Match Review
The halfway point of the 2024 season, Sec. 19 of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League. This pivotal match, which we want to conclude the first half with a victory, will be an away game against Shonan Bellmare at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka.
Tokyo, with Enrique Trevisan suspended due to accumulated warnings, made three changes to the starting lineup from the previous match against Júbilo Iwata. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA started as goalkeeper, with Masato MORISHIGE and Tetsuhei OKA making his first start in the league as center-backs. Hotaka NAKAMURA was positioned as right back, and Yuto NAGATOMO as left back. In the holding midfield, Takahiro KO and Keisuke KOIZUMI formed a partnership for the sixth consecutive league match, while Kuryu MATSUKI returned to the starting lineup as an attacking midfielder. The forward line featured Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the right wing, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left wing, and Ryota ARAKI as the lone striker as they kicked off.
1st HALF - Unable to capitalize on a big chance just before the end of the first half
In the early stages, Shonan created chances. When they approached the Tokyo goal from counterattacks and set pieces, a shot taken by player Yamada in the 2nd minute of the first half was saved by player Nozawa with a diving save, and a direct free kick from the left side of the penalty area in the 5th minute of the first half was also caught by player Nozawa. In the 7th minute of the first half, player Fukuda took a dribbling shot from a long counterattack, but it went wide to the right of the goal, allowing us to escape danger.
Tokyo wants to explore offensive options, but they struggle to create good opportunities as scenes of misaligned passes after regaining possession are noticeable. They lag in predicting and reacting to second balls, and they continue to have difficulty against Shonan's defensive network, which tightens the passing options.
In the 10th minute of the first half, there was a direct free kick opportunity on the right side. Matsuki struck sharply with his right foot, and the shot cleared the opponent's wall, but the ball aimed at the top right of the goal was thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper's save.
As the period continues where we can't create many scoring opportunities, a big chance arrives for Tokyo.
In the 44th minute of the first half, Nakagawa became the starting point after winning the ball in his own half and dashed forward. Receiving the ball, Araki dribbled up and, assessing the timing, provided a superb through pass. Nakagawa, who received the ball in the space ahead while observing the opponent's goalkeeper's position, tried to slot it in with his right foot, but it narrowly missed to the left of the goal, failing to shake the net for the opening goal.
Tokyo missed a great opportunity. Immediately after, they faced the biggest crisis of the first half. Shonan spread the ball from the center to the right, delivering a cross into the area in a backward direction. This was met by Lukian, who scored with a direct shot from his right foot. However, VAR intervened on this goal, ruling that the shot had deflected off an opponent's hand, resulting in the goal being disallowed. The first half ended scoreless.
2nd HALF - Stubborn defense and Tokumoto's left foot lead to victory!
Tokyo wants to take the initiative and attack, but they end up creating a big chance for the opponent first in the second half.
In the 5th minute of the second half, a left cross was sent to the far post, where Matsuki was able to tap it in right in front of the goal. However, this was ruled offside, narrowly escaping trouble again. In the 8th minute of the second half, Suzuki unleashed a powerful mid-range shot with his right foot, but Nozawa made a save by deflecting it. In the 10th minute of the second half, Matsuki took a shot after cutting in, but Nozawa stretched out his right hand to make a last-minute save on the ball that was heading for the left corner of the goal. It was truly a series of big saves that can only be described as the work of a 'guardian deity' that saved the team.
Tokyo continues to defend against Shonan, who attacks with momentum. Nozawa's excellent saves are raising the team's overall defensive awareness.
In the 14th minute of the second half, a decisive scene was created in the penalty area, but Nozawa cleared it just off the goal line, and Matsuki cleared the rebound with a bicycle kick. Although the rebound was picked up and a shot was taken, Nozawa again made a fantastic save with a great reaction from close range.
In the 19th minute of the second half, once again, Nakagawa and Araki launched a sharp counterattack at the front, creating a big chance. Araki received a pass from the back and directed it to the space in front on the right. Nakagawa, who broke free at top speed, timed his return to the center, but it just barely missed reaching Araki, who was running into the goal area. The team continued to raise their defensive awareness while launching sharp attacks.
In the 24th minute of the second half, Tokyo brought in Soma ANZAI on the right wing and Diego OLIVEIRA as the lone striker, aiming to change the course of the match with substitutions.
Nozawa's stable saves continued. In the 25th minute of the second half, he firmly caught a powerful middle shot allowed from near the penalty arc while falling down. In the 29th minute, he also deflected a powerful shot aimed at the near upper corner from inside the penalty area with his left hand.
The defense continued to show tenacious defense. It was in the 34th minute of the second half that the entire team endured and endured.
After Nakamura connected the ball deep on the right side of the opponent's territory and passed it back, Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who had just been substituted in and was making his first play wearing number 43, made a run into the area in front of the goal where the opponent was weak. With his strong left foot, he struck a powerful mid-range shot that pierced the bottom right of the goal, finally allowing Tokyo to score the opening goal.
The heroic player dashed straight to the goal area and shared joy with the fans and supporters who had come all the way from the away side. Teammates also rushed over, creating a circle of celebration right in front of the blue and red goal area. In the previous match against Iwata, the lefty had assisted the equalizing goal just 5 minutes after coming on, and this time, he accomplished a great feat with his first play right after being brought on.
In the final stages, Kosuke SHIRAI, who returned from injury, was brought on. Both Tokumoto and SHIRAI, who are primarily side-backs, were positioned on the flanks of the midfield, and the formation was changed to a two-top with Diego TABA and Anzai. The team successfully solidified their defense in a somewhat six-back formation according to the situation and managed to secure 3 points away.
It was a victory brought about by the tenacity of the defense. In a match that marked the halfway point of the first half of the season, the team showcased a united performance. After the match, in response to the banners from the fans and supporters behind the goal that read, "Let's go higher! We can do it," and "Let's make a comeback in the second half," we want to use this victory as a stepping stone to rise in the rankings as we head into the second half of the season starting in three days.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Masato MORISHIGE/Teppei OKA/Nagato YUTO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (substituted in 45+2 min: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Hiroshi TAKAU (substituted in 33 min: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in 33 min: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 23 min: Soma ANZAI)/Ryotaro ARAKI (substituted in 23 min: Diego Oliveira)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
FW Jája Silva
GOAL
34 minutes into the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO
<Shonan Bellmare>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Son Bum-gun
DF Koki Tate (41st minute: Takuya Okamoto)/Kazunari Ohno
MF Yuto Suzuki/Masaki Ikeda (28th minute: Akito Suzuki)/Satoshi Tanaka/Jun Suzuki/Naoki Yamada (28th minute: Taiga Hata)/Kosuke Onose (41st minute: Hisatsugu Ishii)
FW Lukian/Sho Fukuda
SUBS
GK Hiroki MAWATARI
DF Kazuki OIWA
MF Kohei OKUNO
GOAL
―
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please review the game.
As expected, it was a very tough battle away from home. Shonan Bellmare is playing really good football. Within that, there were parts we needed to test and challenges we had to face. I am proud that the players maintained their discipline and fought through a difficult game.
There were moments in the game where we could perceive things positively. We want to continue building on that. However, there are still areas that need improvement and development. What we discussed before the match was that 'this game is not something that someone gives us victory; we have to earn it ourselves.' The players fought really hard for the club and for the fans and supporters, and they secured the three points for us. Regarding Teppei OKA, he played as a starter for the first time in the league, and I believe it was a performance that he will remember for a lifetime. Also, since it was Diego OLIVEIRA's birthday, we were able to celebrate it in the best way with three points.
Q: The opponent's attack lasted a long time, but what were the factors that made it difficult to win the ball back from the front?
In situations involving second balls and loose balls, if we were able to take possession, I think it led to positive outcomes. Conversely, when the opponent took the ball, we found ourselves being pushed back. This is one area where we could have played more efficiently. On the positive side, there were moments when we had to defend desperately. In those moments, the reward for executing our playing principles came back in the form of keeping a clean sheet. An important point is that we were able to exploit good spaces and get behind the opponent. However, even in those situations, there were times when we needed to play more efficiently. We want to thoroughly analyze our performance and take steps toward growth.
Q: I believe it was a clean sheet that could not have been achieved without the big saves from Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, despite facing over 20 shots. Please evaluate his performance.
A, he did his job well as a goalkeeper. This is the result of the daily efforts made by the goalkeeper team. Today was a match to showcase those results, and I am proud that he was able to demonstrate his strength firmly there.
Q, Shuhei TOKUMOTO provided an assist in the previous match and scored the winning goal today.
A, first regarding Tokumoto's goal, he delivered a performance that left an impact as a substitute player. Diego TABA, Soma ANZAI, and Kosuke SHIRAI fought hard when they came onto the pitch as substitutes. It is important that the substituted players make a strong impact and contribute during the game. This leads to us being able to fight strongly in the final stages of the game. I hope that the players who come on as substitutes can leave an impact and pull away from the opponents. Tokumoto took a very good shot and did a wonderful job of shaking the net. The purpose of bringing in substitute players was to keep each position fresh and to continue our style of play both offensively and defensively. They fought exactly as intended.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q, it was a goal with your first touch after the substitution. Please review the scoring scene.
A, we were breaking down well on the right side, and when taking a deep position, Yuto NAGATOMO was also inside the penalty area, so I was waiting behind. Then the ball came, and after that, it was just a matter of finishing it off.
Q: Today, you played in a higher position instead of as a side back. What was your mindset?
A, I think Peter CKLAMOVSKI, the coach, expected plays leading to goals like the free kick in the previous match against Júbilo Iwata, and I myself understood the necessity of connecting solid defense to good attacking plays. In that context, I believe scoring on the first play allowed me to meet the coach's expectations.
Q: In the last match, you provided an assist, and in this match, you scored. You are achieving results.
I believe this is the result of persevering without giving up. This season, there were many moments when the full-back players achieved results, so I was secretly thinking "Me too, me too" while working hard every day, and I'm glad it paid off in these two matches.
Q: From here, we will have consecutive matches again. I believe the overall strength of the team will be tested.
A, I never thought this ranking would be acceptable. Tokyo has many talented players, so being able to compete fiercely from training is what I believe has led to us defending well in front of the goal until the very end today. We will fight with the strength of the entire team, so let's fight together in the second half as well.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, it was a victory with a clean sheet. Please review the game.
A, I'm really glad that everyone persevered and we were able to win 1-0. The thing I'm happiest about is being able to contribute to the team's victory. I've always wished only for the team's win, so I'm happy to have been able to contribute through my play.
Q: What were the factors that allowed us to finish with a clean sheet?
A, when the opponent has a long time attacking and the score remains 0-0, they start to feel a bit uneasy. So, not becoming negative about the flow of the match, successfully maintaining the 0-0 state, and everyone staying focused in front of the goal were the biggest factors in our victory.
Q: In the build-up phase, there were scenes where Taishi Brandon NOZAWA started quickly.
A, since the opponent was trying to set up their block quickly, I aimed for a quick restart by quickly moving into space before the opponent could prepare at the moment the situation changed, thinking that the opponent might also adjust.
Q: The second half of the J1 League will start with the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the next round.
A, since it will be two consecutive home games at Ajinomoto Stadium, we want to deliver victories to our fans and supporters, and above all, we want to make it a match that makes everyone feel glad they came to the stadium. Winning is the most important thing, but even if the game turns into a situation where we are pressed like today, we want to win in the end and celebrate with our fans and supporters.
<Teppei OKA>
Q: It was your first start in the league, and you achieved a victory without conceding a goal.
Throughout the 90 minutes, we faced a tough situation, but our primary focus was to keep a clean sheet. As a result, although the goal was disallowed with VAR support, there was a moment in the first half when the net was shaken. At that time, I couldn't encourage Yuto NAGATOMO to push out when they penetrated that far, and I also couldn't physically defend at the end. These are points I need to correct moving forward. It was my first league start as an individual, but I wasn't very nervous. I anticipated matchups with Lukian and runs behind by Fukuda, and I felt I need to prepare earlier. However, winning and making corrections will be a significant step forward both personally and for the team.
Q: You played without losing focus until the end. How did you approach the game, including your collaboration with Masato MORISHIGE?
A, I believe the reason we were able to maintain concentration was that everyone kept encouraging each other until the very end. In terms of risk management when we were on the attack, there were many scenes in the first half where our shots were picked up by the opposing players. In the second half, I talked with Morishige about preparing earlier to win more second balls.
Q: As we reach the halfway point of the league, we will have back-to-back home matches against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Avispa Fukuoka in three days. Please share your enthusiasm for these upcoming matches.
A, I want to properly prepare for what I need to do without getting too elated or discouraged. I also want to make good preparations both individually and as a team so that the team can achieve victory.
