<Review of the previous match against Nagoya Grampus>
Tokyo achieved its first home victory of the season with a brilliant three goals scored from a fast counterattack.
Tokyo made changes to the starting five players, including three forwards, from the previous match. The players who were utilized delivered solid results on the pitch.
First, in the 31st minute of the first half, Kei KOIZUMI intercepted the ball with a sharp start in the midfield, and Kosuke SHIRAI dribbled through the center. From there, he passed to the left side, where the newly starting player, Megumi SATO, made a return pass, and finally, it was Keita YAMASHITA, also making his first start of the season, who finished it off. With his first goal for Tokyo in his fourth season since transferring, they took the lead.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Ewerton GAUDINO made a powerful breakthrough on the right side and delivered a cross. The ball was initially cleared, but it deflected off an opponent and spilled in front of the goal, where Sato skillfully redirected it with a heel touch for an additional goal.
After conceding one goal, just before the end of the match, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA broke through with a dribble, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA took a shot. Soma ANZAI pushed in the rebound that was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, scoring the decisive third goal of the match.
Against Nagoya Grampus, who tried to contain Tokyo's possession with a man-marking approach, they brilliantly achieved victory by allowing them to have the ball while launching sharp attacks.
<Match Preview>
Tokyo, having succeeded in starting the season with 2 wins and 1 loss, will head into this match against Kashima Antlers for an away game.
Tokyo has been aiming to take control of the game while increasing ball possession. Although there is still noticeable room for improvement, they have shown the ability to display a 'threat' in their attacks, such as in the previous match against Nagoya Grampus, where they mixed sharp attacks according to the flow of the game to secure victory. To further develop this new trial of possession football, they want to continue progressing with challenges while achieving results one by one.
Kashima, like Tokyo, has 2 wins and 1 loss since the opening. Toru ONIKI, who has achieved four league titles with Kawasaki Frontale, has newly taken the helm this season, aiming for a long-awaited league title centered around the powerful two-top of new addition Leo CEARA and Suzuki. Additionally, for Tokyo, the reunion with Araki, who was a teammate last season, is also a highlight. Given that Tokyo's players are well aware of his fantastic plays that can change the game in an instant, containing his strengths will likely be key to the match.
The three teams that Tokyo has faced since the opening have all adopted a three-back formation, often resembling a mirror game. In this match, which will be the first against a team with a four-back formation, I want to pay attention to what "Rikuzou Tokyo" will show in terms of soccer.
As for Tokyo, we want to achieve a successful start by winning away at Kashima, which has been a tough venue for us, and join the race for the top. Our mindset of treating every match as a must-win remains unchanged, but this is a game where we definitely want to secure a victory on enemy territory.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: Are there any points you would like to further improve on heading into the match against Kashima Antlers?
A: In terms of attack, I want us to be able to hold onto the ball a little more. Of course, there are times when we strategically allow the opponent to have the ball. However, we have gradually been able to intentionally take the initiative and control the game ourselves, so by improving the accuracy in that area a bit more, I believe the number of chances will increase. The goal against Nagoya Grampus was wonderful. I want to leverage the courage and confidence gained from that goal in the match against Kashima.
Q: In the last few matches, the opponent's defense line had three players, but tomorrow it is expected to have four.
A: We will respond according to the situation. Even if we think something is good, if the opponent adapts, we must change our approach and respond accordingly. I am always thinking about being able to do both. I don’t know when we will try, but we will proceed while observing the situation. The 4-4-2 formation is a system that Kashima has traditionally used even before I came to Tokyo, so there is no major concern. However, I believe we need to carefully watch whether everyone can react the moment the formation changes.
Q: Although there have been some goals conceded in the last few matches, they have been kept to a minimum. Please share your thoughts on the defense.
A: I believe it is a system with defensive stability. In addition, looking at the individual talents, there are many players who do not leave gaps and have a strong commitment to defense. Within that, there are some minor errors. By firmly addressing those and clearly defining roles while continuing to try, it will improve further. When this leads to sharp counterattacks or taking advantage of the opponent’s gaps to move the ball forward efficiently without unnecessary touches, I think the strength of the defense will shine even more.
Q: After three matches, you mentioned that there are still issues with the attack, but you have achieved 2 wins and 1 loss, earning 6 points.
A: Of course, I want to say it’s wonderful, and I want to feel that way, but I don’t think anyone on this team has that feeling. We really should have won three consecutive matches. Even in the FC Machida Zelvia match, there were clear opportunities to pull the victory closer. There’s no point in looking back, so it’s important to focus on the remaining matches and accumulate points. Connecting the victory from the previous match to the upcoming Kashima game is crucial.
[Player Interview]
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q: I think I am hungrier for goals than anyone else. How is your current condition and motivation?
A: First and foremost, the team's victory is the greatest happiness. Of course, I have the desire to score my first goal since joining Tokyo, but I believe that if we can improve our coordination within the team through daily training, the goals will naturally come. The top priority is the team's victory. It would be even more gratifying if I can effectively contribute to the goals that lead to that victory.
Q: Do you feel that the team's coordination and the characteristics of your teammates have become clearer throughout the matches?
A, I value each day’s training. We have been able to confirm coordination and play mainly among the players who play close to the front line. I want to communicate more to improve the things we haven’t yet mastered so that what we can do in practice will naturally be expressed in official matches.
Q: As the league enters a series of consecutive matches, the team's overall strength will be necessary. How do you plan to support your teammates and contribute to a winning streak?
A: Since I play as a forward, of course I want to contribute by scoring goals, but I also want to help the team defensively by covering the spaces left open when teammates push forward and by managing the opponent's attacks from the front line.
Q, as a side note, there were voices saying that Soma ANZAI's way of celebrating after scoring a goal in the Nagoya Grampus match was cute.
A: So there was such a reaction. When I was with Sagan Tosu and Yokohama FC, I have also seen videos compiling celebrations after scoring goals. I am genuinely happy when a teammate scores a goal that leads to victory, and expressing joy by raising both hands high like that is a natural reaction. For example, even if I myself did not score when the team won by a large margin, I think I would express my emotions and show joy just as openly as I did then.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: This season's first starting lineup was playing on the left side, and I also recorded a goal.
A: Although I played mostly on the right side, this time I appeared on the left side, which is one of the positions I have been working on since last season. I think I was able to play while maintaining good communication with Teppei OKA and Megumi SATO, who were playing in nearby positions. Being able to play on either the left or right side is one of my strengths, and I felt that I was able to play smoothly from the start of the match.
Q: I think it was a match where the opponent's wing-backs participated in the attack frequently, and a high level of defensive intensity was required.
A: It was a match where Taishi Brandon NOZAWA’s saves helped us many times, and I think we were able to defend solidly without losing concentration until the end. On the other hand, we couldn’t play defense that pushed back from our side. Throughout the 90 minutes, I want to improve so that we can raise our defensive line a little higher.
Q: In the upcoming match against Kashima Antlers, which will be a series of consecutive games, what kind of match do you want it to be?
A: Since it is the opponent's home ground, I think it will be a difficult match. Against an opponent like Kashima, if we lose in the basic aspects of duels and fighting spirit, I believe we will easily be overwhelmed by their atmosphere. I want to show play that surpasses the opponent from the basics and finish this series of consecutive matches on a good note.
