<Match Review>
The second home game at the Japan National Stadium was held against Kyoto SANGA F.C., where both teams' players appeared on the sacred pitch of National amidst a grand spectacle of approximately 1500 fireworks, flames, moving lights, and lasers.
Tokyo replaced players in the midfield and forward positions from the previous match. Keigo HIGASHI took the anchor position, while Koki TSUKAGAWA and Kuryu MATSUKI formed a partnership as inside midfielders. Leandro was used as a starter in place of Kazuya KONNO in the forward line. KONNO was excluded from the match roster, and Hirotaka MITA was included in the substitute members.
1st HALF - Leandro's stunning goal opens the scoring
From the beginning, Tokyo maintains possession of the ball, mixing short and long passes to push Kyoto back into their own half. In the 13th minute of the first half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE received a pass from Leandro and after dribbling forward, he delivered a through ball into the penalty area, allowing Leandro to break free and take a shot, but it was deflected by the post.
Although the time spent holding the ball continues, the plays just before finishing are off, making it difficult to create decisive chances. It seemed like there was ongoing trial and error in how to break down the opponent, but the game changed in the 28th minute of the first half.
Masato MORISHIGE sends a looping pass into the space on the left side, where Yoshifumi receives the ball deep in the opponent's territory. He passes it sideways to Leandro, who has made a run into the inner space. From the left corner of the penalty area, Leandro strikes with his right foot. The curved shot hits the crossbar and the left post before being sucked into the goal.
After that, they were pushed back by Kyoto, who used the sides as a starting point, and scenes continued where close balls were sent into the goal area, including set plays. They were unable to regain possession of the ball or push back, but they firmly solidified their defense within the penalty area and held on to their lead to finish the first half.
2nd HALF - A middle shot by Matsuki leads to an additional goal
Tokyo, wanting to change the momentum that had them pushed back at the end of the first half and regain control of the ball, effectively applies coordinated pressing from the front and enters the Kyoto territory. In the 9th minute of the second half, Matsuki becomes the starting point with a hold-up play just inside the penalty area, passing a heel pass to Diego OLIVEIRA, who has circled around. Leandro's left-footed shot from a position 45 degrees to the left of the goal was deflected by the opposing goalkeeper's outstretched hand.
If they cannot capitalize on the early chances, they will gradually start to be pushed back by Kyoto. The opponent sends in fast vertical balls for quick counterattacks, but Tokyo tries to regain possession and calmly connect passes to change the flow of the game. When the opponent is pushing forward, they aim for counterattacks and adjust their offense according to the situation.
In the 31st minute of the second half, after being pushed in front of the goal, a ground cross ball was sent through, but the ball that missed just in front of the goal flowed to the far side, where an opposing player came in free, but he was unable to make contact with the bouncing ball and it was avoided.
After a pinch, there is a chance. Just after that, in the 33rd minute of the second half, Mita made a move on the right side during a counterattack and took a mid-range shot. The opposing goalkeeper deflected the ball, and Adailton, who had rushed in front of the goal, scored a significant additional goal.
In the 37th minute of the second half, Adailton picked up a clearance mistake by the opposing goalkeeper and attempted a looping shot at the empty goal, but it was cleared just before the goal line by a defender who desperately returned.
As the match entered the final stages, Kyoto pushed forward with momentum. Tokyo held a 2-point lead and controlled the ball without rushing, including during added time, finishing the match without conceding a goal.
In the 2020 season Levain Cup Final Round, two players scored goals at Japan National Stadium on April 29, securing a victory for Tokyo and bringing them 3 points after 4 matches.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in the 31st minute: Hotaka NAKAMURA)
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA (substituted in the 31st minute: Hirotaka MITA)/Keigo HIGASHI/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE (substituted in the 45+2 minute: Keita YAMASHITA)/Diego Oliveira (substituted in the 24th minute: Luis Felipe)/Leandro (substituted in the 24th minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
28th minute of the first half: Leandro/33rd minute of the second half: Adailton
<Kyoto Sanga F.C.>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Naoto KAMIFUKUMOTO
DF Shogo ASADA/Kosuke TAKETOMI/Rikito INOUE
MF Kosuke TAKETOMI (substituted in 4th minute: Shinpei FUKUOKA)/Shohei TAKEDA (substituted in 23rd minute: Daiki KANEKO)/Temma MATSUDA (substituted in 12th minute: PAULINHO)/Sota KAWASAKI/Hibiki SATO
FW Peter Utaka (substituted in 0th minute: Yudai KIMURA)/Yuta TOYOKAWA (substituted in 23rd minute: Alan KARIUS)
SUBS
GK Tomoya WAKAHARA
DF Yuki HONDA
GOAL
―
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
A, regarding today's match, the flow did not change between the first and second halves, and the same flow continued throughout the 90 minutes. Kyoto is one of the teams with the highest intensity in the J1 League. Against such an opponent, we aimed to maintain a good balance in our play. We worked on balancing aggressive pressing with firmly maintaining possession of the ball, which is our style. I believe we were able to maintain a good balance in practice.
In the match against Gamba Osaka a week ago, we lost the ball multiple times and couldn't find our rhythm. In the previous match against Vissel Kobe, on the contrary, we were unable to apply pressure and lost the intensity in our defense. Especially in the first 20 minutes of both halves, we anticipated that Kyoto would come at us with intense pressure. While facing that pressure, I believe we managed to maintain the balance we had earlier.
This season's J1 League has become a very competitive league. The top teams are struggling against the lower teams and often lose. In that sense, I believe that the points in this league are very valuable.
A few months ago, when we played at the Japan National Stadium, unfortunately, Henrique got injured towards the end of the match, and today, Morishige received his fourth yellow card, resulting in a suspension for the next match. We may not have been fortunate regarding center-backs at this stadium.
And today, we welcomed over 50,000 guests. Playing a match in this wonderful stadium while being watched by everyone made me feel that this is what everyone wishes for the future of this club.
Starting tomorrow, we will resume league matches after a break. I want to continue growing and fighting with the current members in the remaining five matches. Of course, we cannot win every match. Sometimes we will lose. I believe there are those who feel anger when we lose. However, I do not want you to forget that this season, the players are trying to adapt to a very significant change. I am asking the players to perform at a high level in plays that we did not do much until last season. This is never an easy task for them. Several players are veterans who have aged. For example, I want to express my gratitude to players like Morishige, Higashi, Nagatomo, and Diego, who are positively adapting to the changes. For instance, Nagatomo has been adapting well and learning to play centrally. I am proud of their humble attitude. On the other hand, I am also proud of the young players, like Yoshifumi and Kuu, who have just started as professionals and are growing with this style.
[Player Interview]]
<Leandro>
Q: It has been a while since your last starting appearance.
A, I am happy to have returned to the starting lineup, but what made me happiest was that we were able to win today.
Q, I was able to score the goal that led to victory. Please review that scene.
At the moment when a pass was made from Kashiifu, I heard Diego shout "Free!", so when I trapped the ball facing forward, I imagined the goal and swung my right foot through. I'm glad I was able to score.
Q, Is the course as planned?
A, I aimed for it.
Q: Please tell us about the heart mark performance after scoring a goal.
A, went towards the bench to share the joy with the entire team.
Q, decided again at National.
Ah, yes. I think we have to play every match here. (laughs) I like the atmosphere of the stadium, but when we play at the National Stadium, many spectators come, and that also gives me strength.
Q: How was it playing in front of an audience of 50,000 people?
A, the entire team is happy to have been able to play in front of a large crowd. The fact that many people came to the stadium boosted the players' motivation, which I believe led to today's victory.
<Adailton>
Q, first of all, congratulations on the 2-0 shutout victory at the National.
A, thank you very much.
Q, please review the game today in front of an audience of over 50,000 people.
A, I knew from before today's match started that it would be a difficult game. Given the tough situation throughout the 90 minutes, I am glad we were able to finish with a win. I am also happy that we could achieve victory in front of many fans and supporters at this stadium and share the joy with everyone.
Q: How did you watch the match from the bench in the first half?
A, the strong desire to absolutely win was evident, and we were able to start the match well. We also fought hard for the ball, scored the opening goal, and created space behind the opponent, which we were able to use effectively.
Q: What were your thoughts when you stepped onto the pitch in the second half?
A, I stepped onto the pitch with the desire to contribute to the team when I was called. After all, scoring a goal is a visible achievement, so I wanted to score, and I am very happy that I was able to do so properly. I am also glad that we ended with a victory.
Q: Today, you achieved a total of 200 matches in the J1 League.
A, I am very happy to have reached 200 matches, and I am truly pleased to have achieved this result after accumulating so many games. I want to continue playing many more matches and achieve various results going forward.
Q: How far will we go?
A, there are no specific numbers, but of course, not only on the pitch but also off the pitch, I always face my body properly, maintain good condition at all times, and participate in as many matches as possible. I think that sums it up.
Q: Please give a message to the fans and supporters who always support you.
A. We are always supported by our fans and supporters, and we gain strength from your cheers. We hope you will continue to come to the stadium and support us. And since you are coming to watch us, we want to do our best to meet your expectations.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It was a match attended by over 50,000 customers, how do you feel about that?
A, as a player, I am very happy to be able to play in this environment. In the match at Japan National Stadium in April, I was not included in the squad and felt frustrated watching from the pitch. I am very pleased as a player to have been able to play today and contribute to the victory.
Q: The fist pump at the sound of the final whistle was impressive.
A, this year started with various feelings. On the pitch, players have to prove themselves through their play, so it was great to be able to play with many different emotions in front of a large crowd at Japan National Stadium and to express that.
Q: I think it was tough with two away games in a row, but how do you feel about being able to finish with a victory?
A, every team faces consecutive matches, so there are no excuses, but we must earn points. With many teams still ahead, I believe the players must respond to the team renting the stadium and gathering the crowd. No player fails to raise their motivation in this environment. However, even without such an environment, each match is just one match, so I think we must maintain high motivation and earn points in every game. I want to play the next match with the same passion and responsibility as today.
Q, I think you were careful not to let Peter UTAKA play freely. Did you communicate with the center-back players?
A, I think it is a characteristic of Kyoto to quickly look at Peter UTAKA after taking the ball and launch a counterattack. Regarding that point, I believe that including myself, Morishige, and Kimoto, we were able to quickly suppress Kyoto's transitions as a team.
Q: Didn't you feel that you were able to take control of the pace from the first half with such plays?
A, I think the good point today was the risk management at the back and the quick transition from the front. I want to continue using this as the standard.
Q: I think connecting the ball has been a major theme this year, and I feel that there have been more good moments where we can carry the ball from deep positions to in front of the goal. How does it feel to actually play in that way?
A, of course there are scenes where it is not possible, but while continuing to challenge and pursue what we aim for, we must also be particular about winning. Connecting the ball carries some risk, but whether to bear that risk and continue or to avoid it is up to the players' judgment, so I think the balance was good today.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: What adjustments did you make in preparation for the match against Kobe?
A, going forward to defend from the start of the match, and more than the technical aspects, the desire to win—these are the points Kobe corrected after the game ended.
Q, were we able to play with a proactive attitude in the match, taking the initiative ourselves and not being passive like in the previous match?
A, that's right. Our style of football works better when we press from the front and then fix the spaces that open up. We were able to score by winning the ball from the opponent early and launching short counters, so I hope we can increase those opportunities.
Q: I think it took some time from the first goal to the second, but did you feel like you were able to control the match?
A, I didn't really feel like we were conceding goals, so in a way we had control, but I think we could have maintained possession more. I hope we can correct that in the next match against Kashima. It was a game where we really wanted to win, so I'm glad we did.
Q: It was a very humid match during the three consecutive games, how was it?
A, I was conscious about hydration starting the day before. There were matches where my legs almost cramped, and for me, the most frustrating thing is not being able to run due to lack of condition. I was able to adjust this while consulting with the trainer, so it was good that I could play almost full matches in all three games.
Q: Does this mean that the players were able to consider their positions while playing the match?
A, when moving from the front line to defense, it is important to know who will cover that position, and I think it is significant that everyone is able to cover it together.
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q: Please share your thoughts on the match.
A, in the previous match against Kobe, we couldn't press from the front, but the entire team talked it over and fought aggressively, enabling us to utilize our possession-based attack from the first half, which I believe led to today's result.
Q: With today's victory, you can go to the national team feeling good, right?
A, the victory is significant. Today, with over 50,000 fans and supporters coming to cheer us on, we were able to win, so I can go to the national team in a good mental state.
Q: How was it for Yoshimi YAMASHITA (the main referee), who is scheduled to officiate at the World Cup, to have her first match in J1?
A, it's not really my place to say this, but it was excellent refereeing. The confident control made it hard to believe it was your first time. I believe the match didn't get rough thanks to the referee.
Q: Since this is your first time in charge, did you discuss anything about cooperation?
A, before the match, the coach mentioned that this was the first time we would be working with this referee. I'm not sure if "support" is the right word, but we talked about creating the match together as a team, so I believe we were able to provide support.
Q: What specifically does support entail?
Although we say support, there are times when emotions run high due to the referee's decisions, so the idea is to control emotions and proceed with the match together with the referee.
Q: The match held at the Japan National Stadium had a record attendance of 50,994 as a home game for the club. Was there a special atmosphere?
A, it is indeed special. While national team matches can attract 40,000 to 50,000 spectators, it is quite rare for a J.League match to exceed 50,000 attendees. Therefore, I think it is a wonderful achievement not only for FC Tokyo but also for the development of the J.League as a whole.
