<Review of the Previous Match: Kyoto Sanga F.C.>
Inspire the team, sometimes demand from teammates without hesitation, and run to support teammates with all your might.
When given the new role of an anchor, he immediately absorbs what is required and adapts by making the most of his abilities. His gritty, no-holds-barred defensive play has also brought a new image to Tokyo’s "10".
In recent seasons, he may have taken on a role closer to that of a behind-the-scenes player. Of course, he has fully demonstrated his technique in building up attacks, but he also appeared to lead the team with his toughness in one-on-one situations and his fighting spirit.
Since Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over as head coach, his playing position has moved one line higher, and he has had more opportunities to be deployed as an attacking midfielder rather than a defensive midfielder. In that role, demonstrating the qualities required is Keigo HIGASHI’s true forte.
“I focused on three things: moving skillfully to positions that are hard for opponents to mark, acting as a link man in attack to connect play, and making runs into the box.”
While being asked to take on a more attack-oriented role, he consciously performed his tasks: for the first goal, he made a well-timed run into the area and took a perfect position, then set up Ryoma WATANABE’s goal with a deceptive pass. For the second goal, during the flow of a set piece, he stayed inside the penalty area, avoided the crowd, positioned himself near the near post, and scored a powerful volley—the first league goal in 1,624 days.
The roles demanded of the "10" vary widely, but there are not many "10s" who have been asked to fulfill such a broad range of duties and have responded to them despite struggling. It was a convincing midsummer night victory that showed what the blue and red "10" truly represents.
<Match Preview>
Both teams will be missing key players due to suspension. Henrique TREVISAN will be unavailable for Tokyo, while Elber will be unable to take the field for Yokohama F.Marinos.
Elber, in particular, earned the decisive penalty kick in the previous match against Gamba Osaka, making him undoubtedly a key figure in Yokohama FM's attack. It will be interesting to see how Kevin MUSCAT will arrange the forward lineup.
Meanwhile, for Tokyo, all eyes are on which player Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI will choose to replace Henrique, as well as the formation to stop Yokohama FM’s powerful attackers.
For Coach CKLAMOVSKI, this match is against the club where he started his career in Japan. He came to Japan as the right-hand man of Ange POSTECOGLOU (currently the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur) and contributed to winning the league title in the 2019 season by prevailing in the championship race against Tokyo. The attacking style he instilled in Yokohama FM at that time has taken root in the club, and Coach Muscat has inherited the same approach to build an offensive team.
In Tokyo as well, the team is steadily working to instill the aggressive style of play he envisions, setting up a clash with the club that still carries his essence. In the first half of the season, they temporarily took the lead but suffered a very frustrating defeat after being overtaken again. This match, they want to repay that debt at Nissan Stadium.
Another point of focus is Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who is also facing his former club. In the previous match, he returned from injury and came on as a substitute, with his condition and performance steadily improving. This will be his first time playing at Nissan Stadium, his former home ground, as a member of the away team. We hope he fully demonstrates the presence of the “Blue-Red Teru.”
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, the opening goal was created from good cooperation in the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C.
A, Many players were involved in the play, including the attacking shape we envision, what we have built here, and what we are trying to do. When analyzing the team's performance, many such aspects are evident. When we had possession of the ball, our aim to get behind the opponent was a threat, and it seemed Kyoto also disliked that. We created good opportunities, including the scoring scene. I think we were able to show what we have been working on and building, but I still believe there are challenges for the team.
Q, do you want to attack Yokohama F.Marinos, who you will be playing against this round, with a similar intention?
A, yes. I believe every team understands our tactics. I think Kyoto was the same. This time as well, we will understand where the spaces open up, exploit behind the opponent’s defense, and aim to score. I expect the opponent to try similar tactics, but that means it will be a good match for us. We want to show a game where fans and supporters of both clubs will be on their feet, never sitting down.
Q, please tell us your impression of Yokohama FM, last season’s champions.
A, it is a club where I experienced special moments and spent time with special people. However, regarding the match, we will focus on what Tokyo must do and aim to secure 3 points for the club and the fans and supporters. This will be a truly big challenge for us. They were last season’s champions, and their strength is also reflected in their results this season. We will just do our best.
Q, This round's match is against Yokohama FM, followed by a consecutive match against Vissel Kobe, both top-ranked teams. How do you position these matches, Coach CKLAMOVSKI?
A, First, it is important to focus on each match right in front of us. However, I believe both matches will be significant challenges. It is a good opportunity to measure how much we can challenge two high-quality teams. That said, without looking too far ahead, we want to prepare for the Yokohama FM match first and aim to deliver a good performance. That is crucial to getting closer to a good result.
[Player Interview]
Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Q, It's a match at Nissan Stadium. You must have a good impression, don't you?
A, Since it is a familiar pitch, I am looking forward to the match and have a good impression. I can’t really imagine Yokohama F.Marinos as the opponent or myself playing at Nissan Stadium as a member of Tokyo, but I want to use the passion of the Yokohama FM fans and supporters and the atmosphere of the venue as my strength, and above all, I want to win.
Q, You came on as a substitute in the last match, but it was your first official game appearance in a while.
A, I played for about 30 minutes, but I was able to get into the game in good form, and my physical condition and overall state are gradually improving.
Q: What kind of play are you conscious of?
A, first of all, I want to value playing with a sense of speed, and in defense, I want to be fully aware of the team's discipline. I think a certain degree of freedom is necessary when attacking, and I want to increase ball possession when we press the opponent.
Q, It's a match against your former club. What aspects are you looking forward to?
A, I am really looking forward to the match. Against an offensively strong Yokohama FM, it is important to see how well we can contain them, especially since we have had many clean-sheet games. I want this to be a match where we score more goals than the opponent and go for the win.
Q, it was a frustrating defeat when we played in the first half of the league.
A, The most frustrating thing was being overturned, and even though we were at a numerical disadvantage, it was a match where we wanted to secure at least 1 point. To overcome that frustration, the most important thing is to go for all 3 points at Nissan Stadium. I feel that responsibility personally, and I believe the team does as well. I want to play with the sense of responsibility that we must not lose twice to the same opponent.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q, in the first half of the league match against Yokohama F.Marinos, Diego OLIVEIRA also scored two goals.
A, the first half of the league match ended with a very disappointing result. In that game, we conceded early, managed to take the lead once, but then had a player sent off, resulting in a frustrating match. I think tomorrow’s game will be a difficult and tough match for both teams. Away games are challenging, but in the recent match against Cerezo Osaka, despite the tough circumstances, we were able to achieve a good result. We want to secure a positive outcome in the next match as well.
Q, please tell us the key points that will be important to achieve revenge.
A, as I mentioned earlier, the first half of the league ended with a frustrating result. However, we will forget the past matches once and focus solely on tomorrow's game. The opposing team seems to be in very good condition, but we are also on an upward trajectory. We want to enter the match with high concentration and strong determination.
Q, I think tomorrow’s victory will be important for the team to improve its form from here on.
A, looking back from the start of this season, I don’t think it was a bad start. After that, there was a period when we couldn’t win, and it was a tough and difficult time. During the league’s break, new players joined and have been fighting for the team. I understand that the current situation is difficult, but I want to steadily advance with wins in the remaining matches.
Q, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who will be facing his former club, has also returned. In the first half of the league, goals were scored through combinations with NAKAGAWA, so I believe he is also highly anticipated in the match against Yokohama FM.
A, NAKAGAWA is an excellent and indispensable player for us. He brings new momentum to the team. I hope that NAKAGAWA, facing his former club, will perform well and help us secure a victory.
