Review of the previous match against Kyoto SANGA F.C.
Three consecutive matches with three goals conceded. What we faced in the away ground of Kyoto was a humiliating result.
At the start, they took the initiative with aggressive pressing, showing strength in duels and recovering second balls. They were able to enter the match with an active style. However, the team faced intense pressing from Kyoto SANGA F.C., resorted to using long balls frequently, and the distance between players grew, making it difficult to form effective attacking plays as desired.
After conceding a goal from a cross ball in the 32nd minute of the first half, the flow did not change even after entering the second half. Tokyo tried to connect passes and attack somehow, but Kyoto thoroughly aimed to intercept there. In the 25th minute of the second half, Tokyo lost the ball under intense pressing while trying to build up play and conceded the second goal. Then, in the 30th minute, they were beaten by a long ball breakaway and conceded a sharp shot.
Following the previous two matches, we once again conceded 3 goals and ended in a frustrating 3-game losing streak. However, the blue and red supporters packed behind the goal continued to sing to the players who were looking down during the post-match greetings.
"We're always with you. If you believe in yourself, victory will follow──"
The players stood in formation, looking up at the stands and quietly listening to the resounding cheers. The singing continued even after the blue and red eleven returned to the locker room. It was a night in Kyoto when everyone thought that this defeat, and this moment, must be what changes the team.
This Round's Preview
The league match restarts with determination. After experiencing an unparalleled humiliation and pledging a strong alliance, the Meiji Yasuda J1 League restarts after a two-week interval since that night in Kyoto.
During this period, the team approached training with a strong determination, deeply reflecting on the frustration from the previous match. Above all, the scene witnessed after the Kyoto game remains strongly etched in the players' hearts.
Go HATANO said, "I think it was a very important moment. It truly resonated in my heart, and we talked about it among the players. I strongly felt everyone's feelings, and I believe we must respond to those feelings no matter what. First, in the next match, I want us to laugh and celebrate together at the end." Meanwhile, Masato MORISHIGE vowed for victory at home, saying, "I once again thought that we must desperately aim for victory together with everyone. For the fans and supporters, I want to be even more determined to deliver a win."
During this break period, there were several developments within the team. First, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Yuto NAGATOMO were selected for the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) aiming for the FIFA World Cup 26. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA made his Japan national team debut in the first match against Australia. He also made a substitute appearance in the following match against Indonesia. Although he appeared tense in the first game, he demonstrated his strengths in the second match by creating a goal with his specialty dribbling. Additionally, Maki KITAHARA participated in the U-17 Japan national team's expedition to Spain, and Masataka KOBAYASHI joined the U-20 J.League selection for a tour in Hong Kong before moving to France to join the U-20 Japan national team competing in the Maurice Revello Tournament.
The team acquired four players to make a comeback in the second half of the season. Sei MUROYA was transferred permanently from Hannover 96 in Germany, Kim Seung-gyu, a former South Korean national team goalkeeper, was transferred permanently from Al Shabab Saudi in Saudi Arabia, Motoki NAGAKURA was loaned from Urawa Reds, and Alexander SCHOLZ, who was also selected for the 2023 J.League Best Eleven, was transferred permanently from Al Wakrah SC in Qatar. Each of them is a proven talent, and they are expected to be a great asset in the second half of the season. Meanwhile, it was also announced that Koki TSUKAGAWA will be loaned to Mito Hollyhock.
And a major topic is that Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had been out injured for a long time since last May, has finally fully rejoined team practice. His top-class breakthrough ability and left foot in the country are expected to boost the team's offensive power from here on.
In the two weeks filled with various developments, the team accepted the frustration from the Kyoto match and approached training with a strong determination to counterattack in the second half of the season. The players, preparing for the first match after the restart, each expressed that "we practiced with a fierce atmosphere driven by the strong desire to definitely win," revealing that the environment was filled with the spirit of victory.
We must use this interval as an opportunity to change the team. While accepting the current situation of being 18th in the league standings, we vow to make a great comeback. Go HATANO continues.
"There are various ways to fight and tactics, but first, I want to show passion and enthusiasm. Everyone's eyes are really sharp, and we want to approach it with the mindset and gaze as if heading to a battlefield. We want to fight to get involved in the top ranks from here, and I think this game must be the trigger for that. During the break, we were able to train in what could be called the best atmosphere of the season. I'm really looking forward to the match, and I think everyone can look forward to it as well."
Having a little break allowed us to focus on training, and it's positive to think that the team's mindset has distanced itself somewhat from winning and losing. By turning the focus inward and preparing thoroughly, we should have developed a mentality not just to stop the losing streak, but to move forward and start winning from here on.
Towards a counterattack in June. United as one in blue and red, we want to secure victory in this week's match against Cerezo Osaka and firmly carve out our future with determination.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. There was an interval of about two weeks. Please tell us what improvements were made during this period.
A, we reviewed once again how to fight as a team. We were able to thoroughly work on both offense and defense aspects with sufficient time. The players also earnestly addressed the areas where the team was lacking. Whether big or small, even the finer details, we tackled everything we could face. I can feel the players' attitude towards this as a positive sign. Now, all that remains is to demonstrate our strength in the match.
Q. Against Cerezo Osaka, based on the first half of the season, what kind of match do you want to play?
A, they are a very aggressive team and seem to take many shots per game, but we must not just play defensively; we need to approach the match with momentum. Even if we end up spending extended periods defending, it is essential to effectively neutralize the opponent's strengths. During attacks, we also want to keep in mind that they tend to strengthen their forward line as we proceed with the match.
Q. I think it is necessary not only to stop the losing streak but also to secure a victory at home.
A, we have used this period to firmly focus on ourselves and have been preparing. Rather than just stopping the losing streak, we want to approach the match against C Osaka with a mindset to move forward and win from here. Even in difficult situations, we want to meet the expectations of our fans and supporters who continue to support us.
[Player Interview]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q. During the first half of the league, while going through difficult times, what were your honest feelings?
A, including myself, felt a sense of dissatisfaction. There are still many things we need to work on. I think the first half of the league was a period with many challenges remaining in order to win.
Q. The previous match against Kyoto SANGA F.C. was a difficult game both in terms of content and result.
A, Kyoto had the plays and elements necessary to win that surpassed ours. The match content and result reflected our current situation. Everyone has the desire and sense of urgency to somehow change this situation, and we want to make the upcoming match against Cerezo Osaka the turning point. This applies not only to each player's mindset but also to everything else; we must express ourselves more than in the first half of the league. We accept the reality of being in a difficult position and will fight to seize the opportunity to rise in this match.
Q: There was an interval of about two weeks. During that period, was there anything that the team or player Higashi personally focused on consciously?
A, first of all, it's about switching between offense and defense. While the basics are important when playing, they tend to be neglected. We focused on raising the awareness of switching and strength in close ball situations to the next level, and improving their quality. Soccer is about expressing these not only in practice but also in matches. It's not a sport you can win by that alone, but first, we are enhancing the foundation for competing. I also want to add the essence of offensive play and my own characteristics. By improving that feeling and sensitivity, I want to increase plays that are more involved in scoring goals.
Q. The second half of the league starts with the match against Cerezo Osaka. Once again, what kind of play would you like the team and individuals to focus on?
A, I will play with a strong focus on the attitude towards winning. I believe I have been doing that so far, but I want to be even more committed in my play. And I want to spread that attitude to the other players around me. I want to demonstrate that attitude on the pitch and eagerly pull victory closer.
<Takahiro KO>
Q. What have you been working on during the two weeks without any matches?
A, we were frustrated in the match against Kyoto SANGA F.C. Since there is a gap until the next game, we all agreed that "we have to work hard from training." Personally, I have been preparing continuously, focusing on the details and everything necessary to win the next match.
Q. Even when talking with the players, I felt there was a certain fierce intensity on the pitch.
A, we are feeling that. Even in game-format training during practice, we are competing more fiercely than ever, and everyone has a strong desire for the next match, so we are able to have really good training. I think we just need to express that in tomorrow's game.
Q. What do you want to express on the pitch in tomorrow's match?
A, I think it is important to fight compactly and firmly. Once again, the aspects of ball contests, running, and transitions are strengths of this team, so we want to maintain those without dropping them. From the start of the match, we aim to always surpass the opponent. Not only myself but the entire team will strive for this together.
Q. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI used the word "determination" during an interview in the interval period. Won't the match against Cerezo Osaka be an important one?
A, Given the difficult results we've been facing, this match marks the restart after the interval, so we need to express what we have been working on. I believe if we keep winning from here, there is a chance, so I want to make this match a restart to climb back up.
