<Review of the previous match against Vissel Kobe>
A match where the reigning champions aiming for consecutive league titles faced off at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Although there were many scenes where Tokyo was pushed back by the opponent who showed powerful soccer centered on long balls and high pressing, Tokyo gradually connected the ball while searching for attacking opportunities and created chances with sharp attacks.
Seiji KIMURA's precise long feed led to Kosuke SHIRAI's breakaway, and Marcelo RYAN's powerful dribbling breakthrough brought them close to the goal, but the net did not shake, and both teams went into halftime scoreless.
Tokyo continues to attack the opponent's territory with a sense of speed in the second half. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA shows sharp dribbling breakthroughs and creates opportunities for his teammates, while Lucas RIAN also approaches the goal with dribbling aimed at exploiting space in the second half.
Vissel Kobe's goals were ruled offside twice, and although it seemed that a goal was scored by player Hian for Tokyo in the second half's additional time, it was disallowed due to a handball by Teruhito NAKAGAWA just before.
Just when it seemed the match would end in a goalless draw, at the 13th minute of second-half stoppage time, a kick from Go HATANO, who was starting in the league for the first time this season in this match, suddenly changed the course of the game.
Nakagawa broke free and took a shot on a super long kick that quickly turned the opponent over from our own half. Soma ANZAI picked up the rebound and aimed, but it was blocked by the opponent. However, with the possibility of a handball, VAR support intervened, and after an on-field review, a penalty kick was awarded.
Number 19 calmly finished with his right foot the biggest chance that came at the last moment, and Tokyo won with a dramatic goal. They secured their first consecutive wins of the season and earned a victory at Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time since Sec. 3.
This Round's Preview
This is a match aiming for the first 3 consecutive wins of the season.
In the previous match, they endured Vissel Kobe's powerful soccer, created periods of ball possession, and launched sharp attacks utilizing the speed of the front line to advance into the opponent's territory. Then, Marcelo RYAN's penalty kick near the end became the final round goal, securing their first consecutive win of the season.
Go HATANO, who attracted attention with his first league start, also played a major role. He showed overwhelming presence in handling high balls and demonstrated stable catching. He also delivered a powerful ultra-long kick that triggered the dramatic winning goal. The competition for the position with Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has been making a series of fine saves so far, is bound to intensify. It will be exciting to see who will stand in goal and what kind of performance they will show.
With this winning streak, Tokyo's record stands at 5 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses. If they win this match, they can return to an even record. In recent seasons, they often missed victories in matches where it was believed "winning here would build momentum," so securing 3 points this time is crucial to gaining momentum quickly. As Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI also mentioned, "By winning this match and adding points, not only a 3-game winning streak but also what lies ahead becomes visible," making this match one with significance beyond just a single game.
Urawa Reds went winless in their first four matches and temporarily dropped to 19th place, but gradually recovered and surged to the top with five consecutive wins starting from Sec. 10. The main reason for this was the system change that placed Hajime MATSUO as the lone striker, with Kaneko, Watanabe, and Matheus SAVIO lined up in the second row. By fluidly changing positions while attacking, they brought a threatening edge to their offense and rapidly improved their scoring ability. The team also has powerful counterattacks and solid defense.
Of course, they are not without weaknesses. Gamba Osaka secured a victory in the match before last by strengthening their defense and eliminating space, thereby neutralizing Urawa's strengths. They also impressively ended Urawa's winning streak away from home. Based on this match, what kind of strategy will "Rikizo Tokyo" choose?
The key points will likely be adaptability and flexibility. How to fight so that the opponent cannot show their strengths. And how to demonstrate the unique qualities of Tokyo. Ideally, while creating a numerical advantage including the goalkeeper and increasing passing options, the team should attack with good balance. By properly repositioning, chances can also be created. If the opponent suddenly switches tactics, the defensive approach must be reconsidered, but like G Osaka, solidifying the backline and launching sharp attacks is also an option. In any case, without rushing, we want to pursue a "smart way of playing" that changes responses according to the flow of the game and the opponent's moves. This match seems likely to test the key points that have been recent challenges more than ever before.
First, even out the record, and then move forward──. The game aiming for the first three consecutive league wins of the season will be a crucial match to determine the future direction.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. With the team’s atmosphere improving due to the winning streak, what aspects do you want to further enhance?
A, I think the key is how much effort we can put in to embody our objectives while organizing information to defeat the opponent in front of us. We want to aim for three consecutive wins and beyond, and I believe that by accumulating points, our perspective will change. Winning is the most important thing above all.
Q. Urawa Reds are known for their attacking style of football. How does the coach view this?
A, I think their strength lies in being offensive while launching strong counterattacks from solid defense. We need to be cautious from various perspectives when facing them.
Q: This season, there is a tendency for many goals scored and conceded in the last 15 minutes. What is important to move the game from the start?
A, I believe it is important not to miss opportunities and to have the "sensitivity" to sense both chances and threats. In the early stages of the match, there are often many situations where both sides fight with power in offense and defense, and sometimes there are one-on-one individual battles. How well you can control these tough early battles will be crucial.
Q. The way the number of players in attack is allocated and their positioning seems to be improving with each match.
A, it is a gradual feeling. Just because we started working on it doesn't mean we can express it immediately. What we ask of the players in daily training gradually seeps in, and I think it eventually shows through. From a data perspective, there are many areas where the numbers have improved. However, we never rely on that data or become complacent. Not missing a single moment, not losing fifty-fifty balls, and not losing in key situations are important factors that lead to victory.
[Player Interview]
<Keita ENDO>
Q, please review the game against Vissel Kobe, where you achieved your first two consecutive wins of the season.
A, I think those who watched could tell it was a tough match, and the start of the first half and around the 20 to 25 minute mark were challenging periods. I believe it was great that Kosuke SHIRAI's line break completely changed the flow and atmosphere of the game, but rather than waiting for such moments to happen by chance, we want everyone to constantly try to create opportunities to shift the momentum. However, I didn’t feel that we needed a trigger to ignite our energy; even without one, we have to switch ourselves on throughout the match. Including the atmosphere in the stadium, I am grateful to the fans and supporters who came and created that environment, which helped us score and win with a penalty kick at the end.
Q. I think the most important thing moving forward to break into the top ranks is to not let this winning streak come to an end.
Rather than focusing on not breaking our winning streak or aiming for three or four consecutive wins ahead, I believe that if we do what we need to do, the results will follow. Whether what we do leads to victory depends on whether our efforts are worthy of winning, so I want to play with confidence from the start.
Q: In the previous match, not conceding any goals ultimately led to a dramatic final round winning goal. Amidst the ongoing conceding of goals, what defensive improvements did you make?
A, the whole team has started communicating much more. I have also been talking a lot with the other players around me, so I think that is a big factor. Within the team, there is confidence that if we keep a clean sheet during the match, we can score at some point. I believe there will be tough times and moments when we are under pressure throughout the game, but I think we are now able to stay calm and defend without rushing in those situations.
Q. What is your impression of Urawa Reds, and what do you think is important to win?
A, the atmosphere in the stadium is incredible, and being able to play soccer in that intense environment is wonderful, whether you are on the home team or the opponent. It is important for each player to face the tens of thousands of Urawa fans and supporters in attendance with the mindset of silencing them. If you get intimidated even a little or get overwhelmed by the atmosphere, the opposing team will immediately exploit that, so this is a crucial point.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q. What kind of preparations are you making for the match against Urawa Reds?
Even when attacking, they quickly connect the ball to the front line after winning possession and launch counterattacks. As usual, we want to switch quickly, press back, and chase from the front line to prevent them from easily advancing the ball forward. Their front line is filled with strong players, so we want to approach to prevent the ball from reaching them, win the ball, and aim to score from short counters starting there.
Q. I think the things the team wants to do are becoming more precise.
A, the soccer style we have been developing since the beginning is starting to take shape. In addition, the strength of counter soccer, a traditional characteristic of Tokyo, is blending well to create something good. We want to secure three consecutive wins here, build confidence, and make the team even better.
Q: I think scoring the first goal increases our chances even more.
A, I think that's exactly right. If we can score first, the opposing players will come to take the ball, leaving space behind them, and we will also be able to maintain possession firmly. How we score first will be the key factor that determines the outcome of the match.
Q. I think fans and supporters are also expecting goals from player Kei Sato.
A, I will do my best to achieve three consecutive wins as a team. Beyond that, I hope to score and secure the victory myself. First and foremost, my strongest desire is to fight for the team and achieve three consecutive wins.
Q. This will be your first match at Saitama Stadium 2002, how do you feel?
A, I have only been to watch a match once in the past, but I was very impressed by the atmosphere. My teammates also say the same, and even when watching on TV or DAZN, the cheers and applause seem very loud. I think we will be playing in a very hostile environment, but I’m the type who gets fired up in such situations. I’m excited.
