Match Preview
The Emperor's Cup JFA 104th All Japan Soccer Championship 3rd Round will be held midweek. In a packed schedule with three consecutive matches including league games, Tokyo will head to Fukuda Denshi Arena to face JEF United Chiba.
On June 12, in the second round, we faced Veertien Mie, the representative team from Mie Prefecture. In the 21st minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's left cross was headed back by Leon NOZAWA at the far side, and Keigo HIGASHI scored the opening goal with a brilliant right-footed volley. Additionally, Riki HARAKAWA's precise set pieces produced two goals. In the 37th minute of the first half, he assisted Masato MORISHIGE's header from a right corner kick, and in the 42nd minute, he scored directly from a free kick from over 30 meters out into the left side of the goal, adding to the score. Both goals were beautifully executed with his favored right foot. Towards the end, there was a thrilling moment when Divine OTANI, who was registered as a second-category player and came on as a substitute from FC Tokyo U-18, struck a powerful right-footed shot that hit the crossbar, exciting the stadium. The match ended with Tokyo winning 3-0. We successfully advanced in the Emperor's Cup, a tournament that has often troubled us in recent years.
Chiba, who is currently in 7th place in the Meiji Yasuda J2 League, lost 0-2 to Shimizu S-Pulse away last weekend and continues to fight for a spot in the promotion playoffs. The standout point of this season is their attacking power. They have scored 43 goals in 23 league matches, which is the second highest in the league, with 30 of those goals coming in 11 matches at Fukuda.A. It is also their tendency to score goals in the first half.
As Tokyo, we must be careful not to concede early goals, but we must not be passive and fight aggressively. In last weekend's match against Kashiwa Reysol, we suffered a frustrating defeat after conceding a late winning goal, but we have seen improvements in our first half performance, which has been a recent issue, such as scoring an early goal. The players are also strongly focused on how to start the match, and a concentrated effort is expected from the beginning in this match against Chiba.
The match against Chiba was held at Fukuda Denshi Arena on October 13, 2013, marking the first time in 11 seasons since the Emperor's Cup 3rd Round. The game ended in a 1-1 tie and Tokyo advanced with a 6-5 win in a penalty shootout.
It won't be an easy game this time either. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI says, "I respect the opponent. They are a very good team and I expect a tough game, even a close one. It would be a big mistake to think it will be an easy game. We must approach it with the attitude and mentality of a final round."
This time, it is expected that players will be used based on consecutive games, but it will be a total team effort. The players who have taken to the pitch have been producing solid results, which is also a symbol of this season. Each player will showcase their strengths and we hope to win at Fukuda.A once again and take one step closer to the cup.
※Shuto OKANIWA and Manato SHINADA, who are on loan from Tokyo to Chiba, will not be able to play in this match due to contractual reasons.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, the opponent for the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup will be J2 League's JEF United Chiba.
A, I have respect for the opponent, and they are a very good team. I think it will be a tough match that demands many challenges. For us, we want to approach the game with the image of playing a Final Round. We want to firmly express our work. We will raise our awareness to the maximum and fight.
Q, the 3-game series started from the recent Kashiwa Reysol match.
A, this week we have a schedule of three matches within seven days. Because the intervals between matches are short, we are closely monitoring each player's condition, but they are recovering well and training well. Within that, we want to aim for the cup while utilizing fresh players and also keeping in mind the members for the Albirex Niigata match on the 13th.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita ENDO Player＞
Q, entered the game from the second half in the Kashiwa Reysol match. How was your feeling and condition?
A, I have rarely played while worrying about my injury, and my condition has been improving well, but in the Kashiwa match, there were few scenes where I was involved with the ball, so I want to improve on that.
Q, as a team, we have seen issues in our offensive game in recent matches.
A, in tough times like these, someone has to save the team, and I believe we need players who can show the attitude to change the team's momentum in a positive direction. Including myself, I want to become that kind of player and change the current flow of the team.
As for me, I am in a position where I have to play well and appeal in the competition for the wing position, and take the position. If I can get a chance to play in the JEF United Chiba match, I want to show my skills on the field.
Q, Emperor's Cup 3rd Round, a tight schedule with only 2 days between league matches.
A, although the competitions are different, I believe the Emperor's Cup match against Chiba and the Albirex Niigata match on the 13th are connected. Rather than thinking of them separately as different tournaments, the team needs to unite as one here and head towards the Emperor's Cup. There are no players who are letting their guard down just because the opponent is from a different category. I think we need to approach every match with the same level of importance.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q, JEF United Chiba will face Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium this weekend in the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup.
A, we were defeated by Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Levain Cup, so the only cup competition left is the Emperor's Cup. I believe the match against Chiba will be an important one to win the title. I think the lineup for the Chiba match will change somewhat, and I want to approach it with a fresh mindset. We have suffered consecutive losses in the league, so the mental aspect is being tested. In the Kashiwa match, if the team had the ability to finish chances, it could have been a game that led to victory, and I think it is important to calmly analyze and connect that to the next match. However, we must fully accept the result of losing 3 points in the previous match and work on improving it.
Q, I think that goals in difficult matches like the Levain Cup Sagan Tosu match and the Emperor's Cup 2nd round Veertien Mie match have a big impact on the outcome.
A, set-piece goals are very important. In the match against Kashiwa Reysol, Teppei OKA scored a goal that brought power to the entire team. We want to aim for such goals that give momentum to the team. We have been able to work on this well from practice, and I also feel the results are gradually starting to show. We want to continue building on this.
Q, Match against clubs from different categories. What kind of mindset is important?
A, We understand that the Emperor's Cup is a challenging tournament where we face teams from different categories, but we must stay focused and advance step by step. Even players with limited playing time in the league are highly motivated, and first and foremost, we want to aim for a winning result.
