<Last Match Review: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo>
On October 1st, in the 29th round match against Gamba Osaka to commemorate the club's 25th anniversary, he scored his 14th goal, tying his career high, and it seemed like only a matter of time before he broke the record.
However, after three games of being away from the goal, the team also felt the distance from victory, and realized how important their presence and work is to Tokyo.
That's why the joy of scoring a career-high goal in the final home game of the 2023 season was even more special.
In the 41st minute of the first half, we showed a flowing and coordinated movement, including the third person's movement from the point of stealing the opponent's ball, to conquer the front of Sapporo's goal with passing work.
Pressing high from the front line, Masato MORISHIGE aimed for the feed of the escape route sent by the opponent and chose a heading pass instead of a clear. Riki HARAKAWA, who received the pass, turned and carried the ball towards the goal, supplying a through pass to Adailton, who ran into the penalty area.
Adailton, who had Diego Oliveira's support in mind, dropped the ball towards Diego while making a move to bring the defender with him. Diego, facing the goal, skillfully controlled the ball and shot it into the left corner of the goal.
If the sniper places their prey in front of them, they should not miss. While watching the follow-through of their left foot, they stand up with confidence in the goal, clenching their fist as the ball flows into the goal net. In that moment, the blue and red stands erupt and many fists are raised in celebration.
The final match is to get more fists up.
<Match Preview>
The final match of the 2023 season has arrived.
The 2022 season was eagerly awaited by the club, as they competed for a spot in the AFC Champions League until the end of the season and aimed for the league title. However, upon closer inspection, they were unable to accumulate points consistently in the first half of the season and made the decision to change coaches before the halfway point of the season.
Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the former coach, has always emphasized the importance of maintaining possession of the ball since his time. Under the guidance of current coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, the team has been trying to instill a strong mentality of high pressing and short counterattacks from the front line without losing that attitude.
There are games where the results are achieved, but there are also games where the team as a whole struggles to work together and experiences frustrating matches.
Tokyo may be far from their target position as they approach the end of the season, but in this match, they do not want to reflect on the season, but rather fight to leave something bright for the team's future and towards the 2024 season.
In the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we took control of the game in the first half by strengthening our attacking posture, but we fell apart in the second half. Although it is an away game, we want to fully utilize the strength of Peter Tokyo and end the season with a victory.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, How do you feel about the length of time as a coach for Peter CKLAMOVSKI in the first half of the season?
A, not too short or too long, just about halfway. As we approach the final match of the league this weekend, I have various emotions within me. As a team, we are facing challenges in building a strong foundation, but we have been frustrated in the past few matches. Since taking over, I have always encouraged the team's development in the 16 league matches, but I still think there is a lot to do in terms of building and stacking. In the final match against Shonan Bellmare, we will go for the three points with a good performance.
Q, What have you been focusing on for this week's Shonan game?
A, I have a lot of respect for Shonan's way of playing and I think they are a great team. They were a team fighting for survival until the previous round, but I understand how hard they have worked as a team in such a difficult situation. We want to fight for the full 95 minutes, including additional time, and face our opponents, especially in physical battles. We know how to break down their solid defense and create chances, so we want to score goals firmly when we have control of the attack.
Q, What kind of performance do you want to show as the culmination of this season?
We want to focus on our fighting spirit, scoring goals, and ending the game without conceding any goals. Even though it's an away game, we will of course approach it aggressively. We expect the opponent to come with an aggressive style as well, but we will demand our players to work harder than them. We need to be careful of Shonan's counter attacks, and we want to increase the number of plays where we bravely and confidently pass the ball towards the goal without succumbing to the pressure from their front line. By increasing the time we possess the ball, I believe we will also have more space to work with.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, What is your motivation for the final match of the season against Shonan Bellmare?
A, We are primarily focused on securing a victory as a team. I am excited to see how we can express our strong desire for victory through our play and what kind of contributions we can make. Personally, I also feel that I am expected to deliver results, and I want to make this match a memorable one where everyone involved with the team can end the season with joy and smiles.
Q, What kind of game play is required against Shonan, given the data that the away game winning percentage is not good this season?
A, Shonan's playing style, especially in defense, is to aggressively press from the front and sometimes steal the ball in a man-to-man style. However, we also want to take advantage of the space behind the opponent's defense by attacking with speed. In addition to attacking behind the defense, we also want to be conscious of utilizing the speed of our players on both sides. If we can defend well and quickly launch attacks, we can play Tokyo-style football.
Q, didn't it become a fruitful season where you played in many games as an indispensable player in the midfield and were also selected for the activities of the Japan national team in each age group?
A, To sum up, I think this season was a very difficult year. In the midst of that, through representative activities in each age group, we were able to experience playing games in various countries. It was difficult to adapt to changes in the playing environment, long-distance travel, and time differences, and to join the club and participate in official matches, and I think it was also difficult to play with a focus on results.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the game with the fans and supporters who continue to support us unwaveringly.
A, I think that the fans and supporters are also seeking victory first and foremost. We also want to approach the game with 120% of our strength for the victory. Throughout the season, the unwavering passionate support has pushed us forward and we want to show a performance that does not shame that feeling. I have heard that many fans and supporters will come to Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka and I think it is a wonderful stage. I want to deliver a victory.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, this week's Shonan Bellmare match will be the final match of the league.
A, There is nothing big at stake for both Tokyo and Shonan as the final match of this season, but all the players from Tokyo are determined to win and end the season on a high note. Throughout this season, we have been supported by many fans and supporters, and we want to put on an entertaining game to repay their support. While it is important to showcase plays that will lead us to the next season as a team, our first priority is to grab a victory against Shonan and excite the audience with our performance.
Q, What specific points do you want to show in the final match?
After this match, the entire league season will come to an end and there will be no games for a while. There is some concern about losing what coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI has built up with the team and the game sense that has been accumulated so far due to the end of the season, but first of all, we want to focus on the Shonan match and show our growth as a team and as individuals. Although the away win rate has been very low this season, we really want to win. That is our only goal.
Q, What kind of play do you want to show as a player, Nozawa?
A, as I mentioned earlier, I really want to win. We have been far from victory in the past few games and we are only seeking for a win. We are focusing on expressing what we learned from the defeat against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on the pitch. As the goalkeeper for Tokyo, I want to show the fans and supporters what I can do and also show the same to my teammates and staff. I want to show plays that will make people excited. It is important to continue challenging, but in addition to that, I also want to show composure and make accurate decisions to play according to the situation.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, I think there was difficulty in coming on as a substitute in the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo while behind.
A, I had a strong desire to be aggressive from the front in defense, but there were also moments where the coordination between the front and back was not working. While playing the game, I also feel the difficulty of thinking about how to improve, why this phenomenon occurs, and how to raise the gear while searching for the cause. The Sapporo game was the most frustrating because we couldn't win at home, and I have a strong desire to change the aspect of our fighting spirit. However, since the Shonan game is the last game of this season, I want to show a fight that will lead to next season. I think it will be necessary to clear the challenges and move on to the next step.
Q, I felt various emotions in the words of Masato MORISHIGE, the player of the final ceremony. How did the player Higashi, who has been playing with Masato MORISHIGE for a long time, hear it?
A, I completely agree. In such a situation, there are also people with different thoughts and opinions who express their feelings in words, and there is a possibility of various opinions being expressed for and against. I think that Morishige spoke with responsibility for the team. If you have been in Tokyo for a long time, you will feel it strongly, especially this season.
Q, this week's Shonan Bellmare match will be the final match of the season.
It is a difficult situation as a team, but we must show our professionalism because there are fans and supporters who support us. That is what matters the most.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, With Yuto Nagatomo's suspension, I think there is a chance for him to start in the lineup.
A, for me, this will be the game that summarizes the season. I moved to Tokyo in the summer and have been facing new discoveries and challenges every day. I am constantly striving to overcome these challenges. I believe that I am improving little by little as I face my daily tasks. If I have the chance to play, I want to show the culmination of my efforts and play with all my might.
Q, what specific aspects does that "wall" refer to?
A, I used to be a player who was utilized. After joining Tokyo, I have been able to show my strengths and my awareness of playing as a side back has increased, as well as the number of plays that utilize my teammates. I have been focusing on this and communicating with my coaches and teammates, and I believe I am becoming a better player.
Q, this week's opponent is Shonan Bellmare, who started their professional career and deserves to show their "culmination".
I am grateful for being able to start as a professional soccer player in Shonan, and I hope to repay that by playing well on the pitch. If I have the chance to play, I want to first show my strengths and be able to express what I have learned since joining Tokyo through my play. And I want to contribute to victory in terms of results.
