Review of the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia
A match that was a chance for three consecutive wins after a draw. The game allowed the opponent to take the lead from a set piece, but Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA equalized with a penalty kick, marking his first league goal since moving to Tokyo. However, they conceded a second goal from a long ball attack. Despite their efforts, they were unable to break through the opponent's solid defense and unfortunately suffered a defeat.
It was a match that left a sense of regret, but the 33rd player, who showed bold moves on the left side, made us feel many possibilities, which cannot be overlooked.
Not only did he cut in from the left side to take a shot, but he also created chances with right-footed crosses and sideways passes by switching the ball. He made dynamic moves, generating a sense of scoring opportunities.
From the start, Machida has been responding with multiple players due to the "unstoppable" performance, but even so, the blue and red number 33 cannot be stopped. While lightly stepping, he gauges the timing with the opponent and boldly gets involved in the finish by prying open the slight space that has emerged in the opponent's defense.
The highlight was the dribble that broke through four defenders in the 17th minute of the second half. Holding the ball on the left side, he broke through the gap between two defenders who came to mark him. He then sliced through two more approaching players, leaving them behind, and delivered a cross that was shot-bound. Although the shot from Keita ENDO, who followed up, hit the crossbar and did not result in a goal, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was an overwhelming presence on the left side.
However, he reflects with regret on the fact that he was unable to produce direct results such as goals or assists, saying, "I believe I created many chances from the left side, but I am aware that they only ended up being chances."
At just 19 years old in his second season as a professional, his plays are becoming a significant weapon for the team. He is also able to provide support that allows those around him to pass the ball in a good way. That's why he wants to respond with results.
"I have not reached a level that satisfies me at all. I can only continue to work hard to grow further from here. I want to aim for both goals and assists, but above all, I want to score to contribute to victory."
At the start of the second half against Machida, his personal chant echoed from behind the goal. Coming from the academy, expectations from those around him are high. The fact that he couldn't bring victory to the team while showcasing his strengths reinforces his desire for results. If this match allows him to reaffirm that feeling, even a frustrating loss should lead to a bright future for both the team and him.
Match Preview
Tokyo suffered a frustrating defeat to FC Machida Zelvia in the last match, bringing their league record to 3 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses. Both goals scored and conceded stand at 14, resulting in a goal difference of 0.
The total goals scored so far, 14, ties with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Vissel Kobe for the most in the league, while the number of goals conceded is also 17, indicating defensive issues. Since the team is able to score goals, stabilizing their style of play seems to be the key to advancing to the top and achieving victory against Albirex Niigata.
Niigata, like Tokyo, has a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses so far. Led by head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI in his third year, they have been advocating for possession football that focuses on maintaining the ball and pushing forward.
The player to watch out for in Niigata right now is Kaito TANIGUCHI, who has scored in two consecutive official matches and won the Meiji Yasuda J1 Monthly Best Goal award for February and March. His natural scoring instinct has sharpened, and he is a striker who attacks the goal with sharp and powerful movements. With his strong shooting ability from a distance, Tokyo must ensure that they effectively disrupt the flow towards his powerful finishes by coordinating between the back line and midfield.
The key point of the match will be how the blue and red players respond to Niigata's ball movement. Tokyo has speedy players in the front line and strong ball-winning players in the midfield, so it will be interesting to see if they can draw the opponent, who will challenge them with ground play, into their own territory to launch long counters or short counters from high pressing, showcasing adaptable football. Offense and defense are two sides of the same coin. We should pay attention to how they will strategize to overcome the opponent, including risk management to avoid conceding goals.
Since April, we have shown a fierce battle with consecutive wins at the Japan National Stadium, a dramatic equalizer against Verdy, and four goals displayed in the 2nd Round of the Levain Cup against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama. Although we missed out on three consecutive league wins after a draw, we were able to showcase aggressive soccer. Without being discouraged by the loss against Machida, we want to rise up together as a team.
Additionally, for Takahiro KO, who was with Niigata until last season, this will be a match against his former club. It will be interesting to see if he can shine in his new environment at his former home.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: In light of the defeat in the last match, what are you seeking to improve upon?
A, it is important to firmly connect the pain and experiences from the defeat to the next steps. In football, there are times when we must learn tough lessons. Of course, we cannot continue like this. While building something special, we must accept and learn from the defeat in the previous match. As long as we are in that process, we must grow from it, and repeating the same mistakes is not allowed. In the last match, we were unable to outperform our opponents in terms of performance and game content.
Q: Considering the results of the previous match, I think we need to be more focused on shots and goals than ever before.
A, football is a sport where how to score is important. I believe we have been able to create chances to reach important elements. We have been able to play in areas that the opponent dislikes and create good situations for ourselves. In the match against FC Machida Zelvia, we could have scored more goals. However, Machida converted their few chances into goals. From our perspective, we were able to respond well in other situations. The opponent capitalized on their chances, while we were unable to convert ours into goals. I want to carry this frustration into the upcoming matches.
Q: This week's opponent, Albirex Niigata, is a club characterized by its ball possession play.
We are making solid preparations for the match against Niigata. Of course, I believe there will be times when the opponent has the flow and possession of the ball. It is important to prepare for how we will respond to that. If the opponent has the ball, we need to counter with solid defense, and when the time comes for us to take control of the game, we must outperform the opponent with our play. Football has various phases. The style of play and the way we fight that we have built up is meant to create scenes that lead to scoring. It will be a tough away game, but we will go for many goals with high concentration and intensity.
[Player Interview]
＜Takahiro KO＞
Q: This match is against Albirex Niigata, a team that was in the league until last season.
Since joining Tokyo and with the announcement of this season's annual schedule, I have been focused on this match as one of my targets. I am looking forward to competing. I have been grateful for the three seasons in Niigata. I want to express my gratitude on the pitch, but first and foremost, I am focused on bringing home three points as a Tokyo player and achieving victory over Niigata.
Q: What points are important as measures against the Niigata match?
A, Niigata is a team that values possession of the ball, so it is expected that the time spent on defense will be slightly longer compared to other matches. I believe that strong communication on the pitch and coordinated play, such as when to win the ball back, will be particularly important. In terms of offense, while valuing possession play, we want to challenge ourselves without abandoning what we have built up as a team.
Q: What are the key points for attacking when switching from defense to offense?
I think it is important to control the timing of switching to attack. Soccer is a sport that involves scoring, not just passing the ball around, so I believe plays should be calculated backward from the goal. Whether to commit numbers for a quick counter or to patiently connect passes and invade the opponent's territory, I want to read the atmosphere of the match and look for opportunities.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: Please reflect on the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia.
I think we created many chances from the left side. However, I am aware that we couldn't convert those into goals or assists, and it ended up just being chances. There is also frustration about not being able to finish. As a team, we did not perform well in terms of conceding goals and the process leading up to that. It was a match where we had many things to reflect on.
Q: It seemed that from the beginning of the match, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's dribbling was driving the entire Tokyo attack.
My teammates understand my playing style, and they encouraged me to make the most of my strengths. Players like Takahiro KO, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, and Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, who play in areas close to my position, created an environment and situations that made it easier for me to take initiative. I believe we have good communication and teamwork.
Q: Compared to last season, it is evident that there has been an improvement in both defensive contributions and physical stamina.
I think we are gradually moving in a better direction, but I have not yet reached a level that satisfies me at all. I believe I can only continue to work hard to grow further from here.
Q: This match is against Albirex Niigata.
First of all, I believe it is important to focus on oneself in order to play well and contribute to victory. I think the strong point of Tokyo is that any of the starting 11 can demonstrate strength, so we will all work together to win the away game.
Q: When you aim from your strong dribbling, is it for a goal or an assist? Which do you prioritize?
I believe that aiming for the goal and scoring is the best, but I also feel that I have been able to assist my teammates' goals more often recently. I want to be greedy and aim for both, but above all, I want to score to contribute to our victory.
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q, please start with a review of the match against FC Machida Zelvia.
A, although we lost in the last match, I don't think we should be pessimistic about all aspects of the game. There were moments when we were winning in certain situations, but as you know, in soccer, the team that scores more goals than the opponent wins. The opponent capitalized on their chances and scored 2 goals, and that is all there is to it. I fully understood the playing style of Machida and the characteristics of players like Se Hun OH, who possess both height and strength, as well as the features of the forwards. There were several points that we needed to be cautious about as defenders. Of course, we prepared to suppress the opponent's characteristics and approached the match with that in mind, but I feel very regretful about conceding goals.
Q: What measures are necessary against Albirex Niigata this matchday?
I think it will be a different battle compared to the last match. This week, we have been training while understanding Niigata's playing style and tactics. For every match, we study our opponents and prepare accordingly. Among that, it is most important to express on the pitch what we have built up through practice, including my own growth.
Q, the series of matches in May will start with the game against Niigata.
In May, there are midweek matches, and the number of games is very high. To endure the consecutive matches, the strength of the entire team is necessary. It is important to create a situation where anyone can participate and to accumulate training to demonstrate good performance in the matches. We want to challenge with all our strength.
