<Last Match Review: Vissel Kobe>
Tokyo, who has drawn two consecutive games since the opening, faced Vissel Kobe, the J1 champion of last season, at Ajinomoto Stadium in pursuit of their first victory in the league.
After a scoreless first half, the "captain" who made his first start of the season gives the team a boost with a single blow.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who intercepted the ball in the midfield, ran down the left side. From Kashif BANGNAGANDE's cross, Kuryu MATSUKI took a left-footed shot that was blocked by an opposing player, but the much-awaited opening goal was born from this right corner kick.
As Kashiho's player kicks with his left foot, Henrique Trevisan competes near the side, and the ball flows to the far side. As the entire stadium watches the ball's trajectory, number 37 runs in from behind and strikes with his right foot.
The ball, kicked with all their might, soared towards the goal with the hopes of the blue and red supporters. It bounced off the opponent's block and broke through the near side, piercing the goal net.
The first goal scored in the third game of the season. Kei KOIZUMI, who responded to being selected as a starter, modestly looked back and said, "I've been practicing this play since camp. I was the one who kicked it, but it was a team goal." However, there is no doubt that it was a goal that encouraged the team.
The match ended in a disappointing comeback loss after conceding goals in the 12th and 24th minutes of the second half, but it was also a goal that represented the solid progress the team has made.
<Match Preview>
After two consecutive draws, Tokyo suffered their first loss of the season against Vissel Kobe in the previous match, resulting in three winless games since the opening. In the 4th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, they will face an away game against Fukuoka, hoping to secure their first victory.
This week, the team received some good news. On Thursday, Yuto Nagatomo, a player for SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) who will compete in the FIFA World Cup 26 Asia 2nd Qualifiers and AFC Asia Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers, returned to the team. Additionally, on Friday, Ryotaro Araki, who has scored 3 goals since the start of the season, was selected for the final tryout match for the AFC U23 Asia Cup 2024, along with Kuryu Matsuki, Taishi Brandon Nozawa, and Kashif Bangnagande. This was a great news to improve the team's atmosphere, as they have been struggling to produce results.
Avispa Fukuoka, under the leadership of manager Shigetoshi HASEBE, has evolved based on a strong defense and won their first title in the J.League YBC Levain Cup last season. This season, they have remained undefeated with 1 win and 2 draws, including an away victory against Yokohama F.Marinos. Their renowned strong defense has only conceded 1 goal in 3 league matches.
The center of attack is led by inside half Yuto IWASAKI, and Kazuya KONNO, who was with Tokyo until the 2022 season. Both players are involved in the majority of chances, such as breaking out from counters and crossing from the side. It is also necessary to be wary of the height of Wellington, who plays as the top striker.
Tokyo's Henrique TREVISAN, who was suspended in the previous match, will not be able to play. Although they have struggled with 2 draws and 6 losses against Fukuoka since the 2016 season, the team is not concerned about compatibility as they aim for their first victory in the league. We hope to see the national team members perform well and inspire the team to come together and strive for victory.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, Yuto NAGATOMO has been selected for the Japan national team.
A, I think it was a very special moment for him. In the Japanese football world, he is a special player. He never neglects the hard work and preparation for games, and he always focuses on both the team and himself. I think he deserves to be a player who fights for the Japan national team, and not just me, but the entire club is proud of his return to the Japan national team. I want to support his success. He gives the impression of maturing like a red wine.
Q, this round we will be playing against Avispa Fukuoka.
A, It is not just one person, but the hard work of the entire team that is required. We are just expressing the football that we are building. We want to organize what we have learned and what we need to improve in the game so that we can continue to grow. It is important to focus on ourselves. By expressing our own rules and playing our football to the fullest, I believe we can surpass the strengths of our opponents.
Q, What did you focus on this week in order to achieve your first victory of the season?
It was a week of improving challenges and extending good parts. We want to have a better game in Fukuoka than the previous match against Vissel Kobe. Of course, everyone is hungry for victory. The players, staff, and fans and supporters all have the same feeling. We want to believe in ourselves and focus on ourselves. By doing so, I think the result of victory will come.
I want to create something special with this club. I want to deliver moments that will leave an impact on the lives of fans and supporters who love Tokyo. The "peak of the mountain" that everyone dreams of cannot be reached in one day. Along the journey, there will be not only good moments, but also times when we must endure. In order to obtain special moments, I believe it is important to accept various situations and move forward.
Of course, we want to win every game. We believe that we will win and we have confidence in defeating any team. In doing so, we want to build something that will last a lifetime as a team.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q: After finishing the first three games of the season, do you feel any sense of accomplishment or have any visible challenges?
A, I think there are various challenges rather than just one or two improvement points because we haven't been able to win. Players need to be flexible in responding to improvement points that come up in each game. I think it's important to review the fundamentals such as playing intensity and not losing in one-on-one situations. I believe that challenging in both attack and defense will lead to 3 points in the future.
Q: What did you focus on during this week's practice?
At the attacking stage, we organized how to play against the opponent's movements in meetings and practiced accordingly. On the defensive side, it is important to know where to switch and take the ball from Avispa Fukuoka's attacks, as well as not losing out on second balls.
Q, What role do you want to play as a defensive midfielder?
A, I think the midfielder needs to do both attacking and defending. In attack, it is most important to always show your face and continue to be involved with the ball. It is also necessary to increase the number of challenges, such as making runs into space and taking more shots from distance. As there are many strong players in the front line, we want to be conscious of making good passes. In defense, it is important to apply strong pressure when pressing, and to take care of and cover for opponents who make runs. We want to create a strong relationship between challenging and covering, and not lose out on second balls.
Q: What is your impression of Fukuoka and what are you paying attention to?
As a team, we have not been able to beat them, but personally, I do not have a bad impression. As a team, we were unable to win both the league and Levain Cup matches last season at away games, so this will be a difficult match at away, but we want to secure all 3 points.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, In the previous games, it seemed that you valued ball possession while also utilizing long balls. How would you evaluate the overall teamwork?
A, I still feel that there are many areas that need improvement in terms of how to use PREMIST, and it is one of the challenges in our battle. However, I believe that there is no mistake in the direction of the team and what kind of soccer we want to express. Other players have the same recognition. Although the results have not come yet, I feel the sense of accomplishment and confidence as an individual by repeating trial and error and leading to victory, and I want to play by focusing on the details.
Q, Do you feel more confident as you play more games?
A, It is a cycle where we clear the challenges that arise in the game and new challenges are born in the next game. However, we also understand that what is required of us is "results". Of course, as players, we are also seeking results first and foremost. It is a fact that we have not been able to produce the result of victory, and while the process is important, as I mentioned earlier, we are currently pursuing results first and foremost.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming Avispa Fukuoka match.
A, as a team, we want to focus on results and play with determination. We also share this strong determination among players during meetings. We were determined to get 3 points in this week's training.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, What is your impression of the place where the first goal of the league was born?
A, Avispa Fukuoka is a very tough team. I think it will be a close game, but the team has the ability to break through the opponent's strong defense and has confidence. Last season, the away game win rate was very low, and the opening game of this season ended in a draw. I think it is important to accumulate points in enemy territory. I want to grab the first victory of this season in Fukuoka, the away team's home ground.
Q: What kind of opportunity do you want to gain in this match against Fukuoka, who you struggled against last season?
A, Even considering the previous results, each player understands that the Fukuoka match in this round will be a very important game. If we can win this match, I think the team will be on a good wave and if we can express what we have been doing in the game, we have confidence in winning. I think it is important to approach the game with confidence.
Q, Kuryu MATSUKI is also expected to score goals.
A, I have been able to create an image of scoring a goal from this week's training, and I want to contribute to the team's victory with a goal that will give me momentum as an individual, as my involvement in the attack has increased.
