<Last Match Review: Kyoto Sanga F.C.>
Inspire the team, sometimes demand from teammates without hesitation, and run to support teammates with all your might.
Given the new role of an anchor, I will absorb what is required and adapt immediately, utilizing my own abilities. The gritty defense that does not shy away from physicality has also brought a new image to Tokyo's "10".
In recent seasons, there may have been more roles that are closer to being a supporting player. Of course, he has also demonstrated his technique in building attacks, but he also appears to be leading the team with his toughness and fighting spirit in battles for the ball.
After Peter Cklamovski became the coach, the position of play has become one row higher, and the opportunity to be used as a top midfielder has increased. If that happens, it is the true essence of Keigo Higashi's role to fulfill the role required within that.
"I focused on moving to positions that are difficult for the opponent to catch, acting as a linkman in the attack, and entering the box."
As he is asked to play a more attacking role, he showed his conscious work and set up Ryoma WATANABE's goal with a deceiving pass, after entering the goal area with an exquisite position. And for the second goal, he avoided the crowd and took a position on the near side in the flow of a set play, scoring a powerful volley to secure his first goal in the league in 1624 days.
The role demanded of "10" is diverse, but there are not many who have been asked to play such a wide role and have responded to it while struggling. It was a midsummer night's victory that showed what the "10" of blue and red is like.
<Match Preview>
Both teams will be without their key players due to suspension. Tokyo will be missing Henrique TREVISAN, while Yokohama F.Marinos will be without Elber on the pitch.
In particular, Elber has earned a penalty kick that became the winning goal in the previous match against Gamba Osaka, and there is no doubt that he is a key player in Yokohama FM's attack. It will be interesting to see how Kevin MUSCAT, the coach, will line up the front line.
On the other hand, in Tokyo, all eyes are on who coach Peter Cklamovski will choose to replace Henrique and how they will set up their defense to stop Yokohama FM's strong attacking lineup.
For coach Klamovski, it will be a match against his former team, where he started his career in Japan. As the right-hand man of Ange Postecoglou (current Tottenham Hotspur coach), he came to Japan and contributed to the league title in the 2019 season by winning against Tokyo. The attacking style that he instilled in Yokohama FM has taken root in the club, and coach Muscat has also inherited the same approach to create an attacking team.
In Tokyo, we are steadily working towards the penetration of the attacking soccer that we envision, and it will be a great opportunity to clash with a club that retains its essence. In the first half of the season, we suffered a very frustrating defeat as we allowed a comeback after briefly taking the lead. In this round, we want to repay that debt at Nissan Stadium.
Another point to note is Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who will also face his former team. In the previous match, he returned from injury and made a substitute appearance, showing an upward trend in his condition and performance. This will be his first time playing at his former home stadium, Nissan Stadium, as a member of the away team. We hope to see the full potential of "Blue and Red Teru" on display.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, The previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. saw a first goal born from good teamwork.
A, Many players were involved in our team's performance, including what we are trying to create and achieve in our attacking style. When analyzing the team's performance, these aspects are clearly visible. Our aim to exploit the space behind the opponent's defense when we have possession of the ball seemed to be a threat, as Kyoto appeared to be wary of it. We were able to create good opportunities, including the goal-scoring scene. I believe we were able to showcase what we have been doing and building, but there are still challenges for us as a team.
Q, Do you want to attack Yokohama F.Marinos with the same intention in this round?
A, yes. I think all teams know what we are capable of. I think Kyoto was the same. This time, we will understand where we can create space and go for the opponent's back to score. I think the opponent will also try to do the same, but that will make it a good fight for us. We want to show a game where the fans and supporters of both clubs will not be able to sit down.
Q, Please tell us your impression of Yokohama FM, last season's champion.
A, it is a club where I spent special moments with special people. However, when it comes to the game, we will focus on what Tokyo needs to do and take 3 points for the club and for the fans and supporters. For us, it will be a really big challenge. They were the champions last season and their strength is evident in their results this season. We just have to do our best.
Q This week's Yokohama FM match, next week will be a match against Vissel Kobe and a consecutive match against the top teams. What is the position of Coach Klomovski?
A. First of all, it is important to focus on each game in front of us. However, I think both games will be a big challenge. It is a good opportunity to see how we can challenge against two high-quality teams. But we must not look too far ahead, and first we want to prepare for the Yokohama FM game and perform well. That is an important factor in achieving good results.
[Player Interview]
Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Q, This is a match at Nissan Stadium. You must have a good impression of it, right?
A, I am looking forward to the match because it is a familiar pitch and I have a good impression. I can't say anything about the image of playing against Yokohama F.Marinos or fighting at Nissan Stadium as a member of Tokyo, but I want to use the passion of Yokohama FM fans and supporters and the atmosphere of the venue as my strength, and above all, I want to win.
Q, I was a substitute in the previous match, but it was my first official game appearance in a while.
A, I played for about 30 minutes, but I was able to enter the game in a good shape and my physical condition and state are gradually improving.
Q, What kind of play are you focusing on?
First of all, I want to focus on playing with a sense of speed and be conscious of the team's discipline in defense. I think some degree of freedom is necessary when attacking, and I want to increase the ball possession rate when pushing the opponent.
Q, it's a match against my former team. What are you looking forward to?
A, I'm really looking forward to the match. It's important for us to see how we can hold back Yokohama FM, who have a strong attacking force, and how we can score more points than them and win the game, as we have had many games with no goals conceded.
Q, it was a frustrating defeat when we played in the first half of the league.
A, I am most frustrated that we were reversed and we wanted to win 1 point even in a numerical disadvantage. In order to clear that frustration, it is most important to go to Nissan Stadium and get 3 points. I also have the responsibility and I think it is the same for the team. I want to play with a sense of responsibility that we cannot lose to the same opponent twice.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
In the first half of the league, there were also 2 goals from Diego OLIVEIRA in the Yokohama F.Marinos match.
Unfortunately, we had a very disappointing result in the first half of the league. In that game, we conceded a goal early on and even though we were able to turn the game around, we had a player sent off and it ended up being a frustrating match. Tomorrow's game will be a difficult and tough one for both teams. Away games are always challenging, but in our previous match against Cerezo Osaka, we were able to get a result despite a tough game. We want to make sure to get a good result in the next match as well.
Q, Please tell us the key points that will be important to take revenge.
A, As I mentioned earlier, the first half of the league was a disappointing result. However, we just have to forget about the past games and focus on tomorrow's match. The opponent's team seems to be in a very good condition, but we are also in a good momentum. We want to enter the game with high concentration and strong determination.
Q, I think tomorrow's victory will be important for us to improve as a team.
A, Looking back from the start of this season, I don't think we had a bad start. However, there was a period where we couldn't win and we went through a tough and difficult time. During that time, new players joined during the league break and are fighting for the team. We understand that we are currently in a tough situation and we want to win the remaining games.
Q, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who will face his former team, has also returned. In the first half of the league, goals were also created from the combination with NAKAGAWA, so I think he is also expected in the Yokohama FM match.
Player Nakagawa is an extremely important player for us and we cannot do without him. He brings new energy to the team. We hope that Nakagawa, who will face his former team, will perform well and lead us to victory.