<Review of the Previous Match vs. Sagan Tosu>
A month to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the club's establishment was supposed to start with a bang...
Facing Sagan Tosu, who have lost 8 consecutive matches, it was certainly not without a bad feeling. However, at a crucial moment for the club, the players on the pitch should have fully understood that it was not a situation where they could talk about jinxes or weaknesses.
Despite this, we were not completely overwhelmed by Tosu's momentum from the start and lost two points before the game was over.
The harsh voices directed towards the team heading to the locker room were the reverse side of the expectations of fans and supporters who wanted to celebrate the 25th anniversary with a victory. It was a cry from the blue and red souls, hoping for a comeback, a turnaround, and a display of Tokyo's spirit.
That shout ignited the blue and red players.
Kickoff for the second half. The blue and red 25th anniversary uniform, which seemed lacking in confidence in the first half, was dynamic.
Gathering the ball to the side and penetrating deep into the opponent's territory, disrupting Sagan Tosu's defense with movements aimed at crosses and pockets (areas near the left and right sides of the penalty area). The two goals that brought the score back were both initiated by crosses from left back Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
Now, the momentum is in Tokyo's favor. We will push aside any jinx or inferiority complex and attack the Tosu goal with all our might.
The last one to finish was a rookie who grew up in the academy.
As a rookie, he made his professional debut in the opening match and has already appeared in 22 matches in the league, showing a rapid growth curve. His aggressive dribbling and finishing shown during the pre-season camp, as well as his high performance in decisive plays, were seen throughout the official matches.
There were many close scenes where we were just one step away, but those around us seemed to value our dignified play more than the result. However, the player himself felt differently. In the post-game mixed zone, even if the team was trying to win, he couldn't stop reflecting on his regrets for not being able to finish. He also tasted the frustration of not being able to stand on the pitch in the Levain Cup's prime stage.
The winning goal of the match to commemorate the 25th anniversary, born from such a greedy man. The joy brought by Kota TAWARATSUMIDA not only celebrates the journey so far, but should also illuminate the future of Tokyo.
<Match Preview>
In the previous match, Sagan Tosu took a 2-0 lead in the first half, but turned the game around with 3 goals in the second half. The key factor was the bold strategy in the second half. Defender Masato MORISHIGE moved up to a more advanced position and marked the opponent's attacking midfielder closely. It was a risky move as it left an equal number of players in both teams' front lines and Tokyo's final line, but each player fought with determination and led to a dramatic comeback victory.
Player Morishige is gaining confidence in the change of tactics during the game, saying, "After being pushed to the limit, each player started to take risks and it turned out for the better. It was a high-risk, high-return situation, but I think the gears are starting to mesh together."
This round, we will face Gamba Osaka at our home stadium Ajinomoto, on a day to celebrate the club's 25th anniversary since its establishment. Yuto NAGATOMO, before this commemorative match, said, "FC Tokyo has built up 25 years since its establishment. During that time, many seniors have woven the history, and we have been supported by many fans and supporters. I want to make it a passionate match that conveys those feelings and pride." We will embody the unwavering blue and red tradition until the end in this one match.
Matchday Program here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, it was seen that training was conducted with the Gamba Osaka match in mind from the beginning of the week.
A, right now we are thinking about what we should do to improve further, how to make improvements, and how we will fight. This week, we were able to accumulate very good training at a high intensity. I also feel that results are starting to show steadily, and I believe we are moving in a good direction.
Q, it was a training session packed with elements of football on both offense and defense.
A, it is important to deepen our coordination and play with a good shared understanding. We have been able to accumulate many patterns in both offense and defense so far. In the previous match against Sagan Tosu, the team expressed what we have well in the second half, but we need to grow even more from here. Through this week’s training, I felt the team’s development. I want us to be able to express this firmly in the match.
Q, Do you feel the sense of accomplishment that what you have built up can be expressed in the game?
A, I want to improve not only our attack but also the precision of our defense. In Thursday's practice, we shared the defensive rules with the entire team. We are focusing on delivering all our performances at a high level.
Q, Please tell us your impression of Gamba Osaka, who you will be facing this round.
A, they are a truly excellent team and will surely present us with various trials and moments to challenge ourselves. We just need to be well prepared to compete firmly against such a team. We want to proactively take the initiative against Gamba Osaka so that the problems we pose force them to find solutions. While a style of play like the second half against Tosu is desirable, there is no perfection in football. To maximize the time we perform well, we want the entire team to overcome the difficult periods together.
Q, How do you feel about being able to play a game at home on the day of the club's 25th anniversary, which falls on Oct 1?
A, October 1st is a special day for Tokyo. I want to deliver a special performance on this special day. I hope to provide an exciting match that will make everyone involved with the club so far, as well as the fans and supporters, feel proud of the club called Tokyo once again. And I want to present a victory as a gift.
[Player Interview]
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, in the previous match against Sagan Tosu, Kashif BANGNAGANDE's performance helped bring us victory.
A, Starting in the league match for the first time since returning from injury and being able to deliver results has given me a strong sense of accomplishment both as a team and individually.
Q: please review the assist scene.
A, although it was a cross supplied after making eye contact with Adailton, we have been actively practicing delivering such crosses regularly, so the players in front of the goal anticipated a ball like the ones in practice and made their runs. Adailton and I have been trying and confirming our coordination during practice, which has resulted in good teamwork. In the first half of the Tosu match, I couldn’t fully control Adailton defensively, so I want to apply what I learned to the upcoming matches.
Q, Do you feel that there were many challenges left in the first 30 minutes of the Tosu match?
A, this week the players have been discussing why we couldn’t play the second half style of football from the start, and how to adjust during periods when our defense isn’t working well is a team challenge. If everyone on the team doesn’t share the same awareness, each individual will become disjointed and fall behind. If we can improve how we initiate our defense, I believe we can express aggressive team play in the match against Gamba Osaka just like we did in the second half against Tosu.
Q, How do you feel about your enthusiasm for your second game back?
A, I was able to contribute to the team with an assist in the previous match, but if we had not won that game, I would have thought the assist meant nothing. I believe the next match after such a victory is the most important. We lost to Gamba Osaka in our last encounter, so I absolutely want to win. It’s not about individual performance; I want to focus on the result and winning.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q, In the previous match against Sagan Tosu, the game development was completely different in the first and second half. Please review the previous match.
A, In any match, there are always periods when the flow is unfavorable. What’s important is how well you can proceed with the game while keeping the number of goals conceded to zero during those times. I don’t think it’s very realistic to play the kind of football we showed in the second half of the Tosu match for the full 90 minutes of every game. When the team’s momentum is down, if we can defend firmly, our own flow will gradually emerge. I believe that after enduring patiently in those moments, our own momentum will start to build.
Q: "The word 'patience' came up, but was it necessary to have patience for the first 30 minutes of the previous match against Tosu?"
A, From my past experience with the team, I knew that Sagan Tosu has a style of starting the first half very strongly. Soccer is a sport that depends on the opponent, so it is important to accept the opponent’s way of playing well and to fight patiently. In the match against Tosu, we were able to score three goals in the second half alone, and if we hadn’t conceded goals in the first half, it would have been a 3-0 victory. We want to play with a unified team mindset that it is necessary to extend the time during which we do not allow the opponent to score.
Q, Has the recent bad streak been turned around for the team with the victory against Tosu?
A, I had the impression that when we concede a goal, the tension on the pitch drops by one level, so a come-from-behind victory like the one against Tosu will serve as a successful experience for the team and become a major turning point. It is important to focus on ourselves rather than being influenced by the flow of the match.
Q, Please tell us your impression of Gamba Osaka, who you will be facing this round.
A, I have the impression that they are skilled at circulating the ball. I think they are a team that controls the game by passing the ball while watching the opponent's movements. The key is to overwhelm the opponent's momentum and flow with high-intensity play, and even if there are periods when things don't go well, I want to play without losing focus.
Q: Including this round, we have reached the last 6 games of this season. Please share your enthusiasm for the final stretch.
A, I believe how we finish the season is important for building towards the next one. I want to stay focused on the results until the very end, and of course, concentrate on both the team and myself to perform well in every match. Please continue to support us until the very end.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q, Sagan Tosu match was like watching completely different teams in the first and second half.
A, we had a very poor performance in the first half. As we approached the second half, we made tactical adjustments in the locker room and discussed among the players to face it with a strong mindset. I am glad that after a tough first half where we conceded two goals, we were able to score to equalize and then take the lead in the second half. I believe the mental aspect changed the game for the better. The players on the pitch were obviously aware that the first half did not go well and things were not working out. Mentally, we were stronger than the opponent in the second half, and scoring early gave the team momentum.
Q, With one more goal, you will tie the record for the most goals in a Tokyo league match with 14. Can you tell us what has been the key factor in your success so far this season?
A, Last season, due to injuries, I was unable to play as I had envisioned and couldn't accumulate many goals. The record for most goals is 14, but since there are still six matches left this season, I want to score many more goals and break my own record. The remaining matches this season are becoming fewer. We want to firmly demonstrate the energy we have until the league ends, so that it leads to victories.
Q, On a special day, October 1st, when Tokyo was established 25 years ago, there will be a match against Gamba Osaka.
A, I believe this will be a special match as it marks the club's 25th anniversary milestone. Not only us players, but also the staff, club officials, and fans and supporters will each approach this game with special feelings. We will put our hearts into it and do our best to deliver a victory.
