Match Review
The Meiji Yasuda J1 Sec. 3 match against last season's J1 League champions Vissel Kobe. Tokyo has shown resilience by coming back from behind in the first two matches of the season, but has only managed consecutive draws, so they are eager to secure their first home victory of the season.
10 players started in the same lineup as the previous match, with Kei KOIZUMI making his first start of the season as a defensive midfielder alongside Kuryu MATSUKI. Additionally, Hotaka NAKAMURA was included in the squad. He returned to Ajinomoto for the first time in about 10 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon last April. New signing Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA was also included in the matchday squad for the first time since joining.
1st HALF—A back-and-forth battle with both sides attacking
Tokyo aimed for a victory at home, but faced an immediate crisis. In the 5th minute of the first half, a shot from the opponent hit the elbow of Masato MORISHIGE, who was blocking, and a penalty kick was awarded to Kobe after an on-field review supported by VAR. However, the opponent's kick went well wide of the goal, allowing Tokyo to escape the danger.
Tokyo, looking to break through, saw Ryotaro ARAKI pick up a cleared left corner kick in the 13th minute of the first half and deliver a cross with his left foot. In the center, Diego OLIVEIRA and Morishige competed for the loose ball, which was taken by Teruhito NAKAGAWA in the penalty area, but his shot with the right foot was blocked by the opposing defender, preventing a goal.
In the 16th minute of the first half, Keita ENDO, who started in two consecutive matches, cut in from the left side and attempted a powerful ground shot with his right foot. Unfortunately, it was caught by the goalkeeper, but the blue-red team aggressively attacked the opponent's territory.
In defense, against Kobe, who attacks by targeting Yuya OSAKO using long balls, Henrique TREVISAN and Mori-shige show strong defense in the center, working closely with the defensive midfielders to deny the opponent any freedom.
Tokyo is trying to launch an attack starting from Diego TABA in the center, but the opponent has raised their level of vigilance against number 9, making it difficult to create decisive chances.
The first half, which saw both teams neutralizing each other's strengths, ended in a scoreless draw after a back-and-forth battle.
2nd HALF—Koizumi's opening goal was not enough due to a numerical disadvantage.
In the second half, the match quickly came to life. The catalyst was Kashif BANGNAGANDE's sharp interception.
In the 5th minute of the second half, number 49 stole the ball on the left side with a sharp start and dribbled forward. Matsuki received the cross near the penalty area and aimed with his left foot, but it was blocked by the opposing defender.
When Kafumi Yoshi kicked the right corner kick obtained here, Henrique TREVISAN touched the ball at the near post, and Kei KOIZUMI, who ran in at the far side, struck it directly with his right foot to score the opening goal. With a powerful shot from number 37, he responded to his starting lineup selection, and Tokyo successfully scored the first goal of the season.
Kobe is also increasing their offensive pressure. In the 12th minute of the second half, they equalized with a cross from the left after a dribble breakthrough that was met in the center.
In the 24th minute of the second half, Henrique was shown a red card for bringing down an opponent as he was about to break free from a long ball. This resulted in a direct free kick that was converted by Osako, allowing the opponent to take the lead.
Tokyo, facing a numerical disadvantage and a one-point deficit, seeks to find a breakthrough through the dribbling ability of Jája Silva, who was deployed on the left side.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Jaja took a right-footed shot near the penalty arc. The rebound, blocked by the opponent, was powerfully targeted by Matsuki with his right foot, but it was thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper's save.
Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, made three substitutions in the 37th minute of the second half to change the course of the game. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was placed as a left attacker, and Jája Silva was moved to the right. Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, who entered the front line, made his blue-red debut. Additionally, Hotaka NAKAMURA, who was utilized as a right side back, made his long-awaited return after about 10 months from a serious injury.
In the 43rd minute of the second half, Kobayashi, who made a dribble attempt, was fouled and earned a free kick. Matsuki aimed directly with high precision using his left foot, but the ball narrowly missed the top right corner of the goal.
In the 7 minutes of added time, player Tawaramizuki displayed a slicing dribble from the left side to the center and sent a final pass forward, but it did not get through. Furthermore, player Koizumi powerfully advanced from the center to the right side. Player Jaja aimed fiercely with his right foot, but the shot targeting the near side was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, failing to break the goal.
Tokyo, despite being at a disadvantage in terms of players on the pitch and score, bravely attacked but fell short. They lost to Kobe 1-2, resulting in a frustrating first defeat of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (substituted at 38 minutes: Hotaka NAKAMURA)/Masaaki MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVIZAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Kei KOIZUMI/Ryota ARAKI (substituted at 38 minutes: Go KOBAYASHI)
FW Keita ENDO (substituted at 17 minutes: Jaja SILVA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted at 38 minutes: Kota TAWARATSUMITA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (substituted at 28 minutes: Yasuki KIMOTO)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Keigo HIGASHI
GOAL
5 minutes into the second half: Kei KOIZUMI
<Vissel Kobe>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Gotoku SAKAI/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA/Mateus TULER/Yuki HONDA (29th minute: Ryo HATSUSE)
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Hiroki Yamaguchi/Rikuto HIROSE (29th minute: Jean PATRICK)/Yoshinori MUTO (45+7th minute: Nanasei IINO)
FW Taisei MIYASHIRO (37th minute: Yosuke IDEGUCHI)/Yuya OSAKO
SUBS
GK Powell Obinna OBI
DF Takuya IWANAMI/Ryuho KIKUCHI
GOAL
12 minutes into the second half: Taisei MIYASHIRO/29 minutes into the second half: Yuya OSAKO
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please summarize today's match.
A, first of all, I am very disappointed and regretful that we could not achieve the desired result. One thing I am proud of is that the players fought until the very end for victory and gave their all to challenge themselves even in difficult circumstances. With this frustration, I want to thoroughly analyze our performance today. Vissel Kobe, as the champion team, showed how to win a match. I think the red card incident was a turning point today, but we will carefully review this game and aim to fight even stronger. Also, I am grateful to the fans and supporters who passionately supported the players. Their energy pushed us forward, and thanks to them, even with ten players, the team was able to fight until the very end. I sincerely thank them once again for their wonderful support.
Q: Regarding the option to raise the player's position and make it more offensive, was it not possible due to the expulsion?
We were considering a substitution strategy to play more offensively in an 11 versus 11 situation, but unfortunately, the red card made things difficult. From there, we knew it would always be challenging with one player less, and the free kick goal made the situation even more favorable for the opponent. We fought with a strong mentality to score the next goal, and while using substitute players, we aimed to equalize and then turn the game around. All the substituted players gave their all and fought until the end, but today, unfortunately, it was not our day.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, please review the 90 minutes first.
We were able to score the first goal, but we conceded during a time when we didn't want to. There was still time left, and it feels like we were overwhelmed by the opponent's momentum to score another goal.
Q: What aspects were you asked to focus on as a starter, and how did you progress the game on the pitch?
A, I knew there would be many long balls, so as a defensive midfielder, I focused on contributing by securing second balls. As a team, I think we had a strong awareness of not losing second balls or aerial battles, but we must continue to advance after winning the second ball. For the whole team to share the same image and be able to attack, I believe the only way is through practice, so I want to work on it diligently.
Q: What kind of communication was there on the pitch after the second goal conceded?
A, I was encouraging the team to move forward even if it meant taking risks, and there was no option to back down here. We aimed to at least equalize, even if it meant taking risks. As we continue the long battle of the league matches, I believe there will be situations like the second half, so I hope to be able to adapt flexibly in such times by communicating with the players on the pitch like we did today.
<Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA>
Q, please review the game. This was your first match appearance in Tokyo.
A, since it was a match with a difficult situation, I thought I just had to give my all to chase the ball and head towards the goal. With only 10 players, there were challenges in maintaining balance, but I was focused on trying to score at least one goal.
Q: You played during a difficult period. What were you conscious of?
Since we were at a numerical disadvantage and losing, I focused on getting into the area in front of the goal and breaking through behind the defense. I believe I was able to show my strengths defensively by pressing the ball from the front line, but I want fans and supporters to see me make runs behind the defense and take shots in attack, so I aim to further improve my coordination with my teammates.
Q: After joining Tokyo, there was a period of adjustment. What kind of preparations were you making?
A, I have been carefully adjusting to avoid injury. I wanted to play soccer in front of the fans and supporters in Tokyo as soon as possible, so I am glad I was able to make that happen today. At Ajinomoto Stadium, I had only left the pitch on a stretcher before, so I am happy to have been able to play without injury until the end. From here on, I want to steadily improve my condition.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match against Avispa Fukuoka.
A, I have heard that we do not have a good record against the Kyushu teams. However, I believe that the newly joined players, including myself, Ryotaro ARAKI, and Keita ENDO, have nothing to do with that, so I want to create a different momentum from before. And I want to share the joy together with the fans and supporters.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: Please reflect on the match.
In matchday 3 of Group A, we scored the opening goal, but before we could fully seize the momentum, we conceded a goal to the opponent. I believe one of the reasons for the two goals conceded was that the players on the pitch were unable to make adjustments among themselves. Although there were moments in the first half when we were under pressure, we were able to defend solidly. On the other hand, in the second half, it seemed that the team lacked the buildup on how to proceed with the game after scoring.
Q: Today, I played as a double pivot with Kei KOIZUMI, who was also appointed as team captain.
A, I was able to play while being aware of a good distance with player Koizumi. In the first half, there were several occasions when I could receive the ball while Koizumi was carrying it forward. As a team, I think it will be important going forward to focus on advancing through the defensive midfielders, to have everyone be conscious of building up the play, and to share this understanding.
Q: Did the expulsion of a player cause a significant change?
A, since the tactic was mainly based on long balls, throughout the 90 minutes regardless of the sending-off, the match development was focused on being aware of Kobe's style of play during defense. First, I think it is necessary for the entire team to organize and understand why the sending-off incident occurred and work on improving it.
