＜Previous Match Review against Kashiwa Reysol＞
Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's second game in the new system also saw the relentless blue and red press continue.
Moving people one after another on the ball side, immediately switching to attack and heading towards the goal while blocking the opponent's advance.
In particular, the attack was led by Diego OLIVEIRA's post work, with the support of his teammates, creating passing lanes and advancing the ball, while players other than the ball holder were able to bring it to a finish.
The final goal of this match was also in a similar fashion. When Diego received the ball, he spread it to the left side and used Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, a young rising star, to hold onto the ball with his unique spacing while Diego made his way into the penalty area. Then, with a sharp switch, TAWARATSUMIDA crossed the ball and Diego headed it into the net.
As the second half began, the opponent thoroughly targeted Tokyo's back with long balls and put numbers on the front line, resulting in a counter-attack and increasing the time Tokyo spent in their own zone. On the other hand, instead of dropping back and responding to the opponent's attacks, Tokyo did not weaken their press on the ball side while creating a defensive block in their own zone, not giving the opponent the opportunity to launch a thick attack.
There, the defensive ability of Kei KOIZUMI, who faced his former team, shone. His strength in one-on-one battles, sharpness in reading the opponent's weaknesses and attacking to intercept the ball, and his perfect positioning that doesn't allow easy breakthroughs. Once he steals the ball, he distributes short and long passes to break through the opponent's first defense and become the starting point of the counterattack.
Coolly harvesting the ball with a calm expression, and accurately using my ball as a key attack move. The presence of the "big brother" was also prominent in both offense and defense in this intense battle.
<Match Preview>
The away game as Klamovski Tokyo for the first time is expected to be a match against Urawa Reds at Saitama Stadium 2002, which is predicted to be dyed bright red.
The first match since the opening game of this season. At that time, Tokyo, in their second year under the leadership of Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, had a clear advantage over Urawa, in their first year under the leadership of Maciej SKORZA, in terms of team completion. Tokyo pushed Urawa back in terms of content and won with a score of 2-0.
However, at the end of the first half of the season, the positions of both teams changed significantly. Tokyo was unable to consistently accumulate points, while Urawa struggled in the beginning but gradually improved and achieved results such as winning the AFC Champions League (ACL). They are currently in 4th place and in a position to aim for the ACL zone and championship.
Tokyo has faced a result of 3 consecutive losses and even a change in coach, but in the recent 2 games played under the new system, they have won 2 games and improved their form with 3 goals scored and no goals conceded. The current football style, with Victor leading the way, is different from the one shown in the opening game, and for Urawa it will be an encounter with the "unknown Tokyo".
Looking ahead, there will be a match against Verdy in the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup next Wednesday, followed by a game against Kashima Antlers on the weekend. This will mark the start of a series of consecutive matches after the Urawa game. Considering the high intensity of Tokyo's football, the way we play for 90 minutes is a major concern.
However, coach Klamovski has no thoughts of energy conservation. He will give his all in the upcoming match and strive for victory. This style will not change even in this series of matches. In order to shake the area of the stadium dyed in red and make the blue and red fans rejoice, Tokyo will continue to push forward.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, how do you plan to break through Urawa Reds' solid defense?
A, it is important to take the space behind the opponent's defensive line and to express the speed and tempo of movement that we have been building up through training. By doing so, I believe the opponent's defensive formation will gradually break down. It is about expressing awareness forward and making runs behind, and seeing how the opponent's defense responds.
Q: The build-up from the back seems to be gradually getting organized. How do you feel about it?
A, I believe it is necessary to further enhance and improve the quality. The coordination and involvement with the ball differ depending on the position, and the key point is how to create space that emerges by circulating the ball. Step by step, I want to steadily improve the movements that quickly exploit spaces that the opponent dislikes, at an even faster tempo.
Q, what are you trying to do on the offensive side and what are you telling the players?
A, it is about moving the ball quickly. The coordination and connections between positions seem to be improving. Various things have become clear through practice. I want to encourage the players to demonstrate the plays they can already perform in practice during the matches. Of course, there were periods during the Nagoya Grampus and Kashiwa Reysol matches when we were able to express this. How to extend those periods is important. There is no perfection in football. To put it metaphorically, it’s like an arm-wrestling contest with tactical maneuvers, and there will be difficult times when we cannot express our play. Based on hard work and shared understanding, I want us to step up gradually.
Q, what did you see after the winning streak in the league matches?
A, although it has been a short period, the players have fully demonstrated what we have been working on as a team from practice. I believe they played matches that gave the opponents no freedom, with plays that made them uncomfortable and difficult to handle. I feel that what we have been building up in practice is gradually becoming ingrained. As I have said many times, we still have a lot to improve. We aim to build a team that fans and supporters will love even more. For that, we do not want to waste a single day. We always want to pursue growth.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuto ABE＞
Q, please tell us what is particularly required in the position of a defensive midfielder.
A, the most important thing is a high level of intensity. Coach CKLAMOVSKI demands winning second balls and defensive dedication. I believe these are especially emphasized in meetings as well.
Q, please let us know if there is anything that is required in the attacking aspect and if there is anything you are consciously expressing in your play.
A, when the ball flows to the wide players, we defensive midfielders are conscious of making forward runs to break through. The way we move to break through changes depending on the ball's position, but I believe one key timing is when we are playing in the opponent's half and circulating the ball in advanced positions.
Q, the defense has had two consecutive shutouts. If there are any areas that need improvement on the offensive side, please let us know.
A, it’s not that we haven’t been able to score, and I think you can see Diego OLIVEIRA’s good form if you watch the matches. We want to score focusing on Diego, and we also want to aim for short counters. Like the second goal in the match against Nagoya Grampus, if both defensive midfielders get involved in the attack, draw out the opposing defenders, and deliver accurate crosses in front of the goal, I believe the number of goals will increase.
Q, Urawa Reds match will be an important game, even though our away winning rate has not been good so far.
A, as Tokyo, we do not have a very good record at Saitama Stadium 2002, but I believe we need to firmly overturn that with results. The team is currently playing with confidence, so if we can stay focused from the start of the match, I believe it will lead to victory.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: Has the task of attacking changed since Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI took office?
A, whether playing as an attacking midfielder or on the wings, I play with an understanding of the necessary positioning during attacks. To contribute to the team's victory, it is essential to deepen my tactical understanding, so I intend to continue doing so.
Q: Your play style is impressive as it is not bound by positions. Is there anything you consciously focus on during the game?
A, I always keep in mind playing with the goal in reverse to score. To help the team score, I flexibly consider which position I need to take and where I should provide support, choosing movements that flow to the sides or plays where I receive the ball centrally.
Q, please tell us the factors that allow the team to quickly move towards the opponent's goal.
A, I believe the most important factor is that we are able to play good defense. We have organized within the team the awareness to win the ball in advanced positions and to press from the front while maintaining a high defensive line. Good defense leads to good offense, in my impression. Being able to play with high intensity even in training is also a major factor. I believe that intensity carries over into the matches.
Q, It seems that the number of times Ryoma WATANABE himself moves towards the goal and the number of chances created have increased, starting from Diego OLIVEIRA. Please tell us about your progress.
A, I believe that the part of creating attacking chances in the plays I am involved in is still insufficient, and I see it as my own challenge. My goal for the season is to score 10 goals, and to increase my pace, I want to show play aiming for goals in every match.
