<Previous Match - Kyoto SANGA F.C. Review>
In the home match, they aimed to avenge the humiliating 0-3 defeat suffered in the previous away game and to respond to the passionate support from fans and supporters after the match. However, what awaited the blue and red was an unexpected turn of events.
Kyoto applies intense pressure immediately after kickoff. Tokyo players all said, "We know how the opponent will play," but Kyoto attacks fiercely into Tokyo's territory with overwhelming pressure.
Conceded a penalty kick within the first 5 minutes and allowed the first goal at 8 minutes into the first half. Just 3 minutes later, at the 11th minute, a miscommunication during the build-up involving the goalkeeper led to pressure from the opponent, resulting in another penalty kick conceded. Fell behind by 2 goals at an early stage.
While Tokyo struggled to create attacking opportunities, in the 45th minute of the first half, from a set-piece situation, a cross was delivered, and Suzuki scored with a header in the center, making it 0-3.
In the second half, we tried to regain momentum by bringing in new signing Marcos Guilherme, but once again, a disruption in build-up play was exploited, resulting in a painful fourth goal conceded in the 36th minute of the second half. Afterwards, we launched a counterattack by bringing in JFA/J.League special designated player Kizuna Kominato, but the goals by Kominato and Marcelo RYAN were ruled no-goal with VAR support, and all was lost.
Although they suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat worse than the previous match, the Blue-Red Eleven left the stadium encouraged by the loud cheers of "Seize the Cup" as they prepared for the Emperor's Cup Quarterfinals just two days later.
This Round's Preview
Two days after the match against Kyoto SANGA F.C., the Emperor's Cup quarterfinal against Urawa Reds held at Saitama Stadium 2002 saw us unable to fully demonstrate our strengths in the first half as we faced their attacks. At the 42nd minute of the first half, we conceded the opening goal due to a buildup misalignment, but unlike the Kyoto match, we did not collapse here and prevented a second goal.
After making substitutions at the start of the second half, the team regained an aggressive stance and overturned the score with two goals from Marcelo RYAN. In the end, Tokyo's side was in a battered state with many players suffering from cramps, but everyone endured and successfully advanced to the Semifinal Round. Keigo HIGASHI, who said before the match, "We can only respond with results," looked ahead positively, saying, "It was a tough match, coming back from 0-4 against Kyoto, but somehow everyone managed to win, which is mentally positive."
Victory by making the decisive plays when needed and enduring when necessary. They cleared recent challenges and advanced to the Semifinal Round. However, it is concerning that scenes of conceding goals from particularly simple mistakes have continued. Regarding the difficult periods for Tokyo, Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said, "When things don't go well, it is often not due to individual player performance but rather issues with teamwork. If that improves, individual talents will shine. In the match against Urawa, there were both good and bad periods, but (in the second half) I believe each player was able to fully demonstrate their strengths." He emphasizes the importance of continuity and building up as a team, as well as allowing players to play freely.
Tokyo will face Nagoya Grampus, who are 16th with 28 points, this round. Nagoya, just 2 points behind 15th-placed Tokyo, are currently struggling with four consecutive league losses and were also eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Emperor's Cup after losing to Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Therefore, they are expected to show a spirited fight at home to make a comeback. Moreover, Toyota Stadium is expected to be filled with nearly 40,000 spectators this round. For them, having lost 3-4 at home in the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale due to a last-minute goal, this will definitely be a match they cannot afford to lose.
Also, Nagoya has many members who once fought together in the blue and red, including coach Kenta HASEGAWA, and players Nagai, Uchida, Tokumoto, and Kodama. Higashi, now in his 13th season with Tokyo, said, "The opponent is also close in ranking, so it will be a very important match. (Coach HASEGAWA) personally took care of me, so I want to show that he is still working hard," pledging not only the importance for the team but also a performance as a way of gratitude.
For Tokyo this matchweek, there is a tough situation with three experienced players, Yuto NAGATOMO, Kento HASHIMOTO, and Kei KOIZUMI, suspended from playing. However, even in such circumstances, Coach Matsuhashi sends the players onto the pitch with high expectations, saying, "Everyone must show the attitude of going to get all three points. It's not about being a 'replacement,' but about getting a chance. I want them to fully express themselves."
Following the match against Urawa with just two days in between, the game against Nagoya will come after three days. Despite many players being exhausted from the Urawa match, we face consecutive away games, along with harsh heat and a congested schedule, creating extremely tough conditions. Considering suspensions and the recovery status of injured players, this is truly a critical moment to hold firm. We want to get through this together as a team, secure a victory, and use it as a foothold to turn things around in the final stretch of the season.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, We will face a match three days after the Emperor's Cup match against Urawa Reds.
A, to prioritize condition, we ensured the players rested well after the match. Today, we initially planned to only review tactics, but since there were some things we wanted to try and players also had requests, and considering the heat, we intended to focus on mental organization, but we ended up increasing the intensity a bit and got the body moving.
Q. After the come-from-behind victory against Urawa, you will face Nagoya Grampus. What kind of mindset will you have going into the match?
A, I think many players will participate in this series of matches. Among them, in the match against Urawa, there were both good and bad periods, but I believe that each player was able to fully demonstrate their strengths, which led to the victory. For this round as well, rather than focusing on "who is absent" or "what is wrong with this," I want them to firmly focus on the challenge right in front of them and give their best.
Q, The first half against Urawa was a difficult situation, but in the second half, the individual players worked well together, and I think Tokyo's true style was shown.
A, many of the problems are not about individual performance but about teamwork. When that teamwork works well, the individual truly shines. I believe that the situations during good times and bad times are largely related to such conditions.
Q, This is a match we absolutely cannot lose and must win in terms of standings. What is your impression of Nagoya Grampus?
A, it is no different from any other match. Of course, every match is an important battle, so regardless of the standings, we must win against the opponent in front of us to move up. We must firmly secure 3 points. Nagoya is very tight, and they have players up front who can add an accent, so we must be very cautious. Defensively, they are a team with a very high awareness of marking players, so in addition to not losing in individual situations, we want to firmly align our attacking intentions and focus to overturn that pressure.
[Player Interview]
<Player Kenta Tokiwa>
Q. This match against Nagoya Grampus this week is an important game to compete for a higher position.
A, I believe this match will be even more important than the recent Emperor's Cup. In the past few games, we have conceded careless goals, so in the next match, we want to eliminate easy goals conceded and focus on a clean sheet to secure a victory. While the content of the game is important, the result is even more crucial. We want to achieve a clean sheet victory and connect it to a positive result.
Q, I think the distance between players is important for smooth play.
A, in the first half of the Emperor's Cup match against Urawa Reds, there was an impression that the distance was a bit too far. Specifically, the whole team tended to be passive, and the movements to receive the ball were linear, which allowed the opponent's pressure to hit us directly. The next opponent, Nagoya, is expected to play man-to-man, so if we can get past one player, we believe we can break down the entire defensive organization of the opponent. We want to increase the awareness of getting past opponents, the movements to receive the ball among players, and plays facing forward even more.
Q. There was also a decisive shooting scene in the match against Urawa.
A, making runs into the area in front of the goal is also one of my strengths. I took a shot in the first half, but as in the situation in the second half where I connected with a cross from a teammate, my characteristic is being able to penetrate deep into the area in front of the goal and create chances. Moving forward, I want to increase the number of those opportunities even more.
(The shooting scene in the second half) was a moment that absolutely had to be finished. For soccer players, the result is everything, and of course, it includes my own goals, but it should also have led to an assist from the teammate who delivered the cross ball. I deeply realized that I must be more particular about the parts that remain in numbers such as goals and assists, as well as the moments that determine the outcome of the match. In terms of leading the team to victory, scoring goals should make the match easier to control, so I want to pursue that even further.
Q, More than 40,000 attendees are expected at the Toyota Stadium venue.
A, I hadn't heard that information yet, but I am very excited to be able to play in a stadium that can hold 40,000 spectators. Of course, I want to show my best performance among such a large crowd, and if I can score, I think the stadium will get really energized, which is very thrilling. However, since the temperature is forecasted to reach 39 degrees on the day, I want to prepare as best as possible physically and mentally for the match.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q. In the Emperor's Cup match against Urawa Reds, I got the impression that the flow of the game improved after Kota TAWARATSUMIDA came on.
A, as a team, we did not function well overall in the first half, and there were not many scenes where we broke down the attack from the sides. From the start of the second half, I entered the pitch and focused on creating an attacking rhythm on my side and activating the sides in both offense and defense. As a result, we scored two goals in the second half, and I think it was good that we won.
Q. When entering the pitch in a situation where you have to score, is there anything in particular you focus on?
A, in the first half, I think there were particularly few plays where we skillfully connected passes to advance or moved toward the goal. While effectively participating in the build-up, I focused on actively initiating plays in the opponent's territory, keeping an eye on the positions of the two forwards.
Q. In the previous match against SANGA S and the Wednesday match against Urawa, there were many scenes where we struggled against the opponent's pressing. How do you want to improve the attacking issues in this week's match against Nagoya Grampus?
A, Personally, I believe that pressing high up the pitch can directly lead to opportunities by breaking through in those moments. Taking on opponents is also one of my strengths, so I want to lead the attack with moves that result in goals.
Q. I think there are many defensive plays required in the side half position.
A, while listening to the voices of the fullback players, I play with the opposing side players in view. I am conscious of my positioning and firmly covering the far side against crosses from the opposite side.
Q. The league matches have seen no wins in three games. How do you want to build on the victory against Urawa in the Emperor's Cup?
A, while accepting the results of the matches so far, I want to approach the game with a clear mind in a positive way, and if we can express the good plays as a team, I believe we can win against Nagoya like in the previous match. Everyone will go for the win.
