Match Review
The fate-deciding 5-match series of the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League.In the opening match, Tokyo faced Mito Hollyhock at Ajinomoto Stadium.
For Tokyo, who had no match last weekend due to schedule changes,this is their first game since the April 11 match against Yokohama F.Marinos. In the previous away match held on March 14, they struggled against the opponent's high press and solid block but secured a victory after a penalty shootout. Since intense battles are expected in every phase of the pitch this time as well, the players will likely be required to make quick and accurate decisions in both offense and defense.
Determined to win every match, the red and blue team selected the same members as the previous round. The goalkeeper is Kim Seung-gyu, and the back line from the right consists of Naruki Muroya, Alexander SCHOLZ, Hayato Inamura, and Kento HASHIMOTO. The defensive midfield duo is Kento HASHIMOTO and Kota Tokiwa. The attackers are Keisuke Sato on the right and Keita ENDO on the left, with Marcelo RYAN at the top of the front line and Ryunosuke SATO positioned close to the attacking midfielder role.
Also, Masato MORISHIGE was included on the bench for the first time since Sec. 3 against Kawasaki Frontale. This match, where a victory within 90 minutes is absolutely necessary to put pressure on the top-ranked Kashima Antlers who are 6 points ahead, kicked off at 19:03 as part of the "Golden J" slot.
1st―Conceded the first goal, but kept pressing and took a 2-point lead.
From a back-and-forth situation, Tokyo seized the pace and launched a rapid assault on Mito's goal. In the first halfat the 10th minute, player Inamura intercepted in their own half and powerfully advanced a long distance before delivering a through pass. Here, player Sato Kei, who suddenly sped up, ran in, but was blocked by the opposing defender at the last moment.
Immediately after, player Sato Kei made a through pass, and player RIAN broke free and flicked the ball with his right foot, but it went just slightly to the left of the goal. Then, at the 11th minute, again showing excellent coordination on the right side, player Muroya broke free and took a powerful right-footed shot. Although it was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, they continued to demonstrate sharp and forceful attacks from both the left and right sides in succession.
However, we conceded the opening goal due to a momentary lapse. In the 17th minute of the first half, the opponent's long throw flowed to the opposite side, allowing a vertical breakthrough, and Danilo was precisely found near the near post, resulting in a goal against us. Despite controlling the match, we ended up trailing by one goal.
This goal sparked a period where Mito's high press was energized, but Tokyo also created attacking opportunities through rotations on the right side and defensive midfield, as well as one-touch plays involving multiple players. Even when losing the ball, they immediately regained possession to seize control of the game's momentum.
Tokyo attempts to break through with direct play from vertical passes. At 35 minutes into the first half, the red and blue team, regaining control, scores a brilliant equalizer.
When player Scholz cleared the opponent's vertical pass with a direct forward kick, player RIAN broke through here and scored a spectacular super goal with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area! Tokyo leveled the match with this thunderous strike that shook the stadium.
And in the first halfat 43 minutes, Tokyo scored the long-awaited go-ahead goal. It was the attitude of the players who constantly fought with high awareness that brought it about. After connecting with players Scholz and Muroya and sending the ball into the vertical space, Kei Sato made a fierce dash. When the opponent made a desperate back pass to the goalkeeper, Ryu Sato closed in, and Kei Sato was ready to pounce on the loose ball! The attacker, who fought fiercely for the ball and kept facing forward without giving up many times, kicked with his left foot, and Tokyo succeeded in turning the game around.
Furthermore, in the first half's additional time, Lukian was fouled inside the area after attempting a finish from a through pass by Ryu Sato, earning a penalty kick. Lukian calmly scored with his right foot, extending the leadto 2 goals before time was up.They scored an additional goal at a good time and went into halftime leading 3-1.
2nd―Unstoppable momentumMuroya'spowerful shot andRyunosuke'sgoal lead toa comfortable victory
In the pre-match interview, Kento HASHIMOTO said, "Rather than blindly aiming for the space behind, I want to properly create space and go for the back. I want to intentionally draw the opponent in and take the back, and also be mindful of positioning to secure the second ball." The first half ended with this kind of development,and the second half began with a 2-goal lead. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI replaced Keita ENDO with Teruhito NAKAGAWA in one of the two forward positions and changed the formation to move Ryu SATO to the left attacker.
Even after entering the second half, Tokyo continued to dominate the match by mixing possession and counterattacks. They sped up their attacks by inserting vertical passes from a withdrawn position and simply choosing to move forward. They advanced smoothly into the opponent's territory and relentlessly attacked the Mito goal.
Second HalfAt the 18th minute, player Ryu Sato used quick stepsto get past two opponents and brought the ball to the front of the goal for a right-footed shot. He created a decisive opportunity from a brilliant breakthrough, but the finish went over the crossbar and did not result in a goal. Player Ryu Sato held his head in disappointment at such a close chance and returned to his position.
Tokyo is increasing their chances. In the second half,at the 23rd minute, player Muroya picked up the loose ball from a corner kick flow, moved it to the right, and struck a powerful right-footed shot to score the fourth goal! With a super middle shot, compactly and with a focus on proper contact, he pierced the near post, extending the score to 4-1.
Conceding a goal immediately after was a point to reflect on,but Tokyo's powerful attack shows no signs of stopping. Then, at the 30th minute of the second half, Ryu Sato scores the long-awaited goal. When RIAN powerfully broke through the left side and passed to the center, Kei Sato ran into the space created by drawing defenders away and scored! The young warrior of the blue and red, who had been involved in many chances, finally netted the awaited goal.
Tokyo, wanting to firmly close out the match, saw Inamura and substitute Rio OMORI fight hard, with OMORI throwing his body into dangerous situations to perform sliding blocks. In the 38th minute of the second half, Hian and Kei Sato were replaced by Fuki YAMADA and Leon NOZAWA, who were sent onto the pitch. In the 43rd minute of the second half, the switch was made from Inamura to Morishige.Ajinomoto Stadium gave a big round of applause to welcome number 3, who made his first official match appearance of the season.
Even during the 5 minutes of second-half additional time, the Blue-Red Eleven did not stop moving, continuously taking away the opponent's freedom with aggressive pressing from the front line until the final whistle. Although there was an unintentional goal conceded, they achieved a decisive victory with a season-high 5 goals as planned. They also added 3 to their goal difference, marking an important 5-match series that will determine the fate of the special tournamentwith a splendid win in the opening game.
MATCH DETAILS
Match detailed data is here
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q, Please summarize today's match.
A, Scoring 5 goals, I think it was a game where the attack could be evaluated positively.Regarding the 2 goals conceded, there were some careless and cheap moments, but by properly improving those areas, I believe we have generated momentum that will carry into the next match. It was a difficult game, but we want to prepare well for the next match to build on these 3 points.
Q. Please tell us about the aim and relationship of the two forwards, Marcelo RYAN and Ryunosuke SATO.
A. Looking at the results, there is that aspect, but I still think there is room for improvement. I feel it would be even better if their roles and relationship had a bit more fluidity, involving the wingers as well. However, I believe that as the matches progress, they have been able to create good flow while observing each other's positions. Building on that, not only the relationship between the two but also strong connections with the wingers, defensive midfielders, and fullbacks will create better relationships and fluidity, resulting in an even better outcome.
Q. I think the conceded goal scene was not very good, how do you look back on it?
A. Rather than saying it was a waste, it was something we had prepared for in rehearsals and something we had built up, so I think it was a goal that could have been prevented. For example, not allowing easy crosses, set pieces and responses to flows from long throws, and central players being pushed forward by the opponent. We had been addressing these issues and had increased the number of scenes in matches where we could respond, but despite playing more games, such situations appeared again.
The second goal conceded,came right after Sei MUROYA created a goal with very aggressive play. I spoke with him, and at that exact moment, he was running out of energy, so it was really unfortunate. However, even in such situations, making the right decision—whether to go forward himself, hold the ball firmly, or use the space behind to prevent the opponent from getting the ball—could have prevented that goal. It might seem like a small mistake, but I actually feel it is a significant issue. We need to address it properly now so that we don't have to painfully realize its impact later on.
Player Interview
Marcelo RYAN
Q,During a difficult period after conceding the opening goal, you scored to bring the match back to even.
A, Until we concededwe had chances but couldn't convert them. Conceding in that situation created a somewhat unpleasant atmosphere, but we stayed focused and kept playing. During that time, I was able to score and equalize. In the end, we managed to turn the game around, and I think that goal helped us regain composure. Personally,2scoring two goals was a positive outcome for me.
Q,That was a powerful shot,can you look back on the scene of the first goal?
A,At first, I intended to go one-on-one, but I felt I had the time and space to shoot, so I changed my decision midway and took the shot. I connected well, so I was able to score a wonderful goal.
Q. How was the second goal from the penalty kick?
A. Last season, I missed 2 penalty kicks. I didn't often get the chance to take penalty kicks. Today, since I was awarded a penalty kick, I decided to take it myself. I'm glad I was able to score.
Q,You not only scored a goal but also provided an assist. How was your coordination with your teammates?
A,We always maintain good communication. Especially left-footed Kento HASHIMOTO always delivers excellent passes into the space behind the opponent's defense. In the assist scene, I was able to break away at speed, and the pass came at the right timing, allowing me to get past the opponent. During that moment, I was able to calmly observe the player in the center, so I chose to pass, and he finished it.
Q,Please tell us about your new hairstyle and your celebration after scoring a goal.
A,I decided to try this hairstyle myself, and I think my wife liked it more this time compared to when I previously dyed my hair blonde. I performed that celebration partly to show off this new hairstyle.
Player Kei Sato
Q,There were many plays that conveyed strong emotions. What kind of mindset did you have going into the match?
A,I focused solely on putting pressure on Kashima Antlers during my play.
Q,That scoring scene involved an amazing run.
A,That goal was possible because Ryunosuke SATO came to support me; I couldn't have scored it alone. It was a goal achieved thanks to the team's awareness of switching play and high pressing.
Q,All the goals scored today were wonderful. Scoring5 goalsin the first match of a series of consecutive games and winning comfortably should lead to the next step, right?
A,It is quite significant. In terms of goal difference, I think it will be a decisive factor in determining the championship in the end.We have to scoreas many goals as possible. On the other hand, conceding 2 goals in today's match is something we regret. It was truly a wasteful concession. As a team, we need to thoroughly improve our defensive intensity and the way we handle marking transfers, or we won't be able to win these consecutive matches. We want to work on that carefully.
Q,Weren't you able to effectively get behind Mito Hollyhock today?
A,Today, we were very clear in our approach. At first, we kept targeting behind their defense, and there were moments when the space between the lines opened up. We also used one-twos effectively in vertical relationships on the sides to break away from the opponent, and with simple passes, we were able to get past them. I think we were able to do what we wanted more than in the previous match. Because of that,I believe the 5 goals came.I think this is the part that was corrected compared to last time.
Q,Isn't this proof that you were able to properly change your decisions by observing the situation and the opponent?
A,There are still areas where I need to improve the speed and quality of my decisions, and not everything was perfect, but I think the number of good decisions is gradually increasing.
Q,Kashima also won today. How will you catch up?
A,We can only win. Improving our goal difference even a little adds pressure, and I believe an opportunity will definitely come at some point. We want to make sure to seize that chance firmly, so we cannot afford to drop any more points from here on, and we will keep pushing forward.
Q,What kind of performance do you want to demonstrate as an individual in that context?
A,Of course, I think goals and assists are important, but since I play as a side midfielder, defense is crucial. Conceding 2 goals like todayis not acceptable,and I believe I need to increase my defensive intensity. Kashima does not concede goals. If we don't concede, we don't lose, and the whole team is confident in scoring now, so I absolutely want to prevent conceding any goals.
Q, Sei MUROYA, who missed a shot from a pass by Megumi Sato in the previous match, successfully scored this time.
A,He must have reflected on it (laughs). He said it was his career high, even though it’s only half a season (laughs). Sei MUROYA will definitely score, so I hope he scores even more.
Ryunosuke SATO
Q. The result was 5-2, but how do you look back on the 90 minutes?
A. From the first half, we really created good chances and overall I think we dominated, but conceding goals on the few chances they had is an issue to work on moving forward.
Q,Regarding my own performance, my condition was good, and my body was sharp with strong intensity.
A, my physical condition is gradually improving, and the coordination between positions among players is also getting better. I am motivated for this series of matches, and I think we had a good start.
Q, in the second half, there was a very close chance before scoring.
A, I believe that if you don't finish the goal,nothing will remain.The play of taking on the opponent and getting past them right in front of the goalis my strength,so next time, I want to stay calm, save my energy until the end,and finish it off.
Q. Does being able to create such chance scenes mean that a good rhythm is coming?
A. Yes, that's right. Various factors accumulated to create the goal scene, and I think the ball came to me. I was able to control myself and play well during the match.
Q. The goal scene was also a shape the team was aiming for.
A. I received it firmly, and with Lucas RIAN breaking through with a good play, space opened up. Other players also came into the front of the goal, so it was really a good attack.
Q. Should the team reflect on conceding 2 goals?
A. In the sense that we shouldn't get carried away, it can be seen positively. Of course, keeping a clean sheet is ideal, but since we arescoring goals, I think it's also important to focus on that.
Q: The next match against Kashiwa Reysol will be a chance for revenge from the last encounter.
A: They are a skilled opponent, and we were outplayed in the previous match. Since then, we have improved in many areas, so we want to show that.
Sei MUROYA
Q, please review the game.
A, We are good at open play like today, so although there was a lot of space to defend in defense, we felt we had the advantage in attack. It got a bit rough, but I think we were able to show our strengths clearly.
Q,In previous matches, there were times when the offense struggled, but what was the key factor for scoring many goals today?
A, Previously, we were sometimes too cautious in defense, but today we took risks and played with an open style from our side, so as a result, the offense worked well.
Q,I think it was a good match, the kind of game we wanted to see at home.
A,Yes, that's right. I enjoyed playing myself, and although everyone was so focused on attacking that the defense became too open at times, overall I think we had a good match.
Q. Please tell us about the scoring scene.
A.That is a scoring pattern I have practiced and am confident with. I can shoot either near post or far post from the same shooting stance, so it is a style I am comfortable with. Since it’s just about placing the instep shot to either near or far post, this time I felt there was a bit of space near the near post, so I tried to strike it strongly there. I don’t really remember it well myself, so I’d like to watch the footage slowly later.
I didn't always want to score goals, but I talked about wanting to make a difference in this area, so I think I was able to be involved in the attack a lot as planned. I believe it is the result of daily effort.
Q,I think you have shown strength in one-on-one situations as the captain, but how do you feel about it yourself?
A,I believe it is the result of everyone, all 11 players,including those who come in during the game, working hard. I think it’s not just me, but the whole team doing it.
Q. What is the reason for the increase in attacking participation?
A.I have been moving up to the forward position more often, but Kouta TOKIWA and Kento HASHIMOTO have been covering the risks well, and Alexander SCHOLZ is also positioning himself effectively. Thanks to that, I feel I am able to create time to play up front. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI gives me freedom in attack, so although there are risks, I feel I am able to create chances up front.
I am enjoying playing soccer and learning every day, and I believe this is the result of Coach Matsuhashi taking the time to build the team. Today’s open game showed that everyone had the desire to score, so I’m glad we were able to show such an enjoyable match.
Q. What about the goals conceded?
A. It was a regrettable goal conceded.Especiallythe second goal conceded,which happened right after I scored. We were in a situation where we had to protect a large space like that, but even so, we must firmly close down the critical areas. I will seriously reflect on this and prepare for the next match.
Q. How do you evaluate the victory with 5 goals scored?
A. It is a good result for us, but I think it is important to accumulate 3 points in order to keep up with the top teams. I believe it has been a while since we had a match with 5 goals scored, so I hope the fans watching also enjoyed it.
Kento HASHIMOTO
Q, we conceded 2 goals, but scored 5 goals in a wonderful match.
A, I think it was a good performance throughout the game and a good victory. However, there were moments when we were caught out, and conceding the opening goal showed that we left some gaps.
Q,Wasn't it that you were able to successfully lure the opponent you talked about the day before the match and then take advantage from behind?
A,We were able to build up properly while watching the opponent, connecting at our feet and aiming behind them, and I think we were able to do things that the opponent dislikedfor the full 90 minutes.
Q,In the previous match, you struggled with high pressing, but weren't you able to play football without letting the opponent show their strengths?
A,We did not lose in individual battles, and we were able to firmly exploit the opponent's weaknesses. Before the match, Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI said, "Let's dominate and win," so I think we were able to embody that.
Q,The coordination on the right side was excellent, and the rotation to maintain balance and cover the space on the side also went well, didn't it?
A,I had many opportunities to carry the ball forward positively, so I need to be more conscious about creating chances and scoring goals. (Regarding the scene where I took the ball out and took a mid-range shot) I will practice more (laughs).
