Match Preview
2 days after the disappointing defeat in the 2024 J.League YBC Levain Cup playoff round. The battle for the second time since the 2011 season towards the top begins.
The 104th Emperor's Cup All Japan Soccer Championship, where J1 clubs will participate from the 2nd Round. It is a tournament competing for the title of "the best in Japan," including representatives from each prefecture, and FC Tokyo will host Veertien Mie, the representative from Mie Prefecture, at Ajinomoto.
The Emperor's Cup first match comes at a time when we vow to make a comeback from our frustration. In the Levain Cup, we were defeated by Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a total score of two games, both of which we allowed goals in quick succession, losing the flow of the game and ultimately being eliminated from the tournament without being able to mount a counterattack.
Kei KOIZUMI, who wore the captain's armband in the Hiroshima match, said, "We have to firmly accept the reality of losing one of the three titles easily. We have the Emperor's Cup in two days, so we have to go there and fight with all our might, or we may stumble again. We want to stay grounded and keep going."
In past Emperor's Cups, many clubs in the categories below have been forced to drink hot water. In the 2021 season, they were defeated in the 2nd round by Juntendo University. Looking at the overall trend of the tournament, it is also the fear of the Emperor's Cup that amateur teams and J3, J2 clubs who approach with high motivation struggle and "giant killing" is likely to occur.
The game that we must face with a strong determination after losing one title as Tokyo. Mental and physical recovery is required in quick succession, but focusing on the upcoming game can also be seen as a positive aspect.
Manager Peter CKLAMOVSKI said at the post-Hiroshima match press conference, "Right now, I feel regret and frustration, but football never sleeps. I think it will be a tough Wednesday, but we will recover and work to improve, and we want to go back to Tokyo and do our job."
The opponent Mie is currently ranked 4th in the JFL (Japan Football League), the highest amateur league. In the 1st Round of the Emperor's Cup, they advanced by defeating J3 club FC Imabari with a goal from Shota TAMURA. Under the management of Shuichi MASE, who has experience leading Ehime FC and Blaublitz Akita, the club is aiming for promotion to the J-League, centered around captain Kojiro SHINOHARA, who has played over 200 matches in the J2 League for clubs like Avispa Fukuoka and Fagiano Okayama. They also have many players with J-League experience, making them a team that should not be underestimated.
As Tokyo, we want to approach the Levain Cup with an aggressive attitude, without ever being passive and pushing the frustration of defeat to the forefront.
Keigo HIGASHI, who has shown his presence as a substitute, emphasized the importance of mental preparation for the Emperor's Cup. "In this situation, playing every other day, it will be a really difficult match. We have little time to prepare after returning from an away game, so we have to approach it with a fresh mentality. It will be a game where our emotions will be tested. I want to show more and more passion and fight," he showed his determination.
On the other hand, the big gain in the Hiroshima match was FC Tokyo U-18 player Divine OTANI, who made his debut for the top team and scored his first goal with a powerful header. When he stepped onto the top team's pitch as a registered player, he used his prideful speed to enter the penalty area. He then shook the net with a header from Leon NOZAWA's pinpoint cross.
"I was determined to leave something behind when I stepped onto the pitch. Today, I scored an away goal, so next time I want to score in front of the fans and supporters at Ajinomoto Stadium," said the second year high school student with enthusiasm. There are high expectations for his home debut.
In addition, Ryunosuke Sato has joined the team from the U-19 Japan national team's trip to France, taking into account the team's situation. This adds depth to the team's roster.
Emperor's Cup, which uses a complete knockout format. Use the frustration hidden in your chest as nourishment and firmly advance, carving out your own future with your own hands.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, Sanfrecce Hiroshima will face the 2nd round of the Emperor's Cup just 2 days after the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
A, I am frustrated that we could not advance in the Levain Cup. We just need to turn that frustration into our energy and switch our focus so that everyone can do their job well tomorrow.
Q, When the category changes, the eye color of the lower category teams also changes.
A, that is the beautiful aspect of football. Such challenges are packed into cup competitions, and it is truly beautiful. I believe they will come out fighting with full energy and ambition. We must respect our opponents and face them accordingly. It will be a tough match, but we just need to fully express our football on the pitch. We will give everything we have built as a team and connect it to the result.
Q, you will also be required to surpass the opponent's toughness and hard work in your play.
A, that is football. We just focus on our way of playing and deliver our performance. Concentrate from the start of the match, run more than the opponent, have greater stamina than the opponent, and win the battle. We just fight our own fight. I never think tomorrow’s match will be easy. We will prepare for a tough match with our motivation and ambition. Then, we switch our minds on to be able to do our job and face the match. We prepare assuming that various things could happen.
Q, will you be using fresh players mainly in terms of physicality for the match against Júbilo Iwata when the J1 League resumes this weekend?
A, I want to consider who is fresh and who is ready, and select players to participate while looking at their physical condition and individual status. I am not thinking about anything other than winning. The players are also preparing to express our style of football and our way of fighting on the pitch to win. This is something the team maintains as a mindset for every match. It does not change regardless of who we face. Even if we were to play against Real Madrid, we would aim to win no matter the opponent. I believe that mindset will help us grow even further.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryunosuke SATO＞
Q, I returned to the team suddenly from representative activities. How do you want to utilize the parts that are being demanded and the experience of representative activities?
A, During the U-19 Japan national team expedition, we achieved good results, and I believe I can approach the Emperor's Cup with a positive mindset. Since other players are also fatigued from consecutive matches, I want to focus on lifting the team with aggressive and fresh play.
Q, How did you feel when you were asked to return to the team?
A, When the club asked me to return to the team from the U-19 Japan national team activities, I personally felt very positive about it and believed it would be beneficial for me. I see it as a great opportunity and want to make it a good chance that leads to the next step. To keep playing in matches, results are required, but I think being too fixated on results and narrowing my playing perspective will ultimately prevent me from showing my strengths. I believe my strength lies in organizing my qualities, moving the players around me, and adding an attacking accent, so I want to work hard while maintaining balance.
Q, What kind of play do you want to express in the game?
A, First and foremost, what everyone—including our fans and supporters—wants is victory. Within that, we aim to play an attacking style of soccer. Of course, scoring goals is important, but above all, we want to show a tight game by keeping a clean sheet. Regardless of the opponent, we are committed to winning without conceding any goals.
Q, Divine OTANI said, "Ryunosuke SATO's presence is motivating." How did you feel about OTANI's performance?
A, I was surprised to score my first goal in my debut match. Of course, I knew he was a player with great potential, but seeing him perform so well so early motivated me personally. I can't afford to lose.
<Leon NOZAWA>
Q, As a team, we have been eliminated from the Levain Cup, but personally, I have achieved an assist.
A, after the match, I received various words and messages. I was given encouraging words as well as voices of support, expressing expectations for my growth from here on. I felt that I must keep pushing forward without being satisfied with the current situation, and I realized how fortunate I am to have fans, supporters, friends, staff, and teammates around me. There are still many things I lack, so I want to thoroughly pursue improvement.
Q, didn't the pinpoint cross lead to a goal and give you confidence in your growth?
A, I was conscious of delivering crosses to that position even during practice, and I had no hesitation in my choice of play. I was able to commit fully in a positive way and cross with confidence, and that assist gave me confidence in my other plays as well. I believe that if I become a player who can supply crosses, not just forcibly take deep positions through dribbling, the range of my play will expand.
Q, Aren't the demands on yourself also changing?
A, I need to consistently demonstrate plays involving crosses and scoring opportunities, like in the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, in every game. There are still many areas where I am lacking. Although I was able to provide an assist, I couldn’t finish my shots in the first match. I want to further refine my shooting, technique, and decision-making from here on. I don’t yet have a strong sense of whether I am truly growing, but I am able to approach things positively. I want to improve in every aspect while communicating and coordinating with my teammates.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, I received the Young Player Award for the May 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League. How do you feel about being recognized for your performance so far?
A, I am happy to be recognized, but I have many challenges to face myself, so I only have the determination to focus on myself and work hard. I believe that unless I first achieve visible results in numbers, I cannot move further up, so I want to tackle my challenges while receiving advice from many people.
Q, we have not scored multiple goals in our recent matches.
A, first of all, if you don't take shots, goals will never be scored, so I want to increase the number of opportunities where I actively take shots. Personally, even when dribbling, I can see the shooting lanes. I have also received advice from Naohiro ISHIKAWA CG and others, and while experimenting with the steps to shoot at top speed dribbling and how to strike the ball with my foot, I practice daily to be able to take the best possible shot, so I hope to produce results.
Q, How will you approach the Emperor's Cup in such a difficult situation with many injured players?
A, I want to play with full effort to achieve the result of victory. In the Emperor's Cup, if we lose, the tournament is over, so a win is absolutely necessary regardless of the circumstances. Of course, it would be ideal to overwhelm the opponent and win, but this is not a situation for idealistic talk, so I am determined to win no matter what.
