<Last Match Review: Yokohama FC>
After the match, the players unanimously agreed that "we only passed the ball around and it made it easy for the opponent to defend. We needed to change things up, like aiming for the back instead."
Yokohama FC has been defending with a 3-back, or rather 5-back formation, inviting Tokyo to attack. On the other hand, Tokyo has struggled to bring the ball deep into the opponent's half after being drawn in. As they try to find attacking options by moving the ball, their coordination has been off, forcing them to retreat and defend against counterattacks.
Especially after allowing the opponent to take the lead, we struggled to defend and were unable to break through their defense, resulting in safe passing throughout the game.
Although they were unable to maintain an aggressive attitude throughout the entire 90 minutes, there was one play that embodied their reflection at the beginning.
In the 12th minute of the second half, after defending against the opponent's attack in their own half, player Kosuke SHIRAI carried the ball up to just before the halfway line and supplied a pass towards the space behind the opponent. Player Adailton, who left the opponent defender behind with his speed, picked up the ball and continued with his speed towards the penalty area.
The scene of a one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper resulted in a blocked shot, but Tokyo's frequent passes at their feet and simple use of space may have suggested a necessary "change" for Tokyo's growth.
<Match Preview>
In the previous match, we suffered a frustrating defeat of 0-1 against Yokohama FC away, missing out on our first three consecutive wins of the season. We were unable to fully execute our attacking strategies that we had prepared during the league break, such as breaking through from the sides and exploiting spaces behind the defense, leaving us with many areas to improve on.
Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI looked back on this match, saying, "We deviated a bit from our way of playing. We made the game difficult for ourselves." As for the areas that need improvement, he said, "We should have moved the ball faster and used the space more effectively. We need to learn to become a smarter and better team, and prepare for the next match." The players also expressed their desire to "do better next time."
This round, we welcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima to our home ground. This is the final match of the three games that the club has designated as the 25th anniversary commemorative match. We must not only aim for victory, but also show the dedicated and never-give-up attitude that has been cherished by the blue and red for the past 25 years.
Furthermore, it is also a day to look ahead to the club's future and point out the path to be taken. To the fans and supporters, it is an expression of what Tokyo represents. We hope for such a battle.
Matchday program here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is a team that adopts a 3-back system, similar to the previous match against Yokohama FC.
A, I believe we can play with continuity from the previous match. We learned a lot from the Yokohama FC game. Hiroshima is a very good team, but we will fight to express the lessons learned from the last match on the field. We want to deliver good football to our fans and supporters.
Q, After the Yokohama FC match, each player expressed their reflections. Is a common understanding and awareness of tactics important?
A, both connections are important. We need to express the team rules that we value in our battles. The match against Yokohama FC was not a good game. There were several opportunities during the match to exploit the opponent's weak points, but we couldn't follow through. For example, making forward runs and vertical passes. We lacked movements that face forward and advance. By creating such scenes, I believe the flow of the game would have changed, making us an even greater threat to the opponent. We want to utilize the lessons learned from that match to move forward.
Q, It seemed like we were particularly conscious of how to move the ball to avoid the opponent's press in this week's training.
A, This is a necessary task for the team to progress. I hope the players will continue to grow through daily training. The match against Hiroshima is expected to be a tough game. We want to deliver excitement and passion to our fans and supporters through an aggressive battle. In the previous match against Yokohama FC, we were unable to express the style of play we aim for. Since I took office, I believe we have been improving in avoiding the press and moving the ball. Growth does not happen smoothly or in a straight upward trajectory. Our play still needs a lot of improvement, and I believe we will continue to grow from here.
[Player Interview]
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, in the previous match, we lost 0-1 to Yokohama FC. How do you feel about this result?
A, after conceding the opening goal, the opponent tightened their defense, making the match difficult. It is true that Yokohama FC, fighting to remain in the J1 League, had high motivation, but we must reflect on the fact that we could not surpass that level of performance. I feel sorry for the fans and supporters who came all the way to the away game.
I remembered the scene from three years ago at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium where Diego OLIVEIRA was in tears in the locker room.
A, including the match content and developments, it turned out to be a similar game to that time. I deeply regret repeating the same mistakes, but I am focused solely on correcting the issues that arose in the Yokohama FC match and winning against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the next game.
Q, at that time, you said "I have to fight for my family" and that has left an impression on me. Will that motivation be particularly important in the last four games?
A, my determination to fight for my family, the team, and the fans and supporters has not changed at all. It will remain the same going forward. Of course, each player has their own way of maintaining motivation, but for me, fighting for everyone who supports and cheers for us is what drives me.
Q, I am tied for my career high with 14 goals in the league this season. Do you feel confident about your performance this season?
A, soccer is a team sport, and each player hopes to win the match in front of them and to become champions. Of course, I feel the same way.Last season, I was unable to play as I wanted due to injuries, but this season, I believe it is significant that I have been able to maintain my condition without injury. However, what is important to me is the team’s victory rather than my own records. Until the end of the season, I want to score as many goals as possible and contribute to the team’s wins.
Q, Despite being an away game, the fans and supporters created a wonderful atmosphere at the Yokohama FC match.
A, I would like to once again express my gratitude to all the fans and supporters who have delivered passionate support to us from the beginning of this season, both at home and away games. At the Yokohama FC match, many fans and supporters dyed the stands in blue and red. Of course, I play while feeling everyone’s cheers on the pitch. I feel sorry that the match ended with the frustrating result of 0-1, and the passion, feelings, and various emotions of the fans and supporters have reached us as well. I think the match against Hiroshima will also be difficult, but I want to deliver good play and good results for the fans and supporters.
Q, the last two home games are coming up. What motivates you to play in these games?
A, difficult matches will continue until the end, but I believe in Tokyo's team strength. I want to fight with all my might for the fans and supporters and show our style of soccer. And I want to win the matches and celebrate together with everyone.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, please review the Yokohama FC match again.
A, I have the impression that it was a different kind of loss than before. The match against Yokohama FC made us realize there are still many areas we need to build up, and rather than losing because we couldn’t show what we have, I strongly feel we lost because we still need to improve our skills. Even if we lose to opponents fighting to avoid relegation, we must not become pessimistic. There were various factors during the match, but I think if we had expressed bolder play without being overly cautious, it could have been a game we won. I felt that the choices in play became “plays that avoid mistakes.” It was a match where we could see many different aspects, and there were new combinations as well. This season, there haven’t been many matches where we spent a long time pressing forward, so I think we need to learn more about how to fight in such situations.
Q, In the match against Yokohama FC, I felt that the number of times I touched the ball in the attacking midfield position was also low.
A, there are times when I drop to a deeper position to play, and I believe there is a great deal of freedom in my play. I want to show more effort in advancing the ball forward, and when the ball comes to each position, I want to play with options that suit my teammates, such as movements to receive the ball and awareness to support. Since the opponent formed a defensive block, I reflect that I could have made more runs behind their defense.
Q, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is also a team that implements a similar system.
A, I think it will be a match where both teams attack each other and compete head-to-head, scoring goals. How we break down the opponent’s tactics will be crucial. As the chances of scoring increase, so do the chances of conceding, so if we can win the tactical battle without losing, goals will come. I believe the team can express that aspect well, so I am not worried. I think it’s important to manage the game skillfully.
