<Review of the previous match against Vissel Kobe>
A match where the reigning champions aiming for consecutive league titles faced off at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Although there were many scenes where Tokyo was pushed back by the opponent who showed powerful football centered on long balls and high pressing, Tokyo gradually connected the ball and searched for attacking opportunities, creating chances with sharp attacks.
Seiji KIMURA's precise long feed led to Kosuke SHIRAI's breakaway, and Marcelo RYAN's powerful dribbling breakthrough brought the team close to scoring, but the net did not shake, and both sides went into halftime scoreless.
Tokyo continues to attack with a sense of speed in the second half, pressing into the opponent's territory. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA shows sharp dribbling breakthroughs that utilize his teammates, while in the second half, RIAN approaches the goal with dribbling aimed at exploiting space.
Vissel Kobe's goals were ruled offside twice, and in the additional time of the second half, although it seemed that Hian scored a goal for Tokyo, it was disallowed due to a handball by Teruhito NAKAGAWA just before.
Just when it seemed the match would end in a goalless draw, at the 13th minute of added time in the second half, a kick from Go HATANO, who was starting in the league for the first time this season, suddenly changed the course of the game.
Nakagawa broke away and took a shot on a super long kick that quickly turned the opponent over from our own half. Soma ANZAI, who picked up the rebound, aimed at the goal, but it was blocked by the opponent. However, with the possibility of a handball, VAR support was called in, and after an on-field review, a penalty kick was awarded.
Number 19 calmly finished with his right foot the biggest chance that came at the last moment, and Tokyo won with a dramatic goal. They achieved their first consecutive wins of the season and secured a victory at Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time since Sec. 3.
Match Preview
This is a match aiming for the first 3 consecutive wins of the season.
In the previous match, they withstood Vissel Kobe's powerful football, created periods of ball possession, and launched sharp attacks utilizing the speed of the forwards to advance into the opponent's territory. Then, a penalty kick by Marcelo RYAN near the end of the game became the final round-winning goal, securing their first consecutive victory of the season.
Go HATANO, who attracted attention with his first league start, also played a major role. He showed overwhelming presence in handling high balls and demonstrated stable catching. He also delivered a powerful ultra-long kick that became the starting point of the dramatic winning goal. The competition for the position with Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has been making a series of fine saves so far, is sure to intensify. It will be exciting to see who will stand in goal and what kind of performance they will show.
With this winning streak, Tokyo's record stands at 5 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses. If they win this match, they can return to an even record. In recent seasons, they have often missed victories in matches where it was believed "winning here would build momentum," so securing all 3 points this time is crucial to gaining strong momentum. As head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI also mentioned, "By winning this match and adding points, not only can we achieve a 3-game winning streak, but we can also look beyond that," making this match one with significance beyond just a single game.
Urawa Reds went winless in their first four matches and temporarily dropped to 19th place, but gradually recovered and surged to the top with five consecutive wins starting from Sec. 10. The main reason for this was the system change that placed Matsuo as the lone striker and lined up Kaneko, Watanabe, and Matheus SAVIO in the second row. By fluidly changing positions while attacking, they brought a threatening edge to their offense and rapidly improved their scoring ability. The team also has powerful counterattacks and solid defense.
Of course, there are weaknesses. Gamba Osaka secured a victory in the match before last by strengthening their defense and eliminating space, thereby neutralizing Urawa's strengths. They also impressively ended Urawa's winning streak away from home. Based on this match, what kind of strategy will "Rikizo Tokyo" choose?
The key points will likely be adaptability and flexibility. How to fight so that the opponent cannot bring out their strengths. And how to demonstrate the unique qualities of Tokyo. Ideally, we want to create a numerical advantage including the goalkeeper, increase passing options, and attack with good balance. By properly repositioning, we can also create chances. If the opponent suddenly switches tactics, we must consider how to defend, but like G Osaka, solidifying the backline and launching sharp attacks is also an option. In any case, without rushing, we want to adopt a "smart way of fighting" by adjusting our approach according to the flow of the game and the opponent’s moves. This match will likely test the key points that have been recent challenges more than ever before.
First, even out the record, and then move forward──. The game aiming for the first three consecutive league wins of the season will be a crucial match to determine the future course.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. With the team’s atmosphere improving due to the winning streak, what aspects do you want to further enhance?
A. I believe the key point is how much effort we can put into defeating the opponent in front of us by organizing information and embodying our own objectives. We want to fight aiming for three consecutive wins and beyond, and I think what we see will change as we accumulate more points. Above all, winning is the most important thing.
Q. Urawa Reds are known for their attacking style of football, but how does the coach view this?
A. I think their strength lies in being offensive while also having solid defensive counterattacks. We need to approach the game with caution from various perspectives.
Q. This season, there is a tendency for many goals scored and conceded in the last 15 minutes. What is important to move the game from the start?
A. I think it is important not to miss opportunities and to have the “sensitivity” to sense both chances and dangers. In the early stages of the match, there are often situations where both teams fight with power in attack and defense, and sometimes there are one-on-one individual battles. How well we can control these tough early battles will be crucial.
Q. The way the number of players attack and their positioning seems to be improving with each match.
A. It’s a gradual process. Just because we have started working on it doesn’t mean we can immediately express it on the field. What we ask of the players in daily training gradually sinks in, and I believe it begins to naturally show. From a data perspective as well, there are many areas where the numbers have improved. However, we never rely solely on that data or become complacent. Not missing a single moment, not losing fifty-fifty balls, and not losing in key situations are crucial factors that lead to victory.
[Player Interview]
<Keita ENDO player>
Q: please review the game against Vissel Kobe, where you achieved your first two consecutive wins of the season.
A. I think those who watched the game could tell it was a tough match, especially in the opening of the first half and around the 20 to 25-minute mark. It was great that Kosuke SHIRAI’s single line break completely changed the flow and atmosphere of the game, but rather than relying on some trigger to cause such a shift, I want everyone to constantly try to create opportunities to change the mood. However, it’s not that we can’t ignite the spark without such triggers; throughout the match, I felt that we have to switch ourselves on even without any external cues. Including the atmosphere in the stadium, I am grateful to the fans and supporters who came and created that environment, which helped us score the winning goal from the penalty kick at the end.
Q. I think the most important thing moving forward to break into the top ranks is to not let this winning streak come to an end.
A: Rather than focusing too much on not breaking the winning streak or aiming for three or four consecutive wins, I believe that if we keep doing what we need to do, the results will follow. Also, whether what we do leads to victory depends on whether what we are doing is worthy of winning, so I want to play with confidence from the start.
Q: In the previous match, not conceding any goals ultimately led to a dramatic final round goal. Amidst the ongoing conceding of goals, what defensive improvements did you make?
A. We have started communicating much more as a team. I have also been talking a lot with the players around me, so I think that has been a big factor. Within the team, I believe there is confidence that if we keep a clean sheet, we will be able to score at some point. Throughout the match, there will be tough periods and times when we are pushed back, but I think we are currently able to defend without losing our composure during those moments.
Q. What is your impression of Urawa Reds, and what do you think is important to win against them?
A. The atmosphere in the stadium is incredible, and being able to play soccer amid that intensity is wonderful, whether you are on the home side or the away side. It is important that each player approaches the match with the mindset of silencing the tens of thousands of Urawa fans and supporters in attendance. If you get even a little intimidated or overwhelmed by the atmosphere, it’s a team and environment that will immediately exploit that, so I think that is crucial.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q. What kind of preparations are you making for the match against Urawa Reds?
A. Even when they are on the attack, they quickly connect the ball to the front line and launch counters, so as usual, we want to first switch our mindset and use press-back and chasing from the front line to prevent them from easily advancing the ball forward. Their front line is filled with strong players, so we want to approach to stop the ball from reaching them, win the ball back, and then execute short counters from there.
Q. I think the things the team wants to do are becoming more precise.
A. The style of soccer we have been working on since the beginning is starting to take shape. In addition, the strength of counter-attacking soccer, which has long been a characteristic of Tokyo, is blending well to create something good. We want to achieve three consecutive wins here, build confidence, and become an even better team.
Q. I think scoring the first goal increases our chances even more.
A. I think that's exactly right. If we can score first, the opposing players will come to try to take the ball, which will open up space behind them, and we will also be able to maintain possession firmly. How we score first will likely be the deciding factor in the outcome of the match.
Q. I think fans and supporters are also expecting goals from player Megumi Sato.
A. We will put all our effort into achieving three consecutive wins as a team. Beyond that, I hope to score goals and help secure victories. First and foremost, my strongest desire is to fight for the team and achieve three straight wins.
Q. This will be your first match at Saitama Stadium 2002, how do you feel?
A. I have only been to watch a match there once before, but I was very impressed by the atmosphere. My teammates have also mentioned it, and even when watching on TV or DAZN, the cheers and applause seem very loud. I think it will be a very away environment to play in, but I’m the type who gets fired up in such situations. I’m excited.
