All arrows of everyone were earnestly facing "forward".
Will they be able to play in the second half with the same momentum? Will their legs completely stop in the final stages of the game?
The Tokyo players ran and ran so much that it made me worry watching from outside the pitch.
When the ball is taken away by the opponent, immediately switch to defense, with the first defender applying pressure without delay, chasing the ball two or three times. The surrounding teammates also anticipate the direction of the ball and slide forward in coordination with the team, going to harvest the ball.
And then, once they regained possession of the ball, they launched a quick counterattack and approached the goal. Tokyo surpassed Nagoya Grampus in both positive transition, which refers to the switch from defense to offense, and negative transition, which refers to the switch from offense to defense.
Although there were scenes where the pressing was not effective at the beginning and they were caught on the counterattack, the pressing improved in the second half and they quickly recovered the ball when it was lost. They also consistently reacted to second balls and were able to keep the ball at their feet throughout the match.
One standout player was Henrique TREVISAN, who intercepted Nagoya's attack with sharp reading. His decision-making in the positive transition after the interception was also impressive, embodying the "attacking defense" and adding brilliance to Peter CKLAMOVSKI's debut as coach.
The previous match against Nagoya Grampus, which was the first game under the Peter Cklamovski regime, ended in a 2-0 victory. Despite a short preparation period since taking over as coach, the team managed to fine-tune the details and all the players worked hard to secure the win. While praising the players' attitude, the new coach envisions further evolution for the team, saying, "In order to reach the place we have dreamed of, there are things we must do."
One of those is the build-up. In preparation for the Kashiwa Reysol match, they have started building up. "The build-up is one area that can evolve. I believe we can improve there, and I want to think about how to score while having the intention to improve," he said. In addition, they have spent time on confirming throw-ins and have been preparing for this match by dedicating time to further rules.
Kashiwa's coach NELSINHO resigned in the middle of the season due to poor performance. Even after Masami IHARA took over as coach, the team continued to struggle with 2 draws and 3 losses in the league. However, coach CKLAMOVSKI remains cautious, saying, "Kashiwa will come out with everything to take points. We also want to play aggressively." Tokyo will also strive to seize victory this round.
Matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, does a sustained fight become the key to victory?
A, it is important to prepare for the game. It is important to think about how the team can become stronger without wasting a single day and focus on building up. This will also lead to how to fight and prepare against the opposing team in the next match. On the pitch, we are conscious of dropping it as clearly as possible to the players. In doing so, we want to enhance our intensity and physicality and take one step forward at a time. The players and staff are always conscious of raising the limits.
Q, it seems that Coach CKLAMOVSKI is communicating with each player about their play while habituating hard work.
A, even when it doesn't show in our play, we communicate. In particular, for the foundation of expressing our play, high concentration and hard work are essential. These two points must be expressed absolutely as a team. Adhering to the team's rules naturally leads to physical effort and hard work. We aim to create a mentality and build a team that other clubs find difficult to compete against Tokyo.
Q, please tell us the criteria for evaluating and satisfaction of Coach Klomovski in practice.
A, I have clear rules for myself. The players also understand these criteria. I want the players to be able to express their teammates' movements and plays even if they close their eyes. In attack, it is required to aim for the goal quickly, cooperate with teammates, and in defense, it is required to create a coordinated defensive network. We are in the process of incorporating what we have discussed into the players, and I think whether they can express it or not will be one criterion. In practice, we incorporate opportunities to overcome something and challenge. I think there will naturally be things that cannot be done 100%, but I also think that it is a practice for that. In such cases, it is important for us staff to provide information and support such as confirming with videos.
Q, please tell us the key points in the match against Kashiwa Reysol, whether continuity is important or if we should add further changes in our approach.
A, Nagoya and Kashiwa will have different ways of playing. There may be similar phenomena, but first, it is important to fully express our own play. How to express the team's rules and how to exploit the opponent's weak points. Ultimately, I believe that everything will lead to hard work. Just give everything to get 3 points.
[Player Interview]
Henrique TREVISAN
Q: What changed with the coaching change in the first match of Peter Cklamovski, the new coach, against Nagoya Grampus? The match seemed to have a fulfilling content.
Not only the Nagoya game, but also the Kyoto Sanga F.C. game in the Levain Cup, I think the return of the fighting spirit has been a major factor. There are of course tactical changes, but above all, I think the biggest change is being able to bring out the fighting spirit and fighting spirit to the forefront.
Q, Henrique TREVISAN's performance itself also seemed very good. How do you look back on it?
A, I feel that my own play was good, but the entire team showed a very good performance. The important thing is to continue growing from here. I want to continue this good performance and show more stable matches.
Q: Tokyo's center back position has a deep roster of players, and the competition for the position is tough. How do you prepare for the matches with this in mind?
A, certainly, there are many good players and there is a high level of competition for positions. However, the most important thing is the team's victory, and it is natural for players in good form to be on the pitch. In that sense, it is a good thing for the team to have tough competition for positions, and I think it is important for teammates to compete while respecting each other and bring good results to the team.
Q: In set-piece situations, you always show a passionate heading. Do you have a desire to further demonstrate your scoring ability?
A, yes. I have scored 2 goals in official matches this season, and both were headers. I am confident in aerial battles. I want to score more goals from here and contribute to the team.
Q: Henrique TREVISAN joined Japan in the 2021 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. How do you feel about the atmosphere at Ajinomoto Stadium this season, where vocal support has been fully allowed?
A, the opening match of this season against Urawa Reds was impressive. Since I was away from the team due to injury in the second half of last season, the Urawa match was the first game I experienced with a loud support after coming to Japan. I was impressed by the atmosphere at Ajinomoto Stadium, and I realized that the atmosphere of the stadium completely changes when supported by fans and supporters.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the Kashiwa Reysol match.
A, now Tokyo has come together as a team and we are able to have intense and high-quality training. We have confidence that we can show you good matches. In order to improve our ranking even a little, we are determined to earn 3 points and make our fans and supporters happy.
＜Kei Koizumi player＞
Q, Coach CKLAMOVSKI took office and achieved victory in the Nagoya Grampus match. Please tell us what has changed as a team and what we have been able to continue.
A, the coach has changed, and the players who had been playing and the players who couldn't play have been reset, and the competition within the team has started again. I have a strong impression that competition within the team has emerged, and each player is able to practice with a high intensity with a sense of crisis. I also feel a different tension and atmosphere than before. I think it is necessary to continue the good parts that have been expressed since the start of the season, but if we think from the perspective of not winning, there were many bad parts as well. I have realized in the past few games that the accumulation of daily training and awareness comes out in the game, and I feel like I had forgotten about that point myself. Even though the team was able to do well in the camp, I also feel that there was some relaxation as we started the season and played several games. Right now, I think each player is reconfirming the necessary aspects as a prerequisite for playing and working on them.
Q, did you feel a high intensity in terms of awareness and pressure towards moving forward in the Nagoya match? In the early stages of Coach Klamovski's appointment, was the ability to express the aim and the resulting play connected?
I think we have been able to achieve high-intensity training in a short period of time, and the results have been demonstrated in the matches. I believe that the players also felt the strength required in the transition between offense and defense and in the battles for the ball, but I think it is not because the coach has changed, but because of each individual's awareness. Even in the first half of the league, there were matches like the one against Nagoya where we were able to express ourselves, but continuity is necessary. Winning consecutive matches will become the most important thing from now on. In order to seriously aim for the championship or a place in the ACL, it is essential to accumulate 3 points. We, the players, are the ones who have brought about this difficult situation, so we want to show a match where we can regain this frustrating feeling ourselves.
Q, in the past few games you have played as a right back, but Kei KOIZUMI, do you have the same stance that there isn't much that needs to be changed?
Regardless of the position you play, a high intensity is required. Whether it's as a defensive midfielder or a full-back, it's always something that you need to be aware of. The positioning and movement of the ball are naturally different depending on the position, so I believe that intelligence in playing is required.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for this round, which will be a showdown against your former team.
Although I didn't spend a long time as a member, I believe there were fans and supporters who supported me. Now, as a member of Tokyo, I want to play to the maximum of my ability without being too conscious of my former team, and help Tokyo win. I think that as long as Tokyo wins in the end, anything is fine, so regardless of the opponent, I believe that expressing the plays we need to make for victory will contribute to "Tokyo". I believe that showing good plays on the pitch will also be a way to repay my former team, so first of all, I want to focus on myself and approach the game.
Diego Oliveira player
Q: How do you feel about the good form so far, with goals being scored in the previous match against Nagoya Grampus?
A, the condition is very good. Last season, I suffered from injuries for a long time, but this season, being able to play without injuries so far has also contributed to the good condition. I am happy that I have been able to score goals while being conscious of playing as usual, and I want to further level up from here.
Q, it seems that the feelings for this season are even stronger than usual, as we struggled a lot last season.
I am always conscious of performing the plays that the team should do and contributing by scoring goals. Last season, I got injured during the camp before the opening, and I couldn't express good plays throughout the season. I felt once again that I can demonstrate a good performance in the game by practicing without getting injured, and I want to proceed with good preparation firmly.
Q: You have scored 9 goals so far, but how would you describe your current sense of scoring?
A, unlike last season, I feel a good flow to score goals. We are able to score goals in a good rhythm, so I think it is important to continue.
Q, what are your feelings as you approach the match against Kashiwa Reysol?
There are various clubs in the J-League, but I always have respect for Kashiwa Reysol. This is because, as some of you may know, they gave me the opportunity to play in Japan. I was able to play in a good environment in Kashiwa, and I still have a good relationship with the staff and players who were there at the time. I play with respect, but now I only think about playing for Tokyo's victory.
Q, as a player who is loved by fans and supporters as a symbol of Tokyo, how do you feel about yourself, Diego Taba?
When I first came to Japan, I was 25 years old. I think it was a very good timing in terms of age. I owe my current self to Kashiwa for giving me the opportunity to play, and there are also fans and supporters who continue to support me even after I transferred to Tokyo. I am grateful for the wonderful time I had on and off the pitch in Kashiwa. After transferring to Tokyo, I have been able to play for a long period of time. As professional players, I believe we need to set an example on and off the pitch. However, as a soccer player, I must produce results on the pitch. I think such accumulation is recognized by the fans and supporters. I am where I am now because of the support from everyone involved in Tokyo. Considering my own age, I don't have a long future as a soccer player. It is highly possible that I will end my career as a professional player in Tokyo and return to Brazil. Until then, I want to show good performances to the best of my ability.
