<Previous Match Review: Urawa Reds>
Gave it all. The moment the final whistle signaling victory echoed, Teppei OKA lay on the pitch of Saitama Stadium 2002, repeatedly making strong little fist pumps with both hands.
"I feel like I've given it my all. I think every match is an opportunity, and I'm approaching it with the mindset of giving everything I can."
In the previous match, we faced Urawa Reds away after securing our first league victory in about two months at Japan National Stadium. We were fortunate to take a 2-goal lead with an own goal and a penalty kick from Ryotaro ARAKI within the first 15 minutes, showcasing a game plan that was described as "almost perfect in the first half" by Masato MORISHIGE, with high pressing and composed ball movement.
Even in the second half, Tokyo maintained control of the game with solid defense and skillful possession. As the ideal match continued, it was the passionate sliding block shown by the player wearing number 30 in the 16th minute of the second half that excited the packed away section behind the goal.
A major crisis faced in the penalty area of our own side. In response to a powerful shot from player Yu OKUBO, who ran in free from behind on a soft last pass, I dashed furiously from the center towards the left side, stretching out my right foot to make a desperate block just in time. I immediately got back up, let out a roar, and made a strong fist pump to assert my presence throughout the stadium.
"It's all about the feeling now. I was really motivated. With a single-minded desire to help the team."
This is the second match as a left side back. In defense, he has shown his height against cross balls, and in attack, he has functioned as a target for goal kicks. The 186 cm tall defender states, "If I can't provide height, there's no point in my presence." Throughout the match, he demonstrated an awareness of taking high positions while coordinating with the defensive midfielder, supporting the team as a starting point to connect the ball to the front line and add depth to the attack while avoiding the opponent's press. He is currently in a phase of pioneering a new territory in a position he hasn't played since his time with FC Tokyo U-23 in 2019.
The team maintained their lead and won with a clean sheet. They silenced the red-dyed Saitama Stadium 2002 with a perfect shutout that showcased Tokyo's style in both offense and defense, achieving a remarkable consecutive victory in the league.
Match Preview
In the last match, we achieved a 2-0 victory against Urawa Reds away. We showcased our strengths in both offense and defense, securing another win following the match against Nagoya Grampus at National.
The team succeeded in taking control with sharp attacks and opportunistic possession against Nagoya and Urawa. As the season progresses, they are beginning to show their skill in game control.
The driving force behind this is the presence of Keigo HIGASHI, who is establishing his position as a defensive midfielder. Not only does he maintain the team's balance with precise positioning, but he also actively plays the role of a playmaker by moving forward. He truly demonstrates the presence of a 'number 10' while also showcasing the fierce spirit of a 'warrior' in battle.
In the previous match, Ryotaro ARAKI marked a goal in the league for the first time in about four months since May 15. After scoring, he showed a powerful jumping fist pump, revealing his emotions for the long-awaited strike. The packed goal area shared the joy of jersey number 71 with chants of "Araki! Tokyo!" after the match.
In this match, we aim for our second three consecutive wins of the season against Yokohama F.Marinos away. Since winning the match in July 2020, we want to shake off the poor record of two draws and six losses, including the club's worst eight goals conceded in the 2021 season. For coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, and Keita ENDO, this is also a match against their former club.
Yokohama FM is currently in 9th place in the league. In addition to advancing in the YBC Levain Cup and the Emperor's Cup, they are also participating in the AFC Champions League Elite, making it a truly congested schedule. Last week, they faced a tough situation, losing a total of 13 goals in two matches against Gwangju FC in the ACLE and Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the previous league match. However, they finally broke the tunnel of four consecutive official match losses by defeating Renofa Yamaguchi FC 5-1 in the Emperor's Cup quarterfinals held this Wednesday. With the recent string of heavy losses, there is a strong sense of tightening up both offense and defense, and it is highly likely that the entire team will switch on and approach the upcoming match against Tokyo with renewed focus.
First and foremost, Tokyo should be on high alert for the powerful attacking lineup centered around the Brazilian trio. Although the opponent will be without Nishimura due to suspension and will be playing just two days after the match against Yamaguchi, they must not let their guard down. The players must have felt that taking the initiative leads to smoother gameplay, as seen in the two matches against Nagoya and Urawa. To start, we want to find our chances through a solid defense that has been tight in front of our own goal during our winning streak, mixed with both quick and slow attacks.
In order to return to Ajinomoto Stadium after achieving three consecutive league victories for the second time this season, the blue and red players head towards the pitch at Nissan Stadium, keeping an aggressive style in mind.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, it will be a memorable match for Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at this venue.
A, the place where my son was born, and Yokohama, where I touched the J-League trophy, is a special place for me. However, it is most important to focus solely on the match and our way of fighting. I will not neglect hard work and will bring back 3 points to Tokyo.
Q: Please tell us your impression of Yokohama F.Marinos.
A, preparation is required with the assumption that the opponent will come at their best. Yokohama FM is a very good team with excellent players. To earn three points from such an opponent, it is important for us to demonstrate our maximum strength.
Q: Please tell us the reasons for winning the last two matches.
A, scoring the first goal is important for gaining an advantage in the match. However, what is even more important is to carry the momentum from scoring the first goal into the subsequent play. We establish discipline as a team in all aspects. If we can express what we need to do as a team with high performance, it will yield results. I want to make good preparations to express ourselves from the first minute.
Q: This will be a match where we aim for our second three consecutive wins of the season.
A, therefore hard work is necessary. It's easy if it's just talk. I want to be aggressive and have a strong belief in our football, striving to excel over our opponents in every situation.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q: Yokohama F.Marinos has a strong attacking lineup. How do you want to contain them?
A, the left-footed player Matheus YAN, is a very skilled player. I want to cut off the opponent's dribbling path, effectively pressure them, and bring the play into my own defensive area. I want to focus on winning the ball back and preventing easy crosses or shots. This week, I have concentrated on one-on-one defense and dealing with situations along the sides. I want to effectively utilize what I confirmed in practice.
Q: Please tell us about the synergy in offense and defense with the attackers on the same side, such as Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Keita ENDO.
A, I am conscious of providing support so that the players in front of me can demonstrate their power in attack, as well as my own hard work in defense. I believe it would be good to cover and support through communication and positioning, so that the forwards do not exhaust themselves too much in defense. I have a strong desire for the players on the same side to utilize their dribbling and vertical momentum to excel in the attacking aspect.
Q, On the other hand, it seemed that Teppei OKA was carefully confirming his involvement in the attack during practice.
I believe it is important to distract the opponent's marking and awareness when the left winger has the ball. I also demand myself to take an inside position and make movements to draw defenders in. When I have the ball, Takahiro KO and Ryotaro ARAKI support me closely, so I want to effectively engage in the buildup while coordinating with both players.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: The team has achieved two consecutive wins despite changes in the lineup. What is your feeling about this?
Each player has their own strengths, and it's not about who played, but rather how to bring out the individuality and strengths of each player that I believe is the essence of soccer. Soccer has different situations in each match, and flexibility in tactics is required. In the match against Nagoya Grampus, we gained momentum by scoring the first and additional goals at a good pace, which led to our victory, but in the match against Urawa Reds, we lost control to the opponent from the middle of the game. It is necessary to adjust and control well on the pitch. Once again, these two matches made me feel the excitement of soccer.
Q: It seems that the connection between the forward line and the midfield in your play and movements is adding depth to the attack.
A. When I am not able to participate in a match, I watch the game thinking about how things could be improved, and when I am on the pitch, I consciously express my thoughts on how I want to change things through my play. Naturally, my own positioning requires judgment based on the situation. There are certainly moments where it makes sense to maintain a position in midfield rather than forcing myself forward. I believe that adaptability is essential, and while I have played higher up the pitch in the last two matches, I will make the decision not to advance if it is more effective, and I want to carefully observe the opponent's movements and tactics to make informed judgments.
Q: There were noticeable plays this week in practice, particularly regarding defensive awareness.
A, that's what makes it fun, right? I believe that playing while observing my surroundings is my own characteristic. Soccer is a sport that involves the opponent, and I must surpass them with defense that reflects my thoughts of 'I wouldn't like it if they did this.' Both offense and defense are two sides of the same coin. For example, if there is a player who is the starting point for the opponent, I must approach them rigorously. This is not about tactics, but rather a sense of intuition and the ability to perceive the situation, and that is what soccer is all about.
