Match Review
A week after securing a victory against Nagoya Grampus at the sacred Japan National Stadium, the team aimed for their first consecutive win in three months as they headed to the Saitama Stadium 2002, dyed in bright red.
There is only one change in the starting lineup since the Nagoya match. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA will guard the goal, and the center backs will be Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, who returns to the starting lineup after seven matches. The two full-backs will be Kei KOIZUMI and Teppei OKA, while the holding midfielders will continue with the combination of Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI. Up front, Diego Oliveira will be at the top, with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left and Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the right.
Accelerating the momentum from the last match where they scored a season-high 4 goals, can they achieve victory at this challenging venue for the first time in four seasons? A crucial match for a comeback in the latter part of the season kicked off, receiving loud cheers from the packed blue-red supporters in the visitor area.
1st HALF - Controlled the match and took a 2-point lead
The first half showcased nearly perfect content. The first chance was created by Urawa Reds, but Watanabe's shot inside the area went wide. Shortly after, in the 8th minute of the first half, Tokyo approached the goal. Taba's cross from the left side was deflected by Diego at the near side, and Nakagawa shot from the far side. Although it went straight to the goalkeeper, it created a chance from the intended play.
Then, in the 9th minute of the first half, they took the lead. Tawara Tsukita received a cross from Higashi and chose to cut in, delivering an inswinging cross with his right foot. This induced a clearance mistake from the opposing defender, resulting in an own goal that went straight into the net. Furthermore, in the 17th minute of the first half, Araki calmly converted a penalty kick awarded due to a handball by the opponent during a corner kick sequence, giving them a two-goal lead.
Looking at the overall flow of the game, there was a good contrast between scenes where the ball was moved slowly and scenes where they quickly launched counterattacks. They created several opportunities to score a third goal, but during the five minutes of added time, they were pushed back by Urawa. However, they managed to maintain a clean sheet by forming a solid block as a team and went into halftime without conceding.
2nd HALF - Recovered the second ball, dominated the match, and achieved a shutout victory
Tokyo, with a 2-point lead, proceeds with the game calmly. They maintain possession of the ball without rushing their attacks. At the final line, player Taishi Nozawa actively participates in the build-up, creating numerical advantages to overcome Urawa's pressure, and when they see an opportunity, they show their intent to go for a third goal.
However, Urawa, who cannot afford to lose at home, pushed forward more than in the first half, which inevitably created some periods of pressure. However, Tokyo remained calm in their response. There were not many scenes leading to shots, and in the 16th minute of the second half, a rare crisis was averted when player Oka made a tremendous shot block to keep the goal safe. From that point on, players known for their hard work, such as Yuto NAGATOMO and Soma ANZAI, were sent in to close out the game.
In the 4 minutes of added time, Daishi Nozawa fought hard. He made a careful save of a powerful shot that was on target, and without fear, he approached the ball in the chaotic situation inside the area. Tokyo, having endured well as a team, celebrated their first clean sheet victory in 8 matches, bringing their points total to 44.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Teppei OKA
MF Hiroshi TAKAUCHI/Kegoro HIGASHI (21 minutes into the second half: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Ryotaro ARAKI (31 minutes into the second half: Keita YAMASHITA)
FW Diego Oliveira (31 minutes into the second half: Soma ANZAI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (21 minutes into the second half: Keita ENDO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (45+4 minutes into the second half: Leon NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA
GOAL
9th minute of the first half: Own goal / 17th minute of the first half: Ryotaro ARAKI
<Urawa Reds>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hirokazu ISHIHARA (substituted at 0 minutes: Yusuke MATSUNO)/Rikito INOUE/Marius HOIBRAATEN/Ayumu OHATA
MF Samuel GUSTAFSON (substituted at 16 minutes: Genki HARAGUCHI)/Kaito YASUI/Tomoaki OKUBO (substituted at 16 minutes: Yoichi NAGANUMA)/Ryoma WATANABE/Takahiro SEKINE (substituted at 36 minutes: Yoshio KOIZUMI)
FW Brian LINDSEN (substituted at 27 minutes: Thiago SANTANA)
SUBS
GK Ayumi NIEKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
―
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q: Please summarize the match.
A, we were able to deliver a strong overall performance and I believe we showed something worthy of victory. There were periods when we controlled the game well and exploited the opponent's gaps in attack. During that time, I think there was a moment when we scored the third goal and pulled away from the opponent. What is important is to thoroughly follow our own rules and connect that to our performance. Every player fought with strong energy and dedication. Also, as a positive point, we were able to maintain solid defense and defend strongly in coordination, which allowed us to keep a clean sheet. Every player greatly contributed to today's victory, and I am proud of them. I also want to thank the fans and supporters who came here. Their energy and passion kept pushing us forward throughout the 95 minutes.
Q: Please evaluate Yasuki KIMOTO, who made his first start in a while.
A gave a very good, strong performance. I believe that is because he prepared thoroughly through daily training and worked through even the smallest details. There may be times when he loses his rhythm during periods when he is not playing in matches, but in today's game, he was able to show what he always does. I think he fought strongly in every aspect. And he was able to control the match well.
Q: What points did you pay attention to when the opposing team's coach was replaced?
A, Urawa Reds is a very good team, and we respect them. I also think their coach is very excellent, and as a club, they play very good football. However, what is important for us is that even though we respect the opponent, we fight without fear. In defense, we were able to respond well to their attacks and firmly closed the center. Even when the ball was played to the sides, we have our own rules, so we were able to respond properly. Throughout the match, the players fought devotedly to deliver a very good performance. In attack, we were able to create good opportunities and effectively use the spaces we wanted to utilize. However, I think it would have been better if we had been able to finish the game by converting one or two more chances.
We want to continue our desired process while thoroughly analyzing our performance. We aim to build on the areas where we performed well and also address the improvement points that still need refinement. We want to recover properly and prepare for the next match.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryotaro ARAKI＞
Q, please review the game. It has become a consecutive win.
In both matches, we were able to play our style of football. I feel that we are winning while dominating the game.It's not just about fast attacks, but also about possessing the ball and advancing while observing the opponent, which is our current style.
Q: You took the lead early on, and there was a scene with a penalty kick for the second goal. In Tokyo, there is an image of Diego OLIVEIRA taking the kick. Can you tell us the background of why Ryotaro ARAKI took the kick?
A, there is no specific player designated to take the kick, but I was just talking with Diego TABA before the match, and since he let me take it last time, he said it would be fine if I took the next opportunity, so I took it.
Q: You were taking your time before kicking. Is there a reason for that?
A, I was organizing in my mind how to calm myself down, how to start my run-up, and how to kickand it ended up being a bit of a pause.
Q: It seems that you kicked the ball while closely watching the opponent's goalkeeper.
A, I try to kick while watching the opposing goalkeeper. I always do quite a bit of simulation, thinking about what to do if it's the first shot, where it will go if it's the second shot, and in the end, I kicked it to the center while watching the last step of my run-up. It was also fortunate that it was slightly to the left. I felt like I kicked it by deceiving the goalkeeper.
Q: After scoring a goal for the first time since May, you also made a fist pump afterwards.
A, yes. I was really happy to score again after a long time.
Q: What instructions did the coach give at halftime when we were leading 2-0?
In the first half, we were able to fight well both offensively and defensively,so there was a directive to increase the tempo of the build-up in the second half.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, we intend not only to finish with two consecutive wins but to win all the remaining matches as well. First, we will do our best to achieve three consecutive wins in the upcoming match.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, please review the game.
A, first of all, I am happy that the team was able to achieve consecutive wins, and I believe we were able to prove our strength, so we want to keep riding this wave from now on.
Q: It seemed that you were successfully breaking through vertically and engaging in tactics with your opponents.
There were moments when the cut-in route was blocked and two defenders came, but as a result, the vertical route was open, and since there are players like Diego OLIVEIRA who can connect well, we aimed to break through vertically with the intention of finishing with a cross.
Q: What did you think about the scene that led to the opponent's own goal?
A, I tried to deliver a cross, but the opposing player put out his foot and closed off the route. Even so, there were players inside, so I thought I would get the ball in there no matter if it hit the opponent or anything. In the end, it went into the goal due to the opponent's mistake, so I think I was lucky.
Q: It seemed that there was a strong awareness of the goal, and the players' sense of distance was also good.
A, I think it is important to maintain this sense of distance, and I myself want to keep a strong focus on scoring goals and aim to win the next match as well.
<Teppei OKA>
Q: Please reflect on this match where you significantly contributed to the consecutive victories as a left back.
A, as a defensive player, what I must do is to finish the match without conceding any goals. I especially focused on putting my body on the line to prevent conceding. When facing an opponent near the sideline, if I could push them into my zone, I believe I could have prevented crosses from cut-ins, and I think I was able to bring out my strength in one-on-one situations, which is my strong point. There was also a scene where I was caught off guard at the end, and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA saved the situation. There were many points to correct, so I want to continue growing without complacency.
Q: During the first half, there were many movements where Kota TAWARATSUMIDA took the outside and Teppei OKA took the inside.
I focused on running inside to get involved with the ball and the attack, so that the marking on player Tawara Tsukida would be spread out. I also talked with player Tawara Tsukida before the match, and I think we were able to activate the plan to some extent as intended.
Q: Throughout both halves, we were able to manage the game compactly.
A, centered around Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, controlled the raising and lowering of the defensive line. By keeping the last line high, the central position naturally became compact, and I believe Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI had a very high recovery rate of second balls. The movements of each player created this compactness.
Q: I believe Teppei OKA's originality is reflected in his play. Please share your enthusiasm as you aim for a third consecutive victory.
A, I want to develop my play, aerial ability, and fearlessness in front of the goal to the point where I can distinguish myself from the other fullbacks on the team. Also, I want to further enhance my play intensity and foundation, such as sliding and running, from here on.
