was somewhat forceful, we faced forward, confronted our challenges, and unified our intentions as a team. The solidarity strengthened by such preparations may have been further solidified by the atmosphere surrounding the Japan National Stadium.
It is no coincidence that Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who has always taken on challenges with a positive attitude, has achieved results. He faces forward in any situation. He gives his all. His positive qualities were brought out by the atmosphere filled with Tokyo at the Japan National Stadium, leading to that spectacular goal.
Tokumoto's joyful roar must have reached his grandfather in heaven and his grandmother in Okinawa, riding on the momentum of Tokyo.
Preview
Coincidentally, one week ago, both teams played the same J League 30th Anniversary Special Match at the same venue and won.
However, the situations are different. On one hand, Tokyo, which had been in a negative situation with two consecutive losses, achieved victory against Kawasaki Frontale and has finally begun to shift to a positive atmosphere. On the other hand, Kashima Antlers, who have won five consecutive matches with clean sheets, have updated the club's record for scoreless victories.
In terms of momentum and confidence, Kashima definitely has the advantage. If they have gone five matches without conceding a goal, there must be a good reason for that. Their defense is not something that can be easily broken down.
Dedicated defense from the front line, quick returns, and wings that do not shy away from repeated up-and-down movements, along with a final line that combines height and strength. The strong defensive awareness present throughout the team is interconnected, and the organized defense is becoming more solid with each match.
In terms of offense, the ability to seize set-piece opportunities and the sharpness of counterattacks have been honed. It can be said that the traditional winning mentality of Kashima, which was subdued at the beginning of the season, has been revived.
How will Tokyo confront such a formidable opponent? First, the shared understanding of "starting with defense," which was regained in the previous match against Kawasaki, will be crucial. After stabilizing the defense, they will gradually increase the time spent holding the ball, and when transitioning to attack, they will vary between quick and slow attacks depending on the opponent's situation.
Especially against an opponent with quick and precise defense, the decision-making after regaining possession in our own half is extremely important. When, where, and who to use for the attack. The choices made by the players on the pitch determine the outcome of the match. The strategy of attacking wide against Kawasaki is not to be taken lightly. As a clear proof of evolution, we want to exploit the gaps in Kashima's solid defense.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q: You won the pressure-filled Tamagawa Classico, but do you feel that you shouldn't become too complacent with this victory?
The J1 League has been very closely contested. Currently, the standings can change dramatically with just a small difference in points. The rankings will likely continue to fluctuate from now on. Of course, no player is relaxing just because of the recent victory. The league is like a marathon, a long-distance race. We believe that after overcoming difficult times, good times will come.
Q: What kind of match do you want to develop against the dynamic Kashima Antlers?
For Kashima, it will be a home game, and I think it will be a difficult match with high intensity. Their style is clear, and they will surely use their strengths effectively. They also seem to have a strong commitment to winning. However, if we can stay focused from the start of the match, I believe we can have a good game. Above all, I trust the current state of our team. I believe tomorrow will bring a good match and a good result.
Q: Kashima has a strong defense. Do you want to attack before the defense is set?
A, that part is also an important point. Another is that quickly moving the ball breaks down their defense. How we respond when they have possession of the ball is also important.
Q: It seems that the winning percentage is high in matches where the first goal is scored. What effect do you think the first goal has on the team?
Not only for us but also for the entire J1 League, there is a strong impression that the team that scores the first goal has a high winning percentage. Since the matches are between closely matched teams, the first goal greatly influences the subsequent flow of the game. For example, if we score first, the opposing team will naturally aim for a draw or a comeback, becoming more aggressive and trying to control the ball. Against such an opponent pushing forward, the game will likely develop with us exploiting the space behind them. However, as a team, we have not yet reached the level of dominating the match for the full 90 minutes.
Q: It seems that scoring the first goal will be even more important when facing Kashima, who continues to achieve victories without conceding any goals.
The fact that Kashima has achieved five consecutive shutout victories is a testament to their defensive strength and solidity. Utilizing their strengths, including strong defense, they have also scored goals, and I believe they are riding a good momentum. For us, we have been steadily preparing to score against Kashima's solid defense. And I sincerely trust the Tokyo players. Being able to secure a victory against Kawasaki Frontale, a team with high completeness and maturity, is indeed a good reflection of our current team condition.
[Player Interview]
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q: You will be facing your former club. Please share your thoughts and enthusiasm, including memories from your time with Kashima Antlers.
A, they are currently the most in-form team, and looking back on my time there, I have nothing but good memories. I understood right away after joining why "Kashima is so strong." There were also things I realized and understood after leaving the team. There is a strong sense of respect.
Q: Please tell us what you learned the most during your time at Kashima.
A, this is a story from when I was with the team, but Atsuto Uchida and Yasushi ENDO were leading the team, and above all, they brought a sense of unity. For Kashima to win, they prioritized the team in various ways, even at the expense of themselves. You can see plays where they are pragmatic about victory, and I believe that this current style of play is close to the right answer for Kashima. The idea that results are everything is one of the lessons I learned during my time at Kashima. I look forward to facing the most in-form opponent right now.
Q: It seems that Tokyo is also in a cycle like the one you just mentioned.
A, in the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale, the team really wanted a victory as a result. This match is also expected to have many close ball situations and battles for second balls, so we want to firmly recover the ball and make sure not to lose in these battles. If we lose in close ball situations, the momentum will completely shift away from us. The atmosphere at Kashima Soccer Stadium is also unique, and once goals start coming in, the entire venue gives momentum to Kashima, so I think we need to be careful.
Q: In order for Tokyo to become stronger in the future, it is necessary to overcome many adversities repeatedly, just like Kashima.
Regarding the match against Kawasaki, we can confidently say that winning against such a well-prepared opponent is a positive achievement. I believe we need to build momentum from this game. If we can secure consecutive wins here, I feel we can ride a good wave of success. Not losing in the fundamental aspects of football naturally brings opportunities and victories closer to us.
Q: Is there anything that player Koizumi was particularly careful about in the last match against Kawasaki?
A, I was conscious of aggressively trying to take the ball from the front in terms of defense, and I think the opponents disliked it. Without worrying too much about the back, I was able to play with strength in winning one-on-one battles and second balls, in a way returning to basics. I believe being able to play on the pitch without hesitation also led to scoring goals. I also think it was good that we could win the ball in advanced positions.
Q, does this mean that we were able to play compactly overall?
A, that's right. Keigo HIGASHI was firmly positioned at the back, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the right actively tried to steal the ball from the front. Each player was able to make plays that were easy to understand as teammates, so I think that was good. In the second half, when the opponent was down to 10 players and we were being pressed, I do have some regrets that I wanted to hold the ball a little more and deliver passes that would lead to attacks. When facing an opponent who commits many players to attack, if we lose the ball easily after winning it back, the time spent defending inevitably becomes longer. I think we could have played a bit smarter.
Q: Is there anything that player Koizumi is thinking about in order for Tokyo to continue winning from here?
A: I believe good defense leads to good offense. If the players on the pitch can play without hesitation, Tokyo has a lineup of highly skilled individuals, so if they can play in a relaxed manner in a positive way, they will undoubtedly become a strong team. Overthinking how to defend or attack creates hesitation and gives the opponent openings. It is important for both the team and individuals to play on the pitch without hesitation. If we maintain the high-intensity play like in the Kawasaki match, the momentum will naturally shift in Tokyo's favor. Expressing high-intensity play every match that makes the opponent think "this is troublesome" will be the foundation.
Q: It is also expected that there will be more scenes where Kashima allows Tokyo to have the ball.
A, it is important to easily expand to the sides, but I also think it is important to actively send challenging passes to the forward players and to send the ball into narrow areas. There was also a strong impression of many movements behind the defense in the previous match against Kawasaki. I believe it will be necessary at times for midfield players to make runs past Diego OLIVEIRA. If the number of plays behind the defense is low, the team will stop functioning properly, so I want to be mindful of that point.
<Shuto ABE>
Q: What kind of battle do you want to have against the Kashima Antlers, who are on a winning streak?
They are a team with momentum, having won 5 consecutive matches, but we are confident as a team that we can stop their winning streak. I believe the match will be one where strength in close contests is crucial, so we want to win the game without losing to the opponent in front of us.
Q: Is it important to be aggressive in challenging for the ball from the start, like in the match against Kawasaki Frontale in the previous round?
A, considering the opponent's soccer style, it is also possible to simply send long balls to the front line, so I think recovering the second ball will be important.
Q: Last season, we faced Kashima twice and won both matches. Do you have a good impression yourself, Abe?
A, I have no sense of difficulty. I myself scored a goal at Kashima Soccer Stadium last season, so I have a good image. I want to aim to score again tomorrow.
Q: How do you want to tackle the solid defense of Kashima?
A, it is very difficult to break down when the opponent defends by pulling back, so the coach also instructed us to actively target behind the opponent's defense. While aiming to disrupt the opponent's formation, I think it is necessary to be conscious of taking mid-range shots and aiming for the goal.
Q: Balancing awareness of advancing forward and managing risks in the back is also important.
<div>A. Regarding that point, Masato MORISHIGE and Keigo HIGASHI mainly maintain the balance on the pitch. Keigo HIGASHI also told me, "You can play as you like," so while partially leaving it to him, I think it is important to fully commit to attacking plays such as shooting. We want to avoid losing the ball in dangerous areas and being counterattacked or having the midfield spaces exploited.
Q: Which team will pick up the second ball is likely a key point.
A, regarding winning and controlling the second ball, the coach has been emphasizing this throughout this week's training. The awareness of this is very high. We want to make good decisions to create momentum, such as controlling the ball to launch attacks or calming the play depending on the situation.
Q: There was an impression that the ball was connecting well, including the match against Kawasaki in the previous round.
A, until now, there was a strong impression that the ball was lost very frequently after being taken, but in the Kawasaki match, the distance between teammates was good, and the play itself was smooth. Right after taking the ball, it is both an opportunity and a risk. I think it is important to carefully pass the first ball to a teammate.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q: What was the reaction after the match against Kawasaki Frontale?
We received so many messages that we couldn't respond to them all in one or two days. We got a lot of messages on LINE and Instagram. It really made me feel, "I was able to perform well."
Q: How do you feel about the match against Kawasaki when you reflect on it again?
A, last season I was a spectator watching this match. Since joining this season, as the Tamagawa Clasico match approached, my desire to play and stand on the National pitch grew stronger. I realized I can't play quietly; I need to fully express my strengths and enter the match with that mindset. I want to deliver a performance even better than the Kawasaki match in upcoming games.
Q: You seem to be gaining confidence with each match.
In the matches against Avispa Fukuoka and Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, I was not able to play satisfactorily or contribute to helping the team. Playing in matches is not something to be taken for granted, and because Kashif BANGNAGANDE's presence is significant, I feel a strong need to properly express myself, and it is this mindset that allows me to grow day by day.
Q: Is the presence of player Yoshifumi Takemoto very significant for player Tokumoto?
A, he is a left side back player representing Japan national team. Since I practice and play together with such a player every day, I intend to steal whatever I can. I want to firmly make the good parts I stole from him my own and continue to express them in my play.
Q: In the match against Kawasaki, Tokumoto's aggressive positioning led to a goal.
A, the strengths of Hotaka NAKAMURA and Yoshifu players lie in actively showing up in advanced positions, which is a play style I myself have lacked until now. Although NAKAMURA had to leave due to injury, I disliked the idea that Tokyo's fullbacks lost momentum in their attacking participation. Yoshifu was also on the bench during the Kawasaki match, so I had the mindset to push forward aggressively even if substituted midway, which I believe allowed me to take many advanced positions leading to shots and crosses. I think I was able to play recalling what I have built up so far, and I believe this positioning demonstrated that I am a fullback who likes to move forward.
Q: This match is against Kashima Antlers, who can be said to be in excellent form. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, thanks to your great performance, we were able to win against Kashima. I want to forget about the Kawasaki match for now and focus on the upcoming game.
