<Review of the Previous Match vs. Sagan Tosu>
A perfect chance has just fallen in front of me. The blue and red center back was only thinking about shooting.
The ball, shot powerfully with the right foot, hit the near side and slammed into the bar, bouncing once before piercing the goal net. In the 11th minute of the match, it seemed like a good time to score the opening goal.
However, the assistant referee's decision was offside. It seemed that the opening goal was scored from the corner kick, but Yasuki KIMOTO, who was supposed to have scored the crucial goal, quickly returned to his usual position as a center back.
"In situations like that, it often becomes offside. The assistant referee raised the flag, so I thought it must be offside and went back."
Ryotaro ARAKI's right corner kick was deflected, and Takahiro KO headed it forward, but the position of Kimoto, who remained in the front line, was ruled offside. However, with the support of VAR, the goal was confirmed. This was the first opening goal for Tokyo in six league matches.
"A circle of joy was formed around the hero who blushed and laughed, saying, "I was embarrassed because there was a time difference," as the players returned to their own territory."
In the end, this goal became the winning point and Tokyo won 1-0. They achieved a shutout victory for the first time since the Sec. 7 match against Kashima Antlers in the final round.
As symbolized by KIMOTO's return to his position after seeing the offside flag, the defense was focused on keeping a clean sheet at the away game against Tosu.
"The only match where we kept a clean sheet in the league was against Kashima, and as a defender, I felt really frustrated. Even when the forwards scored, we often ended up drawing or losing matches due to conceding multiple goals, which made me feel responsible. Today, there were times when we struggled to finish, but I believe we all held on and defended well to secure the three points. The forwards did a great job of limiting the opponent, which made it easier for us to defend, and the backline managed risks well, allowing for good challenge and cover. As an individual, I am happier with a clean sheet than with scoring, and I want to continue having matches like this. If we can keep a clean sheet, victories will follow, so I want to keep focusing on not conceding goals moving forward."
The team, which had been struggling with four winless matches in the league, marked their first victory in five matches at the "Kin J" in Tosu. This victory in away Tosu was their first win in about nine seasons since the Meiji Yasuda J1 League 1st Stage Sec. 16 on June 20, 2015, achieving a breakthrough after Fukuoka and Sapporo.
After the match, from the Tokyo side of the goal, a chant of "My lover is Kiyomoto" could be heard to the tune of "My lover is Santa Claus". Although he said he didn't understand the lyrics, it was clear that the song was filled with love from the fans and supporters, and it was a testament to the outstanding presence of number 4 on both offense and defense in the away match against Tosu.
Match Preview
Tokyo has played 3 official matches since the last league match, and in the J League YBC Levain Cup, they were defeated by Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a total score of 2-5 over two matches, resulting in their elimination in the playoff round. In the following Emperor's Cup All Japan Soccer Championship, they defeated Veertien Mie and advanced to the 3rd Round. Although the YBC Levain Cup ended in disappointment, the emergence of new strength in these 3 matches is a significant gain.
Players Divine OTANI and Shuto NAGANO, who are registered with FC Tokyo U-18, showed great performances, while Leon NOZAWA recorded assists in two consecutive matches. Meanwhile, veterans Masato MORISHIGE and Keigo HIGASHI also demonstrated their presence, accumulating positive factors as the league resumes. Player HIGASHI, who scored his first official goal of the season in the Mie match, stated, "I understand that my ranking within the team has dropped due to injury. I want to be involved in matches in the league from here on and reclaim my position."
This match will welcome Júbilo Iwata to Ajinomoto Stadium. The league season is approaching the halfway point, but this is a crucial match that cannot be lost if we want to climb into the top ranks in the second half. Masato MORISHIGE is eager, stating, "I want to deliver results whenever opportunities arise in any match." Young players and veterans are competing, and Tokyo aims to seize the upward momentum from here.
This week's matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, The players have returned from the activities of the Japan national team. How is their condition?
A, I believe they have returned in good condition. Since they have just come back after long-distance travel, we want to take care of that aspect as well. The team has been competing under a tough schedule of more than 10 matches in 6 weeks. It is also true that due to national team activities and injuries, some players have been absent, thinning our squad depth. Amidst this, the players have consistently worked hard and have been fully committed to the matches in front of them. We want to overcome this together as a team, prepare well for the next match, and approach it with full readiness.
Q, it will be the first league match in a while. If there is anything important that needs to be changed or taken care of, please let me know.
A, first of all, it is to seize victory in the match against Júbilo Iwata. Under that theme, we are required to develop our football and express a strong mentality on the pitch. Iwata is a very good team, but we have clearly shared the spaces and awareness we should target. We want to organize which areas to use to launch attacks and increase plays that head powerfully toward the goal. At the same time, it is important to finish the match with a clean sheet victory. We also want to demand a high intensity in defense.
Q, this match will be the last home game of the first half of the league.
A, we are only thinking about giving the fans and supporters a victory in return for their passionate support and encouragement.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q, in the Veertien Mie match, I think it was a very rewarding game both as a team and as an individual to score a goal.
A, I have felt the difficulty of facing teams from different categories based on past results, and I believe the players on the pitch were also mindful of that point as they approached the match. However, more than that, the players who, including myself, had long periods without playing in league matches were strongly determined to deliver results as starters. It was a match where each of us could express our feelings, and personally, scoring a goal that led to victory made it a good game.
Q, Please tell us your feelings and challenges towards the current team.
A, as a team, we have been struggling with unstable performances in recent matches, and I believe a major cause is the high number of goals conceded per game. We definitely need to build a stronger defense, and since we have been scoring consistently, if we can stabilize our defense further, I think we can accumulate more wins. This has been a challenge for the team since the start of the season. We want to work on improving it.
Reducing the number of goals conceded is of course important, but individual efforts, growth, and improvement are also necessary. However, I believe the most important thing is how the team as a whole faces the challenges.
How to defend, what kind of response is necessary depending on the time zone and situation, I feel that there are many parts that can be corrected as much as we work on the defensive side.
Q, What do we need to do to catch up in the second half of the league when we can aim for the top?
A, the most important thing is definitely defensive stability. On the offensive side, I think increasing the number of goals scored from set pieces is key. If we can clear these two points, I believe we will naturally climb into the upper ranks, and these are crucial factors. I think it is difficult to win the championship unless the team’s balance and overall coordination come together, so including the match against Júbilo Iwata, we want to make adjustments throughout the games.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the game.
A, This will be the first match after the league break, and since it’s our home game, we want to show a strong performance and secure a victory. From here on, as we head into summer, there will be consecutive matches and tough games, so we will work hard to steadily accumulate points and deliver many wins at home.
＜Hotaka NAKAMURA＞
Q, the suspended league match will resume. How is your personal condition?
A, as a team, we have had consecutive matches in the Levain Cup and Emperor's Cup, and during that time, I have also been given playing time, so my condition and match sharpness have gradually improved. Although it is little by little, I believe I am getting closer to a good feeling.
Q, you have returned from injury and your playing time has gradually increased, right?
A, I believe that the quality of my play, my “uniqueness,” and the information and feelings that can only be understood by being on the official match pitch are still lacking. In the Levain Cup match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, I played for 60 minutes, but until then, my playing time was only 20 to 30 minutes, during which I spent a lot of time confirming my own feelings and play. In the past few matches, I felt that I was overthinking my own play. The first thing I felt upon returning to the pitch was that “football is not about logic.” I want to clearly organize what my uniqueness really is and express it in the matches.
Q, the league season is about to reach the halfway point.
A, I returned from a long-term injury and was given the chance to play, but unfortunately got injured again. Personally, I see the limited playing time in league matches as a point for reflection and a challenge moving forward. From here on, my primary goal is to participate in matches, and beyond that, I want to leave my mark with goals and assists as a side back.
What I felt while watching the game from outside the pitch for a long time was that we couldn't maintain a stable game. It's not about individuals, but I want to work as a team and as other players have also mentioned, reducing the number of goals conceded is the main point of improvement. If we concede 2 goals, we have to score 3 goals, so we need to reduce the number of goals conceded per game to zero in order to accumulate points. As a team and as a defensive player, I want to push ourselves to the limit.
