Match Review
Tokyo, looking to recover from their defeat in the Levain Cup quarter-finals, faced the 'Tamagawa Classico' as a perfect opportunity to aim for a higher position in the remaining league matches. They reverted to a four-back system, with captain Masato MORISHIGE returning to the starting lineup. Yuto NAGATOMO, expected to match up against Bafetimbi GOMIS, took the left-back position, while Riki HARAKAWA and Koki TSUKAGAWA faced their former club in midfield. Adailton stepped in as the lone striker in place of Diego OLIVEIRA, with Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Ryoma WATANABE solidifying the wings.
With the Emperor's Cup and Levain Cup concluded, how will we fight in the remaining league matches? The players unanimously expressed, "Can we show our determination and pride?" In the first half of the season, the blue and red players achieved victory in the Tamagawa Classico for the first time in five years. They stepped onto the pitch at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium aiming for a season double.
1st HALF - Henrique created opportunities on both offense and defense
From the beginning, it was a start where Kawasaki Frontale's pressure and passing work pushed us back. In the first minute of the first half, we were helped by the opponent's missed shot during a corner kick, but even after that, we couldn't find a way to take the ball away in front of Kawasaki's fluid build-up, leading to a longer time spent on defense.
Even so, in the 6th minute of the first half, a decisive chance was created. Watanabe, who came in from the left side with Tsukakawa's soft cross, controlled the ball in the area and shook off the defender, but his right-footed shot went straight to the opposing goalkeeper without making contact.
This scene triggered Tokyo to create chances from counterattacks, gradually increasing their possession time. Harakawa and Tsukakawa skillfully brought the ball into the opponent's territory, and in the 32nd minute of the first half, Adailton unleashed a powerful mid-range shot from a finely connected play on the right side. Henrique TREVISAN picked up the loose ball and aimed a spectacular shot with his left foot, which was on target but thwarted by the opponent's goalkeeper's excellent save.
Player Henrique showed tight marking in defense, continuously caring for player Gomis, who made his J-League debut, preventing him from creating opportunities. Both teams created scenes approaching the goal, and Tokyo thoroughly marked the opponent's key player, ending the first half of the match at 0-0.
2nd HALF - Creating scoring opportunities, but the goal is still far away
At the start of the second half, the intensity increased, and the pressure towards the goal heightened, but they allowed the first goal in the 9th minute of the second half.
After pushing forward to the opponent's goal, the pressure on Wakisaka was evaded, and the ball was carried to near the halfway line, where it was passed to MARCINHO, who was open on the left side. As he accelerated with a dribble towards the goal, Morishige faced the opponent, enduring their feints while maintaining a half-body stance to react to the ball. However, just before the goal, he was deceived by a change of pace and ultimately, the ball was slid into the left corner of the goal, out of reach of Jakub SLOWIK.
Shortly after that, in the 14th minute of the second half, Tokyo had a big chance. Keigo HIGASHI intercepted the opponent's pass and made a through pass to Adailton. The turned Adailton chose a last pass to the right after carrying the ball with a dribble. Nakagawa, who received the ball, shook off his marker and entered the penalty area, but his shot was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper who closed in on him.
Tokyo is struggling to score despite creating chances. In the 19th minute of the second half, they made a sudden triple substitution. They brought in Jája Silva, Kosuke SHIRAI, and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who have the ability to drive forward and take on defenders individually, in an attempt to change the flow of the match.
However, Kawasaki does not easily allow a counterattack. Although they create scenes that penetrate deep positions on both sides from the counter, they are tightly pressured on cross balls and last-pass plays, making it difficult to supply accurate balls in front of the goal.
As the match entered the final stages, they had been distanced from clear chances, but in the second half's additional time, they created an opportunity. Shirai broke through on the right side and delivered a pinpoint cross to the substituted PEROTTI, but his volley shot, after trapping the ball with his chest, failed to connect properly and went straight to the opposing goalkeeper.
Unable to equalize despite being one goal behind until the end, Tokyo has now gone four league matches without a victory. Starting next week, they will play two consecutive matches at Ajinomoto Stadium after returning home. In a match commemorating the 25th anniversary of the club, they aim to secure a victory that will change the team's momentum.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Keisuke Koizumi/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique Trevisan/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keigo Higashi (19th minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Riki Harakawa/Koki TSUKAGAWA (19th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (27th minute: PEROTTI)/Adailton (19th minute: Jaja Silva)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
GOAL
―
<Kawasaki Frontale>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jong Sung-ryeong
DF Miki Yamane/Takuma Ominami/Shintaro Kurumaya (42nd minute: Kazuya Yamamura)/Kyohei Noborizato
MF Kento Tachibana/Juki Seko (42nd minute: Daiya Tono)/Yasuto Wakizaka
FW Akihiro Ienaga (42nd minute: Taisei Miyashiro)/MARCINHO (35th minute: Yusuke Segawa)/Bafetimbi Gomis (17th minute: Leandro Damiao)
SUBS
GK Naoto KAMIFUKUMOTO
MF Joao SCHMIDT
GOAL
9th minute of the second half: MARCINHO
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, I think it was a very good and closely contested football match. Two good teams faced each other and fought to win. However, there weren't many clear chances. In such a tight game, individual skill is of course necessary to break through and score. Unfortunately, the opponent was able to use individual skill to score a wonderful goal. We may have had chances to score ourselves, but we couldn't convert them, and we return home with a feeling of regret.
[Player Interview]]
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q, please review the game.
A, I think it was a good match, and both sides had chances, so it came down to whether or not a goal was scored. Of course, playing away made it difficult, and the opponent is a strong team, so it is very disappointing that we couldn't win, but we want to move forward to the next game.
Q: During the 90 minutes of facing strong forwards like Bafetimbi Gomis and Leandro DAMIAO, what were you conscious of while playing?
A, of course, I think both of them are good players. However, we were able to mark them properly and did not give them many chances, so I believe we were able to play good defense.
Q: It was evident that there were plays that did not allow for freedom, but what kind of defensive strategies were you conscious of to neutralize the opponent's strengths?
Regarding how to defend against Gomez and Leandro, we thought it was necessary not to give them any space. By marking them closely, I believe we prevented them from creating any decisive chances.
Q: What improvements in defense did you focus on leading up to this match since the last game against Avispa Fukuoka?
There were some changes to the system starting from the match against Fukuoka. Although it is disappointing to have lost today, I believe we have no choice but to move forward towards the next game.
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q: What issues are raised regarding the resolution of the lack of scoring ability?
A, I think we need a common understanding of the attacking style among all members, and once again, we just need to organize and clarify what the team should do. After that, it's about firmly capitalizing on our chances.
Q: How do you want to connect today's match to the next one?
As a forward, I have to finish the chances I get. I think it would have been better if I had been able to score firmly in the second half, and I take responsibility for not being able to finish. Increasing the number of attacking opportunities and converting those chances will be important going forward.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q, please review the game.
We lost in every aspect throughout the full 90 minutes. Both as a team and individually, I believe we need to improve the quality in all areas to become a strong team that can win matches.
Q: I feel that the intensity of the attack has diminished over time. What factors do you think contribute to that?
A, I think there are parts that have ended halfway. I believe it is necessary to boldly take a middle shot or make more daring choices.
Q: I think it turned into a match that made us feel the team's weaknesses.
After being eliminated from the Levain Cup and trying to show our determination in the league matches, playing a game like this simply shows that we lack the necessary strength. We need to be more particular about various aspects starting from practice, and if we delve deeper, I believe there are more areas that need to be changed. Otherwise, even though I joined this season, I think this cycle of finishing in similar positions every season cannot be broken.
I want to win with this team. I think there are various elements that need to be changed for that. If we don't thoroughly address those as a team and move forward, we won't be able to face the fans and supporters who cheer for us. I also feel that I wasn't able to contribute to the team with my performance today, and I want to focus on improving myself.
