Review of the previous match against Nagoya Grampus
Tokyo achieved its first home victory of the season with a brilliant three goals scored from fast counters.
Tokyo made changes to the starting five players, including three forwards, from the previous match. The players who were utilized delivered solid results on the pitch.
First, in the 31st minute of the first half, Kei KOIZUMI intercepted the ball with a sharp start in midfield, and Kosuke SHIRAI dribbled through the center. From there, he passed to the left side, where the ball was crossed back by the debuting starter, Megumi SATO. Finally, it was Keita YAMASHITA, also making his first start of the season, who finished it off. With his first goal in the blue-red jersey in his fourth season since transferring, Tokyo took the lead.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Ewerton Gaudino broke through the right side powerfully and delivered a cross. Although it was initially cleared, the ball deflected off an opponent and spilled in front of the goal, where Sato skillfully redirected it with a heel touch for an additional goal.
After conceding one goal, just before the end of the match, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA broke through with a dribble, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA took a shot. Soma ANZAI pushed in the rebound that was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, scoring the decisive third goal of the match.
Nagoya Grampus, who tried to suppress Tokyo's possession with a man-marking approach, achieved a brilliant victory by allowing them to hold the ball while launching sharp attacks.
Match Preview
Tokyo, having succeeded in starting the season with 2 wins and 1 loss, will head into this match against Kashima Antlers for an away game.
Tokyo has been striving to take control of the game while increasing ball possession. Although there is still noticeable room for improvement, they have shown the ability to display a 'threat' in their attacks, such as in the previous match against Nagoya Grampus, where they mixed sharp attacks according to the flow of the game to secure victory. To further develop this new trial of possession football, they want to continue progressing with challenges while achieving results one by one.
Kashima, like Tokyo, has 2 wins and 1 loss since the opening. Toru ONIKI, who has achieved four league titles with Kawasaki Frontale, has newly taken the helm this season, aiming for a long-awaited league title centered around the powerful two-top of new signings Leo CEARA and Suzuki. Additionally, for Tokyo, the reunion with Araki, who was a teammate last season, is also a highlight. Given that Tokyo's players are well aware of his fantastic plays that can change the game in an instant, containing his strengths seems to be a key to the match.
The three teams that Tokyo has faced since the opening have all adopted a three-back formation, often resembling a mirror game. In this match, which will be the first encounter against a team with a four-back formation, we want to pay attention to what "Rikuzou Tokyo" will show in their style of play.
As for Tokyo, we want to start strong by winning away against Kashima, which has been a tough opponent, and join the race for the top. Our mindset of treating every match as a must-win remains unchanged, but this is a game where we definitely want to secure a victory on enemy territory.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: Are there any points you would like to further improve on heading into the match against Kashima Antlers?
In attack, we want to be able to hold onto the ball a little more. Of course, there are times when we strategically allow the opponent to have the ball. However, we have gradually been able to intentionally take the initiative ourselves and control the game, so by improving the accuracy of that, I believe the number of chances will increase even more. The goal in the Nagoya Grampus match was wonderful. We want to carry the courage and confidence gained from that goal into the Kashima match.
Q: In the last few matches, the opponent's defense line had three players, but tomorrow it is expected to have four.
A, we will respond according to the situation. Even if we think something is good, if the other side is already responding, we have to change our approach and adapt ourselves. We are always thinking about how to handle both sides. We don't know when we will try, but we will proceed while observing the situation. The 4-4-2 formation is a system that Kashima has traditionally used even before I came to Tokyo, so there is no major concern. However, I believe we need to carefully watch whether everyone can react the moment things change.
Q: Although there have been some goals conceded in the last few matches, you have kept the goals against to a minimum. Please share your thoughts on the defense.
A, I believe it is a system with defensive stability. In addition to that, looking at the individual talents, there are many players who do not leave gaps and have a strong commitment to defense. Within that, there are some minor errors. By firmly addressing those and clearly defining roles, trying new approaches will lead to improvement. When this connects to sharp counterattacks or exploiting the opponent's gaps to move the ball forward efficiently without many touches, the strength of the defense will shine even more.
Q: After three matches, you mentioned that there are still issues with the attack, but you have achieved 2 wins and 1 loss, earning 6 points.
A, of course I want to say it was wonderful, and I want to believe so, but I don't think anyone on this team feels that way. We really had to win three consecutive games. In the match against FC Machida Zelvia, there were definitely points where we could have pulled the victory closer. There's no use looking back, so it's important to focus on the remaining matches and accumulate points. It is important to connect the victory from the previous match to the next game against Kashima.
[Player Interview]
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q: I think I am hungrier for goals than anyone else. How is your current condition and motivation?
A, first of all, the team's victory is the greatest happiness, and of course, I have the desire to score my first goal since joining Tokyo. However, I believe that if we can improve our teamwork through daily training, goals will naturally follow. The top priority is the team's victory. It would be even more gratifying if I can contribute effectively to the goals that lead to that victory.
Q: Do you feel that the team's coordination and the characteristics of your teammates have become clearer throughout the matches?
A, we value each day's training. We have been able to confirm coordination and play mainly among the players who play close to the front line. We want to communicate more to improve what we are not yet able to do, so that what we can do in practice can naturally be expressed in official matches.
Q: As the league enters a series of consecutive matches, the team's overall strength will be necessary. How do you plan to support your teammates and contribute towards achieving consecutive victories?
As a forward, of course I want to contribute by scoring goals, but I also want to help the team defensively by covering the spaces left open when my teammates push forward and by managing the opponent's attacks from the front line.
Q. By the way, there were voices saying that Soma ANZAI's way of celebrating after scoring a goal in the match against Nagoya Grampus was cute.
Ah, so there was such a reaction. I have also seen videos compiling the celebrations after goals when Sagan Tosu and Yokohama FC were playing. I am genuinely happy from the bottom of my heart when a teammate scores a goal that leads to victory, and expressing joy by raising both hands high like that is a natural reaction. For example, even if I myself did not score when the team won by a large margin, I think I would express my emotions and show joy just like I did then.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: This season's first starting lineup was playing on the left side, and I also recorded a goal.
<div>A, although I mostly played on the right side, this time I appeared on the left side, which is one of the positions I have been working on since last season. I think I was able to play well while communicating effectively with Teppei OKA and Megumi SATO, who were playing in nearby positions. I believe my strength is being able to play on either side, and I felt I could play smoothly from the start of the match.
Q: I think it was a match where the opponent's wing-backs participated in the attack frequently, and a high level of defensive intensity was required.
It was a match where we were often saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's saves, but I think we were able to defend solidly without losing concentration until the end. On the other hand, we couldn't play defense that pushed back from our side. Throughout the 90 minutes, we want to improve to raise our defensive position a little higher.
Q: In the upcoming match against Kashima Antlers, which will be a series of consecutive games, what kind of match do you want it to be?
A, since it's the opponent's home ground, I think it will be a difficult match. Against an opponent like Kashima, if we lose in the basics such as ball contests and fighting spirit, I believe we will easily be overwhelmed by the opponent's atmosphere. We want to show play that surpasses the opponent from the basics and aim to finish the consecutive matches on a good note.
