<Match Review>
The J1 League has reached the halfway point of the season and has entered the second half of the season from this round. It will be the second round of matches where the opponents and home and away are reversed. The first match of the second half of the season was against Sagan Tosu, who defeated us 0-1 at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. They have been a difficult opponent for us, as we have lost 6 consecutive matches in the league. As for Tokyo, who have lost their last 2 official matches, they wanted to see results along with a sense of growth. Ryoya OGAWA, who will be playing his last match at Tokyo before moving overseas, started in the starting lineup. Hotaka NAKAMURA was placed at right back.
1st HALF - Tokyo concedes the first goal in a back-and-forth battle for control
Early on, Tokyo moves the ball calmly from the back while defending against Sagan Tosu's attempts to push forward from the front. While they don't create any finishing opportunities, the inside halves and wings are able to draw out the ball from between the opposing players and switch to an attacking mode, creating chances to enter the opponent's territory.
As time passed, Tosu gained more possession of the ball. Even after taking the ball, they quickly switched between offense and defense, but were unable to press and regain possession from the opponent. Around the 20-minute mark in the first half, they were able to send a through ball to center forward Adailton, bypassing the midfield and gradually pushing their formation down into the opponent's half. In the 26th minute, Shuto ABE and Ryoma WATANABE played a one-two return, with ABE breaking through on the right side. As the opponent's defender rushed back, ABE passed backwards. Adailton was waiting there and took a one-touch shot, but was stopped by the opponent's goalkeeper's defense.
In the 30th minute of the first half, when it seemed that we were gradually pushing back, Yuto IWASAKI picked up the second ball and scored a powerful middle shot to the upper right corner of the goal, giving up the first goal without being able to put pressure. In that scene where we aimed to recover the second ball, Abe was injured and Leandro was sent to the pitch, and Watanabe changed positions to inside half.
Tokyo, who is trailing by one point, tries to control the ball near the penalty area with Adailton and Leandro as the starting point, but they are unable to bring it to a shot as the opponent quickly fills the space. There was also a scene where Watanabe broke through and faced the goalkeeper one-on-one, but he was unable to equalize due to the opponent goalkeeper's great save. In a game where both teams are vying for control, they ended the first half behind by one point after being caught off guard for a moment.
2nd HALF - Continuing the counterattack, but conceding goals
Tokyo wants to go on the offensive, but in the 3rd minute of the second half, they were pushed back near the goal and couldn't clear a cross ball from the right side, allowing Diego to score another goal. Despite struggling to bring the ball to the front line, in the 8th minute of the second half, Leandro received a pass in the vital area and dribbled past multiple defenders before taking a shot. Although he couldn't find the target, by increasing the speed of their passes and incorporating more direct plays compared to the first half, Tokyo was able to create more chances near the opponent's goal.
In the 15th minute of the second half, three players were substituted at the same time, with Keita YAMASHITA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Yuto NAGATOMO taking to the pitch. Then, in the 18th minute of the second half, YAMASHITA, who had broken through the opponent's defense, pulled out the ball and before receiving it, the opponent's defender tried to block it with his foot, but Leandro was able to pick up the ball and aim for the goal.
In the 25th minute of the second half, after Tokyo's attack began to pick up, they were unable to respond to the opponent's quick counterattack after their wedge pass was blocked. Fuchi HONDA, who received the ball on the right side, cut in and scored a goal on the near side. Then, in the 33rd minute of the second half, a miscommunication during the build-up led to a turnover and Yuki KAKITA was able to push the ball wide and score in the penalty area after receiving a counterattack.
Despite the wide spread of behind, Tokyo wants to grab the thread of counterattack while firmly connecting the ball, but in the 40th minute of the second half, when the ball was trying to be connected from the defense line to the side, it was taken away and the ball side was unable to close in and Kaito Kada scored a spectacular fifth goal. The play towards Tosu's goal continued until the final whistle, but compared to the first half, they were unable to create decisive opportunities and Ogawa's last match before his overseas transfer ended in a disappointing result.
MATCH DETAILS
F.C.Tokyo
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hogao Nakamura (15 minutes into the second half: Yuto Nagatomo)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato Morishige (38 minutes into the second half: Shinji Okazaki)/Ryoya Ogawa
MF Kuryu Matsuki (15 minutes into the second half: Keigo Higashi)/Takuya AOKI/Shuto Abe (33 minutes into the first half: Leandro)
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Adailton/Keita YAMASHITA (15 minutes into the second half)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
FW Kazuya KONNO
GOAL
―
Sagan Tosu
Starting XI
GK Park Il-Kyu
DF Wataru Harada/Toshio Shimakawa/Fansoko/Diego
MF Yuki Horigome (21st minute of the second half: Taichi Kikuchi)/Kota Fukuda/Kei Koizumi (38th minute of the second half: Naoyuki Fujita)/Yuji Ono (17th minute of the first half: Fuchi Honda)
FW Yuto Iwasaki (38th minute of the second half: Ryunosuke Sagara)/Taisei Miyashiro (21st minute of the second half: Yuki Kakita)
SUBS
GK Tatsuya MORITA
DF Shinya NAKANO
GOAL
First Half 30 Minutes: Iwasaki/Second Half 3 Minutes: Diego/Second Half 25 Minutes: Honda/Second Half 33 Minutes: Kakuta/Second Half 40 Minutes: Kakuta
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
A, there was a clear difference in the development between the first and second half of the game. Regarding the first half, we also created several decisive chances and I think we had a lot of time to control the game in a good way. There were also two decisive chances. However, unfortunately, while Shuto ABE was down, Tosu's shot was scored.
And as for the second half, I think it was a completely different development from the first half. We lost the ball easily many times and the defensive intensity was not as expected. I think there were many moments where we lacked fighting spirit. As a result, we ended up conceding multiple goals.
The soccer that this team has been playing until last season and what is being sought this season are different. It is not necessarily easy to adapt to those changes. Everyone expected this season, which is undergoing reform, to be very difficult, but I think it is unacceptable to allow the performance in the second half. I think we should not rely solely on Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI to provide high intensity to the entire team.
We will reflect on today's game with a critical eye and work towards improvement in the future. In order to achieve our desired playing style, we cannot afford to lose the ball as frequently as we did in the second half today.
Q, Was the impact of playing 120 minutes against Nagasaki significant?
Only 4 or 5 players played for 120 minutes. Other players did not play for 120 minutes on Wednesday. I don't think physical condition was a major factor. We need to critically reflect on ourselves because there are other reasons for it.
Q, In that, player Morishige who had played for 120 minutes, was substituted in the middle of the second half.
Speaking of MoriShige, fatigue may have affected him. However, the current situation is that we do not have many center backs who are able to play in the game. Henrique (Trevisan) also got injured.
This club, bearing the name of Tokyo, must aim higher. I believe we must continue to fight for our goals. While there is also the need for a change in playing style, it is also important to reform the mentality of this club.
Q: Was there actually a difference between what you had imagined and the reality of Tosu?
I have a lot of respect for the team and coach of Tosu. I want to praise their style of soccer, today's game, and today's victory. However, our loss due to multiple goals today is our own fault.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoya OGAWA＞
Q, please review the game.
A, we fought for 120 minutes in the Nagasaki match, and as a team, our bodies were not moving due to fatigue. However, as professional soccer players, we cannot use that as an excuse. If our bodies are not moving, we should be able to make adjustments and find ways to fight. I believe that the current Tokyo team does not have the ability to turn things around in a positive direction.
Q, this was the last game before transferring overseas in Tokyo.
A, I knew from the warm-up that there were many fans and supporters who came to cheer me on wearing the number 6 uniform, and when I was called by name, I received a huge round of applause from not only Tosu fans and supporters, but also from fans and supporters of other teams. It really made me realize that I am leaving the J-League today.
Q, What kind of team is Tokyo for player Ogawa?
A, we are not yet a team that always wins, and there are many areas for improvement, but I truly believe that we have the potential and the members to win. I am grateful to have spent 7 and a half seasons in Tokyo.
Q, a new challenge begins as an individual
First of all, I want to start by getting a position and then make a strong appeal like I did when I became a professional. I want to grab a position for sure and do my best to give a good report to the fans and supporters in Tokyo, Japan.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q, please review the game.
A, I think if we had scored in the places we could have, we could have turned the game around in a different way. We conceded first in the second half in a bad flow, and the opponent was able to take the rhythm away from us, including the timing of the goal.
Q, Was there any damage from the 120-minute battle on Wednesday?
A, I felt like I was able to move more than I thought. I was able to play without any problems there.
Q, it's our third consecutive loss in official matches. What do we need to do to bounce back for the next one?
A, I don't know what to do here right now, but we are the only ones who can turn this situation around, and we knew this time would come. I think we just have to do what we have to do without panicking.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, it was a difficult situation to come on as a substitute.
A, I wanted to change the flow, but it ended up dragging on. Everyone was tired, so our activity level didn't increase and we were completely defeated.
Q: How do you plan to improve the continuous conceding of goals?
A, although it will become a result, there are also parts that players can do, and while talking with the coach and staff, I hope to calmly think about what to feel, what to do, what to improve, and after resting, I can talk properly.
Q: Is there also an impact on the mental aspect?
A, Mental is also a part that affects soccer. I think it's a place to hold on, and when a new coach comes in and changes, various things happen, so I want to accept it properly and move forward.
Q, I think it was a game that the team really wanted to win, as it was Ogawa's last game before moving overseas.
A, everyone there had feelings, and I hope that Ryoya OGAWA will go there and do his best, using the experience he gained in Tokyo. I want him to be bold and do his best.
Q, please send a message to the fans and supporters who came to support us in Tosu.
A, I think there are also people who came from Nagasaki for the Emperor's Cup, so I feel really sorry and I want to do my best here to respond to the support and bounce back.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, today's game, the defense line and the front line were very scattered and stretched out, and we were conquered by the midfield line. When the defense line falls back, we also have to fall back, so we couldn't put pressure on the opponent and counterattack effectively.
Q, How was your first match back from the U-21 Japan national team's expedition to Uzbekistan?
A, My condition was not good, and I think the game would have been different if I had raised the defensive intensity more. There are still many areas where I need to improve, but I think this experience has made it clear how I should behave and play soccer in the second half of the season. It's not about physical strength, but I want to make sure I can win the game.
