<Previous Match Review: Kawasaki Frontale>
0-3. The Tama River Clasico, which aimed for a decisive victory, ended in such a bitter result.
Tokyo started with the same 11 players as the previous match. In the early stages, they pushed the ball into the opponent's half and took control with aggressive pressing from the front line. However, they conceded the first goal in the 34th minute of the first half.
From there, the flow went to Kawasaki Frontale. Despite trying to eliminate the strengths of Tokyo's players such as Ryotaro ARAKI and Kuryu MATSUKI with vertical passes, they were unable to create attacking opportunities against their opponents. In the second half, they ended up losing the game after conceding two goals following the red card of Go HATANO.
There was a player who approached such a game with double the passion. Takahiro KO, who won his first start of the season in the Avispa Fukuoka match and became the team's lubricant as a defensive midfielder, continued to start in the next game. For him, it was also a match against his "former club" where he spent his time from U-12 to U-15 generations.
A stadium that I have been familiar with since childhood. Before the game, he said, "I used to go watch the Tama River Clasico back then. As a Tokyo player, I wanted to stand on that stage and fight." There must have been something special in his heart.
Player Takahashi, who had been eagerly waiting for his turn in the big game, repeatedly demanded the ball with precise movements and big gestures, trying to become the starting point of the attack from the back line in the midfield.
Kawasaki thoroughly studied the Fukuoka game, and although they were unable to fully demonstrate their strengths against tough marking, the player is taking the revealed challenges as a positive and looking firmly ahead.
"Personally, I think it's better for the opponent to come and press me like that. At halftime, I also told them, 'I want you to watch me a little more.' I want the team as a whole to have more positioning and speed in decision-making when facing opponents who come to press."
The ball has started to naturally gather around him. However, with his wide field of vision and high passing sense, he should be able to charm the stadium even more. Continual challenges will undoubtedly increase the variety of ways he receives and delivers passes, with him as the starting point.
To improve oneself and bring victory to the team──. This frustration will make him and Tokyo even stronger.
<Match Preview>
Kawasaki Frontale suffered a 0-3 defeat in the "Tama River Clasico" and missed their first consecutive win of the season. The attacking unit, who had been scoring continuously this season, were unable to break through the opponent's tight defense and fell behind. Manager Peter Cklamovski expressed his frustration, saying, "Everyone feels the pain of not getting results. We want to overcome this pain and become stronger."
Ryotaro ARAKI, who has scored 4 goals since the opening and led the attack, said, "I couldn't figure out what to do against the opponent who had prepared for us. (Kuryu) MATSUKI and I didn't receive enough balls and we couldn't create good attacks." To overcome the "Tokyo strategy" of the opponent, we need to come up with a better way to fight. In order to mature the team's style, we have a clear challenge that we cannot avoid.
From this round, we will have consecutive matches against Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers at the Japan National Stadium with only 3 days in between. Tokyo has a good record at the renovated National Stadium, so we hope to gain momentum in these two matches. Of course, in order to overcome this tough schedule, the team's overall strength will be tested, including the substitute members. We hope to see new players bring a fresh breeze and show the evolved Tokyo football.
This week's matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, here comes the 2-game series at the Japan National Stadium.
A, it feels like we have made good preparations since practice. The members who played in the Kawasaki Frontale match are using their recovery time, and we will continue to select the members while checking their physical and condition aspects.
Q, What is your impression of Urawa Reds when you play against them in a pre-season match?
We also play against each other in practice matches, and we understand the opponent's basic play style by analyzing it carefully. It is important to see how we can implement our own way of playing against Urawa. And we want to make it a game where we can score many goals.
Q, What did you share at the meeting for the Urawa game?
We mainly looked back on the Kawasaki game and gave feedback to the team, and talked about improving our team performance in order to become even better. As for the Kawasaki game, we wanted to express plays that would be more of a threat to the opponent in the attacking phase..We were able to create good opportunities, but in the Urawa game, we want to create more threats to the opponent with plays that lead to goals.On the attacking side, we want to be sharper overall. We want to improve for the Urawa game.
Q, how is the defense?
There are several points that need to be corrected, but there were also difficult times for the team during the Kawasaki match when they played with 10 players. We want to utilize the defensive foundation that we have built as a team and encourage it to be reflected in our performance.
[Player Interview]
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
Q, The Tama River Clasico against Kawasaki Frontale ended in a disappointing result.
In the league matches, I have been away from the starting lineup, but regardless of my situation, it is really frustrating that we are not winning. We did defeat Avispa Fukuoka and there was a good feeling within the team, and even in the Kawasaki match, we had some chances despite being behind 0-1 before the red card. I want to contribute to a victory in order to break through the situation where we have only won one match since the opening.
Q, There is a very high possibility that Nozawa will defend the goal in this match. How do you feel about your current image and the upcoming game, and how do you plan to prepare for the activities of the U-23 Japan national team afterwards?
First and foremost, it is important to be selected as a member of the Japan national team for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 and to secure a spot in the Olympics. However, as a player for Tokyo, there are important matches ahead that we must fight for. Our first priority is to win. That determination is strong. If I have the chance to play in the upcoming matches against Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers on Sunday, I want to contribute to the team's victory. By fighting for the team, I believe it will lead to something greater. This has been my mindset in previous matches, whether I start on the bench or not - it is all for the sake of victory.
Q, especially during the Fukuoka match, the voice and behavior of player Nozawa that can be heard from the bench, as well as his expression after the game, were impressive as they were closely linked to what he had just said.
A, I am preparing for the game by organizing myself in various ways. Each player has their own way of contributing to the team, but for me personally, even if I cannot play in the game as I mentioned earlier, I always try to keep the team's victory in mind and act accordingly. In that process, when I have the chance to play, I simply express those feelings through my play.
Q, I think there were a lot of things to absorb in a short period of time, such as being selected for the Japan national team and the activities of the U-23 Japan national team. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming national team matches as you join the Tokyo activities again and have time to organize.
During the AFC Asian Cup, which I attended as a member of the Japan national team, I was unable to play due to poor condition. Even after joining the Tokyo team, I was unable to participate in official matches. However, in the past few months, I have been able to learn and gain a lot of experience. I have experienced both good and difficult times. Because I was able to play in many matches last season, I now have a strong desire and eagerness to contribute to the team by playing in matches. Although there were some things that felt dull due to being away from playing, I have been able to regain my senses in the recent matches against Mali and Kawasaki. I cannot afford to spend too much time adjusting, and the two consecutive matches at the National Stadium are just around the corner. I want to step onto the pitch with confidence without wasting any time.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q, this season you have scored 4 goals in the league from the opening, and also showed your presence in the U-23 national team for the first time in 2 years. How do you analyze your good form?
A, I don't think I'm doing anything special, but I think it's the accumulation of what I've been doing so far. I think that the results are showing because I have continued to work on it. I was invited to participate in the activities of the U-23 Japan national team after a long time, and I think I was able to demonstrate my own play firmly in the match against Ukraine. I couldn't get results, but I feel that I was able to bring the ball to the point of shooting positively. It was a short period of time for national team activities, but I think I was able to show my presence.
Q, Joined Tokyo on a temporary transfer from Kashima Antlers, please tell us about your goals and themes for this season.
A, My goal is to achieve double digits in goals and assists combined. As for what I am challenging myself with and my theme, I am conscious of not only scoring goals and assists on the attacking side, but also being the starting point of the attack. Especially this season, I am focusing on the quality of my play in that area. There have been times when I couldn't play in games, but I think that sticking to my own axis and play without breaking it has led to my current results. I want to contribute to the team's victory even more with goals and assists without being satisfied with the current situation.
Q, in Tokyo, you are playing as an attacking midfielder or forward, leading the team's offense. What kind of role are you expected to play within the team?
When receiving the ball in the midfield, I am asked to make plays that carry the ball towards the goal or send it to a player on the side, while also making runs towards the goal myself. As I mentioned earlier, I am conscious of being the starting point of the attack and activating the attacking line with my plays in order to create goals.
Q, With the national event being held, it is expected that more fans and supporters will gather than usual. Please share your enthusiasm for the game with those supporters.
I will do my best to score a goal and lead the team to victory in the special space of the Japan National Stadium. Fans and supporters, thank you for your passionate support this round as well.
