<Review of the Previous Match vs. Shonan Bellmare>
It was an ideal start with an early lead, followed by an additional goal right after the beginning of the second half.
The first to score the opening goal was the new ace wearing number 26. In the 6th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA delivered a direct free kick from the right side into the penalty area with his right foot. Kashif BANGNAGANDE then struck the rebound with his left foot after it was deflected by the opponent, and Henrique TREVISAN headed it down to Motoki NAGAKURA, who aimed and firmly connected with a direct right-footed shot that pierced the goal, thrilling the many blue-red family members who had gathered away from home. After that, the team continued to show proactive soccer both offensively and defensively, taking control and heading into halftime with a one-goal lead.
In a situation where an early additional goal was desired, Tokyo was greeted with joy early in the second half as well. In the 7th minute of the second half, Leon NOZAWA was fouled inside the area, earning a penalty kick opportunity, which Alexander SCHOLZ calmly converted with his right foot for an additional goal. This successfully extended the lead by catching Shonan's counterattack off guard.
However, from this point on, there was a period where Shonan’s momentum pressed on. In the 22nd minute of the second half, they scored by pushing in a rebound from a middle-range shot to pull one back, and just before the end of the match, a painful goal conceded from a corner kick leveled the score at 2-2. Despite creating multiple big chances on the counterattack in the second half, they couldn’t convert, and at the crucial moment, the net was shaken against them, resulting in a missed victory right before their eyes.
Match Preview
A complete 0-3 defeat in the previous away match. It was a situation where boos could have easily echoed throughout the stadium. However, what came from behind the goal was a passionate chant conveying unwavering support and solidarity. The message to the players, who stood still and listened in front of the stands, continued even after the blue and red eleven returned to the locker room. It was an important moment that will remain long in the memories of the club, the team, and the blue and red fans and supporters.
It will be a game we absolutely want to win—no, a game we must win. The team has used the frustration experienced in the away match at Kyoto as motivation, and with system changes and the dynamism of new players, they have rapidly improved their form and achieved results since the break. However, after lacking finishing ability and losing in the match against Kashima Antlers two games ago, they also missed out on victory in the previous match against Shonan Bellmare due to both a lack of finishing and conceding a goal near the end of the game.
The content has undoubtedly improved, but we must face the current reality that we have not been able to maintain a winning streak. While accepting the reasons for not being able to secure wins, it is necessary to move forward without dwelling on them.
With the home match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. scheduled for the next day, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI looks ahead, saying, "The Shonan match was a game where we should have taken all three points, but it ended up being just one. There are inevitably some negative aspects, but that is also who we are. We must firmly accept this and express what we have learned. Our mindset for each match is to be positive, confident, and aggressive."
The previous match held at the end of May saw us trying to avoid the opponent’s press by aiming for the space behind with long balls, but the number of cases where we kicked the ball vertically too easily increased, and we were pushed back by the opponent’s fierce pressing, failing to create attacking opportunities. We were pressured during build-up, lost the ball on the last line leading to conceding goals, and the opponent’s strengths stood out, resulting in a complete defeat. In this upcoming match as well, how we handle Kyoto’s high press and turn it into an attack will be a key point.
"We know the opponent will press," says midfielder Kei KOIZUMI. He talks about the approach and mindset heading into the Kyoto match.
"If we lose the battle for second balls, the game will really slip away from us like it did in the previous match against Shonan. Both as a team and individually, we need to be fully aware of that. If we can recover the ball there, short counters are Tokyo’s weapon, and whether we attack by connecting passes or not should be judged appropriately based on the situation. It’s necessary not only to break free individually but also for teammates to connect well and maintain good spacing."
Win the battles for the ball and strike at the opponent’s weak points. If the opponent presses forward, we want to accurately target the space behind. We also have to fight against the harsh conditions of heat and humidity,
but we are prepared for that. Kashif BANGNAGANDE says, "I think the shape of recovering the second ball and aiming for a short counterattack will be our chance. The battle for the ball is the decisive moment. Even in the heat, finishing strong will be the key. I want to stay aware of these points until the final whistle blows," as he identifies the key to the match.
In retrospect, the frustration from the away match against Kyoto became the catalyst that united the team and propelled them forward steadily. The passion of the Aoaka family has definitely been conveyed to the team. Taking into account the result of the Shonan match as well, Yuto NAGATOMO speaks passionately.
"I think booing was an option at that moment, but the fact that the fans and supporters encouraged us despite feeling the same hardship deeply resonated with the players, including myself. However, if we don’t repay that with results, it would be a betrayal. The only way to repay them is by continuing to achieve results."
At that moment that changed the team, to respond to that passion──.
What is demanded of the Blue-Red Army is nothing but to sound the final whistle that brings smiles to Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. Having celebrated your birthday yesterday, what kind of year do you want to make it?
A. What I tell everyone is that I want to become a person who can be helpful to others. I believe that growth in that area and the depth as a human being will further develop my current position. First and foremost, rather than just as a coach, I want to continue striving in my human qualities.
Q. This week we face Kyoto Sanga F.C. We felt frustration in the matches against Kashima Antlers and Shonan Bellmare.
A. It is true that, judging by the flow of the match alone, it was a game where we had to take all 3 points, but we ended up with just 1 point. However, the content was such that we might have thought we secured that 1 point. This is our current state, and while we must fully accept that, we also need to clearly express in this match what we can learn from the game and avoid repeating mistakes that only become clear after the match.
Q. What is your impression of Kyoto at the moment?
A. Rather than feeling they have 'momentum,' what I sense in Kyoto this season is the maturity of the team. I feel the high quality of what they are trying to do. This is clearly reflected in their scoring ability, and I truly think they are a wonderful team.
They aim for goals by committing numbers while using simple plays that supply the ball to the front line and attacks that effectively utilize height as starting points. The quality of their attacks, their coordination, their reactions to loose balls and second balls, and the addition of second actions make their approach sharp. However, after gaining possession, the space in front of us is very vast. It is necessary to skillfully use that space.
[Player Interview]
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q. As your opportunities to play in official matches have increased, please tell us about the current sense of progress and the challenges you feel.
A. It has been about a month and a half since I started appearing in matches, and I can see both areas where I feel progress and challenges. In the recent match against Shonan Bellmare, I was able to contribute to the team’s opening goal with the quality of my crosses and the power of my kicks, and I am gradually gaining confidence. On the other hand, I have also identified many challenges, such as dealing with crosses defensively and approaching the ball side. Overall physical condition is improving, as shown by GPS data, so I am working on further enhancing my condition while addressing each new challenge that arises during matches one by one.
Q. Although it is a tough battle during the summer, how do you want to improve the way you close out matches?
A. I believe that even the smallest lapse can determine the outcome of a match. As we saw in the recent game against Shonan, conceding a goal on the last play shows how a momentary lapse can directly lead to conceding and affect the result. Paying close attention to the finer details and continuing to work hard until the very end will become even more important in the summer battles ahead. Kyoto Sanga F.C., our opponent this week, is a wonderful team known for their hard work, but we are by no means inferior in that regard and have players who surpass them. The summer heat is a condition both teams face, and if we can maintain our concentration and outperform them, I believe we will naturally be able to control the pace of the match. I feel that continuing to work hard until the very end will be a crucial point in the game.
Q. Kyoto is a team that excels in long balls and wing attacks, with a very high scoring rate from crosses.
A. They have a group of hardworking players, with fullbacks actively joining the attack, and the front three include players capable of breaking through individually. From reviewing match footage, it is clear that many of their goals originate from crosses from the wings, which is a key point to watch out for. However, because their fullbacks push forward aggressively, space opens up behind them. If our defensive unit coordinates well to handle the crosses and exploits that space to launch counterattacks, chances will naturally arise. First, in those defensive situations, we want to outmatch the opponent with high intensity and draw opportunities toward us.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q. I think tight defense will be required against Kyoto Sanga F.C., whose strength lies in attacks utilizing long balls.
A. First, I think it is important not to let them kick easily and to apply defensive pressure from the front. Even if they do manage to kick, increasing the recovery rate of second balls and how quickly we can react to loose balls are key. We want to stay fully focused and be thorough both as a team and individually. I believe Kyoto is especially conscious of maintaining high play intensity for the full 90 minutes, and we want to surpass them in that aspect. By doing so, the rhythm and control of the match will naturally tilt in our favor. If we lose in the fundamental aspects of play, the match will end up like the previous one. We want to give our all until the very end.
Q. I think recovering the second ball is a key point to shutting down the opponent's strengths.
A. If we get outmatched in that phase, the entire flow of the game will be taken away from us, just like in the previous match. It's not just about recovering the ball; against an opponent whose center of gravity is pushed forward, we want to launch our strength, the short counterattack. However, the judgment and situational decision on whether to launch a short counter or to calm things down first must be made quickly and accurately.
Q. In the previous match, we also struggled against Kyoto's high press.
A. First, I think it is about the awareness and precision to break free in individual situations. Especially the fullbacks and defensive midfielders need to raise their awareness and play accordingly. In situations where individual efforts alone are not enough, the players' sense of distance and well-linked play are required. Since we know Kyoto will come with a high press, I believe that if teammates are fully aware of connecting their plays, we will be able to move the ball.
Also, it is important not to be passive in both offense and defense. This match is at our home, and if the 11 players on the pitch can play freely in a positive way, I believe the strengths of both the team and individuals will come out even more.
