In the match against Gamba Osaka, multiple chances were created near the opponent's goal, but due to a lack of finishing accuracy, the team missed out on their first league win in five games.
And now, an important two-game series against the Yokohama teams with just two days in between. On the 25th, there is the match against the bottom-ranked Yokohama F. Marinos (Nissan Stadium), and on the 28th, the match against 19th-placed Yokohama FC (Ajinomoto Stadium) awaits. This consecutive series is absolutely crucial and cannot be lost in order to gain a foothold for advancing to the top ranks.
The determination for victory in blue and red, and the quality of play will be tested in two matches. We pick up the key points of each game and the essential elements needed to secure the win, previewing each match.
<Yokohama F.Marinos Match Preview>
Although the new system was started under head coach Steve Holland, the team fell into poor performance from the opening and he was dismissed as early as April. Afterwards, head coach PATRIC Kisnobo took over as manager, but the team continues to struggle, including a defeat to JFL member Reinmeer Aomori in the Emperor's Cup.
However, even under the Kisunobo regime, there were signs of recovery for a time. After the match against Vissel Kobe on May 21, the team shifted from a style focused on ball possession to a more decisive counterattack-based approach, resulting in consecutive wins in Sec. 18 against Kashima Antlers and Sec. 19 against FC Machida Zelvia. Both victories were against top-ranking opponents, and the team temporarily regained momentum.
However, after the break in June, the team lost momentum again, and on June 17, Coach Kisunobo resigned. Currently, Head Coach Hideo Oshima is temporarily leading the team, marking the second managerial change during the season. The club is in the process of rebuilding, but players with individual strength remain, led by the powerful attacking trio of three Brazilian nationals including Anderson LOPES, making them a formidable opponent for Aoaka.
The standout in the attack is Daiya TONO. He has scored 5 goals so far this season and is a key attacker with the flexibility to play both centrally and on the wings. As the one who directs the attack, he cuts into the attacking third with many play options such as dribbling, final passes, and shooting. Furthermore, Anderson LOPES, who has only scored 1 goal from penalty kicks, is a striker boasting the achievement of being the top scorer for two consecutive seasons. Once he regains his scoring touch, he has plenty of potential to demonstrate overwhelming goal-scoring ability.
If Tokyo continues to use the 4-4-2 formation adopted from the match against Cerezo Osaka, localized individual battles are expected in both offense and defense. The key points in this will be individual strength in duels, hard work, and quick transitions between attack and defense. In midfield, players like Takahiro KO and Kento HASHIMOTO will need to show intensity that matches the opponent, and during build-up play, act as the lubricant connecting offense and defense by controlling the midfield effectively. Defensively, it will be crucial to limit the opponent's options for attacks along the sides with their speedy wide players.
In attack, attention will be focused on how Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who can break through individually, Keita ENDO, who faces his former team, and Marcelo RYAN, known for his speed, can exploit the space behind the high defensive line. Additionally, considering the 11 goals conceded from set pieces and the record of 2 draws and 10 losses in matches where the first goal was conceded, the opening goal is likely to have a significant impact on the game. Against Yokohama FM, who adopt an aggressive formation in attack, we look forward to short counterattacks utilizing speed and chance creation from set pieces.
We have been creating chances even in the match against Gamba Osaka, and the momentum is starting to shift. Especially now, we want to prove our ability to finish decisively and our ability to secure victory here in Yokohama, in order to achieve both quality and results.
<Yokohama FC Match Preview>
Following the match against Yokohama FM, there is a consecutive two-game series against Yokohama teams. Next up is the match against Yokohama FC at home in Ajinomoto Stadium. To turn momentum into something real. The Red and Blue must achieve both results and quality in this two-game series against the Yokohama teams. Although they secured a 1-0 victory in the opening match, it was by no means an easy game.
Yokohama FC primarily adopts a 3-4-2-1 formation and features a flexible shift to a 5-2-3 block when defending. The organized defense developed under manager Shuhei YOMODA has achieved solid results, and the team will face situations where the ability to break through is required.
As Aoaka, before the five-back defensive line is established, we want to steal the ball with coordinated pressing from the front line, like the opening goal shown in the match against C Osaka, and score from a short counterattack. If we can score the opening goal, as time progresses, the opponent's withdrawn defensive formation will push forward, creating more space.
In fact, Yokohama FC, which has been conceding more goals toward the end of matches, wants to continue pressing the opponent's weak points without easing their attack until the final moments. In this match, it is required not only to win but also to dominate in terms of performance. To break down the defensive block and reliably convert created chances into goals, we aim to further enhance the coordination among players and the speed of decision-making.
Yokohama FC's frontline features powerful players such as Lukian, Musashi SUZUKI, and Solomon SAKURAGAWA, with sharp counterattacks and high-quality crosses from both wing-backs posing a significant threat.
In particular, we must be wary of Akito FUKUMORI's league-leading kicking accuracy. For Aoaka, who conceded many goals from set pieces in the first half of the league, it is important to avoid unnecessary fouls in front of the goal to prevent giving away easy set pieces.
The consecutive matches against the Yokohama teams will create an upward momentum for the Blue-Red, presenting a great opportunity to ride that wave. Scoring the first goal in these two matches is more important than anything else. Both Yokohama FM and Yokohama FC have been significantly distanced from victory in games where they conceded first. By strengthening coordination between offense and defense and increasing the speed of tactical decision-making, we aim to achieve both quality and results.
We want to regain momentum with consecutive wins and secure 6 points in these two important matches to break into the top ranks.
