＜Previous Match Review against Kashiwa Reysol＞
Build up, build up, and unleash a full-force blow with all your weight behind it. The captain, who has just returned to the team, pierced the goal with his signature "finishing hold" using his skilled left foot.
The U-23 Japan national team, who returned triumphant with a spot in the Paris Olympics and the championship trophy at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, will make their comeback starting this round. Among them, Kuryu MATSUKI will show a dominating presence against Kashiwa Reysol. With low center of gravity dribbling, he will pull away opponents and run all over the pitch from box to box. Furthermore, with quick anticipation and sharp footwork, he will be involved in chances with ambitious shots from midfield.
Tokyo, who conceded the opening goal from a ball loss in their own half, overwhelmed Kashiwa with outstanding distance control and versatile passing work with multiple players moving in different directions. Teruhito NAKAGAWA immediately equalized with a header, and Diego OLIVEIRA successfully turned the game around with a penalty kick, making it his fourth consecutive goal in the league. Then, in the 37th minute of the first half, Matsuki scored a beautiful volley that will go down in club history.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE #7 ran in from behind and with a quick left foot, scored an additional point with a direct jumping volley as the ball floated down near the penalty arc from a left corner kick by Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
Roaring Ajinomoto Stadium. As the ground-shaking cheers erupt and the "rain of joy" pours down from the entire stadium, number 7, who has returned in blue and red, shows off his signature "Rainmaker" pose.
In the midst of an overwhelming game, goalkeeper Go HATANO was sent off just before the end of the first half. This changed the momentum and led to 2 goals being conceded in the second half, resulting in a 3-3 draw. Despite being at a numerical disadvantage and being pushed back by Kashiwa, they were able to launch effective counterattacks multiple times, but were unable to decide the game. In the end, they were only able to secure 1 point by enduring the opponent's fierce attacks.
Match Preview
On May 15th, Tokyo will face Nagoya Grampus away on "J-League Day". The team, led by coach Kenta HASEGAWA, includes players Kensuke NAGAI, Takuji YONEMOTO, and Takuya UCHIDA, making it a match against members with deep ties to both blue and red.
In the previous match, Tokyo's winning streak of 3 was stopped by a draw against Kashiwa Reysol. They maintain their 4th place with a 4 point difference from the top, and will aim for a 4th consecutive win in this match after a draw in the previous one. They have scored 24 goals so far, the most in the league. Their attacking force, boasting an average of 1.85 goals per game, is in good form, scoring 3 goals in the previous match.
This season, 12 players have already scored, demonstrating their strength to score from anywhere. Diego OLIVEIRA has scored in 4 consecutive games so far. If he scores in the Nagoya game, he will tie his own record for the longest streak in April 2019. What kind of performance will he show in this milestone game, his 200th league appearance for the blue and red team? Also, there are high expectations for the dynamic play of Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who just celebrated his 20th birthday on the 14th. Keep an eye on number 33, who has shown outstanding breakthrough ability on the left side, to see if he can score a birthday goal himself.
Nagoya, on the other hand, has sunk to last place with 3 consecutive losses at the start, but has quickly risen with 5 wins and 1 draw. In the 12th round, they handed Sanfrecce Hiroshima their first loss. Although they have struggled with 1 win and 3 losses in their recent 4 matches, there is no doubt that each player has the level of skill to compete at the top of the league. In particular, the scoring abilities of forwards PATRIC and Kasper JUNKER are a threat. And we are well aware of the power of Nagai's fierce pressing from the front line.
In the previous match against Gamba Osaka, we were unable to deploy our aggressive pressing and overall became too defensive, resulting in a loss. Despite a tight schedule with only 3 days of rest, there is a possibility that we will regroup and bravely challenge Tokyo by re-examining our own soccer.
As for Tokyo, we must learn from the previous match and tidy up the confusion in our build-up. We have been able to avoid pressing by passing at an angle, so with some minor adjustments, we should be able to handle it. Also, it is a concern who will stand in goal with goalkeeper Go HATANO suspended, and whether Ryotaro ARAKI, who has returned from the U-23 Japan national team, will make the squad.
Part of the team's progress can be felt in the fact that they are able to adapt their playing style according to the opponent's approach during their undefeated streak of 4 games. In this match as well, they will aggressively challenge their opponents with the Tokyo style and aim to score consistently in order to continue their pursuit for the top spot.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, Is it important to continue challenging even though there is a possibility of making mistakes that could lead to conceding goals, as seen in the Kashiwa Reysol match, by increasing the time to hold the ball?
A, We must learn from the mistakes that happened during the game while challenging. There were some mistakes as I mentioned in the Kashiwa game, but we were able to play our football well by moving the ball well and including defense. Speaking of the first half, Kashiwa did not enter our box and shoot at all. We conceded a goal from a ball loss, but it was a first half where we were able to limit the number of times the opponent could play in our box. In other words, playing our football also leads to good defense. There were negative moments, but the players were able to organize and express a good performance on the pitch in such situations.
Unfortunately, we had a player sent off, but the team continued to play until the end without giving up on winning at home. I respect the mentality they showed throughout the game. We are a team in the process of growth. I believe that continuing, learning from games, and using improvements for the next game are necessary elements to bring our team closer to our dream.
Q, this week's match is against Nagoya Grampus.
I want to check the team staff and videos and give the players good information. We want to prepare well and face Nagoya with our own fighting style. Nagoya is a team that has been improving and we expect a tough 90 minutes. In the previous match, we lost to Gamba Osaka, so they will surely make improvements and countermeasures for this match. However, we will focus on our own fighting style. We were able to train sharply today as well. We are focused on achieving victory.
Q, Nagoya is a team with a strong defense.
A, Nagoya is a good team. Every team has its own strengths and characteristics, and should not be underestimated. Whether we are facing the best team in the world or a team from the J1 league, we focus on expressing our football and continuously growing through daily training and matches. Each game has meaning. First and foremost, we want to focus on winning against our current opponent and winning for Nagoya.
[Player Interview]
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
Q, What kind of mindset do you have with a high possibility of playing this round?
Speaking of the Kashiwa Reysol match, I think that the goals conceded at the start of each half made the game difficult. I want to carefully control the start of the game. As a team, we want to organize how we approach the start of the game, and personally as a goalkeeper, I want to be conscious of not conceding easy goals.
Q: What kind of play do you want to demand of yourself?
A, I think it's just a matter of combining what we need to do as a team and what I need to do myself. I think mistakes can happen within the 90 minutes of soccer, but if we can cover them as a team, I don't think it's a problem at all. The position of goalkeeper is the last line of defense that can cover mistakes that have occurred. In extreme cases, I think it's the only position that can connect to the next play if we can prevent mistakes from leading to goals. First and foremost, I want to prioritize playing as a team.
Q, What is the key point to prevent conceding goals?
First, it is important to score the first goal as a team to improve the flow of the game. And then, I think it is crucial to continue scoring the second and third goals. At the same time, when we are on the offensive, it is necessary for the goalkeeper or defense to step up and contribute. It is important for the players in the front to work hard, and for the players in the back to support them. We need to cover each other's spaces and if there is a mistake, the surrounding players should cover for each other. I hope we can have a positive defensive mindset as a team.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, Happy birthday. How do you want to spend your 20s?
A, thank you very much. It's a milestone to reach the age of 20, but I still don't feel it (laughs). I want to take on more responsibility and make both soccer and my private life more fulfilling.
Q, In the Kashiwa Reysol match, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's cross ball led to a goal.
A, I think it was good that we were able to take off one opponent at the short corner and then cross. The quality of the cross was also good, as it was able to be lifted over the first and second players in front of the opponent's goal, making it easier for the player in front of the goal to compete for the ball. I think it was a scene where the results of our practice paid off.
Q, this season, I have been able to assist from my strong dribbling, but I have yet to score from a dribble.
A, I feel that we are being more cautious compared to last season, and the pressure is also getting tougher, so when I dribble and cut in to shoot, it often hits the opponent's block. I think that if I can control it well and shoot without hitting the block, it will lead to goals, so I want to improve the quality.
Q: How will you approach the Nagoya Grampus match?
A, As usual, I want to approach the game without changing what we do. Rather than worrying about the opponent, I think it's important to first express our own soccer.
