Match Review
After two years, Tokyo advanced to the Semifinal Round, entering the second match with a one-win advantage towards their first championship in three years. Amid a series of matches including the league, they made four changes to the starting lineup from the first match, with Yasuki KIMOTO, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, Ryoma WATANABE, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA starting on the pitch. The Levain Cup Prime Stage quarterfinals welcomed the kickoff of the "second half, 90 minutes."
1st HALF - Endured but conceded 2 goals in the final stages
The formation chosen by coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI was the same three-back as in the first match four days ago. They faced Avispa Fukuoka by adapting to their system and creating a mirror game structure.
From the very beginning, Fukuoka struggled to cope with the overwhelming cheers from the home crowd. They lost the second balls and spent a lot of time in their own half, unable to push the line forward. However, when right wing-back Kosuke SHIRAI and left wing-back Kashif BANGNAGANDE managed to shake off their opponents near the touchline, they advanced the ball deep into the opponent's territory, creating opportunities to threaten the goal with crosses.
Tokyo was gradually starting to find its pace, but just before the end of the first half, they suddenly lost their rhythm. In the 38th minute of the first half, Inoue from Fukuoka delivered a sharp feed diagonally from the right side, which Oda controlled with his chest inside the penalty area, allowing Yamagishi to score a goal that leveled the aggregate score over two matches.
In addition, during stoppage time, consecutive corner kicks were awarded, leading to the second goal in the 45+3 minute. A ball sent to the near side by a former player was headed by Oda, and Jakub SLOWIK made a sharp reaction to initially clear the ball, but it was determined by VAR support that it crossed the goal line.
2nd HALF - Late power play also did not bear fruit
Tokyo, wanting to turn the score of the two matches around in the first half, is unable to build their attacks as they would like, just like in the first half. In the 11th minute of the second half, they bring in their trump card, Adailton, but there is no space to utilize his dribbling skills, making it difficult to find a way to attack. In the 20th minute of the second half, they send in Koki TSUKAGAWA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Shuhei TOKUMOTO all at once, but it does not lead to an effective breakthrough, and only time passes by.
In the 30th minute of the second half, Konno was able to get behind the defense line from a counterattack and shook the goal net, but thanks to VAR support, it was ruled offside. This kept a glimmer of hope alive as the match approached its end.
In the final stages, Tokyo tried to send the ball forward quickly and break through with power play, but they lacked precision and were unable to break down Fukuoka's defense, which was strong and tall, as they entered stoppage time. In the end, they placed center-back Henrique TREVISAN up front to strengthen the power play, but this also did not lead to a goal. The total score over the two matches ended at 1-2, resulting in their elimination in the quarterfinals.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Henrique Trevisan/Yuto Nakatani (substituted in 20th minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kosuke SHIRAI/Kei Koizumi/Riki Harakawa/Ryoma WATANABE (substituted in 20th minute: Keisuke Higashi)/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in 35th minute: Tsubasa Terayama)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 20th minute: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Naoki KUMATA (substituted in 11th minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
―
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Seiya INOUE (substituted in 6 minutes into the second half: Kennedyegbus MIKUNI)/Ryuki NARA/DOUGLAS GLORY
MF Yota MAEJIMA/Hiroyuki MAE/ Yuya YAMAGISHI/Komiya MORIYAMA (substituted in 0 minutes into the second half: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Itsuki ODA
FW Kazuya KONO (substituted in 45+4 minutes into the second half: Wellington)/Lukian (substituted in 17 minutes into the first half: Yosuke IDEGUCHI)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Masato YUZAWA
FW Reiju TSURUNO
GOAL
38th minute: Yuya YAMAGISHI/45+3rd minute: Itsuki ODA
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
<div>A, it ended in a disappointing result. I think we were able to control the first half and play with good balance. However, the opponent created a chance just before the end of the first half and successfully scored. In the second half, I believe the players gave everything they had and fought hard. They desperately tried to score a goal. I am proud of the players' efforts and attitude. Nevertheless, it was a tough challenge, and unfortunately, the result was disappointing.
Q: Please tell us the intention and aim of fighting with a three-back formation today, following the first match.
A, there were positive elements in the battle on Wednesday. We fought with the idea of utilizing those strengths. As I mentioned before, considering our current situation, we decided on our approach by taking into account which players we could deploy. Since it was a series of three matches in eight days, we made those choices with the team's condition in mind. Through this, I believe we grasped what is necessary for us to evolve and develop, so we want to continue becoming a stronger team.
Q: What were your thoughts on how to break through in the second half when a goal was needed?
A, both as my mentality and as the team's mentality, we had the attitude to go for the next goal from the first half. Even when the score became 0-2, that did not change, and we had to fight to deliver a strong performance. I think there were parts in the first half where we were able to control the game while fighting. However, the opponent effectively used the time just before halftime. It was a big setback in an away game, but in order for us to become a team that wins trophies, we must, on the contrary, capitalize on such moments ourselves.
[Player Interview]]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It was a situation where we had to score. What mindset did you have when entering the match?
A, first of all, we focused solely on making the most of the few chances we had and aimed to score one goal. We conceded two goals in the first half, which made the match situation difficult.
Q: I think the approach at the start of the match was offensive rather than defensive.
A, I think the start was very good, but after conceding a goal, we were overwhelmed by the opponent's pace and atmosphere. The consecutive set plays we gave away, although it’s easy to say 'if only,' needed to be firmly defended. By allowing the situation to become 0-2, the opponent's play and style of fighting became very clear. Unlike the first leg at home, we were unable to manage the game well.
Q, I think there was also difficulty in bringing it to the final stage due to the opponent's very solid defense.
A, it was a situation where we matched up with a similar formation, and towards the end of the game, it was somewhat of a power play. The main reason was that we couldn't decide the outcome in the first half. As a team, we need to become more tactically skilled, and if we don't fix our lack of sharpness and address our issues, I strongly feel we won't be able to go any further from here. I came on as a substitute myself, but even watching from the bench, I felt the same way, and it is very frustrating.
Q: You played three matches against Avispa Fukuoka in a short period. Looking back on the overall experience, what challenges and sense of achievement did you feel?
A, it is rare to experience such a three-game series, and there were always tactical battles. I believe there were especially strategic maneuvers between both teams, and we absolutely wanted to win and advance to the next stage. I want to switch focus and move forward from here.
Q: With only the league matches remaining, how will you proceed from here?
In the league matches, we want to show our determination and play with full effort in each game to move up even one position in the standings.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: It was a frustrating match.
A, in the attack, we sent in several crosses but they did not lead to any goals. Fundamentally, the number of crosses and the involvement in the attack were low, which is frustrating.
Q: It was your first appearance in the starting lineup since May. Please tell us what you were conscious of regarding your use as a wing-back.
A, it was my first start in a while and I played as a wing-back, so I focused on playing offensively, but in the end, I couldn't make plays that led to goals. I am reflecting on my own performance.
Q: When you entered the second half after conceding two goals, what kind of things were shared as a team in the locker room?
A, it was a regrettable goal conceded, but everyone had confidence that we could do better, and Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI also encouraged us by saying, "We are not just this!" so we approached the game with a strong desire to make a comeback. It is very frustrating that we did not get a good result.
Q: The stadium had a unique atmosphere. How did you feel on the pitch?
A, on the pitch, especially in the first half, I felt we were doing well, but the way and timing of conceding goals were not good, which allowed the opponent to gain momentum. I think the team needs to correct that.
Q: As for Kashif BANGNAGANDE himself, he returned from injury and played for a long time in a match after a while. How does he want to approach the future?
A, once you play in a match, you have to deliver results. I believe results are the most important. Since I couldn't achieve that this time, I want to focus on the results the next time I play. Today, I felt truly frustrated, and I don't want to experience such feelings again. With only the league matches remaining, I want to switch gears and concentrate fully on the league games.
<Tsubasa TERAYAMA>
Q: You entered the match in a behind situation, but what were you conscious of?
Although we were in a losing situation, if we could score one goal, we could catch up on aggregate over the two matches, so we entered the game with the mindset of scoring that first goal. The coach also instructed me to play in the wing-back position and make movements to score, so I was always conscious of that.
Q: You participated in the match while your condition has been improving, including practice. How do you feel about your individual performance?
A, I currently feel confident in my physical sharpness. However, if I cannot deliver results or leave an impression when participating in official matches, it means nothing. Even so, I won't just dismiss it as meaningless; I have to reflect and keep working hard. When I get the chance, I want to approach it with the determination to achieve better results.
Q: How do you feel about the two matches you played in the Levain Cup Semifinal Round?
A, I am especially conscious of winning the battles for the ball, which I believe is my own strength, and although it may be a little, I think I was able to show it in these two matches. Because there are scenes where I can bring out my characteristics, I also feel that a rhythm is born within me, so I want to pursue that aspect even further.
Q: Based on today's results, what kind of play do you want to show from here on?
A, I am very frustrated that it ended in an incomplete performance, and I am also frustrated that my playing time was limited. I believe that reflects my current ability, so I want to focus on what I can express in the short time given to me by directing attention inward, and I want to be more particular about quality starting from training. Also, I want to be more conscious of always delivering results.
