<Previous Match Review: Urawa Reds>
Gave it all. The moment the final whistle signaling victory echoed, Teppei OKA lay on the pitch of Saitama Stadium 2002, repeatedly making strong little fist pumps with both hands.
"I feel like I've given it my all. I think every match is an opportunity, and I'm approaching it with the mindset of giving everything I can."
In the previous match, we faced Urawa Reds away after securing our first league victory in about two months at Japan National Stadium. We were fortunate to take a 2-goal lead with an own goal and a penalty kick from Ryotaro ARAKI within the first 15 minutes, showcasing a game plan that was described as "almost perfect in the first half" by Masato MORISHIGE, with high pressing and composed ball movement.
Even in the second half, Tokyo maintained control of the game with solid defense in the center and skillful possession. As the ideal match continued, it was the passionate sliding block shown by the player wearing number 30 in the 16th minute of the second half that excited the packed away supporters behind the goal.
A major crisis faced in the penalty area of our own side. In response to a powerful shot from player Yu OKUBO, who ran in free from behind on a soft last pass, I dashed furiously from the center towards the left side, stretching out my right foot to make a desperate block just in time. I immediately got back up, let out a roar, and made a strong fist pump to assert my presence throughout the stadium.
"It's all about the feeling now. I was really motivated. With a single-minded desire to help the team."
This is the second match as a left side back. In defense, he has shown his height against cross balls, and in attack, he has functioned as a target for goal kicks. The 186 cm tall defender states, "If I can't provide height, there's no point in my presence." Throughout the match, he demonstrated an awareness of taking high positions while coordinating with the defensive midfielder, supporting the team as a starting point to connect the ball to the front line and add depth to the attack while avoiding the opponent's press. He is currently in a phase of pioneering a new frontier in a position he hasn't played since the official matches of 2019 with FC Tokyo U-23.
The team maintained the lead and won with a clean sheet. They showcased the Tokyo spirit in both offense and defense, silencing the red-dyed Saitama Stadium 2002 with a brilliant shutout performance, and achieved a remarkable consecutive victory in the league.
Match Preview
In the last match, we achieved a 2-0 victory against Urawa Reds away. We showcased our strengths in both offense and defense, securing another win following the match against Nagoya Grampus at National.
The team succeeded in taking control with sharp attacks and opportunistic possession against Nagoya and Urawa. As the season progresses, they are beginning to show their skill in game control.
The driving force behind this is the presence of Keigo HIGASHI, who is establishing his position as a defensive midfielder. Not only does he maintain the team's balance with precise positioning, but he also actively plays the role of a playmaker by moving forward. He truly demonstrates the presence of a 'number 10' while also revealing the aspect of a 'warrior' who fights with determination.
In the previous match, Ryotaro ARAKI marked a goal in the league for the first time in about four months since May 15. After scoring, he showed a powerful jumping fist pump, revealing his emotions for the long-awaited strike. The packed supporters behind the goal shared the joy of number 71 with chants of "Araki! Tokyo!" after the match.
In this match, we aim for our second three consecutive wins of the season against Yokohama F.Marinos away. Since winning the match in July 2020, we want to dispel the poor record of two draws and six losses, including the club's worst eight goals conceded in the 2021 season. For coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, and Keita ENDO, this is also a match against their former club.
Yokohama FM is currently in 9th place in the league. In addition to advancing in the YBC Levain Cup and the Emperor's Cup, they are also participating in the AFC Champions League Elite, making for a truly packed schedule. Last week, they faced a tough situation, losing a total of 13 goals in two matches against Gwangju FC in the ACLE and Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the previous league match. However, they broke the tunnel of four consecutive official match losses by defeating Renofa Yamaguchi FC 5-1 in the Emperor's Cup quarterfinals held this Wednesday. With the recent string of heavy losses, there is a strong sense of tightening up both offensively and defensively, and the team is likely to come into this week's match against Tokyo with a switched-on mentality.
First and foremost, Tokyo should be on high alert for the powerful attacking lineup centered around the Brazilian trio. Although the opponent will be without Nishimura due to suspension and will be playing just two days after the match against Yamaguchi, they must not let their guard down. The players must have felt that taking the initiative leads to smoother gameplay, as seen in the two matches against Nagoya and Urawa. To start, we want to find our chances through a solid defense that has been tight in front of our own goal during our winning streak, mixed with both quick and slow attacks.
To return to Ajinomoto Stadium after achieving three consecutive league victories for the second time this season. The blue and red players head towards the pitch at Nissan Stadium with an aggressive style in mind.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, it will be a memorable match for Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at this venue.
A: Yokohama, the place where my son was born and where I touched the J.League trophy, is a special place for me. However, I will focus solely on the match, and the most important thing is to concentrate on how we play. We will work hard without neglect and bring back 3 points to Tokyo.
Q: Please tell us your impression of Yokohama F.Marinos.
A, preparation is required assuming the opponent will compete at their best condition. Yokohama FM is a very good team with excellent players. To earn 3 points from such an opponent, it is important for us to demonstrate our maximum strength.
Q: Please tell us the reasons for winning the last two matches.
A, scoring the opening goal is important to gain an advantage in the match. However, even more important is to carry the positive momentum from scoring first into the subsequent play. We establish discipline as a team in every aspect. If we can express what the team must do with high performance, the results will follow. We want to prepare well to express this from the very first minute of the match.
Q: This will be a match where we aim for our second three consecutive wins of the season.
A, hard work is necessary for that. It's easy to say, but what matters is being aggressive, having strong conviction in our style of soccer, and striving to outperform the opponent in every situation.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q: Yokohama F.Marinos has a strong attacking lineup. How do you want to contain them?
A: Matheus YAN, who is left-footed and cuts inside, is a very skilled player. I want to block his dribbling routes, skillfully corner him, and bring him into my defensive area. I am committed to defense that fully takes the ball away and does not allow crosses or shots easily. This week, I have focused on one-on-one defense and dealing with situations near the sidelines. I want to make good use of what I confirmed in practice.
Q: Please tell us about the synergy in offense and defense with the attackers on the same side, such as Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and Keita ENDO.
A: I focus on supporting the players in front of me so they can demonstrate their power in attack, as well as on my own hard work in defense. I hope to provide cover and support through communication and positioning that prevents the forwards from exhausting too much energy on defense. I strongly wish for the players on the same side to utilize their dribbling and forward momentum to make an impact offensively.
Q, On the other hand, it seemed that Teppei OKA was carefully confirming his involvement in the attack during practice.
A: I think it is important to disperse the opponent's marking and attention when the left-wing player has the ball. I also demand myself to take positions inside and make movements that draw attention. When I have possession of the ball, Takahiro KO and Ryotaro ARAKI support me closely, so I want to work well with both players in the build-up.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: The team has achieved two consecutive wins despite changes in the lineup. What is your feeling about this?
A, Each player has their own strengths, and it’s not about who plays or not, but rather about thinking how to bring out each player’s individuality and strengths—that’s the true essence of football. Every match presents different situations, requiring flexibility in how we approach the game. In the match against Nagoya Grampus, we gained momentum and secured victory by scoring the opening and additional goals at a good pace. However, in the match against Urawa Reds, the opponent took control from the middle of the game. It’s necessary to make proper adjustments and control on the pitch. These two matches reminded me once again of the fascinating nature of football.
Q: It seems that the connection between the forward line and the midfield in your play and movements is adding depth to the attack.
A: When I am not playing in matches, I watch the games thinking, "It would be better if we did it this way," and when I step onto the pitch, I consciously try to express my ideas of "I want to change things like this" through my play. Naturally, my own positioning also requires judgment according to the situation. There are certainly moments when it makes sense not to push forward forcibly but to maintain a position in midfield. I believe flexible and adaptive responses are required. In the last two matches, I played in advanced positions quite often, but if not going forward is more effective, I will decide not to go. I want to carefully observe the opponent’s movements and tactics and make decisions accordingly.
Q: There were noticeable plays this week in practice, particularly regarding defensive awareness.
A: That’s what makes it enjoyable. I believe my strength lies in playing while being aware of my surroundings. Soccer is a sport that involves the opponent, so you have to assess their individuality and style of play, and defend in a way that you think, "I don’t want them to do this," to get the upper hand. Attack and defense are two sides of the same coin. For example, if there is a player who serves as the opponent’s focal point, you have to apply strong pressure there. This is not about tactics but rather about intuition, a sensory feeling, and the ability to sense the situation — and I believe that is what soccer truly is.
