Match Review
In the previous match, Tokyo achieved victory in Sapporo for the first time in 12 seasons against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, marking their third consecutive win and moving up to fourth place. With the top position now in sight, this week they returned home to Ajinomoto Stadium to aim for their first four consecutive wins in three seasons, facing Kashiwa Reysol.
After a month of fierce battles in Qatar as a member of the U-23 Japan national team, Kuryu MATSUKI has returned with a spot in the starting lineup. Despite being a long-awaited official J.League match, he wears the captain's armband, a symbol of the blue and red leader. He partnered with Takahiro KO in the holding midfield position, stepping in for Kei KOIZUMI, who is suspended due to accumulated warnings. Additionally, this match is significant for Diego OLIVEIRA, who has scored in three consecutive games, as it is against his former club.
1st HALF - Early goal conceded but steadily adding goals to lead by 2 points
Following the previous match against Sapporo, where they allowed an early goal, they were immediately shaken by their own goal net. Teruhito NAKAGAWA tried to keep the ball in front of his own penalty area, but was intercepted by the opponent, leading to the loose ball being kicked in by Matheus SAVIO.
However, Tokyo now does not look down for just any little thing.
Matsuki encouraged Nakagawa, and as the entire team switched gears, a tying goal was scored in the 6th minute of the first half. After quickly starting a short corner, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA dribbled and delivered a cross, and although Henrique TREVISAN's header was stopped by the goalkeeper, Nakagawa pushed in the rebound. Number 39 quickly made up for the goal conceded from his own ball loss, bringing the score back to even.
After equalizing, the build-up from the defensive line functioned well, leading to a dominant phase. The left side was broken down through the combination of Taba and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, and a quick cross was delivered. Soma ANZAI, who sprinted in from the far side, was fouled in the penalty area, earning a penalty kick. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Diego TABA converted this opportunity, successfully turning the game around with his fourth consecutive goal.
Furthermore, in the 37th minute of the first half, Matsuki reacted to a loose ball from a left corner kick and powerfully struck it with his left foot, causing the stadium's excitement to reach a peak.
However, just after entering stoppage time, an accident strikes the team that is on a roll.
After losing the ball in the defensive line, when the opposing forward broke free, Go HATANO, who tried to cover, was judged to have fouled the opposing player, resulting in a red card and ejection. Tsuyoshi KODAMA, making his first appearance in the J1 League this season, was brought in as the goalkeeper, replacing Nakagawa.
2nd HALF - Unable to overcome the numerical disadvantage, match ends in a draw
They conceded a goal early in the second half. It was an event that happened less than a minute after the kickoff. When the center-back Inukai had the ball beyond the center circle, no one was able to close in on him, and he took a powerful long-range shot. The ball flowed into the top left corner of the goal, narrowing the lead.
The team continued to face a tough period, unable to turn around the disadvantage in numbers. In the 58th minute of the second half, they were shaken significantly from side to side, and although they managed to clear a cross ball that was thrown into the penalty area, they allowed another mid-range shot when the loose ball was picked up. Shirai's mid-range shot was saved by Kodama, but the second ball spilled to Shimamura, who was right in front of the goal, and they were equalized.
After being brought back to square one in the match, Tokyo tries to push forward, but struggles to create time to keep possession of the ball, leading to a difficult game situation.
Still, in the 27th minute of the second half, Riki HARAKAWA and Yuto NAGATOMO were brought on in an attempt to push back. However, despite having several set-piece opportunities, they could not capitalize on them, and the match ended in a 3-3 draw. As a result, they managed to secure 1 point despite being at a numerical disadvantage.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Kosuke SHIRAI / Masato MORISHIGE / Henrique Trevisan (substituted in 45 minutes: Yasuki KIMOTO) / Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in 45 minutes: Jaja Silva)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI / Takahiro UCHIYAMA / Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 45+5 minutes: Go KODAMA)
FW Diego Oliveira (substituted in 27 minutes: Chikara HARAKAWA) / Kota TAWARAZUMI (substituted in 27 minutes: Yuto NAGATOMO) / Soma ANZAI
SUBS
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO
FW Leon NOZAWA
GOAL
6th minute of the first half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA/32nd minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA/37th minute of the first half: Kuryu MATSUKI
<Kashiwa Reysol>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kenta MATSUMOTO
DF Diego (33rd minute: Yugo TATSUTA)/Taiyo KOGA/Tomoya INUKAI/Daiaki SEKINE (29th minute: Naoki KAWAGUCHI)
MF Eiji SHIRAI/Takumi TSUCHIYA (0th minute: Sachiro TOSHIMA)/Takuya SHIMAMURA (44th minute: Kazuki KUMASAWA)
FW Mateus SAVIO/Tomoya KOYAMATSU (0th minute: Kosuke KINOSHITA)/Mao HOSOYA
SUBS
GK Tatsuya MORITA
FW Fumiya UNOKI
GOAL
2nd minute of the first half: Matheus SAVIO/1st minute of the second half: Tomoya INUKAI/13th minute of the second half: Takuya SHIMAMURA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please provide an overview of today's match.
A, I think it was a game with many different things happening. The first and second halves had completely different developments. In the first half, we were able to play the style of football we wanted to show, and by moving the ball and utilizing the spaces we wanted to use, we were able to create good attacks. We want to continue those aspects.
In the second half, we found ourselves in a situation where we had to fight with ten players. Of course, fighting with ten players is always difficult, but the players gave their all. Even in a numerically disadvantaged situation, they kept a clear mind, united, and showcased their character while playing in the second half. After this, we will reflect on how our performance was, continue with the ongoing process, and work on recovering our condition as we prepare for the next match. It's unfortunate that we couldn't win, but we will take this one point and prepare for the next game.
Q: Given the tight schedule, I believe that injuries and condition adjustments are also challenging. What is important to you in overcoming consecutive matches?
A, the important thing is to continue the process we are working on. I believe there were many positive aspects in today's match, so it is essential to maintain those steadily. For the next game, good recovery is also important, and we still have time to assess which players are fresh and well-prepared for the upcoming match.
However, as I always say, we need everyone's strength throughout the long season. Of course, there will be difficult situations, but we must ensure that whoever steps in can make an impact and contribute to good performance. We must continue to develop our football, regardless of who is on the field. We can already see signs of this. I believe there is still room for growth, so I want to continue moving steadily towards our goals.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, please review the game.
A, although we conceded a goal early in the first half, I think we were able to score three goals in the first half by expressing the style of football we aim for. Early in the second half, the opponent scored a superb goal, and as a team, we became too defensive, which led to more difficult periods of holding on. Also, since one player was sent off in the first half, we had to spend more time defending in the second half.
Q, it was a well-timed volley shot.
A, there was an intention to shoot loose balls from the previous day's practice. The ball feeling was very good since the day before, so I think I was able to make a good impact. For me personally, it was my first league goal at Ajinomoto Stadium, so I am happy about that.
Q: How did the team organize itself as a whole entering the second half with one player less?
At halftime, we agreed to set up a solid defensive block and aim to score additional goals on the counterattack. However, we focused too much on defense and were hardly able to create any chances in the second half, which left us with regrets.
Q: The match ended with a two-point deficit being equalized.
As I mentioned earlier, we were able to play the style of football we aim for and seek in today's match as well, so we are not overly pessimistic. The atmosphere in the locker room was not particularly downcast either; it was more of a clear-headed and organized mindset preparing for the next game.
<Takahiro KO>
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a match where we lost 2 points. Conceding a goal at the start of the match is a major point of reflection, but looking at the first half overall, I felt a sense of confidence within myself. Personally, I was almost perfect in drawing out the ball, managing risks, and recovering the ball. As a team, we were able to score 3 goals, and we maintained pressure on the opponent for a long time, including the distance between players, so it was a very good performance. However, having a player sent off put us in a very tough situation. Even so, we had a 2-goal lead and had chances to score another goal, so not securing the win shows that we still lack strength. We need to thoroughly address and reflect on these points.
Q: What was your mindset entering the second half with one player less?
A, we talked about attacking and never receiving the ball passively. However, we conceded a goal early on. In that situation, we should have applied more pressure, but instead, we ended up being on the defensive, so I think we needed to enter the game with more focus. We were also conscious of moving the ball properly, not just kicking long balls. There were parts that went well, so we want to fine-tune the smaller details even more.
Q: After the score was tied, what were you focused on while playing?
A, since we had been conceding goals consecutively, we shared the determination not to allow a fourth goal. In that context, there were one or two moments where if we could break free, the players on the side could get involved positively, so I hoped we could make a decisive move there. However, although we conceded another goal, I want to take a positive view that we managed to earn 1 point instead of ending up with zero points.
Q: There were many scenes where players were talking to each other throughout the match.
Even after scoring 3 goals, not a single person was satisfied, and personally, I wanted to dominate even more. What I personally thought is that age doesn't matter; when we notice something, we want to properly share it and work on improving it. When that becomes a common understanding within the team, conversations will naturally increase. In that regard, I think the team as a whole has started to generate many opinions and is gradually improving, so I want to continue doing that.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, please review the game.
A, we conceded a goal early in the first half, but after that, we were able to score three good goals. It would have been better if we had finished the first half without any players being sent off, but we conceded a goal at the start of the second half, making the situation difficult.
Q: How was the strategy and matchup feeling against Diego and Matheus SAVIO?
A, I think we didn't collapse significantly, but since the opponent also has players who work hard, we found ourselves struggling to attack. It felt like both sides were canceling out each other's strengths.
Q: Please reflect on the defensive aspects.
A, the second goal conceded came at a time when we absolutely could not afford to concede. Although the opponent's shot was incredible, we still should have closed down the ball holder more. In the second half, the ball floated in too easily, which is a point of reflection. After that, we conceded another goal and were caught up, but considering the lead, it was important to maintain a dominant position for as long as possible, so it is disappointing that we were caught up so early.
Q: Given that we spent a long time on defense, we needed a bit more power in our attack.
A, we struggled to generate offensive power, and the opponent managed their risks well, so we were continuously pushed back. There were a few counterattacks, but I think there were few scenes where we could fully execute our offense.
Q: The consecutive matches continue. How do you want the team to switch gears?
After three consecutive wins followed by a draw, it is really important whether we win or lose the next match. The series of matches in May will be an all-out battle, so we want to combine everyone's strength to definitely earn 3 points and stay in the top competition.
