Review of the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 20. Tokyo won 1-0 against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in a match that marked the start of the second half of the league season, achieving their second victory of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium, where they had only one win in the first half. The key player was Soma ANZAI, who scored the decisive goal, marking his second consecutive goal at Ajinomoto since his first professional goal.
Tokyo started the match cautiously, observing the opponent's tight defense. There was a long period where they couldn't take a shot, but from the 30th minute of the first half, they took control of the pace, pushing the opponent back and getting close to the goal. However, as the time continued without shaking the net, a tense atmosphere began to fill the stadium. In the 39th minute of the second half, player Anzai, who had moved from the right wing to the left wing, scored a brilliant opening goal.
As the ball was connected on the right side, Riki HARAKAWA delivered a superb cross that went over the heads of the opposing defense with a single touch. Number 38 broke free from behind the opposing defender and stretched out his left foot to where the ball would land. The attacker, who said he was focused only on making contact, saw his shot hit the crossbar and get sucked into the goal.
"When Harakawa entered the kick motion, I thought I would go into the opponent's most dangerous area. I knew the opponent was marking me, so I moved first and was able to take a position behind the opponent where they couldn't respond. In the end, I was competing with the opponent, and although I couldn't see the moment the ball went into the goal after the shot, I realized it had gone in from the cheers of the stadium. I really think it was a goal pushed in with determination."
The valiant attacker dashes toward the goal area. Despite the tough result of just one win at Ajinomoto in the first half of the season, his desire to share joy with the fans and supporters who have continuously cheered him on drove him to run. His first professional goal, scored in the match against Iwata in Sec. 18, was an equalizer, and since the desire to win overshadowed the joy, he couldn't fully savor the delight. Therefore, the taste of the goal scored in such a challenging situation must have been exquisite.
He has continued to say, "I want to make the team win," but he had another feeling hidden in his heart. The red card he received in the away match against Verdy. That memory is still vivid. The team, which was at a numerical disadvantage, managed to draw the match after being down 0-2 with a late equalizer.
"After the Verdy match, my desire to fight for the team has become stronger than ever. It's not in a negative sense, but I truly feel that it's my turn to help the team win this time. It took time to return visible results, but achieving this is significant for me. As a forward, my numbers are still not enough, so I want to give back even more. Of course, for myself, but also for the team, I will work even harder to ensure we achieve results."
After a strong start to the second half at home. In the post-match flash interview, he spoke powerfully towards the stands.
"FC Tokyo is not like this"
It is now time to repay the home crowd with results.
We can do more. We can go further──.
Those words were likely spoken because he truly believes in it. The number 38, who has gained a sense of scoring and confidence in addition to his dedicated playing style, leads with his passionate play from the front line.
Match Preview
In the previous match, we won 1-0 against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, achieving a second consecutive clean sheet victory. In the 39th minute of the second half, with the score at 0-0, Riki HARAKAWA delivered a cross from the right side, which Soma ANZAI jumped to meet, scoring the decisive goal with his left foot. Soma ANZAI, who scored his second goal of the season, said, "I think I can play freely now," while discussing the reasons for his good form and vowing to continue to excel. "As a forward, my numbers are still not enough. I want to work hard to achieve better results both for myself and for the team."
In addition, Teppei OKA, who contributed to two consecutive matches without conceding a goal, proudly stated, "In the last match against Shonan Bellmare, I was caught out of position, so I focused on preparing faster than the opponent. I was able to challenge and cover as a center-back, and I think we had good coordination."
In this match, we will welcome Avispa Fukuoka to Ajinomoto Stadium after a three-day break. For Tokyo, Fukuoka has been a difficult opponent, remaining winless in eight league matches since the 2016 season, but in the last encounter, we won 3-1 away. The match was also one of the best games of this season, dispelling our negative mindset. If we can maintain our momentum and continue our winning streak here, we can push into the upper ranks. Tokyo's 'hot' summer is finally beginning.
This matchday program is here
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: The team is currently on a two-game winning streak. How do you want to extend this winning streak from here?
A, it is important to continue to promote the growth of what we have built up to this point, to approach the matches with a strong mentality. The match against Avispa Fukuoka is expected to be a tough one, but I want to prepare well and give it my all.
Q: I believe that being able to fight tough until the end of the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo brought us the victory.
A, it was an important point in advancing the match. In the early stages of the game, there may not have been many threats posed to the opponent. However, by progressing the match without impatience, a rhythm was created. Gradually gaining pace towards the end of the first half led to an increase in plays directed towards the goal, resulting in scoring in the latter part of the match. It is important to continue expressing what the team has built up, and in the match against Sapporo, that became a trigger for capturing a good flow. Just like in the first half, there are times when patience is required. In the second half, including the substitutes, we were able to control the match. The role of the players who entered the pitch as substitutes at a time when the opponent was getting tired is extremely important. I believe the hard work of everyone on the pitch was rewarded with the late goals. It was a very significant victory for the team.
Q: Although we achieved consecutive victories, both matches required a lot of 'patience'.
A, the development and content of the match varies. I believe that the solutions to the various challenges and issues that can arise on the pitch are found in what we have built up to this point. There were many moments of patience in the matches against Shonan Bellmare and Sapporo, but it is important for us that we were able to turn that into victory. I think the match against Fukuoka will also be difficult, but we aim for victory.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q: You made a significant contribution to the victory in the two matches you started. How do you feel about it?
A, keeping the goals conceded to zero is always a goal for me as a defensive player, and in the matches I participated in, I focused on training with the premise of winning while keeping a clean sheet. This season, despite the team having several matches where multiple goals were conceded, being able to contribute by starting in one of the few matches where we won with a clean sheet and kept the goals conceded to zero was truly significant both for the team and for me personally.
Q: How do you feel about your personal achievements within that context?
In the match against Shonan Bellmare, there was a bit of tension and a period of feeling things out, including how the opponent would play, and I wasn't able to defend as I wanted. I felt that we spent too much time on the back foot against Shonan's momentum and pressure from the sides, and I couldn't express my style in either defense or attack. In contrast, in the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, I was able to enter the game having organized the issues and points for improvement from the Shonan match, and I think it was good that we fought tenaciously and tough. I am currently in the process of learning and absorbing various things from the matches I have played. I believe that the speed of my growth is also being demanded, and I approach each match by organizing what I can do.
Q: What kind of person do you envision yourself becoming after growth?
I want to become a player who can excite Tokyo. Since my time in the Tokyo Academy, Masato MORISHIGE has been my role model. Just as I admired him, I want to grow into a defender that the academy players can look up to.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q: In the last match, you started in the defensive midfielder position.
A, I think it was a good element that I was able to create the rhythm of the game from the start with my first start in a while. In the recent league matches, I often had the opportunity to come on as a substitute, which made it difficult to play while grasping the flow of the game and the situation of my teammates. Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI each have their own characteristics as defensive midfielders, and I want to show a relationship and combination that increases our team's options without diminishing each other's strengths.
Q: In the last match, it was a double pivot with Takahashi for the first time in a while.
A, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo has faced us with a unique defense, so we have been communicating constantly to ensure that the match does not develop into an open game with Ko. This match is against Avispa Fukuoka, and of course, our approach will change with the opponent. I believe the match content and flow will have a different atmosphere, so entering the game the same way as against Sapporo.D will often not work, and I want to be mindful of that as we approach the match.
Q: What do you see as Fukuoka's characteristics and strong points?
A, I think there are many aspects that we won't know until the match starts, but Fukuoka's strong defense, which aims to neutralize the opponent's characteristics, is impressive. Especially in the first 10 to 15 minutes of the match, if we can grasp Fukuoka's intentions as a team, I believe we can progress the match in a good way.
