<Previous Match: Yokohama F.Marinos Review>
It was a vivid blow that reminded me of "that day" 14 years ago.
In the 10th minute of the second half of the 15th round match against Yokohama F.Marinos, with a one-point deficit, Kuryu MATSUKI picked up a loose ball from a left cross by Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and gently supplied a sideways pass. Yuto NAGATOMO, who ran into the area, struck it powerfully with his right foot.
"I thought I would hit it directly and with a good impact. It felt like I was close to being in a trance. I tend to tense up when I think about strange things. I think it was good that I was able to hit it without thinking too much."
This is the second goal of the season. In the 14th round against Nagoya Grampus, he came on as a substitute and continued to assist with a strong underlap and a right-footed cross, showing his tenacious defense and consistently producing results on the attacking end.
And this equalizing goal was the first goal in 5,118 days for jersey number 5 at Ajinomoto Stadium. "Embarrassing," he said with a wry smile, as he shared his thoughts.
"Since the game where I scored a super volley when I traveled to Italy in 2010, I feel like some of the fans and supporters may have forgotten that I can score. I have also been able to assist and be involved in the attack. I have a sense of growth and I believe I can continue to show my new growth."
In the week leading up to the Yokohama FC match, there were a series of events that renewed the determination of player Yuto Nagatomo. Following Makoto Okazaki, who has fought alongside him as a member of the Japan national team, Makoto Hasebe also announced his retirement. In this match against Yokohama FC, Masato Morishige, who is of the same generation, was left out of the bench. Furthermore, the competition for positions within the team is intensifying. In light of this situation, his heart was burning with even more passion than usual.
"There is definitely a sense of loneliness when it comes to the news of two players retiring. I also feel a sense of crisis that if I don't continue to show results, the day will come when I have to take off my spikes. So today, I was more focused than usual and really put my heart into it. There is a lot of competition within the team, and if I can't show results, I might end up on the bench. If we have the same performance, the team will likely use younger players. As for myself, I always play with the mindset that it could be my last game. Even though I had the thought that I might be taken off if I didn't perform well in this game, I was able to score with a strong determination. I want to continue to fight tenaciously on this pitch and have the determination to keep living."
After a long time, a soul-stirring equalizer was scored at Ajinomoto Stadium. It has been about 14 years since the day when I greeted with "Bonjourno" while wearing sunglasses and received a loving booing. Although the distance may be different, I shot a super goal with a similar trajectory. And after scoring, I used my whole body to stir up the stadium to create an atmosphere of a comeback, and shouted many times. It was exactly the same scene as 14 years ago that was unfolding at Ajinomoto Stadium.
"But in the end, the team didn't win, so that's still frustrating. I may have shouted, but we still didn't win in the end."
Although I scored a goal, the game ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw. Of course, I am not satisfied with the result. I shine in order to contribute to victory. What I gained in this game of determination was the feeling that I can still do more, and the frustration of not being able to win the game. With those thoughts in my heart, the 37-year-old full-back has pledged to continue growing and fully committing to victory.
Match Preview
The Levain Cup 3rd Round match against Sagan Tosu, which took place on Wednesday, ended in a penalty shootout after extra time and advanced to the playoff round.
In the 11th minute of the second half, Masato MORISHIGE scored the first goal from Riki HARAKAWA's corner kick. However, in the additional time of the second half, they allowed an equalizing goal and the game went into extra time. After that, both teams refused to give in and it ended up in a penalty shootout. All 5 players from Tokyo were successful, and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, the goalkeeper, stopped the 5th player from Tosu, ending the fierce battle.
The outstanding goalkeeper TERRY proudly stated about the last penalty kick stop, "I was able to bring the opponent into my range while watching them and using my tactics. It was a victory that we all won together, and I think everyone is a hero." Thanks to the victory that the team grabbed together, it should give us momentum for the league matches where we have been winless for 3 games.
This round, we welcome Gamba Osaka to our home stadium. G Osaka will come to Ajinomoto Stadium in a more advantageous position schedule-wise compared to Tokyo, as they had a Levain Cup 2nd Round match on Wednesday. It will be a test of Tokyo's true strength whether they can overcome the tough consecutive matches. With players like Diego OLIVEIRA, who missed the Tosu match, and Yuto NAGATOMO, who was selected for the Japan national team, Tokyo will aim for victory with a united effort.
This week's matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, Sagan Tosu match was a tough game that went into penalty kicks.
A tough game, but I am proud of the players who gave their all for 120 minutes and fought until the end. However, I think it would have been best if we could have finished the game in 90 minutes. We had a chance to score another goal and put the opponent away in the 1-0 situation. As it was a cup game, I expected it to be a hard-working match until the end, and the players showed a mentality worthy of a winner.
Q, it seemed like the defense line was set at a higher position than usual.
A, it was one of the choices to grow our way of fighting and to fight aggressively. Instead of adapting to the opponent, we want to continue to promote growth. After taking the ball with aggressive defense, we quickly sense where the space is and go for the goal. Offense and defense are always connected. The growth in this area is crucial.
Q, Gamba Osaka, who we will be facing this round, is a team with a very high awareness of connecting from the back.
A, it will be a tough match against a good team, and I think it will be a tough match this time as well. There is a possibility that unexpected events may occur on the pitch. All we have to do is show our way of playing and performance to the opponent. That is the football we desire. Of course, there will be times when we cannot express our soccer during the match, but it is important to adjust on the pitch.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, We won against Sagan Tosu in the Levain Cup and advanced to the next stage. How do you want to continue this victory?
A, I think it was good that we were able to win in any form because the away game with Tosu was a situation where we couldn't win as a team. Of course, we need to fix the parts that need to be fixed in terms of content as a team, but I want to use this victory as an opportunity to develop a "winning habit".
Q, Please tell me your impression of Gamba Osaka.
A, first of all, I think it's just about expressing our own soccer. We want to firmly hold the ball and create many opportunities for scoring. Instead of prioritizing starting from defense to reduce goals, we want to establish a strong rhythm on the attacking side and take control of the entire game. We want to organize what kind of plays are required in both offense and defense and approach the game.
Q, It seems like the team is aiming to score additional points, rather than just playing defensively and trying to win.
A, I think our characteristic is our attacking play, and we also set our defensive line high. By being aggressive, the risk of conceding goals increases, but we prioritize scoring goals first. If we can improve our defense, I think we can become even better in both offense and defense. In the Levain Cup match against Tosu, we set our line high and pressed aggressively on defense. We did concede goals, but we were able to feel once again that our ability to aggressively win the ball in high positions is one of our strengths. The players on our back line have high individual abilities, and we want to trust them and be conscious of pressing from the front.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, thanks to the performance of Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, we were able to win the penalty kick battle against Sagan Tosu.
By stopping the fifth kick, I was able to stand out, but it was thanks to the hard work of my teammates for 120 minutes and everyone scoring their five kicks. I think each player showed their ability to bring victory on the pitch. In the penalty shootout, I was conscious of not getting drawn into the opponent's range while watching them. By bringing it to my own range, it led to the final save. As a team, I think we can fight greedily no matter who plays. I believe that winning together as one in the tournament-style Levain Cup, amidst a series of games, will lead to the future.
Q, It seems that your playing time is increasing and your condition is also improving.
A, There are many aspects that can only be felt during a match, such as timing and coordination that can be obtained by accumulating playing time. By participating in matches, my own rhythm is born and a cycle is created. I am also grateful to have been able to play in the last 3 official matches in a row. From here on, I want to show even higher quality play and contribute to the team's victory with a sense of tension.
Q, Please tell me the key to winning against Gamba Osaka.
A, Gamba Osaka has a strong attacking force and is known as a "difficult team" to play against. However, the important thing is to maintain our own rhythm and speed while playing. I believe the opponent will try to connect passes precisely, so it is crucial to maintain a high level of intensity in both offense and defense, and to have an aggressive approach.
<Keita ENDO player>
Q, In the Levain Cup Sagan Tosu match, it was my first official game appearance in a while.
A, I was scheduled to play for about 20 minutes due to the long-awaited official game, but due to the extension, I ended up playing for a total of about 60 minutes. I feel a great sense of meaning in being able to return to the game after being absent since mid-April. There has been no rebound from injuries or poor condition, and I am grateful for the support of the rehabilitation team. Personally, I want to get closer to 100% in terms of game sense and running ability.
Q, What are the points you felt when you returned to the pitch after being away from the game for a while?
A, there is no big sense of accomplishment, but the most important thing is that we were able to return to the official match pitch.Since the previous game was a cup match, the result of winning was prioritized over the content. My own play is still to come, and if I look back on the Tosu match, I think that winning and moving on to the next round is everything.
Q, How do you want to contribute to the team with the upcoming league, Levain Cup, and Emperor's Cup matches?
During the period when I was away from the team, it coincided with a busy schedule and caused inconvenience. To make up for the lost time and bring positive elements to the team, I will do my best. Gamba Osaka has a strong attacking lineup, including new foreign players. With the contributions of players like Usami and those in good form, I believe it is a high-level team both in attack and defense. However, we just need to focus on playing our own football and go for the win.
