＜Previous Match: Kawasaki Frontale Review＞
The Tamagawa Classic was held with just four days in between. Following the match against Verdy that fired up Ajinomoto Stadium, we faced a battle we absolutely could not afford to lose.
Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI deployed Yuto NAGATOMO not in his usual right side-back position but as a left side-back for this match. He devised a strategy to shut down the right winger Ito, who has scored in six consecutive official matches for Kawasaki Frontale. Furthermore, the plan was to suppress the opponent's key playmaker midfielder to disrupt Kawasaki's attack.
This strategy hits the mark exactly. If player Nagatomo closely man-marks player Ito to neutralize his strengths, the team as a whole maintains a compact defense, denying freedom to the defensive midfielders. By cutting off passing options and closing down outlets, they took control of the game.
In past matches, we have suffered four consecutive defeats, and the last three games all ended in a humiliating 0-3 loss, so many players mentioned the "first goal" as a key point. Tokyo clears that point.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, Marcos GUILHERME received the ball from Nagatomo and broke through vertically on the left side, crossing it in front of the goal. When the ball flowed to the opposite side, Motoki NAGAKURA softly returned it to the center with one touch, and Keita ENDO, free, jumped in and struck a header, giving Tokyo their long-awaited opening goal.
At halftime, Kawasaki brought on Wakisaka to increase passing options, which led to more pressure in the second half. However, they endured with solid defensive efforts while looking for counterattacks. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Alexander SCHOLZ made a powerful sliding block to stop MARCINHO's clear scoring chance. In the additional time of the second half, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made an incredible save to stop the opponent's shot, with the defense also fighting hard.
In the final moments of the match, it seemed that the opponent had equalized by pushing the ball in front of the goal, but with the support of VAR, it was judged offside and no goal was given. The match ended as it was. The blue and red team showed flexibility by nullifying the opponent's strengths while bringing out their own qualities, achieving consecutive wins with two straight shutout victories.
This Round's Preview
Overcoming a tight schedule, aiming for the first 3 consecutive wins of the season with an all-out effort.
Verdy enters this matchweek after winning back-to-back games 1-0 against Kawasaki Frontale. The tough condition of only two days' rest applies to both teams. Therefore, they want to accelerate the momentum of consecutive wins and quickly accumulate points.
Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said, "The power to dash through and the moment when the arrow pointing forward is conveyed to everyone is our strength. There is no time to stop, so I want the players on the pitch to firmly demonstrate their strengths and what they do best," as he objectively analyzed the team's situation and reflected on this week's battle.
The spirited two consecutive wins must have been a great confidence boost for the team. Sei MUROYA reflected, "In these two matches, the players' fighting spirit and the strong will of everyone playing to 'give it their all' were different. That kind of attitude to go for the win is important."
Because we secured victory in the important two consecutive matches, the upcoming match against Avispa Fukuoka becomes crucial. Everyone in the Blue-Red family must be feeling the team's improving momentum. We must firmly demonstrate that through our results.
Due to the tight schedule this week, fresh members are expected to be used, but player Muroya smiles and looks forward, saying, "I believe anyone who plays now can deliver high performance, and I want to make the team even more competitive. In that sense, I’m excited." Indeed, this match is also a game to demonstrate the strength of "Chikura Tokyo," which has been built up so that the quality does not drop no matter who plays.
Fukuoka, on the other hand, is currently on a three-game losing streak in the league. It is expected that they will fight hard to stop their losing streak, but Tokyo cannot afford to give ground. In the previous away match, Tokyo was not allowed to show their style at all, and the coach wore a bitter expression, calling it "a bad game where we were on the back foot throughout." Against a challenging Fukuoka team, we want to play a game where we do not just defend or wait, but take the initiative firmly. It is important to consider our advantages and the opponent's weaknesses, and how we ourselves can break through the situation.
After two matches where they showed flexible responses while watching their opponents, what kind of soccer will the Blue-Red team display? And how will the players who got the opportunity to play boost the team's momentum with high motivation? Masato MORISHIGE talks about the current state of the team and his thoughts on achieving three consecutive wins.
"Many players believe that the next match is the decisive one. This winning streak was born from everyone's sense of urgency and the feeling that 'this is important.' We cannot afford to take a break here, so as a team, we want to firmly aim for three consecutive wins."
A challenge for a third consecutive win at home. While valuing continuity, it will be a game where we seek the result of three consecutive wins by skillfully combining the individual strengths of the players on the pitch and surpassing the opponent in both team tactics and individual tactics.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, It will be the Avispa Fukuoka match with only two days in between.
A, first we prioritized the recovery part. We also worked on tactics and various things to some extent today, but the idea is to start moving the body properly from tomorrow's warm-up. The period is short, but everyone is determined to do what we can.
Q. Was there anything you particularly focused on in today's practice?
A, I focused on key points including the opponent's offense and defense, as well as set plays. Regarding the impression of Fukuoka, their defense is very challenging and aggressive. They have high-quality players both on the sides and in the center. In the first half of the league match, we were defeated at the very end, and naturally, the frustration of not having a good game remains. However, there are also different aspects compared to that time, and we want to firmly demonstrate our strengths.
Q, Including Konno from Fukuoka, I think handling the sides will be a key point.
A. Defensively, the key is how to compactly suppress the opponent's strengths and connect that to effective attacks. Including sliding, if we can coordinate well, there will naturally be moments when mismatches occur in matchups with the opponent. However, conversely, when our defense works well, we can almost completely take away the opponent's options. Since the opponent actively presses defensively, large spaces open up behind them. If we can connect the ball properly, it can lead to significant opportunities, such as quick counterattacks.
Q: In the last two matches, I think we were able to play in a way that drew the flow towards us while watching the opponent.
A. Being able to accurately assess the situation is a sign of growth and the result of what we have built up. It doesn't end with just what I convey or all the prepared patterns; play must be based on understanding where space opens up and what tendencies exist according to the opponent's style. When what we have prepared doesn't work well, it's important to figure out how to break through the situation while keeping in mind our advantages and the opponent's weaknesses so that nothing is lost. If we can thoroughly adopt the mindset of working backward from the goal, I believe we can improve even further.
[Player Interview]
<Player Kim Seung-gyu>
Q. In recent matches, including the game against Kawasaki Frontale, I can feel the speed of decision-making and good condition in the play.
A, I believe that winning matches boosts confidence and improves mental and physical condition. Currently, I think that what we focus on and work on during daily practice is being properly demonstrated in matches, and winning the last two games has put us in excellent condition.
Q. What aspects do you focus on in your daily training?
A, the goalkeeper coach shares the opponent's characteristics with us and designs practice menus based on what kind of attacks they will launch. We are able to have really good practice. Good practice leads to better performance in matches.
Q: You have greatly contributed to clean sheet victories in the last two matches. What kind of growth or changes do you feel the team has experienced?
One reason could be that the mutual understanding of what characteristics teammates have and, conversely, what kind of play they expect from me has deepened. I feel that defenders and defensive midfielders who play close to my area can smoothly express in their play where they want to take the ball and where they want to receive it. Since I joined in June, I believe that the improving coordination and interplay in that area have had a significant impact.
Moreover, not only the defensive players but the entire team communicates about "when to apply pressure" and "how to position themselves," which has led to clean sheet victories in the last two matches. This undoubtedly contributes to the defensive intensity on the pitch, and even during physically demanding periods, the clarity of each player's role on the field promotes good defense.
Q. Please tell us the key points to keep an eye on for Avispa Fukuoka, who are tied with 37 points.
A, there are players up front who combine height and strength, and we are especially focused on dealing with crosses. I think there will be many cases where they connect with headers from crosses, so we want to take proper preparation and positioning. Fukuoka is not a team that frequently uses long balls aimed at the forwards, but depending on the match situation, we must also carefully manage challenges and second ball recoveries as a team when such balls are played.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q, Regarding the Avispa Fukuoka match, which comes after just two days of rest, I think it will be a full team effort.
A, we are currently on a good winning streak and the team is riding a positive momentum. The next match is a 6-point game, so if everyone fights together and we can secure a victory, I believe it will create an even better flow. This match is very important. No matter who plays, what we need to do does not change. I want to play in a way that maximizes each player's individual strengths and playing style.
Q: This season, there has not been a situation of three consecutive wins yet.
Since this opponent scored the last goal and we lost 0-1 in the first half of the league, we want to repay that debt first. This season, despite having a chance to win three consecutive games, we lost and then continued to have matches where we couldn't win. If we win here, I think we can build momentum for 4 or 5 consecutive wins. We want to connect the current good flow to three consecutive wins.
Q: In the match against Kawasaki Frontale, I believe that because we were able to finish in the first half, we were able to control the game at our own pace.
A, despite attacking from the first half, there were many matches where we failed to finish and conceded goals in the second half. Because the team is improving, securing the lead in the first half and gaining momentum is also connected to winning without conceding. As a team, we want to approach this match with the mindset of "defending firmly while finishing decisively." We aim to fight hard and pursue victory.
Q. How do you want to approach the match against an opponent who applies high pressing?
A. By the forward players skillfully showing themselves, we want to break the opponent's defensive marking, exploit the open spaces effectively, and play in a way that makes it difficult for the opponent to apply high pressure. If that happens, we will have longer possession of the ball and be able to control the match, so we want to be very conscious of that. Also, I want to score a goal this match. I received advice from Naohiro ISHIKAWA Community Generator, so I want to make sure to finish decisively.
