<Review of the Previous Match vs. Yokohama F.Marinos>
This match came after three consecutive wins with three clean sheets. The coach and players all said they wanted to "focus on the match in front of them," and, as with the winning streak, they aimed to respond flexibly. However, they were overwhelmed by the opponent’s aggressive pressing from the start and could not fully demonstrate their strengths as they had hoped.
Before the match, the plan was to increase ball possession while simply targeting the space behind, but with the opponent solidifying the center and increasing pressure on the passing outlets, not only did build-up become difficult in the first half, but there were also extended periods where good long balls could not be supplied.
It seemed that they conceded the opening goal during first-half stoppage time, but with VAR support, it was ruled offside and no goal was given. The first half ended scoreless.
In the second half, an unexpected turn awaited Tokyo. Although they showed aggressive play at the start, they conceded the opening goal from a cross in the 6th minute of the second half, and then conceded again in similar fashion in the 14th and 17th minutes. Perhaps unsettled by conceding after a long time, they allowed 3 goals in just 11 minutes.
FC Tokyo, determined to show their spirit to the fans and supporters who continue to cheer passionately. In the 44th minute of the second half, Keita YAMASHITA broke free on a feed from Alexander SCHOLZ and took a shot. Sei MUROYA followed up on the rebound, and finally Takahiro KO tucked it in, igniting the counterattack. Then, in stoppage time of the second half, Leon NOZAWA was fouled while dribbling and earned a penalty kick. SCHOLZ calmly converted it, finally closing the gap to one goal.
The Blue-Red continued their fierce attack, but the match ended here. Despite scoring two goals after being down 0-3, it was not enough, and both the winning streak and clean sheet streak stopped at three. It was a frustrating defeat at home.
Match Preview
Sec. 33 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League against Shimizu S-Pulse marks a restart after a streak of three consecutive wins and clean sheets came to an end. Following the three goals conceded in 11 minutes during the previous match against Yokohama F. Marinos, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI incorporated training focused on defensive responses in preparation for this match.
In the matches where they secured consecutive 1-0 shutout victories against Tokyo Verdy, Kawasaki Frontale, and Avispa Fukuoka, their physical defense in front of the goal and timely decision-making stood out. Even during difficult periods, they endured firmly and drew the momentum to themselves, demonstrating a tenacious way of pulling victory closer.
However, in the previous match, the team conceded goals for the first time in a while, which had an impact, and the inability to attack as planned also worked against them, resulting in conceding multiple goals from similar crosses in a short period. Coach Matsuhashi reflects on this period.
"Regarding the goals conceded, I felt that our concentration and overall alertness to tighten up once again were lacking. Just as we rehearsed in attack, when things didn’t go well, the part about how to change our approach next, including my prompting, became weak. It was a game where we couldn’t fully unleash our power and energy."
It can be said that this season, the team has once again exposed issues in dealing with cross balls, which had been a defensive challenge. Because the team has been able to score goals, it is precisely by focusing firmly on these issues and eliminating them that they want to increase their chances of victory.
Guardian Kim Seung-gyu said, "(In the previous match) all the goals conceded were from crosses. Since Shimizu also relies heavily on side attacks, we were able to thoroughly prepare by discussing the height and positioning of the back line among the defenders," speaking about the adjustments made to address the issues.
Shimizu, on the other hand, is currently in 11th place with the same 40 points as Tokyo, holding a record of 10 wins, 10 draws, and 12 losses. In the previous match, they suffered a painful late comeback defeat against Vissel Kobe, but until then, they had shown strong form with five unbeaten league matches and three consecutive clean sheets. Their team situation is very close to Tokyo’s, and this game will be a restart for them as they aim to climb up the standings.
Including that position, Coach Matsuhashi said, "(With Shimizu) we have the same points, so the question is who will rise above here. We have to be greedy about that, and considering that in the previous match against Yokohama FM they were hungrier for points, the key this time will be which side can hold that feeling more strongly. The hungrier person has a better chance of winning it. First, I think it’s about truly giving your all with what you have right now," he spoke about the nuances of the contest.
The players share the same sentiment. Masato MORISHIGE said, "I want to win no matter what," while Kei KOIZUMI commented, "Ultimately, it’s a battle of situations. Whether players have been playing regularly or not, everyone wants to be well-prepared and ready." And goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu expressed his determination by saying, "Next time, I want to keep a clean sheet."
The previous match at Ajinomoto Stadium ended in a 0-2 defeat. Inui, who scored the goals, is a key player that must be tightly marked this time as well. Yuto NAGATOMO, who played alongside him in the Japan national team, warns about him and points to the team's overall response as the key.
“We formed a partnership on the left side even during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, and there are very few players as easy to play with as him. He’s truly an excellent player. Both defensively and offensively, he’s incredibly smart, has great positioning, uses his teammates well, and on top of that, he can take the initiative himself. He’s just really troublesome to face. His real talent lies in always choosing the plays that annoy the opponent. If the space behind is dangerous, he runs; if it’s better to drop back and receive the ball at his feet, or to receive it between the lines, his judgment and sense are outstanding. Rather than trying to handle him alone, I want the team to work together, passing marking responsibilities to respond to his movements.”
The commitment to good defense leading to good offense remains unchanged. The entire team will coordinate to identify critical moments, taking the initiative with passionate play while neutralizing the opponent's strengths. By returning to basics and actively challenging ourselves, victory should come closer. This will truly be a match that tests all the progress made so far.
Additionally, it will be the team's first day game since Sec. 18 against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on May 25. The coach expressed his enthusiasm for the reset match, saying, "The conditions are the same for the opponent as well. We don't want to overemphasize that, but we want to start well from the first half and fight with a shared understanding and flexibility among all players."
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q. In the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos, we conceded three goals within 11 minutes. How do you reflect on that?
A. Regarding the goals conceded, I feel that there was a lack of concentration and a certain level of attentiveness to tighten up as a team, even including the bench. I think that awareness had become weak. Conversely, there were also issues on the offensive side. Although the players were mindful of what we had prepared in practice, when things didn’t go well, including my prompting, the response on what measures to take next was insufficient. I believe the cause of the defeat was that we couldn’t fully exert our power and energy.
Q. What is your impression of Shimizu S-Pulse?
A. I have the impression that their defense is solid. From the beginning of the match, they firmly approach the ball, unsettle their opponents, and by turning attacks from the flanks and the set pieces they earn from those into goals, they seem to be able to develop good games. There have been matches where their performance drops in the second half, so that is not the only point to target, but I believe they are an opponent against whom we must demonstrate our strength from the first half.
Q. Including the fact that the winning streak has stopped, what did you communicate to the players this week?
A. It is about continuing. All the players are fully confronting the issue of the goals conceded in the previous match. I believe the players will prepare thoroughly from the start to ensure that such issues do not arise in the next game, or at least to minimize them.
Q, Among those points, what did you particularly emphasize?
A, Regarding Shimizu's defense, since they are expected to apply pressure from the front in the first half, we organized our attack on how we should respond to that. When we are pressing and the opponent is retreating, a simpler approach is also necessary. Concerning defense, we thoroughly ensured that the entire team shares a common understanding. We anticipated the situations that could lead us into trouble and have been training accordingly.
Q. How were the players' expressions and atmosphere?
A. They made a very good switch, and we were able to have really good training this week. The outcome of soccer matches is truly unpredictable. Sometimes you win with just one chance, and other times you can't win even when you are dominant. It is important to first fully accept the various situations that occur within the 90 minutes. On top of that, I believe that fighting without giving up until the very end increases the chances of ultimately securing victory. Winners have a mentality that never loses their spirit of not giving up and their challenging spirit. I think the entire team must always hold such a mindset.
[Player Interview]
＜Alexander SCHOLZ＞
Q. After the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos, you mentioned that you couldn't get a hold of the flow. What do you think is necessary to seize the momentum from the start of the game?
A. In the last match, we conceded a goal due to poor defense. I believe it was a goal that could have been avoided in the details. As a team, it also seemed like it took us a while to get going from the start of the match. Throughout the J.League, the first half tends to be compact and difficult, but in the second half, spaces open up and the game often becomes more open. In the match against Shimizu S-Pulse, if the whole team focuses on playing with a bit more patience, I think an opportunity to seize the flow will come.
Q. What is your impression of Shimizu?
A. I think Shimizu has been progressing through the season in good form. IAI Stadium Nihondaira is also a very wonderful stadium, and when I played there in the past, the stands were close, creating a different atmosphere, so I always had the impression that it was a difficult match. Shimizu has many players with very high quality, but since the team has also prepared thoroughly, I am looking forward to the match.
Q. Shimizu is a team that applies pressure from the front line, but what do you think will be important?
A. I think they will press quite high from the first half. The combination play when we have the ball will be crucial. It is important to prepare so that we don’t allow the opponent to do what they want and can play the style of football we want.
Q. I think it is important not to suffer consecutive losses here.
A. Since we lost to Yokohama FM, it’s natural that such talk comes up, but before that, we had three consecutive wins. So personally, I think it’s more important to focus on playing good matches rather than just trying not to lose consecutively.
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q. I think the match against Yokohama F.Marinos was one where the ball didn’t get forward in good positions.
A. It’s true that due to tight marking, we couldn’t play as we wanted. It was a game where the number of times we received the ball in the intended positions was low. I believe a major reason was that the attacking players, including myself, made few attempts to challenge the opponent’s defense.
Q, Shimizu S-Pulse this week is also a team that relies on solid defense.
A, As a team, we must thoroughly understand how the opponent defends and how they apply pressure, and coordinate on the pitch with a shared understanding. Including what kind of countermeasures are necessary, we feel we had good training this week. Now, we just need to deliver a performance that leads to victory in tomorrow's match.
Q. Please tell us the points you are focusing on for tomorrow's match.
A. From the moment the match starts, I want to maintain high concentration, be aware of the opponent's intentions, positioning, and defensive pressure, and exploit any gaps. The most important thing, I believe, is to quickly identify the opponent's weak points and convert them into goals.
Q. In the previous match against Shimizu, we lost 0-2.
A. In the first half of the league, we were unable to surpass their strengths and ended up losing. I believe the only way to make up for that is with a victory. We want to show that with the result of 3 points and share the joy with everyone.
