Match Review
After achieving consecutive home victories against Sagan Tosu and Gamba Osaka, the team has been training with the goal of moving up at least one position in the standings in the remaining five matches.
In the first match after the restart, Kosuke SHIRAI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA returned to the starting lineup after a long time. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had just returned from the U-22 Japan national team's tour in America two days ago, also started on the pitch. Additionally, the central midfielders Riki HARAKAWA and Kei KOIZUMI formed a new combination as they kicked off.
1st HALF - A goal conceded just as we were about to seize control
The first half was a difficult development. The build-up from the final line was unstable, and there was no rhythm in the attack. Pass mistakes in the midfield were noticeable, and there were long periods without shots. Tokyo's first shot came in the 23rd minute of the first half, with Diego OLIVEIRA, Adailton, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE involved on the left side to deliver a cross. Koizumi picked up the loose ball and aimed for a mid-range shot with his right foot, but it went over the goal.
Just as Tokyo was beginning to take control of the game, they conceded the opening goal in the 32nd minute of the first half. They were caught out from behind while pushing forward, and Inoue, who had burst out from the defensive midfield position, controlled the ball just outside the penalty area and took a left-footed shot. The ball deflected off Henrique TREVISAN's back, changing its course, and the ball that was flowing in the opposite direction to where Nozawa was prepared was sucked into the goal.
Tokyo wants to launch a counterattack, but they are struggling to bring the ball effectively to the opponent's goal. Just before the end of the first half, they finally connected the ball in the vital area, but the volley shot taken by Ryoma WATANABE was saved right in front of the opponent's goalkeeper.
2nd HALF - Early missed opportunities resonate
In the second half, chasing a one-goal deficit, it was Tokyo that had the first clear chance. In the 12th minute of the second half, right back Shirai sent a quick floating pass to the front from just before the halfway line, allowing Adailton to break behind the opponent's defense. However, in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, his shot was blocked, and he missed a crucial opportunity.
After that, Keigo HIGASHI and Kuryu MATSUKI were brought in to strengthen the midfield, increasing the time spent moving the ball in the opponent's territory. However, there were several instances where the intentions of the passer and receiver did not align, and the number of times they entered the dangerous area in front of the goal did not increase, while time continued to pass.
Even as the game entered the final stages, the attacking gear did not increase, and the match ended with a one-point deficit. It was not the first three consecutive wins of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI (19th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI)/Masaaki MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (42nd minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Riki HARAKAWA/Ryoma WATANABE (42nd minute of the second half: Naoki KUMATA)
FW Kota TAWARAZUMI (19th minute of the second half: Kuryu MATSUKI)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Adailton (34th minute of the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
―
Yokohama FC
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kengo NAGAI
DF Katsuya IWATAKE / Ndoka Boniface / Kyohei YOSHINO (substituted at 44 minutes: Mateus MORAES)
MF Towa YAMANE / Yuri Lara / Shion INOUE (substituted at 44 minutes: Tomoki KONDO) / Kotaro HAYASHI / CAPRINI (substituted at 24 minutes: Sho Ito) / Keijiro OGAWA (substituted at 24 minutes: Koki SAKAMOTO)
FW Marcelo HIAN (substituted at 37 minutes: Hiroki MITA)
SUBS
GK Masaki ENDO
DF Kento HASHIMOTO
GOAL
32nd minute of the first half: Shion INOUE
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a very disappointing result. We need to learn valuable lessons strictly from games like this. We strayed a bit from our style of play and foundation, and there were parts where we couldn't express what we wanted to do. We also made the game difficult for ourselves. We missed opportunities to take advantage of situations where we could have caught the opponent off guard, and I think it would have been better if we had moved the ball smoothly and used space effectively. However, the players fought desperately to catch up. That said, there were times when we overcomplicated the game by forgetting the simple things. Although today's result is disappointing, to become a better and smarter team, we want to learn from this, recover, and prepare for the next match.
Q: What were your thoughts on the use of the U-22 Japan national team members who joined the team the day before the match?
A, while preparing for this match over the course of a week, there were points we needed to consider carefully depending on the situation, but I think we were able to prepare well. Among them, the players who returned responded well and were able to participate.
Q, what are the reasons or causes for not being able to fully express what we want to do and what we value?
A, if we could have increased the tempo of moving the ball a little more, I think we could have created timing to get behind the defense. Getting behind the opponent is one of our strengths, but today we missed those opportunities. When good movement created good space, there was no forward break. There were moments when we took good positions, so sharing timing and intent was necessary. This is an area we need to improve and continue learning. Today, the final passes and key passes around the 20-meter area near the goal lacked sharpness.
[Player Interview]]
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, please review the game. It was your first start in a while.
A, from the beginning of the first half, we ended up under pressure from the opponent. We couldn't target behind much and ended up making many short passes at our feet, which allowed the opponent's pressure to be effective, resulting in us losing the ball and facing many short counterattacks. It was not a good flow.
Q: It seemed that the opponent's defense was well-positioned when Tokyo had the ball.
A, the opponent formed a block and defended in a way that drew us in. As a result, we often circulated the ball in front of them, and there were moments when they targeted through passes and similar plays.
Q: There weren't any major crises, but on the other hand, it seems that we couldn't create significant chances or fully grasp the flow of the match. What do you think are the factors behind this?
A, there were many clean plays, but a point for reflection is that there were few rough actions aiming from behind to break the opponent's block.
Q: With the last 5 matches of the season, many fans and supporters came to the away games.
A, today we played a disappointing match, but we still have two home games left, so we want to fight hard to win and finish the season strong.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: You participated immediately after returning from the activities of the U-22 Japan national team. Please tell us what you were conscious of when coming on as a substitute.
A, watching from the bench, especially in the first half, we got caught in their trap. The ball circulation became too wide, and our positioning allowed Yokohama FC to defend comfortably. When I came on, I focused on receiving the ball in a central position, then spreading it to the sides or sending vertical passes to the forwards. However, the opponents set up a defensive block and didn’t give us much freedom. Personally, I feel like I left things unfinished and it’s regrettable that the match ended without me fully executing my role.
Q: It seemed that you played in the position just ahead of the defensive midfielder quite often.
A, as I mentioned earlier, I was focused on fully demonstrating the positioning on the pitch that the opponent dislikes, which was the issue we felt from the bench in the first half. If we could have increased plays that more effectively use the spaces on both sides of the opponent's defensive midfielders, as well as vertical passes and combination plays to break through, I believe the flow of the match would have changed.
Q: Today, you achieved your 50th appearance in the J1 League. As you reach this milestone, how do you want to evolve and grow from here?
A, I want to improve my individual skills to break through situations like today's match and make decisive plays that can determine the outcome. With the last 4 league matches remaining, I aim to grow into a player who can make a difference in the rest of the season.
Q: Many fans and supporters created a home-like atmosphere for today's match as well. Please share your enthusiasm for the remaining matches.
A, despite creating a wonderful atmosphere, I feel sorry that today's match was very disappointing. The next match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima will be the last game of the 25th anniversary at home, so I want to focus solely on delivering a victory to the fans and supporters and approach the match with that mindset.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q: It has been a while since your last appearance, and you came on in a situation where you were trailing by one goal. What were you conscious of during the match?
I wanted to deliver more crosses, but when I saw my teammates in front of the goal, my movement stopped a bit, so I opted for more short passes. However, I think I should have been more proactive in delivering crosses and conveying messages to my teammates.KLAMOVSKII felt that while clearing the demands from the coach, I also needed to express more of my own ideas.
Q: I think there was some regret about not being able to start, but how do you want to overcome this hurdle?
A: To participate in the match, it is important to clarify what Coach Klamovski is looking for from practice. Also, I believe we have to play aggressively and without fear of making mistakes, so that we don't fall behind the younger players.I don't want to hear that we lost because Yuto NAGATOMO wasn't there or because Teruhito NAKAGAWA wasn't there. I believe we have enough members to win, so each person needs to play more passionately from practice, and I want to do my best to ignite that fire.
Q: I could hear a big cheer today as well.
I think it was a match where we had to respond to the passion of the fans and supporters.I believe that only by showcasing our play will the fans and supporters want to cheer for us, and I want to create a positive cycle where their support improves our performance.I want to finish the season in a higher position for the sake of the fans and supporters.
Q: The next match will be at home. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, I haven't been able to play in home games for a while, so I have a strong desire to participate. For that reason, I will give my all in practice.
