<Review of the previous match against Vissel Kobe>
Tokyo, with two consecutive draws since the opening match, faced last season's J1 champions, Vissel Kobe, at Ajinomoto Stadium in pursuit of their first league victory.
In the scoreless second half, the 'captain' who started in the lineup for the first time this season delivers a powerful strike to energize the team.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE cut the ball in midfield and made a solo run down the left side. From his cross, Kuryu MATSUKI's left-footed shot was blocked by an opponent, but from this right corner kick, the long-awaited opening goal was scored.
As Yoshifumi's left-footed kick was contested by Henrique TREVISAN at the near side, the ball rolled toward the far side. While the entire stadium watched the ball's trajectory, number 37, who had timed his run from behind, struck with his right foot.
The ball, kicked with all the might of "Go!", soared towards the goal with a powerful trajectory, carrying the wishes of the blue-red supporters. It deflected off the opponent's foot that tried to block it and pierced through the near side, hitting the back of the net.
The first opening goal scored in the third match of this season. Kei KOIZUMI, who responded to being in the starting lineup, humbly reflected, "It was a play I practiced since camp. I kicked it, but it was a goal scored by the team." There is no doubt that it became a goal that encouraged the team.
In the 12th minute of the second half and the 24th minute of the second half, the team allowed goals and suffered a frustrating comeback loss, but it was also a score that represented what the team had built up solidly as a team in the form of goals.
Match Preview
After two consecutive draws, Tokyo suffered their first defeat of the season in the last match against Vissel Kobe, resulting in three winless games since the start. In Sec. 4 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, they will be looking for their first victory in an away game against Fukuoka.
This week, the team received some good news. On Thursday, Yuto NAGATOMO returned to the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Second Qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers. Furthermore, on Friday, for the final tryout match ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024, Ryotaro ARAKI, along with Kuryu MATSUKI, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, was selected. In a team situation where results have been hard to come by, this was perfect news to change the atmosphere.
Avispa Fukuoka, under the management of Shigetoshi HASEBE, has evolved based on a solid defense and won the club's first title in the J.League YBC Levain Cup last season. This season, they have also achieved an away victory against Yokohama F.Marinos, remaining unbeaten with 1 win and 2 draws so far. Their proud solid defense is still intact, having conceded only 1 goal in 3 league matches.
The key players in the attack are inside half Yuto IWASAKI and Kazuya KONNO, who was with Tokyo until the 2022 season. Both players are involved in most chances, breaking out from counterattacks and drifting to the sides to deliver crosses. There is also a need to be cautious of the height of Wellington, who plays as the lone striker.
Tokyo will be without Henrique TREVISAN due to a suspension from the last match. Since the 2016 season, they have struggled against Fukuoka with 2 draws and 6 losses, but the team's pursuit of their first league victory is not affected by past matchups. I hope the national team players perform well and that the team, inspired by them, unites towards victory.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: Yuto NAGATOMO has been selected for the Japan national team.
A, I think it was a special moment for him as well. In the Japanese football world, he is a unique player. He never neglects hard work or preparation for matches, and he directs his focus not only to the team but also to himself. I believe he deserves to play as a member of the Japan national team, and not only I but the entire club is proud of his return to the Japan national team. We want to support his success. He gives the impression of maturing like red wine.
Q: This match is against Avispa Fukuoka.
A, it requires the hard work of the entire team, not just one person. We simply express the football we are building. We want to organize what we have learned and what needs to be improved in the matches so far, and encourage growth. It is important to focus on ourselves. By boldly expressing our own rules and our own football, I believe we can surpass the strengths of our opponents.
Q: What have you focused on this week to achieve your first victory of the season?
A, it was a week to improve on challenges and build on the good parts. In Fukuoka, we want to put on a better match than the previous game against Vissel Kobe. Of course, everyone is hungry for victory. Players, staff, and fans/supporters all share the same feeling. We want to believe in ourselves and focus on ourselves. By doing so, I believe the result of victory will follow.
I want to create something special with this club. I want to deliver moments that leave an impact on the lives of all the fans, supporters, and everyone who loves Tokyo. The "summit of the mountain" that everyone dreams of cannot be reached in a day. Along the journey, there will be not only good moments but also times that require patience. I believe it is important to embrace various situations and move forward to attain those special moments.
Of course, I want to win every match. We approach each game believing we can win, and we have the confidence to defeat any team. In doing so, I want to build something that will last a lifetime as a team.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q: After finishing the first three matches of the season, do you feel a sense of achievement and have any issues become apparent?
Since we haven't been able to secure wins, I believe there are various issues rather than just one or two points to improve. While there are improvements to be made in each match, the players must respond flexibly. I think it is important to review the fundamentals once again, such as playing intensity and not losing in one-on-one situations. Continuously challenging ourselves in both offense and defense will lead to earning 3 points in future matches.
Q. What did you focus on during this week's practice?
In attack, we organized how to play depending on the opponent's approach during meetings and worked on it in practice. In defense, it is important to decide where to switch on and take the ball against Avispa Fukuoka's attack, and also not to lose when picking up second balls.
Q. What kind of role do you want to play as a defensive midfielder?
I believe that the defensive midfielder must handle both offense and defense completely. In attack, it is most important to constantly show up and stay involved with the ball. Also, it is necessary to increase the number of challenges, such as making runs into space and actively taking mid-range shots. Since there are many strong players up front, I want to be mindful of delivering good passes. On the defensive side, when pressing, it is essential to apply high-intensity pressure, take care of opponents making runs, and provide covering support. We need to establish a solid challenge-and-cover relationship and ensure we do not lose out on recovering second balls.
Q. What is your impression of Fukuoka, and are there any points you are paying attention to?
Although we haven't been able to beat them as a team, I personally don't have a bad impression. As a team, we couldn't win either the league or the Levain Cup on their home ground last season, so this time it will be a tough match away, but we want to firmly secure 3 points.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: Up to this point in the matches, it seems that while valuing ball possession, long balls have also been used. How is the overall coordination?
A, I feel that there is still a lot to improve in terms of how we differentiate our play, and it remains one of the challenges in our style of fighting. However, I believe there is no mistake in the team's direction or in what kind of football we want to express. Other players share the same understanding. Although the results have not yet followed, I personally feel a sense of confidence and a tangible sense that by continuing trial and error and linking it to victories, we can build a stronger team. I want to refine the finer details and continue playing.
Q. Are you feeling more confident as you play more matches?
A, the cycle is to clear the issues that arise in matches and then new issues emerge in the next match. However, we fully understand that what is demanded of us is the "result." Naturally, we players also prioritize the result above all. It is a fact that we have not been able to achieve the result of victory, and while the process is important, as I mentioned earlier, right now we are primarily pursuing the result.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the match against Avispa Fukuoka.
A, as a team, we want to focus on the results and play accordingly, and we share this among the players during meetings. We approached this week's training with a strong determination to earn the full 3 points at all costs.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: This is the place where your first professional league goal was scored. What kind of impression do you have of it?
A, Avispa Fukuoka gives the impression of being a very tough team. I think it will be a closely contested match, but the team has the confidence and style to break through the opponent's solid defense. Last season, their away game winning percentage was very low, and although the league opener this season ended in a draw, I believe it is crucial to accumulate points on the road. We want to secure our first victory of the season in Fukuoka away from home.
Q. Against Fukuoka, who gave you a hard time in last season's match, what kind of breakthrough do you want to achieve in this game?
A, based on the results so far, each player fully understands that the upcoming match against Fukuoka is a very important game. If we can win this match, the team will ride a good wave, and if we can properly demonstrate what we have practiced in the game, we are confident we can win. I believe it is important to approach the match with confidence.
Q. Expectations are high for Kuryu MATSUKI's own scoring as well.
A, I have been able to visualize myself scoring goals since this week's training, and as the number of times I am involved in the attack has increased, I want to contribute to the victory with goals that will energize not only the team but also myself personally.
