<Last Match Review: FC Machida Zelvia>
As an away game, we arrived at 'Our National'. Our unbeaten record of 4 wins and 1 draw in 5 matches was broken in the last match against Shonan Bellmare, and this game serves as a restart to refocus our mindset for the final stretch of the season. Our opponent is FC Machida Zelvia, also based in Tokyo. We were humiliated in our previous encounter in April, and we were determined to repay that debt, but from the beginning, we were pushed back by the opponent's momentum and couldn't find a way to attack, conceding the opening goal within the first 15 minutes.
Tokyo struggled to connect the ball as their position for regaining possession became lower, leading to a difficult period where they could not transition to attack.
It was the player wearing number 22, who was positioned as a left winger, that showed a bold attitude to break through such a situation.
In the 27th minute of the first half, after connecting passes with good tempo from deep in their own territory to avoid the opponent's press, Keita ENDO, who called for the ball in the center while showing himself for a passing lane, made a direct pass forward. Receiving the ball through Diego OLIVEIRA's soft hold-up play, he took a solid first touch and unleashed a powerful shot with his right foot. From a long range of about 40 meters, the fierce shot flew in a sharp trajectory towards the upper left corner of the goal. However, it was slightly deflected by Machida's Japan national team goalkeeper, Tani, with his fingertips, changing its course, and the ball struck the crossbar. Although it unfortunately did not shake the net, he made a determined effort to shift the momentum for the team with that strike.
After that, Tokyo went into halftime trailing 0-1, but allowed an additional goal at the start of the second half, and in the 34th minute of the second half, they conceded a direct goal from a corner kick, resulting in defeat. They suffered a frustrating 'season double' against Machida and ended up with their first loss at the 'National' stadium.
Match Preview
The international match week has ended, and the league matches will resume after about three weeks. During this break, it was announced that head coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI will step down at the end of this season, and on the 28th, just two days before the away match against Júbilo Iwata, shocking news arrived regarding Diego OLIVEIRA's retirement from professional football.
The league matches for the 2024 season have 2 games left, including this round. While it will be the culmination of 'Pita Tokyo', we also want to secure a victory here to create a winning path for number 9, who has been active as the ace striker for 7 seasons, prioritizing the team's victory above all.
The team has fully reunited with Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who had been sidelined due to injury during this break. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI also mentioned, "The condition seems good. (The decision on his use) will be made based on training leading up to the match," and the return of an attacker who can work hard on both offense and defense is likely to be a reassuring factor.
Yamato is in the midst of a relegation battle. They are 5 points behind Kashiwa Reysol, who are in the relegation zone. Although the chance for self-preservation has disappeared, winning two consecutive matches is an absolute requirement to keep their hopes alive, so they are sure to show a desperate fight until the very end this matchday. Furthermore, this week, the captain who has led the team for many years, Hiroki YAMADA, announced his retirement from active play. It is undoubtedly a match that cannot be lost in order to honor the legend's last home match and to keep the dream alive.
It may be a fierce match that feels like returning to the roots of soccer. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI said, "The opponent will fight with everything they have. I want to fight with a burning passion that surpasses that feeling," indicating that the clash of emotions will be the key point of the match.
For Diego TABA, the countdown as an active player suddenly becomes 2. While feeling the expectations for goals from those around him, he commented, "First of all, I want the team to win and for everyone to be happy. Ideally, I want to score the winning goal myself. I hope to show the fans and supporters my goals." As always, prioritizing the team's victory, he vowed to score goals in gratitude to those who have supported him.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: This match is against Júbilo Iwata.
A, I think it will be a very emotional match. Inside the stadium, I believe there will be a swirl of various emotions from the players, staff, and fans/supporters of both teams. What is important for us to achieve victory in such an environment is to control our emotions. We want to raise our intensity and push the match forward. Iwata will fight with everything they have to avoid relegation. We must surpass that. I believe focusing on team performance is the key point to getting closer to victory.
Q: After the break, what criteria will you use to select the match members for this round?
AI want to bring players who are ready to fight. Without that foundation, we cannot embody our football on the pitch. We will perform at a high level as a team and aim to take the three points. That is why we have daily practice. All the players are working with a good mindset. I want to check the players' conditions while preparing for the match.
Q: What kind of efforts have you made for the last two matches?
A, I have conveyed to the players the importance of building our football during the break, enjoying it, and maintaining our team performance regardless of who is on the field. Above all, I want to approach the match against Iwata with the most important feeling of wanting to win.
[Player Interview]
Takahiro KO
Q, there are only 2 matches left in the J1 League.
A, while it does not directly relate to winning the championship or avoiding relegation, I want to fully showcase what we have built up this season in the matches against Júbilo Iwata and Cerezo Osaka, and aim to accumulate 3 points in each game. I want to make it a good match.
Q: This match is against Iwata. What kind of approach is required against an opponent fighting for relegation?
AI think we will approach the match with power, but rather than focusing on the opponent, it is important how we can direct our attention towards ourselves. If we can play better than the opponent in every situation, the results will naturally follow. I believe that being able to play proactively is the key point that leads to victory.
Q: In the last match against FC Machida Zelvia, you started on the bench. Was there anything new that you noticed?
A, I was able to watch the match from a broader perspective as I started on the bench for the first time in a while. In defense, we communicated about who would press on the ball side, our awareness of possessing and receiving the ball, and how everyone would engage with the ball. When we are managing the game well, both the players and the ball are fluid. I want to surpass the opponent in terms of movement and ball circulation. Personally, I want to repeat my awareness of receiving the ball and accurately distributing it.
Q: Please tell us what you would like to focus on in this match after the break.
ACoach Peter CKLAMOVSKI mentioned that rather than focusing on the opponent, we should express our own style of football. I believe that for the team to improve, each player's growth is required from training. I have also focused on this and have been training during the break. Considering the match against Jubilo Iwata, we need to prepare for side attacks and strategies. I want to ensure communication and care throughout the team.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: This match is against Júbilo Iwata.
A, the other side is in a situation where they must win to avoid relegation, so I believe their desire for this match is very strong. If we get overwhelmed by their momentum, it will be a difficult match for us as well. While we can expect a tough match, we want to play better than our opponents from the start and bring our own momentum to the forefront.
Q: In the recent league matches, there were many times when we were on the defensive against the opponent's momentum and play. What kind of improvements or awareness are necessary?
A, in the matches against Shonan Bellmare and FC Machida Zelvia, I think we couldn't unify our awareness and intentions on how to control the game during difficult periods. In the away game against Vissel Kobe, there were many times when we were pushed back by the opponent, but it was necessary to play with a clear mindset, and everyone was able to align their awareness on the pitch. During the match, there will inevitably be tough moments. At that time, if we can align our recognition on how to overcome those moments and restructure the game, I believe we can prevent easy goals from being conceded.
Q: There are only 2 matches left in the league.
A, this season, I want to deliver a solid victory for the fans and supporters who have continuously supported us, for the retiring coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, and for the retiring Diego OLIVEIRA.
