Tokyo, who has drawn two consecutive games since the opening, faced last season's J1 champion Vissel Kobe at Ajinomoto Stadium in pursuit of their first victory in the league.
After a scoreless first half, the "captain" who made his first start of the season, gives the team a boost with a single blow.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who intercepted the ball in the midfield, ran down the left side. From Kashif BANGNAGANDE's cross, Kuryu MATSUKI took a left-footed shot that was blocked by an opposing player, but the much-awaited opening goal was born from this right corner kick.
As Kashiho's player kicks with his left foot, Enrique Trevisan competes on the near side, and the ball flows to the far side. As the entire stadium watches the ball's trajectory, number 37 runs in from behind and strikes with his right foot.
"Go!" The ball, kicked with all their might, carries the hopes of the blue and red supporters as it heads towards the goal with a powerful trajectory. It bounces off the opponent's leg and breaks through the near side, piercing through the goal net.
The first goal scored in the third game of the season. Kei KOIZUMI, who responded to being selected as a starter, modestly reflected, "It was a play that I had been practicing since camp. I was the one who kicked it, but it was a goal that we as a team scored." However, there is no doubt that it was a goal that encouraged the team.
The match resulted in a disappointing comeback loss, with goals conceded in the 12th and 24th minutes of the second half. However, it was also a goal that represented the team's solid progress and efforts.
After two consecutive draws, Tokyo suffered their first loss of the season against Vissel Kobe in the previous match, resulting in three winless games since the opening. The 4th round of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, where they hope to secure their first victory, will be an away game against Fukuoka.
This week, the team received some good news. On Thursday, Yuto Nagatomo returned to the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) to compete in the FIFA World Cup 26 Asia 2nd Qualifiers and AFC Asia Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers. Additionally, on Friday, Kuryu Matsuki, Taishi Brandon Nozawa, Kashif Bangnagande, and Ryotaro Araki, who has scored 3 goals since the start of the season, were selected for the final test match for the AFC U23 Asia Cup 2024, which is also the final qualifier for the Paris Olympics. In a team situation where results have been hard to come by, this is great news to improve the atmosphere.
Avispa Fukuoka, under the leadership of manager Shigetoshi HASEBE, has evolved based on a strong defense and won their first title in the J.League YBC Levain Cup last season. This season, they have remained undefeated with 1 win and 2 draws, including an away victory against Yokohama F.Marinos. Their renowned strong defense has only conceded 1 goal in 3 league matches.
The center of attack is led by inside half Yuto Iwasaki and Kazuya Konno, who was with Tokyo until the 2022 season. Both players are involved in the majority of chances, breaking out from counters and crossing from the side. Caution is also needed for Wellington's height as he enters as the top striker.
Tokyo will be without Henrique TREVISAN, who received a red card in the previous match. Despite struggling against Fukuoka with 2 draws and 6 losses since the 2016 season, the team is determined to achieve their first victory in the league. We can expect the national team players to perform well, and hope that their performance will inspire the team to come together and aim for a win.
[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]
Q, Yuto Nagatomo has been selected for the Japan national team.
It was a very special moment for him. In the Japanese football world, he is a special player. He never neglects the hard work and preparation for games, and he always focuses on both the team and himself. I believe he deserves to play for the Japan national team, and not just me, but the entire club is proud of his return to the national team. I want to support his success. He gives the impression of maturing like a red wine.
Q, this week we will be playing against Avispa Fukuoka.
A, it is not just one person, but the hard work of the entire team that is required. We are only expressing the football that we are building. We want to organize what we have learned and what we need to improve in the game so that we can continue to grow. It is important to focus on ourselves. By fully expressing our own rules and our football, I believe we can surpass the strengths of our opponents.
Q, What did you focus on this week in order to achieve your first victory of the season?
It was a week of improving challenges and extending good parts. In Fukuoka, we want to have a better game than the previous match against Vissel Kobe. Of course, everyone is hungry for victory. The players, staff, and fans and supporters all have the same feeling. We want to believe in ourselves and focus on ourselves. By doing so, I think the result of victory will come.
I want to create something special with this club. I want to deliver moments that will leave an impact on the lives of fans and supporters who love Tokyo. The "peak of the mountain" that everyone dreams of cannot be reached in one day. Along the journey, there will be not only good moments, but also times when we must endure. In order to obtain special moments, I believe it is important to accept various situations and move forward.
Of course, we want to win every game. We believe we will win and approach each game with confidence that we can defeat any team. In doing so, we hope to build something that will last a lifetime as a team.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, Have you felt any response and seen any challenges after finishing three games since the opening?
A, I think there are various challenges rather than just one or two improvement points because we haven't been able to win. Players need to be flexible in responding to the improvement points that come up in each game. I think it is important to review the fundamentals such as playing intensity and not losing in one-on-one situations. I believe that challenging in both attack and defense will lead to 3 points in the future.
Q: What did you focus on during this week's practice?
At the attacking stage, we organized how to play against the opponent's movements in meetings and practiced accordingly. On the defensive side, it is important to know where to switch and win the ball against Avispa Fukuoka's attacks, as well as not losing out on second balls.
Q, What role do you want to play as a midfielder?
A, I think that the midfielder needs to do both attacking and defending. In attack, it is important to always show your face and continue to be involved with the ball. It is also necessary to increase the number of challenges, such as making runs into space and taking more shots from distance. As there are many strong players in the front line, we need to be conscious of making good passes. In defense, it is important to apply strong pressure when pressing, and to take care of and cover for opponents who make runs. We also want to make sure we don't lose out on second balls by challenging and covering well.
Q: What is your impression of Fukuoka and what are you paying attention to?
As a team, we have not been able to beat them, but personally, I don't have a bad impression. As a team, we were unable to win both the league and Levain Cup matches last season at away games, so this will be a difficult match at away, but we want to secure all 3 points.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, In the previous games, it seemed that you were emphasizing ball possession while also utilizing long balls. How was the overall teamwork?
A, the completeness of the differentiation is still a major challenge and one of the challenges in the way of fighting. However, I believe that there is no mistake in the direction of the team and what kind of soccer we want to express. Other players have the same recognition. Although the results have not yet come, I feel the sense of accomplishment and confidence as an individual by repeating trial and error and connecting it to victory, and I want to play by pursuing the details.
Q, Is it safe to say that you are feeling more confident as you play more games?
A, It is a cycle where we clear the challenges that arise in the game and new challenges are born in the next game. However, we also understand that what is required of us is "results". Of course, as players, we are also seeking results first and foremost. It is a fact that we have not been able to produce the result of victory, and while the process is important, as I mentioned earlier, we are currently pursuing results first and foremost.
Q, please give us your enthusiasm for the Avispa Fukuoka match once again.
A, as a team, we want to focus on results and play with determination. We also share this strong determination among players during meetings. We were determined to get 3 points in this week's training.
Kuryu MATSUKI
Q, What is your impression of the place where your first professional league goal was born?
A, Avispa Fukuoka is a very tough team. I think the game will be closely contested, but the team has the ability to break through the opponent's strong defense and has confidence. Last season, the away game winning percentage was very low, and the opening game of this season ended in a draw. I think it is important to accumulate points in enemy territory. I want to grab the first victory of this season in Fukuoka, the away team's home ground.
Q: What kind of opportunity do you want to gain in this match against Fukuoka, who struggled in last season's match?
A, Even taking into account the results so far, the Fukuoka match this round is a very important game that each player understands fully. If we can win this match, I think the team will ride a good wave and if we can express what we have been doing in the game, we have confidence in winning. I think it is important to approach the game with confidence.
Q, Expectations are also placed on player Kuryu MATSUKI's own goals.
A, the image of scoring a goal has been created from this week's training, and since the number of times involved in the attack has increased, I want to contribute to the team's victory with a goal that will also boost my own momentum.
