Match Review
The match against Júbilo Iwata, following consecutive losses to Shonan Bellmare and FC Machida Zelvia, will be the team's first official game in three weeks. During that time, various events have occurred within the team. The announcement of head coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's resignation at the end of this season and Diego OLIVEIRA's retirement from professional football has been made. While it is certain that they cannot compete for a higher ranking in the next two matches, there is now a very significant reason to win against the blue and red.
From the match at Japan National Stadium, three players have changed in the starting lineup. Henrique TREVISAN has moved to center back, Teruhito NAKAGAWA has returned from injury to take the right wing position, and Takahiro KO has also returned to the starting lineup as a defensive midfielder. Meanwhile, Diego TABA continues to reign in the front line as usual. The blue and red fans and supporters gathered at Yamaha Stadium welcomed the ace wearing number 9 with enthusiastic chants, waiting for the kickoff whistle.
1st HALF - Although starting off on the back foot, we found our rhythm going into the second half.
If they do not win this match, the relegation to J2 League will be decided, and they will be pushed back by Iwata from the start. In scenes where both wings took high positions, there were continuous situations where cross balls were sent in, and in the 10th minute of the first half, a cross from the left side was directed to the right wing player Matsumoto, leading to a crisis in the 19th minute of the first half. Left back Matsubara sent in a grounded cross, and Ryo GERMAIN jumped in. The ball, skillfully directed with his right foot, passed just beside the goal post, narrowly missing the target.
Still, Tokyo created a close chance when Diego TABA scored from a cross by Keita ENDO shortly after, gradually gaining momentum and making the build-up from their own half smoother. In the 24th minute of the first half, during a corner kick, Yasuki KIMOTO's header did not hit the target and did not result in the opening goal, but they increased the time in control.
Then, in the 39th minute of the first half, they created a chance from the flow of the game. Keigo HIGASHI picked up the second ball and passed it to Ryotaro ARAKI, while the right side was run by the player Nakagawa. Nakagawa's cross floated, and although Diego TABA, who rushed in front of the goal, couldn't connect, they finally showcased the attack they aimed for. Although the score didn't change, they turned around at halftime with a good rhythm.
2nd HALF - Anzai scores first but allows a comeback
Diego TABA, who was injured just before the end of the first half, will be substituted at the start of the second half, with Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA coming on. Continuing the rhythm established in the first half, Tokyo took control of the match from the beginning of the second half. In the 6th minute of the second half, they opened up the right side from a wide play. Although Nakagawa's near-post run allowed him to let the ball pass after a cross from Higashi, there was no one else to follow up, and they missed the goal by just a step.
Still, two minutes later, in the 8th minute of the second half, they finally shook the goal net from a short corner. Araki passed to Nakagawa in front, and after that, Higashi received the ball and sent in a cross, which Soma ANZAI, who was waiting free, headed in successfully to score the opening goal.
It seemed that they were progressing through the game without any issues, but in the 32nd minute of the second half, they faced an accident. Yasuki KIMOTO was sent off for bringing down an opponent who had switched positions just outside the penalty area, and from that free kick, they conceded an equalizing goal. They could not change the momentum that had turned against them, and just before the end, they conceded a penalty kick. This was converted by Yamada, turning the score around.
Unable to overcome a one-goal deficit against an opponent where a win would keep the possibility of staying in the league, the match ended 1-2 as time ran out. The losing streak continues, and only the final match of the season remains for the 2024 season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA (substituted in 45+4 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Henrique Trevisan/Soma ANZAI
MF Takuto UHIRO/Keigo HIGASHI (substituted in 34 minutes: Keisuke KOIZUMI)/Ryotaro ARAKI (substituted in 21 minutes: Kota TAWARAZUMI)
FW Diego Oliveira (substituted in 0 minutes: Go KOBAYASHI)/Keita ENDO/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 34 minutes: Teppei OKA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Kosuke SHIRAI
GOAL
8 minutes into the second half: Soma ANZAI
＜Jubilo Iwata＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Eiji KAWASHIMA
DF Mutsuki MATSUBARA/Makito ITO/Keita TAKAHATA (substituted at 18 minutes into the second half: Kotaro FUJIKAWA)/Ricardo GRASSA
MF Masaya MATSUMOTO (substituted at 11 minutes into the second half: Matheus PEIXOTO)/Jordi CLUQUES (substituted at 45+11 minutes into the second half: Shunsuke NISHIKUBO)/Hayate NAKAMURA (substituted at 11 minutes into the second half: Rikiya UEHARA)/Rei HIRAKAWA (substituted at 18 minutes into the second half: Hiroki YAMADA)/Hiroto UEMURA
FW Ryo GERMAIN
SUBS
GK Ryuki MIURA
DF Kaito SUZUKI
GOAL
35th minute of the second half: Matheus Peishotto / 44th minute of the second half: Hiroki YAMADA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please review the game.
A, I am very saddened that we made this match difficult for ourselves. We were able to deliver a performance worthy of a 1-0 lead, but there were also opportunities to score a few more goals and pull away from the opponent. Given the situation Júbilo Iwata is currently in and that this was an away game at the opponent's home, I believe many emotions arose. We gave the opponent openings and ended up under pressure ourselves. I am very disappointed that we lost in this manner.
Q: What was the opponent's pressure like?
A, Iwata fought with everything they had to get results. For much of the time, we were able to respond well to that. There was a long ball that led to a goal, but we couldn't handle it and conceded a goal from nothing. Aside from that, I think we managed well against the opponent's high intensity. In the process, we became numerically disadvantaged, allowing the momentum to shift to the opponent, making it a match where they were highly motivated. We conceded from a free kick and a penalty kick, making it a tough defeat. I believe the players gave their all to fight for the 3 points. We are saddened to have let go of the 3 points in this way.
I want to recover properly from the sadness of this defeat and fight hard in next week's match. Also, I want to deliver 3 points to our fans and supporters, as well as to our club legend, Diego OLIVEIRA, in the final match of this season.
[Player Interview]
<Soma ANZAI>
Q, please review the game.
<div>A, our weakness showed when we allowed the comeback. I am frustrated with myself and felt a sense of inadequacy. We had decided as a team to win the next two matches, and although we couldn't win today, I believe that winning the final match of this season and sending off Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI and Diego OLIVEIRA is the greatest way I can repay those who have supported me. We have a match soon, so I will prepare as best as I can for it.
Q, please review the scoring scene.
In the second half, for the first corner kick, Coach Yu TOKISAKI instructed us to take a short corner, saying the ball would come there. When I took that position, a good ball came from Keigo HIGASHI. Although it was a long distance, I think it flew well into the goal. The ball I had imagined came, so all that was left was to guide it in.
Q: You played as a left back, but what were you conscious of during the match?
Players like Keita ENDO, Henrique TREVISAN, and Ryotaro ARAKI helped me a lot. I believe we had good connections, which allowed us to execute effective breakdowns and build-ups, so the relationships were very good. This season, there were many matches where we struggled with build-up play. I was always thinking about what kind of play I could make when I was on the field as a side back. Today, I think the results of that effort showed in the build-up aspect.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: You assisted Soma ANZAI's goal from a short corner. Please reflect on that.
The ball we kicked flew to a good spot. I am grateful to player Anzai who scored. Regarding the short corner, Coach Yu TOKISAKI made good preparations and conveyed it well to the players. We also had several corner kicks in the first half, and I think it led to a good scoring opportunity. As for the opening goal, I believe we were able to take it at a good time.
Q: We faced pressure from the opponent and ended up losing in a comeback.
A, the last 15 minutes were a period where we had to hold on firmly. When they kick rough balls, the play often becomes stretched out, so we needed to endure properly, effectively use the space behind the opponent, and turn the game around to score additional goals. At the time of conceding the goal, I had already come off the bench, but in terms of how to manage the game and who takes leadership on the pitch, we still lack strength.
Q: The next match will be the last game of this season. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, I have a very strong desire to support Diego OLIVEIRA, and I want to send him off with a victory no matter what. I have learned a lot from him not only as a player but also as a person. I want to express my gratitude on the pitch, and I believe that victory is the greatest form of respect.
