<Last Match Review: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo>
2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 20. Tokyo won 1-0 against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in a match that marked the start of the second half of the league season, achieving their second victory of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium, where they had only one win in the first half. The key player was Soma ANZAI, who scored the decisive goal, marking his second consecutive goal at Ajinomoto since his first professional goal.
Tokyo started the match cautiously, observing the opponent's tight defense. There was a long period where they couldn't take a shot, but from the 30th minute of the first half, they took control of the pace, pushing the opponent back and getting close to the goal. However, as the time continued without shaking the net, a tense atmosphere began to fill the stadium. In the 39th minute of the second half, player Anzai, who had moved from the right wing to the left wing, scored a brilliant opening goal.
When connecting the ball on the right side, Riki HARAKAWA supplies a perfect cross that goes over the heads of the opposing defense with one touch. Number 38, who escaped from behind the opposing defender, stretched out his left foot at the drop point of the ball. The attacker's shot, which he only focused on meeting, hit the crossbar and was sucked into the goal.
"When Harakawa entered the kick motion, I thought I would go into the most dangerous area of the opponent. I knew the opponent was marking me, so it was good that I moved first and was able to take a position behind the opponent where they couldn't respond. In the end, I was competing with the opponent until the last moment, and (after the shot) I couldn't see the moment it went into the goal, but I realized it had scored from the cheers of the stadium. I really think it was a goal pushed in with determination."
Attacker who dashes to the goal end. Despite the tough result of only one win at Ajinomoto in the first half, he was driven by the desire to share the joy with the fans and supporters who continued to cheer him on. His first professional goal in the 18th round against Iwata was an equalizer, so he couldn't fully enjoy the joy of scoring due to the overwhelming desire to win, making the taste of the goal he scored in a difficult situation even more satisfying.
"He has always said, 'I want to win with the team,' but he also had another feeling hidden in his heart. The red card he received in the away game against Verdy Tokyo. That memory is still vivid in his mind. Despite being at a numerical disadvantage, the team managed to come back from 0-2 and bring the game to a draw in the final stages."
"After the Verdy match, I felt even stronger about wanting to fight for the team and make sure we win. Not in a negative way, but truly feeling like it's my turn to help the team. It took some time to see visible results, but it's a big accomplishment for myself. As a forward, my numbers are still not enough, so I want to give back even more. Not just for myself, but as a team, I will continue to work hard to achieve better results."
After a good start at home, the second half began. In a post-match flash interview, he spoke powerfully towards the stands.
"FC Tokyo is not like this."
We will repay the home crowd with results from now on.
We can do more. We can go higher──。
It must have been because he believed in it. Number 38, who has gained a sense of scoring and confidence in addition to his dedicated playing style, will lead the team with his passionate play from the front.
Match Preview
In the previous match, we won 1-0 against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, achieving our second consecutive clean sheet victory. In the 39th minute of the second half, with the score at 0-0, Riki HARAKAWA delivered a cross from the right side, which Soma ANZAI dove in to meet with his left foot, scoring the winning goal. Soma ANZAI, who scored his second goal of the season, said, "I think I can play freely now," while discussing the factors behind his good form and vowing to continue his strong performance. "As a forward, my numbers are still not enough. I want to work harder to achieve better results for myself and the team."
In addition, Teppei OKA, who contributed to two consecutive games without conceding, said, "In the previous Shonan Bellmare game, we were caught off guard, so we were conscious of preparing faster than the opponent. I think we were able to challenge and cover as a center back and had good coordination."
In this match, we will welcome Avispa Fukuoka to Ajinomoto Stadium after a three-day break. For Tokyo, Fukuoka has been a difficult opponent, remaining winless in eight league matches since the 2016 season, but in the last encounter, we won 3-1 away. The match was also one of the best games of the season, dispelling our negative mindset. If we can maintain our momentum and continue our winning streak here, we can push into the upper ranks. Tokyo's 'hot' summer is finally beginning.
This week's matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, the team is currently on a 2-game winning streak. How do you plan to continue this momentum and secure more victories?
A, it is important to continuously foster growth based on what we have built so far and to approach the match with a strong mentality. The match against Avispa Fukuoka is also expected to be tough, but we want to prepare well and give our all.
Q, I think we were able to pull off the victory by fighting tough until the end in the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
A, it was an important point as the match progressed. In the early stages of the game, there may not have been many attempts that posed a real threat to the opponent. However, by calmly continuing the match, we found our rhythm. From just before the end of the first half, we gradually gained control of the pace, and as plays heading toward the goal increased, it led to scoring late in the game. It is important to consistently express what the team has built up, and in the match against Sapporo, that became the trigger for gaining good momentum. Sometimes, like in the first half, there are periods where patience is required. In the second half, including the substitute players, we were able to control the match. The role of the players coming onto the pitch as substitutes at the timing when the opponent is getting tired is extremely important. I believe the late goals were the reward for the hard work of everyone on the pitch. It was a very significant victory for the team.
Q, we won consecutive games, but both matches required "patience" from us.
A, the flow and content of each match differ. I believe the solutions to various challenges and issues that may arise on the pitch lie within what we have built up so far. There were many periods of patience in the matches against Shonan Bellmare and Sapporo, but being able to turn those into victories is important for us. I expect the match against Avispa Fukuoka to be difficult as well, but we aim for victory.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q, I made a big contribution to the victory in the 2 games I started. How do you feel about it?
A, Keeping a clean sheet is always a goal for me as a defensive player, and in the matches I played, I approached training with the premise of winning while conceding zero goals. This season, although there have been many games where the team conceded multiple goals, being able to start and contribute in one of the few matches where we kept a clean sheet and won without conceding was truly significant both for the team and for me personally.
Q, How do you feel about your personal response in that?
A, In the match against Shonan Bellmare, there was a bit of nervousness and a period of feeling things out, including how the opponent would play, so I couldn’t defend the way I wanted. I had the impression that we spent a long time on the defensive against Shonan’s momentum and the pressure coming from the flanks, and I couldn’t express my own style either in defense or attack. In contrast, in the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we were able to enter the game having organized the issues and corrections from the Shonan match, and I think it was good that we fought tenaciously and toughly. I am currently learning and absorbing various things from the matches I have played. I believe the speed of that growth is also expected, and before every match, I organize what I can do and approach it with that in mind.
Q, What kind of person do you envision yourself becoming as you grow?
A, I want to become a player who can excite Tokyo. For me personally, Masato MORISHIGE has been an admired figure since my time in Tokyo’s academy. Just as I looked up to him, I want to grow into a defender who is admired by the academy players.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q, I started in the starting lineup in the position of a defensive midfielder in the previous match.
A, I think it was a positive factor that I was able to establish my playing rhythm from the start of the match, as it was my first start in a while. In recent league matches, I have often come on as a substitute, which made it challenging to play while grasping the flow of the game and the situation of my teammates. Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI each have their own strengths as defensive midfielders, and I want to show a relationship and combination that increases the team’s options without diminishing each other’s qualities.
Q, last match was a double volanche with Takase and a long time.
A, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo faced us with a unique defensive style, so I was constantly communicating with Takase to avoid an open game. This match is against Avispa Fukuoka, and naturally, when the opponent changes, the approach also changes. I think the match content and flow will have a different atmosphere, so entering the game in the same way as the Sapporo match will often not work. I want to be mindful of that point as I approach the match.
Q, what are the characteristics and strong points of Fukuoka?
A, I think there are many aspects that cannot be understood until the match starts, but Fukuoka's strong defense, which aims to neutralize the opponent's strengths, is impressive. Especially in the first 10 to 15 minutes of the match, if the team can grasp Fukuoka's intentions, I believe we can proceed with the game in a good way.
