<Review of the Previous Match vs Kawasaki Frontale>
The Tamagawa Clasico was held after just four days. Following the Tokyo Verdy match that electrified Ajinomoto Stadium, the team faced a battle they absolutely could not afford to lose.
For this match, Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI deployed Yuto NAGATOMO not in his usual right-back position but as a left-back. He devised a strategy to shut down Ito, the right winger for Kawasaki Frontale who had scored in six consecutive official matches. Furthermore, the plan involved suppressing the opponent’s key playmaker in midfield to disrupt Kawasaki’s attacks.
This strategy hit the mark perfectly. As Nagatomo closely man-marked Ito and neutralized his strengths, the team as a whole maintained a compact defense, denying the central midfielders any freedom. By cutting off the sources of passes and shutting down their outlets, they took control of the game.
Having lost the past four encounters in a row, and with the last three matches all ending in the humiliating scoreline of 0-3, many players highlighted the “first goal” as a key point. Tokyo cleared that hurdle.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, Marcos GUILHERME received the ball from Nagatomo and made a vertical breakthrough down the left side, crossing it in front of goal. When the ball flowed to the opposite side, Motoki NAGAKURA softly returned it to the center with a one-touch pass, and Keita ENDO, unmarked, rushed in to powerfully head the ball, giving Tokyo the long-awaited opening goal.
At halftime, Kawasaki brought on Wakisaka to increase passing options, which led to more pressure in the second half. Even so, the team endured with committed defense while looking for counterattack opportunities. In the 68th minute, Alexander SCHOLZ blocked a clear chance by MARCINHO with a powerful sliding tackle. In the additional time of the second half, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made an astonishing save to stop an opponent’s shot, with the defense also putting in a strong effort.
In the final moments of the match, it seemed that the opponent had pushed forward and equalized in front of the goal, but with VAR support, it was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed. The match ended as it was. The blue and red showed adaptability by nullifying the opponent’s strengths while bringing out their own qualities, securing a consecutive win with two straight clean sheets.
Match Preview
Overcoming a tight schedule, aiming for the first 3 consecutive wins of the season through an all-out effort.
This week, coming off back-to-back 1-0 victories against Tokyo Verdy and Kawasaki Frontale. The tough condition of just two days' rest applies to both teams. Therefore, we want to accelerate the momentum of consecutive wins and quickly accumulate points.
Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI reflects on the upcoming battle while objectively analyzing the team's situation: "The power that comes the moment everyone feels the drive to push forward and the arrow pointing ahead is our strength. There’s no time to stand still, so I want the players on the pitch to fully demonstrate their strengths and what they do best."
The spirited two consecutive wins must have given the team great confidence. Sei MUROYA reflected, "In these two matches, the players' fighting spirit and the strong will of everyone playing with a 'let's do this' attitude were different. That kind of mindset to go for the win is important."
It is precisely because we secured victories in the important two consecutive matches that this upcoming match against Avispa Fukuoka becomes crucial. Everyone in the Aoaka family must be feeling the positive momentum the team is gaining. We must firmly demonstrate that through results.
Given the congested schedule this week, the use of fresh members is also expected, but player Muroya looks ahead with a smile, saying, "I believe anyone who plays now can deliver high performance, and I want to make the team even more competitive. In that sense, I’m looking forward to it." Indeed, this match is also a game to showcase the strength of the "Rikizo Tokyo" that has been built up so that the quality does not drop no matter who plays.
Fukuoka, on the other hand, is currently on a three-game losing streak in the league. It is expected that they will fight desperately to stop this losing streak, but Tokyo cannot yield on this point. In the previous away match, Tokyo was not allowed to show their true style at all, resulting in the coach wearing a bitter expression and calling it "a bad game where we were on the back foot throughout." Against a challenging style of play from Fukuoka, we want to play a game where we neither defend passively nor hesitate, but firmly take the initiative. It is important to consider our own advantages and the opponent’s weaknesses, and how we ourselves can break through the situation.
After two matches in which they showed flexible responses while observing their opponents, what kind of soccer will the Blue-Red display? And how will the players who have earned playing opportunities motivate themselves to energize the team? Masato MORISHIGE speaks about the current state of the team and his thoughts on achieving a third consecutive victory.
"Many players believe that the next match is the real test. This winning streak was born from everyone's sense of urgency and the feeling that 'this is important.' We cannot afford to take a breather here, so as a team, we want to firmly aim for a third consecutive victory."
A challenge for a third consecutive win at home. While valuing continuity, this game will seek a result of three straight wins by skillfully combining the unique strengths of each player on the pitch and surpassing the opponent in both team tactics and individual tactics.
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. The match against Avispa Fukuoka comes with just two days in between.
A. First, we prioritized recovery. We also worked to some extent on tactics and various other things today, but the idea is to properly get the body moving starting from tomorrow's warm-up. Although the period is short, everyone is committed to doing everything we can.
Q. Was there anything you particularly focused on in today's practice?
A. We focused on key points including the opponent's offense and defense, as well as set plays. Regarding our impression of Fukuoka, their defense is very challenging and aggressive. They have high-quality players both on the sides and in the center. In the first half of the league, we were defeated at the very end, and naturally, the frustration of not having a good game remains. However, there are also different aspects compared to back then, and we want to firmly demonstrate our own strengths.
Q, Including Fukuoka's Konno, I think dealing with the flanks will be a key point.
A, Defensively, the key is how compactly we can suppress the opponent's strengths and connect that to effective attacks. If we can coordinate well, including sliding, there will naturally be moments when mismatches occur in one-on-one situations with the opponent. However, conversely, when our defense works well, we can almost completely take away the opponent's options. Since the opponent actively presses defensively, large spaces open up behind them. If we can connect the ball properly, I believe this will lead to significant chances, such as short counters.
Q: In the last two matches, I think you were able to play in a way that pulled the flow toward your side while watching the opponent.
A: Being able to accurately assess the situation is a sign of growth and the result of what we have built up. It’s not just about what I convey or the patterns we have prepared; players are required to play while considering where space opens up and what tendencies exist according to the opponent’s style. It’s important to figure out how to break through the situation while keeping in mind our advantages and the opponent’s weaknesses so that we don’t end up with nothing when what we prepared doesn’t go well. If we can thoroughly adopt the mindset of working backward from the goal, I believe we can improve even further.
[Player Interview]
<Player Kim Seung-gyu>
Q. Starting with the match against Kawasaki Frontale, I can feel the speed of decision-making and good condition reflected in your play in recent games.
A. I believe that winning matches boosts the mentality and condition to play with confidence. Currently, I think I am able to properly express in matches what I focus on and work on during daily training, and winning the last two games has put me in a very good condition.
Q. What aspects do you focus on in your daily training?
A. The goalkeeper coach shares the opponent's characteristics with us and designs training menus based on what kind of attacks they will launch. We are able to have really good practice sessions. Good training leads to better performance in matches.
Q, You have greatly contributed to the two most recent matches with clean sheet victories. What kind of growth or changes do you feel as a team?
A, One reason could be the deepening mutual understanding of what characteristics teammates have and, conversely, what kind of play they expect from me. I feel that defenders and defensive midfielders who play near my area are smoothly expressing in their play where they want to win the ball and where they want to receive it. Since I joined in June, I believe that the improving coordination and play synchronization in that area have had a significant impact.
Furthermore, not only the defensive players but the entire team’s communication about "when to apply pressure" and "how to position themselves" has led to the two recent clean-sheet victories. This undoubtedly contributes to the defensive intensity on the pitch, and even during physically demanding periods, the clarity of each player’s role on the field encourages strong defensive performance.
Q. Please tell us the key points to keep an eye on regarding Avispa Fukuoka, who are tied with 37 points.
A. They have players up front who combine height and strength, so we are especially focused on dealing with crosses. I think there will be many cases where they connect with headers from crosses, so we want to take thorough preparation and positioning. Fukuoka is not a team that frequently uses long balls aimed at their forwards, but depending on the match situation, we must also carefully manage aerial duels and second-ball recoveries as a team when such balls are played.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q, Regarding the match against Avispa Fukuoka with only two days' rest, I think it will be a full-team effort.
A, We are currently on a good winning streak and the team is riding a positive wave. The next match is a six-point game, so if we all fight together and secure a victory, I believe an even better momentum will be created. This is an important match this week. No matter who plays, what we need to do does not change. I want to play in a way that maximizes each player's individual strengths and playing style.
Q, This season, we have yet to achieve three consecutive wins.
A, In the first half of the league, we conceded a goal at the end and lost 0-1 to this opponent, so first, we want to repay that debt. This season, despite having chances to secure three consecutive wins, we ended up losing and then continued to have matches where we couldn't win. If we win here, I think the momentum will build to continue with four or five consecutive wins. We want to connect the current good flow to a three-win streak.
Q. In the match against Kawasaki Frontale, I think it was precisely because we were able to finish in the first half that we could control the pace of the game.
A. Despite attacking from the first half, there were many occasions where we failed to finish and ended up conceding goals in the second half. It is precisely because the team has been improving that finishing in the first half and gaining momentum has led to victories without conceding. As a team, we want to approach this match with the mindset of "defending solidly while finishing decisively." We want to fight hard and pursue victory.
Q. How do you want to approach the match against an opponent who applies high pressing?
A. By having the forwards skillfully show themselves, we want to break the opponent defenders' marks, exploit the open spaces effectively, and play in a way that makes it difficult for the opponent to apply high pressing. If that happens, we will have longer possession of the ball and be able to control the match, so I want to be very conscious of that. Also, I want to score a goal this match. I have received advice from the Naohiro ISHIKAWA Community Generator, so I want to make sure to finish decisively.
