<Match Review>
The final match of the three-game series, which included a Levain Cup match against Júbilo Iwata, was an away game against Kyoto Sanga F.C. with only three days of rest. It was Tokyo's first match at Sanga Stadium by KYOCERA. They headed to Kyoto with the goal of achieving their third consecutive league victory.
The starting lineup has changed slightly since the last J1 League match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Yuto Nagatomo, who was selected for the Japan national team, made his first start of the season as the right back, while Takuya Aoki, who was suspended for the Hiroshima match, returned as the anchor. On the bench, Rei Hirakawa and Yojiro Takahagi, who both came on as substitutes in the match against Iwata, made their first appearance in the J1 League squad.
Tokyo continued to be pushed back by Kyoto's pressure from the start, unable to break their press. They struggled to find their rhythm, with many passes going astray even when they had possession. However, around the 20-minute mark, they were able to break through Kyoto's press with quick passing and side changes from Masato MORISHIGE. This led to several chances for Tokyo to attack quickly and put pressure on Kyoto's goal. In the 24th minute, Kazuya KONNO received a wide pass and played a one-two with Shuto ABE before sending a cross to Yuto NAGATOMO on the right side. From this point on, Tokyo were able to keep possession and gradually push Kyoto back into their own half. The biggest chance of the first half came in the 45+1st minute, when Diego OLIVEIRA picked up a ball from Kazuya KONNO and entered the penalty area with a defender on his back. He sent a low pass into the box, but it just missed Kuryu MATSUKI who was diving in for the ball.
The opponent with sharp footwork continues to push us back in the second half. In the 5th minute of the second half, they invade deep into the right side and target a pass towards Peter UTAKA. It was a shot aimed at the top right corner of the goal, but Jakub SLOWIK made a super save and deflected it. Tokyo, searching for a chance to counterattack, creates opportunities through set pieces. In the 20th minute of the second half, Adailton jumps in from the right corner kick and takes a header shot, but it goes straight to the opponent's goalkeeper.
Despite not being able to hold onto the ball for long, Tokyo did not miss a momentary opportunity. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Yasuki KIMOTO, who had the ball in his own half, sent a long pass towards the opponent's defensive line. KONNO received the ball and controlled it near the goal line, then sent a final pass towards the goal. Diego, who had made a run towards the center of the goal, scored with a one-touch finish as the ball deflected off an opponent defender, marking his 50th goal for Tokyo and giving them the lead.
Immediately after, Kensuke NAGAI was substituted for Konno, taking control of the game with a fresh player. The team pushed forward and dominated the game with their aggressive play. In the final minutes, they faced their biggest challenge when Peter UTAKA broke free and had a clear shot at goal, but luckily the shot missed and they achieved their third consecutive victory in the league.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
A, for the first 20 minutes of the match, we were put under intense pressure by Kyoto as expected, and we struggled with our build-up from the back. Our team is still in a growth stage. In that sense, it is inevitable and within our calculations to struggle with build-up against a team that presses high.
After that, there was a period of time where we were able to control the game. We moved the ball with intention and created opportunities to break through the opponent's defense, giving us control of the match.
They were able to create chances from many crosses and corner kicks. However, at halftime, we improved on the fact that we were relying too much on crosses and not enough on central breakthroughs. As we also communicated to the players at halftime, as expected, Kyoto came out with intense pressing in the second half, and for the first 10 minutes, we struggled against their pressing.
After enduring the opponent's attack, we were able to control the game and create more decisive chances. And while Kyoto's defensive line was pushed up, we were able to effectively take advantage of the space behind them and score the first goal with a long ball.
There was a time in today's match where the team clearly showed further growth. It was in the last 10 to 15 minutes before the end of the match. I call it "defending with the ball" when we end the match by controlling the ball, and I think it was a sign of growth that we were able to express it firmly on the pitch. There was a mistake in receiving a counterattack at the very end, but in the last 10 to 15 minutes of the match, while defending, we were able to create multiple decisive chances to score additional goals, which I believe shows the team's growth.
It is a joy to grow with victory and reflect on the game to move on to the next one. Just because we won today, both myself and the players are not satisfied. I believe we can play better and it is great to celebrate this victory, but we want to continue to grow and focus on ourselves. This season, we want to focus on the team's growth day by day and continue to move forward.
Lori and Yojiro, who were brought on in the latter stages of the game, contributed greatly to the team with their high quality and helped us control the game to finish it off. We are grateful for their contributions.
Q, Please tell us the intention behind starting Yuto NAGATOMO as a starter.
A, he is the owner of a wonderful experience that everyone agrees on. I played with Ogihara, the left back of Kyoto, during my time in Niigata, and I knew his attacks were dangerous, so I used Nagatomo to contain him.
And having Nagatomo on the team is both a joy and a source of pride. He will soon join the Japan national team. We pray for the success of the Japan national team and his performance.
Q, What was the best thing about holding out on defense?
There are two ways to defend, as I understand it. One is to narrow the space and tighten the defense. The other is to hold the ball and defend.
In today's match, we were able to defend well by compacting the space. At the same time, in the final stages of the game, we were able to show good defense by holding onto the ball. In that sense, I am very satisfied with today's defense. There are not many players on this team who defend by holding onto the ball and finishing the game. I am happy that these players were able to show that today, in a situation where the score was 1-0, they were able to finish the game by holding onto the ball.
Q, please evaluate the performance of the center back players.
A, we have three great center backs. In addition, our young center backs are growing day by day. I am happy that we have players who will carry Tokyo's future and represent this club. First of all, our captain Morishige is experienced and has quickly adapted to our new playing style, expressing his experience. And both Kimoto and Henrique have not played much in this style before. In such a situation, it is great to see all three of them playing well, and our young center backs growing day by day, trying to catch up and surpass them.
[Player Interview]
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, please review the goal scene.
A, the ball came out from player Kimoto to player Konno, and he carried the ball, controlled it, and then sent a pass to the goal, so I was able to meet it in the center. It wasn't the goal scene I had hoped for, but it's important to score a goal, so I'm glad I was able to score it firmly.
Q, It looked like the shot was off target, but was it because of your good performance that it went inside the frame?
Sometimes, I think luck is necessary, but it's important to do well in your daily actions and practice. Even during a game, give it your all with what you have. I believe that's what leads to good luck.
Q, the first goal of this season became the 50th goal in the league for FC Tokyo.
A, I am happy to have scored the first goal of this season. I always play with the goal of scoring, so it was good to be able to score firmly. Also, I am very happy to have scored 50 goals in the league. I think this record was born because my teammates trust me. Above all, soccer is a team sport, so I am happy to have won with my own goal.
Q, The coach also mentioned that the defense has improved. Do you also feel that the defense has improved?
As a team, I feel that the defensive level is improving day by day regardless of who is playing. By staying compact and having a solid block, we are able to unify our awareness and make it easier for our attacking players to defend and transition to attack. In the previous game, Henrique TREVISAN made a contribution when he came on, and I think that anyone who comes on can play at the same level.
Q, What kind of player is Konno?
A, although Konno is young, everyone knows that he is a great player. He puts his all into daily training and we all celebrated and lifted him up when he scored his first goal. Today, he also assisted us and we showed our gratitude by lifting him up. We hope to continue to deepen our cooperation, increase our good plays, and show everyone scenes of us lifting each other up.
<Yuto NAGATOMO player>
Q, please share your thoughts on winning the first starting lineup of the season.
A, I'm relieved that we won. The team was in a good flow with two consecutive wins, so I was desperate to do my best because I thought it was my fault if we lost while I was starting.
Q, I remember playing as a right back when I had a practice match with FC Tokyo during my time at Meiji University. Do you have any feelings of returning to your roots?
A, I was playing while remembering my time at Meiji University. However, whether it was on the left or right, the demands as a fullback remained the same, so I tried to express the tactics and play that the coach wanted on the pitch and played calmly.
Q, As you prepare to compete in the final World Cup qualifiers as a member of the Japan national team, are you concerned about the differences in playing time between your club and the national team, especially since you have not had much playing time in Tokyo?
A, I have absolutely no worries. I have been through many tough situations. In the previous representative match at the end of January, we only had a 45-minute practice match with Toyo University after the off-season and then went into the final qualifying round (I was worried).
This time, I played in the representative match at the end of January, and I have also played for about 80 minutes in practice matches since returning to Tokyo. I also played in the league match from the middle, and there was no problem at all as I played for the full 90 minutes today.
Australia will also come to win desperately, and we want to win and secure our spot. I think it will be a very tough and interesting match, but we will do our best to win and secure our spot in the World Cup.
<Takuya AOKI player>
Q, How was the game overall, even though there were times when you were pushed back in the first half?
A, We were a bit flustered in the first 20 minutes, but I think both teams were able to play the kind of football they wanted. After the opponent picked up the second ball during the game, we were in a pinch. We want to work on whether to go for the ball as a whole or to set up a block in practice.
Q, there were also scenes where the ball holder was being tough on the ball.
I thought I had to actively go for the ball. The coach also said that we should be conscious of increasing our intensity compared to the opponent and play.
Q, I think that the number of passes with few touches increased after entering the second half and became the starting point of the attack.
A, there were some parts that were already done, but I want to continue to improve in order to make it even better.
Q, I think there has been an increase in long balls and runs behind the defense from the entire team since the middle of the game.
A, it is also important to shake the sides, which is our goal, and use the depth behind the opponent to attack. I think we were able to attack by using the depth behind the opponent. If we can increase the pattern of attacking after shaking the opponent, it will become even better.
Q, How is the current state of the team's desired soccer style?
A, We want to dominate more. I think there are aspects that cannot be felt just by practicing, and we need to continue to grow through games. There are still many things we need to do, such as being able to adapt flexibly when the opponent changes their formation.
We want to continue to focus on winning as our team grows.
<Yasuki KIMOTO player>
Q, please review the game.
A, in the first half, we were too passive against the opponent's strong defense and intensity. However, in the second half, we were able to control the ball and play the game, so it was good. It was a fulfilling 90 minutes.
Q, What measures did you take against the opponent who seemed to be aiming for a counterattack?
I knew that when we took the ball, we would have to go to player UTAKA, but we were given several chances. With the back players managing the risk, I think we can become a team without any gaps if we play solidly.
Q, What did you focus on when switching to attack?
A, our strength is the quick vertical attack after stealing the ball, and if we can't do that, we are conscious of using short and long passes effectively while connecting in the back to continue our attack.
Q, How was the communication on the pitch in terms of improving during the game?
A, There were times when the opponent had possession of the ball, but our desired style of soccer is to maintain possession of the ball ourselves. In the previous match against Hiroshima, we were pushed back by the opponent's pressure, but this time we made sure to adjust our positioning while taking care of the ball and communicated with each other.
Q, the scoring scene was initiated by player Kimoto's long pass. Was it as you imagined?
A, There were times during the game when I could have kicked a long ball, but I intentionally chose not to. In the midst of that, Konno asked me to kick a long ball once. At the moment I kicked it, I felt like it was a long one, but Konno was able to receive it well, so it was good and went as planned.
Q, the team has won 3 consecutive games in the league.
A, although the season has just begun and we are not too concerned about points, I believe we have been able to achieve three consecutive wins because we are playing with the belief in our team's growth and direction. From now on, we want to play each game with the goal of grabbing victory.
