<Match Review>
This game will test the seriousness of our pursuit for the league championship. In the previous match against Kashiwa Reysol, we allowed an early goal while playing away, but quickly equalized and managed to secure 1 point despite having a player sent off. However, the words from the players were filled more with regret.
If we aim for the championship, we must win regardless of whether it's at home or away.
A week later, the match was an away game at SANGA Stadium by KYOCERA. With many injured and suspended players, managing the roster was not easy, but in this match, captain Masato MORISHIGE and the team's oldest player Yuto NAGATOMO started, and the team united to face the challenge.
1st HALF - Thanks to Jakub SLOWIK's excellent saves, we go into halftime without conceding a goal
It was a 45 minutes filled with a lot of patience. Just 5 minutes into the first half, the ball was quickly carried from the left side to the goal area, shaking the goal net. However, thanks to VAR support, it was determined that Yamada's play of taking the ball from Kashif BANGNAGANDE was a foul, and the goal was disallowed. Nevertheless, it was a sudden start under pressure from Kyoto.
After that, Tokyo gradually found their rhythm and created opportunities to approach the goal. In the 15th minute of the first half, they pressed on the left side, and Kei KOIZUMI entered the pocket as an inside half. From that secondary attack, Diego OLIVEIRA managed to take a shot, but it went straight to the goalkeeper.
In the first half, this good flow does not continue. There are prolonged periods where we cannot advance the ball due to Kyoto's quick transitions and pressure. Even when Morishige has the ball, he cannot find a receiver, leading to more frequent passes back to Jakub SLOWIK. From there, we lose the second ball, resulting in longer defensive periods.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, a decisive shot taken by PATRIC was saved by a big save from Jakub SLOWIK. In other scenes, even though they were brought close to the goal, they managed to prevent any decisive plays, and despite being at a disadvantage, they went into halftime without conceding a goal.
2nd HALF - Unable to capitalize on opportunities, conceding goals and suffering the first defeat of the season
In the second half, it was Tokyo that created the first chance. In the 2nd minute of the second half, Kafumi broke through on the left side and crossed the ball to Adailton, who was free to connect. However, his right-footed shot went over and missed the target.
In the 17th minute of the second half, substitute Kota TAWARATSUMIDA made a move on the right side. Adailton, who was waiting wide, attempted to connect with a ground cross using his left foot, but he couldn't make contact.
In the 24th minute of the second half, PEROTTI was brought in, changing the formation to a two-top with Diego TABA. They aimed to strengthen the front line and seize the opening goal.
However, in the 30th minute of the second half, we allowed the first goal. After a secondary attack from a set piece, it was finally headed in by player Kawasaki.
Immediately after conceding a goal, Tokyo brought in Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who was making his league debut after turning professional, and Yuta ARAI, who was also making his league debut. They are playing aggressively to catch up.
However, unable to create the chances they hoped for, they conceded a penalty kick in the 44th minute of the second half, which was converted by PATRIC, resulting in the second goal against them. They pressed towards the Kyoto goal until the end, but the time ran out, marking their first loss of the season and leaving them without a victory in the away doubleheader. In the next match, they will face Yokohama FC in their first home game since the opening match.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (substituted in 78th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Kegon HIGASHI/Koki TSUKAGAWA (substituted in 78th minute: Yuta ARAI)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 57th minute: Kota TAWARAZAKI)/Diego Oliveira/Adailton (substituted in 69th minute: PEROTTI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO/Henrique TREVISAN
GOAL
―
<Kyoto Sanga F.C.>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoya WAKAHARA
DF Shogo ASADA/Rikito INOUE/Kosuke KINOSHITA
MF Sota KAWASAKI/Shinpei FUKUOKA (37th minute: Osamu Henry IYOHA)/Shohei TAKEDA (19th minute: Daiki KANEKO)/Fuki YAMADA (19th minute: Teppei YACHIDA)/Hibiki SATO
FW PATRIC/Kosuke KINOSHITA (45+2 minute: Ryogo YAMASAKI)
SUBS
GK Warner HAHN
MF Daigo ARAKI
FW Yudai KIMURA
GOAL
30 minutes into the second half: Sota KAWASAKI / 45+1 minutes into the second half: PATRIC
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Coach Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, from before the match, we expected it to be a game with high intensity and many competitive moments. That’s why, even though there might be some chaotic moments at the start, the plan was to calm down and control the game afterward. It was our game plan. For about the first 20 to 25 minutes of the first half, it was difficult to control the match, but after that, we were able to settle down well. However, we struggled a lot against Kyoto’s aggressive and high-intensity defense. Although there were times we controlled the game, we couldn’t maintain it. I think neither we nor Kyoto controlled the game for long periods. In such cases, the team that scores first usually takes all three points. Adailton had a chance to score the opening goal, but Kyoto made better use of their chance and took the three points. In any case, the match unfolded in a way that demanded more control from us.
We couldn't play well in the center, and we weren't able to play between the lines as usual. I think we were able to create chances when we could play like that, but if I say we were able to do it consistently, that was certainly not the case. I believe the team that scored the first goal won; it was an unstable match development.
Q: The goals conceded were from set pieces and penalty kicks, which were not really related to tactics. How will you make adjustments moving forward?
The big difference between the first two matches from the opening and today's match is that in the first two games, we controlled the game for a longer time and created many chances, but today that was definitely not the case. We were unable to create many chances in the way we expected. In the match against Urawa, both sides had a strong intention to play. I think Kashiwa and Kyoto are characterized by aggressive defense. In the Kashiwa match, we played calmly and composedly and created multiple chances, but today that remains a challenge.
Currently, the team is missing several players who excel at playing centrally and between the lines. Additionally, Matsuki, who is with the U-20 Japan national team, is also absent. There are multiple absences in specific positions, but the team must cover for them and play accordingly. We anticipated that today's match would be difficult. Therefore, we aimed to attack by deploying speedy wingers who can stretch the width. Since we expected it would be difficult to play centrally against Kyoto's aggressive defense, the plan was to use wingers to take the width. When we were able to calmly maintain possession and play while effectively handling their aggressive defense, our intention was to keep pressing in the opponent's territory and continue attacking. However, the match did not unfold as planned. Even if you aim for a specific style, it is inevitable that the situation becomes difficult when multiple players suited for that style are out. Within that context, we hoped to utilize the speed of both wingers, but we were unable to develop as expected. The match was not calm, so I believe scoring the opening goal carried significant weight in the flow of the game.
I don't think conceding goals from set pieces is a major issue for the team in response to the question. I believe it is commendable that several young players who made their professional debut played boldly.
[Player Interview]]
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q, please review the game.
A, we were overwhelmed by the opponent's momentum from the first half and almost lost in recovering second balls to Kyoto. I think the part where we couldn't take the initiative needs to be improved. This is something we can improve, and if we can manage to pick up on that, the game will develop much better.
Q: I had the impression that you still haven't received the ball in the desired places or at the right timing.
A, in the first half, it seemed that we were hardly able to maintain possession in the opponent's territory. Since we couldn't develop an attack by moving the ball around, I think we need to strengthen our offensive presence. While quick vertical attacks are certainly good, I want us to value the ball more, carry it without losing it, and circulate it more in the opponent's half. This relates to the players' sense of spacing; there was a lack of compactness, which I think led to us not being able to win second balls or keep possession. When we have the ball, I believe there were good attacks, and how well we can circulate the ball and attack within the opponent's territory will be crucial.
Q: What do you think is important in order to move the ball and attack against a strong opponent?
A, I believe we must connect from the back without fear. Otherwise, neither the team nor the players can grow. Today, it seemed there was a difference in awareness within the team about whether to connect from the back or attack with long balls, so I think we need to deepen our common understanding and improve that. Everyone has high technical skills, so if that improves, our actions will become more defined. By aligning our awareness and making the best choices at those moments, I believe it will lead to more robust attacks and increase our possession rate. Against such high-intensity opponents, I think these things are very important.
<Tsubasa TERAYAMA>
Q: What were you conscious of when participating?
A wanted to hold the ball in the center and calm the game down. Since we had conceded a goal before coming on, I focused not only on calming the ball but also on scoring as I entered the match.
Q: What did you focus on in order to score while keeping the ball calm?
<div>A, looking back on today's match, when I was watching from the bench, there were many long balls and the second balls were often picked up by the opponents, so I thought we weren't able to establish our rhythm. I believed it was important to keep possession while advancing to a higher position and playing closer to the goal. For that, I thought it was necessary to maintain possession but also exploit behind the opponent's fullbacks and make plays to get behind them. As a result, I expected the team's spacing to improve and for us to be able to win more second balls.
Q: I think it was required to energize the team and give momentum by playing alongside Yuta ARAI. How do you reflect on your own performance?
A, it is unfortunate that we ended up losing. Since I haven't scored since I came on, I feel frustrated. Even in such a situation, I thought it was necessary to demonstrate my value, so I realized I need to get more involved with the ball and show a more aggressive attitude toward the goal.
Q: You were inspiring the team after conceding a goal from a penalty kick. How did you feel?
<div>A, I thought that if we gave up there, the match would be over. Recently, with VAR and other factors, additional time has often been extended, so I absolutely believed we could make a comeback. I think the fans and supporters wanted to see us face forward and fight, rather than looking down. I don't believe the fans and supporters come to see us when we're down, so I thought it was important to fight until the very end, and I encouraged the entire team.
Q: Arai, you often have opportunities to play in matches together with Tawaramizuki. What are your challenges moving forward?
A, with Kuryu MATSUKI and Naoki KUMATA absent due to being with the U-20 Japan national team, and with injured players as well, we young players have to play aggressively and with a stronger spirit than the veterans, or else we won't be able to do anything in situations like today. Since there is also the Levain Cup, we want to show our presence.
Q: The next match is coming up soon.
A, the Levain Cup is also an important tournament, so first I want to win the match on the 8th and carry that momentum into the league games.
Q: I think you were the most frustrated at the end of the match, can you tell us about your feelings at that time?
A, it was a match we had to win, so I was frustrated that we couldn't. During opportunities like corner kicks, the fans and supporters were cheering loudly, and I felt the disappointment of losing despite their support.
<Yuta ARAI>
Q: How was your league debut match?
A, I entered the pitch with the mindset of scoring within the given time.
Q: What instructions did you receive from the coach?
A, I was called while the coach was communicating with the coaching staff, so there were no specific instructions from the coach. Although it was a sudden appearance, I had prepared well and intended to play my game from the start.
Q: Were you able to showcase your play?
A, I still couldn't play to my satisfaction. I want to become a player who can deliver results within the given time.
Q: How did you feel watching the match from the bench?
A, I felt that we couldn't get into our own rhythm and weren't able to play as usual. In the second half, the team's momentum improved, and since I was on the field, I wanted to change the flow, but we ended up losing. I want to achieve results in the time given to me.
Q: I think there were some close scenes.
A, I thought that if I swung through properly, it might hit the opponent and create a chance, so I swung through.
Q: You were on the bench in the last match, how did you feel sitting on the bench?
I was thinking, "Please let me play in the match soon."
Q: I believe you are eager to extend the number of matches and playing time from here. What kind of preparations will you be making?
If I don't produce results, I don't think I'll even be able to make the bench for the next match. There are many great players and the squad is deep, so I want to learn from other players during practice, grow, and score more goals in matches.
Q, on the 8th there will also be the Levain Cup, and I think it will be an opportunity to appeal.
Team A has not won any of the two matches, so we want to win the game on the 8th and head into the next league match with good momentum.
