Match Preview
An opportunity to take a step towards the cup. We want to play our football and choose the players who can win.
Another battle aiming for the top is about to resume. As matches are held in a packed schedule, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI is also igniting his desire for victory.
The J.League YBC Levain Cup 1st Round 3rd Round is set to take place in the away match against Tosu. This tournament, which has changed its format to a knockout system starting this season, will determine the victor in this single-elimination 1st Round. First, we want to secure a solid victory here and advance to the playoff round, which will be held in a home-and-away format.
In the 2nd Round, Tokyo faced Y.S.C.C. Yokohama away, and opened the scoring in the 13th minute of the first half with Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA's first goal in blue and red. They added to their lead with a right-footed shot from Riki HARAKAWA and an accurate shot from Keita ENDO. Goalkeeper Tsuyoshi KODAMA, making his season debut, showcased his foot skills by participating in the build-up, displaying an attacking style. Although they faced some dangerous counterattacks, the defense held strong and prevented any goals. In the second half's stoppage time, Jaja SILVA sliced through the center of the pitch with a powerful dribble and struck a magnificent right-footed shot, sealing a 4-0 victory and advancing to the 3rd Round.
Although they have not won in the last three league matches and are far from victory, it is also true that they have become capable of making adjustments during the game and breaking down situations. The winning streak during the Golden Week has come to an end, and they have been unable to secure victories in recent matches, but the individual performances are not bad. While it is expected that player usage will be determined by checking the recovery status during consecutive matches, this season's Tokyo can combine the strengths of whoever steps onto the pitch. The dynamic play of the players who have gained opportunities to participate is anticipated.
Sagan Tosu, who suffered a shutout defeat against Nagoya Grampus in the previous league match, achieved a significant victory with a 3-0 win against Júbilo Iwata in Sec. 13 and a 5-2 win against Kawasaki Frontale in Sec. 14. Despite struggling in 17th place in the league, they have shown high scoring ability in recent matches, which requires caution. Additionally, Kenta KAWAI, the coach of Tosu, has experience serving as an assistant coach to Coach Kramovski at Montedio Yamagata. Attention should also be paid to the tactics of a coach who once fought alongside and shared a football philosophy.
For Tokyo, away matches against Tosu have been unfavorable, with five consecutive official match losses since October of the 2019 season. This season, having already overcome traditional "difficult matches" against Fukuoka and Sapporo, they want to break the past trend here as well and get closer to winning the cup.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: It will be a series of consecutive matches, but what are your thoughts on the team composition?
I will make a decision while watching how the recovery goes. I want to finalize the members after receiving an update on Tuesday morning and practice before heading out. However, the important thing is that it is a league cup match, and it is an opportunity for us to get closer to the cup, so I will choose a team that can perform well and win.
Q, the coach of Sagan Tosu is Kenta KAWAI, who worked together during the Montedio Yamagata era.
He is a good leader and is doing a great job, and Tosu is a good team. I want to make sure we can give our best effort. It will be a tough away game, but we will prepare well and be ready to compete in every aspect.
Q: On Friday, May 31st, we will face Tosu again at the same venue in the league match. Do you consider anything about playing the same team in a short period of time?
A, I am focusing on each match in front of me. The current situation is the state of the team. I don't think anything will change just because there is a match. Our mentality is to continue playing our football while growing. And to improve. We will fight to overcome the match against Tosu and move on to the next. Next, we have the league match against Gamba Osaka, so it is important to prepare in the same way, and then prepare for the league match against Tosu... preparing for each match is essential. That is what we value the most.
Q: You haven't won in the last three matches, but how do you feel about the content of those games?
I believe that the content is the most important. There may be some who say, "We haven't won in 3 matches." In one of those 3 matches, we had to play for a long time with one player less. What I need to focus on is what I should continue to improve and develop. I am concentrating on what steps we need to take towards where we should be heading. The same goes for performance. I believe we are providing significant evidence that we are heading in the right direction, towards success. However, there are still areas we need to improve. Regarding these 3 matches, I think there was evidence in the games that we are moving in the right direction and growing.
Q, the match against Yokohama F.Marinos was a game where Tokyo's determination to aim for the next point was clearly evident.
It was a match where we gained a lot. The opponent was also a very good team, and it was a chance for us to show how much we could do against such an opponent. At times, we had to fight through difficulties. However, from the end of the first half, we were able to play football that the opponent couldn't stop, and while we didn't win, I believe we created enough opportunities to win. This was possible because both teams played aggressively. It was very disappointing that we didn't get a result, but we were able to create scenes worthy of victory. With this one point, I want to delve deeper into what is important for us to become the team we dream of. It was a match that showed the great material we have and what we can do. There are still areas that need improvement. We gained a lot to move forward, and I want to head into the next match with that in mind.
[Player Interview]
＜Jája Silva＞
Q: In the last match of the Levain Cup, you scored your first goal since joining.
In the previous match against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama, I was able to score my first goal in Tokyo, and my motivation is very high as we approach the Levain Cup. Since the matches are held in a tournament format, we absolutely cannot lose. I want to win and advance to the next stage, and I want to contribute to the team with plays that lead to scoring.
Q: Depending on the position you play, you may often be required to have a high level of defensive intensity.
In modern football, I believe that even forwards are required to have defensive intensity and tactical understanding. I want to contribute not only to the attack but also to the defensive aspects that Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI is looking for and that we must express as a team on the pitch.
Q: You play in various positions such as central and side depending on the match, how do you want to activate the attack?
I am most skilled at playing as a left winger, but if the team needs me to play in the center or on the right, I have no major issues with that. I believe that as long as I am in an attacking position, contributing to victory through goals and assists is the most important thing.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: What kind of performance do you want to show in the match against Sagan Tosu?
In the Levain Cup, unlike the league matches, it is a tournament format, so I am primarily focused on the result of victory rather than the content. Within that, I want to utilize my characteristic sprinting ability and work hard in both offense and defense.
Q: Yuto NAGATOMO had a great performance in the match against Yokohama F.Marinos. What kind of inspiration did you receive?
I was very inspired by Nagatomo's goals and performances as a player in the same position, and it has made me more ambitious. I believe I am maintaining good form as an individual, and I feel that by competing with Nagatomo, we can both express our best performances on the pitch, regardless of who plays. I want to continue in this current situation.
Q: In the match against Nagoya Grampus and Yokohama FM, you played as a right winger in the second half. Please tell us what you focus on when playing in the position just ahead.
A, it is an attacking position, so I am actively taking the space behind the opponent, and I am aware of building up on the opposite side and making runs into the box for crosses from the opposite side. This season, our team has started to express scoring through breaking down defenses and utilizing combinations, so I want to aim for goals and assists in line with those movements.
