<Review of the previous match against Júbilo Iwata>
Tokyo continued to struggle to break down Júbilo Iwata, who allowed a one-goal lead in the first half and fortified their defense by pulling back into their own half. The difficult period extended for a long time, but in the 39th minute of the second half, after revitalizing the pitch with substitutions and launching a fierce attack, the match finally changed.
A free kick opportunity gained on the left side. A sharp sliding cross from Shuhei TOKUMOTO's left foot is sent to the far side, and as if to symbolize the team's determination to "absolutely score a goal," many players dive into the goal area.
The one who met the ball that sharply arced and fell just in front of the opposing goalkeeper was Soma ANZAI, who has been supporting the team with dedicated play since the opening match. He headed the ball with all his might, then quickly got back up while falling forward, raising his right fist towards the stands behind the goal.
In the 23rd official match of this season, the first professional goal that was finally scored also marked the club's 600th goal in home matches of the J1 League.
However, what he was focused on was the next kickoff. Repeatedly pumping his fist, he quickly returned to his position. There was a strong desire to score the go-ahead goal and to win for the team, which outweighed his own emotions.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw. In the mixed zone after the match, there was the figure of number 38, who strengthened his resolve by scoring his first professional goal. He had little smile in response to questions from the press, and he spoke with a hint of frustration.
"Personally, I feel a bit of a weight lifted off my shoulders, and I am happy about that, but since the team is not winning, I want to seek more goals that lead to victories. I understood the criticism directed at me for not being able to produce results while playing in the forward position, and I have been thinking about how to contribute to the team's success. However, even when we win matches, there has been frustration in not being able to leave my mark in terms of numbers, and I have always felt that I need to do more. That frustration was the strongest feeling, but it can only be resolved on the pitch. As long as I am being used in the forward position, I want to meet expectations with results, and I want to continue to achieve results that can meet the coach's expectations without being satisfied with this."
Aggressive defense from the front in the right wing position, a willingness to dive into the goal area, and versatility to play as a full-back depending on the team's situation. While showcasing plays that saved the team multiple times, he also held a sense of pride as an attacker. The rookie, who expressed a desire to score more, delivered a heartfelt header. This may become a turning point for him.
Match Preview
The 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League will reach its halfway point this weekend with the match against Shonan Bellmare. Tokyo is currently in 8th place with 7 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses. This match is crucial to gain momentum for a strong second half of the season, and they want to secure an away victory.
The match against Júbilo Iwata in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 18 held last weekend saw us dominate the game but allow the opponent to take the lead from a set piece. After taking the lead, the opponent chose a defensive strategy by forming a block, making it difficult for us to attack. Despite maintaining possession of the ball, we were unable to switch to an attacking mode and continued to struggle to create clear chances.
In the second half, the players who had been watching the game from the bench were brought in, shifting the momentum towards Tokyo. Then, in the 39th minute of the second half, Soma ANZAI scored the equalizer with a header from a free kick on the left side. However, they could not shake the goal net again, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. This season, they have struggled to secure victories at Ajinomoto Stadium, once again missing out on a win and ending in a draw. In this match, learning from the reflection on the match against Iwata, it seems that the key to victory will be how well they can gauge the opponent's moves, identify opportunities to attack, and make necessary adjustments.
Shonan, currently in 17th place with 3 wins, 6 draws, and 9 losses, cannot afford to lose this game at home in order to maintain their position in the relegation zone.
The player to be most wary of for Tokyo is Lukian, the ace who scored 6 goals in 4 official matches leading up to last week's 2nd Round of the Emperor's Cup. In the previous match against Nagoya Grampus, he shook the net but had his goal disallowed for offside after VAR review; however, his calm shot from a clever breakaway left a strong impression of his good form. As a striker who shows strength in finishing work, including headers and one-touch goals, he must not be given any time or space. This week, with Henrique TREVISAN suspended due to accumulated warnings, the team must ensure they do not show even a moment of weakness and maintain solid control.
On the match day, June 22, it is Diego OLIVEIRA's 34th birthday. We hope that the player wearing number 9, who has recorded the most goals in J1 League history with 72 goals while at the club, can score a celebratory goal on his own birthday.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: The first half of the match against Júbilo Iwata was overall stagnant.
It was a game that did not meet our satisfaction, and I would like to reflect, improve, and connect this to our performance in the next match. From that experience, we shared with the players what we can do and what is necessary to become the team we aim to be. In the match against Iwata, the players were able to show a good performance in the second half, which allowed us to equalize. However, I regret that we could not score additional points and turn the game around.
Q: It is expected that more teams will adopt a defensive block like Iwata in the future.
First of all, regardless of the opponent, it is important to focus on what we need to do. In the first half of the match against Iwata, the tempo of moving the ball was poor, but in the second half, as we increased our movements to exploit the opponent's weaknesses and advance, I believe the balance of our attack improved. In the second half, we were able to play our football, but the fact that we couldn't express ourselves consistently from kickoff to the end of the match is a challenge for the next game, and scoring the first goal is very important in any match. No matter what kind of football the opponent brings, we want to play our own football and encourage growth so that we can find solutions.
Q: This match is against Shonan Bellmare.
A, Shonan is a team with high hard work and mobility. They will be an opponent that fights with everything they have. We want to surpass them in intensity and strength, and focus on the connections in football as we compete. We aim for victory.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q: This match will mark the halfway point of the 2024 season.
The first half of the league will end with the match against Shonan Bellmare, but we must not fight like we did in the last match. I believe Shonan will come with a three-back formation, so we need to thoroughly prepare strategies and analyses, including their system, and aim for a match and victory that will increase our team's momentum.
Q: It seemed that after Matsuki entered the pitch, the attack gained momentum.
A, watching the match from the bench, I felt that the team as a whole played rather passively in the first half. I was conscious of adding positive play and depth to our attacks when I entered the pitch. It was the second half, and I could sense the opponent's fatigue. We were able to effectively exploit the gaps that opened up, especially with the players who came on as substitutes, and I think our overall approach to receiving the ball and the finer details became more positive. It may seem simple, but I felt that just changing those aspects could significantly enhance the depth of our attacks in the second half.
Q: You have played in an attacking position many times this season. How do you feel about it?
A, I personally find myself playing more often in a position one step back from last season, and I am focused on the "numbers" of goals and assists that decide the match. For example, I am able to play with good spacing with Ryotaro ARAKI, and we can play freely while observing each other's movements. I believe that by continuing in a good way, results will naturally follow, and as the chances to score increase, the team's condition will also improve.
<Takahiro KO>
Q: Please tell us your impression of Shonan Bellmare, whom we will be facing this round.
A, I have the impression that Shonan Bellmare is a team that does not shy away from hard work as part of their style. Since I have a relationship with Satoshi Yamaguchi, the coach of Shonan, from our time together at Gamba Osaka as coach and player, I personally look forward to the match. Coach Yamaguchi is someone who knows soccer well, and I believe it will be a challenging opponent and a difficult match.
Q: In the last match against Júbilo Iwata, I think there were times when we struggled against an opponent that set up a defensive block.
We had a long time holding the ball, but I feel we lacked the effort to break through the opponent's block. In the match against Jubilo Iwata, I personally think I didn't make enough forward runs or play in high positions, so I believe that expressing such efforts without hesitation will be one of the solutions.
Q: What triggered the improvements in the second half, and what kind of communication took place among the players?
Given that we were in a situation where we were trailing, I believe the game developed in the second half. As a team, we were able to strongly focus on making movements behind the defense again, and I think we were able to have playing forward as our first option, centered around the players who were holding the ball. Including the players who came on as substitutes, I believe the increase in momentum contributed to the development of the game in the second half.
Q: The first half of the league will conclude with the Shonan match this round. How do you perceive the results and challenges of the first half of the league?
A, I personally joined Tokyo this season, and there were times when I couldn't play and it took time to adjust, which was challenging. However, I have gradually been given more opportunities to contribute my strengths to the team. That said, both as a team and individually, there were ups and downs in the first half of the league. I want to continue to gain match experience from here and show my presence through my play. To move in a good direction towards achieving the team's goals, I want to secure 3 points in the last match of the first half of the league against Shonan and make it a game that leads to the next one.
