<Review of the previous match against Vissel Kobe>
Tokyo, with two consecutive draws since the opening match, faced last season's J1 champions, Vissel Kobe, at Ajinomoto Stadium in pursuit of their first league victory.
In the scoreless second half, the 'captain' who started in the lineup for the first time this season delivers a powerful strike to energize the team.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE cut the ball in midfield and made a solo run down the left side. From his cross, Kuryu MATSUKI's left-footed shot was blocked by an opponent, but from this right corner kick, the long-awaited opening goal was scored.
As Yoshifumi's left-footed kick was contested by Henrique TREVISAN at the near side, the ball rolled toward the far side. While the entire stadium watched the ball's trajectory, number 37, who had timed his run from behind, struck with his right foot.
The ball, kicked with all the might of "Go!", soared towards the goal with a powerful trajectory, carrying the wishes of the blue-red supporters. It deflected off the opponent's foot that tried to block it and pierced through the near side, hitting the back of the net.
The first opening goal scored in the third match of this season. Kei KOIZUMI, who responded to being in the starting lineup, humbly reflected, "It was a play I practiced since camp. I kicked it, but it was a goal scored by the team." There is no doubt that it became a goal that encouraged the team.
In the 12th minute of the second half and the 24th minute of the second half, the team allowed goals and suffered a frustrating comeback loss, but it was also a score that represented what the team had built up solidly as a team in the form of goals.
Match Preview
After two consecutive draws, Tokyo suffered their first defeat of the season in the last match against Vissel Kobe, resulting in three winless games since the start. In Sec. 4 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, they will be looking for their first victory in an away game against Fukuoka.
This week, the team received some good news. On Thursday, Yuto NAGATOMO returned to the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Second Qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers. Furthermore, on Friday, for the final tryout match ahead of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024, Ryotaro ARAKI, along with Kuryu MATSUKI, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, was selected. In a team situation where results have been hard to come by, this was perfect news to change the atmosphere.
Avispa Fukuoka, under the management of Shigetoshi HASEBE, has evolved based on a solid defense and won the club's first title in the J.League YBC Levain Cup last season. This season, they have also achieved an away victory against Yokohama F.Marinos, remaining unbeaten with 1 win and 2 draws so far. Their proud solid defense is still intact, having conceded only 1 goal in 3 league matches.
The key players in the attack are inside half Yuto IWASAKI and Kazuya KONNO, who was with Tokyo until the 2022 season. Both players are involved in most chances, breaking out from counterattacks and drifting to the sides to deliver crosses. There is also a need to be cautious of the height of Wellington, who plays as the lone striker.
Tokyo will be without Henrique TREVISAN due to a suspension from the last match. Since the 2016 season, they have struggled against Fukuoka with 2 draws and 6 losses, but the team's pursuit of their first league victory is not affected by past matchups. I hope the national team players perform well and that the team, inspired by them, unites towards victory.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: Yuto NAGATOMO has been selected for the Japan national team.
A, I think it was a special moment for him as well. In the world of Japanese football, he is a special player. Without neglecting hard work and preparation for matches, he firmly directs his focus not only to the team but also to himself. I believe he deserves to fight as a member of the Japan national team, and the entire club, not just myself, takes pride in his return to the Japan national team. I want to support his performance. He gives the impression of maturing like red wine.
Q: This match is against Avispa Fukuoka.
It requires hard work from the entire team, not just one person. We just need to express the football we are building. I want to organize what we have learned from the matches so far and what we need to improve on, and encourage growth. It is important to focus on ourselves. By fully expressing our own principles and our own football, I believe we can surpass the strengths of our opponents.
Q: What have you focused on this week to achieve your first victory of the season?
It was a week of improving our challenges and enhancing the good aspects. In Fukuoka, we want to have a better match than the previous game against Vissel Kobe. Of course, everyone is hungry for victory. The players, staff, and all the fans and supporters share the same feeling. We want to believe in ourselves and focus on ourselves. By doing so, I believe the result of victory will follow.
I want to create something special with this club. I want to deliver moments that leave an impact on the lives of all the fans, supporters, and everyone who loves Tokyo. The "summit of the mountain" that everyone dreams of cannot be reached in a day. Along the journey, there will be not only good moments but also times that require patience. I believe it is important to embrace various situations and move forward to attain those special moments.
Of course, I want to win every match. We approach each game believing we can win, and we have the confidence to defeat any team. In doing so, I want to build something that will last a lifetime as a team.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q: After finishing the first three matches of the season, do you feel a sense of achievement and have any issues become apparent?
A, we haven't been able to secure wins, so I believe there are various issues rather than just one or two points for improvement. The players must adapt flexibly to the points for improvement that arise in each match. I think it is important to reassess fundamental aspects such as play intensity and not losing in one-on-one situations. I believe that continuously challenging ourselves in both offense and defense will lead to future points.
Q: What did you focus on during this week's practice?
In terms of attack, we organized how to play depending on the opponent's movements during the meeting and worked on it in practice. In defense, I think it is important to determine where to switch on and win the ball against Avispa Fukuoka's attack, as well as not losing when picking up the second ball.
Q: What kind of role do you want to play as a defensive midfielder?
I believe that a defensive midfielder must perform both offensive and defensive duties. It is most important to constantly show oneself and stay involved with the ball during attacks. Additionally, we need to increase the number of challenges, such as making runs into space and actively taking mid-range shots. Since there are many strong players in the front line, I want to focus on providing good distribution. On the defensive side, it is essential to apply high-intensity pressure when pressing, as well as to care for and cover opposing players who make runs. I want to establish a solid challenge and cover relationship and ensure we do not lose out on recovering second balls.
Q: What are your impressions of Fukuoka, and what aspects are you paying attention to?
A, although we have not won against this opponent as a team, I personally do not have a bad impression. As a team, we have not won in the league or the Levain Cup on the away ground last season, so this will be a difficult match away, but we want to secure all three points.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: Up to this point in the matches, it seems that while valuing ball possession, long balls have also been used. How is the overall coordination?
I feel that there is still a lot of room for improvement in the completeness of our differentiation, and it is one of the challenges in our approach to the game. However, I believe there is no mistake in the direction of the team and in how we want to express our style of football. Other players share the same understanding. Although we have not yet achieved results, I personally feel a sense of progress and confidence in building a stronger team by repeatedly engaging in trial and error to lead to victories. I want to refine the finer details and continue to play.
Q: Are you feeling more confident with each match?
We clear the challenges that arise in the matches, and then new challenges emerge in the next match. However, we fully understand that what is required of us is 'results.' Of course, we players prioritize results above all. It is true that we have not been able to achieve victory, and while the process is important, as I mentioned earlier, we are currently focused on pursuing results above all else.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the match against Avispa Fukuoka.
As a team, we want to focus on achieving results, and we are sharing this among the players in our meetings. We have been approaching this week's training with a strong determination to secure the three points at all costs.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: This is the place where your first professional league goal was scored. What kind of impression do you have of it?
A, Avispa Fukuoka gives the impression of being a very tough team. I think it will be a closely contested match, but I believe the team has the fighting spirit and confidence to break through the opponent's solid defense. Last season, their away game winning percentage was very low, and the opening match of this season ended in a draw, but I think it will be important to accumulate points in enemy territory. I want to seize the first victory of this season in Fukuoka away.
Q: What kind of opportunity do you want to gain in this match against Fukuoka, who struggled in last season's encounters?
A. Based on the results so far, each player fully understands that this week's match against Fukuoka will be a very important game. If we can win this match, I believe the team will gain good momentum, and if we can properly express what we have been working on in the match, we have confidence in winning. I think it is important to approach the game with confidence.
Q: Expectations are placed on Kuryu MATSUKI's own scoring.
I have been able to imagine scoring a goal since this week's training, and as my involvement in the attack increases, I want to contribute to the victory with a goal that not only boosts the team but also gives me personal momentum.
