<Last Match Review: Albirex Niigata>
Finally arrived.
Zero temperature finally scored a goal.
The long-awaited first goal in the J1 League was a brilliant shot that ended a three-game losing streak. It was also a farewell blow to a fellow teammate who joined at the same time. This season, he has missed numerous big chances and felt frustrated, but he has continued to work hard without changing. This was the moment when his efforts finally paid off.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, with a 1-0 lead, Kei KOIZUMI makes a sharp counterattack and runs up the right side. The opponent's defense only has two players, excluding the goalkeeper. In front of Leon NOZAWA, who is sprinting at full speed towards the goal on the opposite side, there is a vast space spread out.
"During the run, I made eye contact with Kei-kun. I believed that he would definitely put the ball between the final line and the goalkeeper, so I just ran with all my might and pushed it in with my feelings."
The cross sent from the right side is sharp and delivered to the feet as intended. There is too much time and space until the shot, and it may have been a tense scene that would have been missed before. However, he was different on this day.
"I thought I could play naturally today. I was definitely nervous, but we had trained for similar situations during practice, so it was the scenario I had envisioned. Because I had prepared for it, I was able to regain my usual self."
Breaking through the near side with precise steps, using the right foot's inside. The player reflects, "I just hit it. I pushed it in with my feelings." However, it was a technical shot that hit the bottom left corner of the goal. As the net shook, his mind went blank.
"It's not just happiness, but also a sense of relief that I was finally able to respond to everyone's support, the excitement when I scored, and my emotions were all over the place," said the 20-year-old hero, on the verge of tears. "If I cry here, I'll become known as a crybaby," he realized and desperately held back his tears, running straight to the Tokyo goal end where the fans and supporters who always cheered him on were waiting.
"I was able to score a goal in a difficult time when I struggled and struggled a lot because I couldn't score even though I had chances. I think I can receive various words because we always fight together, and I don't think I can hear them if it's someone else's business. I have to turn that feeling into strength and respond with results. I think it was a chance for us to become one as individuals and as a team."
In addition, it was decided that Kuryu Matsuki, who will be transferring overseas, will leave the team after this match. He was also a close friend and teammate of Nozawa, who joined the team at the same time.
"We talked as a team about sending him off feeling good after winning. Personally, it was a great motivation for me and it's sad to see him go, but as a fellow teammate, I can't afford to lose. I want to work hard and become a presence that can lead the team even more, while competing with him. In general, I feel like I'm younger than him, and he's probably seen as someone who's on a completely different level. But I think it's positive to feel frustrated and know that I have to surpass him. I hope we can stand side by side and play together at an even higher level."
Finally took a big step forward.
After the game, in the mix zone, he smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm sorry for being late," and showed a smile, saying, "I finally made it to the starting line."
"I came here thinking that if I could just get one, I would aim for even higher and keep taking them. Scoring there is what a striker does, and I want to continue playing as a striker. I think this goal will give me confidence."
After the circle of joy was broken behind the goal, he showed off his goal performance by spreading his right hand and putting his left hand to his ear.
"I've been doing it since last season, but it's my first time in Tokyo. It's a performance with the meaning of wanting to receive more praise and cheers from everyone when I score a goal. I had planned to do it when I scored a goal, so I want to increase those opportunities from here on out."
After receiving the transfer of my teammates, I became strongly aware that I had to do it myself. I am grateful to the fans and supporters who supported me with strict yet warm voices, and to the staff who stayed with me for extra practice. In order to live up to the expectations of those around me, I scored my first goal in the J1 League, which I had been waiting for more than anyone else. The unforgettable goal I scored in front of the large crowd at the Japan National Stadium will surely be a major turning point for him.
<Match Preview>
In the previous match, Tokyo stopped their losing streak of 3 official games with a 2-0 victory against Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium. It was also a farewell game for captain Kuryu Matsuki, who announced his departure from the team due to an overseas transfer, as well as a send-off match for Taishi Brandon Nozawa and Ryotaro Araki, who will participate in the Paris Olympics. The game was played in front of a record-breaking crowd of 57,885 at the National Stadium, and Tokyo was able to secure a brilliant win.
Aomori and Akita showed their determination in a game they absolutely could not afford to lose. They shut down Niigata's passing game with a compact middle block from the beginning, and expanded their lead by allowing them to hold the ball and then countering sharply according to the flow of the game. Scenes of controlling the pace while connecting the ball with the goalkeeper in the build-up were seen multiple times, and being able to consciously adapt to the game's flow, which was a challenge, was also a positive element.
And in the end, Leon NOZAWA finally marked his first goal in the J1 League. It was a promising result as the attacker, who is in the same year as Matsuki, finally shook the net and can be expected to do so in the future.
The Meiji Yasuda J1 League, which will enter a two and a half week break after this round. The last match before the break is an away game against Kashima Antlers. The opponent's manager is Ranko POPOVIC, who once fought together in blue and red and also challenged the Asian stage. In the Tokyo era, the brilliant possession football was symbolic, but now they adopt a style that focuses on short counters from high press. Leading Kashima from this season, they have achieved a record of 12 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, placing them in 4th position.
In addition, Kashima has acquired former Japan national team player Kentaro Mitsukuri, who has been playing in Portugal and Belgium this week, on a full transfer. The large-sized midfielder, who returns to his old club, has already completed his player registration and will be able to play from the Tokyo match at the earliest. As a player with high abilities in both offense and defense, it is necessary to be cautious when using him.
For Tokyo, Matsuki, Araki, and Taishi will be absent, but when they were absent during the Paris Olympics qualifiers from April to May, they achieved three consecutive victories and produced solid results. The players who have taken the field have been performing one after another, which is characteristic of Tokyo this season. First, they want to secure a victory away at Kashima and then enter the break period in a good position, keeping in mind their goal of advancing to the top.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, I think the 2 goals against Albirex Niigata were highly reproducible plays. Do you feel satisfied with how your aim was successfully executed?
A, there are several formations within the team to attack spaces and the opponent's area. Both goals were the result of hard work, with each player recognizing their role and positioning. It was a continuous flow that was difficult for the opponent to stop. This is evidence that each player has a clear target. However, one thing that needs improvement is how we use spaces during attacks. We need to increase the time we control the ball and effectively attack the opponent's spaces.
Q, In the second half of the Niigata match, there were times when the defensive block dropped a little in position.
A, that's also part of football and something that can happen during a game. In the second half, there were moments where we lost control of the ball. If we were able to move the ball while keeping an eye on the opponent's space, we could have held onto the ball for longer. However, we were unable to do so and Niigata is also a team that excels at ball possession, so the defensive aspect became more important. It's important to be able to fight through difficult periods during a game, but improvement is necessary. We need to avoid losing the ball easily and utilize space to push the team forward as a whole.
Q, I think the balance of increasing the number of chances created and the time of ball possession will be particularly important in the future.
A, it is important to efficiently advance on the attacking side. Just keeping the ball will not be interesting for the viewers. It is important to maintain control while keeping the focus on moving forward. This focus will bring depth to our attack. I believe that overall control will lead to effective plays.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, Please review the Albirex Niigata match.
A, we were in a situation where we had lost consecutive games, so it was a game where we desperately wanted to win. We were conscious of playing with a mindset of being able to cut through the entire game. The opponent was not easy to score against, so we also created scenes where we could go towards the goal without using too many moves. Also, during the game, we made adjustments on whether to kick a goal kick or connect from the back. On the defensive side, we knew that the opponent would hold onto the ball, so we shared the understanding that it was okay to let them have possession and were able to progress the game, so those decision-making moments were good.
Q, What was the intention behind the assist scene for the second goal in the Niigata match that led to an additional point?
A, I think the fact that the midfielder jumped out was a part that was talked about even before the game, so it was a good use of that space as planned and led to a goal. As expected, such a jump also breaks down the opponent's formation, so I think there is a high possibility of it becoming a chance. I want to increase it more and more and increase the number of goals.
Q, this will be the last game before the league suspension. How will you approach the game?
In order to break into the top ranks, it is important to beat teams that are above us. This is a crucial match where we can directly shorten the gap in points, so we want to prepare well and approach it with determination.
<Go HATANO>
Q, if you participate, it will be the first league match in a while.
A, the team won in the previous match against Albirex Niigata, but I don't think the performance was satisfactory. We had been on a losing streak before that, so we want to give our all to win the next match. I think we have been able to communicate well to prevent our defensive block from dropping too low during practice, and we want to use the lessons from the previous match to improve.
Q, Wasn't the frustration of not being able to play in the game also significant?
A, rather than frustration, I feel responsible for myself. If I get a chance to play, I want to enter the game firmly and express everything I have.
Q, it will be a match against Kashima Antlers, who are in a high position.
This is the opponent who is currently in 4th place, but I feel that all teams in this season's J1 league are at a high level. I don't want to get too excited and want to play with a calm mind. I want to lift the team up from the back and help with plays and voices when things get tough.
Kosuke SHIRAI
Q, The match against Albirex Niigata left the top number in the J1 league for sprint count (26 times) in the 23rd round. I think dedication greatly contributed to the victory.
It was a game where we had a lot of time with the opponent holding the ball, but I think that being patient and taking the timing to score led to our victory. Personally, it may have been a game where I was "made to run" rather than running, but there were also moments where I was able to use my defensive strengths. In terms of sprints, I want to be more conscious of using that power in attack from the next game.
Q, What measures and care are important in tough matches during the summer?
A, summer games are tough and tend to be exhausting. When playing against a team like Niigata that holds onto the ball, it is important for us to not just defend, but also to hold onto the ball and control the game. Teams that are good at ball possession do not like when the opponent has the ball. Tokyo has many players who can work hard, so we can play like we did against Niigata, but we also want to focus on making the opponent run and increase the time we control the game and our attacks. Personally, I am good at playing in the summer. If the opposing player shows a tired face, I want to keep attacking with sprints that surpass the opponent and activate the sides.
Q, this week's match is against 4th place Kashima Antlers.
In order to aim for the top, we cannot afford to lose a single game from here. We want to beat Kashima, who is positioned above us, and narrow the gap with the top teams.
