<Match Review>
Tokyo secured a victory against Kawasaki Frontale in the Tamagawa Classico at the Japan National Stadium, bringing home 1 point from the away game against Kashima Antlers. While wanting to maintain this momentum, they faced an away game against the league leaders, Vissel Kobe.
In this match, Masato MORISHIGE and Henrique TREVISAN will form a center-back partnership for the first time in three matches, while Yuto NAGATOMO and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who were not included in the squad for the Levain Cup three days ago, are named in the starting lineup.
The match against the league leaders in the last game of May. With a series of matches against top teams, Tokyo has gained momentum and is looking to bring home both confidence and results in this crucial match.
1st HALF - Unable to capitalize on good opportunities, conceded consecutive goals in the final minutes
Half of the members were from the consecutive matches since the Levain Cup three days ago, but the start of the game was not bad. They moved the ball well and outperformed Kobe in recovering second balls. In the 5th minute of the first half, they quickly approached the Kobe goal. They pressed on the left side, and Ryoma WATANABE's inswing cross was headed back by Nakagawa on the far side. Although it didn't reach the players in front of the goal, it created a good opportunity to get closer to the goal.
As time passes, Kobe's pressure gradually increases. Their strength in duels and momentum begin to stand out, and Tokyo loses control of the pace of the match. In the 20th minute of the first half, after being broken through on the right side by Matsuki, a cross is delivered, and the ball that flows to the far side is tapped in by Muto with a one-touch volley, allowing the first goal.
Immediately after conceding a goal, they faced consecutive crises, but were saved by a super save from Jakub SLOWIK.
In the 36th minute of the first half, after a one-two between Abe and Nakagawa, they entered the penalty area, and Abe managed to get to the loose ball from the cross, but his shot hit the right post.
If you miss a great opportunity, you will concede goals just before the end of the first half.
In the 41st minute of the first half, after trying to connect the ball in our own half, it was taken by player Hatsuse, who delivered a fast cross into the goal area. We couldn't catch player Osako, who dove in front of the goal, and he calmly slotted it in. Furthermore, in the 44th minute of the first half, we conceded a third goal to player Muto, who broke through after a through pass from player Osako.
2nd HALF - Scored two penalties but couldn't close the gap of one goal
Tokyo, trailing by 3 points, made substitutions at the start of the second half. They brought in Takuya AOKI and Koki TSUKAGAWA to replace Keigo HIGASHI and Watanabe, attempting to change the flow of the game.
The counterattack was initiated in the 14th minute of the second half. Kei KOIZUMI was fouled and earned a free kick, which Shuhei TOKUMOTO aimed directly at the goal. The shot hit the wall, but during the scramble for the high ball, a handball was called against Kobe, resulting in a penalty kick. Diego OLIVEIRA calmly converted this chance to score one goal back.
After this goal, Tokyo's momentum sharpened, and they increased the time spent pressing forward. By simply sending the ball to the front line and picking up the second ball, they connected to a more substantial attack. In the 26th minute of the second half, Henrique TREVISAN made a near miss with a header from a corner kick.
In the last 15 minutes, large spaces began to open up on the pitch, leading to an open game. Tokyo, with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who can change the situation on his own, looked for breakthroughs starting from the sides. However, they continued to struggle to show effective attacks against Kobe, who were trying to close out the match.
As time ticks away, in the 39th minute of the second half, they once again earned a penalty kick from a set play. This time, PEROTTI, who was brought on in the latter stages of the second half, calmly converted it, closing the gap to just one goal.
Even after entering the 5 minutes of additional time, Tokyo did not lose their determination to aim for the equalizing goal, but they fell short by just one point as time ran out. They were unable to take points away from the top position.
In one week, we will return to our home Ajinomoto Stadium to face Yokohama F.Marinos. We want to win this last home game of the first half and regain our momentum.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yuto NAGATOMO / Masato MORISHIGE / Henrique Trevisan / Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI / Keigo HIGASHI (substituted at 0 min: Takuya AOKI) / Shuto ABE (substituted at 36 min: Perotti)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (substituted at 0 min: Koki TSUKAGAWA) / Diego Oliveira / Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted at 31 min: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
14 minutes into the second half: Diego OLIVEIRA/40 minutes into the second half: PEROTTI
<Vissel Kobe>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Ryo HATSUSE/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA (25 minutes into the second half: Yusei OZAKI)/Mateus TULER/Yuki HONDA
MF Mitsuki SAITO/Hiroki Yamaguchi/Daiju SASAKI (33 minutes into the second half: Haruya IDE)/Koya YURUKI (45+2 minutes into the second half: RINCON)
FW Yoshiki MUTO/Yuya OSAKO (33 minutes into the second half: Jean PATRICK)
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Andres INIESTA
GOAL
20th minute of the first half: Yoshinori MUTO/41st minute of the first half: Yuya OSAKO/44th minute of the first half: Yoshinori MUTO
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Coach Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, I believe we lost the match due to our own mistakes. I want the players to fully understand this once again. Of course, we respect Kobe, but I want them to understand that if we play well, we can outperform any opponent.
I conveyed to the players that the first 10 to 15 minutes of today's match were good. We were able to start with focus, but after that, simple mistakes gave the opponent chances. We lost the ball in the center of the pitch, which led to Kobe's opening goal, and the second goal was also a result of our mistake. We were likely affected mentally by being in a 0-2 situation. It was also disappointing to concede three goals towards the end of the first half.
However, regarding the second half, we proved that we are a team that can switch our mindset and fight. But that is not enough for just 45 minutes. We must continue to prove it throughout the full 90 minutes. I believe we were clearly outperforming the opponent in the second half. The opponent must have felt the momentum we had to equalize. That’s why I think Kobe played to waste time. Once again, I believe we lost today's match due to our mistakes.
Q: Was the main reason for the poor performance in the first half due to intensity?
A, I believe this is exactly the point you mentioned. Our attitude and intensity in one-on-one battles were lacking in the first half. I think we need to consistently show the fighting spirit to compete for 90 minutes in every match to secure victory. We are making continuous improvements and efforts to achieve that.
The playing style we are aiming for is very difficult, and it is true that some players are struggling to adapt to it in a positive way. I understand and acknowledge that. During the process of changing styles, mistakes are naturally going to happen. I believe that a fighting spirit and strong individuality are necessary to effectively cover those mistakes. I want to leave clear improvements in that area for this club.
This season, we continue to fight with a mentality focused on victory. We must express this fighting spirit for 90 minutes in every match, just like in the second half today. I believe the players fought harder and ran towards victory in the second half. This is not a matter of physical strength, but a matter of mentality. The mentality focused on victory and the speed of play are what we are seeking now.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q, please review the game.
A, the decision-making in play and the tempo of ball circulation were slow, resulting in an overall slow pace of the game. I think our weaknesses were exposed.
Q: I don't think it can be an excuse, but did the schedule with matches every two days have an impact?
A, if you are tired and cannot play well, I think it is simply a matter of avoiding participation in this round's match. I remember previously discussing the need to decide not to use the schedule as an excuse and to play accordingly. All players understood this before the match, and if each person succumbs to their own weaknesses, they cannot win against the opponent. I believe the first half's performance boils down to that point.
Q: I think we showed our team's pride by scoring two goals in the second half.
A, the opponent scored 3 goals in the first half, which caused us to slow down our pace at times. In the second half, we were able to show strength in one-on-one situations, but I wonder why we couldn't do that from the first half. I believe the problem lies with us for not fully expressing good plays, and as I have said many times, unless we can improve on that point, I don't think we can move forward.
Q: Did the short preparation and confirmation time before the Vissel Kobe match have an impact?
A, I don't think the confirmation was insufficient. Tactically, we did not apply high pressure from the front line; our top priority was to have Diego OLIVEIRA block the passing lanes to the opponent's defensive midfielders. However, once the match started, the opponent simply played long balls, so we should have been more aggressive in pressuring the source of the ball. I believe it is important to balance thorough preparation before the match with flexible adaptation and adjustments during the game.
<Takuya AOKI>
Q: You played as an anchor. Did you feel confident?
A, I think we have established a good flow, but continuing it is the most difficult thing, so I want to make sure we keep it going.
Q: I think Aoki's movements prompted the players around him to move as well.
A, that did happen. I think it would be good if we can show it through our play.
Q: What are the future challenges for the team?
A, regarding today, I think we were able to score in the second half with determination. However, from now on, we want to be able to score goals by our own will.
Q: We fell behind by three points in the first half, and it became difficult to manage the game calmly due to that impact.
A, I was watching from the bench during the first half, and I thought that the players on the pitch might be feeling that way a little. I hoped we could organize that and get into the game.
Q: To move forward, is it necessary to have a sense of balance?
I think it is important to distinguish between when to value possession of the ball and when to push forward with momentum. Today, we were not able to do that, so there were scenes where, despite advancing the ball forward, it was passed back to the goalkeeper. Overall, I think there were many half-hearted plays throughout the game.
Q: In the first half, we struggled to find our pace, and many matches have seen us perform better in the second half.
A, I definitely think there will be ups and downs. This is the second time entering the game in the second half, and just like in the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, it is not good to concede consecutive goals during a bad run. Even during a bad run, we must at least keep the number of goals conceded to one. If we concede three goals like today, it becomes difficult to bring the game to a draw. When things are going badly, I think it is also necessary to accept the situation as it is.
Q: What are the factors that prevent this from being possible?
A, I think the limited time for preparation also had an impact on today's match.
Q, Could this also be a factor in not being able to change the flow until halftime?
A, after all, I think it is best if only the players on the pitch during the match can make changes. Unless the team becomes one where the players can talk and make changes by themselves, I don't think they can reach the top ranks.
<PEROTTI>
Q: Congratulations on your first goal in J1. Did you receive any advice from Diego OLIVEIRA regarding penalty kicks during your regular training?
A, thank you very much. Regarding penalty kicks, I haven't been taught how to kick them, but I always practice penalty kicks with him after training. Since coming to Japan, Diego TABA has taught me about things both on and off the pitch. I am full of gratitude towards him.
Q: What are you learning from Diego TABA, who has a proven track record in Japan?
Diego TABA has various experiences in Japan. He always gives me advice like, "You have to be patient and persistent."
Q: What kind of conversation did you have when taking the penalty kick?
From Diego, I was asked, "Shall I kick?" and I honestly told him that I wanted to kick as well. I felt that he trusted me, and being able to score firmly gave me confidence. Regarding that point, I am also grateful to Diego for giving me the opportunity to score a goal.
Q: At the time of taking the penalty kick, you were behind by 2 points, and with the fans and supporters from Kobe behind the goal, wasn't the pressure intense?
A, I always practice regularly and was thinking about kicking as usual. To be honest, I was focused, so I didn't pay attention to the opposing fans and supporters, and I made sure to perform the same kick as always.
