<Last Match Review: Kashima Antlers>
"I am very disappointed." In the post-match press conference, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI repeated the same words twice. Once as his honest impression at the beginning of the conference, and again as the closing phrase after summarizing the game. It seems that the feeling of disappointment has completely taken over his heart.
The away game started with 2 wins and 1 loss, with a strong start using sharp counters to create multiple chances. In the midfield, Takahiro KO and Kento HASHIMOTO, who made his first start after transferring, were actively involved, receiving passes from the backline and carefully building up the attack.
However, the finish just couldn't be made. Teruhito NAKAGAWA's shot grazed the crossbar, while Marcelo RYAN's header hit the goal post. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's shot, trying to pass it into the unguarded goal from a high position with coordinated pressing, narrowly missed to the right of the goal. Each player displayed their strengths and created good chances, but they continued to miss the numerous opportunities to take the lead.
Tokyo, who couldn't score any chances, conceded 2 goals to Kashima from set pieces in the second half. In the 38th minute of the second half, Maki KITAHARA, a player from FC Tokyo U-18, was sent onto the pitch at the young age of 15 years, 7 months, and 22 days, breaking the record for the youngest player to ever play in the J1 League. However, they ended up suffering a disappointing defeat away from home.
<Match Preview>
So far, it's been a 2 wins and 2 losses draw. The blue and red army, 4 points behind the top spot, will face Shonan Bellmare at home.
In the previous match against Kashima Antlers, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI created many chances and spoke about how the result could have been different if they had just been able to finish them. However, they ended up losing the game due to missed opportunities. In the team meeting after the match, the focus was on finishing strong. Coach MATSUHASHI said, "Of course, it's important to focus on the content and build a strong foundation from the back, but this time, we focused on how to get results and lead to our victory. That's the most important thing. If we want to move up, we need to finish strong."
Speedy attacks are possible. There have been some precarious scenes with the goalkeeper joining in the build-up, but there have also been more cases where it has taken shape. It has been proven in the first four games that they can create chances by breaking through the situation with individual strength. That's why this week's game requires a focus on goals and victory.
However, Shonan Bellmare, who will face off this round, has 3 wins and 1 draw since the opening, and is in 2nd place with 10 points. Although they have given up the top spot in goal difference, they are a formidable opponent who has successfully started with the organizational strength that head coach Satoshi Yamaguchi boasts as "the best in the J-League". In addition to their traditional weapon of hard work, they have been able to take control of the game with an attacking style of pushing both wings into the 3-1-4-2 system and 2 top and 2 shadow. In particular, the two players in the 2 top, Sho Fukuda and Akito Suzuki, have been in excellent form with a total of 5 goals so far. How to contain them will be one of the key points.
It is expected that it will not be a complete mirror game unlike the team with a 3-4-2-1 system that Tokyo has faced in the first three games of the season. How to use the opponent's anchors on both sides in attack, and how to defend against the pressure from the opponent who comes with numbers in the front line and the inside half will also be key to the game's development.
Can we stack up 3 points by focusing on the finish, using the frustration from the previous match as a springboard? We want to firmly win here and keep up with the top teams, while refining our "Rikizo Tokyo" style of soccer and producing results. This game against Shonan is a must-win at our home, Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Rikizo MATSUHASHI, Manager]
Q, What preparations did you make for the Shonan Bellmare match, which has been in good shape since the previous game?
A, Shonan is a team that is maintaining good form, so we want to win solidly. Even in the previous match, if we only look at the result, it was just a loss, but if we had simply made the decisions, the result may have been different. However, taking that into consideration, if we want to move up, we have to make sure to make the right decisions. I think the same goes for the Shonan match. It is important to firmly make use of the chances we create.
Q, please tell me your impression of Shonan.
A, last season and so on, while gaining strength in the game, it seems that the team has become more complete by brushing up on their skills. The players seem to be playing with confidence. I feel that each player's strengths are being fully utilized. In addition, there is a sense of stability and the ability to reproduce what the team wants to do. Therefore, it is important to not let the players play freely, as individual matchups will determine the outcome of the game.
Q, Is it ideal to keep pushing the ball into the opponent's territory for a longer period of time while possessing it?
Regarding the Shonan match, there will naturally be moments where we allow the opponent to show their strengths by playing against them. Shonan is very sharp in their counterattacks after stealing the ball. In order to prevent that, there will be times when we need to let them have possession. When we are in a good state, we need to be able to adapt and change our tactics. I believe that this back-and-forth is crucial. Of course, as a team, we want to firmly hold onto the ball and break down the opponent to score. There may be times when the opponent has possession, but we can turn the tables and score on the counterattack. We may have similar intentions, so it is important to improve our accuracy.
[Player Interview]
<Takahiro KO>
Q, please review the previous match.
In the game where we could have changed the result if we had scored firmly in the scenes we had to decide, we felt a good response on the pitch, including the first half, and the number of ball recoveries and chances has increased since the opening game. We feel the accumulation as a team and want to continue to improve our level. There was also a talk from coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, but we cannot break into the top if we do not score in the chances. We want to play against Shonan Bellmare with more determination.
Q, it seems that the position of the defensive midfielder is gradually being adjusted in both attack and defense.
A, in the previous match, the opponent played with a 4-4-2 system, which naturally created gaps. Even if our defensive line didn't drop back, we had a numerical advantage of three defenders against their two forwards, so we deliberately endured dropping back and focused on receiving the ball in the middle. This week we are facing Shonan and their system will of course change, so I want to create good gaps on the pitch. I have never played as a defensive midfielder with Kento HASHIMOTO, but we were able to communicate on the pitch and play well together. I hope we can continue to bring out each other's strengths in the future.
Q, this round we will face Shonan, who has been in good form since the start of the league.
A, it's a great team and I've felt a strong sense of unity since facing Shonan with confidence in their style since last season. We lost in the home game last season, so we want to make up for that. We also want to accumulate 3 points here and break into the top, and we can't afford to lose at home.
<Kanta DOI>
Q, Did you have any game appearances, and how did you watch the previous game from the bench?
A, There were many scenes where we created chances as a team, but we couldn't finish them and ended up conceding a goal towards the end. From a defender's perspective, I think it's important to be the starting point for creating chances, increase the number of chances, and carry the game without conceding any goals. I hope we can play with more emphasis on keeping a clean sheet.
Q, Please tell me your impression of Shonan Bellmare.
A, I feel good, and there are many goals that have been born from the front line of player Fukuda and player Suzuki (Akito). We want to be flexible in responding to the opponent's side attack by communicating on the pitch, including not letting the team play freely and passing marks.
Q, What kind of preparations has the team made this week?
A, We have organized the points that the team should match, such as the defensive position and passing for the opponent's excellent ball handling and coordination. In the previous match, we conceded a goal from a set piece. Through team meetings, we have confirmed and made corrections, and we have a sense of accomplishment. In order to make the high defensive strength a weapon for the team, we want to approach the Shonan match with a high level of awareness.
