Match Review
Last season, the match that returned to the J1 League after 16 years ended in a draw with 2 matches, and the resolution has been carried over to this season. The battle between the two clubs, both based at Ajinomoto Stadium, will open once again.
Tokyo made three changes to the starting lineup from the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale. Up front, Ewerton was positioned as the lone striker with Sato Keiun as the shadow. Additionally, Henrique TREVISAN and Yasuki KIMOTO were changed on either side of the final line as they awaited the starting whistle.
1st HALFIkegain breaks through and scores the equalizer
From before the match, the atmosphere created by the fans and supporters of both teams led to an intense local battle from the kickoff. The scene was quickly set with Tokyo holding the ball and Verdy aiming for a short counterattack.
The first goal was scored by Tokyo V. In the 20th minute of the first half, they created space in the near zone from a right corner kick, and Hayashi headed the ball, putting them at a disadvantage.
It was three minutes later. Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, made a brilliant combination play, and in the end, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA slid it in, but the shot hit the feet of the opposing goalkeeper, Matheus, and struck the left post.
In the 43rd minute of the first half, Sato, who had honestly said he was "really looking forward to this match and fired up," made a run behind the defense to receive a floating pass from Takahiro KO and scored the equalizing goal, bringing the match back to square one.
The intense battle, where neither side backed down and maintained their own style, heads into the second half with a low-scoring draw.
2nd HALF - Henrique's late goal secures 1 point
Shortly after the start of the second half, the three forwards create a scoring opportunity again. Player Sato sends a lofted ball behind, which Player Tawara picks up to create some time, and Player Gaudino makes a run. The opposing goalkeeper's excellent save prevents the goal, and Player Sato aims for the loose ball, but the shot goes over the target.
However, in the 7th minute of the second half, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA seized the moment when the ball was loose in front of the goal, and player Someno from Tokyo V did not miss the opportunity. Due to a careless ball loss, they allowed the go-ahead goal.
Here, in the 15th minute of the second half, Marcelo RYAN is brought in to replace Gaudino and launch a counterattack. Furthermore, in the 26th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Maki KITAHARA are sent onto the pitch to replace Sato, Tawaramizuki, and Kento HASHIMOTO, respectively.
Immediately after the substitution, player Higashi connects with a cross from the left side, but unfortunately, it misses the target. Tokyo continues to strengthen their offensive, closing in on the Tokyo V goal one after another in the final stages of the match.
Then, just before entering stoppage time, in the 44th minute of the second half, they finally broke through. Soma ANZAI, who had opened up on the right side and was in a slightly deeper position, sent a cross ball towards the far side, and Henrique jumped higher than the opponent to head it in, leveling the score again by directing it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
After that, the game opened up and both teams attacked each other with counterattacks. In that process, Tokyo utilized long balls to penetrate deep into the opponent's territory, but they could not secure the go-ahead goal.
The intense match saw both sides refusing to give in, resulting in another shared point.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Enrique Trevisan/Seiji KIMURA/Kosuke SHIRAI (substituted in 45 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
MF Soma ANZAI/Takahiro UCHIYAMA/Kento HASHIMOTO (substituted in 26 minutes: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in 26 minutes: Maki KITAHARA)
FW Megumi SATO (substituted in 26 minutes: Teruto NAKAGAWA)/Ewerton Gaudino (substituted in 15 minutes: Marcelo HIAN)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Teppei OKA/Kanta DOI
MF Tohru TOKIWAKI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
43rd minute of the first half: Sato Keiun / 44th minute of the second half: Henrique TREVISAN
<Verdy>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Mateus
DF Yuto TSUNASHIMA/Hayashi Naoki/Hiroto TANIGUCHI
MF Seiryu Ohnaga/Rei Hirakawa/Kosuke SAITO (substituted in 38th minute: Tetsuyuki INAMI)/Yuta Arai
FW Itsuki SOMENO (substituted in 14th minute: Yuan MATSUHASHI)/Yudai Kimura (substituted in 38th minute: Ryosuke SHIRAI)/Hiroto YAMAMI (substituted in 27th minute: Yuya FUKUDA)
SUBS
GK Yuya NAGASAWA
DF Kazuya MIYAHARA/Kaito SUZUKI
MF Soma SHIKINO/Takeshi YAMAMOTO
MANAGER
Hiroshi JOFUKU
GOAL
20th minute of the first half: Naoki HAYASHI / 7th minute of the second half: Itsuki SOMENO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please review the game.
A, the result was that we managed to catch up at the end and earned 1 point. First, I want to fully appreciate this 1 point and then prepare for the next match. For me, it was my first Verdy match in Tokyo, and seeing both teams receive boos after a draw really made me realize how intense the battle was. Of course, I was aware of this from the start, so it is very disappointing that we couldn't deliver a victory. I want to make good preparations for the next game.
Q: I think we were able to recreate the scene where we aimed for the finish with the movement of the third person we practiced in advance. What do you think?
<div>A, I don't think the reproducibility was that high, but it doesn't appear many times in the game. Even so, I believe some chance-making was born out of fluidity, and regarding that, one was finished, and another was not. I think the challenge remains in how accurately we can finish those chances. After all, even if we break through, we can't win, and unless we shake the goal net, there is no victory, so I want to keep pursuing that continuously.
Q: In the second half, the formation changed to one top and two shadows with the introduction of Marcelo RYAN. What kind of picture were you trying to create?
A, incorporating a somewhat dynamic approach like that, as one of the methods for creating a starting point in advanced positions, I thought it would be better to use good judgment and effectively utilize players rather than relying on breakthrough power or speed on the wide areas. By creating a starting point there, we could better leverage the advantage on the sides. I believe we were able to show that kind of play to some extent, but we still haven't reached the point of taking shots, and although there were some opportunities, it is a bit disappointing that they did not lead to goals.
Q: I think it became clear that Tokyo V aimed for short counters while positioning themselves in the midfield, and Tokyo maintained possession. How did you want to move in that situation?
A, I absolutely believe that being afraid of counterattacks and not aiming for the center is unacceptable. We have to approach it with the mindset to overturn that. Since we have possession of the ball, offense and defense are two sides of the same coin, and such situations will definitely arise. Of course, if we can completely shut them down there, the pace will be in our favor, but when it isn't, there are also moments where the opponent gains a good rhythm. I expect attempts to counter that, and not trying is not an option. To put it simply, "Don't take the easy path." We must fully commit and overturn the situation. From there, the next scenes will surely create an advantage on the sides, and perhaps we could have shown more clearly what we had prepared. However, I think the first half was a bit lackluster in that regard. In the second half, we changed our character and aimed to exploit that, hoping to break through with substitutions.
Q: Regarding the scene where player Sato Kei-in scored, it was noticeable today that there were more passes aimed at the back from the midfield rather than from the last line. What is your evaluation of that?
A, in the first half, I thought the distance was a bit too long, so at halftime, I pointed out that the distance there was too long. Long balls become effective once we get close to the opponent's territory. If it's deep in our own half, considering the opponent's defensive line height, I thought there was a good chance to break through with quality play. I conveyed some tactical methods to the wing backs and the wide players among the three center backs, and for the rest, I told them to maintain a more compact formation overall and target that area once we got close to the opponent's territory. I believe we were able to show that a little more in the second half.
[Player Interview]
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q, please review the game.
A, since both teams share the same stadium as their home ground, it was a very difficult match. We were able to create chances, but the opponent also created chances, so it was a situation where the outcome could have gone either way, making it a very tough match.
Q: It has been a while since you were in the starting lineup for the league match. What aspects did you focus on as you approached the game?
<div>A, I haven't had many opportunities to play until now, but I have been preparing so that I can play at any time, so I am happy to have been given a chance today. We still haven't been able to overcome the difficult situation, and we wanted to win today to get through it, but we couldn't secure the victory. Even so, I want to continue doing what needs to be done properly, rest well, and then prepare for the next match.
Q: Please reflect on the scoring scene.
A, today's goal was just like in practice, and Anzai player kicked a very good ball, so I think it was good that we were able to score. Although we couldn't win the match we wanted to win, I think it was a goal that can lead to the next, and I am glad to have contributed to the team.
Q: How do you feel about the team's growth?
A, I think both individually and as a team, we have been improving. However, I still need to grow, and the entire team also needs to develop further. I believe we can also improve our build-up play significantly.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q, please review the game.
A. Even when the opponent took the ball, we were able to immediately apply pressure and force them to kick the ball away. There are many players in Tokyo's defensive line who are strong in duels, so we aimed to recover the ball there, increase the time we have possession, and connect to secondary and tertiary attacks. Conceding goals is sometimes unavoidable, so I believe I need to become a player who can score 2 or 3 additional goals to lead the team to victory.
Q, I received a vertical pass from Takahiro KO well and scored a goal. Please review the scoring scene.
A, I have been coordinating with player Ko during regular practice. The timing was well synchronized, which led to the goal. I want to increase the number of times we do this.
Q: There have been four consecutive matches without scoring. What preparations have you made for this match?
A, personally, I was thinking of increasing my shots. As an attacking player, I was considering what would be a threat. Moving behind the defense is my strength, and while showcasing that, I kept playing in a way that the opponents disliked. There was also scouting information that the opponents would bite on it, so with checking movements, I was able to skillfully shake off their marking. As a team, I believe that fast vertical attacks are the best way to bring out our strengths. To increase those scenes, it is important how we move the ball and exploit the opponent's gaps.
Q: The next match will be against Fagiano Okayama. It's a short period, but what kind of preparations will you make?
A, I think we just have to switch gears and keep going. Today, too, I missed a chance where I had to finish decisively, so even though we have consecutive matches, I believe it is important to continue doing what we need to do sincerely without changing it. I hope we can share today's points of reflection with the team, align our understanding, and improve on them.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q: Please reflect on today's match.
A, just like in the match against Kawasaki Frontale, we tried to carefully connect from the back and move the ball forward, but in the Kawasaki match, we were too conscious of that and sometimes struggled to advance the ball. So today, overall, we used a few more long balls and more vertical passes. Within that, I think it would have been better if we could have interacted a little more effectively. When it seemed like we might force the ball forward, we couldn't receive the ball again at the back and calmly circulate it once more. I think the cancellation of plays when there was no movement upfront after advancing the ball, the positioning to receive the ball, and the field of vision are still somewhat limited. These are areas we still need to develop while playing matches.
Q: I think we can see Kimura's personal growth in various aspects, such as not being afraid to hold the ball and making plays diagonally forward. What are your thoughts on this?
A, no matter how good a player is, they will make mistakes, and backward mistakes are not good, but Coach Matsuhashi never says not to attempt challenging passes. I believe it is because there is an environment where players can take on challenges that such play is possible, and I have performed such plays both at Sagan Tosu and at the Paris Olympics. I think that experience and courage lead to a bit of composure.
Q: You were sharp in your covering during today's match, but how do you feel about your one-on-one defending?
A, I was firmly marking my opponent, and since it was a mirror game today, there were parts that were easier to grasp. I never lost in the power battles when clashing with the opponent, so I think that was a good point.
Q: Although we couldn't win today's match, how will you make adjustments and improvements for the next game?
A, we have conceded 3 goals and 2 goals in these two matches, so first of all, we need to reduce the number of goals conceded. Today, the forwards scored 2 goals, so I think there are good signs in our attack, and we are gradually becoming able to control the ball. However, if we concede goals, we cannot win, so first, we must avoid conceding. Today, we conceded from set plays and our own mistakes, but we will tighten up as a team in those areas and do our best to maintain a challenging attitude together.
