Match Review
On October 1, the day the club was established, we were fortunate to play a home game on the occasion of our 25th anniversary. The three home games following the match against Sagan Tosu were designated as the 25th anniversary commemorative matches for Tokyo. The opening match against Tosu saw us trailing by two goals, but we came back in the second half to score three goals and turn the game around, marking a promising start to our 25th anniversary celebrations.
On the anniversary of its establishment, this match welcomed Gamba Osaka and faced the game with the same starting members as the match against Tosu.
1st HALF - Hargawa's first goal since joining & Diego's goal gives a 2-point lead
The match starts with both teams clashing intensely from the beginning. Tokyo gradually begins to create more time in possession of the ball.
Connecting short passes, they advance the ball to the vital area of the opponent's territory, searching for a path to the goal. The first chance comes in the 15th minute of the first half when Diego OLIVEIRA delivers a through pass, allowing Teruhito NAKAGAWA to break into the penalty area. He has a chance to shoot right in front of the goal, but his finish is blocked by the opposing goalkeeper. Ryoma WATANABE and Adailton react to the loose ball, but both of their shots are also blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.
In the 20th minute of the first half, a critical situation arose in front of the goal. Player Kurata made a through pass that Player Usami broke through, but the shot taken from just in front of the goal to the right went slightly wide to the left, avoiding disaster.
As the first half approached its end with a somewhat open development, Tokyo created a chance. In the 34th minute of the first half, there was a corner kick opportunity from the left side. Riki HARAKAWA sent a fast ball to the near post, and Watanabe, who broke free from his marker, made a heading shot that skimmed the back. The ball targeted the left corner of the goal, but it couldn't shake the net due to the sharp reaction of the opposing goalkeeper.
While creating good opportunities, it was a situation where goals were hard to come by, but the match changed in the 37th minute of the first half.
On the right side, Yuto NAGATOMO has the ball and makes a horizontal pass to the center. As Diego TABA approaches to receive the ball but lets it go, Nakagawa receives it from behind. Timing it perfectly, Harakawa makes a run into the penalty area in an underlap-like manner, and Nakagawa drops the ball at Harakawa's feet. After evading the approaching defender with precise touches, he finally scores by slipping the ball under the opposing goalkeeper's feet.
Tokyo maintained control of the flow. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Adailton, who had opened up on the left side, delivered a looping pass behind the opponent's defensive line. Diego TABA broke free, calmly evaded the opposing goalkeeper in the penalty area, and slotted the ball into the goal. Without relinquishing the initiative they had seized, Tokyo quickly extended their lead.
2nd HALF - Complete victory on the 25th anniversary day with consecutive Tawara goals in 2 matches
Tokyo's momentum does not wane even as the second half begins.
In the 6th minute of the second half, Adailton intercepted an opponent's pass error and entered the left side of the penalty area. He sent a slightly negative cross, and Watanabe connected with it directly, but it was deflected off the left post.
After that, Tokyo maintained control as the match progressed. They surpassed Gamba Osaka in both the number of times they approached the opponent's goal and the time they held the ball, and even after losing the ball, they quickly transitioned between offense and defense without leaving any gaps in their defense.
Although a decisive goal was hard to come by, the man who was brought on in the 22nd minute of the second half delivered results for the second consecutive match.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up a long ball that was deflected back near the halfway line and started to dribble. He initially carried the ball to the left side near the goal line, deep into the opponent's territory. Although he was being marked by two defenders, he forcefully turned and shook off the marks, then entered the penalty area. As he approached the goal, with no angle and limited shooting options, he curved the ball with his right foot into the upper right corner of the goal.
After taking a 3-point lead, the match was handled without any danger. Celebrated the 25th anniversary with a complete victory, marking the first clean sheet in six matches.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yuto NAGATOMO / Masato MORISHIGE (substituted at 44 minutes: Yasuki KIMOTO) / Henrique Trevisan / Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted at 32 minutes: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (substituted at 32 minutes: Keisuke Koizumi) / Riki Harakawa / Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted at 32 minutes: Jaja Silva) / Diego Oliveira / Adailton (substituted at 22 minutes: Kota Tawara)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
37th minute of the first half: Riki HARAKAWA/43rd minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA/33rd minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
<Gamba Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Takaio Ru/Sato Yota (20 minutes into the second half: Shota FUKUOKA)/Kwon Kyung-won/Keisuke KUROKAWA
MF Ryotaro MESHINO (27 minutes into the second half: Yuya FUKUDA)/Akira Kurata (10 minutes into the second half: Issam Jebali)/Neta Lavi/Dawan (20 minutes into the second half: Hideki ISHIGE)/Yuki YAMAMOTO
FW Takashi USAMI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Genta MIURA
FW Hiroto YAMAMI
GOAL
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[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, we were able to bring out the best parts of ourselves with a powerful performance. I believe the players were able to express their play throughout the entire match. During that time, the players worked hard, fought with dedication, and delivered a good performance. There were also several moments where we could have scored more goals, and we were able to create chances while playing our style of football. Defensively, we managed to keep a clean sheet. Today was a special day for the club, and I am proud of the victory we achieved and everyone involved with the club.
Q: I think it was a tough time until we scored the first goal. What were you thinking?
A, Gamba Osaka is a very good team. I thought it was important to control and deliver our performance, to fight with composure, and to fight with dedication. We were able to play good football, and it is also important to continue growing. Today was a tough game. We made a good start and were able to grasp the flow and play well in the first half. It was something we designed during practice, and I think it was great that we were able to create chances. If we had scored more goals in the second half, the players could have gone home with more smiles.
Q: Following the match against Sagan Tosu, Kuryu MATSUKI and Riki HARAKAWA started in the lineup. Please share your evaluation of them.
A, a very good combination has been created. The fact that they have shown good performances in both matches is proof of that. It is important not only for them but also for the team to continue improving. It is essential to work hard and practice in all aspects, and we want to raise individual skills while also growing as a team. If we can keep growing day by day, I believe we can get closer to the team we have dreamed of.
[Player Interview]]
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, it was a very intense match. Please review the game.
A, it was a highly intense and very tough team. It was a difficult match, but backed by the home crowd's support, we were able to show good soccer from the start. We want to continue this positive momentum.
Q: Throughout the match, it felt like the team was able to play at a high level.
In the first half of the previous match against Sagan Tosu, there were defensive mismatches and defensive misalignments. In today's game, the defense worked well, and we were able to apply pressure aggressively from the front line. Thanks to good defense leading to good offense, we scored three goals and I think we had a very good match.
Q, the second goal was scored at a time when the team wanted an additional point. Please review the scoring scene.
A, the additional goal near the end of the first half brought calm and momentum to the team. Adailton delivered a good ball that was difficult for the opposing defenders to handle, so it was just a matter of finishing. Today, I believe that the power of all the players, including those who started and those who came on later, united as one to secure the victory.
Q、We won the match commemorating the 25th anniversary with a goal from Diego TABA, who is also the symbol of the team.
A, today's match was a special day for everyone involved in Tokyo. I am honestly happy that I was able to score a goal and contribute to the victory in such an important game. Many fans and supporters came rushing to the stadium again today. I believe we were able to play a match that made everyone happy. It was 3 points earned by everyone involved with the club.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q、It felt like we were very compact in our play from the start of the first half.
A, even during bad periods, I think it was good that we were able to stay focused and fight together without falling apart, like in the previous match against Sagan Tosu, and I believe that led to our victory.
Q、I believe playing at a high position led to the opening goal.
A, there were few plays where Gamba Osaka's midfield players followed the forward runs, but even before the goal, there were several occasions where they could join the attack with forward runs. The opponent's defensive line also had gaps, and we were able to skillfully exploit and penetrate those spaces. Although there were moments when players were left behind due to continuous play in advanced positions, the goal scene was a good example of breaking down the defense by building up from the sides with numbers. Personally, I made many noticeable mistakes in my play, so I want to work on improving them.
Q: Please reflect on the scoring scene again.
A, Yuto NAGATOMO passed the ball from a high position on the right to the center, Diego OLIVEIRA made a through pass, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA passed it. The way many players got involved with the ball and found space to break down the defense like that was a part we especially worked on in practice this week, and it was a goal that showed the results of our training. I made a trapping mistake on the ball I received from NAKAGAWA, but on the second touch, I was able to place the ball in a position that made it easy to shoot. I just had to skillfully guide it in.
Q: We are entering a break period from here. How will the team spend this time?
A, we were able to approach today's match with a shared awareness to fight aggressively, just like in the previous match against Tosu. In that context, we were able to secure a victory with the kind of performance we showed today. I believe it is important for the team to continue refining and maintaining this level. Since there will be a break of several weeks until the next match against Yokohama FC, we want to make good use of this period.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q. In the second half, with the situation of not being able to score, it became the decisive goal of the match.
A, in the previous match we were in the opposite position, but with the game progressing at a very dangerous score of 2-0, I played with the determination to score an additional goal and decide the match. I am glad that I was able to deliver a result in that situation.
Q, please review the dribbling scene of the goal.
A, I knew there was space, so I carried the ball. Although I was pushed to the side, I was able to break through with a nutmeg as planned, and I was also able to shoot where I aimed, so it was good.
Q: You came on as a substitute, but what was your mindset when you entered the match?
A, in a good way, was able to enter the match in a "state of nothingness" and played with focus on what he needed to do. Even before the match started, the whole team talked about applying pressure, so we were able to properly express what needed to be done.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, since we have a good momentum with two consecutive wins, both the team and individuals want to pursue results so that this streak does not break on away ground. We want to prepare to face the final match of the 25th anniversary commemorative game with a third consecutive win by also defeating Yokohama FC.
