※The MATCH PREVIEW & INTERVIEW for the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo match on May 6th (Monday holiday) will be on hiatus due to production schedule.
The next Mechakoma will be the MATCH PREVIEW & INTERVIEW for the Kashiwa Reysol game on May 11 (Sat).
<Last Match Review: Kyoto Sanga F.C.>
The long-awaited first victory of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium. For the two players who scored the winning goal, it was also a celebration dedicated to their family's birthdays.
In the 4th minute of the first half, Soma ANZAI from the right side crossed the ball to the far side, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE said, "We practiced entering from the opposite side as a team. Today, we really wanted to score," and took a shot with his left foot. The well-aimed strike was his first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium. On the day of the game, he gave his brother, who was celebrating his birthday, a powerful birthday goal as a present.
Next, the player who brought a smile was Diego OLIVEIRA, who returned to the starting lineup . He scored a powerful header from Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's cross, scoring a second consecutive goal in the league. He also suffered a left shoulder injury and was out of the game at one point, but this was the moment he showed his true abilities. This goal was also a celebration for his mother's birthday, who lives in Brazil.
After dominating both offense and defense in the first half, the tables turned in the second half as Kyoto Sanga F.C. pushed back and scored a goal. In addition, there was a scene where a penalty kick was awarded near the end of the second half, but thanks to VAR support, the decision was overturned and there were no consequences.
After surviving an additional time of about 9 and a half minutes, we have achieved our second consecutive victory this season. After the game, "The City That Never Sleeps" and the victorious "You'll Never Walk Alone" echoed through Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time this season.
Match Preview
Exactly one year ago. There are still many people who remember the frustration of that day. And the many bitter memories we experienced on the away Sapporo ground. The time has come to replace all of those.
Since the 2017 season, the official match record in Sapporo is 3 draws and 5 losses. In addition to 4 come-from-behind losses, last season they suffered a big defeat of 5 goals on the same day, May 6th. It can be seen from the results that their compatibility is so bad that it is considered a "demon's gate".
However, everything is in the past. There is no need to worry at all. The team is currently on a winning streak, defeating Albirex Niigata and Kyoto Sanga F.C. They have also risen up to 6th place in the rankings. Although they have tasted bitter defeat many times before, the players standing on the pitch this time are solely focused on winning the game in front of them. It is precisely because they can see the shadow of the top that they want to fight with all their might and aim for victory.
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, who has suffered 5 consecutive losses since the opening, marked their first victory against Gamba Osaka in the 7th round. After that, they have had 4 consecutive draws and have been unable to win, but they will face the Tokyo match with a record of 5 games undefeated.
In the previous match, Cerezo Osaka, who is competing for the top spot, drew 1-1 away. They have been scoring the first goal in 6 consecutive league matches, showing that their goal scoring ability is not low. Although they are currently in 17th place, they are not to be underestimated. However, they have lost all matches where they conceded the first goal. They also have a tendency to concede many goals in the latter part of the match.
As Tokyo has recorded the most 19 goals in the league as of the previous round, they want to take advantage of their proud attacking power and score the first goal by any means necessary. In addition to taking the lead, it will be crucial to solve issues such as game management and time management in order to secure victory, as they have been prone to conceding goals in the second half.
The ability to score from anywhere has become a major gain for the team. It's been two days since the previous match against Kyoto. We want to use this consecutive match to firmly overcome it together and gain momentum for the future with a 3-game winning streak in the league for the first time since March 2022.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, the next match will be a tough one with only 2 days of rest.
A, we will prepare firmly. We always adapt to the situations we face, and no matter what the conditions are, we will only move forward by overcoming tough conditions in Monday's match. It's just a matter of selecting the 11 players who will start on the pitch and going into battle, no matter who is playing.
Q: What is your impression of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo this season?
A, a very good team, a dangerous team. I always respect my opponents and prepare, but I approach Sapporo in the same way. They have been improving in the last few games. Last week, they drew with Cerezo Osaka in an away game. (YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM) is a tough place to fight, so even a draw would be a good result for them. In the previous game, we had a 3-3 draw with Shonan Bellmare. It's a sign that they are getting better, and we will do our best to prepare so that we can give our maximum effort as well.
Q, The away Sapporo match has been far from winning for 12 seasons.
A, it's beautiful, isn't it? I love these kinds of situations. I think it's one of the records that we can change. However, the media didn't tell us that we haven't won against Avispa Fukuoka in 24 years before the game (laughs). I only heard about the jinx after the game. This time, it's half of Fukuoka, so I want to break the record again.
Q: Are there any numbers that can be used to make a medical judgment when using players in two days?
A, There is also a part where the physical team makes judgments while looking at the numbers. This is true for GPS data, but we also measure data during the game. We try to make smart decisions by gathering as much information as possible, including the intensity and fatigue level. Today is the day after the Kyoto Sanga F.C. match, so it is important to recover. Also, there is preparation for the day before the match tomorrow, so it is important to complete the training there as well. We believe that the players selected for the match will play with pride on the pitch.
Q, Isn't it the factor of high performance that fits the data like a puzzle while there is variation in age and playing time among players?
A, that is one of the things we work on every day. As I always say, mentality is important in daily training. With that in mind, we make it clear how we should play. There are various puzzles, but it is important for the players to understand what they need to do. We believe that everyone is necessary in the season. Right now, as we face consecutive games, we understand that we need everyone's strength. However, our football can be further advanced. We believe that we can make the players grow even more through daily efforts. With that, we should be able to solve the puzzle.
[Player Interview]
Soma ANZAI
Q, we will have our next game in 2 days. How is the condition?
A, I think it is important to take care not to leave any fatigue from the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. When I was a specially designated player last season, I played 90 minutes in a university official match and then played in the Levain Cup two days later. Also, this season, I have experienced playing against Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers within three days in April. In order to endure the consecutive matches, I would like to focus on recovery first. Our goal is to achieve three consecutive wins, which we couldn't do last season, and I think we need to have a tough mentality that focuses on results.
Q, exactly one season ago on May 6th. Soma ANZAI made his J1 league debut in an away game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
A, it was a very disappointing game. "I feel that Tokyo is different this season" and I think it was a great opponent to make them feel that way. I want to show the growth of the team and as individuals through the results. It was a 1-5 defeat in my J1 league debut and I experienced rock bottom on the pitch. Even now, one season later, I still feel the impact of that experience.
Q: How do you approach playing against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, known for their unique system and tactics?
I think it will be a game where aggressive defense and intensity in situations like the Kyoto game in the previous round will be born. Speaking of the starting players in the previous round, the players who are wide like me and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA will be the key to stripping the opponent in a 1-on-1 situation and going behind the wing back. When switching to attack, I think it will be important to quickly put pressure on the opponent with multiple players.
Q: With the activities of the Japan U-23 national team coming to an end, players Kuryu Matsuki and Ryotaro Araki will soon return to their respective teams. It seems that the competition for positions in the attacking line will reignite, so please tell us what is necessary for securing a spot in the starting lineup.
A, I want to continue to improve the base and standard values such as play intensity and dedication to defense. If I can show numbers like the assist I got in the Kyoto game, I think I can establish myself on the right side as a player who can contribute to defense and also leave numbers in attack. I want to continue to build on the current base step by step, and on the attacking side, I want to grow into a player who can bring change and become an accent in the attack with my own play.
<Takahiro KO>
Q, how is your condition for the consecutive games in 2 days?
A, surprisingly, I have been able to play this far without feeling too tired. I don't want to use consecutive games as an excuse, and even though it's an away game, I want the whole team to work hard to bring back 3 points to Tokyo.
Q: What is your impression of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo?
A, Regarding defense, we will aggressively play man-to-man and focus on building combinations in our attack. As a team, we want to achieve a clean sheet with a strong defense that does not give our opponents any freedom. In terms of attack, if we can move forward while shaking off defenders and play in sync with our second and third players, chances will naturally come. We want to approach the game with a shared understanding and awareness of both offense and defense from all players.
Q: Please reflect on the game. What do you think is the key to reducing goals in the closing stages?
A, In the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., we gave away one goal and let them gain momentum. The time we had to endure became longer, but I believe that being able to win will contribute to the team's growth. However, the longer we have to endure on defense, the more mentally and physically challenging it becomes. In order to control the game according to the situation and take the lead, it is necessary for everyone on the pitch to play with the same mindset in both offense and defense.
Q, about one-fourth of the entire season has ended in the league competition this season.
From the start of the A League season, I have not been able to enter the bench and have spent frustrating time. In the midst of that, I have been able to get a starting opportunity from the Avispa Fukuoka match and have been able to constantly think about "what I can do for the team" and play. I want to be able to express more from the pitch and I want to increase the time I hold the ball more than now. By quickly sensing the opponent's movements and formation and moving the ball, I think it will also lead to pushing the opponent. I also feel the growth in defense as the games go by, and the number of times I am broken by the opponent from the center position has also decreased significantly. However, it is also a fact that the number of goals conceded has not decreased. The goals we have conceded have been in situations where it is not difficult to defend, such as set plays and simple plays, so I want to be more conscious of communicating to the whole team from the defensive midfield position and continue to focus on winning the ball from the center position.
