Review of the previous match against Yokohama FC
After the match, the players all agreed that, "The passes were mostly connected at our feet, making it easy for the opponents to defend. We needed to change things up, such as simply aiming for the space behind."
Yokohama FC solidified their defensive block with a formation that can be described as a 3-back, or rather a 5-back, inviting Tokyo into their defense. On the other hand, Tokyo struggled to advance the ball deep into the opponent's territory after being drawn into their half. While trying to find an attacking option by moving the ball, their coordination broke down, forcing them to retreat to their own half after being countered.
Especially after allowing the opponent to take the lead, we struggled to break down the opponent's defense, resorting to safe passing throughout.
Throughout the 90 minutes, we struggled to show an aggressive attitude, but there was one play that embodied the reflection expressed at the beginning.
In the 12th minute of the second half, after defending against the opponent's attack in their own territory, Kosuke SHIRAI carried the ball up to just before the halfway line and supplied a pass towards the space behind the opponent. Adailton, who left the opponent's defender behind with a moment of speed, picked up the ball and carried it towards the penalty area without losing speed.
In the one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper, the shot was blocked, but the fact that Tokyo, which had many passes at their feet, simply utilized the space to create chances may have suggested the 'change' necessary for Tokyo's growth.
Match Preview
In the last match, we suffered a frustrating defeat against Yokohama FC away, losing 0-1, and missed our first three consecutive wins of the season. We were unable to fully execute the attacking patterns we had prepared during the league break, such as breaking down from the sides and making runs into the space behind, leaving us with many issues to address.
Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI reflected on the match, saying, "We strayed a bit from our way of playing. We made the game difficult for ourselves." Regarding areas for improvement, he stated, "It would have been better if we had moved the ball more quickly and utilized the space. We want to learn to become a smarter and better team, and prepare for the next match." The players also expressed their thoughts, saying, "Next time, for sure."
This match will welcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima at home. It is the final game of the three matches designated by the club as part of the 25th anniversary celebration. Of course, a victory is essential, but it is also a match where we must show the unwavering spirit that the blue and red have cherished for 25 years, never giving up until the end.
Furthermore, it is also a day to look towards the club's "future" and indicate the path we should take. It is important to express what Tokyo represents to fans and supporters -- I hope for such battles.
The matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: Sanfrecce Hiroshima is a team that employs a three-back system, similar to Yokohama FC in the previous match.
A, I believe we can play with a sense of continuity from the previous match. There were many lessons learned in the match against Yokohama FC. Hiroshima is a very good team, but we will fight to express the lessons from the last game on the field. We want to deliver good football to our fans and supporters.
Q: After the match against Yokohama FC, each player expressed their reflections. Is a common understanding and awareness of tactics a key point?
A, both connections are important. It is necessary to express the team rules that we value when we compete. The match against Yokohama FC was not a good game. There were several opportunities during the match to exploit the opponent's weak points, but we could not follow through. For example, making forward runs and vertical passes. We lacked movements that face forward and advance. By creating such scenes, I believe the flow of the game would have changed, making us a greater threat to the opponent. We want to use the lessons learned from that match to move forward.
Q: It seemed that you were particularly focused on how to move the ball to avoid the opponent's press during this week's training.
A, this is the work necessary for the team to progress. I hope the players will grow through their daily training. The match against Hiroshima is expected to be a tough game. We want to deliver excitement and passion to our fans and supporters with an aggressive style of play. In the previous match against Yokohama FC, we were unable to express the style of play we aim for. Since I took office, I believe we have been improving in avoiding presses and moving the ball. Growth does not happen smoothly or in a straight upward trajectory. Our play still needs a lot of improvement, and I believe we will continue to grow from here.
[Player Interview]
＜Diego OLIVEIRA＞
Q: You lost 0-1 to Yokohama FC in the last match. How do you feel about this result?
A, after conceding the opening goal, the opponent tightened their defense, making it a difficult match. It is true that Yokohama FC, fighting to remain in the J1 League, had high motivation, but we must reflect on the fact that we could not demonstrate greater strength than that. We feel sorry to the fans and supporters who came all the way to the away game.
Q, I remembered the scene from three years ago at NHK Spring MitsuzawaFootballStadium where Diego OLIVEIRA was in the locker room with tears in his eyes.
A, the match ended up being similar to that time, including the content and progression of the game. We deeply regret repeating the same mistakes, but we are focused solely on correcting the issues that arose in the Yokohama FC match and winning against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the next game.
Q, I remember you saying that you have to fight for your family. Does that motivation become especially important in the last four matches?
A, the feeling of fighting for my family, the team, and the fans and supporters has not changed at all. It will remain the same from now on. Of course, each player has different ways of maintaining their motivation, but for me, fighting for everyone who supports and cheers for us is what motivates me.
Q, You have recorded 14 goals in the league, matching your career high from the 2019 season. Do you feel confident about your performance this season?
A, soccer is a team sport, and each player hopes to win the match in front of them and become the champion. Of course, I feel the same way.Last season, I couldn't play as I wanted due to injuries, but this season, I think it's significant that I have no injuries and can maintain my condition. However, what is important to me is the team's victory rather than my own record. Until the end of the season, I want to score as many goals as possible and contribute to the team's victory.
Q: Despite being an away game against Yokohama FC, the fans and supporters created a wonderful atmosphere.
A, we would like to once again express our gratitude to all the fans and supporters who have passionately cheered for us from the beginning of this season, both at home and away games. Many fans and supporters dyed the stands blue and red at the Yokohama FC match as well. Of course, we play while feeling your cheers on the pitch. We sincerely apologize for the disappointing 0-1 result, and we understand the passion, feelings, and various emotions of the fans and supporters. We expect the match against Hiroshima to be difficult as well, but we want to deliver good play and good results for the fans and supporters.
Q: The home games have come down to the last two matches. What will you use as motivation to approach these games?
A, the matches will continue to be difficult until the very end, but I believe in Tokyo's team strength. We will fight with all our might for the fans and supporters and want to show our style of soccer. And we want to win the matches and celebrate together with everyone.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: Please reflect on the match against Yokohama FC.
A, I have the impression that this loss was different from the losses we've had before. The match against Yokohama FC made us realize there are still many areas we need to improve. Rather than losing because we couldn't show what we have, it felt more like we lost because we still need to enhance our skills. Even if we lose to teams fighting to avoid relegation, we shouldn't be pessimistic. There were various factors during the match, but I believe if we could have expressed bolder play without being overly cautious, it was a game we could have won. It felt like the choices in play were focused on "not making mistakes." Throughout the match, we saw many aspects and tried new combinations. This season, there haven't been many games where we've spent a long time pressing forward, so we need to learn more about how to fight in such situations.
Q: It felt like you had fewer touches on the ball in the attacking midfielder position during the match against Yokohama FC.
A, sometimes drops to a low position to play, and I believe there is a great deal of freedom in his play. I want to show more of his efforts to send the ball forward, and when the ball comes to each position, I want to play with options that match my teammates, such as movements to receive the ball and awareness to support. Since the opponent defended by forming a block, I reflect that I could have made more runs behind them.
Q, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is also a team that operates under a similar system.
A, I think it will be a match where both sides attack each other, a direct battle where goals are exchanged. How to break down the opponent's tactics will be crucial. As the probability of scoring increases, the probability of conceding also rises, so if we can outmaneuver the opponent in that tactical battle without losing, goals will be created. I believe the team can express that aspect well, so I am not worried. I think it is necessary to manage the game skillfully.
