About five months ago, Tokyo went to Kashima Soccer Stadium (now Mercari Stadium) and, despite creating many scoring opportunities, succumbed to the winning strength of the perennial champion team. Kei KOIZUMI, who once belonged to that champion team and knows the strength of its "tradition," bit his lip in frustration.
"I came into the game halfway through, but I feel responsible for turning the good momentum into bad after I entered. I still remember the frustration and how I was completely overwhelmed by the atmosphere of that stadium."
Tokyo had been dominating the match from the early stages. However, they missed several excellent scoring opportunities in succession. Shots hit the crossbar and posts, and some narrowly went outside the goalpost, leading to increasing moments of frustration.
In that context, Koizumi was sent onto the pitch in place of Kento HASHIMOTO in the 18th minute of the second half. However, just a few minutes later, the situation reversed. Against Kashima, who intensified their offensive with the support of the home crowd, Tokyo found themselves pushed back into their own half for longer periods.
Kashima, boasting unparalleled strength at home, does not overlook the subtleties of the game. At the 26th minute, they conceded a penalty kick, which Suzuki converted to give the opposition the lead. Furthermore, just before the end, they conceded an additional goal from a set piece, sealing their fate. It was a frustrating defeat where Kashima's distinctive qualities were clearly demonstrated at the crucial moment. Koizumi expressed his regret as follows.
"If we lose in intensity against Kashima, they will take everything from us. First, we must not lose there. We want to fight tightly where it counts, not take their sly tactics head-on, and instead be smart and increase our vigilance as we compete. If we don't let the opponent get into their rhythm, chances will naturally come to us. That's the kind of opponent they are."
The Blue-Red team fell into a long tunnel of eight winless matches following this defeat. Nearly two months without a victory, even Koizumi, who has served as the team captain since this season, endured difficult times. Furthermore, after the loss against Urawa Reds on May 17, they experienced another streak of five winless matches. These far-from-smooth days this season led them to reach one conclusion.
"No matter who the opponent is, we must first direct our vector towards ourselves. We will keep trying what we are currently working on. It is important for each individual to take on challenges, and I believe that will ultimately lead to positive outcomes."
Finally, the individual strengths of the players have begun to show in the matches, and the Blue-Red team is on the rise with 4 wins and 1 loss in the last 5 official games. Each player faces their daily challenges and fights with everything on the pitch. There is only one place to send their passion.
"When I am on the field, I must show a performance that leads to victory. Of course, there are many things to do off the pitch as well. However, the most important thing for us players is what happens on the pitch. What can we do on the pitch at Kodaira Ground and the stadium? Above all, I want to show a performance on the pitch that can lead the team to win."
This commitment to the match is something I learned at Kashima. Before the rematch with my former team, where I spent two seasons from the summer of the 2019 season, a fire lights up in Koizumi's eyes.
"Kashima is my old club, and I am very grateful to them. I want to firmly show that I am still working hard, and I have to properly fight back."
The venue for revenge is Ajinomoto Stadium, where the red and blue flags are raised. Wearing the armband, he runs all over the pitch. He has no intention of yielding in the battle for the ball. The big brother's moment is about to come again.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
