Previous Match Review: Fagiano Okayama
From the start, Tokyo launched an overwhelming attack. With precise movements and proactive third-man runs, they increased their passing options and continued to play in the Fagiano Okayama territory with a high ball possession rate.
In the 5th minute of the first half, player Keiin SATO created a chance with a sharp right cross, and just after that, in the 6th minute, Kanta DOI's vertical pass connected to Kosuke SHIRAI on the right side, setting up a scoring opportunity for SATO. Furthermore, in the 7th minute, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's dribbling breakthrough allowed SATO to aim for another shot in the center, but this was also thwarted at the last moment by the opponent's pressing. In the following 9th minute, Soma ANZAI's right corner kick was perfectly met by SATO, but it went straight to the goalkeeper and did not result in a goal.
Tokyo, creating several close chances, struggles to score the opening goal. After the 20-minute mark in the first half, their attacks become monotonous and gradually lose momentum, leading to a period where they are pushed back by Okayama. They have difficulty dealing with the opponent, who has built a block with five players in the final line and four in the midfield, resulting in fewer movements and support, which prevents them from adding depth to their attacks.
Just after the start of the second half, a scene where the goal net was shaken was judged offside with the support of VAR, allowing them to escape danger, but they could not regain the flow as they wished. Then, in the 16th minute of the second half, a ball that could not be cleared was volleyed powerfully by Ryo TABEI, who ran from the back and trapped it with his chest, resulting in the opening goal being conceded.
Substitutions and a system change to a four-back formation were attempted to break the deadlock, but the match ended 0-1. The team returned home with the frustrating result of six league matches without a win.
Match Preview
We want to change everything at our National.
Currently, the team has gone six league matches without a win. The consecutive scoreless streak was stopped in the match against Verdy two games ago, but despite creating numerous big chances, the team has been unable to convert those opportunities into goals, leading to a continued period without victories. It is likely that everyone is feeling the frustration in their hearts.
The situation is such that the "arrows" tend to point in various directions due to the lack of results. However, if we do not believe in the path we have walked and the path we will take from here, there is no future. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI also said, "If we easily reach for something different and it doesn't work out, and then we try something else, we will quickly become disjointed and collapse. It is important not to give up immediately during difficult times, but to endure and continue. With a single goal or victory, many things can grow significantly. I believe this applies to individual players as well; growth does not happen gradually, but rather comes suddenly. If we can keep this in mind and endure while continuing forward, we can believe in the potential of the team."
To convey to the team that the path they have walked so far is not wrong, the coach presented offensive data after the last match. The coach analyzed and shared what he thought was being done subjectively from an objective perspective, ensuring that everyone is aligned to move in the same direction.
Endure. Be patient. Keep going. This applies not only to our efforts throughout the season but also on the pitch. In recent matches, there has been a tendency to lose momentum despite creating many chances. After the match against Fagiano Okayama, Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI mentioned, "It is important to endure and be patient while attacking." This includes repositioning while holding the ball, the movement of the third player, varying between long and short passes in our attacks, and managing risks while on the offensive. In situations where we tend to become anxious and resort to monotonous attacks simply because we want to score, it is crucial to build chances patiently and demonstrate an attack that is well-calculated from the goal. This is truly a test of the endurance and persistence of 'Rikizo TOKYO.'
Kashiwa Reysol, under the new leadership of coach Ricardo RODRIGUEZ this season, has shifted to a possession-based style of play, boasting the top possession statistics in the league. They started strong with 3 wins and 1 draw, but have since struggled with 3 draws and 1 loss. However, they secured a long-awaited victory in the last match against Gamba Osaka and are coming in with momentum. Key attacking players to watch are second-year player Kumazaka and Harakawa, who was with Tokyo until last season. Tokyo aims to secure victory by effectively positioning themselves to thwart the opponents' attacks while maintaining solid ball control in the midfield.
Believe in yourself, believe in your teammates, and forge ahead on the path you should pursue. There is no night that does not end. There is no rain that does not stop. However, nothing will change by just waiting. To turn your steps into confidence and to achieve goals and victories. Together as one in "Our National".
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: This week's home game will be held at Japan National Stadium.
It is a sacred place in Japanese football, and I have had the opportunity to stand as a player myself, but I think the atmosphere is a bit different and adds some tension. However, as our home ground, I want to fight with all my strength aiming for victory.
Q: What kind of approach are you conscious of towards the players during this series of difficult matches?
A, of course, things haven't been going well; we haven't been able to convert chances into goals, and there were moments when we conceded easy goals. However, based on past data and looking at the numbers objectively, there are areas where we have been improving. By showing the players not only subjective aspects but also objective data, we shared the situation we have been in and communicated that we are indeed making progress.
We are currently going through a difficult time, but I believe that by continuing to push forward, we will definitely move in a positive direction. I do not see this as a mistake or a failure, but rather recognize it as a challenging period. Difficulties and failures are different. However, both as individuals and as a team, we need to delve into the reasons behind why this has happened. There is a tendency for good momentum to shift to the opponent. I also feel that we may be relying too much on the organization, which is diluting the strengths and qualities of each individual. Regarding the battles and strengths in critical situations, I believe the players will fight with renewed determination.
Q: Kashiwa Reysol boasts one of the highest ball possession rates in the league. What kind of battle is required against such an opponent?
While it is important not to easily give the ball to the opponent, it is not just about competing at that moment. To take control, it is crucial to excel in various situations. Each moment presents a "competition." I want our players to strive to outdo the opponent, even if it's just once or in one instance. I believe that by showcasing our advantages, we can ultimately surpass the opponent as a team.
[Player Interview]
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q: This is a game at the Japan National Stadium, which is a good match for the team.
First of all, I want to play with only winning in mind. I want to fully leverage the atmosphere of the venue and focus on the competition.
Q: We have been struggling to win matches. Please tell us what is necessary to turn things around from here.
While taking advantage of the atmosphere at the venue, I believe this match is key for me as an individual. To move up in the rankings from here, we obviously need to keep winning. Currently, we are in the lower group, but the point difference with the upper group is narrowing. I want to endure the upcoming series of matches and aim for consecutive victories. We are preparing to win.
Q: I think the key will be how to take control against Kashiwa Reysol.
It's a team that plays interesting football, and while it's important to see who retains the ball, I believe the key to winning is how to take the ball from the opponent and how to turn the opponent who comes to take it into a chance. I think there will be more situations where each player plays man-to-man, so individual breakthroughs and choices in play will create differences from the opponent.
<Kanta DOI>
Q, we conceded a goal in the second half last match and ended up losing. Please review the last match.
A, in recent matches, we have been able to create good opportunities in the first half, but we have been unable to finish and ended up conceding goals in the second half, resulting in losses. I believe there are more things we can improve, such as how we start the second half. We need to ensure that we can play like we did in the first half during the second half as well. Mistakes become more noticeable when we get tired, and we often see scenes where we concede goals from those mistakes. Therefore, we need to focus on how we can tighten up, such as by communicating more, and we can see areas that need improvement, so we want to work on those aspects.
Q: We have been experiencing consecutive matches with conceded goals. What improvements are necessary?
A, mistakes in judgment have led to goals against us, so in situations where we are being pressed, I think it is necessary to use long balls to force the opponent to turn their backs at least once. In the last match, the wind was strong, so I believe we needed to consider that in our play as well.
Q: Please tell us your impression of Kashiwa Reysol.
While maintaining possession of the ball, we are also scoring effectively. Since we are not conceding many goals, the first goal becomes crucial. We want to challenge ourselves to secure the first goal while managing risks properly to avoid conceding.
Q: The match will be held at Japan National Stadium. How will you approach the game?
As the matches progress, the number of chances is increasing. We are able to create good opportunities in front of the goal, so I want to create as many as possible. Personally, I have been able to pass to the forwards not only at their feet but also behind the opponents, so I want to continue to work on that aspect. However, while it is important to take on challenges, we must eliminate our mistakes in terms of quality, so I believe we need to keep pushing ourselves. Regardless of the venue, we want to win, so no matter where we are, who our opponent is, or what the score is, we just want to win.
