Tokyo had no choice but to go along with the flow of the game that Avispa Fukuoka excels in, as they conceded goals one after another in the early stages of the match, while time continued to pass moment by moment.
The gray wall was high and dense, and Tokyo's attack in the Fukuoka territory was forced to stagnate due to a lack of offensive power. In the flow of the game, there were few scenes where they could bring it to a finish, but the moment of hope came when Riki HARAKAWA was substituted in the 15th minute of the second half.
There were more actions threatening the goal compared to the first half, with an increase in fouls received from the battle for the ball and resulting in free kicks, or scenes where they competed near the goal line and obtained corner kicks. Although the actions within the flow did not lead to clear scoring opportunities, the set plays obtained there became a lifeline for Tokyo.
What made a difference was, without a doubt, player Harakawa's high-precision kicks. Sharp balls towards the near side, big balls towards the far side, balls floated high in front of the goal. He created scenes that threatened the Fukuoka goal by using a variety of kicks, such as curving, dropping, and making straight balls.
The goal in the 41st minute of the second half, which became a counterattack, was born from Harakawa's corner kick. It was a perfectly timed pass to Naoki Kumata, who was waiting and perfectly positioned, as the ball sharply curved and dropped on the far side.
A moment when I realized the power of Riki HARAKAWA, a big weapon that can take down prey from a long distance with sniper-like accuracy without letting it escape. In difficult times when there is no way out in the flow, a projectile that can be taken down in one shot becomes a weapon.
The second Tama River Clasico of the season will be greeted in a situation different from what both teams had anticipated.
The points are the same, "33". The goal difference is only 2 points, and the only difference in ranking. It will be a match between teams with evenly matched records on the ranking table. However, the two teams are not positioned in the top, with Kawasaki Frontale in 9th place and Tokyo in 10th place. They are more than 15 points behind Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F.Marinos, who are competing for the top spot.
In the final match of last season, both teams competed as top teams, so the position of each team this season is frustrating. Therefore, for both teams, the Tamagawa Clasico is a very important match as they aim for as many victories and higher rankings as possible.
We want to give our all in a battle that puts our pride on the line, and seize the opportunity to gain confidence, points, and an upward momentum.
In the first match played in May this season, Tokyo changed the flow of not winning 9 league matches and won the Tama River Clasico for the first time in 5 years with a 2-1 victory. The Japan National Stadium, where a club record of 56,705 people gathered, was dyed in blue and red, and prevented the 3 points from crossing the Tama River to the Kawasaki side. It resonated with the "sleepless city" in National.
As for Tokyo, they will face a big match in the league only after being eliminated from the Levain Cup. Can they show the evolution of Peter Tokyo at the away ground, Todoroki Stadium, and also demonstrate the team's fighting spirit for the future? This time, we want to end it by giving 3 points to Tokyo on the Tama River side.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, have you been able to improve your skills through practice for the Kawasaki Frontale match?
A, it is important to continue without stopping. As the team grows, I think it would have been good to have the Levain Cup semi-finals as part of that process and to chase after the trophy, but it is important to continue creating what we need to do ourselves. Everything is necessary for us to become the team we dreamed of, and for that, further growth is necessary. I want to create a team that can raise not just one trophy, but many trophies. And I want to focus on creating a special team. I want to challenge myself many times in practice to extend the players' abilities and enable them to grow. I believe that experiencing frustration in the process of growth becomes valuable and a lesson.
Q, please tell us what is necessary to win against Kawasaki, who won in the first half of the league, again.
A, it is only about showing a solid team performance. It is about laying the foundation for our own development, showing a solid performance, and connecting it to results. By preparing properly and correctly, it is possible to achieve a season double. We will fight towards that goal.
Q, the key to winning against Kawasaki is always the intensity of play and the ability to switch between offense and defense.
I think it will be an exciting match. Kawasaki is a club that has created good things and has won trophies many times. We want to put all our energy into taking 3 points from them. I'm really looking forward to an exciting football match, so I'm excited.
Q, in the league matches we have been moving away from victory in the past few games. Once again, what kind of game do you want to show from here?
A, I think whether the results will follow or not depends on whether we have our own game model and rules. Otherwise, we will give the opponent a chance. It is important to focus on ourselves and not lose concentration. In the second leg of the Levain Cup quarterfinals, we gave the opponent a chance just before the end of the first half and conceded two goals. Following the rules and maintaining concentration will lead to keeping a clean sheet and achieving results. Having a sharp mentality and being mentally focused is also important. There are no easy games in the J-League, and we always need to maintain our concentration and fight. By doing so, I believe positive results will follow.
[Player Interview]
Yuto NAGATOMO
Q, in the three consecutive games against Avispa Fukuoka, you started in all three matches. What challenges did you feel again?
A, I think it was a complete defeat in terms of results and content. It became a game that made us keenly aware of our own weaknesses.
Q: What kind of motivation do you have now as you approach the Tama River Clasico on Friday?
Not only the Kawasaki Frontale game on Friday, but also how we will fight in the remaining 8 matches is important. At the current position, I think the pride of each player who fights with this club and this emblem becomes more clear. I think that the feelings we put into each game from here on, the feelings of fighting for Tokyo, will show who is the strongest and who can truly demonstrate the most value in the remaining matches. If there are players without this strong determination, they should not fight as a member of Tokyo. Players with passion and pride to fight in Tokyo should fight for this club, and I think various things will become visible in the remaining 8 matches, including the Tama River Clasico.
Q, also looking forward to a reunion with Gomis, who is affiliated with Kawasaki.
A, Gomis player was a teammate at Galatasaray SK. We get along well and he is a kind player. He has a big body and distinctive dreadlocks, and he often performs like a lion after scoring. He has a flashy appearance, but he is very kind-hearted and considerate, a player who is loved by everyone. I myself love him very much, and he showed overwhelming scoring ability during his time at Galatasaray, recording 29 goals in one season. He is a truly wonderful player. I am looking forward to playing against Gomis, but he is also a dangerous player, so I want to focus on how to stop him.
Q, it seems that there will be intense matchups with Gomis during the game.
A, I know Gomis' strong points the best myself, and because I played together with him, I have a lot of information, so it is easy to confront him as a defender. Of course, I want to share the information I have and approach the game, and on the pitch, I want to fight fiercely.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q, please let us know if there are any challenges or impressions that Morishige player felt as a team after finishing the three consecutive games with Avispa Fukuoka.
A, I think it is important to recognize and accept our own weaknesses, change our approach and review it for the game. It is our ability that we couldn't advance to the semifinals in the Levain Cup. It doesn't make sense to continue doing the same things as before. I think it is necessary to firmly accept reality, point the arrow towards ourselves as individual players, and grow into a "winning team" from here on. Rather than tactics, there were noticeable moments where we lost in individual battles and situations. I think it is necessary to review it thoroughly.
Q, this weekend is the Tama River Clasico with Kawasaki Frontale.
A, in the Levain Cup, we have been eliminated in the quarterfinals, and we have also been unable to win in the recent league matches. So, I would like to make this game a chance to start over and show our determination to stand up from here.
Q, we have been challenging various formations such as 4-back and 3-back in recent matches.
A, although the team's tasks may change slightly due to changes in formation, each player's responsibilities remain the same. In defense, thorough challenge and cover, anticipation of the opponent's play, and quick decision-making based on the situation are required. Rather than focusing on the formation, the priority is to improve the precision of the play.
Q: Please tell us the key points that will be important in the match against Kawasaki, which is known for its high attacking power.
In order to score, we must play aggressively in both offense and defense, surpassing our opponents and showing a difference from before. I believe that winning in both offense and defense will lead to the team's victory.
