Match Review
In the away match in Kobe, we welcome the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 34. The match following the international match week is against Vissel Kobe, who are just 1 point behind the league leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who are on a club record 6 consecutive league wins.
Tokyo's winning streak was halted at three matches with a draw against Sagan Tosu in the previous round, but they have been able to showcase their strength in transitioning from solid defense to effective offense, and the team's condition is certainly not bad. They want to demonstrate their abilities against Kobe here.
The starting members have changed the arrangement of the final line. In response to Yasuki KIMOTO's suspension, Teppei OKA, who was playing as a left back, has been utilized as a center back. Yuto NAGATOMO has been moved to left back, and Hotaka NAKAMURA has been assigned to right back.
Additionally, an incident occurred during the warm-up before the match for Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who was initially listed as a starter. The left wing was quickly changed to Keita ENDO, and Renta HIGASHI was included in the substitute members for the first time this season.
1st HALF - Keita's goal from a scramble appearance gives us the lead
From the beginning, both teams were intense at the ball, resulting in a match characterized by high-intensity situations. Against Kobe, who pressed high and focused on long balls, Tokyo maintained an equal footing with pressure from the front line.
Against Kobe, who launches powerful attacks with long balls and side plays, Tokyo responds with pressing from the front line and precise blocking. After regaining possession, they avoid the opponent's press with calm passing and strive to firmly draw the flow of the game.
The first big chance was created by Kobe. In the 15th minute of the first half, a long feed from the left side diagonally entered, and Muuto competed for the header in the front line. A fierce shot was taken by Osako, who received the ball behind the last line, but Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a sharp save. In the following 16th minute, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA also deflected a left-footed shot from Miyashiro with a diving save, showcasing a solid defense that highlighted the team.
From good defense to good offense──. The efforts of the blue-red eleven, necessary to achieve results, bore fruit in the 24th minute of the first half.
As both defensive midfielders drifted to the left side, exchanging passes while looking for an opportunity to switch the attack, Keigo HIGASHI delivered a soft lob pass into the penalty area near the touchline. Ryotaro ARAKI twisted his body to chest the ball down, and Ryota ONISHI, who had made a run from behind, skillfully connected with the one-bounce ball using the outside of his left foot, sending it into the far side netting to score the opening goal. The player wearing number 22, who was called to the pitch at the last minute, scored with a brilliant first shot from a direct play, successfully giving Tokyo the lead.
Although the ball possession has been given to the opponent, the team has shown its strengths in defense with pressing from the front line and responding to long balls. While they are able to pick up second balls, the distance between players is causing difficulties in connecting passes after regaining possession, resulting in a back-and-forth situation on the pitch.
In the 8 minutes of additional time, a long counterattack was initiated from the opponent's long throw-in. Takahiro KO advanced the ball, and from the right side, Matsuki delivered an accurate early cross into the goal area. Soma ANZAI made a sharp run but unfortunately, the ball he connected with using his right foot while sliding just missed to the right of the goal.
In the first half, where both sides continued to play with high intensity, Tokyo, showcasing their defensive strengths, seized a crucial opportunity and took the lead with a goal, heading into halftime with a one-point advantage.
2nd HALF - Additional goal by Anzai to make up for the missed opportunity at the end of the first half
Kobe brought in Taki in place of Matsuki at the start of the second half. Tokyo approached the second half with the same lineup as the first half.
At the start of the second half, Matsuki's elegant play dances on the pitch. In the 7th minute of the second half, while backing into an opponent in the penalty area, he turns and takes a looping shot. The opposing goalkeeper barely manages to deflect it, but from a position where the goal is almost out of sight, the blue-red playmaker creates a scoring opportunity in an instant with outstanding spatial awareness.
Taro in blue and red showed his signature right-foot kick. This will bring joy to Tokyo once again.
Immediately after, in the 9th minute of the second half, Araki took a set piece from the right side and sent an accurate kick with his right foot towards the goal. The exquisite ball bounced once between the opposing defender and the goalkeeper, and it was Anzai who ran in from the far side and headed it in. They scored an additional goal in a good time right after the second half began, extending Tokyo's lead to two goals.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Ewerton Gaudino is sent onto the pitch to replace Diego OLIVEIRA, who had been showing strong hold-up play in the front line.
Unexpected incident for the guardian here. In the 17th minute of the second half, he injured his left foot while catching a cross from the opponent. Although he returned to the match for a moment, the pain recurred in the next play. He had to leave the pitch on a stretcher, and Go HATANO was substituted in as a scramble replacement.
In an unexpected turn of events, Tokyo made a substitution in the 27th minute of the second half, replacing three players at once. Keigo HIGASHI, Endo, and Araki were substituted for Kanta DOI in the defensive midfield, Leon NOZAWA on the left wing, and Keita YAMASHITA as a forward. The system was changed to a two-top formation, shifting to strengthen the press from the front while searching for additional goals.
Tokyo shows incredible concentration in defense. In the 34th minute of the second half, Go HATANO saves the team with consecutive super saves. He deflects a shot from player Sakai, who came rushing from the back, with the tips of his left hand, and then stops a difficult ball aimed at his feet while being targeted by player Muto during the corner kick with an extraordinary reaction. Despite the sudden opportunity to play, the blue-red mood maker brings momentum to the team with his performance.
Kobe is bringing in tall players and pushing for a power play. However, Tokyo is also approaching the source of long kicks, fiercely competing for the ball as it drops, and recovering second balls to deny the opponent any freedom. They continue to show a strong defense in the penalty area until the very end.
In the second half of added time, displayed as 9 minutes, Tokyo continues to endure against Kobe, who is desperately attacking the goal with balls thrown in from the side and the back, thanks to their concentrated defense.
The players' white 2nd uniforms are stained with the colors of the grass and dirt. It proved how hard they have fought with their bodies.
Overcoming the accident, we defended together until the end and achieved victory against Kobe, who is on a six-game winning streak in the league and has not lost in 12 official matches. With a solid defense as our foundation, we secured a resounding victory against a rival in the championship race, making it five unbeaten matches in the league. The victory anthem 'The City That Never Sleeps' resonated in NOEVIR.S, showcasing our blue and red pride in the away ground.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA (21 minutes into the second half: Go HATANO)
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA / Masato MORISHIGE / Tetsuhei OKA / Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Hiroshi TAKAU / Keigo HIGASHI (27 minutes into the second half: Kanta DOI) / Ryotaro ARAKI (27 minutes into the second half: Keita YAMASHITA)
FW Diego Oliveira (14 minutes into the second half: Ewerton Gaudino) / Keita ENDO (27 minutes into the second half: Leon NOZAWA) / Soma ANZAI
SUBS
DF Renta HIGASHI
MF Riki HARAKAWA
GOAL
24th minute of the first half: Keita ENDO / 10th minute of the second half: Soma ANZAI
<Vissel Kobe>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA (35 minutes into the second half: Ryuho KIKUCHI)/Mateus TULER/Ryo HATSUSE (27 minutes into the second half: Yuki HONDA)
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Yoshiki MUTO/Yosuke IDEGUCHI (27 minutes into the second half: Rikuto HIROSE)/Daiju SASAKI (0 minutes into the second half: Koya YURUKI)
FW Taisei MIYASHIRO (17 minutes into the second half: Jean PATRICK)/Yuya OSAKO
SUBS
GK Shota ARAI
MF Yuya KUWASAKI
GOAL
―
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q: Please summarize the match.
A, it turned out to be the expected battle. We respect the opponent as the defending champion team, and we knew that they have players with very high individual abilities. Moreover, they have not lost in the last 12 matches, so we thought it would be a tough game. In that situation, we were able to strongly show our team's performance, express our wonderful individuality, and fight for the 3 points we deserved. Vissel Kobe's attack was direct towards the goal, with long balls coming in and competing in aerial battles inside the box, so I think we were able to properly carry out our rules for caring for long balls and defending inside the box.
I believe that because we won, it is a great opportunity for us to learn more about our way of fighting. During the match, there were areas in our attack that we could improve, so I want to develop those aspects. We were able to create chances while using the spaces we aimed for, but if we could play more calmly when we had the ball and control it more effectively, we could have utilized those spaces in a better way. If that were the case, it might have led to more goals.
I truly take pride in the players and believe they fought well. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA got injured during warm-up, but I think it showed that any player who stepped in was able to play solidly. Keita ENDO made an impact and scored a wonderful goal. Although he didn't have many opportunities to touch the ball, the goalkeeper Go HATANO, who came on as a substitute, also contributed to keeping a clean sheet. These are the results of everyone in the clubhouse continuing to work hard. They are well-prepared for opportunities like this.
I am very happy to deliver 3 points to the fans and supporters who came from afar today, and to share the joy with them. I am glad that we were able to bring smiles to their faces.
Q: Following the goals conceded in the last match, we have been doing thorough defensive training. Did we see the results of that?
A, I think we fought very well as a team in the defensive phase. I believe we were able to execute both the parts that needed to be sharp and the parts that needed to be stronger properly today. No matter which club we face, we want to be able to show our strengths every time. In today's match, being able to keep a clean sheet against the defending champions Kobe was thanks to the players' daily efforts and the disciplined team performance.
Looking back at the performance by analyzing the match, I believe that when we held the ball in attacking situations, we could have created more opportunities to threaten the opponent's goal, and as a team, we need to move in that direction. I am truly proud of the players' mentality, and they fought with team spirit and unity. It is very positive that we can learn from our victories and improve.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita ENDO＞
Q, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was called up to play due to an injury.
A, I have never experienced anything like this in my soccer career before, but the coach told me to "just play as usual" and "show the mentality you have." I believe I was able to demonstrate that message through one result.
Q: This victory has led to the next match.
A, I think we played very good soccer as a team. Although the opponent was tough, we were able to defend tenaciously and persistently, and I'm glad we were able to win. Personally, it was a match that will lead to the next one.
Q, I slid the ball from Ryotaro ARAKI into the corner of the goal. Please review the scoring scene.
When Keigo HIGASHI had the ball in that spot, I thought he would make a creative pass. Araki was at the receiving end of the pass, and I believed he would properly control it, so I positioned myself accordingly. I trusted Keigo HIGASHI and Araki and waited. I’m glad the shot went to a good spot.
Q: We were able to give a wonderful birthday present of 3 points to coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, whose birthday was on October 16.
A, it is not my achievement alone. It was great that we could win as a team. I think it became a good birthday present.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q, please review the game and the scoring scenes.
A, there was a period when I couldn't score goals myself, and in the first half, a good ball came from Ryotaro ARAKI, creating a great chance, but I missed it. Even so, that position is a place I have been aiming for all year, and I believe that goal was the result of continuous effort. I was also able to score at a good timing in terms of the match situation.
Q: You continued to work hard without slowing down until the end.
A, I was the only one among the teams that had won three consecutive matches in the previous round to have a changed lineup, and since we couldn't win that match, I felt responsible. I have prepared to play in this match with a strong determination once again, and I was able to play with heartfelt effort until the very end.
Q: The defense functioned well at the start of the match, but wasn't it difficult to connect to the attack?
A, although the difficult period was long, by defending together and holding the score to zero, scoring one goal gave us momentum. Being able to endure that tough period without conceding was important for fighting and winning throughout the 90 minutes. We were somewhat pressed in the early stages of the match, but the fact that the team was able to hold out is a significant achievement.
Q: How do you want to carry the result of finishing with a clean sheet against the attacking Vissel Kobe into the next match?
A, I want to fight without changing what we do. The next game is at home, and since we haven't won much at Ajinomoto Stadium, I think there will be some changes in how we play against Shonan Bellmare, but if we continue to stick to our base against any opponent, I believe we can fight well. We want to play firmly in our own style without being distracted by the opponent's soccer.
<Hotaka NAKAMURA>
Q: I think the start of the match was really good, but what kind of communication did you have in the defense line?
A, we shared the opponent's preferred playing style during meetings. The basic idea is how to disrupt what the opponent wants to do, but in the end, it comes down to not losing in one-on-one battles. Today, we communicated well with each other, and both sides performed effectively. As a result, I believe we were able to continuously neutralize the opponent's strengths. We also maintained a fighting spirit until the very end, which contributed to our victory. As a defensive player, this was a match where I was able to do what I intended. It was good to finish the match with a clean sheet, so I want to win the next match with a clean sheet as well.
Q: In the end, there was a period of being pushed back, but you managed to endure it, didn't you?
A was able to stay focused and fight patiently until the very end. It is very important to carefully control the defensive line by raising or lowering it. The match result might have changed by just a few meters or centimeters of that line being raised. The entire team was also particular about the finer details, so it was good that it led to a positive result.
Q: It was your first full match as a starting member in a while.
It was about a month and a half since I last started in the lineup. I was prepared for it to get tough. Personally, the toughest part was during the early minutes of the first half, before I fully got into the flow of the game. As I started to show my strengths, I got into the rhythm. By bringing out my best, I believe I was able to keep fighting until the end.
