<Review of the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale>
0-3. The Tamagawa Classico, which aimed for a decisive victory, ended up with such a bitter result.
Tokyo started with the same 11 players as the previous match. In the early stages, they pushed into the opponent's territory while circulating the ball and took control with aggressive pressing from the front line, but they conceded the first goal in the 34th minute of the first half.
From there, the flow shifted to Kawasaki Frontale. They struggled to create attacking opportunities against an opponent that effectively neutralized the strengths of Tokyo, such as by shutting down vertical passes to players like Ryotaro ARAKI and Kuryu MATSUKI. In the second half, after Go HATANO was sent off, they conceded two goals and ended up losing the match.
There was a player who welcomed such a game with exceptional determination. Takahiro KO, who secured his first start of the season, became the team's lubricant as a defensive midfielder in the match against Avispa Fukuoka, and continued to make starting appearances. For him, it was also a match against his "former club" where he spent his time from U-12 to U-15.
A stadium I have been familiar with since childhood. Before the match, I spoke about how I had been watching the Tamagawa Classico since then. As a player from Tokyo, I must have had something in my heart, wanting to stand on that stage and fight.
In the long-awaited crucial match, player Takahashi, who got his chance, repeatedly requested the ball with subtle movements and big gestures, trying to become the starting point of the attack from the back line in the midfield.
Due to Kawasaki's thorough research on the Fukuoka match, they couldn't fully showcase their characteristics under strict marking, but the player is positively viewing the highlighted challenges and is firmly looking ahead.
"For me, it's better when the opponent presses like that because it allows us to break free. I communicated at halftime that I wanted them to pay a bit more attention to me. I want the entire team to demand better positioning and quicker decision-making against opponents who press us."
The ball has started to gather naturally around him. However, his wide vision and high passing sense should be able to captivate the stadium even more. Continuous challenges will undoubtedly increase the variety of ways to receive and deliver passes starting from him.
To elevate oneself and bring victory to the team──. This frustration makes him and Tokyo even stronger.
Match Preview
Lost 0-3 in the "Tamagawa Classico" against Kawasaki Frontale, missing the chance for the first consecutive wins of the season. The opponent, who had a solid defense, kept us on the back foot, and our attacking line, which had been scoring consecutively this season, fell silent. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI expressed his frustration, saying, "Everyone feels the pain of not getting results. We want to overcome this pain and become stronger."
Ryotaro ARAKI, who has scored 4 goals since the opening match and has been leading the attack, reflected, "I wasn't able to figure out how to deal with opponents who had prepared countermeasures against us. The ball didn't come to me or Kuryu MATSUKI very much, and we couldn't create good attacks." To face opponents who will implement "Tokyo countermeasures," a superior fighting style will be necessary. To mature the team's style, it has become clear that there are unavoidable challenges.
Starting this match week, we will face Urawa Reds, followed by a match against Kashima Antlers just three days later at Japan National Stadium. Tokyo has a good record at the newly renovated Japan National Stadium, remaining unbeaten, so we hope to gain momentum from these two consecutive matches. Of course, to overcome this tough schedule, the entire team's strength, including the substitutes, will be tested. We look forward to seeing new players bring a fresh perspective and showcase the evolved style of Tokyo's football.
This matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, a two-match series at the Japan National Stadium is coming up.
A, we feel well prepared from practice. The members who played in the Kawasaki Frontale match are using this time for recovery, but we want to select the members while checking the players' physical and condition aspects.
Q: What kind of impression do you have of Urawa Reds, as you have faced them in a practice match before the season opener?
A, we have faced them even in practice matches, and while thoroughly analyzing, we understand the opponent's basic playing style. It is important how well we can implement our own way of playing against Urawa. Also, we want to make it a game where we score many goals.
Q: What kind of things were shared in the meeting ahead of the match against Urawa?
We mainly reflected on the match against Kawasaki, provided feedback to the team, and discussed how we can enhance our performance as a team to improve further. Regarding the Kawasaki match, it was a game where we could have expressed plays that would pose more of a threat to the opponent in our attacking phase.We were able to create good situations, but in the match against Urawa, I want to pose a threat to the opponent with plays that lead more directly to goals.In terms of our attacking play, I want to sharpen our overall performance. I hope to improve as we prepare for the Urawa match.
Q: How about the defense aspect?
A, there are several points that need to be corrected, but regarding the Kawasaki match, there were times when we played with 10 men, which was a difficult period for the team. We want to leverage the defensive foundation we are building as a team and encourage it to be reflected in our performance.
[Player Interview]
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA＞
Q, the Tamagawa Classico against Kawasaki Frontale ended in a disappointing result.
In the league matches, I have been away from the starting lineup for a long time, but regardless of my situation, I am truly frustrated by the fact that we haven't been able to win. There is no doubt that the victory against Avispa Fukuoka gave the team a good feeling, and in the Kawasaki match, until a player was sent off, we were losing 0-1, but we had several chances. To break through the situation of having only one win since the opening, I want to contribute to securing victories.
Q: There is a very high possibility that Nozawa will guard the goal this match. What are your thoughts on his current image, the feeling heading into the match, and the upcoming activities for the U-23 Japan national team?
A, being selected as a member of the Japan national team for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in my own career, and of course, earning the right to participate in the Olympics beyond that, are important things. However, first and foremost, as a Tokyo player, there is a match right in front of me where I must fight for Tokyo. I want to win first. That feeling is strong. If I get the chance to play in this weekend's match against Urawa Reds and Sunday’s match against Kashima Antlers, I want to contribute to the team’s victory. I believe that fighting for the team will lead to what comes next. This has been true even in the matches where I started on the bench, and regardless of whether I play or not, my mindset is always 'everything is for victory.'
Q: Especially during the Fukuoka match, the voice and behavior of player Nozawa coming from the bench, as well as his expressions after the match, were impressive and truly linked to what was just mentioned.
A, I am organizing various things within myself as I prepare for the match. Each player has their own way of supporting the team, but as I mentioned earlier, even if I cannot participate in the game, I always keep the team's victory in mind in my actions. When the opportunity to play comes to me, I simply express those feelings through my performance.
Q, I think there were many things to absorb in a short period, such as the selection for the Japan national team and the activities of the U-23 Japan national team. Please share your enthusiasm as we prepare for the upcoming National consecutive matches, having rejoined the activities in Tokyo and gained some time to organize.
A, although I was with the Japan national team for the AFC Asian Cup, I was unable to play due to poor condition, and even after joining Tokyo's activities, I was away from official matches. However, over the past few months, I have gained a lot of learning and experience. I have experienced both good times and tough times, and because I was able to play in many matches last season, I believe my desire and eagerness to contribute to the team by playing in matches now has increased. There were some senses that had dulled from being away from match play, but I feel I have regained them in the recent match against Mali and the game against Kawasaki. I cannot spend an indefinite period just adjusting, and with the two consecutive matches at the National Stadium approaching quickly, I want to step onto the pitch confidently without wasting any effort.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q: This season, you scored 4 goals in the league since the opening match and showed your presence in the U-23 national team for the first time in two years. How do you analyze the reasons for your good form?
A, I don't think I have done anything special; it is the accumulation of what I have done so far. I believe that the results are a reflection of the continuous efforts I have made. I was called up to the U-23 Japan national team activities for the first time in a while, and I think I was able to clearly demonstrate my own play in the match against Ukraine. Although I couldn't achieve a result, I felt a sense of accomplishment in actively aiming for the goal and getting to the point of taking shots. It was a short period of national team activities, but I believe I was able to make my presence felt.
Q: You joined Tokyo on a loan from Kashima Antlers. Please tell us your goals for this season and any themes you have set.
As for numerical goals, I want to achieve double digits combining goals and assists. What I impose on myself and my theme is, of course, goals and assists in attack, but I am also conscious of being the starting point of the offense. Especially this season, I am particular about the quality of that play. There were times when I couldn't participate in matches, but I believe that sticking to my core and style of play without wavering has led to my current results. I am not satisfied with the current situation and want to contribute to the team's victory even more with goals and assists.
Q: In Tokyo, you are at the center of the attack as an attacking midfielder or forward. What kind of role is expected of you within the team?
A, when receiving the ball in the midfield position, you are expected to carry the ball toward the goal or pass it to the players on the sides while moving yourself into the area in front of the goal. As I mentioned earlier, I focus on becoming the starting point of the attack and activating the offensive players through my play to create goal-scoring opportunities.
Q: Since it will be held at the National Stadium, we expect more fans and supporters to gather than usual. Please share your enthusiasm for the match with those supporters.
I will do my best to score goals and help the team win in the special space of Japan National Stadium. To all the fans and supporters, please continue your passionate support this round as well.
