<Previous Match Review: Shonan Bellmare>
The hero of the game, from the moment he stepped onto the pitch at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka during the warm-up before the match, was reminded of the scene he saw in the final match of last season's league.
"Last season, after Kei KOIZUMI scored a goal, he ran towards the goal end. If I score, I'll try to run there too."
The away match for Sec. 19 of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League. The game, which came at the timing of the halfway point of the league, saw the team overwhelmed from the start, facing numerous shots and being put at a significant disadvantage. Despite missing opportunities during occasional counterattacks, the team, led by the "guardian deity" Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's fine saves, worked together to defend the goal.
And as the game approached the end, in the 34th minute of the second half, a savior appeared for the team that had been holding on by a thread.
Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who was sent in as a left winger, carefully observed the movements of his teammates attacking from the right side in his first play after being subbed in.
Hotaka NAKAMURA, who conquered the near zone with Soma ANZAI, sends a ground pass to the opposite side. Yuto NAGATOMO then makes a run towards the center.
It was truly a split-second decision.
"I was actually thinking of going to the far side, but when I saw Yuto-san coming in, I decided to stop. I think that split-second decision brought in the goal."
A ground pass supplied from the right side rolls in front of me. With the ball, goal, and positions of both opponents and teammates in my field of vision, I adjust my steps and swing my proud left foot compactly.
An accurate strike that doesn't seem like a first touch. The shot, which was taken with a low trajectory, passed through the legs of the sliding defender and pierced the bottom right corner of the goal. It was a goal that looked like it was in slow motion.
"From the moment the ball came from Hogao, I had confidence. I was able to hit it firmly and immediately knew it was going in. The coach had been telling me to aim for the corner with a middle shot by placing a mini goal next to the post during practice, so I was happy to see that it paid off. Watching Taishi's save really motivated me and I had the desire to help the team when I got to play. The result of scoring a goal was a result of all the things I had been holding back and the luck that had been building up finally came to me. It was also great to see the fans and supporters happy because of it."
Suddenly, the heroic player rushed towards the goal stand at a speed that seemed like fast-forward.
I remembered the scene I saw six months ago during warm-up and reproduced it with my own goal. Then, at the end of the ecstatic dash towards the stands, I received rough and affectionate congratulations from my teammates.
"Even though we couldn't win at home, the fans and supporters kept pushing us on and I jumped in with gratitude. (The circle of joy) is like love from everyone, and it's the joy of being a soccer player to experience that."
Number 43, who scored a priceless goal, spoke with a smile about his feelings after the game, saying, "I feel rewarded at the halfway point of the league and I want to fight for Tokyo by taking it to the next level." This season, the man who experienced a frustrating time of not even being able to make it to the bench, saved the team with a brilliant goal and vowed for further evolution. The away game at the halfway point resulted in a hard-earned 3 points, achieved by the entire team. And at the center of it all was number 43.
Match Preview
In the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 18 match against Júbilo Iwata, we drew 1-1 at home, and in the following match against Shonan Bellmare, we achieved a 1-0 victory away. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who kept a clean sheet in the Shonan match, proudly stated, "It was important to fight tough even when we were being pushed back. If we can express the mentality of not missing the opportunities when the opponent shows a gap, there will be no problem." In the final stages of the match, he made a series of big saves that made it look like the shots were sticking to his hands. With the guardian at the center, we defended tenaciously and brought home the victory.
Tokyo finished the first half of the season in 6th place and will enter the second half of the season starting with the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. Manager Peter CKLAMOVSKI said, "I am a person in the world of competition, so I aim for 1st place. We may have been able to earn more points in the first half, but we are in a position to reach the top of the mountain as a journey of this club," while giving a certain evaluation to the performance in the first half and burning with fighting spirit towards the title. "Improvement is necessary to achieve our dream. We want to fight with hunger while following the rules."
In the previous match in May, we achieved a comeback victory with a score of 2-1, but Sapporo was by no means an easy opponent. However, what is required at Ajinomoto Stadium is only victory. We want to gain momentum for the second half of the season with two consecutive wins.
This week's matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, In the Shonan Bellmare match, we overcame a difficult time and won without conceding any goals.
A, I want us to be able to score even more goals. Additionally, I want to promote overall growth in the attacking aspect, while also strengthening our defense, responding sharply, and aiming to finish matches without conceding any goals.
Q, How do you view the scoring power compared to the beginning of the season?
A, I feel that the number of chances we create by effectively reading the opponent’s movements has been increasing. It is important to continue improving and developing in practice so that the chances we create directly lead to goals. We are now at the halfway point of the season, and looking back, we have scored many goals from open play. By refining our style of play and how we approach attacking battles, I believe our goal tally will naturally increase. The first half of the season has ended, but from here, we want to develop our football and showcase our growth in the second half of the season.
Q, the first match of the second half of the league will be against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
A, they are a tough team. They are probably not satisfied with their position in the league standings. I think they will come at us with full force to grab the three points. Coach Mihailo PETROVIC is a very excellent team builder. Against such a team, we must demonstrate what kind of battle we can fight with a challenging attitude. I think it will be an exciting game, and we want to show many goals at home.
[Player Interview]
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
Q, Shonan Bellmare contributed greatly to the shutout victory despite being under constant attack during the match.
A, It was a difficult match, but I want to take a positive view of the fact that we were able to secure the win. Of course, reflecting on the tactical aspects and, as a defensive player myself, building an organized defense that does not allow the opponent to penetrate deep into our half is important, but even in a match like the one against Shonan where the opponent held the initiative, I think it was good that we managed to win.
Q, Compared to the Júbilo Iwata match, I think there was improvement in the defense in the previous match against Shonan.
A, I believe that by playing more matches, we will move in a positive direction, and our defensive coordination will further improve from here. Focusing on myself, I think that continuously participating in matches will also enhance my performance, and I feel that solid defense leads to stable and effective offense. Conversely, good offense also generates proactive defense, so I believe that growth and improvement in both offense and defense will make the entire team better.
Q, Is it difficult to balance club activities with the activities of the U-23 Japan national team during this season?
I always have the desire to contribute to Tokyo, so there are times when I feel lonely being away from the team. However, being selected for the U-23 Japan national team is something to be proud of both as a team and as an individual, so I consciously prepared myself mentally to give my all in the place I was given at that moment.
Q, The second half of the season will start from the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo match this week. What do you think Tokyo needs to do to compete for the title?
A, I think it is inevitable to make mistakes when expressing our style of soccer. Even if we make mistakes, it is important to fight with the mentality to keep moving forward from there. Everyone feels that we can rise above our current ranking, so we want to improve each other more in daily practice.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, please review the previous round where you made a comeback after a long absence.
A, It was difficult to come on midway through the match while leading 1-0, but I prioritized not allowing the opponent to score. I was also mindful of counterattacks that would exploit the space behind the opponent who was pushing forward, but I focused primarily on defense at the start.
Q, it was a situation where I was being pushed in and I was playing on the right wing. What were you conscious of?
A, I have experienced playing in the wing position, as in the match against Shonan Bellmare, as well as switching to a more advanced position or the opposite side during the game this season. When playing on the wing, I believe one of my strengths is understanding what kind of play the full-back players expect and what movements can support them.
Q, the second half of the league begins from this round. Please tell us your enthusiasm from here.
A, it was very frustrating to suffer an injury and be sidelined just when I was eager to contribute more to the team from here on. I want to express my driving force, which is my personal strength, once again on the pitch, and the coach also demands high intensity from the players. Matches where the entire team played with high intensity had good content and led to victories. I want to contribute so that the winning percentage improves even a little through my sprints, driving force, and hard work.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q, it seemed like the attacking flow was created after Diego OLIVEIRA joined the game against Shonan Bellmare.
A, Shonan is a team with strong physicality, including organized defense and hard work, making it a very challenging match for us. In that context, I believe the victory came from the players on the pitch each fulfilling their roles and everyone fighting with the same direction. It wasn’t just me doing something; I think it was the result of the entire team working hard together.
Q, on your 34th birthday, there were many congratulations from your teammates and fans/supporters at the Shonan game venue.
A, since the match day coincided with my birthday, I received many congratulatory messages. Also, my teammates celebrated with me at the hotel the day before the match. I am truly grateful to be able to play soccer in such an environment, and to the fans, supporters, and teammates. I want to finish this season with good results and next time celebrate in a different way where everyone can share the joy together.
