<Last Match Review: Yokohama FC>
After the match, the players unanimously agreed that "we only passed the ball around and it made it easy for the opponent to defend. We needed to change things up, like aiming for the back instead."
Yokohama FC has been defending with a 3-back, or rather 5-back formation, inviting Tokyo to attack. On the other hand, Tokyo has struggled to bring the ball deep into the opponent's half after being drawn in. As they try to find attacking options by moving the ball, their coordination has been off, forcing them to retreat and defend against counterattacks.
Especially after allowing the opponent to take the lead, we struggled to defend and were unable to break through their defense, resulting in safe passing throughout the game.
Although they were unable to maintain an aggressive attitude throughout the entire 90 minutes, there was one play that embodied their reflection at the beginning.
In the 12th minute of the second half, after defending against the opponent's attack in their own half, player Kosuke SHIRAI carried the ball up to just before the halfway line and supplied a pass towards the space behind the opponent. Player Adailton, who left the opponent defender behind with his speed, picked up the ball and continued with his speed towards the penalty area.
The scene of a one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper resulted in a blocked shot, but Tokyo's frequent passes at their feet and simple use of space may have suggested a necessary "change" for Tokyo's growth.
<Match Preview>
In the previous match, we suffered a frustrating defeat of 0-1 against Yokohama FC away, missing out on our first three consecutive wins of the season. We were unable to fully execute our attacking strategies that we had prepared during the league break, such as breaking through from the sides and exploiting spaces behind the defense, leaving us with many areas to improve on.
Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI looked back on this match, saying, "We deviated a bit from our way of playing. We made the game difficult for ourselves." As for the areas that need improvement, he said, "We should have moved the ball faster and used the space more effectively. We need to learn to become a smarter and better team, and prepare for the next match." The players also expressed their desire to "do better next time."
This round, we welcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima to our home ground. This is the final match of the three games that the club has designated as the 25th anniversary commemorative match. We must not only aim for victory, but also show the dedicated and never-give-up attitude that has been cherished by the blue and red for the past 25 years.
Furthermore, it is also a day to look ahead to the club's future and point out the path to be taken. To the fans and supporters, it is an expression of what Tokyo represents. We hope for such a battle.
Matchday program here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is a team that adopts a 3-back system, similar to the previous match against Yokohama FC.
A, I think we can fight with a connection from the previous game. There were many lessons learned in the Yokohama FC game. Hiroshima is a very good team, but we will also fight to express the lessons from the previous game in the match. We want to deliver good football to our fans and supporters.
Q, After the Yokohama FC match, each player expressed their reflections. Is a common understanding and awareness of tactics important?
A, both connections are important. It is necessary to express the rules that we value as a team when we fight. The Yokohama FC match was not a good game. There were several opportunities during the game to attack the opponent's weak points, but we were not able to follow through. For example, forward runs and vertical passes. We lacked the movement to play forward and move forward. By creating such scenes, I think the game would have changed and we would have become an even greater threat to the opponent. I want to use the lessons we learned in that game to move forward.
Q, It seemed like we were particularly conscious of how to move the ball to avoid the opponent's press in this week's training.
It is necessary work for the team to progress. I hope the players will grow by repeating their daily training. The match against Hiroshima is expected to be a tough game. I want to deliver excitement and enthusiasm to the fans and supporters with an aggressive fight. In the previous match against Yokohama FC, we were unable to express the way we want to play. Since I took office, I believe that we have been improving in terms of avoiding press and moving the ball. Growth does not always go smoothly and in a straight line. Our play still needs improvement and I think we will continue to grow from here.
[Player Interview]
Diego OLIVEIRA
Q, in the previous match, we lost 0-1 to Yokohama FC. How do you feel about this result?
After losing the first goal, the opponent tightened their defense, making it a difficult game. It is true that the motivation of Yokohama FC, who are fighting to stay in the J1 league, was high, but we must reflect on the fact that we were unable to surpass that. I apologize to the fans and supporters who came all the way to the away game.
I remembered the scene from three years ago at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium where Diego OLIVEIRA was in tears in the locker room.
A, the game turned out to be similar to that time, including the content and development of the game. There is a big reflection on repeating the same thing again, but we are only thinking about winning against Sanfrecce Hiroshima by fixing the issues that came up in the Yokohama FC game for the next match.
Q, at that time, you said "I have to fight for my family" and that has left an impression on me. Will that motivation be particularly important in the last four games?
The feeling of fighting for my family, my team, and my fans and supporters remains unchanged. It will continue to be the same in the future. Of course, each player has their own way of maintaining motivation, but for me, fighting for all of you who support and cheer for us is what motivates me.
Q, I am tied for my career high with 14 goals in the league this season. Do you feel confident about your performance this season?
A, Soccer is a team sport and each player wants to win and be the champion in the game in front of them. Of course, I am the same.Last season, I couldn't play as well as I wanted due to injuries, but this season I think it's a big deal that I can maintain my condition without any injuries. However, what is important to me is the team's victory rather than my own record. Until the end of the season, I want to contribute to the team's victory by scoring as many goals as possible.
Q, Despite being an away game, the fans and supporters created a wonderful atmosphere at the Yokohama FC match.
We would like to express our gratitude once again to all the fans and supporters who have been giving us passionate support since the beginning of this season, regardless of whether it is a home or away game. The match against Yokohama FC was also colored in blue and red by many fans and supporters. Of course, we are playing while feeling your cheers on the pitch. We are sorry that we ended up with a disappointing result of 0-1, and we can feel the passion, emotions, and various feelings of the fans and supporters. We expect the match against Hiroshima to be a difficult one, but we want to deliver good plays and good results for the fans and supporters.
Q, the last two home games are coming up. What motivates you to play in these games?
A, the game will continue to be difficult until the end, but I believe in the strength of the Tokyo team. I want to fight with all my might for the fans and supporters, and show our football. And I want to win the game and share the joy with everyone.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, please review the Yokohama FC match again.
A, The impression is that we lost in a different way than we have lost before. The Yokohama FC match made us realize that there are still areas that we need to improve on, and it was more of a loss due to not being able to show what we have, rather than just losing. Even if we lose to a team fighting for survival, I don't think we should be pessimistic. There were various elements during the match, but I think if we could express ourselves more boldly without being too careful, we could have won. I felt that our play choices were focused on "not making mistakes". It was a match where we could see various aspects and there were also new combinations. This season, there weren't many matches where we were pushing forward for a long time, so we need to learn more about how to fight in such situations.
Q, In the match against Yokohama FC, I felt that the number of times I touched the ball in the attacking midfield position was also low.
A, there are times when I play by going down to a low position, and I think there is a lot of freedom in my play. I want to show more effort to send the ball forward, and I want to play with the consciousness of supporting and moving when the ball enters each position, and make choices that suit my teammates. I have learned from the fact that we were defending as a team, and I want to reflect on the fact that I could have made more runs behind the opponent's block.
Q, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is also a team that implements a similar system.
A, I think it will be a game where both teams attack each other and compete for goals. It is important to figure out how to overcome the opponent's tactics. As the chances of scoring increase, I also think the chances of conceding will increase, so if we can control that aspect and not lose, I believe we can create scoring opportunities. I am not worried about this because I think we can express this as a team. We need to manage the game well.
