Review of the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
On October 1st, in the Sec. 29 match against Gamba Osaka, he scored his 14th goal, matching his career high, and it seemed only a matter of time before he would break the record.
However, it has been three matches since we moved away from the goal. During that time, the team has also been distant from victory, and we have keenly felt how significant our presence and contributions are to Tokyo.
That is why the joy of scoring a career-high goal in the final home game of the 2023 season was particularly special.
In the 41st minute of the first half, with a flowing combination and passing work that included the movement of the third player from the point of stealing the opponent's ball, they managed to penetrate directly in front of Sapporo's goal.
Applying high pressure from the front, when the opponent inadvertently sent a feed to the front line to escape, Masato MORISHIGE chose to pass with a header instead of clearing the ball. Riki HARAKAWA, who received the pass, turned and carried the ball towards the goal, supplying a through pass to Adailton, who ran into the penalty area.
Adailton, who had Diego OLIVEIRA's support in sight, made a movement to draw the marking defender while dropping the ball towards Diego. Facing the goal, Diego executed a precise controlled shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
When a sniper places their target in front of them, there is no way to miss. As they watch the follow-through of their left foot, they stand up with confidence in the goal, clenching their fists, and at the moment the ball flows into the net, the blue and red stands erupt, with countless fists raised in triumph.
In the final match, we hope to see even more fists raised.
Match Preview
We have reached the match that concludes the 2023 season.
The 2022 season was a season that was eagerly awaited, as the club aimed for the league championship while competing for a spot in the AFC Champions League until the final stages. However, once the season began, they struggled to consistently accumulate points in the first half, leading to a coaching change before the midway point of the season.
In order to maintain the ball possession philosophy that was advocated during the time of former coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI attempted to instill intensity in the team through high pressing from the front and short counterattacks.
There were matches where the results showed, but there were also frustrating matches where the entire team's gears didn't quite mesh.
Although we are approaching the end of the season far from the position Tokyo aimed for, in this match, we want to fight not to reflect on the season, but to leave something hopeful on the pitch for the 2024 season, focusing on where the team is headed.
In the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we strengthened our attacking posture in the first half and took control of the game, but fell apart in the second half. Although it is an away game, we want to maximize the strengths of Peter AUGAR and end the season with a victory.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: How does Coach Klamovski feel about the length of time during the half season since his appointment?
It is neither too short nor too long, just about halfway. As we approach the final league match this weekend, I have various emotions within me. As a team, we are facing challenges in the process of building a strong foundation, but I have felt frustrated in the last few matches. In the 16 league matches since my appointment, I have always encouraged the team's development, but I believe there is still much to be done in terms of accumulation and foundation building. In the final match against Shonan Bellmare, we will perform well and aim to secure 3 points.
Q: Please tell us what you have been focusing on and working towards for this week's Shonan match.
I have a lot of respect for Shonan's style of play, and I think they are a wonderful team. They were in a relegation battle until the last match, but I understand how hard they have worked as a team in that difficult situation. For the full 95 minutes, including stoppage time, we want to fight strongly, face our opponents, and especially show our superiority in physical battles. We know how to create chances by breaking down the opponent's solid defense, so we want to make sure we score during the periods when we have control of the attack.
Q: What kind of performance do you want to show as a conclusion to this season?
I want to focus on our fighting spirit, scoring goals, and finishing the match without conceding. It's an away game, but we will of course approach it aggressively. The opponent is expected to come with an aggressive style as well, but I expect our players to work harder than them. We need to pay attention to Shonan's counterattacks and increase our play towards the goal with bravery and confidence, without succumbing to the pressure from their frontline. By increasing the time we hold the ball, I believe we will also increase the space available to us.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q: What kind of motivation do you have for the final match of the season against Shonan Bellmare?
A: The most important thing for us as a team is to seize victory. I am very excited about how we can express our strong desire for victory through our play and what contributions I can make. I believe that results are also expected of me personally, and I want to make this match one that brings joy and smiles to everyone involved with the team, allowing us to conclude this season on a high note.
Q: Given the data showing a poor win rate in away games this season, what kind of game strategy is required against Shonan?
A, Shonan's playing style, especially in defense, actively applies pressure from the front and gives the impression of a man-to-man approach to win the ball depending on the situation. However, I want to launch attacks that effectively exploit the space behind created by the opponent's forward pressure. Not only focusing on the attacks from behind, but also considering the characteristics of the speedy players on both sides, I want to build attacks that utilize their strengths. I believe it would be great if we can play a style of soccer typical of Tokyo, where we defend well and launch quick attacks.
Q, as an indispensable player in the midfield, has this season become fruitful with many appearances in matches and being selected for the activities of the Japan national team across various age groups?
A, to summarize briefly, I think this season has been a very difficult year. In the midst of that, we were able to gain experience playing matches in various countries through representative activities at different age levels. I believe there were challenges in adapting to changes in the playing environment, joining the club amidst long-distance travel and time differences, participating in official matches, and focusing on achieving results while playing.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match with the fans and supporters who continue to support you unwaveringly.
I believe that fans and supporters are also seeking victory above all else. We want to approach the match with 120 percent of our strength for that victory. Throughout the season, the unwavering passionate support has pushed us forward, and we want to show a performance that lives up to that sentiment. I have heard that many fans and supporters will come to Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka, and I think we have a wonderful stage set. We want to deliver victory.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: This week's match against Shonan Bellmare will be the final match of the league.
A, as the final match of the league this season, neither Tokyo nor Shonan has anything significant at stake, but we all want to win this last game to wrap up the season and finish on a positive note. Throughout this season, many fans and supporters have backed us, and to respond to your cheers and support, we want to make it an enjoyable match to watch. While it is certainly important to express plays on the pitch that connect to next season as a team, first and foremost, we want to seize victory with exciting plays against Shonan right in front of us.
Q: What specific points do you want to demonstrate in the final match?
A, after this match, all league matches for this season will be over, and there will be a period without games. There is honestly a concern that the things we have built up as a team and our game sense, which have been developed since Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over mid-season, will be lost with the end of the season. However, we want to focus on the Shonan match first and show that we have grown as a team and as individuals. This season, there is data showing that our away win rate is very low, but we really want to win. This is our sole intention.
Q: What kind of play do you want to show as a player, Nozawa?
A, as I mentioned earlier, I really want to win. We have been far from victory in the last few matches, and I am only seeking victory. I am focusing on expressing what I learned from the defeat against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on the pitch. As a goalkeeper in Tokyo, I want to show the fans and supporters, 'This is what I can do,' and I want to show the same to the players and staff. I want to display plays that make them want to expect more. While it is important to continue challenging, I also want to show calmness and accurate judgment to play according to the situation.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: I think there were difficulties coming on as a substitute in the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo when we were in a behind situation.
A, I had a strong desire to be aggressive from the front in defense, but there were moments when the connection between the front and back was not working. While playing the match, I feel the difficulty of thinking about how to improve, why such phenomena occur, and how to shift gears, while searching for the causes. I was most frustrated that we couldn't win at home against Sapporo, and I have a strong desire to change our competitiveness, but since the match against Shonan is the last game of the season, I want to show a fight that connects to next season in some way. I believe it is necessary to clarify the issues and move on to the next stage.
Q: I felt various emotions in Masato MORISHIGE's words during the final match ceremony. How did player Higashi, who has played alongside Masato for a long time, feel about it?
A, I completely agree. In such situations, there are people with different thoughts and opinions who express their feelings in words, and there is a possibility of various opinions, both for and against. I believe that player Morishige spoke responsibly for the team. Having been in Tokyo for a long time, I especially feel this strongly this season.
Q: The match against Shonan Bellmare this round will be the final match of the season.
It is a difficult situation for the team, but still, we have supporters, including our fans, who cheer for us, so we must show our professionalism. I believe that is what it comes down to.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: With Yuto NAGATOMO's suspension, I believe there are more opportunities for starting appearances.
A, I see this match as a summary of the season. After transferring to Tokyo in the summer, I have encountered new discoveries and challenges, and I am daily striving to overcome those challenges. I believe that I am gradually improving while facing my own issues each day. If I have the opportunity to play, I want to firmly showcase the results and culmination of my efforts through my performance.
Q: What specific aspects does that "wall" represent?
A, until now I was a player who was utilized. After joining Tokyo, I have increased the number of times and awareness of playing as a full-back to bring out my strengths and support the players around me. I believe I am becoming better by focusing on that and communicating with coaches and teammates.
Q: This week's opponent is Shonan Bellmare, a match that deserves to showcase a "culmination" as they start their professional careers.
I am grateful for the opportunity to start my career as a professional soccer player in Shonan, and I hope to repay that by expressing good play on the pitch. If I get the chance to play, I want to fully showcase my strengths and express what I have learned since joining Tokyo through my performance. Additionally, I want to contribute to victory in terms of results.
