<Match Review>
After playing for the national team, Yuto NAGATOMO and Kuryu MATSUKI returned to their team and the league resumed after the third round of the Levain Cup. In April, Tokyo will have a tight schedule of 7 games in just 2-3 days, including postponed matches. The start of this schedule was a series of matches against three clubs, Yokohama F.Marinos, Vissel Kobe, and Urawa Reds, who will also be competing in the AFC Champions League (ACL).
The first match is against Yokohama FM at their home ground. The opponent has positioned this match as a commemorative game for their 30th anniversary and has approached it with great ambition as a club. Despite having a large number of matches to play due to the concentrated schedule of the ACL, they are currently ranked higher than Tokyo in the standings. It is also a match to repay the debt of a tough defeat from last season.
Only one position change for the Tokyo team from the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. Henrique Trevisan was used as a left back in place of Ryoya Ogawa.
Both teams, with similar styles of high press, short counter, and ball possession, were able to fully demonstrate their strengths. At the beginning, it seemed that Yokohama FM was dominating, but Tokyo was able to shake them up with their precise passing and wide attacks. Right winger Kazuya KONNO, who was the starting point, frequently switched sides and used left winger Adailton to threaten Yokohama FM's goal. However, while both teams were able to bring the ball near the penalty area, Tokyo conceded the first goal. In the 8th minute of the first half, a cross from the deep right side was unable to be marked in front of the goal, and Takuma NISHIMURA scored with a header.
However, Tokyo quickly counterattacks. In the 12th minute of the first half, just 4 minutes after conceding a goal, our team launched a high press as the opponent moved the ball in their defense line. Diego OLIVEIRA took the ball and initiated a short counterattack, passing it to the right side where Shuto ABE was making a run in a numerical advantage. ABE controlled the ball and entered the penalty area, calmly scoring a goal to equalize the score. In the 18th minute, Yasuki KIMOTO made a through pass to the right side where Yuto NAGATOMO broke through and entered the goal area. Despite having teammates in front of the goal, NAGATOMO aimed for a shot but narrowly missed the target.
In the middle of the first half, Tokyo continued to hold the ball against the opponent, creating chances without loosening their high press. In the 21st minute, Konno made a fierce press on the opponent's pass between the defense, cutting off the ball. The goalkeeper stopped the 1-on-1 shot, and the second ball was followed by Diego and Adailton, but the shot was blocked by the resilient Yokohama FM defense. In the 33rd minute, Abe stole the ball near the half line on the left side, and Diego carried it to the front line. The ball was moved to Konno on the opposite side, and he took a left-footed shot from his favorite area, but it went just above the left corner of the goal. Matsuki quickly stole the goal kick and immediately brought it to a shot, but it missed to the right of the goal.
Both teams made substitution cards at halftime. Tokyo brought in Kensuke NAGAI for Adailton and the start of the game was predicted to be a fierce battle for the ball, but they were caught off guard for a moment. In the first minute of the second half, Enrique was targeted in the space behind the defense and the ball was crossed deep into the left side, where it was met by Anderson Lopez and put into the goal. Tokyo, wanting to make a comeback, increased their pressing from the front line, but were unable to break through the opponent's passing. As they gradually began to enter the opponent's half from the sides, Tokyo made substitution cards to try and change the flow of the game. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Hirotaka MITA was brought in for Konno and Ryoma WATANABE was brought in for Takuya AOKI.
As the tempo of the passing work increases with few touches, the right wing Mita and left wing Nagai are able to create situations where they can approach the opponent's goal. However, in the second half, Matsuki received a second warning and was sent off in the 30th minute. This disrupted the start of the attack and in a numerical disadvantage, Abe was replaced by Keita YAMASHITA in an attempt to turn the situation around. However, they were unable to calm the ball and launch an attack, and the game ended with a one-point difference.
Although we missed the victory, in the first half we created more chances than our opponents and showed our growth as a team on the pitch. We have back-to-back games in just 3 days. We will switch our focus to the next match at home at Ajinomoto Stadium and continue to prepare for the battle against Vissel Kobe.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review today's game.
A, after about 5 minutes, we started a little nervously and conceded a goal during that time. Also, a yellow card was given in an inappropriate manner right after the start of the game. However, the team reacted well afterwards. In the first half alone, we had 7 shots and created many chances.
The opponent had the intention of creating a numerical advantage in the center by having the side back take a position in the center. In that situation, they were able to create many chances by quickly switching between offense and defense in the space behind the side back, which was the main development in the first half.
And then, right after the start of the second half, we made a mistake and left the opponent's wing free, resulting in a goal. However, the team reacted well afterwards, regrouped and was able to create chances. The 10 players left on the pitch fought until the end for a draw and even a win. I am truly proud of their attitude.
Football is all about results. I naturally accept that. And regardless of today's match result, I want the players to always express their fighting spirit on the pitch and I believe that is the path we should continue to pursue. This season, I hope to continue to grow even further.
Q, there was also talk about PREMIST speed at yesterday's press conference, but I think Yokohama FM was faster in terms of PREMIST speed than their opponents in today's match. Is it safe to say that Tokyo wants to match the PREMIST speed they showed against this opponent?
A, I don't think so about today's match. I think it was a match where the wings played a leading role. Marinos also used wings to widen the field and create chances. And we were able to use our wings effectively and create many chances, especially in the first half.
In today's match, I think the importance of ball possession rate and place speed was low. I think Marinos is a team with a characteristic of attacking with speed utilizing the wings, and they expressed it.
[Player Interview]
<Shuto ABE>
Q, How do you look back on the parts where you were able to do well against Yokohama FM?
A, in the first half, we were able to take the ball in a good position and our short counterattacks were working well. Looking at the stats from the first half, we had 7 shots while the opponent only had 1, so at halftime we were told to keep it up and we thought we could continue in the second half. However, I made a mistake with my pass at the start of the second half and we ended up conceding a goal on the counterattack, which caused the momentum to shift and we struggled from there.
Q, What is the reason for not being able to go forward as much as in the first half or not being able to hold the ball in the second half?
A, we were talking about going forward even during halftime, but Marinos changed their position, so we struggled with that.
Q, is the part where Abe tried to pass at the scene of the second goal a point of reflection for the season we are aiming for?
A, I was aiming for player Nagai, but considering Nagai's characteristics, I think I should have sent the ball behind instead of at his feet. If I had made a proper judgement, I don't think I would have lost the ball there, so I also need to reflect on my judgement mistake and make sure to pass more accurately if I want to keep the ball at my feet.
Q, I scored my first goal of the season. Wasn't it exactly as you planned?
A, the short counter is Tokyo's style, and the fact that the inside half can come out there is also a strength of this team. In the Hiroshima game, there was a similar situation and we missed it, but we were able to make a good improvement.
Yuto NAGATOMO player
Q, Please review the entire game, including the parts where we were able to compete against a strong Marinos team and the parts where we conceded.
A, we conceded a goal in the early part of the first half, making the game difficult for ourselves. Additionally, we had many chances but were unable to convert them. I feel that was the reason for our defeat. I also feel responsible for it.
Q, As a style to aim for, do you think today's high-tempo soccer will be a benchmark for the future?
A. We had some successful moments with a high-tempo, speedy attack and short counter, but I also think it was necessary to hold onto the ball and calm down at times. We were too rushed from the first half and lost the ball, leading to counter situations. When we go for a short counter, I think it's important for each player to make clear decisions on when to hold onto the ball more as a team.
Q, do you feel like you have adapted to Marinos' style of play?
A, there were some parts like that. Our team also has speedy wing players, and I think it was good that we were able to aim for the back. Marinos is also a good team at aiming for the back, and I felt that they are a top-class team in the J-League that can break through while using the midfield. That's why I think if we had more time to possess the ball, the outcome might have been different.
Q, How do you feel about the group stage matchups for the Club World Cup?
A, you can play against the best opponents on the biggest stage, the World Cup. Of course, it will be tough, but every match against any country will be a tough qualifying match.
I have played in 134 games for the Japan national team, and have competed against most of the top countries. Spain and Germany are two teams that I have never played against in those 134 games, and I truly believe they are strong contenders for the World Cup. Being able to compete against such teams in a serious match is an experience that not many soccer players get, and I feel that it holds great significance for the Japanese soccer world to be able to show our fans and supporters an intense game.
When aiming for the best 8, we have to face strong countries in the best 16 or group league, and if we can't win there, we can't achieve our goal, so we feel like we are being tested.
<Hirotaka MITA>
Q, please tell us what you felt during the match.
A, Yokohama FM is a team that has been playing this style for a long time. We have been working on it since this year, but I think we were dominated in the game due to that difference.
Q, do you feel like you were able to create a good attack after taking the ball, and do you feel a sense of momentum?
A, I felt that there were many scenes where the ball we took was easily taken back by the opponent while watching from the bench in the first half. When I entered the game, I tried to create time and take care of the ball, but I feel that there were both successful and unsuccessful moments. I think this is also a challenge for the team as a whole.
Q, What did you try to change when you came on as a substitute?
A, I played on the right side until we were one player short, but I think we were able to enter the game with good momentum and there was a feeling that the tide was turning.
However, the expulsion of (Kuryu) Matsuki is the responsibility of everyone, and even after becoming 10 people, I think the attitude of going to take it back from the front line together did not change.
That's something the coach has always told us, and it's also the style of play our team is aiming for this year, so it was good to be able to show that even with 10 players.
Q, In April, we will have back-to-back games and welcome the Kobe match at Ajinomoto Stadium with only 3 days of rest. Please share your enthusiasm with us.
A, I really think this April is going to be an all-out battle. Everyone will make good preparations and fight in the same direction. We will definitely win at home.
<Kensuke NAGAI>
Q, How did you watch the game until you participated?
A, the defensive line was a little low and we couldn't defend from the front. I think we didn't have enough time to keep possession of the ball after taking it from the opponent.
Q: What instructions did you receive from the coach when you played?
A, I was told to go from the front line to defense. I thought that I couldn't take the ball from the opponent without chasing it twice, and if I defended deep in my own half, I would often lose the ball right after taking it, so I made an effort to defend from the front line.
We need to reflect on the fact that we conceded early, but I also want to improve my accuracy as an individual so that we can score a second goal.
Q, you were able to carry the ball to a deep position, but what was missing to score that last goal?
A, There is also an issue with individual accuracy, and I think it is necessary to increase the number of attempts. It is important to focus on practice, and I think that if I can score one goal, it will create a change within myself. I want to increase the number of times I enter the penalty area towards the goal and threaten the opponent.
Q, How did you unify your intentions on the pitch after losing one player?
I told them to go from the front line so that the defense line does not drop. There were a few dangerous scenes, but they defended until the end without conceding, so I want to strengthen our team so that we can tie the game today.
