<Previous Match Review: Albirex Niigata>
An away game held during Golden Week. Tokyo aggressively attacked the opponent's territory from the beginning, and the long-awaited opening goal was scored in the 8th minute of the first half.
Marcelo RYAN, facing forward in the vital area, powerfully carried the ball forward, and at the moment the opponent's pressure slackened, unleashed a powerful left-footed strike. Wearing number 19, he drove a fierce shot into the net, finally marking his first league goal in Tokyo.
Tokyo, eager to receive the ball and attack from the first half, scored an additional goal in the 7th minute of the second half with elegant passing from the right side. Kanta DOI, who boldly overlapped, joined the attack, and Kei KOIZUMI, who became the starting point by inserting a pass from the right, ran through the center to receive the ball again and calmly slotted in the second goal.
At the 21st minute of the second half, the opposing team scored a goal, and Takahiro KO was forced to leave the game due to injury. However, at the 37th minute, Kosuke SHIRAI picked up a loose ball in his own penalty area, made a high-speed dribble on a long run, and delivered the final pass. Lucas RIAN, who broke through here, sealed the match with an outstanding right-footed shot.
Although they were reduced to a one-goal difference from a set piece near the end, they secured a comfortable victory by scoring a total of three goals with Tokyo-style powerful attacks and smooth direct play. They succeeded in bringing back 3 points from the away game.
This Round's Preview
A game aiming for the first consecutive wins of the season. The congested schedule has finally eased, allowing the team to properly rest and train before facing the match.
After the previous match against Albirex Niigata, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI took two days off and is looking ahead positively as he was able to return to the usual training routine by practicing for four days with varying intensity in preparation for the upcoming match against Vissel Kobe.
The team ended their streak of eight consecutive winless league matches, but suffered a complete defeat in the next game against Shimizu S-Pulse, unable to show their strengths. However, in the previous match against Niigata, they demonstrated a strong rebound mentality, with the players on the pitch aligning their focus and securing a comfortable 3-goal victory. It was a significant gain to reaffirm the difficulty of winning and what is necessary to achieve it.
In the match against Niigata, the team not only connected passes firmly but also incorporated simple attacks using the space behind the defense, showcasing a powerful attack that combined each player's strengths. Many players played proactively and engaged enthusiastically with the ball. It was impressive how they carefully repositioned themselves to create passing lanes, and notably, Kanta DOI, who played as part of the three-back defense, participated effectively in the attack.
And above all, Marcelo RYAN, who was highly anticipated, scored 2 goals with outstanding finishing ability. The surrounding players also understand his strengths, and with a more robust attack bringing out his best qualities, even more goal scoring is expected.
However, including the point that we conceded a goal easily from a set piece just before the end of the match, there are still some defensive issues remaining, so the entire team must work together with a unified focus on closing out the game as a whole.
Kobe, on the other hand, is in 8th place with 6 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses so far. They had recorded four consecutive league wins but suffered a come-from-behind loss against Cerezo Osaka in the previous match, ending their winning streak. Kobe will face an away game as the third match in a three-game series with only two and three days of rest in between.
The key point of the match seems to be how Tokyo can respond to Kobe's high press and long balls pushing forward. Will they prevent Kobe from kicking, or will they strongly contest the ball and recover the second ball after Kobe kicks? And how will they turn the recovered ball into an attack? The players on the pitch are required to play soccer that reads the flow of the game. Since Tokyo has the advantage in condition, they want to showcase a thick and powerful attack by repositioning firmly and aligning their focus.
To show a counterattack from here, we want to defeat the reigning champions who have won consecutive league titles and achieve consecutive wins. Valuing each match and having the determination to keep winning will pave the way for the future of the blue and red. A match that will serve as a turning point is highly anticipated.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. It will be a match against Vissel Kobe after a short break since the last game.
A, we were able to approach this week’s training with varied intensity. We thoroughly reviewed physical training with varied intensity, how to compete against Kobe, tactical sharing, and both offense and defense.
Q. What is your impression of Kobe, the Meiji Yasuda J1 League champions from last season?
A, the defensive intensity is extremely high, and they are a team that simply passes the ball forward to launch attacks after winning possession. The quality of the balls supplied to the front line is also very high, and the front players have great quality as well. If we allow them to easily create a foothold there, Kobe has the ability to finish off chances even with a small number of players. Including how we can apply pressure to the opponent, we want to clearly organize our standards and approach the match accordingly.
Q. Is recovering the second ball related to long balls the key to winning or losing?
We have confirmed with the players how to respond when the ball is kicked forward, but the key point is how to connect to the attack after fulfilling the defensive role. We are also required to perform tight play that prevents the expression of high pressing, side attacks, accurate crosses, and good relationships. We want the players to respond patiently and persistently.
[Player Interview]
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q. After the match against Albirex Niigata, it was impressive to see the entire team working together to identify areas for improvement.
A, I think we haven't been able to play the style of football the coach envisions at all this season. In that sense, there are many points to correct, and I believe no one, including players and staff, is satisfied. However, matches keep coming, and to break into the top ranks, we must secure 3 points, so above all, we want to win.
Q: This will be a match against last season's J1 League champion. What do you think will be important points to win?
A, the style of play itself is a physically driven, fast vertical soccer. The battles are extremely important. While enjoying soccer, we must fight with spirit and win in every play—contesting the ball, winning second balls, aerial duels—otherwise, victory is impossible. It is essential to first win the duel against the opponent right in front of you.
Q: We have been away from victory at Ajinomoto Stadium.
A, no matter where we play, as long as the team wins, I want to give my all to secure the 3 points for victory.
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q: Victory in the previous match against Albirex Niigata. Please tell us the key points needed to achieve the first consecutive league wins of this season.
A, We have been in a difficult situation where we couldn't secure consecutive wins in the league matches, but up until this week's match against Vissel Kobe, we have had enough time to prepare thoroughly. The team has also shared the analysis and countermeasures against Kobe. I believe not only myself but everyone can approach this match with confidence, and we want to show a game that leads to consecutive wins.
Q. As a defensive player, what kind of defense do you think is required to pull off consecutive wins?
A. When it comes to defense, I think our defensive line will be the focus. Within that, I especially want to emphasize "concentration" and "communication." By maintaining these two consistently and toughly for 90 minutes, I want to expand that circle from my own position to the next and the next. Ultimately, I believe that atmosphere will spread to the entire team, eliminating any gaps for the opponent on the defensive side.
Q: In the RB Omiya Ardija match and the Niigata match, we saw a lot of play and attacking participation in advanced positions. How do you feel about your involvement in the attack?
As a defender, I am always thinking not only about playing defensively but also about how I can be involved in the front line, how I can contribute, and what kind of play is required to quickly switch from defense to attack. I want to actively engage in the team's offense, being conscious of improving my performance and raising my value as a player to the next level.
Q. Please share your enthusiasm for the match against Kobe.
As an individual, I want to focus on how I engage in attacks and on quick transitions between offense and defense. Kobe is a team with strong attacking power and many high-quality players. I believe the forwards, in particular, are at a very high level. I think the key to victory is how well we can prevent the opponents from having freedom in one-on-one situations. The team has prepared well. We want to win tomorrow's match and secure consecutive victories.
