<Last Match Review: Kashima Antlers>
Sec. 24 before the break against Kashima Antlers away. In this match, Ryotaro ARAKI and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, both players of the U-23 Japan national team, left the team for the preparation of the transfer, and the captain Kuryu MATSUKI kicked off in the remaining sunshine and heat.
In the early stages, Tokyo tried to create chances by attacking the opponent's territory from the right side. However, in the 30th minute of the first half, they conceded a sharp counterattack from Kashima after Diego OLIVEIRA's scoring opportunity was blocked. They now trail by one point.
Tokyo attempts a counterattack. Here, the number 22's superb trap brought the team an equalizer.
In the 41st minute of the first half, as they passed and moved intricately on the left side, looking for an attacking opportunity, Keita ENDO made a sharp dash behind the final line. Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who didn't miss this, sent a pinpoint feed forward with his favored left foot.
Endo, who timed the ball's drop point, showed a delicate trap with his left foot inside while winding it up and skillfully approached the goal with a flowing play. He evaded the opponent's sliding with a sharp cutback and swung his right foot to shake the goal net.
A perfect "vita stop". Endo, who showed a superb trap that absorbed the momentum of the ball, scored a goal for the second consecutive game at the Albirex Niigata match held at the Japan National Stadium, bringing the game back to the starting point and turning the game around.
Tokyo, who aimed for a comeback with this momentum, ended up conceding a go-ahead goal at the start of the second half. Even after that, they tried to score an equalizer with plays from Endo and substitute player Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, but it was not enough. They suffered a frustrating loss and will now enter the mid-season break.
<Match Preview>
The Meiji Yasuda J1 League will resume at the away Osaka venue after the break period.
In the J1 Sec. 24 match held in the middle of the week, Tokyo will visit Gamba Osaka's home ground, Panasonic Stadium Suita. With 10 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses, Tokyo is currently in 7th place with 36 points. This will be an extremely important match for Tokyo to gain momentum in the second half of the season.
During the two-week break in the league, there were various movements within the team.
First, captain Kuryu MATSUKI has completed a transfer to England's Southampton FC (this season he played on loan at Turkey's Göztepe SK). The loan transfer of Jája Silva to Sagan Tosu was also announced.
And for the captain who had implemented the 3-man system, Takahiro KO has taken over. For KO, it will be his first game as the new captain against his former team where he made his professional debut. As a responsible playmaker, he is likely to show a passionate performance at his old home ground.
There is also good news that injured players are returning to the field one after another. Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA and Kanta DOI, who were expected to be key players on both offense and defense but were sidelined due to injuries in the first half of the season, participated in the last practice match. Tsubasa TERAYAMA and Renta HIGASHI also joined the training. With the addition of depth to the team, we hope to increase the team's strength by intensifying the competition for each position once again.
In addition, both players Ryotaro ARAKI and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who have experienced the world as members of the Japan national team U-23, returned to Japan on the evening of August 4th. We hope that they will be able to use the disappointment and valuable experience they gained in France to contribute to their future and the team.
During training on the pitch, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI mainly focused on training to maintain possession of the ball. With the league restarting and a sudden schedule of tight matches, it is inevitable that the team will become exhausted if they do not extend the time they dominate and fight in the scorching heat. While aiming for a combination of quick attacks and ball possession, the team has also been conscious of becoming more skilled in games by maintaining a high intensity as before.
The previous match against Gamba Osaka was held on May 26th in the 16th section. It was a game where Tokyo had the most goals in the league and Gamba Osaka had the least goals conceded, but Tokyo couldn't convert their big chances and ended up conceding a goal in the 40th minute of the second half. It seemed like Henrique Trevisan had scored the equalizer in the final moments, but the play was ruled offside and the goal was not allowed. Tokyo suffered a 0-1 defeat against their strong defensive opponent.
Gamba Osaka, with this victory, has gained momentum and risen to second place with a 5-point difference from the top at the time of the mid-season break. Takashi USAMI, who was also selected as the Meiji Yasuda J-League KONAMI Monthly MVP for June, will be suspended due to accumulated warnings, but there are many players that Tokyo must absolutely contain, such as Ewerton, who adds changes to the attack, and Tokuma SUZUKI, who possesses both powerful breakthroughs and speed, as well as accurate passing according to the situation.
As Tokyo, who wants to join the top fight again, they want to gain a victory in the first game after the restart and gain momentum for the "midsummer consecutive games" where important games follow immediately. This round will kick off on August 7th (Wed) at 19:00. In the second half of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, the fierce comeback of the blue and red army will start from the away game in Osaka.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, The J1 League will resume. Please tell us what you have been focusing on during the break.
A, we have been working on improving our physicality. It has been a difficult situation with the high temperatures, but we have been able to build a good foundation for the rest of the season. It is important for us to continue to grow, taking control of our game and focusing on elements such as high pressing and intensity in defense. We have also been able to improve our defensive awareness in the middle third and our ability to control the game and maintain a high tempo. We are constantly striving to be more attacking, targeting dangerous spaces that our opponents do not like and scoring more goals. During the two-week break, we have focused on these areas and we are determined to fight harder than any other team and finish the season strong.
Q, Communication among players was actively conducted to build an organized defense.
A, it is a very good and important thing. In our game model, there are various rules. Communication is essential to express it on the pitch. By further enhancing the cooperation between players, I believe that a good defense will be built.
Q, I think the match against Gamba Osaka this round will be a very important one as we aim for the top.
A, every game is important and there are many important games left. We are only thinking about taking 3 points in every game and we will fight this season with that goal in mind. Gamba Osaka is a very good team and I think it will be a tough away game. They are a tough opponent, but it is most important to express our own soccer. We will have a strong belief and demand that we finish the game. I think that winning in various situations on the pitch and fighting without fear will lead to 3 points, even against a strong opponent.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita ENDO Player＞
Q, the league match that was suspended will resume.
A, I scored a goal in two consecutive games and my condition was good, so I want to continue this good flow instead of interrupting it during this break. Personally, I was able to produce results when given the chance and I want to continue playing and producing results. I want to score as many goals as possible, but I also want to aim humbly without being greedy.
Q, Have you ever scored three consecutive goals in the past?
A, I don't think so. I couldn't contribute much to the team in the first half of the league, and I caused trouble for the team, including injuries, so I want to score as many goals as possible. However, the team's victory is the most important, so I want to maintain a balance between scoring and the team's victory and go for the goal. I believe that scoring is the best way to help the team.
Q, Please tell us your impression of Gamba Osaka, who you will be facing this round.
A, Kashima Antlers' goalkeeper Jun ICHIMORI is a player who is very skilled at building up. I think he is a player who can change the flow of the game with a big save, and as a forward, I see him as a big and troublesome player. The match against Kashima Antlers before the break was also a very important one, but we were unable to take any points. The rankings are also close, and I still believe we have a chance to aim for the top, so we want to aim for a game with substance and a victory.
<Takahiro KO>
Q: What did your team do during the J1 League break?
A, during the match, we continued to work as a team and were able to communicate with the players, including coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, to "thoroughly review what we have built up so far" and "try again". I think it was a period where we were able to organize how to use the attacking third that the team is aiming for and how to penetrate and add depth.
Q, I became the captain during the break. How do you feel now?
A, with players Masato MORISHIGE and Kei KOIZUMI, I don't know if I will actually wear the captain's armband as the game captain, but personally, it won't change anything. In order for the team to win, I want to continue to work hard every day to push myself further. I want to continue to send out from the center of the pitch for 3 points, and with the responsibility given to me, I want to improve while paying attention to details and with the cooperation of other players.
Q, Gamba Osaka's match in the first half of the league was a tough game and ended in a 0-1 defeat.
A, Even as a background for the game, I think we could have closed the gap with the top teams if we were able to take points in that match. It was painful to lose points in such a crucial moment, and the game progressed with a 0-0 score until we conceded a goal in the end. We cannot afford to drop any points from this round after the break. It will be a tough away game, but we want to score first and bring back 3 points.
