＜Review of the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale＞
0-3. The Tamagawa Clasico, which aimed for a decisive victory, ended up with such a bitter result.
Tokyo started with the same 11 players as the previous match. In the early stages, they pushed the ball into the opponent's half and took control with aggressive pressing from the front line. However, they conceded the first goal in the 34th minute of the first half.
From there, the flow went to Kawasaki Frontale. Despite attempts to shut down players such as Ryotaro ARAKI and Kuryu MATSUKI with vertical passes, they were unable to create attacking opportunities against the opponent who came to nullify Tokyo's strengths. In the second half, they ended up suffering a defeat after conceding two goals following the red card of Go HATANO.
There was a player who approached such a game with double the passion. Takahiro KO, who won his first start of the season in the Avispa Fukuoka match and became the team's lubricant as a defensive midfielder, continued to start in the next game. For him, it was also a match against his "former team" where he spent his time from U-12 to U-15 generations.
A stadium that I have been familiar with since childhood. He must have had something in his heart, saying, "I used to go to watch the Tama River Clasico back then. As a Tokyo player, I want to stand on that stage and fight." before the game.
Player Takahashi, who had been eagerly waiting for his turn in the big game, repeatedly requested the ball with precise movements and big gestures, trying to become the starting point of the attack from the back line in the midfield.
Kawasaki thoroughly studied the Fukuoka match, and although they were unable to fully demonstrate their strengths due to tough marking, the player is taking the revealed challenges as a positive and looking forward firmly.
"Personally, I think it's better for the opponent to come and press me a little more. At halftime, I also told them, 'I want you to watch me a little more.' I want the team as a whole to have better positioning and decision-making speed when facing opponents who come to press."
The ball naturally gathers around him. However, with his wide field of vision and high passing sense, he should be able to fascinate the stadium even more. Continual challenges will undoubtedly increase the variety of ways to receive and pass the ball, with him as the starting point.
To improve oneself and bring victory to the team──. This frustration will make him and Tokyo even stronger.
Kawasaki Frontale suffered a 0-3 defeat in the "Tama River Clasico" against their rivals. They missed out on their first consecutive win of the season. The opponent had a strong defense in the center, causing Kawasaki to fall behind. The attacking players, who had been scoring continuously this season, were also unable to find the net. Manager Peter Cklamovski expressed his frustration, saying, "Everyone feels the pain of not getting the result we wanted. We want to overcome this pain and become stronger."
Ryotaro ARAKI, who has scored 4 goals since the opening and led the attack, said, "I couldn't figure out what to do against the opponent who had prepared for us. (Kuryu) MATSUKI and I didn't receive enough balls and we couldn't create good attacks." To overcome opponents who come up with "Tokyo strategies", we need to come up with even better ways to fight. In order to mature the team's style, we have a clear challenge that we cannot avoid.
From this round, we will have back-to-back matches against Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers at the Japan National Stadium with only 3 days in between. Tokyo has a good record at the renovated National Stadium, still undefeated, so we want to take advantage of these two matches and gain momentum. Of course, in order to overcome this tough schedule, the team's overall strength will be tested, including the substitute members. We hope to see new players bring a new energy and show the evolution of Tokyo's soccer.
This week's matchday program is here
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, here comes the 2-game series at Japan National Stadium.
A, it's a good feeling to be well prepared from practice. The members who played in the Kawasaki Frontale match are using their recovery time, and I want to select the members while checking their physical and condition aspects.
Q, What is your impression of Urawa Reds when you play against them in a pre-season match?
We have played against each other even in practice matches, and while analyzing carefully, we understand the opponent's basic playing style. It is important to see how we can deploy our own way of fighting against Urawa. And we want to make it a game where we can score many points.
Q, What did you share at the meeting for the Urawa game?
We mainly looked back on the Kawasaki game and gave feedback to the team, and talked about improving our team performance in order to become even better. As for the Kawasaki game, it was a game where we wanted to express plays that would be more threatening to the opponent in the attacking aspect..We were able to create good opportunities, but in the Urawa game, we want to be more threatening to the opponent with plays that lead to goals.On the attacking side, we want to be sharper overall. We want to improve for the Urawa game.
Q, how is the defense?
There are several points that need to be corrected, but there were also difficult times for the team during the Kawasaki match when they played with 10 players. We want to utilize the defensive foundation that we have built as a team and encourage it to be reflected in our performance.
[Player Interview]
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
Q, the Tama River Clasico against Kawasaki Frontale ended in a disappointing result.
In the league matches, I have been away from the starting lineup, but regardless of my situation, it is really frustrating that we are not winning. We did defeat Avispa Fukuoka and there was a good feeling within the team, and even in the Kawasaki match, we had some chances despite being behind 0-1 before the red card. I want to contribute to a victory in order to break through the situation where we have only won one match since the opening.
Q, There is a high possibility that Nozawa will defend the goal in this match. How do you feel about the current image and the upcoming game, and how do you plan to prepare for the activities of the U-23 Japan national team afterwards?
First and foremost, it is important to be selected as a member of the Japan national team for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 and to secure a spot in the Olympics. However, as a player for FC Tokyo, there are important matches ahead that we must fight for. Our first priority is to win. That determination is strong. If I have the chance to play in the upcoming matches against Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers on Sunday, I want to contribute to the team's victory. By fighting for the team, I believe it will lead to future success. This has been my mindset even when starting on the bench in previous matches, and it remains the same whether I am on the field or not - "everything is for the sake of victory."
Q, especially during the Fukuoka match, the voice and behavior of player Nozawa, which can be heard from the bench, and his expression after the game, were impressive as they were closely linked to what he had just said.
A, I am preparing for the game by organizing myself in various ways. The way players contribute to the team varies, but for me personally, even if I cannot play in the game as I mentioned earlier, I always try to keep the team's victory in mind and act accordingly. In that process, when I have the chance to play, I simply express those feelings through my play.
Q, I think there were a lot of things to absorb in a short period of time, such as the selection of the Japan national team and the activities of the U-23 Japan national team. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming national team matches as you join the Tokyo activities again and have time to organize.
During the AFC Asian Cup, which I attended as a member of the Japan national team, I was unable to play due to poor condition. Even after joining FC Tokyo's activities, I was unable to participate in official matches. However, in the past few months, I have been able to gain a lot of learning and experience. I have experienced both good and difficult times. Because I was able to play in many matches last season, I now have a strong desire and eagerness to contribute to the team by playing in matches. Although there were some things that felt dull due to being away from playing, I have been able to regain my senses in the recent matches against Mali and Kawasaki. I cannot afford to spend too much time adjusting, and the two consecutive matches at the National Stadium are just around the corner. I want to step onto the pitch with confidence without wasting any time.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q, This season, you have scored 4 goals in the league since the opening, and also showed your presence in the U-23 national team for the first time in 2 years. How do you analyze your good form?
A, I don't think I'm doing anything special, but I think it's the accumulation of what I've been doing so far. I think that the results are showing because I have continued to work on it. I was invited to participate in the activities of the U-23 Japan national team after a long time, and I think I was able to demonstrate my own play firmly in the match against Ukraine. I couldn't get results, but I feel that I was able to bring the ball to the point of shooting positively. It was a short period of national team activities, but I think I was able to show my presence.
Q, Joined Tokyo on a temporary transfer from Kashima Antlers, please tell us about your goals and themes for this season.
A, My goal is to achieve double digits in both goals and assists. As for what I am challenging myself with and my theme, I am conscious of not only scoring goals and assists on the attacking side, but also being the starting point of the attack. Especially this season, I am focusing on the quality of my play in that area. There have been times when I couldn't play in games, but I believe that sticking to my own axis and play without breaking it has led to my current results. I want to contribute to the team's victory even more with goals and assists without being satisfied with the current situation.
Q, in Tokyo, you are playing as an attacking midfielder or forward, leading the team's attack. What kind of role are you expected to play within the team?
When receiving the ball in the midfield position, you are expected to make plays to move the ball towards the goal or pass it to a teammate on the side, while also making runs towards the goal. As mentioned earlier, I am conscious of being the starting point of the attack and activating the attacking line with plays that lead to goals.
Q, With the national event, it is expected that more fans and supporters will gather than usual. Please share your enthusiasm for the game with those supporters.
A, I will do my best to score a goal in the special space called Japan National Stadium and lead the team to victory. Fans and supporters, thank you for your passionate support this match as well.
