<Match Review>
The Levain Cup has entered the second half of the group stage in Sec. 4. Hosting Gamba Osaka at home, we want to clear the frustration of the previous match where we lost after conceding goals in quick succession at the end of the away game, and with the support of our home crowd, we are determined to secure 3 points.
Tokyo has just announced the signing of special designated player Soma ANZAI, who started on the pitch. ANZAI was placed as the right back, while Yuto NAGATOMO was utilized as the left back. The double pivot was handled by the veteran duo Keigo HIGASHI and Takuya AOKI, tightening the center line of the team that featured many young players in the forward positions.
1st HALF - Professional debut of player Anzai is dynamic
At the start, the opponent maintained possession of the ball, leading to a situation where we chased the ball from the front line. Even after gaining possession, the ball was not settling down, and we couldn't establish our pace.
Still, around the 15-minute mark, the flow began to tilt towards Tokyo. By thoroughly connecting the ball from the final line, they evaded the pressure from the opponent's front line, with Higashi and Aoki drawing the ball in the center, gradually entering the Gamba Osaka territory.
Koki TSUKAGAWA, who took the position of attacking midfielder, and Ryoma WATANABE settled the ball near the opponent's penalty area, creating time, while multiple players provided support to the ball holder, activating the attack.
In his official J-League debut, player Anzai took an active high position and boldly challenged the opponent's defense from behind. Although he did not reach a finishing play, he did not fall short in terms of ball intensity and reaction speed against professional players. In one-on-one situations with opposing players, he attempted to break through with dribbling and showed moments of regaining the ball by using his body in defense.
With the dynamic presence of fresh talent, Tokyo maintained control of the match as they headed into halftime.
2nd HALF - Tsukakawa's first goal of the season earns 3 points
Even in the second half, Tokyo's attitude remains unchanged. They fight with strength at the ball, and instead of easily kicking the ball away, they connect by passing it back, building their attack while maintaining possession of the ball.
There were moments when we lost the ball due to mistakes during the build-up and the opponent quickly advanced the ball to our goal area, but we applied pressure on the ball holder with multiple players from the front line, and after regaining possession, we connected passes while moving forward towards the opponent's goal.
Although they maintained possession of the ball, the turning point came in the 26th minute of the second half when Gamba Osaka's player Yamamoto was sent off for a dangerous play, allowing Tokyo, now with a numerical advantage, to intensify their offensive efforts.
In the 29th minute of the second half, after stopping the opponent's attack near their own penalty area, Adailton picked up the ball on the left side of his own half and started to dribble. Gaining speed, he surged up the left side, feinted with a cut-in to create space, and delivered a cross with his left foot. The ball, slightly negative and moving away from the goal, went over the head of PEROTTI, who had drawn the mark at the near post, and Koki TSUKAGAWA, who had been charging in from behind, volleyed it directly with his right foot. He powerfully slotted it into the left corner of the goal.
Tokyo continues to attack aggressively even after taking the lead. Actively aiming for the opponent's goal and keeping their formation compact, they push forward from the back, quickly recovering the second ball even after losing possession, launching a strong offensive.
In the final stages of the match, there were moments when we couldn't maintain possession of the ball and faced quick attacks from the opponent, but by fighting for the ball, we maintained our concentration and protected our one-point lead until the time was up.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Seiji KIMURA/Enrique Trevisan/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keigo HIGASHI (substituted at 36 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)/Takuya AOKI/Koki TSUKAGAWA
FW Ryoma WATANABE (substituted at 14 minutes: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Naoki KUMATA (substituted at 14 minutes: Perotti)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted at 24 minutes: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Junya SUZUKI/Renta HIGASHI
GOAL
29th minute of the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA
<Gamba Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Ru TAKAO/Gyeongwon KWON/Yusei EGAWA (substituted in 36th minute: Hiroki FUJIHARU)
MF Rihito YAMAMOTO/Ryotaro MESHINO (substituted in 27th minute: Naohiro SUGIYAMA)/Aki KURATA (substituted in 36th minute: Wataru YANAGISAWA)/Jiro NAKAMURA (substituted in 27th minute: Hiroto YAMAMI)
FW Takashi USAMI (substituted in 18th minute: Hideki ISHIGE)/Musashi SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
―
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Coach Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, in the first half, there were long periods where we firmly controlled the game along with the ball. Ryoma WATANABE and Koki TSUKAGAWA built good attacks from the attacking midfield positions. By playing well between the lines, the two of them created good spacing, allowing right-back Anzai to become free, from where we were able to create chances.
I think we were able to create the same flow at the start of the second half. There was a sending off of an opposing player, and during that time, we brought in Adailton, whose performance led to a goal. I believe that the last 7 or 8 minutes after Keigo HIGASHI had to be substituted due to cramping were not good plays, and that is something we need to improve. Our ideal is to finish the match by defending while maintaining possession of the ball, but we were not able to do that. I hope the young players learn that maintaining possession of the ball is the best form of defense.
And today, I would like to celebrate player Anzai's performance. Despite being his debut match as a professional, he showed wonderful play. A player of his quality has demonstrated that he can adapt and perform well for the team even in a short amount of time.
[Player Interview]]
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA＞
Q: Your play running around the pitch was impressive.
A, I returned to the starting point and focused on what I should originally do. I wanted this match to be one where I could once again express running for my teammates. Although I am not satisfied, I am happy to have contributed to the team's victory.
Q, that was an impressive goal. How do you feel looking back on it?
Adailton sent a good ball. I just had to hit the ball well, so I am grateful to Adailton.
Q: To run that much and score a goal. It was a super play.
A, I think it was a shot where I was able to relax my strength well.
Q: How do you feel about today's overall performance?
A, it was a match where the team focused on vertical passes. In particular, I was able to play with a good relationship with Ryoma WATANABE. However, I felt that the number of plays where I faced forward after receiving the ball and got involved in goals was insufficient. From here, I want to coordinate properly with my teammates.
Q, we achieved our first official victory in April. It seems like a good momentum will be created for the league matches from here on.
A, the current team needed a victory. Yuto NAGATOMO has taken the lead, energizing the team and instilling a mentality of winning at all costs. While there is still room to refine our gameplay, I believe this was a match where we showed our determination to win.
Q: I think it was a match where young players and experienced players blended well and functioned effectively.
A, it was a match where the desire to win as a team came together as one. There are young players and experienced players, but today I think we were able to demonstrate our strength in both offense and defense with a sense of unity.
I think the ability to show a decisive play in that chance scene is one of Tsukakawa's strengths.
A, I wasn't able to be involved in such chance scenes this season, so I want to work hard once again to become a player who runs, plays box-to-box, and can appear in front of the goal.
Q: Was the shooting course perfect?
A, it was perfect. You didn’t resist the cross and just made contact. I was relieved that it went firmly into the goal. Personally, I also wanted a result, so from here on, I want to work even harder for the team.
Q: I have the impression that your play, which brings out the best in your teammates, stood out particularly.
A, running for teammates, creating space, not losing in one-on-one situations, and playing with diagonal runs to create space on the opposite side so that teammates have many options were my focus. There is also the term "useless running," but I believe this is the most necessary play for the team's victory.
Q: I think the combination with Soma ANZAI, who made his debut in today's match, was also good.
A, it was a bold play, so I felt it was easy to coordinate with him. It was a good, energetic play that you wouldn't expect from a debut match.
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on doing the "Sha!" together with fans and supporters.
Ah, it was a bit embarrassing, but I want to continue cherishing the moments where I can share joy with all the fans and supporters.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: How was your professional debut match?
A, since the starting lineup was announced, I approached this match with a truly strong determination. Since Tokyo has not been winning, I didn't want to be blamed for losing when I played, so first of all, I am really glad that the team was able to win.
Q: What did you focus on during the match?
A, Since it was my first appearance, I just played boldly. I was conscious of never being timid and fighting strongly even if I made mistakes.
Q: You were the starting point of the attack, how did it feel?
A, there were still many ball losses, and since I was entrusted with set pieces, my accuracy was also poor, so I think I can improve more. Being able to play for 90 minutes here is a plus for my future, so I want to further raise the quality.
Q, I think you were playing with cramping in your legs at the end, but it felt like your fighting spirit was fully on display.
Since we had already used all the substitution slots, I couldn't afford to leave the field, so in the end, I fought with the determination to keep running even if I collapsed.
Q: Tsukagawa entered the center, and Anzai had a chance to be free on the side. Was this something you worked on in practice as well?
A, when creating on the left side, I think we were able to execute as practiced, with players Tsukagawa and Watanabe creating inside, and myself challenging on the outside.
Q: What aspects were you not satisfied with?
A, today there were players strong in heading, but since many kicks drifted to the far side, I feel sorry about that.
Q: I don't think we have practiced set plays enough, what do you think?
Since we have a strong player in the center, I was conscious of trying to kick the ball in a way that would allow him to take on the challenge, but I was tense and couldn't kick it well.
Q: Your strong spirit was evident in your play.
A, I believe my strength is showing my fighting spirit, so I was able to take on the challenge with a strong determination to secure a victory while Tokyo has not been winning.
Q: Did you feel nervous?
A, I messed up a lot (laughs).
Q: How did you feel from the time you learned the starting lineup until the match?
A, I found out after yesterday's practice at Kodaira Ground, but since I had anticipated it during practice yesterday, I spent the night organizing my thoughts and imagining my play in the match to prepare.
Q: How was it to actually play at Ajinomoto Stadium?
This is the pitch where I watched many matches from the stands since my academy days, and I was really happy to be able to stand here again. However, I believe this is just the real start, so I want to do my best to achieve results and be able to participate in the league matches.I will work hard for that.
Q: I think it's been five years since the victory shower, how was it?
A, it was intense. During the match, the cheers really helped me, and seeing the fans and supporters made me want to fight even harder, so it was truly encouraging.
