<Last Match Review: Sagan Tosu>
"Come to me before you fall!"
A golden opportunity has come before the long-awaited number 8.
What he focused on while running was to firmly control and kick the ball into the frame. The powerful strike from his compact right foot slipped through the legs of the opposing player who came to block, and pierced the goal net with a trajectory that seemed to rise up.
The goal scored in the 37th minute of the second half, chasing one point, was a low, sharp, and powerful equalizer. For Takahiro KO, this was his first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium.
However, there is no smile on his face. He returns to his position with a small jumping guts pose in order to achieve four consecutive victories in a comeback. Then, he kneels on the pitch, clenches both fists, and lets out a roar, spreading a strong awareness of a comeback victory to himself and all the blue and red.
Did that feeling get through? Tokyo suddenly goes on the offensive. The mood in the stadium is also building towards a comeback. The defense showed blocks and fine saves, and the substitute players also made their presence known in the attack.
However, despite their best efforts to defend, they were unable to break down Sagan Tosu until the end, and the game ended in a tie. Despite displaying a rebound mentality, they were unable to turn the game around and it ended in a 1-1 draw.
"I think everyone could feel the chance and atmosphere to turn the game around in the last 10 minutes, and we were able to play while feeling that too. That's why we have to finish it. It's our weakness that we can't win at Ajinomoto. It's very frustrating."
Post-match interview without a smile. His expression, filled with frustration for not being able to win despite scoring the equalizing goal, was filled with regret for missing out on a 4-game winning streak.
<Match Preview>
The first match after the International Match Week will be an away game against Vissel Kobe, which will be held as a "Golden J" event. The schedule has been changed to a Friday night game due to Kobe's participation in the AFC Champions League Elite competition next week.
The match against Sagan Tosu in the 33rd round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, which took place on October 5th, was a first half where we struggled against the opponent's high press and 5-back formation, but gradually took control in the second half. However, we were unable to secure a win once again at Ajinomoto Stadium and ended up with a frustrating draw, despite equalizing after conceding first. It was a disappointing result in a match where we aimed for our first 4 consecutive wins in the league this season.
However, there is no need to view the content negatively. In the second half, each player showed their strengths in attack and defense in their respective positions. There were also scenes where they showed a transition from good defense to good attack, and although they were unable to secure a victory, it is important to think positively about the fact that they were able to demonstrate the essence of Tokyo.
Kobe, on the other hand, is on a 6-game winning streak in the league. They are currently only one point behind the top-ranked Sanfrecce Hiroshima. They continue to use their aggressive high press from the front line to increase pressure and their sharp counterattacks to quickly score goals. Led by experienced players, the defending champions are making a final push for back-to-back titles.
Tokyo, who will be away, will have to reorganize their backline as center back Yasuki KIMOTO will be suspended due to accumulated warnings. The key to the game will be how they deal with the opponent's aggressive press. They will need to not only connect the ball well from the back, but also avoid risks and neutralize Kobe's press with long kicks while keeping in mind the use of post-play and attacking the sharp spaces behind. This will be a game that will test their adaptability, which they have shown during their winning streak.
The winning streak in the league was stopped at 3, but the team's situation is on the rise with 4 games undefeated. It will be a game to show the strength of blue and red firmly to Kobe, who is in the race for the championship, and to connect to the endgame and the future.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, the match against Sagan Tosu ended in a draw due to the opponent's strong defense.
A. There is a challenge for each match. The Tosu match was a very difficult match in the first 20 minutes. There were many times when we had to endure, but we were able to fight well and stay positive towards the end of the first half. In the second half, I think we were able to grasp the flow and rhythm of the match and fight well. However, we gave the opponent an opportunity and conceded the first goal. Nevertheless, the players showed their individuality and never gave up, giving their all until the end. I think that's what led to the equalizing goal.
Q, this round is a match against Vissel Kobe.
A, Kobe is the J1 League champion from last season and has accumulated many victories in recent matches. It is because they are riding on such a good momentum and fighting that Kobe is in a high position. This match will be an away game. We need to be wary of their momentum, but we also have a good momentum from our recent matches. We want to show that we can fight firmly. I think it's just a matter of having a strong mentality, fighting hard, and expressing our own rules.
Q, What measures do you take against opponents with strong attacking power?
A, Kobe has a very talented team, but the most important thing is to know where to attack and how to control the game. Defendingchampions deserve respect, and we expect Kobe to fight fiercely for a consecutive victory, but our focus is on our own game plan. We will give our all for 3 points.
[Player Interview]
Diego OLIVEIRA
Q, In the recent game, our team was able to score many points. What kind of progress did we make during this break?
Player Ryotaro ARAKI, who is currently in a vertical relationship, is a high-quality player and very easy to play with. Not only in these few games, but I also think he has had a positive impact on the team this season. I believe we have a very good relationship now, but there are still 5 games left, so I want to build an even better relationship.
Q, This will be a match against Vissel Kobe, currently in 2nd place with 8 consecutive wins in the league. How will you approach the game?
A, last season we also won the championship and currently we are in 2nd place, fighting for the championship. It is a very strong team in good condition. Of course, it will be a very difficult game as it is an away game, but in our last 4 games, we have won 3 and drawn 1, so we are in a very good flow. They are the defending champions, so we will approach the game with respect, but it is us who will win the game.
Q, as the league season comes to an end, the remaining games will become crucial in order to break into the top ranks.
A, as the remaining games decrease, the matches become more intense. Fatigue is also building up, but we are able to prepare in a good atmosphere through training and practice matches. We are preparing for the Kobe match in the best condition possible, so we will give our all to deliver a victory to our fans and supporters.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA player＞
Q, our recent games have shown a stable defense that has led to consecutive wins.
A, There have been three consecutive wins in recent games, but no player is satisfied with the current situation. However, there is a sense of progress in controlling the game, and even in times when we cannot score or progress well, we are able to play defense together with everyone's awareness. I think we were able to play clearly in the process of building and creating the game.
Q, There was also a big save to save a difficult game development in the previous match against Sagan Tosu.
A, our ideal is to dominate the game in both offense and defense and win. We aim for that. In the Tosu game, we allowed the opponent to take the lead while the score remained 0-0, and ended up with a draw. In order to aim for the top, we want to take control and play with the intention of achieving results.
Q: How do you feel about your personal performance, player Daisuke Nozawa?
A, I believe I can do more and more. This includes analyzing the opponent's shots and ball handling, as well as how to be involved with the ball in both offense and defense, such as building up and preparation. I want to further improve by communicating with my teammates. In order for the team to win, I want to improve my individual quality.
Q, Please tell us the points to be wary of when facing Vissel Kobe, which has a strong attacking lineup and many scoring patterns.
A tough opponent, and I think it is inevitable that there will be times when we have to endure. It is important to not give any openings, to express good conditions and good choices, and to follow the team's rules. I think it is important to faithfully follow the defensive rules against a difficult opponent, and to be able to flexibly respond in irregular situations. It will be a very tense battle, but I want to enjoy that tension.
