<Last Match・Sagan Tosu Review>
A month to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the club's establishment was supposed to start with a bang...
Facing Sagan Tosu, who have lost 8 consecutive matches, it was certainly not without a bad feeling. However, at a crucial moment for the club, the players on the pitch should have fully understood that it was not a situation where they could talk about jinxes or weaknesses.
Despite this, we were not completely overwhelmed by Tosu's momentum from the start and lost two points before the game was over.
The harsh voices directed towards the team heading to the locker room were the reverse side of the expectations of fans and supporters who wanted to celebrate the 25th anniversary with a victory. It was a cry from the blue and red souls, hoping for a comeback, a turnaround, and a display of Tokyo's spirit.
That shout ignited the blue and red players.
Kickoff for the second half. The blue and red 25th anniversary uniform, which seemed lacking in confidence in the first half, was dynamic.
Gathering the ball to the side and penetrating deep into the opponent's territory, disrupting Sagan Tosu's defense with movements aimed at crosses and pockets (areas near the left and right sides of the penalty area). The two goals that brought the score back were both initiated by crosses from left back Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
Now, the momentum is in Tokyo's favor. We will push aside any jinx or inferiority complex and attack the Tosu goal with all our might.
The last one to finish was a rookie who grew up in the academy.
As a rookie, he made his professional debut in the opening match and has already appeared in 22 matches in the league, showing a rapid growth curve. His aggressive dribbling and finishing shown during the pre-season camp, as well as his high performance in decisive plays, were seen throughout the official matches.
There were many close scenes where we were just one step away, but those around us seemed to value our dignified play more than the result. However, the player himself felt differently. In the post-game mixed zone, even if the team was trying to win, he couldn't stop reflecting on his regrets for not being able to finish. He also tasted the frustration of not being able to stand on the pitch in the Levain Cup's prime stage.
The winning goal of the match to commemorate the 25th anniversary, born from such a greedy man. The joy brought by Kota TAWARATSUMIDA not only celebrates the journey so far, but should also illuminate the future of Tokyo.
<Match Preview>
In the previous match, Sagan Tosu took a 2-0 lead in the first half, but turned the game around with 3 goals in the second half. The key factor was the bold strategy in the second half. Defender Masato MORISHIGE moved up to a more advanced position and marked the opponent's attacking midfielder closely. It was a risky move as it left an equal number of players in both teams' front lines and Tokyo's final line, but each player fought with determination and led to a dramatic comeback victory.
Player Morishige is gaining confidence in the change of tactics during the game, saying, "After being pushed to the limit, each player started to take risks and it turned out for the better. It was a high-risk, high-return situation, but I think the gears are starting to mesh together."
This round, we will face Gamba Osaka at our home stadium Ajinomoto, on a day to celebrate the club's 25th anniversary since its establishment. Yuto NAGATOMO, before this commemorative match, said, "FC Tokyo has built up 25 years since its establishment. During that time, many seniors have woven the history, and we have been supported by many fans and supporters. I want to make it a passionate match that conveys those feelings and pride." We will embody the unwavering blue and red tradition until the end in this one match.
Matchday Program here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, it was seen that training was conducted with the Gamba Osaka match in mind from the beginning of the week.
A, We are thinking about what we should do to improve and how we should fight in order to make it better. This week, we were able to have very good training at a high intensity. We also have a strong sense of accomplishment and feel that we are moving in a good direction.
Q, it was a training session packed with elements of football on both offense and defense.
It is important to deepen cooperation and have a good understanding in order to play well. We have been able to accumulate many patterns in both offense and defense. In the previous match against Sagan Tosu, we were able to express what we have in the second half and we need to continue to grow from here. Through this week's training, I felt the development of the team. I hope we can express ourselves well in the game.
Q, Do you feel the sense of accomplishment that what you have built up can be expressed in the game?
A, not only attacking, but also want to improve the accuracy of defense. On Thursday's practice, we shared the rules of defense as a team. We are focusing on performing at a high level in all aspects.
Q, Please tell us your impression of Gamba Osaka, who you will be facing this round.
A, it is a very wonderful team and will give us moments to face various trials and challenges. It is only necessary to prepare to fight against such a team. We want to actively attack Gamba Osaka so that it becomes a development where the opponent solves the problems we throw at them. It is desirable to have a game flow like the second half of the Tosu game, but there is no perfection in football. In order to extend the time to perform well as long as possible, we want to overcome the tough times as a team.
Q, How do you feel about being able to play a game at home on the day of the club's 25th anniversary, which falls on Oct 1?
A, October 1st is a special day for Tokyo. I want to give a special performance on that day. I want to deliver an exciting match that will make everyone involved with the club, fans and supporters, proud of the club once again. And I want to give them the gift of victory.
[Player Interview]
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, in the previous match against Sagan Tosu, Kashif BANGNAGANDE's performance helped bring us victory.
A, starting in the first league match after returning from injury, I feel a great sense of accomplishment both as a team and as an individual.
Q: please review the assist scene.
Although I made eye contact with Adailton and supplied the cross, I had been actively putting up such crosses in practice, so the players in front of the goal also jumped in, thinking that a ball like that in practice would come in. Adailton and I have a good partnership, trying and confirming each other since practice. In the first half of the Tosu game, I couldn't control Adailton's defense, so I want to make use of it in the game from here.
Q, Do you feel that there were many challenges left in the first 30 minutes of the Tosu match?
A, We are currently discussing among the players why we couldn't play the second half of the game from the first half, and how we can fix our defense during the times when it doesn't work. It is a challenge for the team to get everyone on the same page, otherwise we will become disjointed and fall behind. If we can improve our defense, I believe we can play aggressively as a team like we did in the second half against Gamba Osaka and Tosu.
Q, How do you feel about your enthusiasm for your second game back?
A, I was able to contribute to the team with an assist in the previous match, but if we had not won that game, I thought the assist would have no meaning. I believe that the next match, where we were able to win, is the most important. We lost to Gamba Osaka in the previous match, so I definitely want to win. I want to focus on winning by focusing on the result, not on individual performance.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q, In the previous match against Sagan Tosu, the game development was completely different in the first and second half. Please review the previous match.
A, there will always be a bad period in any game. It is important to be able to keep the score at zero during that time and continue the game. I don't think it is realistic to play the same kind of soccer as in the second half of the Tosu game for the entire 90 minutes every game. If we can defend well during the team's bad period, our own momentum will gradually come. I believe that our own momentum will come after enduring and persevering in tough situations.
Q: "The word 'patience' came up, but was it necessary to have patience for the first 30 minutes of the previous match against Tosu?"
As a style of Tosu, I knew from my past experience that they are a team with a very good start in the first half. Football is a sport that depends on the opponent, so it is important to accept the opponent's way of playing and fight well while enduring. In the Tosu match, we were able to produce 3 goals in the second half alone, and if we hadn't conceded in the first half, we could have won the game 3-0. We want to play as a team with a unified will to extend the time without conceding goals to the opponent.
Q, Has the recent bad streak been turned around for the team with the victory against Tosu?
A, I had the impression that if we allowed the opponent to score, the tension on the pitch would drop, so I think that a come-from-behind victory like the Tosu match will lead to a successful experience for the team and be a big opportunity. It is important to focus on ourselves rather than being influenced by the course of the game.
Q, Please tell us your impression of Gamba Osaka, who you will be facing this round.
A, I have the impression that I am good at turning the ball. I think it is a team that takes control by turning the ball while watching the opponent's movements. It is important to absorb the opponent's flow and momentum with strong play, and even if there is a time when things don't go well, I want to play without losing focus.
Q: Including this round, we have reached the last 6 games of this season. Please share your enthusiasm for the final stretch.
A, I think it is important to end the season in a way that leads to the next one. I want to stick to the results until the end, and focus not only on the team but also on myself, and do my best to play well in every game. Thank you for your support until the end.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q, Sagan Tosu match was like watching completely different teams in the first and second half.
A, in the first half we played a very bad game. As we entered the second half, we made tactical adjustments in the locker room and discussed among the players to approach the game with a strong mentality. We are happy that we were able to score and turn the game around after a difficult first half where we conceded 2 goals. I think the change in mentality made the game better. The players on the pitch knew that our performance in the first half was not good and things were not going well. In terms of mentality, we were able to beat the opponent in the second half and I think the early goal gave the team momentum.
Q, With one more goal, you will tie the record for the most goals in a Tokyo league match with 14. Can you tell us what has been the key factor in your success so far this season?
A, Last season, due to injuries, I was unable to play as I had envisioned and was unable to score goals. My record for most goals in a season is 14, but with 6 games remaining this season, I hope to score many more goals and break my personal record. As the remaining games of this season are dwindling, I want to show our energy and determination to lead us to victory until the end of the league.
Q, On a special day, October 1st, when Tokyo was established 25 years ago, there will be a match against Gamba Osaka.
A, I think it will be a special match and a milestone for the club as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Not only us players, but also the staff, club members, and fans and supporters will all have special feelings as we approach this game. We will give our all and strive to deliver a victory with strong determination.
