<Last Match Review: Kashima Antlers>
In recent years, it has been a symbol of Tokyo's academy.
Like many of his teammates who wear blue and red, he has been dedicated to playing soccer with the goal of being promoted to the top team. However, he was told that his promotion was postponed. With frustration in his heart, the young man made a leap in university. And then, he returned to the blue and red team that he had once left.
In the world of professionals, he may not have a large build, but he fearlessly challenges his opponents on the field and quickly gets back up and starts running even if he is knocked down. He is like a symbol of indomitable spirit. With his innate sense of scoring goals in crucial moments, he has also captivated the hearts of Tokyo fans.
Even such a man, while being rubbed in blue and red, had a new dream. The time to push for the realization of that dream. We want to send out Shuto ABE, who won. The whole team was filled with that feeling. That led to the opening goal in the 9th minute. However, it did not come true as a result.
While feeling the emotions of his teammates, he also bid farewell to Ajinomoto Stadium, and with even more effort than usual, he ran around the pitch in all directions, showing his dynamic performance by appearing in both attack and defense.
The man who gave his all at Ajinomoto Stadium had a radiant expression. During the ceremony, he made a speech with some laughter, shed tears of gratitude to his parents, and ended with a refreshing "I love you, Tokyo".
Let's meet again as we have both grown, and let's continue to make the J-League exciting together. Until then, a brief farewell. Both our shooting and Tokyo are still growing. It was a night where we promised to push each other to new heights.
<Match Preview>
The league match will resume in about two weeks.
Cerezo Osaka will be fighting at the opponent's home stadium. They are in the same group in the Levain Cup, and this will be their 4th match this season. In the Levain Cup, they have 1 draw and 1 loss, and in the first half of the league, they lost 1-2 at home. They have yet to win against this opponent this season. For Tokyo, who wants to break away from the middle and catch up with the top teams, Cerezo Osaka, who is currently in 5th place, is a team they definitely want to defeat.
Both teams will face each other in the Emperor's Cup Round of 16 on August 2nd, and both have suffered defeat. The first match of the resumed league is expected to be a fierce battle.
Tokyo spent the break period focusing on implementing Peter CKLAMOVSKI's style rather than arranging friendly matches with overseas teams. Training in the extreme heat was limited, but the team was able to work on changing their mindset in a way that was relevant to actual matches, such as consciously maintaining a fast tempo during training.
In the Emperor's Cup, we were repeatedly put in dangerous situations by being caught behind our high defensive line, but when playing with a compact formation, it is necessary to take risks. However, if we can eliminate simple mistakes and coordination issues, we can push the opponent back, take control, and play an attacking style of football.
Against Cerezo Osaka, who have strengths in quick transitions and counterattacks after winning the ball, Tokyo will have to prepare a vast amount of space. As a result, we want to maintain possession of the ball and increase the time of pushing the opponent in order to continue the idea of "the best defense is a good offense." Although we were unable to score in the Emperor's Cup, we were able to create clear scoring opportunities. We want to patiently maintain a high defensive line and compact formation, and carefully create a path to the goal.
PITA Tokyo's J-League 5th match. We hope for the fruition of an aggressive soccer.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: Are you also considering using players who were unable to participate in the Roasso Kumamoto match this round?
A: We want to proceed while checking each player's physical condition, conditioning, and overall state. As a team, injured players are gradually returning, and I believe we are in good shape. I think competition will increase further in each position going forward, and players will improve the quality of their play to seize playing opportunities. Through this competition, the team’s growth will be promoted. We want to carefully consider how to bring the team into the best possible situation from various perspectives and prepare thoroughly.
Q: After the Kumamoto match, how did you encourage the players?
A: I continue to communicate with the players. Of course, both the players and staff feel the pain of the defeat and have a sense of frustration. In the match, I could sense their determination to catch up and surpass the opponent, but we were unable to reach that level. We need to learn from various aspects moving forward. Right now, we are fully focused on the Cerezo Osaka match. Our only thought is to deliver a good performance and come back with all three points.
Q, please tell me the key points of the Cerezo Osaka match.
A: It is important to fully demonstrate our performance and surpass the opponent in every aspect. This comes down to giving everything in our play, including mentally. What I just mentioned forms the foundation for us to deliver a good performance. By doing so, I believe the results will naturally follow.
Q: Do you need to enhance the decision-making abilities of both the team and individual players in order to dominate the game?
A: Both are important, and the connection in play is crucial. The Kumamoto match developed into a fast-paced game both offensively and defensively. I believe we were able to see during the match what we need to do to bring out our strengths, where the opponent would attack, and what their targets were. Moving forward, it will be important for us to control how we move the ball and how we shake the opponent while holding the initiative. There were also moments where the players showed intention and expressed it through their play. Based on the lessons learned from the Kumamoto match, I expect us to improve going forward.
[Player Interview]
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Q: After the Roasso Kumamoto match, please let us know if there were any issues or areas for improvement in terms of gameplay.
A: In the Kumamoto match, there were opportunities that could have led to goals, but I was unable to finish them. I want to become a player who can reliably score in decisive moments.
Q: Do you feel more confident in dribbling and one-on-one battles as the game progresses?
A: I have gradually gotten used to the pace of play. In one-on-one situations near the sidelines, I want to take the initiative while observing the number of defenders. I also aim to bring my dribbling breakthroughs and success rate in these situations closer to 100 percent.
Q: Up until now, what are the points that TAWARATSUMIDA player himself feels as a sense of accomplishment and growth through repeated game appearances?
A: I think it’s about the range of vision and field of view. At the beginning, I was inevitably nervous and felt that I could only manage to take on opponents with dribbling. Gradually, I started to see more around me, and I believe my options in play have increased, such as choosing through passes instead of just dribbling.
Q, after the Kumamoto match, how do you want to contribute to the Cerezo Osaka match?
A: I think the quality of the final phase is important. Personally, I haven’t been able to connect my efforts to results yet, so I want to clearly demonstrate that through results and contribute to the team with high-intensity defense and aggressive dribbling.
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q: How do you feel about the play after about 2 months since Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI took office?
A: What is expected of us is clear, so I think we are able to play as a team trying to meet those expectations. In the Roasso Kumamoto match, we conceded a goal early on, which gave the opponent confidence and disrupted our plan. Even when pressing from the front, we were easily bypassed, and there were noticeable moments when they broke through behind us. However, it is important for the team to keep going. I believe there is still a long way to go, so we want to think more about what is expected of us and play accordingly.
Q: How many rules are there for attacking?
A: I think we are very particular about making runs behind the opponent’s defense, and the quality of passes to teammates who break through is also demanded. Whether it’s a quick pass at the feet or a pass into space. Also, when breaking down the side, whether to deliver a cross to the far side or to thread a vertical pass again through the center, I want to have many options and further improve the quality of our play.
Q: Please tell us about the role of the attacking midfielder that is expected of player Tsukagawa.
A: I think there are various images of the attacking midfielder role, but my greatest characteristic is moving to create space for my teammates. I prioritize plays that help my teammates as much as possible and value the connection in play. In the scoring chance against Kumamoto, the pass I gave to Ryoma WATANABE with the third-man run created that situation. I want to further convey the importance of these connections.
Q: Please tell us what is necessary to enhance the offensive power as a team.
A: It is crucial how quickly we can get to the goal after winning the ball in an advanced position, and so far, many goals have come from short counters. I believe that by playing the first pass not to the front but deeper, the play can accelerate. Whether we can deliver the first pass after winning the ball to a difficult spot is important, and not all vectors should be directed toward the goal; when we cannot head toward the goal, creating our own time through play is also essential. What is required of us now is intensity in our play. We want to skillfully switch between pressing forward and controlling the game ourselves.
