＜Previous Match Review against Kashiwa Reysol＞
Started in the league for 4 consecutive games. The young center back, who has been gaining stability with each game, pulled off a big job by scoring his first professional goal in the late stages of the game while chasing one point.
The Sec. 22 match of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Kashiwa Reysol was held away. Right at the start, from a right cross by Soma ANZAI, Diego OLIVEIRA powerfully headed the ball to give Tokyo the opening goal. After that, the Blue-Red continued to attack aggressively, but due to accumulating mistakes, they allowed a comeback before the end of the first half.
In the second half, Tokyo continued to show bold attacks while chasing one goal, but time passed without scoring. Then, in the 41st minute of the second half, the long-awaited equalizer was finally born.
A chance from a free kick on the left side. Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who came on as a substitute, sent a sharp ball with his favored left foot, and Teppei OKA, who said "Toku-kun gave me a good ball. It was just like in practice," smashed it with a powerful header, finally succeeding in shaking the goal net.
"There were various tactics in front of the goal, but in the end, I realized that practice is the key. I always stayed after practice with the coaching staff to practice heading the day before the game, so I think that accumulation paid off."
Finally scored my first professional goal. Even after scoring, I quickly returned to my position to aim for a win, and showed a performance of raising my hands high to energize the fans and supporters in the goal end, with the feeling of wanting to win for the team.
However, the team, aware of the risks and aiming for all three points, conceded the go-ahead goal from a scramble in front of the goal during stoppage time in the second half. They lost the seemingly assured single point and suffered their first consecutive defeat of the season.
"Honestly, it didn't mean anything if we couldn't win, so the feeling of frustration is bigger. We were caught off guard by being too aggressive. I had an image of being able to turn the game around, but it didn't go as smoothly. We just have to improve our quality. I also think that our team's weakness showed in the end, so we all need to have a strict attitude towards practice and raise our standards together."
He feels growth and a sense of accomplishment as a player. Personally, getting used to the level of the J1 League is a significant achievement. The rapidly developing number 30 said, "There are times when I reflect after winning, and times when I reflect after losing. I want to clearly organize the points to improve. The next game will definitely be one we must win," looking ahead and pledging victory in the match against Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium this weekend.
Match Preview
After suffering their first consecutive league defeats of the season, they also lost 1-2 to JEF United Chiba in the 3rd Round of the Emperor's Cup JFA 104th All Japan Soccer Championship. In the last two official matches, they took the lead but were unable to maintain it, allowing the opposition to come from behind. Entering the summer, when physical endurance is severely tested, more delicate game management is required.
In this difficult situation, Kuryu MATSUKI said, "I think it is necessary for everyone, including not only the players but also the coach and coaching staff, to have discussions. I hope that once again the entire team can tighten their focus and move forward in the same direction." He expressed his sense of responsibility as captain and strong desire for victory.
Fighting to stop the losing streak, this match FC Tokyo will face Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium. Takahiro KO, who joined from Niigata this season, said ahead of the match against his former club, "Right now, it doesn't matter that the opponent is my former team Niigata, or that the match is at the Japan National Stadium, or whether it's away or home. I have a strong sense of mission that we must get all three points no matter what." In the previous match against Niigata held in April, they overwhelmed the opponent away and secured a 3-1 victory, so they want to regain that momentum. With the power of the "whole team" emphasized by Matsuki, Tokyo aims to become the main actor once again on the 'National Theater.'
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q. What kind of adjustments are necessary following the Emperor's Cup 3rd Round match against JEF United Chiba?
A. I anticipated that the match against Chiba would be tough. I always respect our opponents, but at the same time, I am very frustrated that we couldn’t get the result. We had opportunities to pull away from the opponent while leading 1-0, but we couldn’t score an additional goal. From that kind of match development, it was a game where we learned once again that we must quickly score another goal and finish the game. I am happy to take all the pressure on myself. The players have given everything they can, and I am proud of their performance.
Q, Albirex Niigata, whom we face this round, was defeated 3-1 in the previous match. Do you have a positive image of them?
A, I always approach it with the mindset of moving toward a new game. It’s not about the previous result, but about preparing for the next and aiming to deliver a performance that achieves a good outcome. In matches, various situations and challenges will arise. We want to ensure that we can come out on top in those moments.
Q, is there anything you want to say mentally after the defeat in the Emperor's Cup?
A, of course it was a frustrating defeat, but we cannot run away from this. Defeat is unpleasant for everyone. I believe everyone wants to overcome this situation. The most important thing is how we respond from here. We have experienced even more difficult situations before. By firmly overcoming this period, I believe we will achieve important growth for ourselves. We will overcome it together as a team.
[Player Interview]
Takahiro KO
Q, the Emperor's Cup was a disappointing defeat for the team.
A, watching the match, I want to seek stronger connections between players in both offense and defense. Additionally, each individual must run more. I once again felt that everyone should take personal responsibility and firmly focus on the basics, such as aggressively winning duels and battles for the ball.
Q, it is a frustrating situation with three consecutive losses in official matches. What are the key points for a comeback?
A, personally, I want to show more presence in both offense and defense. As a team, we have a good sense of movement and energy in both areas, running more than our opponents. Aggressiveness is a strong point of Tokyo, so we want to make adjustments while everyone is looking at it. In attack, we need to be more involved with the ball and show a presence that makes people think, "We can win because of that player (Takase), they are stable." By improving our ability to win back the ball and collect second balls on defense, we can not only represent the team, but also the entire league with our play and overwhelming presence. I believe that if we can do this, the team will naturally climb up in the rankings.
Q, This week's Albirex Niigata match will be held at the "Japan National Stadium" against their "former team".
A, regardless of the opponent being Niigata or the venue being the Japan National Stadium, we must win first and foremost. With the background of it being held at the National Stadium and facing my former team, I am highly motivated. In the previous match at Big Swan, I approached it with special feelings, so although the team is currently in a situation where we must somehow break through, I definitely want to win this game as a turning point for both the team and myself to move upward.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, In the Emperor's Cup 3rd Round match against JEF United Chiba, Kuryu MATSUKI scored a goal, but it ended in a frustrating defeat. What do you think were the reasons for not being able to secure the win?
A, it was good to be able to score as an individual, but there were also many chances for me and others. As an attacking player, not being able to convert those chances into additional points made the game difficult. If we were able to score an additional point during the good flow and time when our attack was strong, I think we could have ended the game in a good way. So, I want to use this experience and reflection to connect to the Albirex Niigata game.
The team is currently in a difficult situation with consecutive losses in official matches, but it is precisely at times like these that team unity is required. I believe it is important now to connect our challenges and reflections to the next steps and to fight with as much hunger as possible for victory.
Q, We have now suffered three consecutive losses in official matches. What do you think is necessary to change the momentum?
A, This season, there was a period a few matches after the league started when we were far from victory. I believe we must make use of the lessons learned and what each player felt during that time. Each player understands the current situation the team is in, and everyone is approaching the Niigata match with a sense of urgency. As captain, I want to communicate with many players and lead the team in a positive direction.
Q, This round's match against Niigata will be held at the Japan National Stadium. At the National Stadium, we have achieved victories against Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers in April.
There have been no losses for the team at the Japan National Stadium, and in order to express good soccer as a team, we would like to rebuild firmly and approach the game. Once again, we would like to communicate and share as a whole in order to demonstrate the soccer that the team is aiming for on the pitch.
We have heard that many people, including the fans and supporters who always cheer for us, will be attending. Personally, I want to seek visible results that lead to the team’s victory. I want to deliver plays that excite everyone gathered at the Japan National Stadium and results that make them feel glad they came. I want to approach the match thinking only about winning.
