<Match Review>
The J1 League has reached the halfway point of the season and has now entered the second half. This match will be a rematch against an opponent we have already faced, switching home and away for the second round. The opening match of the second half is against Sagan Tosu, whom we lost to 0-1 at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. We have lost six consecutive league matches against them, making them a challenging opponent in terms of our record. For Tokyo, who has lost their last two official matches, this match is one where we want to see tangible growth along with results. Ryoya OGAWA, who will be playing his last match for Tokyo before moving abroad, is in the starting lineup. Hotaka NAKAMURA is positioned as the right side back.
1st HALF - A back-and-forth battle for control leads to an early goal conceded
In the early stages, Tokyo calmly dealt with the pressure from Tosu, who were closing in from the front, and moved the ball around at the back. Although they did not reach the finishing stage, the inside midfielders and wingers created opportunities by drawing the ball into the gaps between the opposing players, switching to attack and entering the opponent's territory.
As time passed, Tosu's possession of the ball increased. Even after winning the ball, the opponent's transition between offense and defense was quick, leading to situations where they regained possession without being able to break the press from the back. Around the 20th minute of the first half, they began to send penetrating balls from the defensive line over the midfield to center forward Adailton, gradually pushing down Tosu's formation and entering the opponent's territory. In the 26th minute of the first half, Shuto ABE broke into space on the right side with a one-two return from Ryoma WATANABE. As the opponent's defender hurriedly retreated, ABE passed the ball backward. Adailton, who was waiting there, made a one-touch attempt, but was thwarted by the opponent's goalkeeper's defense.
In the 30th minute of the first half, when it seemed they were gradually starting to push back, Yuto IWASAKI picked up the second ball and, unable to apply pressure, scored a powerful long-range shot into the top right corner of the goal, allowing the first goal. In the situation where they aimed to recover the second ball, Abe was injured, and Leandro was sent onto the pitch, with Watanabe changing positions to inside half.
Tokyo, trailing by one goal, settled the ball near the penalty area with Adailton and Leandro as the starting point, but the opponent's quick retreat filled the space, preventing them from taking a shot. There was a moment when Watanabe found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he was thwarted by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper, and they couldn't equalize. As both teams exchanged control, they turned around at halftime with a one-goal deficit after being caught off guard for just a moment.
2nd HALF - Continuing the counterattack stance but conceding more goals
Tokyo wants to go on the offensive, but in the 3rd minute of the second half, they failed to clear a cross from the right side when pushed back in front of the goal, allowing Diego to score an additional goal. Time passed without being able to move the ball forward, but in the 8th minute of the second half, as they increased the tempo of their passing work, Leandro received the ball in the vital area and shot while evading defenders one after another. Although he did not hit the target, by increasing the passing speed and increasing direct play compared to the first half, they created more opportunities to approach the opponent's goal.
In the 15th minute of the second half, three players were substituted simultaneously, sending Keita YAMASHITA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Yuto NAGATOMO onto the pitch. Then, in the 18th minute of the second half, YAMASHITA, who exploited the opponent's blind spot, drew the ball out. Before he could receive it, an opposing defender reached out with a foot but failed to clear the ball, which was picked up by Leandro, who aimed for the goal.
In the 25th minute of the second half, after Tokyo's attack began to activate, a pass to the front line was intercepted, and they were unable to respond to the opponent's quick transition. Fuchi HONDA received the ball on the right side and scored with a near-side shot after cutting in. Furthermore, in the 33rd minute of the second half, a miscommunication during the buildup led to a loss of the ball, resulting in a counterattack where Yuki KAKITA pushed it in after being wide open in the penalty area.
Despite falling behind, Tokyo wants to connect the ball firmly and find a way to counterattack. However, in the 40th minute of the second half, they lost the ball while trying to connect from the defensive line to the side, and were unable to close in on the ball side, allowing player Kaita to score powerfully for the fifth goal. The play towards the Tosu goal continued until the final whistle, but compared to the first half, they were unable to create decisive moments, resulting in a disappointing outcome for Ogawa's last match before his overseas transfer.
MATCH DETAILS
F.C.Tokyo
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hogao Nakamura (15 minutes into the second half: Yuto Nagatomo)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato Morishige (38 minutes into the second half: Shinji Okazaki)/Ryoya Ogawa
MF Kuryu Matsuki (15 minutes into the second half: Keigo Higashi)/Takuya AOKI/Shuto Abe (33 minutes into the first half: Leandro)
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Adailton/Keita YAMASHITA (15 minutes into the second half)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
FW Kazuya KONNO
GOAL
―
Sagan Tosu
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ikkei PARK
DF Wataru HARADA/Toshio SHIMAKAWA/Fan SOKKO/Diego
MF Yuki HORIGOME (21 minutes into the second half: Taichi KIKUCHI)/Akito FUKUDA/Kei KOIZUMI (38 minutes into the second half: Naoyuki FUJITA)/Yuji ONO (17 minutes into the first half: Fuchi HONDA)
FW Yuto IWASAKI (38 minutes into the second half: Ryunosuke SAGARA)/Taisei MIYASHIRO (21 minutes into the second half: Yuki KAKITA)
SUBS
GK Tatsuya MORITA
DF Shinya NAKANO
GOAL
30th minute of the first half: Iwasaki/3rd minute of the second half: Diego/25th minute of the second half: Honda/33rd minute of the second half: Kakita/40th minute of the second half: Kakita
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a match with a clear difference in the flow between the first and second halves. In the first half, we created several decisive chances and I think there were many moments when we controlled the game well. We had two clear scoring opportunities. However, unfortunately, while Shuto ABE was down, Tosu scored a goal.
And regarding the second half, I think it was a completely different development from the first half. There were many instances where we lost the ball easily, and the defensive intensity was not as expected. I believe there were many moments where the fighting spirit was lacking. These factors combined led to conceding multiple goals.
The style of football that this team played until last season is different from what is being sought this season. Adapting to that change is not necessarily an easy task. Everyone expected this season, which is undergoing reform, to be very difficult, but I believe that the performance in the second half should not be excused. We should not rely solely on Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI to provide high intensity for the entire team.
We want to thoroughly reflect on today's match with a critical eye, improve, and connect it to the next game. To realize the playing style we aim for, we cannot afford to lose the ball so easily and frequently as we did in the second half today.
Q: Was the impact of fighting against Nagasaki for 120 minutes significant?
Only four or five players played for 120 minutes. The other players did not play for 120 minutes on Wednesday. I do not think physical condition was a major cause. Since the cause lies elsewhere, I believe we need to critically reflect on ourselves.
Q: Among them, player Morishige, who played for 120 minutes, was substituted during the second half.
As for A and Morishige, fatigue may have been a factor. However, the reality is that we do not have many center backs who are fit to play in matches. Henrique TREVISAN has also been injured.
I believe that this club, bearing the name Tokyo, must aim higher. We must continue to fight striving for the top. While reforming our playing style is important, what is even more crucial is reforming the mentality of this club.
Q: Was there a difference from what you actually expected from Tosu?
We have great respect for the team Tosu and their coach. We want to commend their style of football and the way they played in today's match, as well as their victory today. However, the multiple goals we conceded leading to our defeat today are our responsibility.
[Player Interview]]
＜Ryoya OGAWA＞
Q, please review the game.
A, we fought for 120 minutes in the match against Nagasaki, and the whole team was physically exhausted and not moving well. However, as professional soccer players, we cannot use that as an excuse. If our bodies are not moving, we should adjust our way of fighting accordingly and find things we can do. I believe the current Tokyo team lacks the ability to turn things around in a positive direction.
Q, it was the last match before the overseas transfer in Tokyo.
I knew it from the warm-up, but there were many fans and supporters who came to cheer wearing the number 6 uniform, and including the fans and supporters of Tosu, when my name was called, they gave me a very big round of applause. It really made me realize that today I am leaving the J.League.
Q: What kind of team is Tokyo for player Ogawa?
A, we are not yet a consistently winning team and still have many areas to develop, but I truly believe we have the potential and the members to win the championship. I am glad that I have spent seven and a half seasons here in Tokyo.
Q. A new challenge begins for me as an individual.
A, first of all, I want to start by securing my position, and just like when I joined the pros, I hope to aggressively make my presence known. I will definitely grab a position and do my best to deliver good news to the fans and supporters in Tokyo, Japan.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q, please review the game.
If we had finished the chances we had, I think we could have gone into halftime in a different situation. Despite the bad flow, we conceded first in the second half, and including the timing of the goal, the opponent took control of the rhythm.
Q: Was there any damage from fighting for 120 minutes on Wednesday?
A, I felt like I was able to move better than I expected. I was able to play without any problems there.
Q: You have lost three consecutive official matches. What is needed to regroup for the next match?
A, I don't know exactly what to do here right now, but only we can turn this situation around, and we knew this kind of period would come. We just have to stay calm and do what needs to be done.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It was a substitution in a difficult situation, wasn't it?
A, I wanted to change the momentum, but it just kept slipping away. Everyone was tired, so the amount of movement didn't increase, and it was a complete defeat.
Q: How do you want to improve the situation where you keep conceding goals?
It may be hindsight, but there are parts the players can do, and while talking with the coach and staff, I hope we can calmly reflect on what we feel, what we need to do, and what we need to improve, and have a proper discussion after the break.
Q: Is there an impact from the mental aspect?
In soccer, the mental aspect also plays a crucial role. I believe this is a critical moment to hold firm, and when a new coach comes in and changes happen, various things occur. I want to properly accept that and move forward.
Q, I believe it was a match that the team really wanted to win, especially as it was Ogawa's last game before his overseas transfer.
A, everyone had feelings about that, and Ryoya OGAWA, even after going over there, I hope he will make use of the experiences he had in Tokyo and do his best. I want him to go for it boldly.
Q: Please give a message to the fans and supporters who rushed to support you in Tosu.
A, I think there are people who came from Nagasaki for the Emperor's Cup, so I truly feel sorry, and I want to hang in there somehow, recover, and respond to the support.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, today's match saw the defensive line and the front line very disjointed and stretched out, allowing the opponent to break through the midfield line. When the defensive line drops back, we naturally have to fall back as well, so in terms of stamina for counterattacks, we couldn't apply effective pressure on the opponent.
Q: How was the first match after returning from Uzbekistan with the U-21 Japan national team expedition?
A, my physical condition was not good, and I think if I had increased my defensive intensity more, the course of the match would have changed. There are still many areas where I need to improve, but on the other hand, I believe that because of this experience, it has become clear how I should conduct myself and play football in the second half of the season. It's not about physical stamina or anything like that; I want to be able to win matches.
