<Match Review>
After the Shonan Bellmare match, which marked the halfway point of the J1 League season, we faced the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup in just 3 days. Our opponent was V-Varen Nagasaki. In the rainy and humid weather of Nagasaki, we took to the pitch with the goal of advancing to the round of 16.
Go HATANO was appointed as the goalkeeper, Yuto NAGATOMO, who returned from national team activities, was placed as the right fullback. Masato MORISHIGE's partner in the center back position was chosen to be Enrique TREVISAN. Keigo HIGASHI served as the anchor, and Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE were lined up as inside halves, just like in the Shonan game. Adailton was placed in the center of the front line, Kazuya KONNO on the right wing, and Leandro on the left wing.
Tokyo has been pushing from the beginning. When they created a scene where they could bring the ball to the opponent's goal and finish, in the 3rd minute of the first half, Watanabe made good use of the space on the right side and crossed the ball. Leandro, who was waiting on the far side, took a powerful volley shot and scored in the left corner, giving Tokyo the lead. After that, they continued to create numerical advantages on the sides and threatened the opponent's goal, but they were unable to convert their chances. In the 14th minute of the first half, they were beaten on the left side and a sharp cross was sent into the goal, but it was not connected in the center and the ball flowed to the right side where Yamazaki Ryohei made a powerful shot to equalize. After that, Tokyo held onto the ball. They moved the ball to deep positions while changing sides, looking for a gap in the opponent's slow slide. They struggled against Nagasaki's quick counterattacks, but as time went on, their pressing back in the midfield and quick approach to the ball paid off and stopped the opponent's counterattacks. Towards the end of the first half, when it seemed like Tokyo had taken control of the game, in the 31st minute, a pass was sent behind the defense line and Yamazaki's shot from the right side was blocked by Hatano. However, when they cleared the resulting corner kick, Abe Taisei took a powerful long shot and scored, giving the opponent the lead.
Tokyo, who is behind, pushes the opponent with Konno's dribble breakthrough, but they are unable to create a decisive opportunity. Just when it seemed like they would end the first half, in the 45+1 minute, Konno's dribble breakthrough on the right side of the touchline caused the opponent to commit a handball and they were awarded a free kick. Leandro's sharp ball into the center of the goal was deflected by the opponent's goalkeeper and found Adailton on the far side. Adailton, who controlled the ball with one touch, confidently shot a volley into the bottom right corner of the goal, equalizing the game and turning it around.
In the second half, both teams created good opportunities from the beginning. In the 4th minute of the second half, Tokyo's Adailton player sent a looping pass behind the opponent's defense line, and Watanabe player broke through and faced a 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper. However, although he managed to lift the ball over the goalkeeper with a looping shot, it went over the crossbar. In the 7th minute, Nagasaki was given a good opportunity. Ibarbo player broke through behind and headed towards the goal. However, Hatano player closed the gap with perfect timing and blocked the shot with his body. After creating chances for each other, Tokyo continued to attack in the opponent's half with possession of the ball. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Watanabe player received a pass from Leandro player, dribbled past one defender and took a shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. While taking care of the opponent's counterattacks, Tokyo possessed the ball for most of the time and came close to the opponent's goal, but they couldn't break through the opponent's defense and the game went into extra time.
In the 4th minute of the first half of extra time, Ogawa, who had moved to right back, put the ball behind the opponent and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had entered the game at the beginning of extra time, broke through and scored with a one-touch finish, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. As the game went into extra time, Tokyo had even more time to play in the opponent's half. They stopped the opponent's attacks at an early stage and launched thick attacks, but they couldn't break through as easily as in the second half. Then, in the additional time of the first half of extra time, Cristiano, who had cut in from the left side just outside the penalty area, couldn't stop his dribble and allowed a powerful shot to be scored in the top right corner, giving the opponent the lead.
As the second half of the extension begins, we move the ball wide and create a starting point on the side to approach the goal against the opponent who is solidifying the center. We invite danger on the counter by being too aggressive, but in the end we block with our bodies. In the final stages, we continuously put sharp balls into the opponent's goal area with early crosses, but unfortunately they do not connect. Just before the end of the game, we created several chances from set pieces, but we were unable to shake the net and lost 2-3.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
A, we approached this tournament with a very high motivation. We were able to dominate the game from start to finish. We created many chances, but that's just how soccer is sometimes - you can't always win. I think we were not only superior in ball possession, but also in the number of clear chances. In that sense, I can only be grateful for the players' performance today. However, in soccer, things like this can happen. Two of Nagasaki's three goals were long shots from outside the penalty area. In that sense, I want to praise our opponents Nagasaki. I hope they continue to perform well in the Emperor's Cup. And while our defeat is a blow, what's even more painful is Henrique's injury. It's a very serious injury for us. I pray for his quick recovery.
Q, What were you conscious of in terms of strategy during the second half, with the possibility of an extension?
A, we fought until the end with the expectation of settling the game within 90 minutes. If that was difficult, we hoped to decide the game by making multiple substitutions in extra time. Since the team was functioning well, there was no need to make more substitutions than necessary in the second half. I think it was a situation where it wouldn't have been strange for us to score more goals. It was a strange turn of events that we didn't score. Since the team was functioning well, I thought we could decide the game in the remaining time of the second half. And in extra time, we ended up making substitutions based on fatigue.
[Player Interview]
Ryoma WATANABE
Q, Was the scene that led to the opening goal as planned, using the space as intended?
Our team's goal was to lure the center back to the side. Even if the ball doesn't come, I think it's important to run into that space, and I think that's what led to the goal.
Q, What was the reason for not being able to score one more point in the second half after turning the game around at 2-2?
A, personally, there were moments where I could turn forward in the midfield and I also took several shots, so it is necessary to finish them off properly.
Q, Unfortunately, we were eliminated from the Emperor's Cup, but please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming league.
A, now that it's over, let's switch gears and aim for a higher position in the league.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, please review the game despite the disappointing loss.
A, I think we started the game well and were able to score points. However, as we tried to push forward, we made some light defensive mistakes and ended up losing the lead. I think it was good that we were able to catch up once, but if we had been able to create more decisive chances in the second half, the outcome might have been different.
We had the ball for a longer time, but I think it was a difficult situation to break through.
Q, I think the idea at the end is a persistent issue.
A, I think we need to keep trying and increasing the number of times we attack with quality and ideas in front of the goal. I think the tempo changed and the flow improved when Takahagi joined, but we can't just rely on players with ideas. We need to share our image and ideas as a team, and improve them through training.
Q, the next game is coming soon. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, we lost and the Emperor's Cup is over. We have no choice but to switch our focus to the next game, which will be the first game of the second half of the league. We want to channel our frustration from today and fight to improve our position in the league standings. We will do our best to show our determination through our play.
<Go HATANO>
Q, How did you feel about fighting in the latter part when there were few chances?
A, during the second half, I was playing while thinking about how I could help the team in a situation where we couldn't score. I had expected this kind of game to happen, so I feel frustrated that I couldn't help the team in that situation.
Q, we also have a league match in 3 days.
First, I want to return to Tokyo and organize today's events, and then prepare well for the league match and get involved in the game.
Q, please tell us about the aspects that the coach is asking for, such as individual defensive range and being the starting point of the attack.
A, what is being asked of the coach on the offensive side is to connect simply, so I think we are able to do that to some extent. On the defensive side, we are asked to make saves that will save the team. In that regard, I was not able to respond today, so I feel that I need to grow as an individual. I want to continue to improve.
