<Match Review>
Only 3 matches remain in the first half of the league. The second match of the consecutive games, played with a 3-day interval, was against Shimizu S-Pulse away. Tokyo, which has been away from victory since May, aims for a win since the match against Gamba Osaka on April 29. Considering the consecutive matches, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA made some changes to the lineup from the previous match.
Keigo HIGASHI, who showed great performance in the Levain Cup match against Avispa Fukuoka, has been included in the starting lineup as an anchor. Hotaka NAKAMURA has been assigned as the right side back. In the front line, Ryoma WATANABE is positioned as the right winger, while Kensuke NAGAI is on the left wing.
At the start, against the opponent applying pressure from the front towards the ball side, Tokyo moves the ball by crowding the sides and attempts to attack by putting the ball behind when the opponent's defensive line takes a high position. Higashi draws the ball deep in his own territory, creating rhythm with minimal touches as surrounding players provide support at just the right distance to break the opponent's press. In the 8th minute of the first half, when a gap opened in Shimizu's midfield, Kuryu MATSUKI received the ball, faced forward, and dribbled. When the opponent's back line dropped back to respond, Matsuki boldly aimed for a long-range shot. The shot, which deflected off Diego OLIVEIRA, hit the left post.
After that, as the opponent's fast-paced attacks continued to push us back into our own half, in the 20th minute of the first half, a cross from the right side was met with a one-touch by Thiago SANTANA in front of the goal, but the shot hit the right post. Immediately after surviving the crisis, a good opportunity arose. In the 22nd minute of the first half, at a moment when the opponent's defensive line was not organized, a through pass was sent from Nagai to Diego in the center. This was cut off by an opponent defender, but Shuto ABE, who was closing in, recovered the second ball and passed it to Matsuki, who had moved into a left-sided position inside the penalty area. Matsuki then struck with his left foot, but it was blocked by the opponent defender.
As the first half approached its end, the opponent applied pressure up front while cutting off passing lanes, making it difficult for us to build up play smoothly. We struggled to create attacking rhythm due to passing errors and losing possession in midfield. During the first 45 minutes, when we were unable to create passing options and continued to circulate the ball at the back, Masato MORISHIGE passed to Ryoya OGAWA on the left side, breaking through the opponent's press. OGAWA then carried the ball into the opponent's half and passed to Diego, who had dropped back to receive it. Diego connected the ball through the legs of the defender he was holding off, and Watanabe, who had made a run towards the goal, took a powerful shot from distance. Although the opponent's goalkeeper initially deflected it, OGAWA was there to follow up and scored, giving Tokyo the lead with their first goal of the season.
As the second half begins, Tokyo's positioning and passing tempo increase, allowing them to evade Shimizu's press and build up play smoothly into the opponent's half. By alternating between the center and the sides, they prevent the opponent from focusing their defense, pushing them back in front of the goal and continuing a thick attack. Then, in the 16th minute of the second half, while the opponent is moving the ball along their defensive line, player Ogawa reads the opponent's pass and intercepts it. He passes to Diego, who has moved into a central position in the penalty area, and Diego utilizes player Abe, who has made a run into the right space of the penalty area from behind. Although Abe was unable to shoot due to timing issues, he regains control and sends a cross ball in a backward direction. Coming in from the far side was player Ogawa, who had entered the goal area with the momentum from the interception. He jumps with force from behind the opponent's defender and heads the ball into the goal, extending Tokyo's lead.
After expanding the lead, the tempo of the passing increased further, continuing to push the opponent back into their own territory. Even when the ball was lost once, they maintained close distance, applying pressure on the ball holder and quickly regaining possession to aim for another goal with a short counter. Then, in the 31st minute of the second half, deep in the opponent's territory on the right side, Diego TABA returned the ball backward near the goal line, and Nakamura, who was near the right corner of the penalty area, sent in a looping pass with one touch. As the opponent raised their defensive line, Abe took advantage of the switch, getting behind and heading the ball into the goal for a significant third point.
Tokyo continued to maintain possession of the ball even in the final stages of the match. In the 45th minute of the second half, Hirotaka MITA sent a pass behind the opponent from a post play, and Adailton broke free, gaining speed towards the opponent's goal. He approached the left diagonal of the goal and took a shot, but it was blocked by the excellent save of the opponent's goalkeeper, Gonda. Even after entering stoppage time, Tokyo's pressing and passing work maintained their intensity and speed, achieving a clean sheet in the form of "defending with the ball" that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA aims for. They secured their first victory in five league matches.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
In the first half, we were able to start the match in a good shape. However, in the middle of the first half, there was a period of about 15 minutes where we hesitated in our pressing approach, and we ended up conceding possession to the opponent. We wanted to defend higher up the pitch, but we struggled to achieve a common understanding, and our defensive block gradually dropped back. Shimizu is a team that poses a threat when they have the ball. In that sense, there were times in the first half when we struggled. However, towards the end of the first half, we resolved that issue, and until the end of the first half, as well as throughout the second half, we were able to control the match effectively.
In the last few matches, we have been able to play well. After the start of this season, we have had several matches with a more direct approach towards scoring goals, earning points. Since then, the team has grown and gradually understood our playing style. Our ball possession rate has also increased, but we continued to have matches where the results did not follow. The team has further developed and was able to achieve victory by firmly expressing the concept of "football that loves the ball" on the pitch for the first time this season. At the beginning of the season, the team was afraid to hold onto the ball. This was because many players had not played in a style like the current one before. After that, we grew to hold onto the ball, but I don't think we were necessarily able to play in a way that truly loves the ball. In the last few matches leading up to the previous round, we did not achieve good results, but we were able to play well enough. And today, the players expressed our playing style with confidence and in a way that loves the ball, and we achieved victory. Naturally, our playing style is not only about when we have the ball. Aggressive defense when we do not have the ball is also important.
I conveyed directly to the players that today was the start of a change in FC Tokyo's playing style. However, winning every match with multiple goals is not something that soccer makes easy. Nevertheless, I believe it was a match where we took a significant step forward. Moreover, today was not just about achieving victory; I think the players felt they played well. It became a significant step in understanding what soccer, which loves the ball, truly is. The players all had happy expressions. Among them, I would like to mention Keigo HIGASHI, who I believe played wonderfully today. He, who has never played as a lone defensive midfielder before, performed excellently in that role for 90 minutes. Diego did not score a goal, but he contributed to the team in a wonderful way throughout the match. Additionally, (Toshirou) Yasuda, who came on as a substitute towards the end of the match, is gradually getting involved with the first team. I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the growth of young players like him.
[Player Interview]]
＜Ryoya OGAWA＞
Q, please review the game.
A, today, I scored as a result, but the flow of the team was also good, and it felt like it was a match that fit well after a series of frustrating developments in the last few games.
Q: There were times in the first half when the opponent took control, and I think that opening goal was a very significant one.
In the first half, the opponent was energetic and put us under pressure, which made it difficult for us to break free at times. However, we continued to do what we needed to do, and when the opponent's legs started to tire, I believe we scored at a really good moment. First of all, it was great that Morishige made a pass that got one of the opponent's markers off. Also, Diego received the diagonal pass well, and Ryoma WATANABE took a shot that the goalkeeper deflected towards the far side. All of these actions connected to create the goal. It was a match with good connections throughout the 90 minutes.
Q: The second goal was scored by Ogawa, who stole the ball in a high position and then dove in front of the goal to score.
A, this is where coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has made it a theme, immediate recovery, meaning that when we lose the ball we immediately try to win it back. In that moment, when Kuryu MATSUKI pressed the opponent, he chased them down so they couldn't make a pass behind, which allowed me to push forward strongly. From there, Diego was positioned diagonally, and Shuto ABE played calmly. There were moments when we rushed and forced shots that hit the opponent, but I think everyone made the best decisions in front of the goal during today's match.
Q: Wasn't the team able to express the style they are aiming for this season?
A, just because things went well today doesn't mean they will go well in future matches, but the style of football we played today is what we aim for, and we want to increase the number of goals scored from that kind of flow.
<Shuto ABE>
Q: I think the entire team was able to defend in coordination throughout the match.
A, everyone was really focused during the warm-up before the match and in the locker room, and their voices were really loud. I think that feeling was expressed throughout the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Q: In the past, there were many instances where we got to a good position but couldn't connect the final pass, but in today's match, there were many situations where we were able to take shots.
I think the result of scoring three goals came from our awareness during the meeting that we should actively take shots since the analysis showed that the goalkeeper deflected the ball slightly, and that centering was effective. I realized once again that we need to increase our shots to score.
Q: I think we were able to create chances by entering the gaps of the opponent and making vertical passes.
A, Watanabe's ability to find gaps in the opponent's defense and face forward was frequent, which was exactly what the team aimed for. Center-backs Morishige and Kimoto delivered good through passes into those gaps. After entering those spaces, we aimed to apply more pressure on the opponent and attack, which aligned with our meetings and practices, so I think it went well.
Q: What was the team's objective going into the match?
A, we played with a strong awareness within the team that we must not lose in the essential aspects. If we lose there, it doesn't matter, so I believe that entering the match with the mindset to perform well as a team led to the results.
Q, it was your second goal in the league, did you believe the ball would come and ran in?
In the previous two matches, there were two situations where it ended in a 1-1 draw and I felt responsible and frustrated for not scoring, so I’m glad I was able to score this time. I made the movement to break into the opponent's penalty area, and all that was left was to finish. I want to thank Nakamura for the great cross.
Q, I also recorded an assist.
At first, I was thinking of taking a shot when the ball came to my feet from Diego, but since the ball drifted a bit, I changed my options and looked inside. I saw that player Ogawa was making a run, so I thought I could lift a soft ball for him to strike, and I was able to deliver a perfect cross, which was great.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, please review today's game.
A, recently, we have been unable to win matches, and I thought today's match was very important and also difficult, but I believe it was very good that we were able to win.
Q: What do you think were the factors that led to the victory?
I believe that being able to express the soccer we have been working on and successfully moving the ball forward by correcting the finer points led to scoring and gave the team momentum.
Q, today I achieved my 200th appearance in the J1 League.
A, it has been a long journey to reach this 200th match, and I have put in a lot of effort. In that sense, I am very happy to have achieved this milestone of 200 matches. However, I do not want to be satisfied with this result and would like to continue to extend my record.
Q: What are the major differences this season with the change of coach compared to last season?
Just as each player has a different personality, each coach has their own way of thinking and style, but I believe there is not much difference in the sense that the team merges together to aim for victory.
Q: Please say a word about the upcoming match against Kashima.
A, Kashima is in the top ranks and is a high-quality team, so I think it will be a difficult match. However, I want to carry the momentum from today's away victory into this match and achieve another win. Additionally, the support from our fans and supporters is always a great strength for us, so I want to deliver a victory while receiving even greater support at home.
<Kensuke NAGAI>
Q: We have been struggling to score goals in recent matches, but we were able to win with multiple goals for the first time in a while.
A, I'm glad we won. As a reflection on the last few matches, we decided to unify our team's intentions once again, and I had a solid discussion with Diego. As a result, we won 3-0, created many chances, and I believe we felt growth as a team. In the next match against Kashima, I want to challenge ourselves to see how much we can achieve.
Q: There were many situations where we were able to create opportunities to shoot while maintaining possession of the ball. What do you think is the reason for that?
A, until now, there have been many back passes, and it's not that we were avoiding it, but there were few risks or challenges to score goals. As a team, we talked before the match about how positive mistakes can lead to growth, so let's keep challenging ourselves. I think that contributed to the good results and everyone being able to fight.
Q: It seems that as a player, Nagai often played by quickly moving the ball while bursting into space.
A, because we were targeting the back, there was space at our feet, and everyone continued to do this without slacking off. Without that, today's result wouldn't have happened. I think the rotation of someone breaking through to the back and someone else moving into that space was really good.
Q: You will be facing Kashima in three days. What kind of preparations do you want to make?
A, just like today, moving both the people and the ball, the foundation is to fight firmly in the place of battle, and I want to prepare well so that we can continue this play.
<Kojiro YASUDA>
Q, this was your first appearance in the J1 League. Please review today's game.
Since we were winning 3-0, I thought there might be a chance to play, so I was preparing for it. I was a bit nervous when I stepped onto the pitch, but I think I was able to show my play.
Q: You have participated in cup competitions so far. Was there a difference in the league matches?
Both are important matches, but the league matches are battles that take place throughout the year. I felt that without a fighting spirit, it would be impossible to participate in each and every important match, so I approached it with determination.
Q: In the 93rd minute, there was a moment when you drew the opponent in for a shot. What kind of play were you hoping to show?
A, until now, I hadn't been able to make any memorable plays, so in the situation of being down 3-0, I approached the game with the mindset of showing my own play. Looking back at that moment, I think I could have cut back and penetrated deeper to take a shot, but in the end, I think it was good that I was able to finish with a shot.
Q: On the pitch, Matsuki was also active among the same generation. Did you feel inspired?
A, Matsuki has been continuing to play in matches, so it's not about chasing, but I have that feeling to some extent, and today is the first step, so I hope to connect it to the next.
Q: What kind of play do you want to show to the fans and supporters in the upcoming long league season?
I believe my playing style is characterized by creating opportunities, so I want to leave results in terms of goals and assists. From now on, I will ride the wave and keep moving forward to accumulate three points, so I appreciate your support.
