<Emperor's Cup Round of 16 - Cerezo Osaka Match Review>
Having defeated Zweigen Kanazawa in the 2nd Round and Oita Trinita in the 3rd Round, Tokyo faced Cerezo Osaka in the Round of 16. Riding a wave of momentum with a strong record of 4 wins and 1 loss since the June break, they headed to YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM.
From the beginning, Tokyo experienced periods where the opponent maintained possession, making it difficult to create attacking opportunities. Although adjustments were made during the water break, immediately afterward Kosuke SHIRAI was forced to leave the field due to injury, and an unexpected incident occurred where Sei MUROYA was hurriedly sent out as right back.
From just before the end of the first half, FC Tokyo gradually began to suppress the opponent's strengths and started to show their own qualities, leading to a truly back-and-forth battle in the second half. When Kashif BANGNAGANDE courageously pressed back to cut off the opponent's counterattack, Keito SATO's dribbling breakthrough and final pass were blocked by the opposition.
From such a development, it was Tokyo who took the initiative. The key point was Motoki NAGAKURA's post play. At the 10th minute of the second half, the ball possessed from their own half was received by number 26, who dropped back from the front line, then with a quick turn, he supplied a through pass to the front. Teruhito NAKAGAWA broke through skillfully and Tokyo succeeded in taking the lead.
Although Tokyo was equalized five minutes later, they activated their attack by bringing on both Takahiro KO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, and Kim Seung-gyu also protected the goal with fine saves.
Then, in the 35th minute of the second half, after a cut by Nagakura, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA showed dribbling that crossed the pitch from the left side and expanded to the right side. Here, Sato sent a floating pass to the far side, and the one who appeared was Nagakura, who had been the starting point of the attack. After one trap, he calmly slotted the ball into the goal to take the lead.
After that, the guardian goalkeeper continued to make fine saves one after another to get through the danger and the final whistle blew. Tokyo advanced to the Emperor's Cup best 8 for the first time since the 2016 season.
<Emperor's Cup Quarterfinal Preview>
Two days after the painful heavy defeat against Kyoto Sanga FC Tokyo faces the quarterfinal against Urawa Reds aiming for the Emperor's Cup championship.
A one-off match at Saitama Stadium 2002 for a ticket to the Semifinal Round. Since Urawa played their match on Friday and will come into this game after four days of rest, for Tokyo, physical and mental recovery will be the key. Among these, how well they can mentally reset and face kickoff will be crucial.
In the previous match, under the management of Rikizo MATSUHASHI, we challenged possession play but suffered a complete defeat against Kyoto, who have a contrasting pressing style. Overwhelmed by an opponent who boldly applied pressure from the front, the team painfully realized the importance of situational judgment and flexible tactics. It was a match that once again made us feel the significance of reading the opponent’s intentions and the flow of the game, and adapting our response flexibly.
That said, dwelling on that won’t help us move forward. We must use the shift from the league matches to the Emperor's Cup as an opportunity to reset our mindset and turn things around positively.
Captain Kei KOIZUMI looks ahead, saying, "Of course, we must not forget the Kyoto match, but we have advanced this far in the Emperor's Cup, and winning here can expand our possibilities. I don’t want us to carry too much on our shoulders, focus only on the results, and lose sight of our own play. If everyone plays with confidence, good results will naturally follow, so I want us to firmly focus on that and work hard."
It was just about a month ago that we faced Urawa. This season, while suffering a frustrating come-from-behind loss in the away game, it is still fresh in memory how we avenged that disappointment with a brilliant comeback victory at home. Motoki NAGAKURA, who is on loan from Urawa, will not be able to play this time due to contractual reasons.
Urawa had been recovering with 3 wins and 1 draw since their defeat against Tokyo, but in last weekend's match against Kashiwa Reysol, they took a 2-goal lead in the first half only to suffer a comeback loss after conceding 4 goals in the second half. It is expected that their opponents will also regroup mentally and approach the match with renewed focus and determination.
Tokyo has now conceded goals in five consecutive official matches and has allowed the opponent to score first in three straight games, so they must be careful about how they start the match. This is a one-off knockout game, and it’s at Saitama Stadium. To take control of the match and bring out their strengths, they need to play without any sloppiness or even a momentary lapse in concentration.
Kento HASHIMOTO said, "I think the first goal will be the key. Since we have been conceding goals continuously, we want to focus on solid defense leading to good offense, and from the start of the match, play with energetic defense and then transition to energetic attack." Meanwhile, Alexander SCHOLZ, returning to his former home stadium, said, "We just played against Urawa recently, but I think the match will unfold differently this time," recalling the high-scoring match from a month ago as he envisions the game the next day.
The frustration of soccer can only be resolved through soccer. Keigo HIGASHI, showing the lingering disappointment from the previous match, has steeled his resolve for the Emperor's Cup, saying, "We must show our pride and the fact that we can do it. That can only be reclaimed through soccer, through the match. We have no choice but to show our pride and prove it on the pitch."
Since both teams suffered frustrating defeats in the previous round, this will be a crucial game where they absolutely must secure victory in front of their passionate fans and supporters. It is truly a clash of pride.
Despite the disappointing 0-4 result in the previous match against Kyoto, the Blue-Red family at Ajinomoto Stadium sent the team off with loud cheers of "Take the cup!" We must respond to that passion no matter what. With pride held close to their hearts and bearing great responsibility, the Blue-Red warriors will take the pitch at Saitama Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. The second and fourth goals conceded in the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. seemed to be scenes where errors within the team led to the goals.
A. I think that's exactly right. There are parts where I wonder why we couldn't do the simple things we always do at that moment. Those simple things ended up leading to the goals. Yesterday's training was conducted while incorporating that kind of essence. It is necessary to prepare so that the goalkeeper and the ball holder have many options. Of course, creating reliable passing lanes is important, but ultimately, it is the ball holder who makes the judgment, and even if the correct judgment is not made, someone must take leadership on the pitch. I had the players consciously focus again on the simple things and work on them starting from training.
Q. Tomorrow is the match against the Urawa Reds. In the league matches, the home team has won 3-2 each time.
A. We just need to stick to what we are doing and make sure we don’t waver. This is a match we must win. Of course, that applies to every match, but since this is a tournament, we need to think through things more carefully than usual in order to advance to the next round.
Q. I think winning = not conceding goals is also important. How do you plan to improve the situation where the number of goals conceded has been increasing in recent matches?
A. We must firmly keep that under control, but even if we concede goals, we want to maintain the attitude of scoring more goals than we concede. Of course, we prepare thoroughly for each match, but there have been moments when we couldn’t maintain intensity and showed slow transitions. First, we need to properly correct that and emphasize the transitions between offense and defense even more.
Q, on the other hand, regarding scoring, what specific form do you want to express?
A, we definitely need to launch attacks that deal damage to the opponent. It is important how many times we can deliver the ball to the area where most goals are scored and whether we can get into that area. We are doing well in the preceding stages within our team, so we need to improve the options for delivering the ball in front of the goal. There were many instances, including the match against Kyoto, where there was another option during a big chance in front of the goal, but it was not seen, and the ball was placed where the opponent could respond. I believe there were many parts that could have been broken down depending on the quality. We want to focus on improving accuracy and how to make use of the options.
[Player Interview]
＜Alexander SCHOLZ＞
Q. How do you perceive the defeat against Kyoto Sanga F.C.?
A. I believe the fans and supporters are expecting to see how the team recovers from this defeat and what kind of reaction we will show going into the next match. We must demonstrate that attitude to our fans and supporters.
Q, This time the match will be against the Urawa Reds at Saitama Stadium 2002. The match comes soon after our previous encounter.
A, I think it’s a bit too soon to face Urawa again. However, there’s nothing we can do about that, and right now I’m just looking forward to the match. Since this will be the second time facing Urawa, I know exactly what feelings will arise as the match approaches. Compared to the first encounter, the excitement for the match is stronger.
Q, The Emperor's Cup is a knockout tournament where losing means elimination. What do you think will be the key points?
A, I don't know exactly how it will turn out, but I think it will be a much closer match than the previous games against Urawa. As a defensive player, I want to minimize the opponent's chances. Also, I believe set pieces will be a crucial factor that can decide the outcome. I want to be fully prepared in every aspect going into the match.
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q. As you approach the Emperor's Cup quarterfinal match against the Urawa Reds, please tell us how you feel right now.
A. Since this is a knockout tournament where losing means the end, I want to contribute to the team's victory as my top priority through my play. There were only two days between the recent match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. and this one, but we have prepared thoroughly in this short period. The coaching staff has shared a lot of information, including feedback on the match and characteristics of the opponent, so I believe we can approach the game in perfect condition.
Q. In the league matches against Urawa, you scored 2 goals in 2 games. Do you have a good impression?
A. Since I scored in both games, my motivation is very high. I am confident I can score in three consecutive matches, and I will actively aim for that. And I will win.
Q. Although you came on as a substitute in the Kyoto match and did not score, you showed several scenes where you threatened the opponent's goal.
A. It is most frustrating that I couldn't help the team with a goal, but in the Urawa match, I have focused solely on scoring and contributing to the victory over these two days, concentrating on producing results in front of the goal. I want to give everything I have for the victory in this match.
Q. If there is anything you particularly focused on during this short period, please tell us.
A. Since we face Urawa with a tight schedule of just two days in between, I have been preparing to enter the match in the best possible condition. This is not my first time facing a match under such a difficult schedule, so I want to sharpen my concentration more than usual.
