＜Review of the previous match against Gamba Osaka＞
In the previous match against Vissel Kobe, Tokyo suffered a significant defeat in terms of the quality of soccer. In the match against Yokohama F.Marinos in the previous round, Tokyo experienced a defeat but gained a positive response. This season, the quality of soccer has been unstable, with many ups and downs, and this has also been reflected in the results.
And the Gamba Osaka match also ended up experiencing ups and downs.
In the Yokohama FM match, there were many gains in both offense and defense. Although we conceded ball possession to the opponent who excels in it, there should be many who found a glimmer of hope in the development of changing attacking methods by observing the opponent's situation and using both fast and slow attacks.
However, what Tokyo showed one week later was a completely different sight.
The development from the beginning was a content where either side could take the initiative. However, we were unable to surpass the opponent in the precision, decision speed, and intensity of each play, and we conceded goals. Even when trying to counterattack, scenes of losing the ball due to simple mistakes stood out, resulting in conceding goals on the counter. This led to putting ourselves in a difficult position.
Unable to launch effective attacks, they entered additional time with a 3-point deficit. In the 45+2 minute of the second half, when it seemed impossible to make a comeback, Shuhei Tokumoto made a move on the left side and crossed the ball into the goal area. Koki Tsukagawa, who had been substituted in the second half, headed the ball into the goal, finally scoring a goal in the counterattack.
Tsukagawa player calmly responds to his teammates who come to congratulate him without any smiles. It was a very difficult situation to take the lead considering the remaining time, but in his eyes, there was an ambition to keep fighting for another goal, and another goal as long as there was time.
For Tokyo, who faced the harsh reality of three consecutive losses with three goals conceded in each match, the quiet burning ambition of player Tsukagawa and the fighting spirit of player Tokumoto, who never gave up until the end, were the only rays of hope for the second half of the league.
On June 11th, in the 17th round of J1, FC Tokyo lost 1-3 to Gamba Osaka, marking their first three consecutive league defeats of the season. On June 14th, former coach Albert resigned, and in this round, which is the first match of the second half of the season, under the guidance of coach Peter Cklamovski, Tokyo aims to make a comeback from 12th place. The new coach emphasized the word "hard work" repeatedly during the inauguration press conference and continued, "We must work harder than the opponent and win the battle."
For that, there is daily practice. Coach Klamovski says, "Give your all every day and welcome the next day. If you can continue at a high level, you can achieve anything."
The new coach will face Nagoya Grampus in the first match. Coach Kenta Hasegawa, who led Tokyo until the middle of the 2021 season, is leading the team in the championship race with a thorough "hard work" style of soccer. For coach Klomovski, who demands a fighting attitude from the team, this will be an important match to reaffirm the way Tokyo should fight.
Coach Klamovski says, "While respecting Nagoya, we want to give our all for the fans and supporters and strive for victory." Tokyo will take a new step forward with a full-on head-to-head battle.
Matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q: After several days of practice, have the characteristics of the players been understood?
A, of course. I want to improve the quality and accuracy to make this team, which has good players, even better. I think we are able to have good training, and step by step, I want us to progress towards the place we desire.
Q, please tell us your impression of Nagoya Grampus.
A, Nagoya is a very good team and we respect them. They have excellent counter-attacks, so we need to understand how to respond effectively. Nagoya has talented players, but we need to adhere to our team's principles, fight bravely when we have the ball, and find open spaces to score. Nagoya is also strong in set plays, including corner kicks, so we need to be alert. In this week's training, we focused on identifying areas for improvement and polishing our skills. By continuously raising our level, I believe we can become the team we have dreamed of.
Q: How long do you think it will take for the playing style and tactics that Coach Klomovski is looking for to become ingrained?
A, it will naturally take time to express a complete soccer. Players are also human, so I think they may make mistakes on the pitch. First of all, we are working on the parts that will be particularly important for us to fight this week's practice. We are particularly conscious of clearly incorporating it so that the players can perform well on the pitch. It is very difficult to develop perfect football, but we play seeking perfection. Even if we make a mistake, it is important to have a positive play and a fearless mentality. We want to show the fans and supporters a fight that makes them feel proud and excited.
Q: Please tell us the specific points you emphasized for the Nagoya match.
A, we particularly emphasized our own style. Football is always connected, so we incorporated the rules of offense and defense, the shape of play, and the things that need to be expressed. If we can express what we have shared, I think we can fight against Nagoya firmly and also express the attacking aspect. I believe that by polishing what is necessary as a team and taking steps, we can become a good team.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoma WATANABE Player＞
Q, Peter CKLAMOVSKI has been appointed as the coach. How do you feel about the coaching change?
A, I have experienced a coaching change in my career so far, and I thought I would take it as usual. However, I had mixed feelings about this time. I think the fact that I can think about the team shows my personal growth. I want to continue to apply what I learned from former coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA.
Q, please tell us your impression of Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI.
A, I have only been training for a few days, but the intense training continues and it is impressive that there is no leisure time between training sessions. I feel a great freshness in having a good balance. I feel that these aspects will come alive in the game.
Q, how do you feel about the playing style that Coach CKLAMOVSKI aims for?
A, it gives the impression that the emphasis is particularly on the fighting aspect and mentality. Tactics are not something that can be established immediately, so we need to build them up from now on. Personally, I want to make sure to catch every word of Coach Klomovski and understand what he is thinking and what kind of football he wants to play.
Q, what kind of play do you want to appeal to coach Klamovski?
A, I don't know which position I will be used in, but first of all, I want to show that I can keep the ball and contribute to the attack from anywhere, just like before.
Q: I would like to ask about tomorrow's Nagoya Grampus match. It will be the first match of the second half of the league. Please tell us your impression of Nagoya.
A, Nagoya is impressive with its solid defense and quick counterattacks after regaining possession of the ball. I believe that by being conscious of not being easily dispossessed and by executing the transition between offense and defense more effectively than the opponent, it will lead to victory.
Q: Where do you think the key points that determine victory or defeat will be?
One of the key points to win is to score the first goal. Probably, by scoring early in a game where we have more possession of the ball, chances will naturally increase. It is the opponent's strategy to keep possession of the ball without scoring, and the situation of "just being allowed to have the ball" is the scariest. I believe that scoring as early as possible is one of the strategies to conquer the game.
Q: There is Kensuke NAGAI, who played in Tokyo until the middle of last season, in Nagoya.
A, Nagai is skilled at making plays that lead directly to goals, so we need to be cautious. Even when we have the ball, he will quickly attack and try to take the ball, so I want to play while also paying attention to Nagai's defensive movements.
Q: Is there anything you are conscious of when facing the match this season, as Ryoma WATANABE is now wearing the number 11 jersey that Ryo NAGAI used to wear until last season?
A, this is the first time I will be facing player Ryo NAGAI since I changed my jersey number to 11. While enjoying the game on the pitch, although our playing styles are different, I would be happy if I can show my own presence as number 11.
Q: Earlier, you mentioned that you have become a player who can think about the team. Do you also have the consciousness of leading the team?
A, gradually, but as I get older, I have become more aware of such things. There is always a consciousness of "for this team".
Q: This will be an important match for Tokyo, not only in terms of making a comeback in the second half of the season. Please share your enthusiasm.
It is important, of course, to show the efforts to the fans and supporters, but I also want to show a team that can accumulate points. As a first step, I want to show a team that has changed and become stronger. In the Levain Cup match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., I think we were able to show some changes and emotions, but in order for the team to break into the top, we need to accumulate points. From now on, I want to focus on the results and fight so that we can accumulate points even in games where the performance is not good.
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA player
Q, how do you want to turn things around with Coach Klomovski taking over?
There is no change in my position as a young player, so I want to take action myself and express myself with confidence in my play. There are many areas where I am lacking, but if I have the opportunity to play, I want to leave results and express my own strengths.
Q, please tell us your impression of Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI.
A coach who particularly emphasizes the concept of "fighting" and conveys it through words. He has a strong image of being a passionate coach. In order to make good plays in the game, he always emphasizes the concept of "fighting" from practice.
Q, what kind of play do you want to contribute to the team when you participate in a match?
A, I want to contribute with goals and assists by using my dribbling skills, which are my strong point. I think if I can dribble past the opponent defenders, it will create opportunities, so I want to create as many chances as possible. I want to become a player who can lead the side attack.
Q, how was your performance in the first half of the league?
A, looking back at the first half of the league, the defensive intensity was low and I couldn't make it into the starting lineup. There were chances in the game, but the regret is that I couldn't convert them into goals. I feel that things are gradually improving, including defense. However, there are still areas that need improvement, and I want to raise the level.
