The first half of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League ended with the 19th round match against Shonan Bellmare on June 22nd. Tokyo finished the season with 30 points, 29 goals scored, and 26 goals conceded, placing 6th and aiming for a top spot. They had 8 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses in their fight for the top.
What kind of battle did Peter Tokyo show in the first half of the season? And what is needed for a comeback in the second half?
Text = Tomoaki Aoyama
Harvest and Challenges Seen in the First Half
There were both satisfying victories and frustrating games, as well as hard-earned wins. The blue and red army, which aggressively reinforced before the start of the season and added new forces, is showing signs of transformation into a team with great potential, thanks to the growth of young players. That was the first half.
The biggest change since last season is the significant improvement in scoring ability. After 19 league matches, the gains and challenges have become clear. Overall, it can be said that the team's way of playing has definitely been built up.
First, let's look back on the performance of the league's first half using data.
It is not possible to make a simple comparison due to the difference in the total number of league matches, but when compared to the first half of last season, it is clear that the scoring power has increased while the number of goals conceded has also increased.
2023 Season First Half (17 games)
12th
5 wins 4 draws 8 losses (19 points)
22 goals scored 28 goals conceded
2024 Season First Half (19 Matches)
6th Place
8 Wins 6 Draws 5 Losses (30 Points)
29 Goals Scored 26 Goals Conceded
In terms of increasing scoring power, the transfer of Ryotaro ARAKI is the biggest positive factor. Furthermore, the variety of scoring patterns has increased, and many players are now able to create scoring opportunities. This has greatly contributed to the team's ability to earn points based on their high scoring power.
First, Cerezo Osaka and Sanfrecce Hiroshima's opening two matches were both draws after coming from behind. Player Sandro showed an impressive performance by scoring all three goals in the first two matches, and continued to score more goals. He demonstrated his excellent attacking sense and quickly established himself as the top scorer.
In addition, these first two matches were also a demonstration of the team's tenacity.
In the 2023 season, the game that was conceded first was a difficult record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 13 losses, but here we were able to fight tenaciously and successfully earn points. Furthermore, in the first half of the season, we have a record of 2 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses in the 12 games where we were conceded first. In order to compete for the championship, it is necessary to turn losses into draws and draws into wins, so it is positive to see that we are gradually accumulating points and moving forward. It is undeniable that the team is growing while acquiring the scoring power to come back in games where we were conceded first.
However, it is not reassuring to rely on a comeback after being behind. The fact that we have been scored against first in 12 out of 19 league matches is a major area for reflection. This season, we have a record of 6 wins and 1 loss in the 7 matches where we scored first, so it is important to take the lead and fight. First of all, we need to improve our concentration in each situation, such as conceding goals at the beginning of the first and second half, consecutive goals in a short period of time, and conceding goals right after scoring. If we can do this and unify our intentions from the front line, we will definitely improve our ranking. Even though the club has the motto of "+1 Goal (One more Goal)," it is also necessary to establish a path to victory from defense, as seen in the 17th round against Sagan Tosu and the 19th round against Shonan Bellmare, and demonstrate our skill in games.
It will be easier to understand the points that can be scored from anywhere by looking at the breakdown of the scorers. Last season, Diego OLIVEIRA was the team's top scorer with 15 goals, but only 5 other players scored multiple goals besides Diego. While a total of 16 players scored for the team, in the first half of this season, 6 players have already scored multiple goals, and a total of 15 players have scored goals.
The pattern of the opposite side fullback entering the cross as a team has been established, and the form of Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, the left side, has become a favorite attacking pattern. In addition, players such as Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who enter the front line, are functioning as a symbol of Tokyo's attack this season as a "zero top" style that contributes to the construction of the attack. The depth of the player layer has increased, and the point where the pitch can be powered up by player substitutions can also be said to be a feature of the 2024 season.
However, as seen in the matches against Nagoya Grampus in Sec. 14 and Júbilo Iwata in Sec. 18, when forced to play defensively and lacking attacking options, it becomes clear that finding a breakthrough is a major challenge. The ability to create opportunities in a defensive setup will be a key task for the second half of the season. It will be important to come up with new ideas, combinations, and improve tactical maturity in order to avoid repeating the same situations and struggling to attack. With a variety of talented players in the attacking line, it will be crucial to find ways to combine them and make the team function as a whole. It will also be worth paying attention to the coach's decisions and adjustments based on the opponent's tactics.
When it comes to player selection, there have been many matches where the increasing number of injured players has caused headaches for the team, but there have also been scenes where the players sent onto the pitch have produced solid results. Yuto Nagatomo has been called up to the Japan national team, while Kuryu Matsuki, Taishi Brandon Nozawa, Kashif Bangnagande, and Araki have been called up to the U-23 Japan national team, and Ryunosuke Sato has been away from the team for a long period due to his activities with the U-19 Japan national team. This has had some impact on conditioning and team chemistry, but national team activities also contribute to the individual growth of players. Additionally, during their absence, the players wearing the blue and red uniforms have been motivated to achieve three consecutive victories in order to avoid being told that "the national team players are not here". Although there are difficulties in having the national team players fully focused on Tokyo, the team has been able to improve while competing in the season.
Young Tokyo's Success
And the biggest gain of the first half of the 2024 season was undoubtedly the rapid growth of young players. As symbolized by the fact that Kanta DOI and Tatsuki TAWARADZUMI both made their starting debut in their teens, Young Tokyo, including the Paris Olympics generation, has been performing well. The U-23 Japan national team quartet has become an indispensable core of the team, and Soma ANZAI of the same generation has also become one of the players who support the team with his dedicated play, mainly on the right wing. The victory over Urawa Reds in the 6th round was achieved with a young average age of 22.73 years old, leaving an impression of a new era. In addition, in the J League YBC Levain Cup playoff round 2nd game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Divine OTANI, a member of FC Tokyo U-18, scored his first official goal for the top team with a powerful header. The young talent has also left an impact.
The rise of young talent has also sparked fierce competition within the team. Due to the depth of the squad, there have been times when experienced players were unable to make the bench. However, the team has been able to have battles where heroes are swapped out every game, proving that the competition at the Kodaira Ground is translating onto the official pitch.
In addition, it will be a major topic of the first half of the 2024 season that they were able to break the bad jinx by winning away games against Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Tosu, which were considered "difficult places" until last season. However, the fact that they continue to struggle to win at home at Ajinomoto Stadium is a major concern. In the 2023 season, they had 8 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses in 15 games, but this season they only have 1 win, 4 draws, and 3 losses in 8 home games. Continuing their undefeated record at the national stadium and improving their performance at Ajinomoto Stadium will be a key factor in their rise to the top.
Captains' Perspective
It was a positive first half with many good aspects, but looking back overall, it is also true that there were many games where we dropped points due to unnecessary goals. One of our captains, Kei KOIZUMI, reflects on the first half of the season.
"Not everything will go smoothly, and I don't think it will be that easy. But as a team, I believe we can push for higher rankings and we know what needs to be improved. I want to focus on myself and aim higher with a sense of unity. Even if the players work hard and the fans get excited, we can't win without everyone's support. When the power of everyone comes together, Tokyo will undoubtedly be strong. So, I want to be able to play each game together with that in mind, focusing on the game in front of us and the plays in front of us."
The strength of a team──. One of its characteristics is when everyone demands and takes responsibility for their words. Captain Matsuki also speaks about the changes in the team and his own thoughts.
"This season, the team has become more demanding. Many young players are playing in the games, but we are able to communicate well and demand from each other. When we step onto the pitch, we must work towards one victory equally. Everyone has started to speak up, but I want them to demand more and show their own desires, and move for the improvement of the team. I also want to keep encouraging the team more and more. In order to do that, whether it's in practice or in games, I always try to be the one who works the hardest, runs the most for the team, and fights for the ball. Anyone can just talk, but we have to earn the recognition of the team."
"We are responsible for not being able to win in front of so many fans and supporters. The strength at home gives the team momentum, so we want to win at Ajinomoto in the second half."
The team is definitely moving forward from multiple perspectives. However, it was also a first half where we could have had better results. In the second half, some injured players will gradually return, but it is also expected that players from the U-23 generation will be absent due to the Paris Olympics. Even so, if we focus on the details and reduce easy goals, and continue to demonstrate the strength we have started to show, it is not impossible to achieve even higher rankings. After the Shonan game, there were banners in the goal end saying "Go higher! We can do it" and "Come back in the second half". There is no doubt that both the players on the field and the fans and supporters fighting together feel that they can do more. In the second half, we want to firmly translate that into results with the power of everyone.
