<Review of the previous match against Vissel Kobe>
Tokyo, who has drawn two consecutive games since the opening, faced Vissel Kobe, last season's J1 champion, at Ajinomoto Stadium in pursuit of their first victory in the league.
After a scoreless first half, the "captain" who made his first start of the season, gives the team a boost with a single blow.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who intercepted the ball in the midfield, ran down the left side. From Kashif BANGNAGANDE's cross, Kuryu MATSUKI took a left-footed shot that was blocked by an opposing player, but the much-awaited opening goal was born from this right corner kick.
As Kashiho's player kicks with his left foot, Enrique Trevisan competes on the near side, and the ball flows to the far side. As the entire stadium watches the ball's trajectory, number 37 runs in from behind and strikes with his right foot.
"Go!" The ball, kicked with all their might, carries the hopes of the blue and red supporters as it heads towards the goal with a powerful trajectory. It bounces off the opponent's leg and breaks through the near side, piercing through the goal net.
The first goal scored in the third game of the season. Kei KOIZUMI, who responded to being selected as a starter, modestly reflected, "It was a play that I had been practicing since camp. I was the one who kicked it, but it was a goal that we as a team scored." However, there is no doubt that it was a goal that encouraged the team.
The match resulted in a disappointing comeback loss, with goals conceded in the 12th and 24th minutes of the second half. However, it was also a goal that represented the team's solid progress and efforts.
<Match Preview>
After two consecutive draws, Tokyo suffered their first loss of the season against Vissel Kobe in the previous match, resulting in 3 winless games since the opening. In the 4th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, they will face an away game against Fukuoka, hoping to secure their first victory.
This week, the team received some good news. On Thursday, Yuto Nagatomo returned to the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) to compete in the FIFA World Cup 26 Asia 2nd Qualifiers and AFC Asia Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers. Additionally, on Friday, Kuryu Matsuki, Taishi Brandon Nozawa, Kashif Bangnagande, and Ryotaro Araki, who has scored 3 goals since the start of the season, were selected for the final test match for the AFC U23 Asia Cup 2024, which is also the final qualifier for the Paris Olympics. In a team situation where results have been hard to come by, this is great news to improve the atmosphere.
Avispa Fukuoka, under the leadership of manager Shigetoshi HASEBE, has evolved based on a strong defense and won their first title in the J.League YBC Levain Cup last season. This season, they have remained undefeated with 1 win and 2 draws, including an away victory against Yokohama F.Marinos. Their renowned strong defense has only conceded 1 goal in 3 league matches.
The center of attack is led by inside half Yuto Iwasaki and Kazuya Konno, who was with Tokyo until the 2022 season. Both players are involved in the majority of chances, breaking out from counters and crossing from the side. Caution is also needed for Wellington's height as he enters as the top striker.
Tokyo will be without Henrique TREVISAN, who received a red card in the previous match. Despite struggling against Fukuoka with 2 draws and 6 losses since the 2016 season, the team is determined to achieve their first victory in the league. We can expect the national team players to perform well, and hope that their performance will inspire the team to come together and aim for a win.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, Yuto Nagatomo has been selected for the Japan national team.
A, I believe it was a special moment for him as well. In the world of Japanese football, he is a unique player. He never neglects hard work or preparation for matches, and he directs his focus not only toward the team but also firmly toward himself. I believe he deserves to play for the Japan national team, and not only I but the entire club is proud of his return to the national team. We want to support his success. He gives the impression of maturing like a fine red wine.
Q, this week we will be playing against Avispa Fukuoka.
A, it requires hard work from the entire team, not just one person. We simply need to express the football we are building. I want to organize what we have learned from the matches so far and what needs improvement, and encourage growth. It is important to focus on ourselves. By boldly expressing our own rules and our style of football, I believe we can surpass the strengths of our opponents.
Q, What did you focus on this week in order to achieve your first victory of the season?
A, It was a week focused on improving our challenges and enhancing our strengths. We want to put on a better performance in Fukuoka than we did in the previous match against Vissel Kobe. Of course, everyone is hungry for a victory. The players, staff, and fans and supporters all share the same feeling. We want to believe in ourselves and keep our focus on ourselves. By doing so, I believe the result of victory will follow.
I want to create something special with this club. I want to deliver moments that will leave an impact on the lives of fans and supporters who love Tokyo. The "peak of the mountain" that everyone dreams of cannot be reached in one day. Along the journey, there will be not only good moments, but also times when we must endure. In order to obtain special moments, I believe it is important to accept various situations and move forward.
Of course, we want to win every game. We believe we will win and approach each game with confidence that we can defeat any team. In doing so, we hope to build something that will last a lifetime as a team.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, Have you felt any response and seen any challenges after finishing three games since the opening?
A, Since we have not been able to secure wins, I believe there are various challenges rather than just one or two points to improve. While there are improvements that arise in each match, the players must respond flexibly. I think it is important to review fundamental aspects once again, such as playing intensity and not losing in one-on-one situations. Continuously challenging ourselves in both attack and defense will lead to earning 3 points in future matches.
Q, What did you focus on in practice this week?
A, In terms of attack, we organized in meetings how to play depending on the opponent's approach and worked on it during practice. Defensively, it is important to decide where to switch on and win the ball against Avispa Fukuoka's attack, as well as not losing when competing for second balls.
Q, What kind of role do you want to fulfill as a defensive midfielder?
A, I believe that a defensive midfielder must do everything, both in attack and defense. In attack, the most important thing is to constantly show yourself and stay involved with the ball. Also, it is necessary to increase the number of challenges, such as making runs into space and actively taking long-range shots. Since there are many strong players up front, I want to be mindful of delivering good passes. On the defensive side, it is important to apply high-intensity pressing when pressing, take care of and cover for opponents who make runs, and firmly establish a challenge-and-cover relationship. I also want to make sure we don’t lose out when recovering second balls.
Q, What is your impression of Fukuoka, and are there any points you are paying attention to?
A, Although our team has not been able to win against them, I personally do not have a bad impression. As a team, we were unable to win either the league matches or the Levain Cup on their home ground last season, so this time it will be a difficult match away, but we want to firmly secure 3 points.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q, In the previous games, it seemed that you were emphasizing ball possession while also utilizing long balls. How was the overall teamwork?
A, I feel that the level of mastery in switching between styles is still largely a work in progress and is one of the challenges in our way of playing. However, I believe there is no mistake in the team’s direction or in what kind of soccer we want to express. The other players share the same understanding. Although the results have not yet come, I personally feel a sense of progress and confidence that by repeating trial and error and connecting it to victories, we can build a stronger team. I want to focus on the finer details and continue playing with that mindset.
Q, Are you saying that you are feeling more confident as you play more matches?
A, It is a cycle where we clear the issues that arise in matches, and then new challenges emerge in the next game. However, we fully understand that what is demanded of us is the "result." Naturally, we players also prioritize the result above all else. It is true that we have not yet achieved the result of victory, and the process is important, but as I mentioned earlier, right now we are primarily pursuing the result.
Q, please give us your enthusiasm for the Avispa Fukuoka match once again.
A, I want to play with a strong focus on results as a team, and this has been shared among the players during meetings. We have approached this week’s training with a strong determination to earn all three points at any cost.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, What is your impression of the place where your first professional league goal was born?
A, Avispa Fukuoka gives the impression of being a very tough team. I think it will be a closely contested match, but I believe the team has the confidence and style of play to break through their solid defense. Last season, our away game winning percentage was very low, and this season’s league opener ended in a draw, so how we accumulate points on enemy turf will be crucial. We want to seize our first victory of the season on the away ground in Fukuoka.
Q, Against Fukuoka, who gave us a hard time in last season's match, what kind of breakthrough do you want to gain from this game?
A, Each player fully understands that this upcoming match against Fukuoka is a very important one, considering the results so far. If we can win this game, I believe the team will ride a good wave, and if we can properly demonstrate what we have been working on in the match, I am confident we can win. I think it is important to approach the game with confidence.
Q, There are also high expectations for Kuryu MATSUKI's own scoring.
A, I have been visualizing myself scoring goals since this week’s training, and as my involvement in the attack has increased, I want to contribute to the victory with goals that will energize not only the team but also myself personally.
