Match Review
This is TOKYO.
Tokyo, which hosted the first J1 League match at the renovated Japan National Stadium. Taking a new step on the ground of National, where numerous memorable matches and goals have been born. Both teams stepped onto the pitch amidst a dazzling display of fireworks, flames, and lights. Despite being hit by heavy rain, they kicked off in an atmosphere befitting the beginning of a new history.
In the slippery pitch conditions due to the rain, both teams struggled to settle the ball, leading to a back-and-forth start. As both teams approached the goal, Tokyo's Adailton made a move into the penalty area in the 8th minute of the first half, using Shuto ABE who followed up, but ABE's precise shot went over the top right of the goal. In the 35th minute, after being pushed back wide, Hiroto YAMAMI took a middle shot when the marking slipped, but the shot went wide to the right of the goal. As Tokyo began to control the ball more in the 38th minute of the first half, the game changed. After earning a corner kick from the right, Ryoya OGAWA sent the ball near the front of the goal, where Henrique Trevisan headed it but hit the post. However, as the loose ball flowed near the penalty spot, Adailton, who was waiting, took a powerful one-touch shot that went through the crowd in front of the goal and shook the net. Even after taking the lead, they continued to control the ball and push the opponent back, but there were moments when they lost the ball in high positions and faced counterattacks. In the 43rd minute of the first half, there was a close cross sent from the right side into the front of the goal, but Jakub SLOWIK and Henrique blocked it with their bodies. They maintained the lead and went into halftime.
The second half started with Tokyo moving the ball in the opponent's territory, closing in on the G Osaka goal. In the 5th minute of the second half, a shot from Dawhan, who picked up a cleared ball pushed into the goal area, hit the crossbar. Meanwhile, Tokyo also had a decisive chance in the 12th minute of the second half. After a slow build-up, the ball was almost taken by the opponent when it flowed to the right side, but Yuto NAGATOMO regained possession with a high press, and Kuryu MATSUKI, who received the ball, took a powerful mid-range shot, which was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper. Wanting to maintain the good flow, Tokyo sent in Leandro, who returned from injury and made his first appearance since the opening match, in place of Adailton in the 18th minute of the second half. This tactical change paid off perfectly. Just three minutes after the substitution, in the 21st minute of the second half, Diego Oliveira fiercely challenged for the ball near the halfway line and won it from the opponent. Leandro then picked up the loose ball and started dribbling towards the goal. As he maneuvered past the approaching opponent, he carried the ball to the penalty area, controlled it into the space created by his teammate's free running, and struck a shot into the top left corner of the goal for an additional point. In the 31st minute of the second half, Leandro shook the net in a 2-on-1 situation with the opponent's goalkeeper following a high press from Kensuke Nagai, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Nagai confirmed by VAR. In the closing stages, there were moments when G Osaka pressed back, but even when defending, Tokyo maintained their concentration until the end, finishing the match without conceding a goal.
Leaving a strong impact on the Japan National Stadium, Tokyo achieved victory for the first time in four matches, kicking off a three-game series. In the next match, they will face Avispa Fukuoka away after three days, and then return home to Ajinomoto Stadium to play against Sagan Tosu after four days.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
I don't think it's necessary to separate the first half and the second half. I believe we played with a strong focus on competition throughout the entire match. Of course, there are still areas for improvement in terms of controlling the game with the ball. However, there were good moments, and we were able to express the team's growth through our play. It has only been a few months since the team started, and there were signs of a bit of haste when in possession of the ball.
Leandro's return has allowed the team to regain stability in the midfield. He is a high-quality player. I believe his presence was clear the moment he stepped onto the pitch.
Gamba Osaka was trying to apply high pressure to prevent us from playing freely, wasn't it? I think there were many moments when we managed to break through that press effectively. Just like us, Gamba Osaka has changed coaches this season and is also in a growth phase. I believe that with the new coach, the team will grow and be able to express a more attacking and good style of football.
I think we had good transitions between offense and defense. By transitioning effectively, we were able to control the game. There are still many areas for improvement in our play in the center. Overall, I am satisfied with today's match because the team clearly expressed their growth on the pitch and played with a focus on winning. I am very pleased with today's victory.
Today's positive point is that we were able to play here at the Japan National Stadium. FC Tokyo carries the name "Tokyo". This stadium is likely to play a part in our future. I hope that gradually more matches will be played in this stadium. By playing many matches, I believe the feeling that this stadium is our home will increase. Along with the Japan National Stadium, I hope many people will think of FC Tokyo as our club.
When tourists return to Tokyo, I hope they will come to the stadium as well. I wish for FC Tokyo's matches to be a significant part of the entertainment in this city of Tokyo. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the more than 40,000 people who came despite the rain. I hope that the match held today at the National Stadium will be a turning point for the future of this club. Of course, we need to improve our playing style further. We must secure many victories. I hope we can utilize this stadium, located in the heart of Tokyo, in the process of the club's greater growth.
Q: With Morishige absent, the two center-backs did their best. It seems that Henrique got injured just before the end of the match, but is there a plan for the next steps?
A, we will need to look for another option in the future. The next match is coming up soon. Such things can happen in soccer. Injuries can occur consecutively to players in the same position. However, I am working to solve these issues, and I hope to find a solution. I wish for all players to return to a playable condition as soon as possible.
Q: Please tell us your evaluation of the Japan National Stadium in terms of playing.
I think it is a good stadium to play in. It is preferable that there is no athletic track, but stadiums that hosted the Olympics face the same issue in every city. The stadium used during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics has also been left unused for a long time. Olympic stadiums must be utilized effectively. Perhaps FC Tokyo can make the best use of the new National Stadium. I believe it is a wonderful and beautiful stadium. If there can be more decorations that enhance the feeling of being FC Tokyo's home stadium, it will be recognized even more as a home stadium. Visitors to New York for tourism attend Yankees games. This phenomenon likely occurs in major cities around the world, not just in New York.
Q: What is the intention behind the coach discussing not only the aspects of play but also the club's growth and vision?
A, I do not see myself as a typical manager. After leaving FC Barcelona, I have continued to be involved in launching new projects. It was the same in Niigata. I am aware that I am not a typical manager. I do not have the ambition to become the manager of Liverpool FC. I only wish to live happily where I am. What is important is to leave something behind in the place I was. For example, when I served as the academy director at FC Barcelona, I implemented various reforms in the academy. While working in America, I was also involved in new projects and made many reforms. In Niigata, I was clearly involved in changing the playing style, and I feel that it has continued. At this club, I want to do work that will leave something greater after I am gone. Doesn’t everyone wish for reform in the club? Even in this heavy rain, 43,000 people came out to see us.
[Player Interview]]
<Leandro>
Q, it was a wonderful goal. Please review that scene.
To be honest, I don't clearly remember that scene, but before that play, a loose ball came to me after Diego contested for it. I had a clear view of the goal during the shot, so I took the shot and it went in, that's the impression I have.
Q: After the goal was scored, I ran to the back of the goal to express my joy.
I was happy to contribute to the team with a goal in my first match back after a long absence, and I wanted to express that in front of the fans and supporters, which is why I performed that way.
Q, following the Levain Cup Final Round, this marks two consecutive goals at the National Stadium. Do you have any thoughts about this stadium?
A, indeed this National stage suits us well, so I think I will ask to hold every home game here at the National from now on (laughs)
Q: I believe you had an appointment with physiotherapist Nakamura before the match, did you fulfill it?
A, of course, I am happy that I was able to score a goal as promised, but more than anything today, I am delighted that many fans and supporters came out in this bad weather, and that I was able to score a goal among them.
<Adailton>
Q: What was your aim when entering the match?
A, I am always aware of being together, but it is about bringing what we have prepared for a week into the match. Recently, as a team playing positional soccer, I play while thinking about where my teammates position themselves and where I should position myself.
Q: I think we were able to execute good attacks with quick counterattacks after regaining possession.
A, while challenging various things in each match, there are parts that improve with every game. I believe it was a good attack where all the players did their utmost.
Q. The team has been struggling to score goals.
A, it was good to be able to score today and end with a victory since we had been without goals for a while. However, I want to continue without being satisfied with this.
Q: I think I was able to run tough during the match.
A, not just this time, but also regarding positioning, the entire team is making good movements. To play football that utilizes each other's quality, I always try to play as usual in terms of passing the ball behind and making runs, so I’m glad it went well.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
I think it will be a difficult match, but I want to focus on good practices from training and bring home 3 points, even though it's an away game.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, please review the game, including the fact that it was a match at the Japan National Stadium, despite it being a long-awaited victory.
Although it was a period of three consecutive draws, playing at the Japan National Stadium was a great honor for me, and the team was determined to secure all three points, so I am glad we were able to win 2-0.
Q: In terms of content, didn't you have a longer time to push forward, quickly regain possession when it was lost, and accomplish many things you wanted to do?
Today, we had a relatively long time with the ball, which allowed us to play the football we wanted. However, there were still moments when we easily lost the ball by kicking long balls, so I would like to improve on having solutions, such as switching the play to the opposite side.
Q: After 10 league matches, we have 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, placing us in 4th place. How do you feel about achieving this many wins at this stage of building up?
I want to improve by winning, and even if the performance isn't very good, I think it's important to secure 3 points. Moving forward, I want to continue winning while improving and maturing our style of football.
Q: There were also flashy performances before the entrance. How did you feel while playing?
During the entrance, there were fireworks and flames, which boosted the players' motivation, so we really got into the game. Today, many fans and supporters came to the stadium, and I felt like we are gradually returning to the normalcy we had before COVID-19. Although it is gradual, I hope that the day will come when we can cheer out loud again.
Q: Do you have any memories of this stadium, Abe player?
Today is the second match at the Japan National Stadium, and the first one was the Final Round of the Levain Cup, so there was a good feeling from winning.
Q: How will you make use of today's victory?
We have an away match against Fukuoka in three days, so we will share what we accomplished and what we couldn't in today's meeting, and prepare to play better football than today.
Q: Other teams are rotating players, but it seems that Tokyo is sticking with a fixed lineup. I feel that the three midfielders are particularly trusted. Can you tell us about the play of these three players and what is being asked of them by the coach?
A, Matsuki and I have been told by the coach to make runs behind the defense and to play with high intensity. Among that, we are able to play freely because Aoki, who is behind us, maintains balance. We have a very good relationship, and we communicate during the match and at halftime. Throughout the match, I want to improve the relationship between the anchor and the inside half.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the 90 minutes of battle on the National stage.
I am honestly happy that we were able to win on the best stage, with over 40,000 fans and supporters coming and creating an amazing atmosphere.
Q: I think we were able to defend aggressively from the front line.
I believe the reason for our victory was that we exceeded the opponent in intensity, which is one of our characteristics.
Q: I think we were able to move the ball smoothly after scoring the first goal.
I have gradually gotten used to it and realized that I can create time, so I want to continue that. I have the impression that we are gradually being able to instill Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA's style of football.
Q: I think we were able to execute good attacks even with quick counterattacks after regaining possession.
A, stealing the ball is one of my characteristics, and I always think that if I can attack from there and make plays that lead directly to goals. In today's match, I couldn't score, but I want to aim for it greedily next time.
Q: You earned 3 points, but please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, a series of consecutive matches will continue from here. I think the fatigue is greater than I expected, so I want to take good care of my body and prepare for the next one.
