※The MATCH PREVIEW & INTERVIEW for the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo match on May 6th (Monday holiday) will be on hiatus due to production schedule.
The next Mechakoma will be the MATCH PREVIEW & INTERVIEW for the Kashiwa Reysol game on May 11 (Sat).
<Last Match Review: Kyoto Sanga F.C.>
The long-awaited first victory of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium. For the two players who scored the winning goal, it was also a celebration dedicated to their family's birthdays.
In the 4th minute of the first half, right from the start, a ball crossed back by Soma ANZAI flowed to the far side, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE struck with his left foot, saying, "We practiced for the team to enter from the opposite side. I really wanted to score today." The shot hit its target, marking his first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium. He gifted a spectacular birthday goal to his brother, whose birthday was on the day of the match.
Next, the player who brought a smile was Diego OLIVEIRA, who returned to the starting lineup . He scored a powerful header from Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's cross, scoring a second consecutive goal in the league. He also suffered a left shoulder injury and was out of the game at one point, but this was the moment he showed his true abilities. This goal was also a celebration for his mother's birthday, who lives in Brazil.
After dominating both offense and defense in the first half, the tables turned in the second half as Kyoto Sanga F.C. pushed back and scored a goal. In addition, there was a scene where a penalty kick was awarded near the end of the second half, but thanks to VAR support, the decision was overturned and there were no consequences.
Holding on through about nine and a half minutes of additional time, they secured their second consecutive win of the season. After the match, "The City That Never Sleeps" and the victory anthem "You’ll Never Walk Alone" echoed through Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time this season.
Match Preview
Exactly one year ago. There are still many people who remember the frustration of that day. And the many bitter memories we experienced on the away Sapporo ground. The time has come to replace all of those.
Since the 2017 season, the official match record in Sapporo is 3 draws and 5 losses. In addition to 4 come-from-behind losses, last season they suffered a big defeat of 5 goals on the same day, May 6th. It can be seen from the results that their compatibility is so bad that it is considered a "demon's gate".
However, everything is in the past. There is no need to worry at all. The team is currently on a winning streak, defeating Albirex Niigata and Kyoto Sanga F.C. They have also risen up to 6th place in the rankings. Although they have tasted bitter defeat many times before, the players standing on the pitch this time are solely focused on winning the game in front of them. It is precisely because they can see the shadow of the top that they want to fight with all their might and aim for victory.
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, who has suffered 5 consecutive losses since the opening, marked their first victory against Gamba Osaka in the 7th round. After that, they have had 4 consecutive draws and have been unable to win, but they will face the Tokyo match with a record of 5 games undefeated.
In the previous match, Cerezo Osaka, who is competing for the top spot, drew 1-1 away. They have been scoring the first goal in 6 consecutive league matches, showing that their goal scoring ability is not low. Although they are currently in 17th place, they are not to be underestimated. However, they have lost all matches where they conceded the first goal. They also have a tendency to concede many goals in the latter part of the match.
As Tokyo has recorded the most 19 goals in the league as of the previous round, they want to take advantage of their proud attacking power and score the first goal by any means necessary. In addition to taking the lead, it will be crucial to solve issues such as game management and time management in order to secure victory, as they have been prone to conceding goals in the second half.
The ability to score from anywhere has become a major gain for the team. It's been two days since the previous match against Kyoto. We want to use this consecutive match to firmly overcome it together and gain momentum for the future with a 3-game winning streak in the league for the first time since March 2022.
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, the next match will be a tough one with only 2 days of rest.
A, we will prepare thoroughly. We always adapt to the situations we face, and no matter the circumstances, we will overcome the tough conditions in Monday’s match and keep moving forward. Whoever plays, we will simply select the 11 players to start on the pitch and go out to fight.
Q, what is your impression of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo this season?
A, they are a very good and dangerous team. I always prepare with respect for the opponent, and I am taking the same approach with Sapporo. They seem to have been improving their form over the last few matches. In the previous match, they drew an away game against Cerezo Osaka. (YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM) is a tough place to fight, so even a draw is a good result for them. Furthermore, in the match before that, they played a 3-3 game against Shonan Bellmare. This is proof that their form is rising, and we will also make the best preparations to bring out our maximum strength.
Q, It has been 12 seasons since we last won an away match against Sapporo.
A, It’s beautiful. I love situations like that. I think it’s one of the records we can change ourselves. However, the media didn’t tell us before the match against Avispa Fukuoka that we hadn’t won in 24 years (laughs). I only heard about that jinx after the game. This time it’s half of that for Fukuoka, so I want to break the record again.
Q, When selecting players with only two days between matches, are there any numbers or data from a medical perspective that help you make decisions?
A, this is also an area where the physical team makes decisions based on numerical data. This includes GPS data, which is measured even during matches. We try to gather as much information as possible, including the intensity level and fatigue, to make smart decisions. Today is the day after the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., so recovery is very important. Also, since tomorrow is the day before the next match, completing the training is crucial. I believe the players selected for the match will play with pride in being able to step onto the pitch.
Q, with variations in age and playing time among players, isn't the key to high performance the successful fitting of data like a puzzle?
A, that is one of the things we work on every day. As I always say, the mentality during daily training is important. With that as a foundation, we clearly define how we need to play. There are various puzzles to solve, but it is crucial that the players understand what they need to do as they work on it. As we go through the season, we believe every member is necessary. I think you can understand that in these consecutive matches, we truly need the strength of everyone. However, our football can still progress further. I believe that through daily efforts, we can help the players grow even more. With that, the puzzle should be solvable.
[Player Interview]
Soma ANZAI
Q, we will have our next game in 2 days. How is the condition?
A, I think it is important to take care so as not to carry over fatigue from the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. When I was a specially designated player last season, I played 90 minutes in an official university match and then appeared in the Levain Cup two days later. This season, I have also experienced playing with only three days between the Urawa Reds and Kashima Antlers matches in April. To get through these consecutive games, I want to focus first on recovery. Our goal is to achieve three consecutive wins, which we couldn’t accomplish last season, so toughness with a strong focus on results will be required.
Q, exactly one season ago on May 6th, Soma ANZAI made his J1 League debut in an away match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
A, it was a very disappointing match. I think they are the perfect opponent to make people feel, "Tokyo is different this season." I want to show through results how much we have grown both as a team and individually. My J1 League debut was a heavy 1-5 defeat, and I experienced rock bottom on the pitch. Even now, a season later, I feel that experience is still alive within me.
Q, how will you break down Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, known for their distinctive system and tactics?
A, I think it will be a match characterized by aggressive defense and intense battles for the ball, similar to the previous game against Kyoto. Regarding the starting players from the last match, the key will be whether the wide-positioned players, including myself and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, can beat opponents one-on-one during attacks and link up with the wing-backs behind. Another important point will be how quickly we can commit numbers when transitioning to offense.
Q, with the U-23 Japan national team activities now over, Kuryu MATSUKI and Ryotaro ARAKI will soon be returning to the team. The competition for attacking positions seems likely to reignite, but please tell us what is necessary to secure a regular starting spot.
A, I want to continue raising the baseline and standards such as play intensity and dedication to defense that I have been working on consistently. If I can demonstrate it in numbers like the assist I made in the Kyoto match, I believe I can establish myself on the right side as a player who contributes significantly to defense and also produces numbers in attack. I want to build up step by step from my current base and grow into a player who brings change and becomes an attacking accent with my play on the offensive side.
<Takahiro KO>
Q, how is your condition for the consecutive games in 2 days?
A, I feel that I have been able to play so far without feeling significant fatigue, surprisingly. Without using the consecutive matches as an excuse, even though it is an away game, I want the whole team to work hard to firmly bring back 3 points to Tokyo.
Q, what is your impression of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo?
A, defensively, they play aggressively with a tendency toward man-to-man marking, and offensively, they seem to focus on building up play through combinations. For us, we want to achieve a clean sheet with high-intensity defense that does not give freedom to the opposing players we face. In attack, by shaking off the players who come at us and advancing while coordinating with the second and third players, I believe chances will naturally arise. We want to approach the match with a shared awareness of both offense and defense among all players.
Q, I think closing out games in the final stages is a challenge. What is necessary to reduce the number of goals conceded?
A, in the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., we conceded one goal and allowed them to gain momentum. Although we had to endure a long period of pressure, I believe that ultimately securing the win will contribute to the team’s growth. However, the longer we have to withstand defensively, the more mentally and physically challenging it becomes. To control the game according to the match situation and seize the initiative, everyone on the pitch must play with the same mindset in both offense and defense.
Q, About one quarter of this season's league matches have been completed.
A, I spent a frustrating time unable to even make the bench for several matches since the league season started. Amid that, I earned a starting opportunity from the Avispa Fukuoka match and have been constantly thinking about "what I can do for the team" while playing. I want to further express myself on the pitch from here on, and above all, I want to increase the time we hold the ball more than we do now. By quickly sensing the opponent’s movements and formation and moving the ball, I believe it will lead to pressing the opponent back. Defensively, I feel a tangible sense of growth with each match, and the number of times we get broken down through the central area has significantly decreased. However, it is also true that the number of goals conceded has not decreased. Since we continue to concede in situations that are not particularly difficult to defend, such as set plays and simple plays, I want to be even more conscious of communicating from the holding midfielder position to the whole team and winning the ball in the central area.
