<Last Match・Gamba Osaka Review>
The match at Panasonic Stadium Suita started with conceding the first goal, and although there was a great chance to equalize, the team was pulled away in the final stages. Since it was a game that could have gone either way, Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI bit his lip and said, "It really turned out to be a frustrating game."
From the start of the match, each player worked hard and defended Gamba Osaka's powerful attacks at the water's edge. However, in the 33rd minute of the first half, Usami scored a direct free kick, and the team went into halftime one goal behind.
Gradually pushing back in the second half, at the 5th minute, a scoring opportunity was created from a strike by substitute Kashif BANGNAGANDE. From a direct free kick on the right side, he connected with Yasuki KIMOTO, who ran into the front of the goal with his favored left foot. Although the shot was not completed, he quickly reacted to the rebound. This caused the opposing defender to commit a foul, resulting in a penalty kick.
However, Marcelo RYAN's kick was blocked by G Osaka's goalkeeper, Ichimori, and the perfect opportunity to equalize was missed.
As a result, this weighed heavily, and in the final stages of the match when we pushed forward, we conceded an additional goal and the long whistle was blown.
In attack, the ball was passed two or three times, but we couldn't create a stable position for the ball. As a result, there were also some instances where we suffered counterattacks due to careless ball losses. By organizing the methods leading up to the finish, we should be able to take away the opponent's attacking opportunities and reduce defensive risks.
That is precisely why the coach says, "Maybe we should think more simply to increase the threat in front of the goal." After introducing the four-back formation and completing three official matches, what can be done and what is lacking? Facing these questions and continuing in this way might be the only way to see victory.
Match Preview
Two thrilling matches follow from here. The games against Yokohama F.Marinos and Yokohama FC, both ranked below Tokyo and played with only two days in between, will be worth 6 points.
Yokohama FM has made two managerial changes this season and announced the appointment of head coach Hideo Oshima before this round. He retired as a player in the 2016 season and began his coaching career at Yokohama FM from the following 2017 season. Since then, he has served as a coach for the top team from the 2020 season, supporting the tricolor attacking football built by head coach Ange POSTECOGLOU and others.
The sleeping lion, which won the league championship in the 2022 season and finished second in the league in the 2023 season, could wake up at any time. We must face that opponent without fear or hesitation and take on a direct challenge. Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who is preparing for a match against his former club, declared that he is fighting with a clear mind, saying, "I am only thinking about winning."
"You need to be mentally prepared to play as if you have nothing to lose. It's not about technique or tactics, but about your mindset."
Coincidence is sometimes spoken of as synonymous with fate. Facing a match against the old team here, he said, "I feel there is somewhat of a fateful aspect. It is essential for all players to walk the path together, and above all, a sense of unity is required." The league matches have gone five games without a victory. Can the shining player show the way? He answered this question as follows.
"I have no choice but to show the way myself"
Believe only in the victory that awaits ahead, and aim for the goal without hesitation.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, There will be consecutive matches against Yokohama F.Marinos and Yokohama FC with only two days in between.
A, there may have been physical fatigue and travel fatigue, but even the day after Gamba Osaka, we returned to Tokyo and worked hard on recovery and training. The interval until the next match is short, and time is limited. Within that time, the players understand and are working on it. We have been going through a tough time, being far from victory in recent league matches, but not everything is bad; there were times when the flow of the game was on our side. However, we couldn't finish off those chances. We just have to keep making efforts to earn the full 3 points. I think it’s about how to demonstrate the training efforts in the match. Despite the fatigue, everyone is facing this consecutive match series with a good attitude.
Q. What aspects should be paid attention to in the match against Yokohama FM?
A. There have been many instances so far where we conceded goals due to counterattacks after pressing forward, as we couldn't properly manage the situation. I believe the opponents are aiming for that. I think the key is whether we can apply pressure on them without disrupting the overall balance. It's not about making any major changes.
Q. I think the three forwards of Yokohama FM are especially points to watch out for.
A, even if three Brazilian players do not join the front line, I believe players with equally high abilities will be listed. It is a point to be careful about, but I don't think there is a need to overreact. Every team has good players gathered. Although it is not immediately reflected in the results, there is something being built up from daily training.
Q. For the coach, this will be a match against his former team.
A, of course, it is a club that has taken care of me, but I don't have any special feelings. We just need to win this important match and rise up as a team.
Q. What kind of efforts and improvements do you think are necessary for the team to rise up in the future?
A. Improvement is needed in the first defense response when facing a counterattack. If it is difficult to respond directly, quickly retreat to increase the number of defenders and force the opponent to the outside. If possible, it is necessary to intercept the ball. Risk management during attack, as well as positioning and teamwork, are most important. We want to encourage play that takes a well-judged position and initiates the next action.
[Player Interview]
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q. The team has been struggling with matches where we can't finish scoring.
A, this week as well, I am only thinking about winning, but I believe composure in front of the goal and the quality of the final touch will be tested. There are situations where it's better to use a teammate, but the greed to go for the goal yourself is also necessary. I think it is important to quickly judge which option has a higher probability of scoring.
Q. I believe that when we are not scoring goals, simple decisions and plays can sometimes lead to scoring opportunities.
A, I think it's necessary to be resolute enough to play as if you have nothing to lose. We haven't been able to accumulate many points in the last few matches. The upcoming consecutive matches are the most important games. It's not about technique or tactics, but about spirit. Whether you can make that final effort or not, whether you can touch the ball before the opponent or not—securing those critical moments firmly is what will be important first and foremost.
Q, That must-win match is against my former team, Yokohama F.Marinos.
A, I do feel a bit of a sense of destiny, but we just have to do what we need to do and follow the path we believe in. For all the players to walk the same path and get closer to victory, above all, a sense of unity is required. I have especially felt the weight and difficulty of a single win in the past few matches. This match, more than anything, the first goal is crucial. To advance the game in our favor, we want to focus on scoring. Our spirit is fully charged. Personally, since I scored at Nissan Stadium last season, I want to enter the venue with a good image.
<Motoki NAGAKURA>
Q: In the match against Gamba Osaka, it was your first league appearance in Tokyo. Please review the game.
A, we lost the match, and my own play was not good either. I think we just have to do our best in the next game. It might feel different when you're actually on the pitch, but from the outside, there were moments when we leaned too much to one side while building up the attack. However, there were also scenes where we created chances within that. When I play in a match, I hope to make many plays that create chances and goals.
Q. You will face a match after a short period of two days since the last game. What kind of preparation did you do during these two days?
A, Since there was no time for the entire team to work on something new, we focused on properly recovering and adjusting our condition. Besides that, we spent time organizing our thoughts and thinking about what we should do.
Q. What is your impression of Yokohama F.Marinos, your upcoming opponent?
A, currently, if you only look at the rankings, we are at the bottom, but the team has many talented players, and each individual's ability seems high. There is no doubt that this has been a strong team, having won the J1 League championship before, so we must prepare thoroughly and approach the matches seriously.
Q: This is a match where victory is required. How will you approach the game?
A, in this match, the result is everything. Even if the content is good, if the result does not follow, it becomes meaningless. It's okay to be gritty; I want to push the ball into the goal, and even if it's not a clean win, I want to win by any means.
