Match Review
Winning the away game 3-0 four days ago, they face FC Machida Zelvia again at home Ajinomoto Stadium. For the rematch after three days, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI changed five players in the starting lineup.
At the back, Kim Seung-gyu, who returned from South Korea national team duties, was deployed. The final line-up from the right consists of Naruki Muroya, Alexander SCHOLZ, Hayato Inamura, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who is starting for the first time this season. The defensive midfield duo is Kouta Tokiwa and Keisuke Koizumi, with Keita ENDO on the left side of midfield and Yoshimasa Sato on the right. Up front, Marcelo RYAN and Ryunosuke SATO, who returned from the Japan national team, started as the two forwards to kick off the match.
1st―Creating opportunities through tactical play without losing intensity in offense and defense
On this day as well, it was the blue and red team who took control of the match. Without showing any complacency or carelessness from their victory four days earlier, they threatened Machida's goal with a seamless battle of attack and defense, circulating ball possession and recovery.
In the 5th minute of the first half, Endo aimed for a shot following a cross from Muroya, who received the ball deep on the right side, but it hit an opposing defender and did not result in a goal. Then, in the 14th minute of the first half, a sharp attack gained momentum with passes connecting Tokiwai, Ryu Sato, and Kei Sato, and finally Endo aimed for the goal, but the shot was not well struck.
At the 22nd minute of the first half, player Scholz carried the ball forward vertically, and with that pass, player RIAN faced forward. After exchanging passes with player Kei Sato, he aimed with the tip of his right foot, but the shot went straight to the goalkeeper.
As the time of tactical play with the opponent lengthened, the goal remained distant, and the match went into halftime at 0-0.
2nd―Continued a close battle but lost in the penalty shootout, earning only 1 point
In the second half, Tokyo made a bold move by swapping the positions of players Kei Sato and Ryu Sato. However, Machida, eager to avoid consecutive losses, intensified their pressure and attacked Tokyo's goal. At the 9th minute of the second half, after conceding an interception, Soma took a shot. Sungyu made an excellent save here to prevent a goal.
In the 16th minute of the second half, player Yoshifu sent a cross from the left side, and player Sato Kei connected with a header, but it hit the bar.
One minute later, Na SANGHO broke through behind the last line and entered the area. The two center backs were drawn out by a kick feint, facing a desperate crisis, but Sungyu stood firm here as well and protected the goal.
In the 18th minute of the second half, with the back-and-forth battle continuing, the Tokyo bench made a move. Kento HASHIMOTO, Takahiro KO, and Divine OTANI were sent onto the pitch, replacing players Kashifu, Tokiwa, and Hiroshi ENDO.
Furthermore, at the 25th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA was brought on to replace Hian. At the 44th minute of the second half, Fuki YAMADA was used as the final substitution, replacing Kei Sato.
In the final stages of the match, Tokyo withstood Machida's fierce attacks, and the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Tokyo's first player Scholz and third player Takahashi missed their shots, while Machida scored successfully with four consecutive players. As a result, Tokyo only managed to earn 1 point from this match and could not close the points gap with the top-ranked Kashima Antlers.
MATCH DETAILS
Match detailed data is here
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q, please provide an overview of today's match.
A, I think the players gave their best effort until the very end. However, it is very frustrating that we only managed to earn 1 point instead of 3. There is no time to be downhearted, so we must prepare for the next match. This was a very important game to close the gap with the top team, but the fact that we couldn't secure the win shows that we still lack toughness and strength in some areas. The season continues, so we want to make good preparations for the next match.
Q. Please tell us the intention and evaluation of using Ryunosuke SATO in the forward line.
A, we anticipated a certain level of pressing from the opponent's front line. Within that context, we expected the role of advancing the ball forward and drawing the ball out between the lines at the right timing. Including Marcelo RYAN, if he could play as a starting point, we believed the movements of the wide players would become clearer, so we positioned him centrally.
Player Interview
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q. It was your first start in a while,so please tell us what you felt you did well and what didn’t go so well personally.
A. It was trulymy first start in a long time, and it was an important match to see if I could ride a good momentum. Both as a team and individually, we were aiming for the full 3 points, so not being able to get that result is frustrating for both the team and myself.
Q,Although you compete for the same position as Kento HASHIMOTO, who has different characteristics, what mindset did you have going into the match to make the most of your own strengths?
A, Based on the result of the previous match, I expected the opponent to play more long balls this time, so I think that's why I was positioned where I was. The coach told me, "In attack, I want you to be aggressive and push forward strongly; if you can do that, we can push the opponent back." I have a lot to learn from Kento HASHIMOTO in terms of build-up play, and I am learning every day, but the driving force to push forward aggressively, getting involved in the attack, taking on opponents myself, and delivering crosses are things I have that neither Yuto NAGATOMO nor Kento HASHIMOTO possess. I aimed to show that in my play, but I am very frustrated that it did not lead to results.
Q. On the defensive side,there was an impression that we were often targeted from the opposite side.
A. We reviewed the footage many times before the match, and although it was a short period, we prepared in practice by reflecting on the previous game. We knew for sureit would come. There were moments saved by fouls, but in the end, I think it was good that we didn’t concede. However, I believe there were areas where we could have improved further.
Q. The result was a loss by penalty shootout, but what aspects does the team feel positive about?
A. The day before, Kashima Antlers lost in a penalty shootout, so today, if we had won, it was a chance to close the points gap. There is frustration that we couldn't win. However, earning 1 point instead of 0 in a match with this kind of flow is something we can build on. The next match after this one is very important. The consecutive matches have ended, and now we have a full week to prepare properly, so as a team, we want to face the next match without looking down and give it our all.
Q. How do you feel about being in the starting lineup for the first time in a while?
A. It was fun. That's all there is to it. Now, we need results. I'll keep working hard from here on.
Player Hayato Inamura
Q. I think the match gradually became more difficult, but on the pitch,how did you feel while playing?
A. Playing against the same opponent within such a short period was challenging for both sides.The opponent varied their pressure intensity, so we couldn’t clearly decide how to attack, which is something we need to reflect on.
Q. I felt that the opponent had prepared quite a bit of countermeasures.
A. I felt that my side was being shut down, so I tried to have Alexander SCHOLZ carry the ball. I communicated this to SCHOLZ, and we were able to create some good opportunities from the right side, so I think that was good. However, the accuracy of my distribution from my position dropped, so that is a personal point of reflection.
Q, Because we couldn't win this match, the next match becomes very important.
A, We also watched yesterday's Kashima Antlers match, and today we absolutely had to get 3 points. It's really frustrating. However, there are still matches left, and I don't think the match content was something to be too discouraged about,so we definitely want to earn 3 points in the next match.
Q: Although we lost in the penalty shootout, I believe we were able to earn points because we kept a clean sheet.
A: Personally, I think defense is an area we need to work on, and keeping a clean sheet is something we always aim for. So, I think it was good that we managed to keep a clean sheet for two consecutive matches. If we don't concede goals, we won't lose,and since we are currently able to demonstrate that, I want to continue this going forward.
Divine OTANI
Q. After promotion,you were given a long playing opportunity for the first time. What did you focus on when entering the match?
A. First, I focused on not letting the team down defensively, and in attack, I aimed to make the most of my strengths.I was always told to target the space behind the defense and to use my ability in duels, so I was especially conscious of those points when stepping onto the pitch.
Q. You played during a period when Tokyo was somewhat under pressure,but I think you were able to create moments by using your body to hold up play.
A. The tough periodswere long, and I think if I had acted more as a defensive switch during those times, it might have made things easier for the other players. Even so, I was able to show my strength in driving the play forward, which is my characteristic, so that will lead to the next step and has given me a bit of confidence.
Q. In one-on-one situations,there were moments when I couldn't hold off the opponent's intense pressure, and on the other hand, moments when I managed to hold firm and advance the ball forward.
A. That kind of play is my strength. When I was with FC Tokyo U-18, I was able to do that consistently, but after moving up to the top team for three months, I struggled to keep possession even in practice. Still, to meet the expectations of Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, who believes in me and uses me, and my teammates, I have to perform as a professional. Also, since my inclusion in the squad means others cannot be selected, I feel I must play with even greater responsibility.
Q. In the 43rd minute of the second half, there was a moment when you carried the ball yourself and struck it with your left foot. Wasn't that a scene where you really wanted to score, especially since it was hard to create chances in the second half?
A. That scene truly showed my strengths.My forward momentum and strong shots with both feet are my greatest weapons. I saw my teammates around me, but I felt I could take it myself and decided to shoot. I definitely want to become a player who can finish with a single strike in such moments. Since the goalkeeper was Kosei TANI, I thought I had to aim for a corner to score, so I targeted the corner of the goal, but I may have aimed a bit too much. In academy matches, I could score even without aiming that precisely, but in the professional world, the sense is different. I realized I need to be more conscious in practice and start aligning myself with the standards of professional players soon.
Q. How will you connect today's match to the next one?
A. This was the first time since turning professional that I was allowed to play for such a long time today, so I was able to get a general feel for it. I still make a lot of mistakes even during practice, so I want to reduce those and contribute more to the team.
