Match Preview
Here we go, towards becoming the League Cup winners for the fourth time. Peter Tokyo sets sail on a new journey.
On April 17 (Wednesday), the 2024 J League YBC Levain Cup 2nd Round will take place, where FC Tokyo will face J3's Y.S.C.C. Yokohama. This knockout match will be an "away" game at the NHK Spring MitsuzawaFootballStadium.
The tournament format has changed from this season. Until last season, J1 clubs and the relegated J2 clubs from the current season participated, competing from the group stage to the playoff stage and then to the knockout stage for supremacy. However, this season, it has been changed to a tournament format involving all 60 clubs from J1 to J3. J1 clubs will enter from the 2nd Round, and Tokyo will also face its first match in the tournament here.
This is the first match in the club's history against YS Yokohama (excluding FC Tokyo U-23). Although they are an unknown opponent, this match is one that we absolutely must win as they are a club with three past championship titles in this tournament.
The team showed their determination to equalize just before the end in the match against Verdy in Sec. 8 of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League held last weekend. After falling behind by two goals in the first half and being forced into a numerical disadvantage due to a red card, the team united to bounce back from adversity, securing a point with two goals from Keita ENDO to finish in a 2-2 draw.
Concerns about fatigue from the intense battle arise, especially since they showed a superior running ability despite being one player short. Furthermore, three players from the U-23 Japan national team will be absent in this match, but players who came on as substitutes in the last two league matches have been scoring and making an impact. Player Endo, who performed well in the previous match, mentioned, "I didn't want them to think, 'We really relied on those guys' when they went to the U-23 Japan national team," highlighting the efforts of the players who were utilized. This demonstrates the depth of the squad, showing that it doesn't matter who plays in the match.
Additionally, since the tournament is also referred to as a "gateway for young players," we hope to see the efforts of those players who have not had many opportunities to participate so far. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI stated, "This is a tournament where losing means elimination. I want to make decisions on player selection based on their condition. Whether they are young or not, it doesn't matter if they are ready to play and have the ability. We want to prepare to play our football," showing a determination to secure victory while considering the use of fresh members.
Looking back, on July 8, 2007, Yuto NAGATOMO first donned the blue and red uniform and stepped onto the pitch for an official J-League match at none other than Mitsuzawa.A for the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup (at that time). Wearing number 36, he played as a special designated player by the JFA and J-League, and his subsequent growth and evolution need no further explanation.
This match will be an away game held midweek, but it could be a turning point for the players who are utilized. It will be interesting to watch from that perspective while observing the coach's tactics.
First and foremost, we aim for victory in every match. Regardless of who steps onto the pitch, we want to showcase our unwavering aggressive play and firmly advance towards our journey to reach the top for the fourth time.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: This is the first match of the J.League YBC Levain Cup against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama. Are you considering using young players?
A, I will bring the members who can win the match, and I am currently considering that. Of course, I will also check each player's medical information and decide based on the practice the day before the match. Whether young or not, it does not matter to me. As long as they are prepared and capable, whether they are 17 years old or the oldest, I will select and prepare the members so that they can play our football.
Q, Three players from the U-23 Japan national team are absent.
A, I believe that is also part of the process. This applies to the mental aspect as well, and steadily improving our play and what we do every day is a step toward success and achieving something great. I think the team is moving in a good direction now, but we must continue to work harder.
Q: The Levain Cup has become a tournament format starting this season. How do you feel about the differences and challenges compared to last season?
Of course, the difference is that if you win, you advance to the next round, and if you lose, it's over. Although there are differences in the tournament format, nothing changes for me. Choosing a team that can play every week, fighting with a strong mentality to play our style of football and win the match. That does not change whether it is the Levain Cup or the league matches. The starting 11 must be fully prepared to fight, the substitutes must be ready to make a strong impact, and everyone must be on standby to fight until the very end.
Q: After practice, you spoke to Soma ANZAI. What words did you exchange?
A, I also spoke after the match against Verdy. In that game, player Anzai might have been under various pressures. Following Anzai's sending off, how the team responds became important, and the team's mentality was crucial. We need to overcome this for the club and for Anzai. I think it was good that we managed to catch up from a 2-goal deficit. We almost scored a third goal, but time ran out. What I told Anzai was to stay positive. We will support him 100 percent, and that was the conversation we had.
Q: As more teams may adopt strategies to close down the middle, like in the match against Verdy and the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale, how will you overcome that?
If you close the inside, other spaces will open up. I think it is important to quickly find those spaces and move forward. We want to improve our style of play and way of competing.
[Player Interview]
＜Tsubasa TERAYAMA＞
Q: After finishing the match against Verdy with a last-minute equalizer, we have another match in three days. The J League YBC Levain Cup is a different tournament, but it seems like a good opportunity to regroup the team during this series of matches.
Unlike the league matches, this is a knockout tournament where losing means elimination, so I believe it is a match where we must always play with a sense of urgency. It is important to express our own style of football firmly without adjusting to the opponent.
Q: Tsubasa TERAYAMA, you participated in the match against Verdy and contributed to a goal after coming on as a substitute. Given that your condition and performance are improving, isn't this a good timing to continue in official matches?
A, it is important to show your play within the given time and gradually increase your playing time, which I believe will lead to becoming a regular starter. I want to focus on delivering solid results in the time and position I am given.
Q: In the recent match, you were used in a position one row ahead of the defensive midfielder. Did you organize the roles given to you in your mind before entering the match?
There was a clear situation with 10 players in group A, but when Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI gave instructions from the bench, I was able to quickly organize what I needed to do, and within that, the team was able to communicate effectively. I was able to fit in well with that.
Q: If the next opportunity to play returns you to the position of a defensive midfielder, do you have a clear understanding of what you need to do?
A, the view changes depending on the defensive midfielder position. I think it's just about showing what I've been doing so far, and in matches, only what we constantly practice every day will come out. It would be great if I can express that in a good way. The most important part is game control. I want to play while effectively using my teammates and bringing out my own strengths. I believe ball recovery is my strong point, so I want to work with the team by communicating with those around me to secure the ball and create plays.
Q: Y.S.C.C. Yokohama is currently a team belonging to the J3 League. It is expected that they will approach this match with the same feelings as when player Terayama faced Tokyo in the Emperor's Cup while belonging to Juntendo University.
A, I also had a strong determination to definitely win at that time, and honestly, I was in a position where I had nothing to lose. I felt like I was borrowing Tokyo's strength to fight. This time, I'm in the opposite position, and I think the opponent will come at us with all they've got, and we must not let that affect us. Unless our passion and spirit surpass the opponent's desperation, showing any weakness will get us eaten up. So, it's important that we don't match the opponent but focus on our own play and overcome them.
Q: Although the tournament has not yet started, are you aware of aiming for a major title?
A, of course, we must have a sense of crisis that if we lose, it's over, and if we start off too lightly, the match will become difficult. The entire team must stay focused because in tournaments like this, regardless of category, anything can happen. Each player on the pitch wants to play with awareness.
<Teppei OKA>
Q: I think there is a possibility that competing in a different tournament during consecutive matches can lead to opportunities.
A, amidst consecutive matches, it is the J.League YBC Levain Cup, and I have been preparing with the thought that my turn will come. I have always been ready to play in league matches, but since I haven't been able to seize many opportunities, right after the match against Verdy ended, I decided to achieve results in this Levain Cup. My condition is not bad, and I am confident I can perform well.
Q: Even after entering the season from camp, there are many practice matches, and you consistently maintain a high level of performance among them.
A, at first I struggled to adapt to the basic way of playing, but now I have reached a state where I just need to do what I am supposed to do.
Q: In the last few matches where your performance has improved, building up from the defense line with solid passing is the foundation of the team. How do you feel about the build-up aspect?
In the build-up phase, the surrounding players provide considerable support. Although it is also an area for improvement, I am able to play with the mindset of becoming the starting point to move the ball, rather than having a passive attitude of "I hope the ball doesn't come to me."
Q: I think the opponent belonging to the J3 League will come with considerable motivation, but don't you think Teppei OKA, as a challenger, can face the opponent with a strong mindset?
A, I also have a challenger spirit. However, I also have a strong determination to overcome obstacles. I used to be the type to get very nervous, but now that's not the case, so I can prepare with a calm mind. Also, when I was part of the U-18 team, I played as a member of FC Tokyo U-23 at NHK Spring MitsuzawaFootballStadium against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama, and it was a place where I experienced what it feels like to compete as a professional. It is a place where I gained confidence that I can do it, and now that I am truly a professional, I want to prove it.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
Q, we will face Y.S.C.C. Yokohama in the first match of the J.League YBC Levain Cup.
A, this season has adopted a tournament format, and if you lose, the Levain Cup itself ends. I believe my stage can only continue by winning, so I want to create my stage by winning.
Q: What kind of play do you want to showcase in a tournament that is different from the league matches?
A, as with regular matches, I think there are especially many players hungry for games in the Levain Cup. In that situation, while each player shows their own play, I believe the team must come together to win, so we want to work on that balance through discussions with everyone. However, I think we will only be evaluated by victories, so in the end, I want to play football that allows us to be winning when the final whistle blows.
Q: How is the team's atmosphere after the two consecutive matches at Japan National Stadium and the match against Verdy?
A, in the last three league matches, there were no bad games in the end, so the team is playing in a good atmosphere. Even the players who have not been able to play in the matches are maintaining their focus and continuing their training, so I believe everyone is prepared for the team.
Q: This will be a match in an away location. Please give a message to the fans and supporters.
There are many players who are hungry for matches, and I believe that feeling can only be conveyed to fans and supporters on the pitch. We want to put our feelings front and center and make it a game that makes you glad you came to watch. Thank you for your support.
