<Review of the previous match against Cerezo Osaka>
Two "firsts" brought victory in blue and red to Osaka.
The league match resumed after about half a month of interruption, and it was an away game where we have only one win this season. Furthermore, we faced Cerezo Osaka, who have already played three matches including the Levain Cup, with one draw and two losses, and have not achieved a victory.
Right after the match started, the first "first" changed the course of the game. In the 8th minute of the first half, after earning a free kick, Yuto NAGATOMO, who assessed the situation on the pitch, quickly started the play by sending the ball deep into the opponent's territory. Diego OLIVEIRA responded by receiving the ball in the penalty area, but lost it after being challenged by an opposing defender. However, Kuryu MATSUKI, who came in to support, picked up the loose ball and struck a shot at an angle across the goal to score the opening goal.
This is Matsuki's first goal in the league this season. After being involved in many scoring opportunities and coming close several times, Matsuki has finally scored, and the team has gained momentum.
It seemed like...
After that, when Diego TABA was substituted in the first half, Kei KOIZUMI was also substituted early in the second half due to an incident. As Cerezo Osaka, trailing in their home game, increased their pressure, the two key players in the center line of the team were substituted, and Tokyo took time to regain their composure.
During that time, Cerezo Osaka repeatedly attacked from the sides, leading to scenes where cross balls were met in front of the goal.
The second "first" that locked the goal for Tokyo was Taishi Brandon NOZAWA. In the match that marked his first appearance in the J1 League, he remained calm and composed even during pressured moments. When it was time to step forward, he rushed out to clear the ball from the penalty area, and when he needed to hold his position, he showcased sharp reactions and footwork to block shots on the ball side.
Additionally, after receiving the ball, he played an important role as a starting point for the build-up by varying the pace during the restart.
The two players from the Paris Olympic generation that Tokyo is proud of achieved their 'first' in Osaka, bringing 3 points to Tokyo.
Match Preview
In the first match of the J1 League restart, the away game against Cerezo Osaka saw Kuryu MATSUKI score his first goal of the season in league play, leading to a 1-0 victory. The key player in the win, Matsuki, expressed relief, saying, "I'm glad we were able to secure 3 points" after achieving victory for the first time in four official matches. However, he also reflected, stating, "Controlling the game is a very necessary job for a defensive midfielder. I believe it was the responsibility of the defensive midfielders that the game turned into a kicking contest." Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI also expressed his expectations for Matsuki's growth, saying, "I am inspired by his mental strength and dedication. There are still many things he can refine to become the player he dreams of being."
This match will see us welcome Kyoto SANGA F.C. to Ajinomoto in pursuit of consecutive victories. Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined from Kyoto this summer, stated before facing his former club, "Knowing the opponent and being known by them makes it difficult," while vowing, "I absolutely do not want to lose this game. I want to go all out." To surpass Kyoto, who excel in intensity and hard work, it is crucial not to lose our fighting spirit. Tokyo will go for the win head-on.
The matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
What kind of feedback do you have regarding the accuracy of the Q build-up?
A, I always want to build up and improve. There is more growth possible, and more we can do. While developing our way of fighting, we need to broaden our play style, and under pressure and in situations with no space, the players must make quick decisions on the pitch. If we can achieve that, I believe we will be able to effectively utilize the spaces we want to use in the matches.
Q: Please tell us about the competition among the goalkeepers, starting with Taishi Brandon NOZAWA.
I believe that Daishi Nozawa's performance in the match against Cerezo Osaka is the result of the daily training that the goalkeeper group has been building up. It is proof that everyone is striving to bring out their best performance every day.
Q: Please tell us again about Daishi Nozawa's strengths and qualities.
A wonderful goalkeeper with talent and potential. He possesses calmness when in possession of the ball and the ability to perform under pressure, making good decisions. He also has high skills in shot-stopping and dealing with crosses. He is a player with a lot of potential.
Q: Please tell us the elements and roles that Coach Klamovski expects from the goalkeeper.
A, it is important to be able to clearly communicate your demands within your playing area. This applies to both offense and defense. It is crucial to convey to other players what needs to be done and to demand that they are able to execute it. The goalkeeper is one of the 11 positions. It is not different from any other. I expect to see leadership and unique qualities there, contributing to a performance that leads to the team's victory.
How is Riki HARAKAWA, who joined on a loan transfer, doing?
We are playing while learning the team's rules, and I hope they can show that performance in the game. I believe they are preparing well to contribute to the team.
Q: This week's match against SANGA S will be the first home game after the break.
We will seize victory for our fans and supporters. We want to take 3 points for the club and show our growth as a team with high performance. I believe Kyoto will come at us aggressively, but we are also prepared to fight aggressively. Kyoto is a good team and they will challenge us in various situations, so I think many challenges will arise. Even in such situations, we want to find solutions ourselves, not rely on one person, and give everything as a team to win.
[Player Interview]
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: It has been exactly one month since I transferred from Kyoto SANGA F.C. to Tokyo. Have you gotten used to the new environment?
A, it was difficult to transfer during the season, and I struggled at first. There are many kind players in Tokyo, and thanks to the good atmosphere they created, I gradually got used to the environment. Tokyo is my sixth team in my career, but since I am originally shy, I still don't know the trick to fitting in with a new team (laughs).
Q: In the Emperor's Cup match against Roasso Kumamoto and the recent match against Cerezo Osaka, you played in two games. How do you feel about your performance on the pitch?
To be honest, if I were to say whether I can show 100 percent of my strengths, I would say I haven't fully done that. I believe I can show even better qualities from now on. My personal strengths are my sprinting ability and my one-on-one play on both offense and defense. I want you to pay the most attention to how I get involved in the attack with my sprints and deliver crosses after shaking off my opponents.
Q: What kind of play is expected from you by Coach Klamovski?
A, high-intensity play requires sprints both forward and backward in defense and offense. I believe I can showcase my strengths there, but I want to refine aspects like playing inside as a side back, which I haven't experienced before, through training. I think my positioning can improve significantly. I want to actively engage in attacking plays, but there are defensive rules to follow, so I want to manage risks properly and grow in both offense and defense.
Q: There are side backs like Yuto NAGATOMO and Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
A, the full-backs in Tokyo each have their own strengths and characteristics, and there are high-quality players. I personally have little experience as a full-back, so there is much for me to learn. I believe I have come to a good environment to grow as a full-back.
Q: This match is against my former club, Kyoto. Please share your enthusiasm with the fans and supporters.
A, when facing my former team, I can't help but be conscious of it, and it’s a complex mix of difficulty and enjoyment. Kyoto definitely has a style of pressing from the front, so I want to effectively take advantage of the space behind them to break down their defense. If I can successfully evade their press, it will lead to opportunities to break them down from there, so I want to play with that in mind. Not just in this match against Kyoto, but moving forward, I want to maximize my strengths and contribute to the team. Please support Kosuke SHIRAI.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: You played as a starter in the last match against Cerezo Osaka. Please reflect on the game.
A, Kuryu MATSUKI scored the opening goal at a good time. Although the opponent created many scoring opportunities, I think it was good that we finished without conceding any goals and were able to bring home 3 points.
Q: In the second half of the match against Cerezo Osaka, there was a longer period of being pressured. How did you feel about the factors contributing to that on the pitch?
I think there were various factors, but after scoring, we became too defensive. I believe we could have played a more attacking style of football.
Q, please tell us if there are any commitments or things that you, player Higashi, are conscious of when playing in the midfield position.
There are no major promises, but I am conscious of switching between offense and defense as a base, as well as activating defensive plays. In the position just behind the forwards, the play of chasing the opponent's ball holder from the front inevitably increases, so I think it has become one of my roles.
Q: Before the league suspension, in the match against Urawa Reds and the recent match against Cerezo Osaka, I felt that player Higashi's defensive contributions were very high.
In the early part of the season, I often had the opportunity to play in a deeper midfield position. Even as a forward, modern football requires contributions to defense, and when I was playing as an anchor, I envisioned how to apply pressure on the opponent to help the players behind me. I believe there is still much more I can do.
Q: Does your experience playing as an anchor since last season contribute to your current performance?
A, there were many instances where I played in a deeper midfield position since last season. I believe there were sensations that could only be experienced in that position.
Q: We are about to face Kyoto SANGA F.C., what are your impressions of the opponent?
We have 2 wins and 1 loss in official matches, including the Levain Cup, so the impression is not that bad. It's a team where everyone works hard and fights, and in the away matches of the first half of the league, we lost without being able to surpass our opponents. I want to firmly surpass Kyoto in the foundational aspects.
