About five months ago, Tokyo went to Kashima Soccer Stadium (now Mercari Stadium) and, despite creating many scoring opportunities, succumbed to the winning strength of the perennial champions. Kei KOIZUMI, who once belonged to that dominant team and knows the strength of its "tradition," bit his lip in frustration.
"I came on during the match, but I feel responsible for turning a good flow into a bad one after I entered. I still have the memory of that frustration and how I was completely overwhelmed by the atmosphere of that stadium."
Tokyo had been controlling the match from the early stages. However, they missed one great chance after another. Shots hit the crossbar and posts, and some just narrowly missed outside the goalposts, leading to more and more moments of despair.
In that context, Kento HASHIMOTO was substituted off and Kei KOIZUMI was sent onto the pitch in the 18th minute of the second half. However, just a few minutes later, the momentum shifted. Against Kashima, who intensified their attack buoyed by the home crowd's support, Tokyo found themselves increasingly pinned back in their own half.
Kashima, boasting unparalleled strength at home, does not overlook the subtleties of the contest. At the 26th minute, they conceded a penalty kick, which Suzuki converted to take the lead. Furthermore, just before the end, they conceded an additional goal from a set piece, sealing their fate. It was a frustrating defeat where Kashima showed their true character at the crucial moment. Koizumi expressed his regret as follows.
"If we lose in intensity against Kashima, they will take everything from us. First, we must not lose there. We want to fight tightly where it counts, not take head-on the sly tactics they bring, but instead be smart and increase our vigilance as we fight. If we don’t let the opponent get into their rhythm, chances will naturally come. That’s the kind of opponent they are."
The Blue-Red team fell into a long tunnel of eight winless matches following this defeat. Deprived of victory for nearly two months, even Koizumi, who has served as team captain since this season, went through a difficult time. Furthermore, after the loss against the Urawa Reds on May 17, they experienced another stretch of five winless matches. These far-from-smooth days this season led them to arrive at one answer.
"No matter who the opponent is, we must first direct our vector inward. We need to keep trying what we are currently working on. It is important for each individual to take on challenges, and I believe that will ultimately lead to positive outcomes."
Finally, the individual strengths of the players have begun to show in matches, and the red and blue team is on the rise with 4 wins and 1 loss in their last 5 official games. Each player faces their daily challenges and fights with everything they have on the pitch. There is only one place to channel their passion.
"When I am on the field, I must clearly demonstrate the performance needed to win. Of course, there are many things to do off the pitch as well. But the most important place for us players is on the pitch. What can we do on the Kodaira Ground and the stadium pitch? Above all, I want to show a performance on the pitch that leads the team to victory."
This commitment to the match is something I learned at Kashima. Before the rematch with my old club, where I played for two seasons starting in the summer of the 2019 season, a fire lights up in Koizumi's eyes.
"Kashima is my old club, and a club that took great care of me. I want to firmly show that I am still working hard, and I have to properly get back at them."
The place for revenge is Ajinomoto Stadium, where the blue and red flags are raised. Wearing the captain's armband, he runs all over the pitch with no room to spare. He has no intention of yielding in battles for the ball. The moment for the elder brother to shine is about to come again.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
