Match Review
In the 2023 season, we welcomed the final match at home Ajinomoto Stadium. It was a season filled with various events, culminating in a year-end summary. We aimed to deliver 3 points to our home fans and supporters and approached this match with the desire to build momentum for the final match of the season.
Due to accumulated warnings and condition adjustments, there were slight changes in player selection from the previous match against Albirex Niigata. The center-back pairing consists of Yasuki KIMOTO and Masato MORISHIGE, while Shuhei TOKUMOTO starts as the left-back. Up front, Teruhito NAKAGAWA returns from suspension to play on the right wing.
1st HALF - Diego scores to take the lead, updating his career high
Although they were initially pushed back by the momentum of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, the time spent maintaining possession of the ball gradually increased, leading to more opportunities to attack.
The big opportunity came in the 18th minute of the first half. After repelling the opponent's attack, Kimoto received the ball on the right side and sent a sharp vertical pass to Nakagawa, who had started moving into space up front. Nakagawa, having gotten behind the opponent, broke into the penalty area and faced a one-on-one with the goalkeeper just in front of the right side of the goal. He took a shot that aimed to go past the goalkeeper's feet, but the ball veered to the left of the goal.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Adailton forcefully cut in from the left side to the center, shaking off his marker and striking with his right foot from a position directly in front of the goal, but it was blocked by a defender.
Tokyo, having grasped the rhythm of the attack, continues to create chances in succession. In the 40th minute of the first half, they broke down the right side and created a point in the penalty area, then passed to the left, where player Tokumoto, who had made a run, aimed for a mid-range shot, but it went over the goal.
While creating chances but unable to finish, the attacking momentum bore fruit in the 41st minute of the first half. A vertical pass from Riki HARAKAWA reached Adailton, who was positioned near the center of the penalty area. Adailton, seeing Diego OLIVEIRA in his line of sight, left the ball with a heel pass while dragging his marker along. Diego then ran in and smoothly slotted the ball into the left corner of the goal with his left foot, giving Tokyo the long-awaited opening goal.
2nd HALF - Turned over at the start
We wanted to continue the good flow we had towards the end of the first half, but we fell apart at the start of the second half. In the 6th minute of the second half, we couldn't catch the movement of the third player from the passing work in the midfield, and we were caught behind the defense line with a one-touch pass. Asano broke free and scored with a shot from Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's early movement.
Cannot stop the momentum of Sapporo.D. In the 12th minute of the second half, a cross from the left side was played between the defensive line and the goalkeeper, and it was touched in by player Kogashi, who broke through the final line, resulting in a goal conceded. The game was turned around in an instant.
After that, there was a period of time where they could not break through Sapporo's solid defense set up in their own territory. In the middle of the second half, Takuya AOKI, Keigo HIGASHI, and Kosuke SHIRAI were brought in, and in the final stages, fresh players Naoki KUMATA and Tsubasa TERAYAMA were also introduced to invigorate the team. However, they were unable to change the flow of the match, and it entered additional time.
Tokyo intensified their attacking posture and pressed forward, but in the 45+4 minutes of the second half, they lost the ball in a high position, allowing a long shot that went over the head of player Nozawa, widening the deficit. Tokyo continued to aim for a goal until the end, but they were unable to close the two-goal gap and the match ended.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Shuhei TOKUMOTO (29th minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI (21st minute: Takuya AOKI)/Riki HARAKAWA (39th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Ryoma WATANABE (21st minute: Keisuke HIGASHI)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Diego Oliveira (39th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
41st minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA
<Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takanori SUGENO
DF Shunta TANAKA/Daihachi OKAMURA (30 minutes into the second half: Shota NISHINO)/Akito FUKUMORI (0 minutes into the second half: Kiriya NAKAMURA)
MF Yuya ASANO (45+1 minutes into the second half: Shingo OMORI)/Takuma ARANO/Hiroki MIYAZAWA/Daihi SUGA (0 minutes into the second half: Supachok)/Yoshiaki KOMAI/Ryota AOKI
FW Go KOBAYASHI (35 minutes into the second half: Gunhee KIM)
SUBS
GK Shun TAKAGI
MF Yuki KOBAYASHI
GOAL
6 minutes into the second half: Yuya ASANO/12 minutes into the second half: Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA/45+4 minutes into the second half: Shingo OMORI
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, the result of the defeat is very disappointing. I feel sorry for the fans and supporters. It would have been better if we had been able to finish the chances. We created more opportunities and had several moments where we seemed likely to score. There were also chances to pull away from the opponent in the course of the match. We couldn't finish those chances properly. In today's match, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo was a step ahead in their ability to convert chances.
Q: In the first half, we were able to show what we had prepared in terms of offense, but in the second half, we conceded two goals before we could respond to the opponent's tactics. Please tell us the factors that led to the defeat.
A, regarding the first half, we were able to properly execute what we had prepared against Sapporo, so it went as expected, and the flow of the game allowed us to aim for additional goals. In the second half, we conceded goals continuously during periods when our performance dropped. These two goals disrupted our plan and changed the momentum. I believe if we had scored the second goal ourselves, the match would have unfolded differently. Even during the difficult periods in the second half, we felt we were still able to create our own chances.
Q: What do you think is necessary for young players who came on in the second half to demonstrate their abilities, improving individual skills or enhancing teamwork?
A, both are necessary. Of course, the role of the bench members is to make an impact on the team when they come on during the match and to fight until the end of the game. Although we couldn't turn the match around today, we want to apply what we learned from today's game to the next one.
[Player Interview]]
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: There was a very good start to the first half, but we ended up conceding a goal early in the second half.
A, it was a very good start to the game, but I think it was a match we could have won if we had been able to score more goals besides the opening goal. It was a simple conceded goal, and the match became somewhat rough. However, there were moments where the team’s challenges and efforts were clearly expressed. If we focus on the positive aspects, I believe we were able to execute the plays we aimed for better than usual.
Q: Both as a team and as player Morishige, the high positioning play and the defense that limited the opponent's play shone from the first half.
A, playing aggressively in both offense and defense was especially the theme today. In the first half, we were able to express good form in ball movement and defense from the front line. However, in the second half, the opponent changed their style of play, and it seemed we were unable to fully respond to those situations.
Q: What kind of response was required on the pitch against the opponent who made substitutions and changed tactics at the start of the second half?
A, there was no major confusion, but we were caught off guard for a moment, which directly led to conceding a goal. I believe the lack of detailed communication caused the consecutive goals conceded early in the second half.
Q: During the post-match ceremony, you expressed your feelings as a captain. What is necessary for the final match and for Tokyo to move forward?
Everything I said on behalf of the players at the ceremony is the essence. It is important as a team to decide what we aim for and what each player must do to achieve that goal. This season, the club has undergone various changes, but I see these as actions that lead to the team winning and becoming champions.
There are differences in methods and ways of thinking, and there may be both support and opposition, but ultimately, everyone involved with the club should aim for the same place, and to reach that goal, we must face the same direction. We should create something better by discussing the methods and processes related to our goals. I believe that advancing the conversation with the premise of "what to do to win" is what connects each person to "doing their job."
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, you scored your career-high 15th goal. Please review the goal scene.
Regarding the goal, the players were in good positions, which allowed for excellent teamwork and a quick finish. A good ball came from Adailton, so it was just a matter of tapping it in. However, despite it being the final home game, we couldn't secure a win, and it is very disappointing that we couldn't celebrate with the fans and supporters in the last match of this season at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Q, there were chances in the first half, but in the second half, we continued to be pressed. Please review the game.
A, in the first half, it was unfortunate that we could only score one goal despite both sides having chances. In the second half, it was disappointing that the opponent had many chances while Tokyo had few opportunities.
Q: The next match against Shonan Bellmare will be the final match of the 2023 season. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, there are no easy matches. The match against Shonan is always difficult, and since it is an away game, I think it will be even tougher. It has been a challenging season, but we want to prepare for a week and approach the match so that we can finish on a good note.
<Takuya AOKI>
Q: You came on in the second half, but how did you observe the match from the bench in the first half? Also, what was your intention when you stepped onto the pitch?
A, in the first half, watching from the bench, I felt that the chances came when we quickly switched and counterattacked vertically after winning the ball. When I entered in the second half, I focused on closing the distance, but there were parts that did not go very well.
Q: How did it feel to stand on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium after a long time?
A, it had been a while since the last match itself, and it was also the first time in a while playing alongside players who had been continuously participating in matches, so I think there were many moments where we couldn't coordinate well in that regard.
Q: It was a season with injuries and a long rehabilitation period, but how do you reflect on the overall experience?
A, I got injured again just when I had finally returned and my condition was improving, and at that time the coach was replaced, which I felt was a somewhat disadvantageous situation for myself.
Q: The team is currently in a situation with no wins in the last four matches, how will the team focus as we head into the final match of the season?
A, I believe things will improve by winning, so I think we just need to relentlessly pursue victory together.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q: It has been a while since you last played in a match. What were you mindful of as you approached the game?
A, I prepared as usual and approached the match. I had been giving my all in regular practice, but when I found out I would be starting in the lineup, I became even more motivated.
Q, there were many moments in the first half where Tokyo had the flow, but in the second half, the game developed into a situation where we were pushed back. Please review the game.
In the first half, with the match situation uncertain, Diego OLIVEIRA scored the opening goal, allowing us to end the first half on a positive note. On the other hand, in the second half, we spent more time defending, leading to a difficult period. I believe the defense is responsible for conceding a goal that made the match more challenging. The equalizing goal ultimately decided the outcome of the game.
Q: What were you conscious of, given that you have different characteristics compared to other full-backs?
A, I was trying to do what I could. Without overthinking difficult things, I believed that if I did what I was supposed to do, I could calm the game down. I was able to do that well in the first half, but I am frustrated that I couldn't be an escape route in the second half. After all, participating in the match was extremely enjoyable.
Q: The next match against Shonan Bellmare will be the final match of the 2023 season. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, I want to finish with a solid win. This season has truly caused many frustrating moments for our fans and supporters, so for the final match, I want to play with all my effort for Tokyo, filled with gratitude.
