Match Review & Preview
Review of the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia
A match against the same opponent after just three days. Since the top-ranked Kashima Antlers had lost in a penalty shootout the day before, this game was also about maintaining the momentum from the previous 3-0 victory and securing 3 points to intensify the title race.
Tokyo kicked off with five changes from the previous match, including Ryunosuke SATO and Kim Seung-gyu, who returned from Japan-Korea national team activities. Ryunosuke SATO formed a two-forward lineup with Marcelo RYAN.
From the start, Tokyo controlled the ball and continued to fight. They quickly switched gears the moment they lost possession, entering the match in good form. However, Machida, who had conceded three goals four days earlier, tightened their defense, and Tokyo struggled for a long time to break down the opponent's five-back formation. With the spaces closed off, they couldn't find passing options, and there were many scenes where they failed to create shooting opportunities.
At the start of the second half, Min Gyu JANG, who had been playing as the right attacker, moved to the front line and swapped positions with Ryu Sato. They tried to add an accent to the attack with the change in positioning, but still struggled against the opponent's defensive network and couldn't deliver effective passes. Meanwhile, Machida began to solidify their defense while becoming more aggressive in attack, but Tokyo's Min Gyu JANG repeatedly made fine saves to keep the goal intact, and the match continued with a scoreless draw.
Aiming to break through by mixing in direct play, in the 17th minute of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE delivered a cross which Kei Sato skillfully headed, but it was deflected by the crossbar and no goal was scored.
Both teams showed focused defense until the very end, and the match ended 0-0 after the full 90 minutes, leading to a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
Tokyo, who kicked off first, saw their first player Alexander SCHOLZ and third player Takahiro KO miss, while Machida succeeded with all four players, leaving no chance. They could not secure a victory to chase the top-ranked Kashima and ended with the frustrating result of earning just 1 point at home.
This Week's Preview
This round, we head to Nissan Stadium, the home of Yokohama F. Marinos. In the previous match on March 7 at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium), we achieved a complete victory with a 3-0 score against this opponent. It will be a rematch in a short period of about one month.
When asked by the press whether the team should enter the match with that good image or reset, Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said, "Absolutely reset," and continued as follows.
"However, although there is the difficulty of a short span, it is also an opportunity to develop the strength to overcome it. Teams participating in the UEFA Champions League and AFC Champions League experience home and away matches within a short period while also playing league matches. These become crucial games as you rise up. I believe the previous match against Machida was one of those. That’s why there was a lot of frustration when it ended. After the match, I left a somewhat strong message for the players. There will always be tough times and difficult moments. Overcoming those is an experience you can gain in this tournament. Of course, there are times when the intervals between matches are longer. On the other hand, we face Kashima Antlers at the beginning and the end. I think this tournament allows us to experience various styles of play."
To achieve a "season double" against Yokohama F. Marinos, it depends on whether they can break apart the opponent's compact defensive formation. It will be about whether they can launch attacks that freely combine movements behind the defense and lateral shaking.
In the previous match, Ryunosuke SATO, who scored his first goal for the Red and Blue, said before the rematch, "Even if we play well, the opponent will watch that game and prepare countermeasures. To overcome that, we also need to improve, or we can't win. In that sense, tactics become important. If we refine our skills while bringing out the best in each other, I believe we can definitely play good football."
Chasing the top-ranked Kashima Antlers, the matches that cannot be lost continue. We have no choice but to carefully spend each day, accumulating points with the mindset that "the enemy right in front of us is the greatest enemy."
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q: Please tell us your impression of Yokohama F.Marinos.
A is a team that leaves a strong impression as unpleasant when they are allowed to demonstrate their power. They have a well-structured attacking style and their defense is compactly organized. However, if we can clearly express our strategy, I believe we can break that compactness. First, if we can properly align our perspectives, a fluid match development will also emerge.
Q. The match against FC Machida Zelvia was held earlier on an irregular schedule, but is there anything you emphasized to the players heading into the second half of the season?
A, the players fought tough in the two matches against Machida, and it was by no means a bad performance. We created several chances, and I think it was a decent start to the second half of the season. As a team, we decided to "reassess our current position." Instead of losing confidence just because of the loss, we talked about properly evaluating ourselves now and demonstrating what we have built up in the next match, using the frustration as motivation to move forward.
Q. While chasing the top-ranked Kashima Antlers, we often hear players say, "We always want to be challengers." What is important as a challenger?
A, I believe it all comes down to living a daily life that is worthy of it. We must become a team that assumes victory as a given. This is not an easy task and requires a long history and experience. Although we already have a wonderful history, we believe our experience is still insufficient. That is why daily accumulation is important. We need to think about where worthiness is cultivated from, cherish each day, and continue appropriate preparation, attitude, and behavior. I believe this accumulation is crucial, so while keeping an eye on that, it is important to fight each match carefully without falling behind Kashima, who is just ahead, and to keep holding onto their back.
Q. It seems the team is gaining confidence. What is your view on this, Coach Matsuhashi?
A, I can't say for sure that it's 'confidence,' but I believe we have started to grasp a sense of response and some tips as we play more matches. Especially significant is that the entire team is beginning to align their focus. To build even more confidence, not only in the match against Machida but also in general, I think doing the same thing won't work. There will always be tough matches and difficult situations. Overcoming those is what will give us confidence moving forward. Simply repeating the same things and succeeding is not enough. I believe there are crucial points in matches that become key. Beyond that, we can increase the confidence we have honed so far. Such things become the momentum and confidence that drive us toward the goal.
Q. It seems that the level of demands is also increasing. What is your view on this, Coach Matsuhashi?
AAs long as you are always aiming higher, that is natural. However, I believe the most important thing is to keep your feet firmly on the ground. If you can't do that, there is no point in chasing only rankings or results. There is no guarantee of winning there. In fact, many of the things we seek are simple, and the most important and difficult part is how much we can improve their accuracy and quality.
Player Interview
Sei MUROYA
Q, the season has entered the second half. Please review the developments so far.
AThere were many good matches, and I feel very positive about actually being involved in the title race right now. In terms of the progress we've made since last season, we have been able to play the style of football we want in many games, so I think that is really a very good thing. This was true in the last match against FC Machida Zelvia and the match before that against Verdy, but there were games we couldn't win, so while I do wish we could have secured those wins... when looking at the first half of the season from a broader perspective, I take it very positively.
Q. If you were to point out an issue, would it be that even if it wasn't our own match, we should avoid dropping points?
A, I definitely want to secure a win even in tough situations. The difficulty with this season's regulations is that we can't play in a way that aims to settle for a draw when things aren't going well. Under the original regulations, I think we could have earned 4 points in the consecutive matches against Machida, which wouldn't be bad, but (due to the PK shootout) we end up giving Machida 2 points. That negatively affects our chances in the title race. The reverse is also true; there are times when we can earn 2 points, but accumulating points feels a bit more complicated than in a usual season. That's why I believe we have no choice but to win within 90 minutes and accumulate 3 points. We want to make sure to earn 3 points even in difficult matches.
Q. On the other hand, what are the good aspects of the team?
A, rather than saying this season is good or bad, the defensive aspect has been stable with fewer goals conceded, building on last season. Of course, it's not just the defense line, but everyone working together to firmly defend and not let the opponent play freely has contributed to earning points. This is something that has continued since last season. In addition to defense, there is also a sense of confidence in being able to attack while maintaining good ball possession. We should have quite a few chances created, so the fact that we concede few goals and create many chances is very positive.
Q. Do you feel that the intensity of your individual performance is properly spreading throughout the team, Mr. Muroya?
A, everyone is very conscious of that, and it is becoming the foundation of the team, which I think is a great strength.
Q. The first half of the season match against Yokohama F.Marinos had both substance and results. Considering that, aren't there various difficult aspects to tomorrow's game?
AIt may become more difficult, but on the other hand, we do not think of ourselves as a team superior to Yokohama FM. Yokohama FM is, after all, a club with history and has great strength. We have not won any titles yet, and we keep telling ourselves to play as challengers. This mindset applies not only to matches against Yokohama FM but to every game. Even though we had a good win in the last match, our stance for tomorrow's game will not change that much, and our behavior on the field will remain the same.
Q. In your current team, it seems that when the style of football that worked well in other matches cannot be expressed in a different match, the players on the pitch respond flexibly based on their own judgment.
A, I believe there is a shared understanding about what to do, but I think it would be even better if we could improve more in that area. That’s why, even in difficult matches, we can finish with a draw after 90 minutes, but the challenging part is that we want to increase the number of matches we can win 1-0.
Q: Although it will be an away game, please give a message to the fans and supporters who will be supporting from each location.
A, as I mentioned earlier and always say, we are fighting as challengers. I hope the fans and supporters share that feeling and continue to fight together with us.
Keita ENDO
Q, Although there have been some irregularities, we have reached the halfway point of the league matches. How do you feel looking back so far?
A, I think we are able to express the good football we want to play on the pitch. Sometimes we have matches where the content matches our efforts, and other times we lose surprisingly easily. Losing in a penalty shootout, for example, shows that we still lack the mental toughness to win in crucial moments. From here on, we face a series of matches where we cannot afford to drop any points. At such times, having a leader who can pull the team together or the emergence of young players as surprises will help the team improve further and keep up with Kashima Antlers. I believe this kind of pressure from below is also important.
Q. We often hear the phrase "to win the championship" from the entire team, but what is important to keep up with Kashima?
A, now that we've come this far, I think it all comes down to who will transform and who will lead the team. I believe everyone on the team is aware of this, and it's most important that every single member of the team, not just the forwards but also the defenders, carries this awareness without exception.
Q, please review the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia.
A, I believe both the fans, supporters, and players understood that winning that match was the only thing that mattered. Especially, I could really feel the passion of the fans and supporters even before the game, and if we players could have responded to that in such a moment, I think things would have headed in a better direction. However, we are responsible for not being able to express that on the pitch. That said, instead of dwelling negatively on losing in the penalty shootout, it is certain that we are still in a position where we can aim for the championship, so we are switching our mindset and thinking about winning the next match.
Q: Please tell us your impression of Yokohama F.Marinos.
A, when they win, they often score multiple goals, and when they lose, they fail to score at all. Right now, I think they are a very ominous team. Originally, all the players have high abilities, so when the gears mesh well, they demonstrate incredible strength. I believe they will approach the match with a strong determination not to lose at home, so we want to overcome that and secure a victory. I think playing with courage will bring us closer to winning.
Q. What kind of play do you want to make to win against Yokohama FM?
A, I want to make the most of the strengths of the players around me. However, if it ends up being just that, I think the opponents won't be afraid, so I want to actively get involved in the attack myself. In the past matches against Yokohama FM, I haven't been able to make any standout plays, so I have a strong desire to achieve a result this time.
Q. Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, we want to celebrate together when we win. For that reason, we stand on the pitch and play with all our might. When we give our all and lose, we want to share the sadness together. That much, we want the fans, supporters, and players to be united. The fans and supporters in Tokyo give that impression, so with only a few matches left, we want to give our all, sharing both the times we cry and the times we laugh together.
