＜Previous Match Review against Kashiwa Reysol＞
Started in the league for 4 consecutive games. The young center back, who has been gaining stability with each game, pulled off a big job by scoring his first professional goal in the late stages of the game while chasing one point.
The 22nd round of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League between Kashiwa Reysol and Tokyo, which took place away. Early in the game, Diego OLIVEIRA scored a powerful header from Soma ANZAI's right cross, giving Tokyo the lead. Despite Tokyo's continued aggressive attacks, a series of mistakes led to a turnaround before the end of the first half.
Tokyo continues to show a brave attack, chasing one point even in the second half, but time passes without being able to score a goal. And in the 41st minute of the second half, the long-awaited equalizer is finally born.
A chance from a free kick on the left side. Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who came on as a substitute, sent a sharp ball with his favored left foot, and Teppei OKA, who said "Toku-kun gave me a good ball. It was just like in practice," smashed it with a powerful header, finally succeeding in shaking the goal net.
"There were various tactics in front of the goal, but in the end, I realized that practice is the key. I always stayed after practice with the coaching staff to practice heading the day before the game, so I think that accumulation paid off."
Finally scored my first professional goal. Even after scoring, I quickly returned to my position to aim for a win, and showed a performance of raising my hands high to energize the fans and supporters in the goal end, with the feeling of wanting to win for the team.
However, the team that went for 3 points at the risk of knowing it, conceded the winning goal in the additional time of the second half from the chaos in front of the goal. They missed the expected 1 point and ended up suffering their first consecutive defeat of the season.
"Honestly, it didn't mean anything if we couldn't win, so the feeling of frustration is bigger. We were caught off guard by being too aggressive. I had an image of being able to turn the game around, but it didn't go as smoothly. We just have to improve our quality. I also think that our team's weakness showed in the end, so we all need to have a strict attitude towards practice and raise our standards together."
I feel the growth and sense of accomplishment as a player. Personally, getting used to the J1 league is a big achievement. The number 30, who is in the midst of rapid growth, said, "There are times when we win and reflect, and times when we lose and reflect. I want to organize the points for improvement firmly. The next game will definitely be a must-win game," looking ahead and vowing to win against Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium this weekend.
Match Preview
After suffering their first consecutive losses of the season in the league, they were also defeated 1-2 by JEF United Chiba in the 3rd round of the 104th Emperor's Cup JFA All Japan Soccer Championship. In the past two official matches, they have failed to maintain their lead after taking the lead, and have continued to allow comebacks. As they enter the summer season and face the grueling conditions that deplete their stamina, a more delicate approach to the game is required.
In this difficult situation, Kuryu MATSUKI said, "I think it's necessary for everyone, not just the players, but also the coach and coaching staff, to have a discussion. I hope that the whole team can tighten up and move in the same direction again," expressing his sense of responsibility as captain and strong desire for victory.
Tokyo will face Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium this round, hoping to end their losing streak. Takahiro KO, who joined from Niigata this season, said ahead of the match against his former team, "It doesn't matter that the opponent is my old team Niigata, or that we are playing at the National Stadium, or whether it's an away or home game. We have a mission to take all three points no matter what." In the previous match against Niigata in April, Tokyo dominated the away game and won 3-1, so they will be looking to regain that momentum. As Matsuki emphasized, it will take the effort of "the entire team" for Tokyo to once again become the main character at the "National Theater".
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, What modifications are needed for the Emperor's Cup 3rd Round match against JEF United Chiba?
A, I expected it to be a tough game as we faced Chiba. I always respect the opponent, but at the same time, I am very disappointed that we couldn't get the result. I think there was a chance to push the opponent away from the lead of 1-0, but we couldn't score an additional point. In that kind of game situation, we learned again that we have to quickly score an additional point and end the game. I think all the pressure is on me. The players are giving everything they can and I am proud of their play.
Q, Albirex Niigata, who will be facing off this round, won 3-1 in the previous match. Do you have a good impression?
I always have the mindset of moving towards a new game. Instead of focusing on the previous results, I am preparing for the next one and aiming for a performance that will lead to a good outcome. In a match, there will be various situations and challenges that we must face. I want us to be able to overcome those situations and come out victorious.
Q, Is there any mental appeal from the defeat in the Emperor's Cup?
A, of course it was a disappointing defeat, but we cannot run away from it. Defeat is unpleasant for anyone. I think everyone is hoping to find a way to overcome this situation. The most important thing is how we react from here. We have experienced even more difficult situations before. By overcoming this period firmly, I believe that important growth will occur for us. We will overcome this together.
[Player Interview]
Takahiro KO
Q, the Emperor's Cup was a disappointing defeat for the team.
A, while watching the game, I want to see more connection between players in both offense and defense, and in addition, each individual must run. I felt once again that each individual should take responsibility and firmly establish the base, such as aggressively winning in ball battles and duels.
Q, it is a frustrating situation with three consecutive losses in official matches. What are the key points for a comeback?
A, personally, I want to show more presence in both offense and defense. As a team, we have a good sense of movement and energy in both areas, running more than our opponents. Aggressiveness is a strong point of Tokyo, so we want to make adjustments while everyone is looking at it. In attack, we need to be more involved with the ball and show a presence that makes people think, "We can win because of that player (Takase), they are stable." By improving our ability to win back the ball and collect second balls on defense, we can not only represent the team, but also the entire league with our play and overwhelming presence. I believe that if we can do this, the team will naturally climb up in the rankings.
Q, This week's Albirex Niigata match will be held at the "Japan National Stadium" against their "former team".
A, because the opponent is Niigata, it doesn't matter if the venue is Japan National Stadium or not, we have to win first. With the background of the national event and the homecoming game, we are motivated. The previous match at Big Swan was approached with a special feeling, so now as a team we have to break through and move up. I definitely want to win here as a team and as individuals.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: In the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup, JEF United Chiba faced off against Fukushima United FC. There was also a goal by player Kuryu MATSUKI, but it ended in a disappointing defeat. Where do you think the reason for not being able to win lies?
A, it was good to be able to score as an individual, but there were also many chances for me and others. As an attacking player, not being able to convert those chances into additional points made the game difficult. If we were able to score an additional point during the good flow and time when our attack was strong, I think we could have ended the game in a good way. So, I want to use this experience and reflection to connect to the Albirex Niigata game.
Although our team has been experiencing a difficult situation with consecutive losses in official matches, I believe that this is when the unity of the team is most needed. It is important to use our challenges and reflections to move forward and to fight with great ambition for victory.
Q, We have lost 3 consecutive official games, what do we need to do to change the momentum?
A, this season, there was a period where we were far from victory in several matches since the start of the league. I think we need to use the lessons learned and what each player felt during that time. Right now, the team understands the situation we are in, and everyone is heading into the Niigata match with a sense of crisis. As the captain, I want to communicate with many players and move in a positive direction.
Q, This round's match against Niigata will be held at the Japan National Stadium. At the National Stadium, we have achieved victories against Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers in April.
There have been no losses for the team at the Japan National Stadium, and in order to express good soccer as a team, we would like to rebuild firmly and approach the game. Once again, we would like to communicate and share as a whole in order to demonstrate the soccer that the team is aiming for on the pitch.
We have heard that many people, including our fans and supporters who always support us, will come to the game. Personally, I hope to achieve visible results that will lead to the team's victory. I want to deliver exciting plays and results that will make everyone who gathers at the Japan National Stadium feel glad they came. I want to approach the game with the sole focus of winning.
