<Match Review>
This season's J.League YBC Levain Cup opening match was held at Rohto Field Nara, facing Nara Club from the J3 League. The starting lineup saw 9 changes from the match against Avispa Fukuoka on the 15th. Goalkeeper Go HATANO and forward Koki TSUKAGAWA made their official match debuts this season. The final line also featured Seiji KIMURA, who stepped onto the pitch for the first time since returning to Tokyo, showcasing a fresh lineup.
The players entered the field to the chant of 'Take the Cup!' as the cup competition began, vying for the top position among all 60 clubs in the J-League.
1st HALF - Searching for attacking options from the left side but unable to convert it into a chance
The match sees Tokyo create the first scoring opportunity. In the 5th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA breaks through on the left side and delivers a low cross. Soma ANZAI attempts to connect with his left foot, but the ball is blocked right in front of the opposing goalkeeper.
Nara maintains a high line with a compact formation, connecting the ball firmly. Tokyo attempts to break through with Keigo HIGASHI, who has moved into the defensive midfield, but cannot break through Nara's defense, which is solid in the center with aggressive pressing and quick recoveries.
While mainly attacking down the left side, dangerous situations were also created by the opponent through counterattacks, resulting in a back-and-forth battle. The match went into the second half with the score still tied at 0-0.
2nd HALF - Anzai calmly scores the penalty kick, winning the fierce battle
After a first half where we couldn't quite play the soccer we wanted, Leon NOZAWA was brought on from the start of the second half, replacing Kimura. As coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI mentioned before the match, "It is necessary to make bolder and clearer changes," the system was switched to a 4-back formation for the first time this season in an attempt to break the deadlock.
Whether this was effective or not, chances were created mainly through Nozawa's runs behind the right-side attacker, getting closer to the goal.
However, Nara's aggressive soccer remained unchanged, and from the 10th minute of the second half, they were pushed back into their own territory. They struggled against the opponent who attacked by committing more players to the ball side, creating several dangerous situations, but Tokyo's defense remained focused and did not allow any goals.
The bench moves again here. In the 20th minute of the second half, Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA and Maki KITAHARA were brought in to replace Tsumura Takeda and Higashi.
Fifteen-year-old Kitahara, who played as a defensive midfielder, added variation to the attack with low trajectory switches and large developments, while Kobayashi activated the pitch with his involvement in build-up play, aggressive pressing, and runs into the box. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Go HATANO made a save from a close-range shot, trying to shift the momentum with focused play on both offense and defense.
In the 34th minute of the second half, Kei KOIZUMI was replaced by Kouta TOKIWAKI on the pitch. Then, in the 40th minute, as the final substitution, Teppei OKA was sent in to replace Taira SHIGE.
Just when it seemed like we were heading into extra time during the second half's added time, Tokyo's determination, which cannot afford to lose, finally changes the course of the match.
In the 45+3 minutes of the second half, Sato received the ball in the penalty area and was fouled from behind, earning a penalty kick at a crucial moment. The player who took the ball was Anzai. The number 7, who had been entrusted with the captain's armband by Koizumi, powerfully kicked with his right foot, successfully scoring a priceless opening goal for Tokyo just before the end of the match.
After that, while continuing to press, we had a decisive chance, and Nozawa's kick hit the right post, leading to a counterattack from Nara. However, the opponent's shot went over the bar, allowing us to escape danger, and the match ended.
With a victory that felt like walking on thin ice, Tokyo secured a ticket to the 2nd Round of the 1st Round.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Soma ANZAI/Henrique Trevisan/Seiji KIMURA (substituted in at 0 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
MF Keigo HIGASHI (substituted in at 20 minutes: Maki KITAHARA)/Koki TSUKAGAWA (substituted in at 40 minutes: Tetsuhira OKA)/Kei KOIZUMI (substituted in at 34 minutes: Kota TOKIWAKO)/Kosuke SHIRAI
FW Keiun SATO/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in at 20 minutes: Go KOBAYASHI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI
MF Hisatoshi NISHIDO
FW Ewerton Gaudino
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
45+5 min in the second half: Soma ANZAI
<Nara Club>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shinji OKADA
DF Daisei SUZUKI/Kio IKOMA/Hiroto SATO (2nd half 45+7 min: Rin MORITA)/Yuta TSUNAMI (2nd half 24 min: Nagi KAWATANI)
MF Yuki OKADA/Kensei NAKASHIMA (2nd half 38 min: Yuto KUNITAKE)/Hayato HORIUCHI/Riku KAMIGAKI/Ryosuke TAMURA (2nd half 38 min: Yuto KUNITAKE)
FW Tatsuma SAKAI (2nd half 24 min: Shota TAMURA)
SUBS
GK Marc Vito
DF Yudai YAMAMOTO
MF Sotaro YAMAMOTO
FW Manto MOMOTA
MANAGER
Ichizo NAKATA
GOAL
–
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please provide an overview of today.
A, I am very relieved that we were able to achieve victory with over 1,000 fans and supporters from Tokyo attending the venue.
Q. What made the match difficult?
There are various factors, but I believe it ultimately comes down to the quality of the attack. I don't think the players intended this at all, but there were parts that seemed like they were relying on others. I think a bit more of secondary and tertiary decision-making to create chances, and such challenges, were needed.
We fell behind in our response while the opponent had the momentum, so we talked about clarifying that a bit more as we entered the second half. While we were able to somewhat outmatch the opponent in terms of strength and speed, one of the factors that made the match difficult was that we couldn't create a difference in the final moments.
Q. Please tell us the intention behind using Koki TSUKAGAWA in a lone striker role.
A, he is a player who can firmly control the ball and is skilled at creating differences according to the situation. By breaking the opponent's arrows, going the opposite way, and making unexpected plays, if a connection is formed in the center of the opponent's territory, our strength can be further utilized. That was the intention. This time, despite having such an intention, there was little support, and we were unable to reach that point.
When the ball is played to an advanced position with a single pass, the players in the second line hardly have time to get into a supporting position, so I think it is important to move the ball and maintain possession. I also believe there were few challenges in that regard.
Q. Maki KITAHARA played for a longer time than last time, how was it?
In certain situations, he smoothly moved forward and received the ball multiple times, showing a good performance. However, he still has many good qualities, and I believe he has shown glimpses of game sense and strengths as he gains more match experience. That said, when it comes to truly decisive actions or being able to deliver a game-winning blow, that is still something for the future. In that sense, I have high expectations for him going forward.
[Player Interview]
<佐藤恵允選手>
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a difficult match. However, I think it was good that we were able to win. I believe everyone on the team understands, but we struggled to show what we were trying to do, and it became a very challenging game. Although we won, I think it is important to reflect on it.
Q: I believe that Sato Kei-in's vertical breakthrough was a lifeline for the team in a difficult match.
In the one-on-one situation, I was thinking of making a move. At least in that aspect, I believe I was able to show my strengths, but as a team, the way we moved the ball and advanced was not going well, and we gradually fell into the opponent's pace.
Of course, my strength is my ability to push forward, but if I rely solely on that, the opponent won't break down. I need to move the ball well and embody the style of football that the coach is looking for. That's a challenge. While showcasing my strengths, I believe we could have fought better as a team.
<Maki KITAHARA>
Q: You showed a typical performance, but did you feel anything after playing for a long time?
A, I think I was able to receive the ball more times and become a starting point for the attack compared to the previous match. However, I don't think that led to the team's victory, and personally, I feel I couldn't do anything. I want to review things again from practice and continue to appeal while aiming for the next opportunity to play.
Q: What instructions did you receive from the coach?
Since player Kei Sato entered the side, there was a plan to get behind the opponent. With that as the primary focus, if someone breaks through behind, space will inevitably open up, and I thought the opposite side would also open up, so I think we managed that well.
Q: What have you been working on since your last appearance?
A, I was not satisfied just being included in the squad and making my debut for two consecutive matches, but I felt that being selected and able to play so far meant that the coach and players had started to recognize me to some extent. When I was left out of the squad, I felt very frustrated. I have been working hard in practice to change that situation, focusing on scoring goals, which is also my personal challenge.
Q: What kind of initiatives do you want to pursue from here?
I believe my strength lies in contributing to results such as goals and assists, and right now, that is what I want the most. To achieve that, it is necessary to be part of the team, so I want to keep showing my abilities during practice.
