<Review of the previous match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima>
I want to win. I absolutely do not want to give up until the end──. The passionate feelings of number 39, wanting to repay the support of those who cheer for us, brought about a determined counterattack goal.
Tokyo, which had been struggling with no goals in the four matches after the break, faced an away game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, aiming for their first victory in five league matches.
However, the team, which was determined to win every match, was greatly affected by Typhoon No. 10. Although they started their journey two days before the match, due to transportation paralysis, they finally arrived in Hiroshima only in the early afternoon on the day of the match. After traveling for two and a half days with only a little rest, they were forced to head to the stadium. Nevertheless, giving their all for victory is what it means to be a professional. The players stood on the pitch of EDION PEACE WING HIROSHIMA without uttering any excuses.
The match was forced into a difficult development. We were pushed back by the opponent's press, conceding a goal in the 5th minute. Furthermore, we allowed an additional goal in the 18th minute of the first half, and in the second half, we conceded a third goal from a penalty kick.
The score is 0-3. It seemed that the outcome was decided. However, the cheers from the away supporters did not lower the voltage, and as if pushed by that atmosphere, the blue and red players launched a fierce counterattack, pressing Hiroshima.
We cannot end like this. For those who have come all the way to away Hiroshima against all odds, and to respond to the thoughts of those supporting us from various places.
That feeling came to fruition in the 34th minute of the second half. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA broke through the left side with a powerful dribble and crossed it to the center, where Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA slid in and scored a fierce shot, marking his first goal in five matches.
As the remaining time dwindled, there was a man who displayed a fierce desire for victory.
It was just after entering the 6 minutes of added time in the second half. After quickly restarting with a short corner kick from the right side, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who received the ball, made a vertical move into the penalty area and advanced to the goal line. From there, he delivered a powerful cross that was shot into the goal after hitting the opposing defender.
Number 39 delivered a determined strike that closed the gap to one point, quickly picked up the ball, and rushed back toward the center circle. The desire to counterattack as soon as possible was evident in their demeanor.
Although they could not mount a counterattack and the time ran out, they showed a fierce late-game surge that did not reflect the handicap of travel, and despite their strong desire for goals and victory, they fell just short.
However, they undoubtedly showed their determination. Both the supporters behind the goal and the players were moved to tears by their frustration in this match. This feeling will surely connect to the future. It was a game that made you think so.
Match Preview
The previous match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima ended in a disappointing 2-3 defeat, and we could not break out of the long tunnel of six games without a win. However, we were able to score for the first time in five matches and find a glimmer of hope for a resurgence.
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA scored a goal after coming on as a substitute, seizing the opportunity for a comeback. Just before the end of the match, a shot-like cross from Teruhito NAKAGAWA led to an own goal. Despite the incident of having to travel to the venue on the day of the match due to the impact of the typhoon, Tokyo showed their determination to fight back and demonstrated their fighting spirit until the end. After the match, NAKAGAWA said, "Both OGASHIWA's goal and the own goal count as goals. I believe that any goal can change the flow of the game. If the entire team can show more determination to get closer to the goal in the penalty area, something will happen."
This match will see us face Nagoya Grampus at the Japan National Stadium. In the previous encounter, Tokyo's attacks were effectively contained, resulting in a 1-3 defeat away. Player Nakagawa stated, "The fans and supporters have been cheering us on strongly in every match, both at home and away. We have to respond to that. We have that responsibility." The stage is set at the National Stadium, where Tokyo still boasts an unbeaten record. We want to secure a victory here after about two months and turn the tide.
This matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: It has been a tough situation, away from victory for two months.
A, everyone wants to win, and there is not a single player who is satisfied with this situation. We must stay focused and properly prepare for the next match. For example, even when we are on a good streak with two or three consecutive wins, I believe I would say the same thing. It is important to steadily develop and strengthen what we need, and this remains true in any situation.
Whether in a good situation or a bad one, the awareness and preparation do not change regardless of the circumstances. I want to focus only on the next match and strive to overcome the current difficult situation to finish the season successfully.
Q, I think that conceding goals early in the game is one of the points that needs improvement.
A, this is a part that we must eliminate. Regardless of the type of match, conceding the first goal early increases the challenges we must face. Early goals against us are something we need to eliminate from our style of play, and we want to take the lead and manage the game to effectively use that advantage.
Q: I believe that fighting together as a team, or what you might call 'total effort', will be required.
A, I have previously talked about the importance of uniting and fighting together, and how everyone's strength is needed. Each player demonstrating their abilities and contributing to the team is the true mark of a strong team. When your turn comes, contributing firmly, fighting unitedly, and showing matches that fans and supporters can be proud of are what we aim for. This round, we have the opportunity to compete on a special stage, the Japan National Stadium. We want to focus on our performance and give everything we have within that. It will be a tough match, but we will prepare thoroughly for a battle that excites our fans and supporters.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q: Please tell us what the team has built up during the break period.
A, it was a period where we were able to fine-tune the detailed aspects of our defense. While the team had been conceding multiple goals continuously, during this period we were able to spend time working on the finer points. On the offensive side, we had not scored until the previous match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and I believe we were able to accumulate training to increase our attacking actions toward the goal more aggressively. For the Nagoya Grampus match, we want to make it a game where we clearly show the results and numbers of what we have built up.
Q: Looking back on the match against Hiroshima, what kind of game was it?
We had gone five games without scoring, so scoring two goals in the match against Hiroshima was a significant achievement in any form. I believe we must continue to move forward step by step like this. To break through the current situation, we want to keep working positively. We want the two goals against Hiroshima to be seen as a trigger for coming out of a long tunnel, and in the match against Nagoya, we want to fight with an aggressive attitude as a team.
Q: In difficult situations, what do you want to prioritize?
A, during the early part of the league season when we were in good form, we had the power to score 2 goals even if we conceded 1. I believe our aggressive attitude of going for goals created a positive flow, and it felt like one of the triggers for a good cycle. Certainly, we were able to score and accumulate wins, but it is also true that we conceded many goals at the same time. I think that in trying to reduce goals conceded, we became too focused on defensive awareness and ball possession, which made it difficult to balance offense and defense. I personally feel that Tokyo needs to remind itself once again that it is an attacking team that continuously aims for goals, and increasing the options for attacking play is necessary to get back into a good cycle.
Q: In seeking victory, I think there is a tendency to play conservatively in such matches, which limits options.
A, I think the mentality of the players will be tested. The more passive they become, the less dynamic the play will be. It is important not only to maintain possession of the ball but also to launch attacks aimed at scoring goals. If the desire to "not concede goals" takes over too much, the play becomes constrained, and the choices in play become limited. Continuously choosing aggressive play and play to score goals is the key to achieving victory.
Q: How should we approach Nagoya, and what points should we be careful about?
A, Nagoya constantly increases pressure forward in both offense and defense, and I think it is important for us to move the ball quickly when we have possession. We always keep in mind to choose plays that take advantage of the opponent's forward momentum, and we want to overcome the frustration of losing 1-3 away.
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q: Please tell us what you worked on during the break after the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the last round.
<div>A. During the break period, we focused our practice on plays that lead to scoring. In the previous match against Hiroshima, the team finally scored again after a long time, which made us feel "at last," and we gained confidence to fight through the remaining time. No matter the form, scoring goals will lead to multiple goals like in the Hiroshima match.
Q: Please tell us about the insights and challenges gained from the match against Hiroshima in the previous round.
A, scoring goals is important, but conceding goals easily or conceding early in the match has been an issue in the recent games, including the Hiroshima match. First, we need to fix that, but more seriously for us was our inability to score goals. We want to continue focusing on scoring goals.
Q: How did you feel about the reasons for the frustrating situation of not being able to score?
A, there were parts where we tried too hard to break down the defense neatly, and there were matches with few shots and no shots on target. I personally feel that the focus leaned too much towards ball possession, which was a factor that did not directly lead to goals. Also, conceding the first goal to the opponent and not being able to establish rhythm from the first half were reasons why we couldn't create good attacks or score.
Q: This round is held at home at the Japan National Stadium.
A, every match, the production is wonderful and the atmosphere is very good. There are matches with 50,000 attendees, and as a soccer player, you can play feeling the best atmosphere. As Tokyo, I think there is also a good image of not losing at the National Stadium, but without relying on that, if we can face the match in front of us and the opponent in front of us with the determination to defeat them, good results will naturally come. Although we have not had good results in the last few matches, the voices of the fans and supporters are still reaching us, and including the last match against Hiroshima, the way they cheer until the end even in away games is seen and felt by all the players. Finally, I hope we can laugh, sing "Yuruneba," and take good photos with everyone.
