<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 broke through the right side powerfully and delivered a cross. Although it was initially cleared, the ball deflected off an opponent and spilled in front of the goal, where Sato skillfully tapped it in 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?
I want to be able to hold the ball a little more in the attacking phase. Of course, there are times when we strategically let the opponent have the ball. However, we are gradually becoming able to take the initiative ourselves and advance the game, so I believe that by improving the accuracy in that area a bit more, the number of chances will increase. The goal in the match against Nagoya Grampus was wonderful. I want to utilize 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.
We will respond according to the situation. Even if we think this is good, if it is being addressed, we must change our approach and adapt. We are always thinking about how to do both. I don't know when we will try, but we will proceed while observing the situation. The 4-4-2 position is a system that Kashima has traditionally adopted since before I came to Tokyo, so I have no major concerns. However, I believe we need to carefully observe whether everyone can react the moment a change occurs.
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.
I believe it is a system with defensive stability. In addition, when looking at individual talents, there are many players who do not create gaps and possess a strictness in defense. Within that, there are some minor errors. By addressing those properly and clarifying roles, we will improve by trying. I think the quality of defense will shine even more when we can connect that to sharp counters or move the ball forward without taking too many touches by exploiting the opponent's gaps.
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 think that way, but I don't think anyone in this team feels that way. We really needed to achieve three consecutive wins. In the match against FC Machida Zelvia, there were definitely points where we could have secured a victory. There's no point in looking back, so it's important to focus on the remaining matches and accumulate points. It's crucial to carry the victory from the last match into the next game against Kashima.
[Player Interview]
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q: I think I am hungrier for goals than anyone else. How is your current condition and motivation?
First and foremost, the team's victory is the greatest happiness, and of course, I have the desire to score my first goal since joining Tokyo. However, I believe that if we can enhance our teamwork through daily training, goals will naturally follow. The top priority is the team's victory. If I can also contribute effectively to the goals that lead to that victory, I would be even happier.
Q: Do you feel that the team's coordination and the characteristics of your teammates have become clearer throughout the matches?
I value each day's training. We are able to confirm our teamwork and plays, especially among the players who play close to the front line. I want to communicate more to improve what we are not doing well, so that what we can do in practice can be expressed naturally 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?
As a forward, I want to contribute by scoring goals, but I also want to help the team by covering spaces when my teammates push forward and taking care of the opponent's attacks through defensive efforts 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, I see that there was such a reaction. I have seen videos that capture the joy after scoring when Sagan Tosu was with Yokohama FC. I am genuinely happy that my teammates scored goals that led to victory, and expressing joy by raising both hands high like that is a natural reaction. For example, even if I didn't score when the team won by a large margin, I think I would express my emotions and show my joy just like that time.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: This season's first starting lineup was playing on the left side, and I also recorded a goal.
Although I played on the left side while there were many plays on the right side, this is one of the positions I have been working on since last season. I think I was able to play well while communicating with Teppei OKA and Eiin SATO, who were playing in nearby positions. I believe that being able to play in both left and right positions 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.
It was a match where we were helped by many saves from Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, but I believe we were able to defend steadily without losing focus until the end. On the other hand, we were unable to defend in a way that pushed back against the opponent. Throughout the 90 minutes, I want to improve to raise our defensive position 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, it's the opponent's home ground, so I think it will be a difficult match. If we lose in the basics of fighting and ball contests against a team like Kashima, we will easily be overwhelmed by their atmosphere. I want to show that we can outperform them from the basics, and I hope to conclude this series of matches on a good note.
