<Match Review>
Tokyo welcomed a home game in the J1 League for the first time in about a month. The previous match, which marked the start of the second half of the league, ended in a tough result against Sagan Tosu away. To make a good restart at home, the team focused on refining their approach and took to the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium.
1st HALF - An incident occurs right at the start
Right from the beginning, an incident occurs. In the 10th minute of the first half, Hotaka NAKAMURA, who had sprinted up the right side, injures his foot and is unable to stand. NAKAMURA cannot get up, so Kashif BANGNAGANDE is brought in, and Yuto NAGATOMO is slid over to right back. Later, in the 16th minute of the first half, after being pressed on the left side while holding the ball, a cross sent to the far side is returned, and it is tapped in by Lukian just in front of the left side of the goal, allowing the first goal to be conceded.
Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, increases the tempo of switching between offense and defense to launch a counter-like attack. They approach the goal but struggle to reach a decisive scene, until a chance arises in the 34th minute of the first half. Masato MORISHIGE sends a penetrating pass from the defensive line to the front line, and Kuryu MATSUKI picks up the ball and strikes with his left foot just outside the penalty area. It was a well-hit shot, but the ball narrowly missed to the right of the goal. In the 37th minute of the first half, Diego OLIVEIRA, who received a pass in the vital area, managed to take a shot with one touch, but was thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper's defense.
As the first half approached its end, Fukuoka maintained a compact formation while setting their defensive line higher to fill the space in their own half. They struggled to find a way to attack, resulting in continued play at the back. They attempted to target the opponent's defensive shape with middle-range passes from the defensive line, but there was no space, and the ball could not connect. They went into halftime trailing by one goal.
2nd HALF - A powerful goal by Kazuya KONNO turns the game around, but a penalty equalizes
Tokyo, wanting to change the flow, substitutes Kensuke NAGAI for Leandro at the start of the second half. Then, in the 4th minute of the second half, Matsuki deflects a looping pass backward, allowing Kazuya KONNO to break into the space behind the opponent. The shot he took inside the penalty area was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, but Leandro reacted to the ball that spilled in front of the goal and slotted it in to equalize.
In a fast-paced game with both teams pushing forward, in the 13th minute of the second half, we were caught on a counterattack and, unable to slide in time, Takeshi KANAMORI took a sharp shot at goal, but Jakub SLOWIK managed to save it. In the 15th minute of the second half, we launched a counterattack. Diego TABA connected with a ball in the vital area, and both the opposing goalkeeper and Yoshifumi jumped in, but Yoshifumi's shot was blocked after he touched the ball first. However, Leandro picked up the loose ball, drew in the defender, and passed it back. Ryoma WATANABE made a one-touch attempt, but the shot went over the goal.
Tokyo, which has developed an attacking rhythm, launches a fierce assault. In the 18th minute of the second half, there is a chance for a corner kick from the left. The ball that entered the goal area was cleared, but Konno, who was positioned where the ball spilled, connected with a one-touch volley from outside the penalty area, and the sharp trajectory of the shot was absorbed into the top left corner of the goal, successfully turning the game around with a spectacular goal.
It seemed that the flow had tilted towards Tokyo, but in the 30th minute of the second half, Kimoto was fouled near the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick decision. Fanma converted the penalty kick, leveling the score.
With 10 minutes of additional time displayed, both teams continued to attack even after the 90-minute mark. In the 45+8 minute of the second half, a player evaded the opposing marker in the penalty area and took a shot, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. They carefully connected and tried to break through towards the Fukuoka goal until the very end, but they could not take the lead and ended in a 2-2 draw.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hogao NAKAMURA (10th minute: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Keigo HIGASHI (41st minute: Takuya AOKI)/Ryo WATANABE
FW Kazuya KONNO (41st minute: Keiki MITA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (26th minute: Adailton)/Kensuke NAGAI (0th minute: Leandro)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Makoto OKAZAKI
GOAL
4 minutes into the second half: Leandro/18 minutes into the second half: Konno
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Tatsuki NARA/Miyata Daiki/Takaaki SHICHI
MF Yota MAEJIMA/Sotan TANABE (substituted in 43rd minute: Hayato Nakamura)/Maeda Hiroyuki/Tatsuya TANAKA (substituted in 21st minute: Juanma Delgado)
FW Jordi Cluys (substituted in 0th minute: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Yuya YAMAGISHI/Lukian (substituted in 37th minute: Ota Seisei)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Yuta KUMAMOTO/Masato YUZAWA
GOAL
16th minute of the first half: Lukian/33rd minute of the second half: Fanma
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
A, in the first half, the opponent scored due to our tactical mistakes. Normally, we would properly box out and defend outside the penalty area, but we failed to do so in the situation leading to the goal. Hotaka NAKAMURA's injury also had an impact, causing the first half to be somewhat chaotic. After conceding the first goal, the opponent narrowed the space and defended tightly, and we were unable to break through effectively. When the space is closed down that much, it is not easy to find a good way to break through.
And in the second half, we were able to start by increasing the intensity. That increased the possibility of receiving counters from the opponent, but we took the risk to attack and managed to turn the game around. From the 2-1 situation, we created multiple chances enough to score an additional goal and make it 3-1 to decide the match. Unfortunately, there was a goal conceded from a penalty kick, but since the distance was far, from my perspective it was unclear whether it was a clear penalty or not. After the match, we discussed that in such cases, an on-field review might make things clearer. Whether it was a penalty or not, I still do not know.
Q: There was talk of many tactical mistakes in the first half, but I believe today's match was very important for FC Tokyo following the results of the previous match. There were frustrating moments during the game, how do you feel about that?
A, the dangerous aspect of Fukuoka is the way the game unfolds after they score the first goal. It becomes very difficult at that point. This is because Fukuoka excels at defending by narrowing the space, and their counterattacks after winning the ball are a major weapon. Therefore, if we allow them to score first, the game develops in a way that suits their strengths. Facing Fukuoka, who possess such weapons, our players played somewhat cautiously after conceding the first goal, fearing losing the ball. We analyze that this was the reason we couldn't perform the way we expected in the first half.
And at halftime, we talked about playing more boldly. We brought in Leandro and asked him to play between the central lines, which worked well. With Leandro moving inside, we had Kashiwa take the width on the left side. Naturally, by taking such a risky attacking position, the possibility of facing the opponent's weapon, the counterattack, increased. However, after going up 2-1, we actually had several chances to score additional goals through their weapon, the counterattack. It is definitely easier to attack when there is a large space behind the opponent's defensive line. From the 2-1 situation, we had the possibility to secure the match by scoring a third goal to make it 3-1, but it was very disappointing that we couldn't and were caught up by a penalty kick. While earning 1 point is important, honestly, we wanted to get all 3 points.
Q: It seemed that there were many players in the first half who were complaining to each other.
A, it is very difficult to attack against an opponent who has narrowed the space that much. My players have never had experience attacking against an opponent who has extremely narrowed the space like that. Because it is difficult, I think they were communicating on the pitch, but I never felt it was a bad atmosphere. We have faced Fukuoka many times, and they are good at defending and narrowing the space after scoring the first goal. Breaking through that is very difficult, and I think it can be frustrating at times.
[Player Interview]
<Kazuya KONNO>
Q, please review the game.
A, it was my first start in the league match in a long time, so I really wanted to get a result no matter what, and it was good that I was able to score a goal. However, it is frustrating that we couldn't win the match.
Q: I think the team's rhythm changed in the second half. What could be improved?
A, the opponent's pressing dropped from the second half, but I still think we are far from the style of football we aim for. While the opponent was kicking long balls, there were times when we also played along with that. I believe we need to take better care in connecting the ball. Towards the end of the match, despite fatigue, there were moments when there was no good option to pass, but I think we can correct that.
Q: Can you reflect on the goal scene?
A, the ball spilled out and was free, so I just focused well on the impact and hit it, and the ball flew to a good spot, so it was good.
Q: At what stage did you decide to take the shot directly?
A, when the ball bounced once, the opponent was not there and it was a free situation. I was on the right side of the goal and thought it would be good to aim for the far side with the outside of my foot, and when I kicked it, it went to a good spot, so I was happy.
Q, it's the first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium, right?
A, that's right. It took quite some time, so from now on, I want to practice so that I can score many goals.
Q: I think you were bursting with joy.
Since it was a comeback goal, I went behind the goal to celebrate, hoping it would further enhance the atmosphere in the stadium.
Q: I believe you contributed significantly to the defense as well.
A, we had analyzed that the opposing side-back players would take high positions and deliver crosses, so it was quite tough, but I thought we had to properly fall back to our own half and defend. I believe we were able to do that well.
Q: I think shooting from the outside is quite difficult even in practice.
That shot was a type of kick I hadn't practiced. I really focused only on watching the ball carefully and the moment of impact, and it worked well.
Q: Did you think it would go in the moment you shot?
A, I thought it would go in. The moment I hit it, I saw the ball's trajectory and felt it went to a good spot.
<Leandro>
Q: What kind of instructions did you receive from the coach when you entered?
A, was required to play centrally and create chances.
Q: What were your personal thoughts as you entered the match?
When I entered the match, we were losing 0-1, so I was determined to run hard and contribute by getting involved in scoring.
Q, as a result, it has become a situation where the losing streak has stopped.
A, it was good that we were able to stop the losing streak, but we want to start winning from here, so we will prepare again for the next match.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: You had to step onto the pitch unexpectedly, but what did you focus on as you entered the match?
A, this was my first time entering a match in this way, but the coach told me to play my own game, so I intended to enter the match with a clear mind. However, once I stepped onto the pitch, my body didn't move very well at first, and I gradually got used to it. It was a good experience.
Q, were you unable to play as you had hoped?
There were many situations where coordination with A and the midfield did not go well, and although we talked a lot during halftime and the second half and improved compared to the first half, I couldn't really show my own play.
Q: It felt like the team didn't have a clear idea of how to break through in the first half.
We discussed and made adjustments on the pitch, but there were many irregular situations such as substitutions, and especially in the first half, I think there were many moments when the team did not perform well.
Q: I think there were improvements in the second half, but what were the factors?
A, each player improved their positioning, and the players frequently discussed things during halftime. With instructions from the coach, they made adjustments and avoided falling into the opponent's traps. Each player was able to take positions that shifted the opponent. I believe this was the reason for the improvement compared to the first half.
Q: How do you feel about not being able to secure a win at home?
A, I think there were many chances and it was a match we could have won, so I believe we lacked the mentality of a winner to close it out. It was our first time at Ajinomoto in a while, and we hadn't won in the last two league matches, so the team discussed changing the momentum going into the game. It's truly frustrating.
Q: I think there were situations where you could take the initiative yourself, but what do you prioritize when you have the ball?
A, my strength is propulsion, and my play style is to move forward with dribbling and break away from opponents, but I couldn't show that, so personally, this match was full of points for reflection.
Q, what are your thoughts on the competition for the full-back position after Ryoya OGAWA's transfer?
The competition for the side-back position has been at a high level since Ryo-ya has been here, and I think the competition will only get fiercer from now on. I believe my playing time will depend on how much I can deliver results when I get to play in matches. In that sense, today's match ended in a frustrating result for me. If I get another chance, I want to show a difference in attack to leave tangible results, and since there were many areas to improve in defense as well, I want to focus more on achieving results.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: I felt that the expressions were completely different between the first half and the second half. How do you reflect on the game?
A, I feel that we played better than in the previous match. I want to move the ball with courage.
Q: It felt like you were looking for passing options in the first half.
A, I think it's about where to switch while moving the ball sideways. The players at the back want to carry it forward, but if everyone goes forward, it becomes difficult, so I believe it's fine to reset and rebuild at that point. However, I feel that we must move the ball forward more and more without fear and continue advancing towards the goal.
Q: Was it smoother in the second half because Leandro came in?
A, without an intermediate relay point in midfield, the attack becomes lackluster. Of course, there is also the option of passing from the defenders to the front line, but if that is all, the midfield becomes stretched out, so I once again felt that attacking through the midfield is also necessary.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It's been a while since a home game at Ajinomoto. Please share your thoughts.
A, we wanted to take 3 points, but we were caught up. We lost 1-5 in the away match, and we also lost to Tosu in the previous round, so we wanted to win somehow and regain a good atmosphere. However, the league matches continue, so we want to take it positively and connect it to the next game.
Q: It seems that the flow improved in the second half after going into halftime at 0-1.
A, we talked about pushing more towards the goal. However, since we were down 0-1 entering the second half, conceding the second and third goals would have ended the match, so I think we were able to hold on there. In that context, we managed to take the lead once, so next time I want us to work on turning this into a win.
Q: Next, we will face Sapporo at home in three days.
A, the temperature has been rising recently, but I think we will gradually get used to it. Also, I believe the players who haven't played today will get their chances. We need to enhance the team's unity through competition. Personally, I've recently been able to participate in matches, and I truly feel the joy of playing. I was very frustrated during the first half of the season, so I want to play even better moving forward.
