<Review of the previous match against Nagoya Grampus>
Win every battle. The one who shone brightly in the game, approached with strong feelings by everyone involved in Tokyo, was the number 10 who had been holding back frustrating feelings until now.
Keigo HIGASHI, who was named in the starting eleven for the first time this season in the league match. The 34-year-old, who has been struggling to get playing opportunities, finally seizes the chance and shines on the pitch.
After 40 seconds into the match, the team took their first shot, controlling the game with precise positioning and accurate passes from the defensive midfielder position, reading the play. They strengthened their presence while maintaining overall balance.
In the 13th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA made a free run to disrupt the marking of the opposing defense, capitalizing on the open space. He pounced on the rebound from his bold dribble shot to score the opening goal. His strike early in the match thrilled the Japan National Stadium, and chants praising him echoed from behind the goal.
"Teru took a bold shot, and it spilled into a good spot. I didn't expect it to roll over to me, so I was lucky. I went through some tough times, but I believed that a chance would definitely come, and I practiced for it. I'm glad I was able to score that valuable opening goal. I wonder if it rolled to me as a reward (for my efforts). I thank the soccer gods."
I absolutely wanted to win. The team, led by the veteran, was inspired by the support from the fans and supporters during this difficult period, including the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and I felt we had to respond. The team controlled the game with sharp attacking play typical of Tokyo, along with skillful ball possession. With a penalty kick from Diego OLIVEIRA, Takahiro KO's first goal in blue and red, and a powerful late goal from Nakagawa, we scored a total of 4 goals and achieved a resounding victory. We extended our unbeaten record at the Japan National Stadium and secured our first win in 7 league matches.
After the match, the players linked arms behind the goal and shared the joy with the entire stadium, singing 'You’ll Never Walk Alone' in celebration of the victory for the first time in a while.
"I thought that the fans and supporters in Tokyo are truly the best, and I have to work even harder for those people. The team has its challenges, and if we are satisfied with just this one victory, it will be the end. I have experienced 'Yuruneva' while competing for the championship, so I want to take it step by step to get back there."
We can't end just yet. I want to respond to the people who are supporting us with results. The determination of the number 10, fighting with the pride of blue and red, turned into a game that thrilled the 55,896 people packed into the Japan National Stadium.
Match Preview
"Our National" got the long-awaited victory. We scored a total of 4 goals against Nagoya Grampus and achieved our first league win in about 2 months.
Overcoming numerous frustrations, the blue-red squad fought with determination to secure victory. In the match, Keigo HIGASHI, who started for the first time this season as a defensive midfielder, became the balancer and scored the opening goal in the 13th minute, energizing the team. The entire team continued to press high, execute quick counters, and launch side attacks under a unified awareness, advancing into the opponent's territory while maintaining ball possession and demonstrating a calm game management for a resounding victory. The match also highlighted the efforts of experienced players, including Takahiro KO's first goal for the blue-red team and Teruhito NAKAGAWA's contribution to three goals, including one scored by him.
This is the first league victory in about two months since the match against Albirex Niigata in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 23 on July 13. Having overcome a tough period of six winless matches, the entire team is gaining momentum, and we hope to use this match against Urawa Reds as a stepping stone for consecutive victories and a resurgence.
Additionally, this week, Soma ANZAI, who had been sidelined due to a nasal bone fracture, has fully rejoined team practice. As a player who can play in multiple positions, there is no doubt that this will significantly enhance the team's strength.
Urawa faced Gamba Osaka in the last match and won 1-0 away. At the end of August, they dismissed head coach Per Matthias Heggem, and Maciej SKORZA, who had been in charge until last season, returned. They secured a victory in his first match. This marks their first league win since June 30. After undergoing significant changes, they have emerged from a long tunnel, similar to Tokyo.
Since the last match in April at the Japan National Stadium, there has been a significant change in the player roster. Many players, including Sakai, Ito, and Iwao, have left the team, while new players such as Honma, Naganuma, and Nita have been acquired. Furthermore, on September 1, former Japan national team player Haraguchi made his return after 10 seasons, and he immediately came on as a substitute in the last match. He was utilized in a defensive midfield position, helping to conclude the match and contributing to a victory in his official match appearance at Urawa after 3,758 days. The veteran, known for his strong mentality, hopes to play in an attacking role, making him a player that Tokyo should be wary of, regardless of how he is utilized.
This match will be a homecoming game for Coach Skorza and player Haraguchi, but for Tokyo, who will be playing away, they want to showcase an intensity that matches the unique atmosphere of Saitama Stadium 2002 and achieve consecutive victories. If they can continue the determination for victory shown at National, the strategic gameplay, and the unified battle between the pitch and the stands, victory will surely be within reach.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: How do you want to build on the victory from the last match?
A: As I mentioned last week, it is important to carry the good performance into the next match. The same applies to the match against the Urawa Reds; we just need to continue the positive aspects.
Q: This week's opponent, Urawa, also won their last match and is a team that is gaining momentum.
A: They are a good team, but I want to focus on how we will compete against Urawa. I want us to embody the team’s principles, deliver high performance, and work hard without reservation to achieve results. Urawa has many high-quality players, but in attack, it is important to effectively utilize the opponent’s spaces, make runs behind their defense, and not lose in tactical battles. Defensively, maintaining a compact formation, confronting opponents who move the ball strongly, and fighting with patience will lead to keeping a clean sheet.
Q: What points should we pay attention to in the away game against Urawa?
A: Maciej SKORZA, who has left a great deal at the club (Urawa) so far, has returned, and after their victory in the last match, they are coming back home. It is important not to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the opponent’s home ground. To do that, playing our football, controlling the game, and scoring the first goal are key points to gaining the upper hand in the match. By expressing such a game on the pitch, I believe we can remove the unique emotions of an away match. We want to deliver a joy that will make FC Tokyo’s fans and supporters jump with excitement.
[Player Interview]
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Q: It was your first start in a while in the match against Nagoya Grampus in the last round.
A: The team won 4-1, but I was not able to show anything in terms of goals or assists. Personally, I am not satisfied with anything, so I want to prepare thoroughly for the next match.
Q: What were the factors that allowed you to score 4 goals against Nagoya after being away from victory for a while?
A: Scoring the opening goal seemed to boost the entire team's momentum. Momentum is important when playing, and I want to carry the victory from the last match into the game against Urawa as well.
Q: It was your first starting appearance since the match against Kashiwa Reysol on July 6. The team also went through a tough period around the same time, but what did you personally focus on?
A: Since the start of this season, I have been strongly conscious of the accuracy and quality of my crosses during training. I believe that continuing consistently is crucial, and that what I have done and accumulated will lead to better performance in matches. I want to keep working on this going forward.
Q: In the match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima two games ago, I assisted Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA's goal. I believe that goal led to our victory against Nagoya.
A: In the previous match against Nagoya, the opponent formed a solid defensive block and defended by crowding around the ball, with many opposing players always right in front of us. The Hiroshima match was in the final stages and the game was somewhat more open. In such situations, space opens up, allowing my strengths to come through more, and I can carry the ball forward as in the scene where I assisted Koashi’s goal. On the other hand, when facing defense like Nagoya’s that does not give any space, I believe the key point is how to break through.
Q: This round is a match against Urawa Reds. In the previous encounter, Tawaratsukita's assist led to the Final Round goal.
A: First of all, I think it is important to have the awareness to take shots. When we are not in good form, it feels like we cannot carry the ball up to the point of shooting, and we fail to finish attacks with shots. I want to approach this match with a strong focus on that awareness.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q: This match is an away game against Urawa Reds. Please tell us what is necessary for consecutive wins.
A: I think forgetting the result of the previous match for now and focusing on the result and content of the Urawa match will lead to consecutive wins. The biggest reason we were able to win against Nagoya Grampus was that fundamentally, we were able to fight harder than the opponent. Our proactive attitude and fighting harder than the opponent led to many chances and ultimately to victory. By focusing on the fundamental aspects and the absolutely necessary pace in fighting, I believe the probability of winning will also increase. I think this is something required from each individual player.
Q: In the last match, was the victory we achieved after a long time a result of expressing what player Koizumi refers to as the 'fundamental aspects'?
A: We had gone about two months without a victory, and both the team and individual players struggled a lot. The result of everyone searching for “how can we win” led to the victory in the Nagoya match. What I felt on the pitch was that we were winning the battles in the phases of play. Outperforming the opponent in these phases greatly influences the match outcome, and if you don’t surpass the opponent, both the match content and result become difficult. Of course, this “fundamental aspect” is absolutely necessary in every match. I also feel that this is something required not only of us but perhaps of the entire J.League.
Q: In the match against Nagoya, you played as a right back for the first time in a while. How do you feel about the challenges and your performance?
A: As a side back player, there are still many challenges I need to address. I feel there is room for improvement, and I want to demand more from myself in plays that contribute to scoring as well as in the intensity of one-on-one defense. There were many scenes where we were saved by the opponent’s mistakes. I want to properly improve and continue to build on the parts I was able to express in the Nagoya match. I can do more, and I must do more, so regardless of position, I want to prepare well to help the team win.
