Review of the previous match against Gamba Osaka
The reliable guardian has returned.
The first match after the break was Sec. 25 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. The away game against Gamba Osaka saw the team pushed back into their own half as the opponent maintained possession from the start. Takahiro KO reflected on the difficult situation, saying, "In the first half, it felt like we were a punching bag," but it was Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who had just returned from activities with the U-23 Japan national team, that saved the team in that moment.
In the 16th minute of the first half, a super save deflected Issam JEBALI's shot with a diving save, and in the following 23rd minute, he made another incredible save with one hand to block JEBALI's header. Furthermore, in the 32nd minute, the defense held strong with a body block against the opponent's fierce attack, and then LORI made an amazing reaction save with his right hand to stop Dawhan's shot. He showcased three fine saves in a short time, preventing the opening goal.
In the second half, aiming for counterattacks while enduring, they sent in attacking players such as Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who is returning from injury, Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, and Ryotaro ARAKI, who just returned from activities with the U-23 Japan national team, to strengthen their offensive. However, they could not break through the stronghold of Gamba Osaka, which boasts the fewest goals conceded in the league. Thanks to the efforts of the defense, they managed to hold on and secured 1 point with a scoreless draw.
With a tenacious defense, Nozawa stood out with an overwhelming presence. It truly conveyed a sense of reliability that said, "There are great ambitions in front of the Tokyo goal." Araki even praised his teammates, saying, "Today is 'Great Ambition Day.'"
He said, "Regarding shot stopping, I felt a sense of achievement. I am the last line of defense. Even if I get hit, I must show the strength to stop it, so I am glad I was able to stop it. I just joined the team and was dealing with jet lag, but I am grateful to have been able to play in the match. I enjoy playing soccer, so I want to continue to play with joy and gratitude." He had a fulfilled expression. He also mentioned, "There is still so much I can do. I want to cherish this moment so that the special experiences and stimulation I gained from national team activities do not fade away," as he shifted his focus towards the match against Kawasaki Frontale.
Match Preview
The first match of the J1 League restart against Gamba Osaka ended in a 0-0 draw. In this match, goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who had just returned from the U-23 Japan national team, made a series of excellent saves. He contributed to bringing home a valuable point from the away game. Reflecting on the match, Taishi stated, "Even if we were pushed back, if we could hold on to 0-0 until around the 70th minute, we could see a chance to win. That was one of our goals, so I'm glad we achieved it." On the other hand, he emphasized, "There are still many issues to address. I want to discuss more with the team about where to win the ball and how to advance further to improve the team."
This match will be against our rivals across the Tamagawa River. Kawasaki Frontale, who have struggled since the start of the season, have regained their form with no losses in the last 7 matches. Takahiro KO, a product of Kawasaki's academy, is fired up for his second Tamagawa Classico, stating, "Last time was my second match after joining Tokyo, and it was the first time I lost. I was really frustrated, and after we had a player sent off, we were completely dominated. This time, I just want to secure 3 points for the win." For Tokyo, this is a crucial match to aim for the top from here on. What is required is only victory.
This matchday program is here
[Masato MORISHIGE × Yu KOBAYASHI Tamagawa Classico Special Talk]
The two players of the same age joined rival teams across the Tamagawa River in the 2010 season and have been competing fiercely. Masato MORISHIGE from Tokyo and Yu KOBAYASHI from Kawasaki Frontale, both turning 37 this year, recount the history of the Tamagawa Classico they have witnessed. (Interview: August 4)
――Since both joined in the 2010 season, I believe we have seen the same scenery in the Tamagawa Classico. What kind of match is the Tamagawa Classico?
Masato MORISHIGE I guess we have more bitter memories than anything else.
Yu KOBAYASHI Which one is winning in total?
――The overall record is 11 wins, 9 draws, and 23 losses for Tokyo.
Kobayashi How about since the 2010 season?
─Since the 2010 season, Tokyo has 6 wins, 4 draws, and 17 losses.
Kobayashi I see.
Mori Shige I don't have many memories of winning. In the last few seasons, I think we only won at the National venue last season.
Kobayashi I see.
Mori Shige Kawasaki is really strong, isn't it?
Kobayashi This match is really exciting thanks to the fans and supporters, so it feels a bit special. However, I didn't have the impression of the results that I just heard. I didn't feel like we were losing that much, but I was surprised to find out how much we were winning.
――Please tell us about the match that left the biggest impression on you.
KobayashiIn the 2019 season, he scored his 100th goal in the J1 League away at the Tamagawa Classico. The match was well-played, and we won 3-0. That impression remains strong.
Mori Shige 100 goals, huh? That's amazing. I... don't have any impressions left.
Kobayashi Hahaha. But, wasn't there a match where Morige and (Kosuke) OTA got us? At Todoroki. We were scored on by Morige and OTA scored a free kick. Wasn't there a match like that?
Morishige Kosuke's free kick, right? That happened.
Kobayashi At that time, didn't Morige score with a header?
Mori Shige Am I scoring? But I definitely have the image of scoring a goal in the Tamagawa Classico.
――Unfortunately, there was no collaboration with player Ota, but in terms of goals, player Kobayashi scored 4 goals, and player Morishige scored 3 goals.
Mori Shige Ah, that was close (laughs).
Kobayashi Amazing, amazing. Three goals as a defender is incredible (laughs).
Morishige Certainly, I have an image of scoring.
─At Todoroki, a winning goal was scored in the 2012 season.
Mori Shige That was an impressive match.
Kobayashi Is that really true? You don't remember, do you? (wry smile).
Mori Shige No, no, it's because I decided, so that match is particularly memorable.
Kobayashi That's appropriate (laughs).
Kobayashi scored the opening goal against Tokyo, who were in first place at the time, in Sec. 19 of the 2019 season of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, winning 3-0. In the 20th minute of the first half, he headed in a corner kick from the left side, achieving a total of 100 goals in the J1 League, becoming the 14th player in history to do so. Furthermore, he also assisted in the second goal scored by Saito Gaku, showcasing both the team's and his own best performance.
Morishige's memorable match was an away game in Sec. 5 of the 2012 season of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League. Shortly after the start of the second half, Ariajasuru HASEGAWA was sent off, and the team was pushed back into their own half for an extended period due to the numerical disadvantage. They endured that difficult period, and in the 42nd minute of the second half, a priceless winning goal was scored with a header from a corner kick on the right side just before the end of the match.
―─Why has Tokyo been unable to win against Kawasaki so many times?
Mori Shige Kawasaki is strong. I felt they were particularly strong during that golden era. Anyway, it was all about how to defend and how to counterattack. I think that era had a strength that is hard to match with any other team when looking back at the past J-League.
Kobayashi Morige mentioned that since around the 2017 season, even when playing against Tokyo, there was no feeling of being defeated by anyone. The players coming in from the bench had high quality, and it was a lineup where anyone could have played. I never thought we might lose before the match.
─Kawasaki has often gained momentum by defeating Tokyo in the Tamagawa Classico, even when they were not in good form.
Kobayashi It was indeed an important match. Winning could give us momentum and change the team's atmosphere. I remember there were seasons when we gained confidence after winning against Tokyo. However, we are not having any special discussions before the match.
Mori Shige We players don’t really have anything special to talk about before the match just because it’s the Tamagawa Classico.
Yu KOBAYASHI However, I have heard that the practice during the week when Yuhei TOKUNAGA faces Renato is on a different level (laughs).
Mori Shige Hahaha. Indeed, the only time Tokunaga-san, who always maintains his composure, switches on his motivation is during the week of the Tamagawa Classico (laughs).
Kobayashi I don't have any specific episodes like that, but everyone naturally gets motivated because those around us are cheering us on. They help create videos and prepare various things for us.
Mori Shige was there, right?
Kobayashi was doing something interesting too.
Mori Shige has also dressed up as a comedian.
Kobayashi also did a routine from Sunshine Ikekazu. Because he gets everyone excited like that, I naturally switch on my motivation there.
―─At first, we all worked together to hype up this match, but Yoshito OKUBO has been going back and forth across the Tamagawa River, and the rivalry has been gradually increasing.
Kobayashi That's true.
Mori Shige is one example, but while Kawasaki built an era, we were left behind. I really want to catch up and keep up with them, which is why I've started to be aware of Kawasaki. With players like Yu and peers like Akihiro IENAGA, I think I've gradually become more conscious of the Tamagawa Classico on a personal level.
Kobayashi As Morige said, there were many players of the same generation in Tokyo. Now (Yuto) NAGATOMO is here, and there were many friendly players in Tokyo. I think it has become an exciting match with a lot of motivation.
―─Now, regarding this Tamagawa Classico, I believe both teams are currently in unsatisfactory positions. Is there a desire to use this match as a turning point?
Morishige It's an exciting match, and there's also the frustration of not being able to win against Kawasaki. New young players are coming in, and I think we can create a new era together in the Tamagawa Classico. In that sense, I believe this will be a clash of new beginnings.
Kobayashi Right now, we are not at the top of the rankings, but personally, I believe we were able to end on a positive note before the league was suspended, creating a good atmosphere for the team during this break. With injured players returning and competition becoming fierce, I think we are in a good position to make a comeback from here. That's why I believe this will be a very important match.
─Please tell us the key points to watch in this match.
Mori Shige This season in Tokyo, everyone is working hard and playing a football style focused on scoring goals, so it might turn into a battle for goals. We aim to surpass our opponents in that aspect, so I hope you have high expectations.
Kobayashi We have conceded many goals this season, and after improving our defense, we found ourselves unable to score. While going through such cycles, I believe the team has finally started to take shape. The results have followed, and since there are many players who can score goals, I want to focus on scoring.
─Finally, let's wrap it up with some intense comments.
Mori Shige I have had a lot of painful experiences against Kawasaki. We lost in the first half of the season, so we absolutely cannot afford to lose two consecutive matches this season. Right now, the team is improving, and our condition is good. With injured players returning, we are entering this match with our full strength. I want to show our revenge and Tokyo's strength in this Tamagawa Classico.
Kobayashi I believe that Kawasaki Frontale has become stronger by overcoming the tough times in the first half of the season, so I think we can approach the match against Tokyo in good condition. I believe that by winning the Tamagawa Classico here, we can quickly rise to the top in the second half of the season. I will do my best to win with determination.
The two, who have faced each other across the Tamagawa River, are rivals yet bound by a strong friendship. Their dialogue felt like observing the relationship between Tokyo and Kawasaki. However, it is also true that the Tamagawa Classico, now in its 44th edition, has accumulated more rivalries and memorable moments with each match. They cannot yield when it comes to competition. This is the path that has made the Tamagawa Classico a true tradition, as they have demonstrated.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
On Sports Navi, we are currently featuring "37-Year-Old Tamagawa Classico: Masato MORISHIGE vs. Yu KOBAYASHI - A Summer of Mutual Inspiration Among Veterans". Please take a look.
[Interview with Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, we will face the Tamagawa Classico three days after the match against Gamba Osaka.
First, we are progressing with the analysis of the match centered around the coaching staff. On Thursday, we held a meeting to review the match, and the players were divided into two groups for training and recovery, considering their fatigue. While preparing for the upcoming match, we are enhancing our condition.
Q: The concentrated defense in the match against Gamba Osaka led to a clean sheet, but isn't the exhaustion and fatigue of each player due to the high concentration and intense play significant as well?
A, the content we just discussed is a significant element required in football. Maintaining concentration is always necessary, whether in defense or when holding the ball to build an attack. Additionally, there are many expectations placed upon us. We want to foster growth and ensure we can deliver good matches.
Q. Do you want to increase the time you hold the ball among those?
Yes, of course. It is ideal to take the initiative and dominate. However, this does not mean reducing our movement. We need to keep the ball moving and attack the zones that the opponent dislikes, demanding sprints forward. If the center of gravity shifts forward significantly, the players at the back must also move up the line in coordination. The physical demands are not only for defense but also for attack. In other words, we must concentrate and make judgments about the situation. We want to focus on our play and approach all elements.
