<Last Match Review: Kashima Antlers>
In recent years, it has been a symbol of Tokyo as an academy graduate.
Like many of his teammates who wear blue and red, he has been devoted to soccer with the goal of being promoted to the top team. However, he was told that his promotion was postponed. With frustration in his heart, the young man made a leap in university. And then, he returned to the blue and red team that he had once left.
In the world of professionals, he may not have a large build, but he fearlessly challenges his opponents on the field and quickly gets back up and starts running even if he is knocked down. He is like a symbol of indomitable spirit. With his innate sense of scoring goals in crucial moments, he has also captivated the hearts of Tokyo fans.
Even that man, while being rubbed in blue and red, had a new dream. The time to push for the realization of that dream. We want to send Shuto ABE off with a win - the whole team was filled with that feeling. That also led to the opening goal in the 9th minute. However, it did not come true in the end.
As they feel the emotions of their teammates, the player also bids farewell to Ajinomoto Stadium, and with even more determination, they run around the pitch in all directions, displaying their dynamic style by showing up in both offense and defense.
The man who gave his all at Ajinomoto Stadium had a radiant expression. During the ceremony, he gave a speech with a few laughs, shed tears of gratitude to his parents, and ended with a refreshing "I love you, Tokyo."
Let's meet again as we have both grown, and let's continue to make the J-League exciting together. Until then, a brief farewell. Both our shooting and Tokyo are still growing. It was a night where we promised to push each other to new heights.
<Match Preview>
The league match will resume in about two weeks.
Cerezo Osaka will fight at the opponent's home stadium. They were also in the same group in the Levain Cup, and this will be their 4th match this season. In the Levain Cup, they have 1 draw and 1 loss, and in the league's first half, they lost 1-2 at home. They are still an opponent that has not been defeated this season. For Tokyo, who wants to break away from the middle and catch up with the top, Cerezo Osaka, who is in 5th place, is a team that they definitely want to defeat.
Both teams faced each other in the Emperor's Cup Round of 16 on August 2nd, and both were defeated. The first match of the resumed league is expected to be a fierce battle.
Tokyo spent the break period focusing on implementing Peter CKLAMOVSKI's style rather than arranging friendly matches with overseas teams. Training in the extreme heat was limited, but the team was able to work on changing their mindset in a practical way by training with a focus on the upcoming matches.
In the Emperor's Cup, we were repeatedly put in dangerous situations by being caught behind our high defensive line, but if we are going to fight with a compact formation, we must also take risks. However, if we can eliminate simple mistakes and coordination issues, we can push the opponent back, take control, and play an attacking style of football.
Against Cerezo Osaka, who have strengths in quick transitions and counterattacks after winning the ball, Tokyo will have to create a vast amount of space. Therefore, we want to maintain possession of the ball and increase the time of pushing the opponent in order to continue the idea of "the best defense is a good offense." Although we were unable to score in the Emperor's Cup, we were able to create clear scoring opportunities. We want to patiently maintain a high defensive line and compact formation, and carefully create a path to the goal.
Peter Tokyo's 5th J-League match. We hope to see the fruits of their attacking football.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q: Are you considering using players who were unable to participate in the Roasso Kumamoto match this round?
A, We would like to proceed while checking the physical and conditioning aspects of each player and their condition. As a team, we believe that injured players are gradually returning and are in a good state. We think that competition will increase even more in each position in the future, and players will further improve the quality of their play and compete for playing opportunities, which will promote the growth of the team. We will consider how to bring the team to various situations and prepare firmly.
Q, How did you talk to the players after the Kumamoto match?
A, we continue to communicate with the players. Of course, the players and staff feel the pain of defeat and have a strong sense of regret. In the game, we felt the consciousness of catching up and overtaking, but we were unable to reach it. There are various elements that we need to learn from there. Right now, we are focusing on the Cerezo Osaka match. We are only thinking about performing well and taking home 3 points.
Q, Please tell me the key points of the Cerezo Osaka match.
A, it is important to firmly demonstrate our performance and surpass the opponent in all aspects. It all comes down to giving our all in our play, including our mental state. The content we just discussed will be the foundation for us to have a good performance. By doing so, I believe the results will naturally follow.
Q: Do you need to improve the decision-making skills of both the team and individual players in order to dominate the game?
A, both are important and the connection of play is crucial. The Kumamoto match was a speedy development in both offense and defense. I think we were able to see from the match where we should aim to show our strengths, where the opponent will attack, and what their target is. In the future, it will be important for us to take control of the ball and how we move it, and how we can shake up the opponent. There were also scenes where the players showed their determination and were able to express themselves through their play. Based on the lessons learned from the Kumamoto match, we hope to continue to improve in the future.
[Player Interview]
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Q, Please let us know if there are any challenges that you noticed during the Roasso Kumamoto match.
In the Kumamoto match, there were scenes where we could connect to the goal, but we couldn't finish it. I want to become a player who can firmly take the goal in decisive moments.
Q, Do you feel more confident in your dribbling and one-on-one battles as the game progresses?
A, I'm gradually getting used to the PREMIST speed. In one-on-one situations on the side, I'll be looking at the opponent's defensive numbers and actively trying to make plays. I also want to improve my dribbling and win rate in these situations to get closer to 100 percent.
Q, What are the points of feeling and growth that Tawarazumiya Tada player himself feels as he has played in the game so far?
A, I think it's the visible range and field of view. At first, I was always nervous and could only focus on dribbling. Gradually, I started to see my surroundings and my options for playing, such as choosing through passes, increased.
Q, After the Kumamoto match, how do you want to contribute to the Cerezo Osaka match?
A, I think the quality of the final stage is important. As an individual, I want to contribute to the team with a strong defense and dribbling, and show solid results.
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q, How has the feeling of playing been since Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI took office about 2 months ago?
A, I think we were able to play as a team in response to what was clearly required. In the Roasso Kumamoto match, we conceded a goal early on, giving the opponent an advantage and causing our plan to fall apart. Even when we pressed from the front, we were easily beaten and the opponent was able to break through. However, it is important for us to continue as a team. I still think there is more to come, so I want us to think more about what is required and play accordingly.
Q, how many rules are there for attacking?
A, I think we are very particular about jumping out behind the opponent, and we are also required to have a high quality pass to the open teammate. Whether it's a quick pass to the feet or a pass to the space. Also, in the process of breaking down the side, we want to have many options, whether it's crossing to the far side or making a vertical pass to the center, and we want to further improve the quality of our play.
Q, Please tell us about the role of the attacking midfielder that is expected of player Tsukagawa.
A, I think there are various images of Ryoma WATANABE as a top player, but I believe that my biggest strength is my ability to move and create space for my teammates. I always prioritize plays that help my teammates and value the connection between plays. Even in the scoring opportunity against Kumamoto, the pass I gave to Ryoma WATANABE as the third player created that situation. I want to continue to emphasize the importance of connection.
Q, please tell us what is necessary to improve the attacking power as a team.
A, It is important to quickly go to the goal when taking the ball at a high position, and it seems that many goals have been born from short counters. I think that by putting the first pass not in front but in the back, the play can be accelerated. It is also important to be able to put the first pass after taking it in a difficult place, not just directing all vectors towards the goal, but also to create our own time when we cannot go towards the goal. What is required of us now is the intensity of play. We want to use it well, including controlling the game ourselves, not just going forward.
