<Review of the previous match against Shonan Bellmare>
The heroic player recalled the scene from the final match of last season's league when he stepped onto the pitch at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka during the pre-match warm-up.
"Last season, after Kei KOIZUMI scored a goal, he ran towards the supporters behind the goal. If I score, I will run over there too."
The away match for Sec. 19 of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This game, which came at the timing of the halfway point of the league, saw the team overwhelmed from the start, facing numerous shots and being put at a significant disadvantage. Despite missing opportunities during occasional counterattacks, the team, led by the "guardian deity" Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's fine saves, worked together to defend the goal.
And then, in the 34th minute of the second half, as the match was approaching its final stages, a savior appeared for the team that had been holding on by a thread.
Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who was sent in as a left winger, was closely watching the movements of his teammates as they attempted to break through from the right side immediately after being introduced into the game.
Hotaka NAKAMURA, who broke through the near zone with a combination play with Soma ANZAI, sends a ground pass to the opposite side. There, Yuto NAGATOMO moves into the center.
It was truly a split-second decision.
"I was actually thinking of going to the far side, but I saw Yuto coming in, so I decided to stay put. I believe that split-second decision led to the goal."
A ground pass supplied from the right side rolls right in front of me. Keeping the ball, the goal, and the positions of both the opponent and my teammates in my sight, I adjusted my steps and swung my proud left foot compactly.
An accurate strike that seems impossible for a first touch. The shot slipped through the legs of the opposing defender who came in to block with a sliding tackle, and it pierced the bottom right corner of the goal with a low trajectory. It was as if I was watching the goal in slow motion.
"I had confidence from the moment the ball came from Hodaka. The moment I struck it, I could tell it was going in because I made solid contact. The coach had been telling us to place a mini-goal next to the post during practice and to aim for the corners with long shots, so I was really happy that the results of that paid off. Watching Taishi's saves really got me pumped, and I had the desire to help the team when I got on the field. Everything I had been holding back, the accumulated luck came to me and resulted in a goal. It was great that the fans and supporters were able to enjoy it too."
Suddenly realizing, the heroic player dashed towards the goal stand at a speed that seemed like fast forward.
I recalled the scene I was watching six months ago during the warm-up and recreated it with my own goal. Then, after showing a joyful dash as if to jump into the stands, I received a rough but affectionate celebration from my teammates.
"Even though we haven't been able to win at home, it was the fans and supporters who kept pushing us forward, and I truly jumped in with a feeling of gratitude. (The circle of joy) is the love from everyone, and experiencing that is the joy of being a football player."
Number 43, who scored a priceless goal, spoke with a smile after the match, expressing his feelings: "Having been rewarded at the halfway point of the league, I want to take it up another notch and fight for Tokyo from here." The man who experienced frustrating times this season, unable to even make it to the bench, saved the team with a brilliant goal and vowed to evolve further. What they achieved in the away game, marking the halfway point of the first half of the season, was truly a hard-earned 3 points for the entire team, with number 43 at the center of it all.
Match Preview
In the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 18 match against Júbilo Iwata, we drew 1-1 at home, and in the following match against Shonan Bellmare, we achieved a 1-0 victory away. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who kept a clean sheet in the Shonan match, proudly stated, "Even when we were pushed back, it was important to fight tough. If we can express the mentality of not missing the opponent's mistakes, there won't be any problems." In the final stages of the match, he made a series of big saves that made it look like the ball was sticking to his hands. With the guardian at the center, we defended tenaciously and brought home the victory.
Tokyo finished the first half of the season in 6th place and will enter the second half starting with the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo this round. Head coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI stated, "I am a person of the competitive world, so I aim for 1st place. We might have been able to earn more points in the first half, but as part of this club's journey, we are in a position to reach the top of the mountain," while giving a certain evaluation of the first half's performance and igniting his fighting spirit towards the title. "To achieve our dreams, improvement is necessary. I want to fight hungry while maintaining discipline."
In the previous match in May, we achieved a comeback victory with a score of 2-1, but Sapporo was certainly not an easy opponent. However, what is required at Ajinomoto Stadium is only victory. We want to gain momentum for the second half of the season with two consecutive wins.
This matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: In the match against Shonan Bellmare, we overcame difficult moments and won without conceding a goal.
I want to be able to score more goals. I also want to promote overall growth in our attacking play, and at the same time, I want to strengthen our defense, respond sharply, and aim to finish the match without conceding any goals.
Q: How do you perceive your scoring ability compared to the beginning of the season?
I feel that we are increasing the number of chances we create by observing the opponent's movements well. It is important to improve and grow from practice so that the chances we create directly lead to goals. We have reached the halfway point of the season, and looking back, we have scored many goals from open play. I believe that by refining our play and the way we attack, the number of goals will naturally increase. The first half of the season is over, but from here, we want to develop our football and showcase our growth in the second half of the season.
Q: The first match of the second half of the league will be against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
They are a tough team. They are likely not satisfied with their league position. I believe they will come at us with full force to seize the three points. Coach Mihailo PETROVIC is doing an excellent job building a great team. We must prove how we can challenge against such a team with a fighting spirit. I think it will be an exciting game, and we want to show many goals at home.
[Player Interview]
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA＞
Q: In the match against Shonan Bellmare, there were many times we were under pressure, but we contributed greatly to the shutout victory.
It was a difficult match, but I want to take a positive view of being able to win. Of course, reflecting on the tactical aspects and building an organized defense as a defender to prevent the opponent from penetrating deep into our territory is important, but I think it was good that we were able to win even in a match where the opponent had the upper hand, like in the Shonan game.
Q: Compared to the match against Júbilo Iwata, I believe there was an improvement in defense in the previous match against Shonan.
I believe that by playing more matches, we will move in a positive direction, and I think our defensive coordination will improve further from here. Focusing on myself, I believe that continuing to participate in matches will enhance my performance, and I feel that good defense leads to stable and effective attacks. Conversely, I also think that good attacks can create positive defense, so I believe that growth and improvement on both the offensive and defensive sides will enhance the entire team.
Q: This season, there are many activities for the U-23 Japan national team, but is there a difficulty in balancing that with the club?
I always have the desire to contribute to Tokyo, so there is a sense of loneliness during times when I am away from the team. However, being selected for the U-23 Japan national team is something to be proud of, both as a team and as an individual, so I focused on preparing my mindset to give my all in the moment I was given.
Q: The second half of the season starts with the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. What do you think is necessary for Tokyo to compete in the title race?
A, I believe that making mistakes is inevitable when expressing our style of football. Even if we make mistakes, it is important to have the mentality to keep moving forward from there. Everyone feels that we can rise above our current position, so I want us to elevate each other through our daily practice.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: Please reflect on the last match, where you made your appearance after a long time.
A, regarding the flow of the match, there was a challenge in coming on as a substitute while leading 1-0, but I prioritized not conceding a goal to the opponent. I was also aware of exploiting the space behind the opponent, who was pushing forward, but I focused on defense first.
Q: You were in a situation where you were being pressured and played as a right winger. What were you conscious of?
I have experienced playing in the wing position, like in the match against Shonan Bellmare, or switching to play one position forward or on the opposite side during the game this season. I believe one of my strengths is understanding what kind of play the full-backs are looking for and what movements can assist them when playing as a winger.
Q: We are entering the second half of the league from this matchday. Please tell us your enthusiasm from here on.
I was very frustrated by the injury that kept me from contributing more to the team at a time when I was eager to do so. I want to express my driving force, which is my strength, on the pitch once again, and the coach is also demanding high intensity from the players. The matches where the entire team was able to play at a high intensity were good and led to victories. I want to contribute to increasing our winning percentage, even if just a little, through my sprints, driving force, and hard work.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q: It seemed that the flow of the attack was created after Diego OLIVEIRA entered the match against Shonan Bellmare.
A, Shonan is a team with strong physicality, including organized defense and hard work, making it a very challenging match for us. In that context, I believe that the players on the pitch expressed their respective roles and that everyone fought with the same direction, which led to our victory. It wasn't just me who did something; I think it was the result of hard work by the entire team.
Q: On your 34th birthday, you received many congratulations from teammates and fans/supporters at the venue of the Shonan match.
A, since the match day coincided with my birthday, I received many congratulatory messages. Additionally, my teammates celebrated with me at the hotel the night before the match. I can only express my gratitude to the fans, supporters, and teammates for allowing me to play soccer in such an environment. I hope to finish this season with good results and celebrate together in a different way that everyone can share in the joy.
