<Previous Match Review: Albirex Niigata>
An away game held during Golden Week. Tokyo aggressively attacked the opponent's territory from the beginning, and the long-awaited opening goal was scored in the 8th minute of the first half.
Marcelo RYAN, facing forward in the vital area, powerfully carried the ball forward, and at the moment the opponent's pressure slackened, unleashed a powerful left-footed strike. Wearing number 19, he drove a fierce shot into the net, finally marking his first league goal in Tokyo.
Tokyo, eager to receive the ball and attack from the first half, scored an additional goal in the 7th minute of the second half with elegant passing from the right side. Kanta DOI, who boldly overlapped, joined the attack, and Kei KOIZUMI, who became the starting point by inserting a pass from the right, ran through the center to receive the ball again and calmly slotted in the second goal.
At the 21st minute of the second half, the opposing team scored a goal, and Takahiro KO was forced to leave the game due to injury. However, at the 37th minute, Kosuke SHIRAI picked up a loose ball in his own penalty area and made a high-speed dribble for a long-range solo run, delivering the final pass. Lucas RIAN, who broke through here, sealed the match with an outstanding right-footed shot.
Although they were reduced to a one-goal difference from a set piece near the end, they secured a comfortable victory by scoring a total of three goals with Tokyo-style powerful attacks and smooth direct play. They succeeded in bringing back 3 points from the away game.
Match Preview
A game aiming for the first consecutive wins of the season. The congested schedule has finally eased, allowing the team to properly rest and train before facing the match.
After the previous match against Albirex Niigata, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI took two days off and is now looking ahead to the upcoming match against Vissel Kobe, stating that "we were able to train for four days with varying intensity," returning to the usual preparation routine.
The team ended their streak of eight consecutive winless league matches, but in the next game against Shimizu S-Pulse, they were unable to show their strengths and suffered a complete defeat. However, in the previous match against Niigata, they demonstrated a strong rebound mentality, with the players on the pitch aligning their focus and securing a comfortable 3-goal victory. It was a significant gain to reaffirm the difficulty of winning and what is necessary to achieve it.
In the match against Niigata, not only did they connect the ball firmly, but they also incorporated simple attacks using the space behind, showcasing a powerful attack that combined the unique strengths of each player. Many players played proactively and engaged enthusiastically with the ball. It was also impressive that they created passing lanes through careful repositioning, and that Kanta DOI, who played as one of the three defenders, participated effectively in the attack.
And above all, Marcelo RYAN scored 2 goals with outstanding finishing ability. The surrounding players also understand his strengths, and with a more robust attack bringing out his best qualities, even more goal scoring is expected.
However, including the fact that we conceded a goal easily from a set piece just before the end of the match, there are still some defensive issues remaining, so the entire team must work together with a unified focus on closing out the game.
Kobe, on the other hand, is in 8th place with 6 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses so far. They had recorded 4 consecutive wins in the league but suffered a come-from-behind loss against Cerezo Osaka in the previous match, ending their winning streak. Kobe will face an away game in the third match of a three-game series with only 2 and 3 days of rest between games.
The key point of the match seems to be how Tokyo can respond to Kobe's high press and long balls pushing forward. Will they prevent Kobe from kicking, or will they strongly contest the ball and recover second balls after Kobe kicks? And how will they turn the recovered ball into an attack? The players on the pitch are required to play soccer that reads the flow of the game. Since Tokyo has the advantage in condition, they want to showcase a thick and powerful attack by repositioning themselves properly and coordinating their focus.
To show a counterattack from here, we want to defeat the reigning champions who have won consecutive league titles and achieve consecutive wins. By valuing each match and having the determination to keep winning, we will pave the way for the future of the red and blue. A match that will serve as a turning point is highly anticipated.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. It will be a match against Vissel Kobe after a short break since the last game.
A, we were able to approach this week’s training by varying the intensity. We thoroughly reviewed the physical training with varied intensity, how to compete against Kobe, tactical sharing, and both offense and defense.
Q. What is your impression of Kobe, the Meiji Yasuda J1 League champions from last season?
A, the defensive intensity is very high, and they are a team that simply delivers the ball to the front line to launch attacks after winning possession. The quality of the balls supplied to the front line is also very high, and the front-line players are of high quality as well. If we allow them to easily create a starting point there, Kobe has the ability to finish off with a small number of players. Including how we can apply pressure to the opponent, we want to clearly organize our standards and approach the match accordingly.
Q. Is recovering second balls related to long balls the key to winning or losing?
A. We have confirmed with the players how to respond when the ball is kicked forward, but the key point is how to connect to the attack after fulfilling defensive roles. We are also required to play tightly to prevent the expression of high pressing, side attacks, accurate crosses, and good relationships. We want the players to respond patiently and persistently.
[Player Interview]
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q. Even after the match against Albirex Niigata, it was impressive to see the entire team working together to identify areas for improvement.
A. I think we haven't been able to play the style of football the coach envisions at all this season. In that sense, there are many points to correct, and I believe no one, including players and staff, is satisfied. However, matches keep coming, and to break into the top ranks, we must secure 3 points, so above all, we want to win.
Q. This will be a match against last season's J1 League champion. What do you think will be important points to win?
A, the style of play itself is a physically driven, fast vertical football. The battles are extremely important. While enjoying football, we must fight with spirit and win in every play—contesting the ball, winning second balls, aerial duels—otherwise, victory is impossible. It is crucial to first win the duel against the opponent right in front of you.
Q, We have been away from victory at Ajinomoto Stadium.
A, no matter where we play, as long as the team wins, I want to give my all to secure 3 points for victory.
Henrique TREVISAN
Q: Victory in the previous match against Albirex Niigata. Please tell us the key points needed to achieve the first consecutive league wins of this season.
A, We have been in a tough situation where we couldn't secure consecutive wins in the league matches, but up until this week's match against Vissel Kobe, we have had enough time to prepare thoroughly. The team has also shared the analysis and countermeasures for Kobe. I believe not only myself but everyone can approach this match with confidence, and we want to show a game that leads to consecutive wins.
Q. What kind of defense do you think is required from a defensive player to pull off a winning streak?
A. When it comes to defense, I think our defensive line will be the focus. Within that, I especially want to be mindful of "concentration" and "communication." By maintaining these two consistently and toughly for 90 minutes, I want to expand that circle from my own position to the next and the next. Ultimately, I believe that atmosphere will spread to the entire team, eliminating any gaps for the opponent on the defensive side.
Q: In the matches against RB Omiya Ardija and Niigata, we saw a lot of play and attacking participation in advanced positions. How do you view your involvement in the attack?
As a defender, I am always thinking not only about playing defensively but also about how I can be involved in the front line, how I can contribute, and what kind of play is required to quickly switch from defense to attack. I want to actively engage in the team's offense, being conscious of improving my own performance and raising my value as a player to the next level.
Q. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the match against Kobe.
As an individual, I want to focus on how I engage in attack and on quick transitions between offense and defense. Kobe is a team with strong attacking power and many high-quality players. I especially think the forwards are at a very high level. I believe the key to victory is how well we can prevent the opponents from having freedom in one-on-one situations. The team is well prepared. We want to win tomorrow's match and secure consecutive wins.
