<Match Review>
Three days after the J1 League season was halfway through against Shonan Bellmare, we faced the 3rd Round of the Emperor's Cup. The opponent was V-Varen Nagasaki. With light rain falling and high humidity and temperature in Nagasaki, we took to the pitch aiming for advancement to the Round of 16.
Go HATANO was appointed as the goalkeeper, and Yuto NAGATOMO, who returned from national team duty, was placed as the right side back. For center back, Henrique TREVISAN was chosen as the partner of Masato MORISHIGE. Keigo HIGASHI served as the anchor, and the inside halves were lined up with Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE, just like in the match against Shonan. In the front line, Adailton was positioned centrally, Kazuya KONNO was placed as the right winger, and Leandro was positioned as the left winger.
Tokyo pressed from the early stages. Creating chances near the opponent's goal, they skillfully used the right-side space in the 3rd minute of the first half, where Watanabe broke through and delivered a cross. Leandro, waiting at the far side, unleashed a powerful volley shot, sending the ball into the left corner of the goal, allowing Tokyo to take the lead. Afterwards, they created numerical superiority on the sides and approached the opponent's goal, but conceded a chance. In the 14th minute of the first half, after being broken through on the left side and receiving a sharp cross into the box, although the ball was not connected in front, it flowed to the right side where Ryohei YAMAZAKI powerfully pushed it in to equalize. After that, Tokyo maintained possession, switching sides and advancing the ball deep, looking for gaps as the opponent's slide defense lagged. They struggled against Nagasaki's quick counterattacks after losing the ball, but as time passed, their midfield press back and quick approach to the ball effectively suppressed counterattack opportunities. Just when it seemed Tokyo had taken control and started to dominate the match towards the end of the first half, in the 31st minute, a pass was played behind the defensive line, and although Go HATANO blocked a shot by YAMAZAKI in front of the right side of the goal, the corner kick given from this was cleared, only for Taisei ABE to hammer in a powerful long-range shot, allowing the opponent to take the lead.
Tokyo, chasing the deficit, pushed the opponent back starting from Konno's dribbling breakthrough, but they struggled to create any decisive chances. Just when it seemed they would end the first half like this, in the 45+1 minute, Konno's dribbling breakthrough along the right sideline drew a handball from the opponent, earning a free kick. Leandro delivered a sharp ball into the center of the goal, and the ball deflected by the opposing goalkeeper found Adailton at the far side. After a single touch, Adailton powerfully volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, leveling the match as they headed into halftime.
In the second half, both teams created good chances from the start. At the 4th minute of the second half, Tokyo's Adailton played a looping pass behind the opponent's defensive line, and Watanabe broke free to face a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, although the looping shot went over the goalkeeper's head, the ball went over the goal. At the 7th minute of the second half, Nagasaki was given a good chance. Ibarbo broke behind the defense and headed freely toward the goal. However, Go HATANO closed the distance with perfect timing and blocked the shot with his body. After both sides created chances, Tokyo kept possession and continued attacking in the opponent's half. At the 22nd minute of the second half, Watanabe received a pass from Leandro, dribbled past one defender, and took a shot, but was stopped by the opponent's goalkeeper's excellent save. While managing the opponent's counterattacks, Tokyo held the ball for most of the time and pressed close to the opponent's goal, but could not break through the opponent's solid defense in front of the goal, and the match went into extra time.
In the 4th minute of the first half of extra time, Ogawa, who had moved to right back, played the ball behind the opponent, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had entered at the beginning of extra time, broke free and made a one-touch attempt, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. As the extra time progressed, Tokyo spent even more time playing in the opponent's half. They quickly stopped the opponent's attacks and launched a strong offensive, but similar to the developments in the second half, they struggled to break through. Then, during the additional time of the first half of extra time, Cristiano cut in near the left side of the penalty area, and unable to stop his dribble, he unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom right corner of the goal, allowing the opponent to take the lead.
As the second half of extra time began, they moved the ball wide to create opportunities on the sides against a solid opponent in the center, pressing towards the goal. They became overly aggressive, leading to counterattacks that put them in danger, but ultimately they blocked the shots with determination. In the final stages, they continued to deliver sharp early crosses into the opponent's goal area, but just missed connecting. Just before the end of the match, they created several set-piece opportunities in quick succession, but were unable to shake the net, losing 2-3.
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
A, we approached this tournament with very high motivation. In today's match, we were able to dominate the game from start to finish. We created many chances, but sometimes in football, you can't win despite that. I believe we significantly outperformed the opponent not only in ball possession but also in the number of clear chances. In that sense, I can only express my gratitude for the players' performance today. However, such things can happen in football. Of the three goals by Nagasaki, two were long shots from outside the penalty area. In that sense, I would like to commend our opponents, Nagasaki. I wish for their further success in the Emperor's Cup. While being eliminated is a blow, what hurts even more is Henrique's injury. It is a very serious injury for us. I hope he returns quickly.
Q: In the context of extra time, what were you conscious of in your decisions during the second half?
A, first of all, we were hoping to settle the match within 90 minutes until the very end. If that was difficult, we hoped to decide the match during extra time by making multiple substitutions. The team was functioning well, so there was no need for excessive substitutions in the second half. I believe it was a situation where it wouldn't have been surprising if we had scored additional goals. The fact that we didn't score was a strange turn of events. Since the team was functioning well, I thought we could decide the match in the remaining time of the second half. Then, during extra time, we made substitutions according to the players' fatigue.
[Player Interview]
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q: Was the scene where you utilized the space that led to the opening goal as you intended?
A, the team's aim was to draw the center-back out to the side. I believe it's important to run into that space even if the ball doesn't come, and I think my solid running in that area led to the goal.
Q: After the match was tied 2-2 at halftime, what were the reasons for not being able to score one more goal in the second half?
A, I personally had more opportunities to face forward in the midfield, and I took several shots, so it is necessary to finish those properly.
Q: The Emperor's Cup has ended in defeat, but please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming league.
A, since it's already over, I would like to switch gears and aim for a higher position in the league.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, please review the game. It was a frustrating defeat.
I think we started the match well and were able to score. However, from there, we conceded a goal due to light defense and mistakes, which led to us being turned around. I think it was good that we managed to equalize once, but if we had created a few more decisive chances in the second half, the outcome might have been different.
I think we held the ball longer, but it was a situation where we couldn't break through.
Q: I think the idea at the final stage has always been a challenge.
I believe we need to create more opportunities and increase the frequency of our quality and ideas in front of the goal. I think the tempo changed and the flow improved when Takahagi joined, but we shouldn't just rely on players with ideas; the entire team needs to share images and ideas, and we must build on that and improve from training.
Q: The next match is coming up soon. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, we lost, and the Emperor's Cup has come to an end. I think we have no choice but to switch gears, and since the next match will be the first game of the second half of the league, I want to channel today's frustration into that match and aim for a higher ranking, so I want to fight to express that feeling through my play.
<Go HATANO>
Q: Towards the end, with fewer chances, how did you feel you should fight?
In the second half, while goals were hard to come by, I was thinking about how I could help the team. I had somewhat anticipated this kind of match development, so I feel regretful that I couldn't assist the team in that situation.
Q, we have a league match in three days.
First, I want to return to Tokyo, organize today’s events, and prepare thoroughly for the league matches to get involved in the games.
Q: Please tell us about the aspects that the coach expects from you, such as your individual defensive range and being the starting point for attacks.
A, what is simply required from the coach in terms of offense is to connect the plays, and I think we have been able to do that to some extent. In terms of defense, I have been told that I need to make saves that can save the team. In that regard, I was not able to respond today, so I feel that I need to grow myself. I want to improve further.
