<Last Match Review: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo>
On October 1st, in the 29th round match against Gamba Osaka to commemorate the club's 25th anniversary, he scored his 14th goal, tying his career high, and it seemed like only a matter of time before he broke the record.
However, after three games of being away from the goal, the team also felt the distance from victory, and realized how important their presence and work is to Tokyo.
That's why the joy of scoring a career-high goal in the final home game of the 2023 season was even more special.
In the 41st minute of the first half, we showed a flowing and coordinated movement, including the third person's movement from the point of stealing the opponent's ball, to conquer the front of Sapporo's goal with passing work.
Pressing high from the front line, Masato MORISHIGE aimed for the feed of the escape route sent by the opponent and chose a heading pass instead of a clear. Riki HARAKAWA, who received the pass, turned and carried the ball towards the goal, supplying a through pass to Adailton, who ran into the penalty area.
Adailton, who had Diego Oliveira's support in mind, dropped the ball towards Diego while making a move to bring the defender with him. Diego, facing the goal, skillfully controlled the ball and shot it into the left corner of the goal.
If the sniper places their prey in front of them, they should not miss. While watching the follow-through of their left foot, they stand up with confidence in the goal, clenching their fist as the ball flows into the goal net. In that moment, the blue and red stands erupt and many fists are raised in celebration.
The final match is to get more fists up.
<Match Preview>
The final match of the 2023 season has arrived.
The 2022 season was eagerly awaited by the club, as they competed for a spot in the AFC Champions League until the end of the season and aimed for the league title. However, upon closer inspection, they were unable to accumulate points consistently in the first half of the season and made the decision to change coaches before the halfway point of the season.
Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the former coach, has always emphasized the importance of maintaining possession of the ball since his time. Under the guidance of current coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, the team has been trying to instill a strong mentality of high pressing and short counterattacks from the front line without losing that attitude.
There are games where the results are achieved, but there are also games where the team as a whole struggles to work together and experiences frustrating matches.
Tokyo may be far from their target position as they approach the end of the season, but in this match, they do not want to reflect on the season, but rather fight to leave something bright for the team's future and towards the 2024 season.
In the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we took control of the game in the first half by strengthening our attacking posture, but we fell apart in the second half. Although it is an away game, we want to fully utilize the strength of Peter Tokyo and end the season with a victory.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, How do you feel about the length of time as a coach for Peter CKLAMOVSKI in the first half of the season?
A, It has been neither short nor long, just about half. As we approach the final league match this weekend, I have various emotions within me. The team is facing challenges in the process of building a strong foundation, but the past few matches have been frustrating. In the 16 league matches since my appointment, I have constantly encouraged the team's development, but I believe there is still much to be done in terms of building up and establishing a foundation. In the final match against Shonan Bellmare, we aim to deliver a good performance and secure 3 points.
Q, What have you been focusing on for this week's Shonan game?
A, I have great respect for Shonan's style of play and think they are a wonderful team. They were fighting to avoid relegation until the last match, and I understand how rigorously they have worked as a team under those difficult circumstances. We want to fight hard for the full 95 minutes, including stoppage time, confront the opponent, and especially show superiority in the physical battles. We know how to break down their solid defense to create chances, so we want to make sure to score goals during the periods when we have control of the attack.
Q, What kind of performance do you want to show as the culmination of this season?
A, I want to focus on our fighting spirit, scoring goals, and finishing the match without conceding. Although it is an away game, we will of course face it aggressively. The opponent is also expected to come with an aggressive style, but I will demand that our players work harder than them. We need to be cautious of Shonan’s counterattacks, and without succumbing to the pressure from their front line, I want to increase plays where we bravely and confidently circulate the ball and move toward the goal. By increasing the time we maintain possession, I believe the space available for us to use will also increase.
[Player Interview]
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, What is your motivation for the final match of the season against Shonan Bellmare?
A, We are primarily focused on securing a victory as a team. I am excited to see how we can express our strong desire for victory through our play and what kind of contributions we can make. Personally, I also feel that I am expected to deliver results, and I want to make this match a memorable one where everyone involved with the team can end the season with joy and smiles.
Q, What kind of game play is required against Shonan, given the data that the away game winning percentage is not good this season?
A, Shonan's playing style, especially defensively, gives the impression that they press aggressively from the front and sometimes apply a man-to-man style to win the ball. However, I want to launch attacks that effectively exploit the space behind them that opens up when they press forward. Not only focusing on attacking behind their defense, but since there are speedy players on both flanks, I also want to be mindful of building attacks that leverage their strengths. I believe it would be ideal to play Tokyo-style football by defending solidly and launching quick attacks.
Q, didn't it become a fruitful season where you played in many games as an indispensable player in the midfield and were also selected for the activities of the Japan national team in each age group?
A, to summarize briefly, I think this season was a very difficult year. Amidst that, through the activities with the national teams of various age groups, I was able to gain experience playing matches in different countries. Adapting to changes in the playing environment, dealing with long-distance travel and time differences, joining the club, and participating in official matches—I believe there were challenges in playing while also focusing on achieving results.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the game with the fans and supporters who continue to support us unwaveringly.
A, I believe the fans and supporters are also seeking victory above all else. Regarding victory, we want to approach the match with 120 percent effort. Throughout the season, the unwavering passionate support has pushed us forward, and we want to show play that lives up to those feelings. I have heard that many fans and supporters will come to Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka, and I think a wonderful stage is set. We want to deliver a victory.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, this week's Shonan Bellmare match will be the final match of the league.
A, As the final league match of this season, neither Tokyo nor Shonan has anything major at stake, but all the Tokyo players definitely want to win this last game to close out the season and finish on a high note. Many fans and supporters have backed us throughout this season, and to respond to their support and encouragement, we want to make it an enjoyable match to watch. While it is of course important as a team to express play on the pitch that connects to next season, first and foremost, we want to seize victory with exciting play against Shonan right in front of us.
Q, What specific points do you want to show in the final match?
A, once this match is over, all league matches for this season will be finished, and there will be a period without games. Honestly, there is some anxiety that the things the team has built up and the match rhythm since Coach CKLAMOVSKI took over mid-season might be lost with the season’s end, but first, we want to focus on the Shonan match and show, both as a team and individually, how much we have grown. Although the data shows our away win rate this season has been very low, we truly want to win. That is our single-minded determination.
Q, What kind of play do you want to show as a player, Nozawa?
A, as I mentioned earlier, I really want to win. We have been away from victory for the past few matches, and I am solely focused on winning. I am concentrating on expressing on the pitch what I learned from the defeat against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. As Tokyo’s goalkeeper, I want to show the fans and supporters, "This is what I can do," and I want to show the same to the players and staff. I want to display play that makes people want to have high expectations. Continuing to challenge is an important attitude, but in addition to that, I want to show calmness and precise judgment with play suited to the situation.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, I think there was difficulty in coming on as a substitute in the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo while behind.
A, I had a strong desire to be aggressive from the front in defense, but there were also moments when the coordination between the front and back was lacking. While playing the match, I felt the difficulty of playing while thinking and searching for the causes—how to improve, why such phenomena occur, and how to shift gears. The most frustrating thing about the Sapporo match was not being able to win at home, and I have a strong desire to change our competitive edge. However, since the Shonan match is the last game of this season, I want to show a performance that somehow connects to next season. I believe it is necessary to clear the issues and move forward, building up steadily.
Q, I felt various emotions in the words of Masato MORISHIGE, the player of the final ceremony. How did the player Higashi, who has been playing with Masato MORISHIGE for a long time, hear it?
A, I completely agree. In a setting like that, there are people with different thoughts and opinions about expressing feelings in words, and there is a possibility of various opinions both for and against, but I believe Morishige spoke responsibly for the team. Having been with Tokyo for a long time, I especially felt this strongly this season.
Q, this week's Shonan Bellmare match will be the final match of the season.
A, The team is in a tough situation, but even so, there are fans, supporters, and many others cheering us on, so as a professional, we must show our best. I believe that is all there is to it.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, With Yuto Nagatomo's suspension, I think there is a chance for him to start in the lineup.
A, I see this match as a summary of my season. I transferred to Tokyo in the summer, and there have been new discoveries and challenges, and I am currently facing those challenges daily to overcome them. I believe I am gradually improving as I confront my tasks every day. If I get the chance to play, I want to fully demonstrate the results I have built up and show my culmination through my performance.
Q, what specific aspects does that "wall" refer to?
A, until now, I was a player who was utilized by others. After joining Tokyo, I have been able to bring out my strengths and, as a side back, the number of plays and awareness to support the surrounding players has increased. I have been focusing on that area, communicating with coaches and teammates, and I believe it is gradually becoming something good.
Q, this week's opponent is Shonan Bellmare, who started their professional career and deserves to show their "culmination".
A, I am grateful for having been able to start my professional soccer career at Shonan, and I hope to repay that by expressing good play firmly on the pitch. If I get the chance to play, first of all, I want to fully demonstrate my strengths and clearly express through my play what I have acquired since joining Tokyo. And I want to contribute to victory in terms of results.
