<Match Review>
Yuto NAGATOMO and Kuryu MATSUKI, who were active with the national team, have returned to the team, and after the third match of the group stage of the Levain Cup, the league matches have returned after a long time. April in Tokyo features a packed schedule with seven matches played in quick succession every two to three days, including postponed matches. The start of this schedule includes consecutive matches against three clubs participating in the AFC Champions League: Yokohama F.Marinos, Vissel Kobe, and Urawa Reds.
The first match is an away game against Yokohama FM. The opponent has positioned this match as a commemorative game for their 30th anniversary, and the entire club is approaching it with exceptional enthusiasm. Although there are many matches to be played due to the concentrated schedule of the ACL, the opponent is ranked higher than Tokyo in the standings. This match is also an opportunity to repay the debt from last season's tough defeat.
There was only one positional change in the Tokyo lineup from the last match against Kyoto SANGA F.C. Henrique TREVISAN was used as the left back in place of Ryoya OGAWA.
Both teams, sharing similar styles of high pressing, quick counters, and ball possession, showcased their strengths in an engaging match. Initially, it seemed that Yokohama FM was dominating the momentum, but Tokyo began to shake their opponents with intricate passing and wide plays. The right winger, Kazuya KONNO, frequently switched sides, utilizing left winger Adailton to threaten the Yokohama FM goal. As both teams advanced the ball near the penalty area, Tokyo conceded the first goal. In the 8th minute of the first half, a cross from a deep position on the right side caught them off guard, and Takuma NISHIMURA headed it in after failing to mark properly in front of the goal.
However, Tokyo quickly counterattacks. Four minutes after conceding a goal, in the 12th minute of the first half, they apply high pressure as the opponent moves the ball in their defensive line, and Diego OLIVEIRA steals the ball. Initiating a quick counterattack, Diego sends a pass into the space on the right side in a situation of numerical superiority. Shuto ABE, who had surged forward, controls the ball and enters the penalty area, calmly finishing in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper to equalize. In the 18th minute of the first half, a through pass from Yasuki KIMOTO finds Nagatomo in the space on the right side, who breaks free and heads towards the goal. With teammates also in front of the goal, Nagatomo aims for a shot but narrowly misses the target.
From around the middle of the first half, Tokyo continued to create chances while maintaining high pressure on the opponent, who held onto the ball. In the 21st minute of the first half, Konno applied intense pressure as the opponent passed between defenders, cutting the ball. His one-on-one shot against the goalkeeper was saved, and Diego followed up, with Adailton also closing in, but their three consecutive shots were blocked by the resilient Yokohama FM defense. In the 33rd minute of the first half, Abe stole the ball near the left side of the halfway line, and Diego carried it forward. The ball was moved to the opposite side where Konno, from his preferred area, took a left-footed shot that went just above the top left of the goal. After a quick restart from the goal kick, Matsuki aimed to steal the ball and immediately took a shot, but it went wide to the right of the goal.
Both teams made substitutions at halftime. Tokyo brought in Kensuke NAGAI to replace Adailton. It was expected that there would be intense battles for the ball from the start, but they were caught off guard for a moment. In the first minute of the second half, they were targeted in the space behind Henrique, allowing the opponent to penetrate deep down the left side and deliver a cross, which was met by Anderson Lopes in front of the goal and scored. Tokyo, eager to counterattack, intensified their pressing from the front line, but they were stripped by the opponent's passing play. As they gradually increased their presence deep into the opponent's territory starting from the sides, Tokyo made substitutions to regain momentum. In the 67th minute, Hirotaka MITA was brought in to replace Konno, and Ryoma WATANABE was brought in to replace Takuya AOKI.
With fewer touches, the team moved the ball to increase the tempo of their passing play, creating opportunities for right winger Mita and left winger Nagai to approach the opponent's goal. However, in the 30th minute of the second half, Matsuki received a second yellow card and was sent off. This disrupted their offensive momentum, and in a situation of numerical disadvantage, they attempted to change the situation by bringing in Keita YAMASHITA in place of Abe. However, they were unable to settle the ball and launch an attack, ultimately finishing the match without closing the one-goal gap as time ran out.
Although we missed the victory, we created more chances than our opponent in the first half, demonstrating the team's growth on the pitch. With just three days until the next match, we will switch our focus and prepare for the upcoming game against Vissel Kobe at our home Ajinomoto Stadium.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review today's game.
A, we started a bit nervously for about 5 to 10 minutes and conceded a goal during that period. Also, an inappropriate yellow card was given right after the match started. However, the team reacted well afterward. Even in the first half alone, we took 7 shots and created many chances.
I think the opponent intended to create a numerical advantage in the center by having their full-backs position themselves centrally. In that context, I believe the first half's development allowed us to create many chances from quick transitions between offense and defense, exploiting the space behind those full-backs.
Then, right after the start of the second half, we made a mistake that allowed the opponent's winger to be free, resulting in a goal against us. However, the team reacted well afterward, regrouped, and was able to create chances. The 10 players left on the pitch fought until the end for a draw and then for victory. I am truly proud of that attitude.
Soccer always comes with results. I naturally accept that. Regardless of today's match result, I want the players to always show the fighting spirit they demonstrated on the pitch, and I believe that is the path we should continue to pursue. This season, I want to keep growing even more.
Q: There was a discussion about the pace of play in yesterday's press conference, but I think Yokohama FM had a faster pace of play today compared to their opponents in the last few matches. Is the idea to make the pace of play shown against this opponent the average for Tokyo?
A, I don't think so about today's match. I believe today's game was one where the wings played the leading role. Marinos also used wide wings to create chances from there. And we also made good use of the wings, especially in the first half, creating many opportunities.
In today's match, I think ball possession rate and play speed were of low importance. Marinos is a team characterized by fast attacks utilizing the wings, and they demonstrated that.
[Player Interview]]
<Shuto ABE>
Q: I think there were parts where we were able to perform well against Yokohama FM. How do you reflect on that?
A, in the first half, we were in good shape, winning the ball up front and executing short counters effectively. At halftime, the stats showed we had 7 shots while the opponent had only 1, so I thought we could continue like that in the second half. However, early in the second half, I made a passing mistake which was intercepted, leading to a counterattack goal against us, and I feel that’s when the momentum broke down.
Q: What do you think is the reason for not being able to press as effectively or hold the ball as well in the second half compared to the first half?
A, we talked about going forward even at halftime, but Marinos changed their positioning and such, so we struggled with that.
Q: Regarding the second goal conceded, I believe the pass aimed by player Abe is what we are striving for this season, but is the part where it was turned over a point of reflection?
A, I was aiming for player Nagai, but considering Nagai's characteristics, I think I should have passed the ball behind rather than at his feet. If I had made a proper decision, the ball wouldn't have been taken there, so I need to reflect on my judgment mistake. Also, if I am going to pass to the feet, I need to be more precise and thorough in doing so.
Q: You scored your first goal of the league this season. Was it in the shape you aimed for?
A, short counters are Tokyo's style, and the fact that the inside half can move out there is also a strength of this team. There was a similar situation in the Hiroshima match, but we missed it, so we were able to make a good improvement.
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q, please review the game as a whole, including the parts where we conceded goals, although I think there were parts where we were able to compete against the high-intensity Marinos.
A, we conceded a goal early in the first half, which made the match difficult. Also, although we had many chances ourselves, we couldn't finish them. I feel that is where we lost the game. I also feel responsible.
Q: I think that a high-tempo style of soccer, like today, can be a benchmark for what we aim for. What are your thoughts on this moving forward?
A, there were parts that went well with high-tempo, speedy attacks and short counters, but I also think it was necessary to have time to hold the ball and calm down. From the first half, we rushed forward too much, lost the ball, and faced counterattacks. When to go for short counters and when to hold the ball should be more clearly judged by each player as a team.
Q: Do you feel like you have adjusted a bit to the way Marinos play?
A, there were some parts like that. Our team also has speedy wing players, and I think the aspect of aiming for the behind was good. Marinos is also a team skilled at aiming for the behind, and I felt they are one of the top teams in the J.League in breaking down defenses while using the midfield. That’s why I think if we had more time maintaining possession today, the game might have developed differently.
Q: The matchups for the World Cup group stage have been decided. What do you think?
In Group A, we can play matches against the best opponents on the greatest stage, the World Cup. Of course, it will be tough, but the qualifiers will be challenging no matter which country we face.
I have played 134 matches for the national team, and I have faced most of the strong countries. I have never played against Spain and Germany in those 134 matches, and I truly believe they are strong contenders for the World Cup. Being able to compete seriously against such teams is an experience that we football players rarely get, and I feel that showing exciting matches to our fans and supporters holds great significance for Japanese football.
If we aim for the best 8, we will face strong countries in the best 16 or group league, and if we cannot win there, we cannot achieve our goal, so I believe we are being tested.
<Hirotaka MITA>
Q: Please tell us what you felt during the match.
A, Yokohama FM is a team that has been playing in this style for a long time. We have been working on it since this year, but I think we lost control of the game due to that difference.
Q: I think we were able to launch good attacks from where we regained possession of the ball. Do you feel confident about that?
A, watching from the bench in the first half, I felt there were many scenes where the ball we took was easily taken back by the opponent. When I came on, I tried to create time effectively and take care of the ball, but I feel there were both successful and unsuccessful moments. I think this is also a challenge for the team as a whole.
Q: What aspects did you focus on changing when you came on as a substitute?
A, I played on the right side until we were one player down, and I think we were able to start the game with good momentum, and there was a sense that the flow was about to shift.
However, the dismissal of Kuryu MATSUKI is the responsibility of everyone, and I believe that even after becoming 10 men, the attitude of everyone to go and win the ball from the front line did not change.
That is something the coach always tells us, and it is also the style of play the team is aiming for this year, so it was good that even with 10 players we were able to show that.
Q: In April, we have consecutive matches, and we will face Kobe at Ajinomoto Stadium after three days. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, I truly believe this April will be an all-out battle. Everyone will prepare well and fight together, facing the same direction. We will definitely win at home.
<Kensuke NAGAI>
Q: How did you watch the matches until you participated?
A, the defensive line was a bit low, and we couldn't press from the front. I think the time we held onto the ball after taking it from the opponent was short.
Q: What instructions did you receive from the coach when you participated?
A was told to defend from the front line. I thought that if I didn't press twice, I wouldn't be able to take the ball from the opponent, and if we defended too deep in our own half, the ball was often taken away immediately after we won it, like in the first half. So, I made an effort to defend from the front line.
We need to reflect on the fact that the goals conceded came early, but I also want to improve my accuracy individually to be able to score the second goal.
Q: You were able to carry the ball deep into the position, but what was missing to take one more step towards the goal?
A, there are also issues with individual accuracy, and I think it is necessary to increase the number of attempts. It is important to be particular about practice, and if I can connect one shot, I believe it will bring a change within myself. I want to increase the number of times I enter the penalty area towards the goal and pose a threat to the opponent.
Q: After being one player down, what kind of consensus did you have on the pitch?
A, I told the team to press from the front so that the defensive line does not drop back. There were several dangerous moments, but they defended without conceding until the end, so I want to build the strength to be able to equalize today.
