<Last Match Review: Kashiwa Reysol>
Build up, build up, and deliver a powerful blow with all your weight behind it. The captain, who has just returned to the team, pierced the goal with his signature "finishing hold" using his skilled left foot.
The U-23 Japan national team, who returned triumphant with a spot in the Paris Olympics and the championship trophy at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, will make their comeback starting this round. Among them, Kuryu MATSUKI will show an overwhelming presence against Kashiwa Reysol. With low center of gravity dribbling, he will pull away from the opponent's pressure and run all over the pitch from box to box. Furthermore, with quick prediction and sharp first touch, he will be involved in chances with ambitious mid-range shots.
Tokyo, who conceded the opening goal from a ball loss in their own half, overwhelmed Kashiwa with outstanding distance control and versatile passing work with multiple players moving in different directions. Teruhito NAKAGAWA immediately equalized with a header, and Diego OLIVEIRA scored a penalty kick, making it his fourth consecutive goal in the league. Then, in the 37th minute of the first half, Matsuki scored a beautiful volley that will go down in club history.
Kashif BANGNAGANDEAs the ball competed in the center from the left corner kick of player Kashif BANGNAGANDE, it floated down near the penalty arc. In that moment, number 7 ran in from behind and with a quick left foot, scored an additional point with a direct jumping volley, taking advantage of the ball's position.
The roaring Ajinomoto Stadium. As the ground-shaking cheers erupted and the "rain of joy" poured down from the entire stadium, number 7, who had returned in blue and red, showed off his signature "Rainmaker" pose.
While dominating the game, Go HATANO, the goalkeeper, was sent off just before the end of the first half. This changed the momentum and led to 2 goals being conceded in the second half, resulting in a 3-3 draw. Despite being at a numerical disadvantage and being pushed back by Kashiwa, they were able to launch effective counterattacks multiple times, but were unable to decide the game. In the end, they were only able to hold on and earn 1 point against the opponent's fierce attacks.
<Match Preview>
On May 15th, Tokyo will face Nagoya Grampus away on "J-League Day". The team, led by coach Kenta HASEGAWA, includes players Kensuke NAGAI, Takuji YONEMOTO, and Takuya UCHIDA, making it a match against members with deep ties to both blue and red.
In the previous match, Tokyo's winning streak of 3 was stopped by a draw against Kashiwa Reysol. They maintain their 4th place with a 4 point difference from the top, and will aim for a 4th consecutive win in this match after a draw in the previous one. They have scored 24 goals so far, the most in the league. Their attacking force, boasting a destructive power of 1.85 goals per game, is in good form, scoring 3 goals in the previous match.
This season, 12 players have already scored, demonstrating their strength in scoring from anywhere. Diego OLIVEIRA has scored in 4 consecutive games so far. If he scores in the Nagoya game, he will tie his own record for the longest streak in April 2019. What kind of performance will he show in his milestone 200th league game for the blue and red team? Also, there are high expectations for the dynamic play of Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who just turned 20 on the 14th. Keep an eye on number 33, who has shown outstanding breakthrough ability on the left side, to see if he can score a birthday goal himself.
Nagoya, on the other hand, started with 3 consecutive losses and sank to the bottom, but then quickly rose up with 5 wins and 1 draw. In the 12th round, they handed Sanfrecce Hiroshima their first defeat. Although they have struggled with 1 win and 3 losses in their recent 4 matches, there is no doubt that each player has the level of skill to compete at the top of the league. In particular, the scoring abilities of forwards PATRIC and Kasper JUNKER are a threat. And we are well aware of the power of Nagai's fierce pressing from the front line.
In the previous match against Gamba Osaka, we were unable to deploy our aggressive pressing and ended up with a loss due to being too defensive overall. Although it is a tight schedule with only 3 days in between, there is a high possibility that we will regroup and refocus for the Tokyo match, and boldly challenge with our own style of football.
As for Tokyo, we need to learn from the previous game and tidy up the build-up to avoid confusion. We have been able to avoid pressing by passing at an angle, so we should be able to handle it with minor adjustments. Also, it is a concern who will stand in goal with goalkeeper Go HATANO suspended and whether Ryotaro ARAKI, who has returned from the U-23 Japan national team, will make the squad.
During the 4 undefeated games, the team has shown their ability to adapt to the opponent's play style. This is a testament to the team's progress. In this round as well, we will not just defend, but aggressively play with Tokyo style and aim for victory by scoring consistently, in order to continue competing for the top spot.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, Do you think it is important to continue challenging even though increasing the time holding the ball may lead to mistakes and conceding goals, as seen in the Kashiwa Reysol match?
A, while challenging, we must learn from the mistakes that happened in the game. There were some mistakes in the Kashiwa game, but we were able to play our football well by moving the ball well and including defense. As for the first half, Kashiwa did not enter our box and shoot at all. We conceded a goal from a ball loss, but it was a first half where we were able to limit the number of times the opponent could play in our box. In other words, playing our football also leads to good defense. There were negative moments, but the players were able to organize and express a good performance on the pitch in such situations.
Unfortunately, we had a player sent off, but the team continued to play until the end without giving up on winning at home. I respect the mentality they showed throughout the game. We are a team in the process of growth. I believe that continuing, learning from games, and using improvements for the next game are necessary elements to bring our team closer to the place we dream of.
Q, this round we will be playing against Nagoya Grampus.
I want to check the team staff and videos and give the players good information. We want to prepare well and face Nagoya with our improved fighting style. Nagoya is a team that has been improving and we expect a tough 90 minutes. In the previous match, we lost to Gamba Osaka, so they will surely make improvements and countermeasures for this match. However, we will focus on our own fighting style. We were able to train sharply today as well. We are focused on achieving victory.
Q, Nagoya is a team with a strong defense.
A, Nagoya is a good team. Every team has its own strengths and characteristics, and should not be underestimated. Whether we are facing the best team in the world or a team from the J1 league, our focus is on expressing our football and continuously growing through daily training and matches. Each game has meaning. First and foremost, we want to focus on winning against our current opponent and winning against Nagoya.
[Player Interview]
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
Q, What kind of mindset do you have while there is a high possibility of playing this round?
Speaking of the Kashiwa Reysol match, I think that the goals conceded at the beginning of each half made the game difficult. I want to carefully control the start of the game. As a team, we want to organize how we approach the start of the game, and personally as a goalkeeper, I want to be conscious of not conceding easy goals.
Q, What kind of play do you want to demand of yourself?
A, I think it's just a matter of combining what we need to do as a team and what I need to do myself. In soccer, mistakes can happen within the 90 minutes, but if we can cover them as a team, I don't think it's a problem at all. The goalkeeper position is the last line of defense that can cover mistakes that have occurred. In extreme cases, if we can prevent mistakes from leading to goals, I think it's the only position that can connect to the next play at the very least. First and foremost, I want to prioritize playing as a team.
Q: What is the key point to prevent conceding goals?
First, it is important to score the first goal as a team to improve the flow of the game. And, I think it is crucial to continue scoring the second and third goals. At the same time, it is necessary for the goalkeeper or defense to step up and contribute when the team is on the offensive. It is important for the players in the front to work hard and for the players in the back to support them. We need to have a positive defensive mindset as a team, covering each other's spaces and making up for any mistakes made by our teammates.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, Happy birthday. How do you want to spend your 20s?
A, thank you very much. It feels like reaching a milestone age of 20, but I still don't feel it (laughs). I want to take on more responsibility and not only in soccer, but also in my private life and make it more fulfilling.
Q, In the Kashiwa Reysol match, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's cross ball led to a goal.
A, I think it was good that we were able to take off one opponent at the short corner and then cross. The quality of the cross was also good, as it was able to be lifted over the first and second players in front of the opponent's goal, making it easier for the player in front of the goal to compete for the ball. I think it was a scene where the results of our practice paid off.
Q, This season, I have been able to assist from my strong dribbling skills, but I have yet to score from a dribble.
A, I feel that we are being more cautious compared to last season, and the pressure is also getting tougher, so when I dribble and cut in to shoot, it often hits the opponent's block. I think that controlling the shot well to avoid hitting the block will lead to scoring, so I want to improve the quality.
Q: How will you approach the Nagoya Grampus match?
A, As always, I want to approach the game without changing what we do. I think it's important to first express our own soccer, rather than worrying about the opponent.
