<Match Preview>
After a disappointing defeat in the 2024 J.League YBC Levain Cup playoff round, there are only two days until the start of the battle for the second time since the 2011 season towards the top.
J1 club teams will participate in the 104th Emperor's Cup All Japan Soccer Championship from the 2nd round. In this tournament, which determines the "best in Japan" including prefectural representatives, FC Tokyo will face Mie prefecture's representative, V-Varen Nagasaki, at Ajinomoto Stadium.
The Emperor's Cup first match comes at a time when we vow to make a comeback from our frustration. In the Levain Cup, we lost to Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a total score of two games, both of which we allowed goals in quick succession, losing the flow of the game and ultimately being eliminated from the tournament without being able to mount a counterattack.
Kei KOIZUMI, who wore the captain's armband in the Hiroshima match, said, "We have to firmly accept the reality of losing one of the three titles easily. We have the Emperor's Cup in two days, so we have to go there and fight with all our might. Otherwise, we may stumble again. We want to stay grounded and keep going."
In past Emperor's Cups, many clubs in the categories below have been forced to drink hot water. In the 2021 season, they were defeated in the 2nd round by Juntendo University. Looking at the overall trend of the tournament, it is also the fear of the Emperor's Cup that amateur teams and J3, J2 clubs who approach with high motivation will struggle and "giant killing" is likely to occur.
The game that we must face with a strong determination after losing one title as Tokyo. Mental and physical recovery is required in quick succession, but focusing on the upcoming game can also be seen as a positive aspect.
Manager Peter CKLAMOVSKI said in the post-Hiroshima match press conference, "Right now, I feel regret and frustration, but football never sleeps. I think it will be a tough Wednesday, but we will recover and work to improve, and we want to return to Tokyo and do our job." Taking advantage of the busy schedule, he looks at it positively.
Their opponent Mie is currently in 4th place in the JFL (Japan Football League), which is the top amateur national league. In the 1st round of the Emperor's Cup, they defeated J3 club FC Imabari with a goal from player Shota Tamura. Under the guidance of coach Shuichi Mase, who has experience coaching at clubs such as Ehime FC and Blaublitz Akita, they aim for promotion to the J League with captain Kojiro Shinohara, who has played in over 200 matches in the J2 League for clubs like Avispa Fukuoka and Fagiano Okayama. They also have many other players with J League experience and should not be underestimated.
As Tokyo, we want to approach the Levain Cup with an aggressive attitude, without ever being passive, and with the frustration of being eliminated in mind.
Keigo HIGASHI, who has shown his presence as a substitute, emphasized the importance of mental preparation for the Emperor's Cup. "It will be a really difficult game with only two days of rest in this situation. We have little time to prepare after returning from an away game, so we have to approach it with a fresh mentality. It will be a game where our emotions will be tested. I want to show more and more passion and give it my all," he showed his determination for a fierce battle.
On the other hand, the big gain in the Hiroshima match was FC Tokyo U-18's Divine OTANI, who made his debut with the top team and scored his first goal with a powerful header. When he stepped onto the pitch with a two-year registration, he used his prideful speed to enter the penalty area. He then shook the net with a pinpoint cross from Leon NOZAWA.
"I was determined to leave something behind when I stepped onto the pitch. Today, I scored an away goal, so next time I want to score in front of the fans and supporters at Ajinomoto Stadium," said the second year high school student with enthusiasm. There are high expectations for his home debut.
In addition, Ryunosuke SATO has joined the team from the U-19 Japan national team's trip to France, taking into account the team's situation. This has added depth to the team's roster.
Emperor's Cup, which uses a complete knockout format. Use the frustration hidden in your chest as fuel to firmly advance and carve out your own future with your own hands.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, Sanfrecce Hiroshima will face the 2nd round of the Emperor's Cup just 2 days after their match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
I am disappointed that we were unable to advance in the Levain Cup. We will use this disappointment as motivation and switch our focus to tomorrow's work, so that we can all do our best together.
Q, When the category changes, the eye color of the lower category teams also changes.
A, that's the beautiful aspect of football. Such challenges are packed in cup matches and it's very beautiful. I think they will also come to fight with full energy and ambition. We must respect our opponents and play against them. It will be a tough match, but all we have to do is play our football firmly on the pitch. Now, we will show what we have built as a team and turn it into results.
Q, You will also be required to play beyond the toughness and hard work of your opponent.
A, that's football. It's just about focusing on our way of fighting and showing our performance. We concentrate from the start of the game, run more than the opponent, have more physical strength than the opponent, and win the battle. We just fight our own battle. We never think that tomorrow's game will be easy. We just prepare for a tough game with our motivation and ambition. And we turn on the switch in our head to be able to do our job and face the game. We prepare for various things that could happen.
Q, Will you be using fresh players mainly in terms of physicality for the match against Júbilo Iwata when the J1 League resumes this weekend?
A, I will choose players to play based on their physical and individual status, considering who is fresh and who is ready. I only think about winning. In order to express our style of football and our way of fighting on the pitch, the players are also preparing. That is something we keep in mind as a team every game. It doesn't matter who we are playing against. Even if we were to play against Real Madrid, we will go for the win no matter who the opponent is. I believe that mindset will help us grow even further.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryunosuke SATO＞
Q, I returned to the team suddenly from representative activities. How do you want to utilize the parts that are being demanded and the experience of representative activities?
At the U-19 Japan national team's expedition, we also had good results and I think we can approach the Emperor's Cup with a good mindset. Other players may be fatigued from consecutive games, so I want to be conscious of pushing the team forward with aggressive and fresh play.
Q, How did you feel when you were asked to return to the team?
When I received the request from the club to return to the team from my activities with the Japan national team U-19, I felt very positive and thought it would be beneficial for me personally. I want to make the most of this opportunity and turn it into a good chance for the future. While results are necessary to continue playing in games, I believe that focusing too much on results can narrow one's perspective and ultimately prevent them from showing their full potential. I want to organize my strengths and use them to move my teammates and add an attacking accent. I believe this is my strength, so I will do my best to find a balance and work hard.
Q, what kind of play do you want to express in the game?
A, everyone, including the fans and supporters, is seeking victory first and foremost, and within that, we are aiming for an attacking style of football. Of course, scoring goals is important, but we also want to keep a clean sheet and show a tight game. Regardless of the opponent, we want to strive for a clean sheet victory.
Q, Divine OTANI said, "Ryunosuke SATO's presence is motivating." How did you feel about OTANI's performance?
I was surprised to score my first goal in my debut match. I knew he was a highly talented player, but seeing him perform so well early on was inspiring for me. I can't afford to lose.
＜Leon NOZAWA player＞
Q, As a team, we have been eliminated from the Levain Cup, but personally, I was able to achieve an assist.
A, After the game, I received various words and messages. I received words of joy and encouragement, and I also received words of encouragement, expecting growth from here. I realized that I cannot be satisfied with the current situation and I have to work harder from here. I feel blessed to have fans, supporters, friends, staff, and teammates. There are still many things that are lacking, so I want to push myself further.
Q, didn't the pinpoint cross lead to a goal and give you confidence in your growth?
A, I was conscious of sending crosses to that position from practice, and I had no hesitation in choosing to play. In a good way, I was able to confidently cross and that assist gave me confidence in other plays as well. I think that if I can become a player who can supply crosses, not just forcefully take deep positions with dribbling, the range of plays will also expand.
Q, aren't the demands on yourself also changing?
In any game, we must consistently demonstrate plays involving crosses and goals, such as in the Sanfrecce Hiroshima match. There are many things that are lacking, and although I was able to assist, I was not able to score in the first game. I want to further polish my shooting, technique, and decision-making from here. I don't have a sense of whether I am growing or not, but I am able to approach things positively. I want to improve in all aspects while communicating with my teammates and ensuring understanding in our plays.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, I received the Young Player Award for the May 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League. What do you think about the result being evaluated for your play so far?
A, I am happy to be evaluated, but I only have thoughts of wanting to work hard and aim towards myself because I have many challenges. First of all, I believe that I cannot go any further without leaving visible results in numbers, so I would like to work on it while receiving advice from many people on the challenges.
Q, we have not scored multiple goals in our recent matches.
A, First of all, I believe that we cannot score without shooting, so I want to increase the scenes where we actively shoot. Personally, I can see the course to shoot even when dribbling. I have received advice from Naohiro ISHIKAWA CG and I am practicing daily to be able to shoot the best shot by trying and experimenting with steps to shoot while dribbling at top speed and how to hit the ball with my feet. I hope to produce good results.
Q, How will you approach the Emperor's Cup in such a difficult situation with many injured players?
I want to play with all my strength to achieve the result of victory. The Emperor's Cup is a tournament that ends if you lose, so victory is absolutely necessary no matter what the content is. Of course, it would be great to overwhelm the opponent and win, but it's not a situation where we can just say pretty words, so I really want to win by any means necessary.
