＜Previous Match: FC Machida Zelvia Review＞
The match against FC Machida Zelvia, which was a consecutive game with the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round held the following weekend. The Blue-Red team showed their determination against an opponent they had lost to all three times in the past.
From the start, the game developed with Machida pressing with long balls and high pressure, and Tokyo spent much time defending in their own half. In the 10th minute of the first half, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu stopped a close-range shot to prevent conceding a goal. Despite the defense's hard work, the attack struggled against the opponent's man-to-man defense and failed to find rhythm, leading to a goalless first half.
Even after entering the second half, unable to change the flow as desired, Tokyo found a way out by enduring with solid defense and then launching long counters after drawing the opponent in. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Leon NOZAWA, who had come on as a substitute, won the ball in an advanced position and, gauging the goalkeeper's position who was off his line, took a delicate lob shot. However, it unfortunately hit the left post and did not result in the opening goal.
Tokyo continues to fight without losing composure even during tough periods. In the 37th minute of the second half, while Machida created a decisive chance, Alexander SCHOLZ and Kei KOIZUMI protected the goal with consecutive sliding blocks.
In the 42nd minute of the second half, after the whole team had been maintaining tenacious defense, the match finally shifted. Breaking through the left side on a counterattack from their own half, Takahiro KO quickly distributed the ball forward. Kei Sato, who had broken free here, crossed it back, and Soma ANZAI pushed it in for the goal. Tokyo broke the deadlock with a sharp attack targeting behind the opposing final line, which they had been aiming for since the first half.
The match ended 1-0 as it was. Despite being blocked offensively, Tokyo showcased their strength in close ball situations and their fighting spirit to secure the victory, earning their first league win against Machida.
This Round's Preview
The Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round ended without a decision in 90 minutes, leading to a fierce battle extending into extra time. However, in the 13th minute of the first half of extra time, FC Machida Zelvia capitalized on a defensive coordination error to score. Furthermore, in the 4th minute of the second half of extra time, they extended their lead, sealing the outcome. The team missed advancing to the Final Round for the first time in 14 tournaments.
After the match, there was a sparkle in the eyes of Sato Yoshimasa standing behind the goal.
"Our determination for the Emperor's Cup was strong. We have fought this season to win the title. We prepared for that match with that goal in mind. Not only the players, but also the staff, fans, and supporters fought together with us. Losing despite all that was frustrating, and we truly felt our own lack of strength."
He bit his lip. Withdrew his sigh and shifted his focus to the next goal. One of the goals he set for himself was the challenge of scoring double-digit goals in the league.
"Personally, I want to aim for double-digit goals. However, I want to do what I can to win and achieve two consecutive victories. I want to leave numbers in both goals and assists. I want to put everything on the line for the team to win."
And the team to channel their pent-up frustration against is one of the league's top talent squads. Vissel Kobe may have missed out on a third consecutive league title, but they currently sit in third place, boasting a wealth of talent including Muto, Osako, Miyashiro, Sakai, and Ideguchi, among many others. Although they lost to Machida in the recent Emperor's Cup final, they immediately bounced back by defeating Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite, maintaining their top position. Their style of play, utilizing versatile passes and applying pressure from the front line to overwhelm opponents, remains strong this season. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI spoke these words ahead of this match.
"We want to actively create space ourselves while skillfully utilizing their pressure. Since we have players with a wide defensive range, we want to turn that wide defensive coverage to our advantage. I think it will be a tough and challenging game, but (Kobe) recently won the J1 League two years in a row and is currently near the top this season as well. Facing an opponent who is also in a good position in Asia's top competition, there is no need to reconsider the significance of this match now. I believe it comes down to whether we can overcome that opponent, make it our game, win, and move on to the next match."
This season, there were only two J1 League matches. It is a match to vent the frustration of a trophyless season. Ahead of the match against Kobe, where many players have fought together for years in the Japan national team and others, Masato MORISHIGE quietly ignited his fighting spirit and took the lead.
"There is something that ignites us. When I see their faces, a fire naturally lights up. I believe they feel the same way. We want to make sure they don't get the upper hand. We ourselves have finally started to grasp something. If we finish this season while fully feeling that, I think it will be a good opportunity to see something positive for the next season."
Can we firmly win the next two matches, finish the league with four consecutive victories, and light a beacon of hope for the new season? These two matches are positioned as battles of that significance.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. Please tell us your impression of the opponent, Vissel Kobe.
A, in recent seasons, is a club that leads the entire league, and in the currently ongoing AFC Champions League Elite, it is clearly visible that the club is performing well, leading the East District group. They also advanced to the Final Round of the Emperor's Cup, and we want to win against that opponent and aim even higher. We are focused solely on demonstrating our strength and securing 3 points.
Q. What aspects are important in progressing the match?
Team A uses a mix of long and short passes, leveraging the high individual skills of their players. We want to effectively use the open spaces while skillfully utilizing the power they put into their attacks. Of course, it would be best if we can proactively create those spaces ourselves. On the other hand, Kobe is also known for plays that exploit space. If we can score the first goal against their simple attacks, I believe we will see a clear direction for how the game will progress.
Q, There are only 2 league matches left.
A, first of all, we are focusing on this match. The key point is whether we can turn the significance of facing Kobe at this time into good motivation. They are a team that has recently won consecutive league titles. It is important for us to make it our game and secure a win against an opponent who has competed for many titles. I think it will be a tough game.
[Player Interview]
<Takahiro KO>
Q, This match against Vissel Kobe comes after a short break since the last league game.
A, recently we had a very frustrating loss in the Emperor's Cup Semifinal Round against FC Machida Zelvia. Amidst that, we have been steadily preparing for this match. We are fully focused on taking all 3 points against Kobe.
Q. After the previous match against Machida, is there anything that was shared again within the team as an issue?
In the match against Machida, we communicated in various ways both during and after the game. I feel that we fought too much on the opponent's strengths and in their arena. On the stage of the Semifinal Round, I believe a calmer style of play was required. Kobe's style has some similarities, and we want to constantly make adjustments on the pitch while controlling the game. We want to keep communicating and raising our voices as we move forward.
Q. In the match against Machida, it seemed you played defensively in a deeper position quite often. How do you want to connect that to good attacking play?
In the previous match against Machida, defensive intensity was required, and it was a game where both teams competed to see who could score first. Since it was a tournament-style match, the whole team felt somewhat heavy and cautious at the back. If we can raise the team's overall center of gravity even slightly and win the ball in advanced positions, we can effectively connect to counterattacks. However, if the center of gravity moves too far forward, there is a risk of falling behind in dealing with the opponent's long balls and recovering second balls, so we want to proceed with the match while maintaining a good balance.
Q, Fagiano Okayama will face Kobe after consecutive wins against Machida.
A, of course, we want to extend our winning streak, but we also want to avoid getting too caught up in that. First, we want to focus on winning the upcoming match and fighting through it.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q. I think it will be important to figure out how to evade the pressure applied by Vissel Kobe from the front line.
Even when watching the Emperor's Cup Final Round match against FC Machida Zelvia, I felt that every player on the team has the ability to break through individually. I believe that by enduring that, we can gain a chance to win. They are a very good opponent, so we want to fight properly.
Q. By winning consecutive games here, do you think you can create a good momentum for the next season as well?
A, since we have been building up certain aspects, it would be a waste to let go of them now. There are things we are finally starting to grasp. We are steadily making progress step by step, so by continuing to fight until the end of the season, I believe it will be an opportunity to see something good for the next season.
Q. Focusing on the results of the second half of the league, you are in the top 5 teams. I believe this is proof that the team has become one that can steadily accumulate points.
A, many players were feeling their way through the first half of the season, and that showed in the matches. Now, we focus during practice and do what needs to be done without hesitation, and I feel we are able to train properly. I believe this directly connects to our performance in matches. There are many talented players, so it is important to prepare to demonstrate that ability and see how well we can perform in games.
Q: Among the opponents, there are players like Muto and Osako, who have fought together on the Japan national team.
A, seeing their faces ignites a fire in me, and I get fired up. I believe they feel the same way, but since we are fighting, I want to firmly suppress them.
