<Match Preview>
Now, heading towards the 4th league cup winner. Peter Tokyo sets sail on a new journey.
On April 17th (Wednesday), FC Tokyo will face J3's Y.S.C.C. Yokohama in the 2nd round of the 2024 J.League YBC Levain Cup. The match, which will determine the winner in a single game, will be an "away" game at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium.
The tournament has changed its format starting this season. In the previous season, J1 clubs and the relegated J2 clubs from that season participated, competing for dominance through a group stage, playoff stage, and knockout stage. However, this season, the format has changed to a tournament style with all 60 clubs from J1 to J3 participating. J1 clubs will enter from the 2nd round, and Tokyo will also have their first match of the tournament here.
YS Yokohama will face each other for the first time in club history (excluding FC Tokyo U-23). They are an unknown opponent, but as a club with three past championship wins in this tournament, it is a must-win match that we must advance in.
The team showed their fighting spirit by equalizing in the dying minutes of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 8 match against Tokyo Verdy last weekend. Despite falling behind by 2 goals in the first half and being reduced to 10 men, the team rallied together and turned the tables, securing a 2-2 draw with 2 goals from Keita ENDO and earning 1 point.
In a situation where they were one player short, there were concerns about fatigue from the intense battle, as they showed their superior running ability. Furthermore, in this match, three players from the U-23 Japan national team will be absent, but players who have come off the bench in the previous two league matches have scored goals and performed well. Endo, who had a good result in the previous match, also said, "I didn't want them to go to the U-23 Japan national team and think, 'They were really reliable after all'," showing that the players who were selected are fighting hard. They are showing the depth of their squad, where any player can make a difference.
In addition, this tournament is also known as a "gateway for young players", so we can also expect the efforts of players who have not had the opportunity to participate so far. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI said, "This is a tournament where if you lose, it's over. I want to make decisions on player selection based on their condition. Whether they are young or not, it doesn't matter as long as they are ready to play and have the strength. We want to prepare to play our own football and aim for victory while considering the use of fresh members."
On July 8, 2007, Yuto NAGATOMO wore the blue and red uniform for the first time and stepped onto the pitch for a J-League official match. It was none other than Mitsuzawa.A, the venue for the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup (at the time). Wearing the number 36, his growth and evolution since then, as a designated player for the JFA and J-League, needs no further explanation.
This match will be played away on a weekday, but it could be a turning point for the selected players in the future. It is interesting to watch from that perspective while observing the coach's decisions.
First, we must win the first battle. We want to start our journey towards our fourth victory by showcasing an unchanging aggressive fight, no matter who stands on the pitch, and firmly climbing to the top.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, This is the first match of the J.League YBC Levain Cup against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama. Are you considering using young players?
A, We will bring the members to win the game and we are considering it now. Of course, we will also confirm the medical information of each player and decide based on the practice the day before the game. Whether young or old, it doesn't matter to me. As long as they are prepared and have the strength, whether they are 17 years old or the oldest, we will choose and prepare the members so that we can play our football.
Q, Three players from the U-23 Japan national team are absent.
A, I also think that it is one process. Mental aspect is also important, and it is a step towards success and big things to firmly extend our own play and what we do every day. I think the team is moving in a good direction now, but we must continue to do more.
Q, The Levain Cup has changed to a tournament format starting this season. How do you feel about the differences and difficulties compared to last season?
A, the difference is of course, if you win you can move on and if you lose, it's the end. The format may be different, but for me, nothing changes. It's about choosing a team that can play every week, having a strong mentality to play our football, and winning the game. Whether it's the Levain Cup or the league, it doesn't change. The starting 11 will prepare to fight, the players on the bench will make an impact, and we will be ready to fight until the end.
Q, After practice, I spoke to Soma ANZAI. What words did you say?
After the game against Verdy, I also talked to Tarik. In that game, there may have been a lot of pressure on player Anzai. After Anzai's red card, it became important for the team to react and have a strong mentality. We have to overcome this for the sake of the club and for Anzai. I think we did well to come back from being 2 points behind. We almost scored a third goal, but we ran out of time. I told Anzai to stay positive. We will support him 100%, that's what we talked about.
Q, there may be more teams that close in and take measures like in the Verdy game or the previous Kawasaki Frontale game. How will you surpass that?
A, closing the center will open up other spaces. I think it's important to quickly find those spaces and move forward. We want to extend our own play and fighting style.
[Player Interview]
Tsubasa TERAYAMA
Q, the Tokyo Verdy match ended in a last-minute tie, and we have another match in 3 days. The J.League YBC Levain Cup is a different tournament, but it will be a good opportunity to regroup the team during this consecutive match schedule.
Unlike league matches, this tournament is a one-and-done competition, so we must always play with a sense of urgency. It is important to not adapt to the opponent, but to firmly express our own style of football.
Q, As for Tsubasa TERAYAMA himself, he came on as a substitute in the Verdy match and was involved in a goal. With his condition and performance improving, isn't this the perfect timing to continue in official matches?
A, it is important to play your own game within the given time and extend your playing time. I think this will lead to starting in the lineup. I want to focus on producing results firmly in the given time and position.
Q, Were you able to organize your role and enter the game when you were used in a position one row ahead of the volante in the previous game?
There was also a (easy to understand) situation of 10 people, but when coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI gave instructions from the bench, I was able to organize what I needed to do and communicate with the team. I was able to fit in well there.
Q, if you return to the position of midfielder in the next opportunity, are you still organized in terms of what you should do as an individual?
A, the scenery seen from the defensive midfielder position also changes. I think it's just a matter of showing what we've been doing so far, and in the game, only what we do in our daily practice will come out. It would be great if we could do that in a good way. The most important thing is the game control. I want to play well while using my teammates and showing my strengths. I think my strength is in winning the ball, so I want to work together with my team while communicating with my teammates to create opportunities and control the game.
Q, Y.S.C.C. Yokohama is a team currently belonging to the J3 League. It is expected that they will approach the match with a similar feeling as when they faced Tokyo in the Emperor's Cup while Terayama was playing for Juntendo University.
A, I also had a strong determination to win at that time, and to be honest, there was also a situation where I had nothing to lose as a position. I fought with the heart of Tokyo. This time, I am in the opposite position, and I think the opponent will come at us desperately, so we must not accept it. I think it is important for us to focus on our own play and eat the opponent without being caught up in their desperation, unless we can surpass their passion and feelings.
Q, Do you have the consciousness of aiming for a big title even though the tournament has not started yet?
A, of course, we must have a sense of crisis that if we lose, it's over, and if we enter lukewarmly, it will be a difficult game. If the whole team doesn't concentrate, in this kind of tournament, you never know what can happen regardless of category. I want each and every one of us on the pitch to play with awareness.
<Tetsuhiro OKA player>
Q, I think there is also a possibility that it will lead to a chance to fight in a different tournament from the league in the midst of consecutive games.
A, it's the J-League YBC Levain Cup in the midst of consecutive games, and I've been preparing while thinking that my turn will come. I've been preparing to play in the league as well, but I haven't been able to seize the chance, so right after the Tokyo Verdy game, I was thinking that I would get results in this Levain Cup. I'm not in bad shape and I have confidence that I can do it.
Q, even after entering the season from camp, there are many practice matches, and among them, you are always maintaining a high performance.
A, at first I struggled to adapt to the basic way of fighting, but now I have been able to bring it to the point where I can do what I need to do.
Q, in the past few games where the condition has improved, the team's foundation lies in building up from the defense line with solid passes. How do you feel about the progress in the build-up phase?
In the build-up phase, the players around me also provide a lot of support, which is also a challenge. However, instead of having a passive attitude of "I don't want the ball to come to me", I am able to play with the mindset of being the starting point and moving the ball.
Q, I think that as an opponent belonging to the J3 League, you will face it with considerable motivation, but as a challenger, Teppei Oka himself can also face the opponent in a strong state in terms of feelings, right?
A, I also have a challenger spirit. However, I also have a strong desire to knock down. I used to be a very nervous type, but now I am able to prepare with a calm mind. Also, when I was a member of U-18, I played against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium as a member of FC Tokyo U-23. It was a place where I experienced the feeling of playing as a professional. It's a place where I gained the confidence to say "I can do it" and now as a true professional, I want to prove it.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
We will face our first match of the J.League YBC Levain Cup against Q and Y.S.C.C. Yokohama.
A, this season will be in tournament format, and if we lose, the Levain Cup itself will come to an end. I believe that my stage will only continue if I win, so I want to create my own stage by winning.
Q, What kind of play do you want to make when competing in a tournament different from the league?
A, as with our usual games, I think there are many players who are hungry for the game in the Levain Cup. Among them, I think it's important for each player to play their own game while also coming together as a team. So, we want to work on finding that balance together. However, I think we will only be evaluated based on our victories, so I want us to play soccer that allows us to win when the final whistle blows.
Q, How is the team's atmosphere after the two consecutive games at the Japan National Stadium and the match against Verdy?
A, in the last 3 league matches, there weree no bad games, so the team is able to play in a good atmosphere. Even players who have not been able to play in the matches are able to train without losing focus, so I believe that everyone is prepared for the team.
Q, this will be a match away from home. Please send a message to the fans and supporters.
A, there are many players who are hungry for the game, and I think that feeling can only be conveyed to the fans and supporters on the pitch. I want to have a game where I can show my feelings and make you feel like you came to see a good game. Thank you for your support.
