<Last Match Review: Kashima Antlers>
The match against Kashima Antlers in Sec. 24 before the break. With both players Ryotaro ARAKI and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA joining the U-23 Japan national team, captain Kuryu MATSUKI left the team to prepare for a potential transfer. The match kicked off under the remaining sunlight and heat.
In the early stages, Tokyo tried to create chances by attacking the opponent's territory from the right side. However, in the 30th minute of the first half, they conceded a sharp counterattack from Kashima after Diego OLIVEIRA's scoring opportunity was blocked. They now trail by one point.
Tokyo attempts a counterattack. Here, the number 22's superb trap brought the team an equalizer.
In the 41st minute of the first half, Keita ENDO made a sharp dash behind the final line while carefully passing and attacking from the left side. Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who did not miss this opportunity, sent a pinpoint feed forward with his strong left foot.
Endo, who timed his run perfectly to meet the softly floating ball coming from behind, showed off his exquisite trap with his left foot, curling it inside while moving forward. He skillfully approached the goal with a flowing play, evading the opponent's sliding tackle with a sharp cutback and swinging his right foot to shake the goal net.
A perfect "vita stop". Endo, who showed a superb trap that absorbed the momentum of the ball, scored a goal for the second consecutive game in the match against Albirex Niigata held at the Japan National Stadium, bringing the game back to the starting point and turning the game around.
Tokyo, who aimed for a comeback with this momentum, ended up conceding a go-ahead goal at the start of the second half. Even after that, they tried to score an equalizer with plays from Endo and substitute player Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, but it was not enough. They suffered a frustrating loss and will now enter the mid-season break.
Match Preview
The Meiji Yasuda J1 League will resume at the away Osaka ground after the break period.
In the midweek match of J1 Sec. 24, Tokyo will visit Gamba Osaka's home ground, Panasonic Stadium Suita. With 10 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses, and 36 points, this is a crucial match for Tokyo, currently in 7th place, to gain momentum for a comeback in the second half of the season.
During the two-week break in the league, there were various movements within the team.
First, captain Kuryu MATSUKI has completed a transfer to England's Southampton FC (this season he played on loan at Turkey's Göztepe SK). The loan transfer of Jája Silva to Sagan Tosu was also announced.
And for the captain who had implemented the 3-man system, Takahiro KO has taken over. For KO, it will be his first game as the new captain against his former team. As a responsible playmaker, he is likely to show a passionate performance at his old home ground.
There is also good news that injured players are returning to the field one after another. Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA and Kanta DOI, who were expected to be key players on both offense and defense but were sidelined due to injuries in the first half of the season, played in the last practice match. Tsubasa TERAYAMA and Renta HIGASHI also joined the training. With the addition of depth to the team, we hope to increase the team's strength by intensifying the competition for each position once again.
In addition, both players Ryotaro ARAKI and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who have experienced the world as members of the Japan national team U-23, returned to Japan on the evening of August 4th. We hope that they will be able to use the disappointment and valuable experience they gained in France to contribute to their future and the team.
During training on the pitch, coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI focused mainly on training to maintain possession of the ball. With the league restarting and a sudden schedule of tight matches, it is inevitable that the team will become exhausted if they do not extend the time they dominate the game in the scorching heat. While aiming for a combination of quick attacks and ball possession, the team has also been working on becoming more skilled in games by maintaining high intensity as before.
The last match against Gamba Osaka was on May 26 in Sec. 16. Tokyo entered the game with the most goals in the league, while Gamba Osaka had the fewest goals conceded, but Tokyo failed to capitalize on big chances and allowed the opening goal in the 40th minute of the second half. It seemed that Henrique TREVISAN had scored the equalizer just before the end, but the play was ruled offside, and the goal was disallowed. They suffered a 0-1 defeat against a team known for its solid defense.
Gamba Osaka, with this victory, has gained momentum and risen to second place with a 5-point difference from the top at the time of the mid-season break. Takashi USAMI, who was also selected as the Meiji Yasuda J-League KONAMI Monthly MVP for June, will be suspended due to accumulated warnings, but there are many players that Tokyo must absolutely contain, such as Ewerton, who adds changes to the attack, and Tokuma SUZUKI, who possesses both powerful breakthroughs and speed, as well as accurate passing according to the situation.
As Tokyo, who wants to join the top fight again, they want to gain a victory in the first game after the restart and gain momentum for the "midsummer consecutive games" where important games follow immediately. This round will kick off on August 7th (Wed) at 19:00. In the second half of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, the fierce counterattack of the blue and red army will start from the away game in Osaka.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, The J1 League will resume. Please tell us what you have been focusing on during the break.
A, we have been improving the physical aspect. Although the very high temperatures have made it a difficult situation, it has been a period during which we were able to build up good things to fight strongly in the resumed season. Starting with game management elements, it is important to always take the initiative ourselves and continue to grow. High pressing and intensity in defense. Winning the ball in targeted positions and quickly transitioning to attack. We have been able to enhance the defensive awareness in the middle third, the tempo to control the game, and the accuracy of what is necessary to fight. What is needed to play offensively, exploiting dangerous spaces that the opponent dislikes, and shaking the opponent’s goal net frequently are things we continue to demand from the players this season. During the approximately two-week break, we focused intensively on what I just mentioned. We want to fight stronger than any opponent and finish the season well.
Q, Communication among players was actively conducted to build an organized defense.
A, It is a very good and important thing. Within our game model, there are various rules. Communication is indispensable to express them on the pitch. I believe that by further enhancing coordination among players, we can build a solid defense.
Q, I think the match against Gamba Osaka this round will be a very important one as we aim for the top.
A, every match is important, and there are many crucial games remaining. We are focused solely on earning 3 points in every match, and we will fight through this season with that goal in mind. Gamba Osaka is
a very good team, and I think it will be a tough away game. They are a formidable opponent, but expressing our own style of soccer is the most important thing. We must hold strong beliefs and see things through to the end. Winning in the various situations that can arise on the pitch, and fighting without fear against a team in good form, I believe will lead to earning 3 points.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita ENDO Player＞
Q, the league match that was suspended will resume.
A, I had scored in two consecutive matches and was in good form, so rather than letting this break interrupt that momentum, I want to keep this good flow going. I was able to deliver results with the chances I was given, and I want to continue producing results and keep playing in matches. I want to score as many goals as I can, but I intend to aim humbly without being greedy.
Q, Have you ever scored three consecutive goals in the past?
A, I don't think so. In the first half of the league, I wasn’t able to contribute much to the team and caused trouble including due to injury, so I want to score as many goals as possible. However, the team’s victory is the most important, and I want to aim to score while maintaining a balance between goals and the team’s win. I believe that scoring goals is the best way to help the team.
Q, Please tell us your impression of Gamba Osaka, who you will be facing this round.
A, Goalkeeper Jun ICHIMORI gives the impression of being a player very skilled in build-up play. I think he is a player who can change the flow of the game with big saves, and as a forward, I truly see him as a significant and troublesome presence. The match against Kashima Antlers before the break was also a very important game, but we were unable to take any points. The standings are tight, and I believe there is still a chance to aim for the top positions, but we want to pursue a meaningful game and victory.
<Takahiro KO>
Q: What did your team do during the J1 League's break period?
A, We continued to work on the good scenes from the matches as a team, and under the guidance of Coach CKLAMOVSKI, we were able to communicate with the players to “thoroughly reinforce” what we have built up so far. I believe this period allowed us to organize how to use the attacking third that the team aims for, and how to penetrate and add depth.
Q, I became the captain during the break. How do you feel now?
A, Since Masato MORISHIGE and Kei KOIZUMI are also on the team, I’m not sure if I will actually wear the captain’s armband as the game captain, but personally, I don’t intend to make any major changes. I want to cherish my daily efforts to help the team win and to push myself further as an individual. I want to keep communicating from the center of the pitch for the sake of earning 3 points, and since I have been given a responsible role, I aim to improve by paying attention to the details and gaining the cooperation of other players.
Q, Gamba Osaka's match in the first half of the league was a tough game and ended in a 0-1 defeat.
A: Considering the context of the game, if we had been able to take points in that match, I believe we could have closed the gap in points with the top teams. Losing points at such a crucial moment was painful, and the match remained 0-0 as time passed until we finally conceded a goal at the end. From this round after the break, we cannot afford to drop any points. Although it will be a tough away match, we want to score the opening goal and bring back all three points.
