<Last Match Review: Kashima Antlers>
In recent years, it has been a symbol of Tokyo's academy.
Like many of his teammates who wear blue and red, he has been dedicated to playing soccer with the goal of being promoted to the top team. However, he was told that his promotion was postponed. With frustration in his heart, the young man made a leap in university. And then, he returned to the blue and red team that he had once left.
In the world of professionals, he may not have a large build, but he fearlessly challenges his opponents on the field and quickly gets back up and starts running even if he is knocked down. He is like a symbol of indomitable spirit. With his innate sense of scoring goals in crucial moments, he has also captivated the hearts of Tokyo fans.
Even such a man, while being rubbed in blue and red, had a new dream. The time to push for the realization of that dream. We want to send out Shuto ABE, who won. The whole team was filled with that feeling. That led to the opening goal in the 9th minute. However, it did not come true as a result.
While feeling the emotions of his teammates, he also bid farewell to Ajinomoto Stadium, and with even more effort than usual, he ran around the pitch in all directions, showing his dynamic performance by appearing in both attack and defense.
The man who gave his all at Ajinomoto Stadium had a radiant expression. During the ceremony, he made a speech with some laughter, shed tears of gratitude to his parents, and ended with a refreshing "I love you, Tokyo".
Let's meet again as we have both grown, and let's continue to make the J-League exciting together. Until then, a brief farewell. Both our shooting and Tokyo are still growing. It was a night where we promised to push each other to new heights.
<Match Preview>
The league match will resume in about two weeks.
Cerezo Osaka will be fighting at the opponent's home stadium. They are in the same group in the Levain Cup, and this will be their 4th match this season. In the Levain Cup, they have 1 draw and 1 loss, and in the first half of the league, they lost 1-2 at home. They have yet to win against this opponent this season. For Tokyo, who wants to break away from the middle and catch up with the top teams, Cerezo Osaka, who is currently in 5th place, is a team they definitely want to defeat.
Both teams will face each other in the Emperor's Cup Round of 16 on August 2nd, and both have suffered defeat. The first match of the resumed league is expected to be a fierce battle.
Tokyo spent the break period focusing on implementing Peter CKLAMOVSKI's style rather than arranging friendly matches with overseas teams. Training in the extreme heat was limited, but the team was able to work on changing their mindset in a way that was relevant to actual matches, such as consciously maintaining a fast tempo during training.
In the Emperor's Cup, we were repeatedly put in dangerous situations by being caught behind our high defensive line, but when playing with a compact formation, it is necessary to take risks. However, if we can eliminate simple mistakes and coordination issues, we can push the opponent back, take control, and play an attacking style of football.
Against Cerezo Osaka, who have strengths in quick transitions and counterattacks after winning the ball, Tokyo will have to prepare a vast amount of space. As a result, we want to maintain possession of the ball and increase the time of pushing the opponent in order to continue the idea of "the best defense is a good offense." Although we were unable to score in the Emperor's Cup, we were able to create clear scoring opportunities. We want to patiently maintain a high defensive line and compact formation, and carefully create a path to the goal.
PITA Tokyo's J-League 5th match. We hope for the fruition of an aggressive soccer.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q: Are you also considering using players who were unable to participate in the Roasso Kumamoto match this round?
A, I would like to proceed while confirming the physical aspects, conditioning, and condition of each player. I think that the injured players are gradually returning and in a good condition as a team. I think that competition will increase further in each position in the future, and the quality of play will further improve and compete in order to seize the opportunity to play, which will promote the growth of the team. I would like to think about how to bring the team to various situations from various aspects and prepare firmly.
Q: After the Kumamoto match, how did you encourage the players?
A, we continue to communicate with the players. Of course, the players and staff feel the pain of defeat and have a sense of frustration. In the game, we felt the consciousness of catching up and surpassing, but we couldn't reach there. We need to learn from various elements from there. Now, we are firmly focusing on the Cerezo Osaka match. We only think about performing well and taking 3 points back.
Q, please tell me the key points of the Cerezo Osaka match.
A, it is important to firmly demonstrate our performance and surpass the opponent in all aspects. It all comes down to giving everything in our play, including the mental aspect. The content we discussed now will become the foundation for us to deliver a good performance. By doing so, I believe the results will naturally follow.
Q: Do you need to enhance the decision-making abilities of both the team and individual players in order to dominate the game?
Both offense and defense are important, and the connection of plays is crucial. The Kumamoto match became a speedy development in both offense and defense. I think we were able to see from the game what we should do to bring out our strengths, where the opponent will attack, and what their aim is. In the future, it will be important for us to take control of the ball with the initiative and move it, and to shake the opponent. There were scenes where the players had their own intentions and were able to express them through their play. Based on the lessons learned from the Kumamoto match, we hope to improve in the future.
[Player Interview]
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Q: After the Roasso Kumamoto match, please let us know if there were any issues or areas for improvement in terms of gameplay.
In the Kumamoto match, there were scenes where we could connect to the goal, but we couldn't finish it. I want to become a player who can firmly score goals in decisive moments.
Q: Do you feel more confident in dribbling and one-on-one battles as the game progresses?
A, I have gradually become accustomed to the pace of the game. In one-on-one situations on the sidelines, I will actively try to make a move while considering the number of defenders. I also want to improve my dribbling skills and increase my success rate in these situations to nearly 100 percent.
Q: Up until now, what are the points that TAWARATSUMIDA player himself feels as a sense of accomplishment and growth through repeated game appearances?
A, I think it's the visible range and field of view. Initially, I was always nervous and felt like I could only give my all by dribbling. Gradually, I started to see the surroundings and my options in play increased, such as choosing through passes instead of just dribbling.
Q, after the Kumamoto match, how do you want to contribute to the Cerezo Osaka match?
A, I think the quality of the final stage is important. Personally, since the result is not connected, I want to contribute to the team by demonstrating it firmly with the result and with a high-intensity defense and dribbling.
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q: How do you feel about the play after about 2 months since Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI took office?
A, because what is being asked is clear, I think we are able to respond as a team. In the Roasso Kumamoto match, we conceded a goal early on, which gave the opponent an advantage and disrupted our plan. Even when we pressed from the front, we were easily bypassed and there were scenes where the opponent broke through. However, it is important for us to continue as a team. I still think there is a long way to go, so I want us to think more about what is being asked of us and play.
Q: How many rules are there for attacking?
A, I think he is very particular about making runs behind the opponent and the quality of the pass to the teammate who has gotten free. Whether it's a quick pass to the feet or a pass into space. Also, in terms of breaking down the defense from the sides, whether to cross to the far side or play a vertical pass back into the center, I want to have many options and further improve the quality of play.
Q: Please tell us about the role of the attacking midfielder that is expected of player Tsukagawa.
I think there are various images of a top player, but I believe that my biggest characteristic is moving and creating space for my teammates. I prioritize plays that help my teammates and value the connection between plays. The scoring opportunity in the Kumamoto game was created by the pass I gave to Ryoma WATANABE with the movement of the third player. I want to further emphasize the importance of connection.
Q: Please tell us what is necessary to enhance the offensive power as a team.
It is important how quickly you can go to the goal when you take the ball in a high position, and it has been the impression that many goals have been born from short counters. I think that the play can be accelerated by putting the first pass in the back instead of the front. It is also important to be able to put the first pass after winning in a difficult place, and not to direct all vectors towards the goal, but also to create our own time to play when we cannot go towards the goal. What is required of us now is the intensity of play. I would like to use it well, including not only going forward, but also controlling the game by ourselves.
