<Last Match Review: Yokohama F.Marinos>
It was a vivid blow that reminded me of "that day" 14 years ago.
In the 10th minute of the second half of the 15th round match against Yokohama F. Marinos, trailing by one point, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up a loose ball from a left cross and gently supplied a side pass to Kuryu MATSUKI. Yuto NAGATOMO, who ran into the box, smashed it in with a powerful right-footed shot.
"I thought I would hit it directly and make a good impact. It felt like I was close to being in a trance. I tend to tense up when I think about strange things. I think it was good that I was able to hit it without thinking too much."
This is the second goal of the season. In the 14th round against Nagoya Grampus, he came on as a substitute and continued to assist with a strong underlap and a right-footed cross, showing his tenacious defense and consistently producing results on the attacking end.
And this equalizing goal was the first goal in 5,118 days for jersey number 5 at Ajinomoto Stadium. "Embarrassing," he says with a wry smile, as he shares his own thoughts.
"Since the match where I scored a super volley when I traveled to Italy in 2010, I feel like some of the fans and supporters may have forgotten that I can score goals. I have also been able to assist and be involved in the attack. I have a sense of growth and I think I can show my new growth again."
In the week leading up to the Yokohama FM match, there were a series of events that renewed Yuto Nagatomo's determination. Following Makoto Okazaki, who he has fought alongside as a member of the Japan national team, Makoto Hasebe also announced his retirement. In this Yokohama FM match, Masato Morishige, who is of the same generation, was left out of the bench. Furthermore, the competition for positions within the team is intensifying. In light of this situation, his heart was burning with even more passion than usual.
"There is definitely a sense of loneliness when it comes to the news of two people retiring. I also feel a sense of crisis that if I don't continue to show results, the time will come when I have to take off my spikes. Today, I was more focused than usual because there is a real competition to stay on the bench if I can't show results for the team. If I perform the same as others, the team will use younger players. I always play with the mindset that it could be my last game. Even though I was thinking that I might be taken off if I didn't do well in this game, I was able to score with a strong determination. I am determined to continue to fight on this pitch and keep living."
A long-awaited equalizing goal scored at Ajinomoto Stadium. It has been about 14 years since the day when I greeted with "Bonjourno" while wearing sunglasses and received a loving booing. Although the distance may be different, I scored a super goal with a similar trajectory. And after scoring, I stirred up the stadium with my whole body to create an atmosphere of a comeback, and shouted many times. It was exactly the same scene as 14 years ago that was unfolding at Ajinomoto Stadium.
"But in the end, the team didn't win, so that's still frustrating. I may have shouted, but in the end we didn't win."
Although I scored a goal myself, the game ended in a close 1-1 draw. Of course, I am not satisfied with the result. I shine in order to contribute to victory. What I gained in this game of determination is the feeling that I can still do more, and the frustration of not being able to win the game. With these thoughts in my heart, the 37-year-old full-back has pledged to continue growing and fully commit to victory.
<Match Preview>
The Levain Cup 3rd Round match against Sagan Tosu, which took place on Wednesday, ended in a penalty shootout after extra time and advanced to the playoff round.
In the 11th minute of the second half, Masato MORISHIGE scored the first goal with a corner kick from Riki HARAKAWA. However, in the additional time of the second half, they allowed an equalizing goal and the game went into extra time. After that, both teams refused to give in and it ended up in a penalty shootout. All five players from Tokyo successfully scored, and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, the goalkeeper, stopped the fifth player from Tosu, bringing an end to the fierce battle.
The MVP goalkeeper proudly stated about the last penalty kick stop, "I was able to bring the opponent into my range through tactics while watching them. I think everyone is a hero for winning together." The victory, achieved by the team's unity, should give momentum to the league where they have been winless for 3 games.
This round, we will welcome Gamba Osaka at home. G Osaka, who was eliminated in the 2nd round of the Levain Cup, will come to Ajinomoto Stadium with a more favorable schedule than Tokyo, who played a match on Wednesday. It will be a test of the team's true value whether Tokyo can survive the tough consecutive matches. With fresh players such as Diego Oliveira, who missed the Tosu match, and Yuto NAGATOMO, who was selected for the Japan national team, Tokyo will aim for victory with an all-out effort.
This week's matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, Sagan Tosu match was a tough game that went into penalty kick.
A tough game, but I am proud of the players who gave their all for 120 minutes and fought until the end. However, I think it would have been best if we could have won the game in 90 minutes. We had a chance to score another goal and put the opponent away when the score was 1-0. As it was a cup game, I expected it to be a hard-fought match until the end, and the players showed a mentality worthy of a winner.
Q, it seemed like the defense line was set at a higher position than usual.
A, it was one of the choices to grow our way of fighting and to fight aggressively. Instead of adapting to the opponent, we want to continue to promote growth. After taking the ball with aggressive defense, we quickly sense where the space is and go for the goal. Offense and defense are always connected. Growth in this area is important.
Q, Gamba Osaka, who we will be facing this round, is a team with a very high awareness of connecting from the back.
A, it will be a tough match against a good team, and I think it will be a tough game this time as well. There is a possibility that unexpected events may occur on the pitch. All we have to do is play our game and give our best performance against the opponent. That is the football we desire. Of course, there will be times when we cannot express our football during the match, but it is important to adapt on the pitch.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, We won against Sagan Tosu in the Levain Cup and advanced to the next stage. How do you want to continue this victory?
A, The away game against Tosu was in a situation where the team couldn't win, so I think it was good that we were able to win in any way. Of course, we need to fix the parts that need to be fixed in terms of content as a team, but I want to use this victory as a starting point to develop a "winning habit".
Q, Please tell me your impression of Gamba Osaka.
A, first of all, I think it's important to express our own soccer. We want to hold onto the ball firmly and create many opportunities to score. Instead of prioritizing defense to reduce goals conceded, we want to establish a strong rhythm on the attacking side and take control of the game as a whole. We want to organize what kind of plays are required on both offense and defense and approach the game with that in mind.
Q, it seems like the team is aiming to score additional points rather than playing defensively and trying to win.
A, I think our characteristic is our aggressive play, and we also set our defensive line high. By being aggressive, the risk of conceding goals increases, but we prioritize scoring goals first. If we can fix our issues in defense, I think we can become even better in both offense and defense. In the Levain Cup match against Tosu, we set our line high and pressed aggressively in defense. We did concede goals, but we were able to feel once again that our ability to aggressively win back the ball is one of our strengths. The players in our back line have high individual abilities, and we want to continue to have a strong awareness of pressing from the front, trusting our players in the back.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA player＞
Q, thanks to the performance of Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, we were able to win the penalty kick battle against Sagan Tosu.
By stopping the fifth kick, I was able to stand out, but it was thanks to all of my teammates who were able to score all five kicks and their hard work for 120 minutes. I think each player showed their ability to bring victory on the pitch. In the penalty shootout, I was conscious of not getting drawn into the opponent's range while watching them. By bringing it to my own range, it led to the final save. As a team, I think we can fight greedily no matter who is on the field. I believe that winning together as one in the tournament-style Levain Cup, amidst a series of games, will lead to future success.
Q, It seems that your playing time is increasing and your condition is also improving.
A, There are many aspects that can only be felt during a match, such as timing and coordination that can be obtained by accumulating playing time. By playing, my own rhythm is born and a cycle is created, and I am grateful to have been able to play in the last three official matches. From here on, I want to show even higher quality play and contribute to the team's victory with a sense of tension.
Q, Please tell me the key to winning against Gamba Osaka.
A, Gamba Osaka also has attacking power, and when facing them, I have the impression of a "difficult team". However, I think it is important to play with our own rhythm and speed. I think the opponent will connect with small passes, so it is important to maintain a high intensity in both offense and defense, and to have an aggressive attitude in attacking.
<Keita ENDO player>
Q, it was my first official game appearance in a long time in the Levain Cup Sagan Tosu match.
A, As it was my first official game in a while, I was planning to play for about 20 minutes, but due to the extended game, I ended up playing for a total of about 60 minutes. While I was away from the game since mid-April, I feel a great sense of meaning in being able to return to the game. There has been no rebound in terms of injuries or poor condition, and I am grateful for the support of the rehabilitation team. Personally, I want to get closer to 100% in terms of game sense and running ability.
Q, what are the points you felt when you returned to the pitch after being away from the game for a while?
A, there is no big sense of accomplishment, but the most important thing is that we were able to return to the official match pitch.Since the last game was a cup match, the result of winning was more important than the content. My own play is still to come, and if I look back on the Tosu match, I think that winning and moving on to the next round is everything.
Q, How do you want to contribute to the team with the upcoming league, Levain Cup, and Emperor's Cup matches?
During the period when I was away from the team, it coincided with a series of consecutive games and caused inconvenience. In order to bring positive elements to the team, I will make up for the lost time. Gamba Osaka has a strong attacking lineup, including newly joined foreign players. With the performance of players like Usami and those in good condition, I think it is a high-level team both in attack and defense. However, I believe that we just need to play our own soccer and go for the win.
