<Match Review>
The third match of the Levain Cup group stage, coming in with 1 win and 1 loss. Winning here would allow us to finish the first half of the season with a winning record, giving us an advantage in advancing to the prime stage. The responsibility for this crucial match falls on the men hungry for the game.
In the last line, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA has defended for three consecutive matches, and Junya SUZUKI made his first start of the season as the right side back. Takuya AOKI, who returned to the pitch after a long absence in the recent match against Sagan Tosu, also made the starting lineup. Following the match against Cerezo Osaka in the first round, 16-year-old Ryunosuke SATO also started on the right wing. Up front, Naoki KUMATA, who marked his first professional goal in the second round against Kyoto Sanga F.C., secured his first professional start in this match.
This season, Tokyo has yet to achieve a victory in away games, including both league and cup matches. With a "fresh" lineup, they faced Gamba Osaka in hopes of securing their first away win.
1st HALF－Despite holding on and putting in a strong effort, they conceded the opening goal before the end.
The match started with a series of long ball kicks, but gradually the game settled down. With teams led by coaches of Spanish nationality facing each other, the ball began to move with short passes. Although the first shot was conceded to Gamba Osaka, in the 7th minute of the first half, player Kumada struck with his left foot in front of the goal. It was blocked by a defender in front of him, but it was a shot that showed promise.
However, after that, there was a continued period where the opponent, with their main players lined up, took control. Even when we regained possession of the ball, the passes during the transition phase became erratic and ended up with the opponent, leading to an increase in the number of shots taken against us. Nevertheless, with Masato MORISHIGE and Seiji KIMURA at the center, we managed to deflect the shots and did not concede a goal, but we were hardly able to create any time to maintain possession of the ball.
In the 38th minute of the first half, Tokyo launched a counterattack. Adailton aggressively sliced through the left side and carried the ball to the goal, but he couldn't take a shot. However, the ball spilled to the opposite side where Matsuki connected with it directly, leading to a corner kick.
This play triggers movement in the game. In the 41st minute of the first half, they press the opposing goalkeeper, but they are skillfully broken down during the build-up and the ball is quickly carried back to their own half. In the end, player Morishige responded and induced a shooting mistake from the opponent, but it was a dangerous scene where they could have broken through in front of the goal.
Despite a difficult situation, we wanted to go into the second half without conceding a goal, but we were scored on just before the end. We were penetrated from the left side into the penalty area, and Sugiyama kicked it in powerfully, leaving us trailing by one goal at halftime.
2nd HALF－Conceded 2 goals in the final moments and lost
At halftime, Diego OLIVEIRA and Hisatoshi NISHIDO were brought in to adjust the defensive shape. Diego OLIVEIRA closely marked the opponent's anchor, Neta LAVI, to prevent their buildup.
However, the flow of the match does not change. Gamba Osaka is quicker in both decision-making and transitions, moving the ball while utilizing the pitch effectively. In the 8th minute of the second half, a decisive shot is taken in the area, but it was saved by a fine save from player Nozawa.
Gradually, Gamba Osaka's pace began to drop, and Tokyo started to move the ball in the opponent's territory around the 15-minute mark of the second half. They were able to push deep down both flanks, increasing the number of crosses.
However, time passed without creating a chance to equalize. At one point, Leon NOZAWA and Yuta ARAI were brought in to strengthen the front line, and the formation was switched to an attacking setup by sliding Nishido to left back, but scenes of being hit by short counters from unstable build-ups continued. In the 42nd minute of the second half, they conceded the second goal that decided the match, and in the additional time of the second half, they allowed a third goal from a long counter, resulting in a tough outcome.
This weekend, we will return to our home Ajinomoto Stadium to compete in the league match after three days. To clear the frustration from the away matches, we will fight for victory against Shonan Bellmare, focusing not only on the content but also on winning.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Junya SUZUKI / Masato MORISHIGE / Seiji KIMURA / Yuto NAGATOMO (36th minute 2nd half: Yuta ARAI)
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA (0th minute 2nd half: Diego Oliveira) / Takuya AOKI (10th minute 2nd half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA) / Kusei MATSUKI / Ryunosuke SATO (19th minute 2nd half: Leon NOZAWA)
FW Naoki KUMATA / Adailton (0th minute 2nd half: Hisatoshi NISHIDO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Renta HIGASHI
GOAL
―
<Gamba Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Riku HANDA (substituted at 36 minutes: Ru TAKAO)/Genta MIURA/Kwon Kyung-won (substituted at 25 minutes: Shota FUKUOKA)/Keisuke KUROKAWA
MF Neta Ravi/Dawan/Naohiro SUGIYAMA/Yuki YAMAMOTO (substituted at 16 minutes: Rihito YAMAMOTO)/Fan Alano (substituted at 16 minutes: Yuya FUKUDA)
FW Issam Jebali (substituted at 25 minutes: Hiroto YAMAMI)
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
MF Shu KURATA
GOAL
43rd minute of the first half: Naohiro SUGIYAMA/42nd minute of the second half: Yuya FUKUDA/45+1 minute of the second half: Naohiro SUGIYAMA
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Coach Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, for me, this cup competition is recognized as an important tournament to give young players a chance. Today as well, we utilized many young players. They probably made many mistakes. I believe young players have the right to make mistakes. Due to the mistakes of the young players, we lost possession and allowed the opponent to launch counterattacks, resulting in many goals conceded. However, I am proud of the young players. Once again, I want to give young players a chance in the next Levain Cup as well. For example, player Kumada is attracting attention as a promising player for the future. I think he needs to be given many opportunities to grow into a great player. That is why today, young players challenged themselves, made mistakes, and lost.
Gamba Osaka is a team that is dangerous when they have the ball, and I believe they are in a process of growth with their new coach. In the first half, there were many mistakes, and they ended up conceding possession to the opponent, leading to a situation where they were pressured defensively. They particularly created numerical disadvantages on the sides, resulting in many breakthroughs, and the goals conceded in the latter stages came from that. In the second half, they started by utilizing even more young players and approached the game aiming for an equalizer and a comeback. Gamba Osaka had their key players assembled. In contrast, while utilizing many young players, I think they attempted to improve in the second half. Towards the end of the second half, the young players intensified their focus on the opponent's goal for an equalizer and a comeback, which I thought was very impressive. However, it was unfortunate that they made mistakes there, leading to counterattacks and conceding multiple goals.
I want to continue giving young players opportunities, and I believe the Levain Cup is a great chance to do so. I communicated this directly to the players in the locker room. As long as I am here, I will continue to give young players opportunities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the veterans, Morishige, Nagatomo, and Diego TABA, for supporting the young players in difficult situations.
Q: What was the intention behind changing the system to 4-4-2?
A, in the first half, we often lost the ball in midfield. To avoid dropping the block, it is important not to drop the midfield. Today, Ryunosuke SATO showed good movement and good play, but he is still only 16 years old. In the first half, because we couldn't control the midfield, the defensive block tended to gradually fall back. In the second half, we tried to improve that. Also, we continued to give Kumada playing time to encourage his growth.
Today, I made substitutions with careful consideration to provide playing opportunities for the young players. These substitutions are also aimed at improving the adjustments from the first half, while simultaneously giving young players a chance to play, maintaining a good balance in the substitutions. For example, I started Aoki in the lineup, but he still needs more time to regain his match sense.
[Player Interview]]
<Naoki KUMATA>
Q, how do you feel about reviewing the game?
A, it was a match where we were completely defeated as a team. I think the opponent was superior in terms of play intensity and technical skills.
Q: How did you view the situation from the front line, considering the low position of the final line and the continued periods of losing second balls?
I think we need to improve the accuracy of possession when we have the ball, but personally, if I can securely control 50-50 balls, I believe the team can create solid attacking opportunities.
Q, it was a match with few crosses.
A, that's right. Although the number of crosses delivered was not high, we want to increase plays that lead to goals besides just crosses.
Q: Although you played the full match, I think it was a bitter experience. How will you make use of this experience?
A, it was a match where we gained some confidence. Next time, no matter the situation, we want to do our best to lead the team to victory.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
Q, following the match against Cerezo Osaka, you started in the lineup. Please review the game.
A, honestly, I am frustrated. In the first half, we fell behind defensively, and tough moments continued. Personally, not showing any defensive weaknesses is the only point I can evaluate positively when looking back at today's match.
Q: I think the intensity was high, but I believe we weren't able to showcase our strengths in the attacking aspect.
A, the defensive time was long, and it became physically tough, so we couldn't show our strengths in attack. I think our basic physical strength is still insufficient.
Q: I think the team as a whole made many mistakes and became disjointed.
A, I think we made adjustments at halftime and were able to improve a little in the second half. However, if we had communicated and made improvements during the first half, the content of the match might have changed a bit more.
Q: In the last match against Cerezo Osaka, you mentioned it was the most intense 60 minutes of your life. How was today's match for you?
A, I believe today was another wonderful time that led to growth. The coach also says that without mistakes, you cannot grow, so in that sense, it was time that was not wasted at all.
Q: How do you want to connect today's match to the next one?
A, I believe it is important to always aim to play in the top team while maintaining the same attitude in U-18 matches.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: How do you feel when you look back at the first goal conceded?
A, It was a shot that was not impossible to prevent. Since we couldn't finish the first half, where the team was not performing well, without conceding a goal, I believe I bear responsibility as the goalkeeper for making the match more difficult.
Q: Regarding the second and third goals conceded, they were goals conceded from counterattacks while trying to score. How did you feel about that?
A, especially if we could have prevented the second goal, I think the team would have still had a chance to win, so it is frustrating.
Q, losing this match resulted in a total of 3 points from 3 matches.
A, there are still 3 matches left in the group stage, but I do not want to end this season's Levain Cup in those 3 matches, and I want to win all 3 matches no matter what. However, I believe that the entire team feels that we cannot perform like we did today, and each individual must fight harder.
Q: I think this defeat was a bitter experience, but how do you want to make use of it for the next time?
A, it is not guaranteed that I will be able to play in the next match. I believe the goalkeeper is a position that must lead the team as a leader, so I want to express myself to the fullest in the next game.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, how do you feel about reviewing the game?
A, as an individual, made many mistakes, and while the team could not move forward, there were many scenes where we lost the ball due to our own mistakes and faced counterattacks, which actually led to conceding goals, so I think corrections are necessary.
Q: The entire team was stretched out due to the opponent's counterattack. There were also scenes where Matsuki was taking care of multiple opposing players in the midfield position.
A, after losing the ball on the side, there were also moments when communication between the midfield and defense players in risk management was not smooth. I felt that we needed to play football that does not easily lose the ball.
Q: Considering the upcoming summer matches, I believe it will be necessary to increase the time we hold the ball. Do you feel that today's match has become a lesson for the future?
A, today was a very poor performance. During the build-up, we were unable to express our positional play. We will take this as a valuable lesson and in the next match against Shonan Bellmare, since they are a team that plays a unique style of football, we want to show a game that adapts to that.
Q: The match did not fully utilize Kumada's strengths. How do you want to make use of Kumada in the future?
A, I want to communicate regularly during practice and make sure we are well-coordinated. Kumada has only played in two official matches so far, so I think the teamwork aspect is still developing. Of course, we need to synchronize, but I want to make the most of the first-year players, including myself.
Q: What kind of match do you want to have against Shonan Bellmare in three days?
A, I just need to switch my mindset and keep accumulating points. I absolutely want to win.
Q: There was a moment when I talked with Terayama, but A: There was space between the side back and center back, so Terayama communicated that by having the defensive midfielder drop into that space, it would be harder for the opponent to take the ball away. So, both Terayama and I played with that in mind. There were also moments when we could circulate the ball, so I think it became a good option.
Q: Does this mean the team has achieved a positive balance?
A, in the end, I think it was not good because we couldn't take any shots. However, I believe we were able to create a way for the team to move forward.
Q: What is necessary to move the ball to a higher position from there?
A, it seemed that the distance between players and individual skills were lacking. Including myself, many players had noticeable moments where the ball was taken away. I want to improve individual tactics so that the ball is not easily lost.
