Match Review
The last three matches will be faced under the situation of having two consecutive losses for the second time since the appointment of coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI. In this round, we will be fighting against Albirex Niigata in an away game, which has been a "difficult venue" with only two wins this season.
The focus is on Kei KOIZUMI and Ryoma WATANABE, who are making a triumphant return to their former club. The hard worker wearing number 37 will play for the first time in Niigata after transferring, where he spent four seasons since turning professional, while the versatile attacker wearing number 11 will also play in Niigata for the first time on the J1 League stage.
This match, centered around these two players who are hungry for victory, aimed to stop the losing streak and create a good momentum for the final home game of the 2023 season coming up next.
1st HALF - Early momentum gradually slows down
The start was marked by a shining aggressiveness. With Teruhito NAKAGAWA suspended, Kuryu MATSUKI slid into the attacking midfielder position and actively made runs into space to invigorate the attack. Additionally, there was coordination as double pivot players Riki HARAKAWA and Kei KOIZUMI moved into the open spaces, demonstrating a strong intent to approach the goal.
On the other hand, the first big chance is created by Niigata. In the 8th minute of the first half, Taniguchi takes a powerful shot, but it is saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's fine save. It would have been good to turn this around and attack again, but from this point on, the team gradually struggles with Niigata's passing work.
Tokyo applied pressure to steal the ball from the opponent's build-up involving the goalkeeper, but it didn't work, leading to an increase in scenes where they allowed the opponent to invade their territory. There were moments when they could win the ball in high positions, but mistakes were noticeable in the next play, and they were quickly dispossessed by the fast-switching Niigata, preventing them from launching a counterattack. Although they did not concede a goal, Tokyo ended the first half with just one shot.
2nd HALF - Increased chances in an open game
In the second half, the game opened up, naturally bringing out the attacking power of Tokyo. Space began to emerge in the midfield, allowing for quick counterattacks after regaining possession. Diego OLIVEIRA and Adailton were able to face forward and approach the goal.
Then, in the 16th minute of the second half, the first clear chance of the match arrives. After the ball is carried deep into the opponent's territory on the left side, it is initially taken away but immediately regained. Finally, from near the left corner of the penalty area, Harakawa strikes with his right foot. The shot aimed at the goal was on target but saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Shortly after, in the 18th minute of the second half, a crisis arises as the defense line is breached, but Yasuki KIMOTO desperately returns and makes a diving tackle to block the shot. He puts his body on the line just in time, forcing the opponent to miss the shot.
In the middle of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE suffered an injury to his foot, but at that moment, Kosuke SHIRAI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA were brought on. Furthermore, in the closing stages, Keigo HIGASHI and Naoki KUMATA were also sent onto the pitch, leading to a battle in the last 10 minutes.
In the 38th minute of the second half, they applied coordinated pressure towards the opponent's goal and succeeded in winning the ball. However, Koizumi's bold mid-range shot went wide of the target. Conversely, in the 45+1 minute of the second half, a cross was sent into the goal area from the right side, and although a header shot was taken in front of the goal, Nozawa used his right foot to clear it from the frame.
It was a game where both teams wanted to win, but no goals were scored, and it ended 0-0. Tokyo stopped their losing streak, but they couldn't overturn the ranking against Niigata, who are one point ahead.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in 26th minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI (substituted in 44th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Riki HARAKAWA (substituted in 36th minute: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego Oliveira (substituted in 36th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton (substituted in 26th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMITA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
<Albirex Niigata>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kohei KOJIMA
DF Soya FUJIWARA/Michael James FITZGERALD (12 minutes into the second half: Thomas DEN)/Kazuhiko CHIBA/Naoto ARAI
MF Eitaro MATSUDA (23 minutes into the second half: Shunsuke MITO)/Hiroshi TAKANASHI/Yuji HOSHI (34 minutes into the second half: Hiroki AKIYAMA)/Shusuke OTA (23 minutes into the second half: Yota KOMI)
FW Kaito TANIGUCHI (34 minutes into the second half: Motoki NAGAKURA)/Koji SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Koto ABE
DF Taiki WATANABE
GOAL
―
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, I think it was a good football match. The players performed well, played aggressively in defense, and it was good that we kept a clean sheet. We were able to apply the press we aimed for and catch the opponent off guard. I believe that was because the players worked hard. Albirex Niigata is a good team, but we defended in a way to keep them playing as far away from our goal and outside the penalty area as possible. In that context, there were parts of the attack that we controlled, and we were able to play with the intention of moving forward. However, I think it would have been better if we had thought more about when to push forward and when to hold possession.
I think we were able to make many passes in the attacking area while playing in the opponent's territory. As we approached the goal, we need to refine our ability to finish the attack and take shots. The players fought desperately for victory. I want to move forward with this one point. I also want to thank the fans and supporters. It was the fans and supporters who provided the encouragement for the players to give their best effort.
Q: Please evaluate Kuryu MATSUKI, who was used as an attacking midfielder, and Yasuki KIMOTO, who started as a center-back after a long time.
We cannot highlight and evaluate only two players, but all the players worked hard and fought. I believe both Matsuki and Kimoto did a wonderful job. We aimed to aggressively press, win the ball, and create good opportunities, and there were parts where we succeeded. What we can be proud of is that we fought with hunger and kept a clean sheet. However, I think we could have been hungrier in scoring goals, and there were many good performances as well. We want to continue improving ourselves as we move forward.
Q: What preparations have you made for the match against Niigata?
A, we have been refining our defense and managed to finish without conceding any goals. Also, we practiced in the areas near the penalty box that we want to utilize. Niigata is a very good team, and we aimed to play aggressively as well. We practiced good communication to decide when to press and when not to, and I think we were able to show those positive aspects. We demonstrated solidity in defense, and during this week's practice, we worked on defending to prevent the opponent from entering the area, and the players showed the results of that effort.
I think we were able to show good plays and good aspects in our attack. Within that, we were able to express our intention to play forward. However, I believe there were moments where we needed to control whether we should keep possession or push forward. That is an area we need to improve. We were able to utilize the areas we wanted to use and create very dangerous situations, but we may need to improve on taking shots and playing towards the goal. I believe the players expressed their spirit both in practice and on the pitch today. There are areas where we need to improve 100% to deliver our strong performance, but I want us to move forward to become the team we dream of being.
[Player Interview]]
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q: Please reflect on this match, where you made a full appearance in an official game for the first time in a while.
A, since it had been a while, I focused on quickly adapting my body to the team's pace and intensity of the match. I was able to play aggressively from the first half, but there were also periods when I couldn't perform to my satisfaction. I want to use the challenges I felt in today's game to fuel my personal growth moving forward. As a team, the result was the bare minimum, and as an individual, I want to apply the lessons and discoveries from this match to the next. I believe it was a meaningful time.
Q: For about the first 30 minutes, we struggled with the opponent's pressure, but as the match progressed, it seemed to improve.
A, I felt the challenges when facing opponents who apply pressure from the front line. However, I believe it is necessary to improve the team's positioning, spacing, and quality of support beyond the current level. Otherwise, we will easily fall into the opponent's pressure and fail to create an attacking rhythm. Maintaining possession remains an ongoing issue that we want to continue addressing.
Q: In the 18th minute of the second half, there was a scene where Kimoto saved the team by putting his body on the line.
A, it is best not to give the opponent such scenes, but by defending aggressively from the front, space inevitably opens up behind. As a result, I believe finishing without conceding a goal gives confidence to both the team and the players. Although we couldn't completely shut down Albirex Niigata's attack, I think ending the match without conceding was a minimum acceptable result for us defenders.
Q: We are entering a break period, and the next match will be the final home game. How do you want to continue building on the opportunities you've gained?
First of all, I want to show plays that lead to the team's victory. Looking at the standings, we are in a disappointing and shameful position, but I want to show our determination at the final home game. I want to show football that will make our fans and supporters renew their expectations for Tokyo from here on.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: A big save at the end of the match saved the team. Please reflect on the match again.
A, while aiming for victory as a team, played with the minimum goal of not conceding goals to support the offensive aspect. Conceding goals would have quickly disrupted the flow and plan, and although there were moments in the first half where we felt the opponent's pressure, I think the team was able to focus on playing patiently and maintaining concentration so that the momentum would come in the second half. There is the issue that we couldn't score, but considering the away game results this season, finishing the match without conceding any goals was a good minimum outcome.
Q: It seemed that the flow shifted towards Tokyo as you successfully endured the pressure you faced from the beginning. How did you feel about the build-up from the back?
A, there was an image of skillfully alternating between short passes to engage the opponent and long balls sent into the space created by that engagement. Although there were moments of pressure in the first half, I feel there weren't many unstable plays.
Q: I think the team's position was set higher in the second half than in the first half.
As the match progressed, the play became more open, and the defensive burden gradually increased. Centered around Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, even when the fullbacks and defensive midfielders were turned over, they returned firmly and did not give the opponent any major chances. The reason they were not easily beaten in the final moments was thanks to the hard work in defense. I am grateful for my teammates' play.
Q: Contributed to a clean sheet, and after this, the U-22 Japan national team activities are upcoming.
A, I want to make this a good time to further level up as an individual player. Rather than a vague goal like just getting better, I want to focus firmly on results and work diligently, valuing each and every day.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, there were some moments where we were a bit beaten, but in terms of defense, I feel we were able to improve compared to the previous two matches. That's why today, if the forwards including myself had done our job, we could have won the match, so personally, I am very frustrated.
Q: Matsuki created chances by initiating defense from the front line.
A, the opponent is very good at circulating the ball, so even if you press individually, it's hard to take it away. However, today the players at the back also worked together and were able to press as a team, and there were many scenes where that worked well, so I think that was good. However, on the offensive side, when I received the ball as an attacking midfielder and developed the play, if I had been able to break away from the opponent individually more, I think the match could have unfolded differently.
Q: You played in a position one step forward than usual. What were you conscious of?
A, I focused on playing with fluidity without being particular about positions, and on skillfully receiving the ball between the opponent's center backs and defensive midfielders.
Q: There are only two matches left this season.
Also, we will enter a break period once again, and since I have national team duties, I will focus on delivering results there while playing. Even after returning from the national team, I want to work on what is necessary for the team to win starting from practice.
