Match Review
Tokyo will play three matches in one week, including the Emperor's Cup 3rd Round on Wednesday. The league match ended in a fierce away game against Urawa Reds with a score of 0-0, and in the Emperor's Cup, they battled Verdy for 120 minutes before it went to a penalty shootout, winning a close contest 9-8 after nine rounds.
Since the appointment of Peter CKLAMOVSKI as manager, Tokyo has achieved 3 wins and 1 draw without any losses, and is riding the momentum into the third match of the three consecutive games.
The starting members are based on the lineup from the match against Urawa, and Henrique TREVISAN, who was substituted in the latter stages of the Emperor's Cup, will miss this match, while Masato MORISHIGE, who had avoided both the Urawa match and the Emperor's Cup, returned to center back.
1st HALF - Took the lead with Diego's goal but allowed a comeback
A strong start with both sides increasing the intensity at the ball. Maintaining a compact formation and applying strong pressure on the ball side. In that context, it was Tokyo that broke through the high defensive line.
In the 9th minute of the first half, Jakub SLOWIK sent a feed forward from his own half. Kashima Antlers pushed up their defensive line, but Kuryu MATSUKI broke free and carried the ball to the left side of the penalty area. He cut it back, and Diego OLIVEIRA received it in the center in front of the goal, turning and slotting it in to give Tokyo the lead.
Even after the score changed, the balance of the match remained unchanged. Both sides maintained high intensity, continuing a stalemate. Then, in the 23rd minute of the first half, a corner kick was awarded to Kashima, and the ball, positioned closer to the far side of the goal, was headed in by Suzuki to equalize.
After that, Kashima, gaining momentum, increased their time playing in Tokyo's territory, but Tokyo did not allow them to create scenes where they could freely take shots without losing intensity at the ball.
However, just when it seemed that the first half would end in a 1-1 draw, the match was once again set in motion in the 45th minute. After being pushed into the goal area by a side attack, a ball that could not be cleared was struck by Suzuki in a shooting manner. The ball that flew in front of the goal was pushed in by Kakita, turning the score around as the match went into halftime.
2nd HALF - Behind but unable to capitalize on the counterattack
At the start of the second half, both teams maintained their intensity, while Tokyo strengthened their approach towards the goal.
However, in the 9th minute of the second half, the ball was carried deep down the right side, and a cross ball was met in front of the goal. This shot was reacted to and deflected by Jakub SLOWIK, but the ball spilled outside the penalty area, where Diego PITUCA executed a powerful shot into the bottom right corner after a chest trap.
Tokyo, trailing by 2 goals, attempts to turn the game around by bringing in Shuhei TOKUMOTO and Koki TSUKAGAWA in the 17th minute of the second half, and Adailton in the 25th minute. In the 41st minute of the second half, Naoki KUMATA is also brought in to strengthen the attack.
In the 45th minute of the second half, Kumada was brought down by Anzai while trying to break free, earning a free kick opportunity in front of the goal. Matsuki's direct shot hit the wall, deflected, and deceived the goalkeeper, but it just went over the goal.
Unable to break through Kashima, who entered a defensive posture to protect their lead in the final stages of the match, this marked the first defeat under the Klamovski regime.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Keisuke Koizumi/Yasuki Kimoto/Masato Morishige/Yuto Nagatomo (17th minute: Shuhei Tokumoto)
MF Kuryu Matsuki/Shuto Abe/Kegō Higashi (17th minute: Koki Tsukagawa)
FW Ryoma Watanabe (41st minute: Naoki Kumata)/Diego Oliveira/Kohta Tawaratsumida (25th minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
FW Leon NOZAWA
GOAL
9th minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA
<Kashima Antlers>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoki HAYAKAWA
DF Rikuto HIROSE/Naotaka UEDA/Ikuma SEKIGAWA/Koki ANZAI
MF Kaishu SANO/Diego PITUKA/Yuta HIGUCHI (25 minutes into the second half: Yuta MATSUMURA)/Hayato NAKAMA (25 minutes into the second half: Ryotaro ARAKI)
FW Yuki KAKITA (30 minutes into the second half: Shu MOROOKA) (45+4 minutes into the second half: Yu FUNAHASHI)/Yuma SUZUKI (45+4 minutes into the second half: Shoma DOI)
SUBS
GK Yuya OKI
DF Gen SHOJI
GOAL
23rd minute of the first half: Yuma SUZUKI/45th minute of the first half: Yuki KAKITA/9th minute of the second half: Diego PITUCA
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, I think there were parts where our performance was lacking. We were unable to achieve the results we wanted. We must take the lessons from today's match and apply them going forward. Kashima Antlers capitalized on their chances, and we couldn't break through Kashima's defense to score. I believe the players gave their all in the fight. It was a tough night, but they fought desperately without giving up, trying to turn the game around until the very end. It's disappointing that we couldn't get the result, and I am very sorry that we couldn't send Shuto ABE off with a victory. Even if he goes overseas, I want to continue supporting him.
Q: You mentioned that you learned lessons from today's match, but could you specify which points?
A, I think we were able to get off to a good start as we strive for a perfect performance. From there, we managed to take a 1-0 lead in a good way. I think the disappointing part was conceding a goal from a set piece. Also, there are still areas we need to improve in every aspect, including defense during the match and opportunities where we could have scored. To deliver a perfect performance in such situations, we must improve all aspects.
[Player Interview]]
<Shuto ABE>
Q, there were many fans and supporters holding up Shuto ABE's jersey during the match. Please review the game.
A, I could see many fans and supporters holding up their uniforms even before the match, so I really wanted to win the final game and go to Belgium. It was good that we scored first in the first half, but we conceded from a set piece and the momentum shifted. I wanted to lead the team more with mobility and intensity. I tried to play as usual, but Kashima Antlers were very intense and aggressive, so I think the reason for the loss was that we couldn't surpass that.
Q: Today, the "Abeshū" call was resonating.
A, I felt genuinely happy thinking that they were cheering for me. I believed I could have done more, and I wanted to respond to that support. I want to channel this frustration in Belgium.
Q: Did you think about the message for the ceremony in advance?
A, it's not just the hair color, but I wanted to make the fans and supporters happy in the end, so I prepared a script and other things from the day before. However, when I stood in that place, I was nervous, so I tried to greet them in my own words.
Q: Although it will be far away, what kind of image do you want to deliver to the fans and supporters in the future?
In Belgium, there is no guarantee of playing time, so I will start by competing for a position. First, I want to get on the field and deliver good results such as goals and assists. In Japan, I want to show my performance as a member of the Japan national team. It's also about the color of my hair, but I wanted to show that I have "love for Tokyo," so although it was just symbolic, I have always held that feeling.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q: Please reflect on the scoring scene.
A, Jakub SLOWIK's long feed broke through to the left side, and Kuryu MATSUKI made a good run forward. Since he delivered a good ball from a deep position, I was able to control it well and turn to take a shot. I think it was a goal born from a good flow.
Q: What factors contribute to your current good form in accumulating points?
A, last season I was unable to get into good condition due to the effects of an injury, but the pain from that injury has now disappeared, and I am able to train in good condition. I believe that this has led to good results in matches.
Q: Please send a message to Shuto ABE, who has greatly contributed to the team.
I was able to play with Abe for three seasons in the A league. He greatly contributed to the team with his play for Tokyo, and I myself was helped a lot by Abe's play. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude by saying thank you. I believe this will be a new start toward his dreams and goals for Abe, so we will support his success from Tokyo and hope for good results.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q, please review the game.
A, we conceded a goal when we lost our own rhythm. Overall, I felt that our stamina ran out too quickly. The team as a whole also lacked the energy to make a comeback.
Q: Shuto ABE's match today will be his last. Please share a message.
A, since he has the ability, I believe that if he can bring out his mentality and unique strengths, he will be able to succeed even in Belgium. I have sent out many players and am used to it, but I think it will be tough for the team. I want to see Abe, who is achieving results and performing well, so that he doesn't come back immediately.
Q: There is time until the next match. How would you like to spend this period both individually and as a team?
A, we have no choice but to level up, so we want to have a good break period by doing tough training to enable each of us to move more and fight better.
