“Come rolling in front of me!”

A great opportunity comes before the number 8, which I had hoped for.

While running, what he focused on was to firmly control and kick the ball towards the goal. The shot unleashed from his compactly swung right foot slipped through the legs of the opposing player who came to block and pierced the goal net with a rising trajectory.

The goal scored in the 37th minute of the second half while chasing a one-point deficit was a low, sharp, and powerful equalizer. For Takahiro KO, this was his first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium.

However, there is no smile on his face. In order to achieve a comeback and secure a fourth consecutive victory, he returns to his position with a small jumping fist pump. Then, kneeling on the pitch, he clenches his fists and lets out a roar, instilling a strong awareness of the comeback victory in himself and spreading it to all the blue and red supporters.

Whether it was due to that feeling being conveyed or not, Tokyo launched a sudden offensive. The atmosphere in the stadium was rising with a sense of a comeback. The defense showed blocks and fine saves, and the players who were brought in during the match also made their presence felt in the attack.

However, despite their best efforts, Sagan Tosu could not be broken down until the end, and the match ended with a time-up. Although they showed a rebound mentality, they could not turn the game around, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

“I think everyone felt the chance and atmosphere to turn things around in the last 10 minutes, and we were able to feel that as well. That’s why we have to make it count. Not being able to win at Ajinomoto is our weakness. It’s very frustrating.”

An interview without smiles after the match. Despite scoring the equalizing goal, his expression was filled with the frustration of not being able to win, reflecting the regret of missing out on four consecutive victories.

Match Preview

The first match after the international match week will be an away game against Vissel Kobe, held on ‘Gold J’. Following Kobe’s participation in the AFC Champions League Elite, the schedule has been changed to a night game on Friday.

The match against Sagan Tosu in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 33, held on October 5, saw a first half where we struggled against the opponent’s high press and five-back formation, but gradually took control in the second half. However, after falling behind and equalizing, it ended in a draw. Once again, we could not secure a win at Ajinomoto Stadium, resulting in a frustrating draw in a match aimed at achieving our first four consecutive league wins of the season.

However, there is no need to view the content negatively. In the second half, each player showcased their strengths in both offense and defense at their respective positions. There were also scenes that demonstrated the transition from good defense to good offense, which had been displayed during the winning streak. While we could not secure victory, I would like to think positively about the fact that we were able to express the essence of Tokyo.

Kobe is on a six-match winning streak in the league. They are just one point behind the leaders, Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Their style remains unchanged, using aggressive high pressing from the front to apply pressure and striking quickly with sharp counters to score. Led by experienced players, the defending champions are making a final push for consecutive titles.

Tokyo, heading into the away match this round, will need to reorganize the back line as center-back Yasuki KIMOTO is suspended due to accumulated warnings. The key point of the match will be how to deal with the opponent’s aggressive pressing. Not only should they connect the ball firmly from the back, but they should also avoid risks while assessing the situation, using long kicks to neutralize Kobe’s press, and keep in mind the utilization of post play and sharp attacks into the spaces behind. This match is likely to test the adaptability that has been shown during their winning streak.

The winning streak in the league has been stopped at 3, but the team is in a positive situation with 4 games unbeaten. This game will be an opportunity to firmly demonstrate the blue and red’s strength against Kobe, who is in the championship race, and to connect to the final stages and the future.

[Interview with Peter Cklamovski]

Q: The match against Sagan Tosu ended in a draw due to the opponent’s solid defense.
A, there are challenges in each match. The match against Tosu had a very difficult development in the first 20 minutes. There were many times we had to endure, but we fought well and were able to play positively towards the end of the first half. In the second half, I think we managed to grasp the flow and rhythm of the game well. However, we gave our opponents an opportunity and allowed them to score the first goal. Even so, the players showcased their individual strengths and gave their all without giving up. I believe that led to the equalizing goal.

Q: This match is against Vissel Kobe.
A, Kobe is the champion club of last season’s J1 League, and they have accumulated many victories in their recent matches. It is precisely because they are riding such a good wave and fighting that Kobe is positioned at the top. This round will be an away match for them. While we need to be cautious of their momentum, we also have a good flow that we have grasped in our recent matches. We want to show that we can fight firmly. I believe it is just about expressing our strong mentality and the power to fight through strongly, as well as our own principles.

Q: What measures do you take against opponents with high attacking power?
A, Kobe has a very talented roster, but the most important thing is how we exploit their weaknesses and control the game. There is certainly respect for fighting against the defending champions, and it is expected that Kobe will fiercely compete for consecutive titles, but first, we need to focus on our own style of play. We will give everything for the three points.

[Player Interview]
Diego OLIVEIRA

Q: In the recent matches, the team has been able to score many points. What kind of progress have you made during this break?
A, the player Ryotaro ARAKI, who is currently building a vertical relationship, is a high-quality player, making it very easy to play. I believe that not only in the last few matches but throughout this season, he has had a positive impact on the team. I think we are currently building a very good relationship, but with five matches still remaining, I want to further strengthen that relationship.

Q: This will be a match against Vissel Kobe, who are currently in 2nd place with no losses in the last 8 league matches. How will you approach this?
A, they won the championship last season and are currently in second place, competing for the title, making them a very strong team. Of course, being an away game, I think it will be a very difficult match, but we are also on a very good run with 3 wins and 1 draw in our last 4 matches. As the defending champions, we will approach the match with a sense of respect, but we will be the ones to win the game.

Q: As the league matches approach the final stages, the remaining games are becoming crucial for breaking into the top ranks.
A, as the number of remaining matches decreases, the intensity of the games has increased. Although fatigue is building up, we are able to prepare in a good atmosphere through training and practice matches. We are preparing for the match against Kobe in the best possible condition, so we will do our utmost to deliver a victory to our fans and supporters.

＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA＞

Q: The stable defense in the recent matches led to consecutive victories.
A, although we had a recent three-game winning streak, there is not a single player who is satisfied with the current situation. However, we have a sense that we are increasing our ability to control the game, and even during times when we struggle to score or manage the game well, we are able to maintain a collective defensive awareness. I believe we were clearly able to execute our plays in the process of building and creating the game.

Q: In the previous match against Sagan Tosu, there was a big save that helped turn around a difficult game situation.
Our ideal is to dominate the game in both offense and defense and secure a victory. In the match against Tosu, we allowed the opponent to score first while the game was still 0-0, resulting in a draw. To aim for the top from here, we want to focus on taking control and playing soccer that leads to results.

Q: How do you feel about your performance as an individual player, Taishi Nozawa?
I believe I can do much more. This includes analyzing the opponent’s shots and ball control, as well as improving our involvement with the ball in both offense and defense through communication with my teammates. I want to enhance my individual quality to help the team win.

Q: Please tell us the points to be cautious about when facing Vissel Kobe, who has a talented attacking lineup and possesses many scoring patterns.
A, they are a very tough opponent, and I think there will inevitably be times when we have to endure. It is important not to give them any openings, to express good conditions and good choices, and to adhere to the team’s principles. Against an opponent that is not easy, I believe it is crucial to faithfully execute our defensive principles and to be flexible in responding to irregular situations. It is a match filled with tension, but I want to enjoy that tension.