<Match Review>
Tokyo welcomed a home game in the J1 League for the first time in about a month. The previous match, which marked the start of the second half of the league, ended in a tough result against Sagan Tosu away. To make a good restart at home, the team focused on refining their approach and took to the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium.
1st HALF - An incident occurs right at the start
Right from the beginning, an incident occurs. In the 10th minute of the first half, Hotaka NAKAMURA, who had sprinted up the right side, injures his foot and is unable to stand. NAKAMURA cannot get up, so Kashif BANGNAGANDE is brought in, and Yuto NAGATOMO is slid over to right back. Later, in the 16th minute of the first half, after being pressed on the left side while holding the ball, a cross sent to the far side is returned, and it is tapped in by Lukian just in front of the left side of the goal, allowing the first goal to be conceded.
Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, increases the tempo of switching between offense and defense to launch a counter-like attack. They approach the goal but struggle to reach a decisive scene, until a chance arises in the 34th minute of the first half. Masato MORISHIGE sends a penetrating pass from the defensive line to the front line, and Kuryu MATSUKI picks up the ball and strikes with his left foot just outside the penalty area. It was a well-hit shot, but the ball narrowly missed to the right of the goal. In the 37th minute of the first half, Diego OLIVEIRA, who received a pass in the vital area, managed to take a shot with one touch, but was thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper's defense.
As the first half approached its end, Fukuoka maintained a compact formation while setting their defensive line higher to fill the space in their own half. They struggled to find a way to attack, resulting in continued play at the back. They attempted to target the opponent's defensive shape with middle-range passes from the defensive line, but there was no space, and the ball could not connect. They went into halftime trailing by one goal.
2nd HALF - A powerful goal by Kazuya KONNO turns the game around, but a penalty equalizes
Tokyo, wanting to change the flow, substitutes Kensuke NAGAI for Leandro at the start of the second half. Then, in the 4th minute of the second half, Matsuki deflects a looping pass backward, allowing Kazuya KONNO to break into the space behind the opponent. The shot he took inside the penalty area was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, but Leandro reacted to the ball that spilled in front of the goal and slotted it in to equalize.
In a fast-paced game with both teams pushing forward, in the 13th minute of the second half, we were caught on a counterattack and, unable to slide in time, Takeshi KANAMORI took a sharp shot at goal, but Jakub SLOWIK managed to save it. In the 15th minute of the second half, we launched a counterattack. Diego TABA connected with a ball in the vital area, and both the opposing goalkeeper and Yoshifumi jumped in, but Yoshifumi's shot was blocked after he touched the ball first. However, Leandro picked up the loose ball, drew in the defender, and passed it back. Ryoma WATANABE made a one-touch attempt, but the shot went over the goal.
Tokyo, which has developed an attacking rhythm, launches a fierce assault. In the 18th minute of the second half, there is a chance for a corner kick from the left. The ball that entered the goal area was cleared, but Konno, who was positioned where the ball spilled, connected with a one-touch volley from outside the penalty area, and the sharp trajectory of the shot was absorbed into the top left corner of the goal, successfully turning the game around with a spectacular goal.
It seemed that the flow had tilted towards Tokyo, but in the 30th minute of the second half, Kimoto was fouled near the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick decision. Fanma converted the penalty kick, leveling the score.
With 10 minutes of additional time displayed, both teams continued to attack even after the 90-minute mark. In the 45+8 minute of the second half, a player evaded the opposing marker in the penalty area and took a shot, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. They carefully connected and tried to break through towards the Fukuoka goal until the very end, but they could not take the lead and ended in a 2-2 draw.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hogao NAKAMURA (10th minute: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Keigo HIGASHI (41st minute: Takuya AOKI)/Ryo WATANABE
FW Kazuya KONNO (41st minute: Keiki MITA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (26th minute: Adailton)/Kensuke NAGAI (0th minute: Leandro)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Makoto OKAZAKI
GOAL
4 minutes into the second half: Leandro/18 minutes into the second half: Konno
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Tatsuki NARA/Miyata Daiki/Takaaki SHICHI
MF Yota MAEJIMA/Sotan TANABE (substituted in 43rd minute: Hayato Nakamura)/Maeda Hiroyuki/Tatsuya TANAKA (substituted in 21st minute: Juanma Delgado)
FW Jordi Cluys (substituted in 0th minute: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Yuya YAMAGISHI/Lukian (substituted in 37th minute: Ota Seisei)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Yuta KUMAMOTO/Masato YUZAWA
GOAL
16th minute of the first half: Lukian/33rd minute of the second half: Fanma
[Interview with Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA]
Q, please review the game.
In the first half, our tactical mistakes led to the opponent's goal. Normally, we would have been able to box out effectively and defend outside the penalty area, but we failed to do so in the moment of conceding the goal. The injury to Hotaka NAKAMURA also had an impact, resulting in a somewhat chaotic first half. After we conceded the first goal, we struggled to break through their defense as they narrowed the space. Once the space is reduced to that extent, it is not easy to find a way to overcome it.
And in the second half, we were able to start by increasing our intensity. This also raised the possibility of counterattacks from the opponent, but we took risks and managed to attack and turn the game around. From a 2-1 situation, we created multiple chances to score an additional goal and secure the match at 3-1. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal from a penalty kick, but since it was at a distance, I couldn't clearly tell from my viewpoint whether it was a definite penalty or not. After the match, we discussed that in such cases, an on-field review might provide more clarity. Whether it was a penalty or not, I still don't know.
Q: There was talk of many tactical mistakes in the first half, but I believe today's match was very important for FC Tokyo following the results of the previous match. There were frustrating moments during the game, how do you feel about that?
A, the dangerous aspect of Fukuoka is the game development after they score the first goal. It becomes very difficult at that point. This is because Fukuoka excels at tightening their defense and counterattacking after regaining possession of the ball is a significant weapon for them. Therefore, if we allow them to score first, it turns into a game situation they are good at. Our players seemed to play a bit hesitantly after conceding the first goal, losing possession of the ball against a team like Fukuoka that has such weapons. I analyze that this was the reason we couldn't perform as expected in the first half.
We talked about playing more boldly in the second half. We brought in Leandro and asked him to play between the central lines, which worked well. By having Leandro move inside, we allowed Kafumi to take advantage of the width on the left side. Naturally, taking such a risky position to attack increased the chances of being countered by the opponent's weapons, but after making it 2-1, we had several opportunities to score additional points with their counterattack, which is their strength. It is indeed easier to attack when there is a large space behind the opponent's defensive line. From the 2-1 situation, we had the chance to secure the game by making it 3-1, but it was very disappointing that we couldn't do that and ended up conceding a penalty. While gaining one point is important, to be honest, we wanted to take all three points.
Q: It seemed that there were many players in the first half who were complaining to each other.
A, it is very difficult to attack against an opponent who has narrowed the space to that extent. My players have never had experience attacking against an opponent who has narrowed the space so extremely. That is why I think they were communicating on the pitch, but I never felt it was a bad atmosphere. We have fought against Fukuoka many times, and they are good at narrowing the space by switching to defense after taking the lead. Breaking through that is very difficult, and I think it can lead to frustration.
[Player Interview]
<Kazuya KONNO>
Q, please review the game.
A, it was my first start in the league in a while, so I really wanted to get a result, and I was glad to score a goal. However, it is frustrating that we couldn't win the match.
Q: I think the team's rhythm changed in the second half. What could be improved?
A, while the opponent's press dropped in the second half, I still think we are far from the football we aim to play. There were times when we played in response to the opponent's long balls. I believe we need to focus more on connecting the ball carefully. In the final stages of the match, we were tired and there were moments when we had no options for passing, so I think we can correct that.
Q: Can you reflect on the goal scene?
A, the ball came loose and I was free, so I focused on the impact and struck it well, and the ball flew to a good spot, so I was glad.
Q: At what stage did you decide to take the shot directly?
A, when the ball bounced once, I was in a free position without any opponent coming. I thought it would go to a good spot if I aimed for the far post with my outside foot while being on the right side of the goal, and it flew to a good place when I kicked it, so I was glad.
Q, it's the first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium, right?
A, that's right. It took quite a bit of time, so I would like to practice to be able to score more from now on.
Q: I think you were bursting with joy.
Since it was a comeback goal, I went to the stands hoping that celebrating would further improve the atmosphere of the stadium.
Q: I believe you contributed significantly to the defense as well.
I had analyzed that the opponent's full-back player would take a high position and deliver crosses, so it was quite tough, but I thought we had to return to our own half and defend properly. I believe we managed to do that well.
Q: I think shooting from the outside is quite difficult even in practice.
A, that shot was in the form of a kick that I hadn't practiced. I really focused on the ball and made a good impact, which worked out well.
Q: Did you think it would go in the moment you shot?
I thought it would go in. The moment I struck it, I could see the trajectory of the ball and felt it went to a good spot.
<Leandro>
Q: What kind of instructions did you receive from the coach when you entered?
A was asked to play in the center and create opportunities.
Q: What were your personal thoughts as you entered the match?
A, when I entered the match, we were losing 0-1, so I entered with the mindset to run hard and contribute to scoring.
Q, as a result, it has become a situation where the losing streak has stopped.
It was good to stop the losing streak, but I want to be able to win from here, so I will prepare again for the next match.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: You had to step onto the pitch unexpectedly, but what did you focus on as you entered the match?
A, this is the first time I've entered a match in this way, but the coach told me to play my game, so I thought I was entering the match with a clear mind. However, once I stepped onto the pitch, my body didn't move as well, and I gradually got used to it. It was a good experience.
Q, were you unable to play as you had hoped?
There were many situations where the coordination with A and the midfield did not go well, and we talked a lot during halftime and in the second half, which improved compared to the first half, but I couldn't really showcase my play.
Q: It felt like the team didn't have a clear idea of how to break through in the first half.
A, we were discussing and making adjustments on the pitch, but there were many irregularities such as substitutions, and I think there were many moments in the first half where the team did not perform well.
Q: I think there were improvements in the second half, but what were the factors?
A, each individual's positioning, along with discussions among players during halftime and instructions from the coach, allowed us to make adjustments and avoid falling into the opponent's patterns. Each player was able to take positions that shifted the opponent. I believe this was a factor that improved our performance compared to the first half.
Q: How do you feel about not being able to secure a win at home?
I think it was a match where we had many chances and could have won, but we lacked the winner's mentality to finish it off. It was my first time at Ajinomoto in a while, and we hadn't won in the last two league matches, so we discussed as a team to change the flow and entered the match. I'm really frustrated.
Q: I think there were situations where you could take the initiative yourself, but what do you prioritize when you have the ball?
A, my characteristic is my driving force, and my play involves dribbling forward and breaking away from opponents, but I couldn't showcase that, so it was a match where I only have points for reflection as an individual.
Q, what are your thoughts on the competition for the full-back position after Ryoya OGAWA's transfer?
Since Ryoya-kun has been here, the competition for the full-back position has been intense, and I believe it will only get more competitive from here on out. I think my playing time will depend on how well I can perform when I get the chance to play. In that sense, today's match ended in a disappointing result for me. If I get another opportunity, I want to focus on achieving results, whether by making a difference in attack or addressing the many areas in defense that need improvement.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: I felt that the expressions were completely different between the first half and the second half. How do you reflect on the game?
I feel that we played better than in the last match. I want to move the ball with courage.
Q: It felt like you were looking for passing options in the first half.
I think it's about where to switch while moving the ball sideways. The players behind want to advance, but if everyone moves forward, it can be tough in some areas, so I believe it's fine to redo and recreate at that point. However, I feel that we need to move the ball forward more boldly and progress towards the goal.
Q: Was it smoother in the second half because Leandro came in?
If there is no relay point in the midfield, the attack becomes lackluster. Of course, there is also the option of passing from the defenders to the front line, but if that is all, the midfield will become stretched. I felt once again that attacking through the midfield is necessary.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It's been a while since a home game at Ajinomoto. Please share your thoughts.
A, we wanted to take 3 points, but we ended up equalizing. We lost 1-5 in the away match, and we also lost to Tosu in the previous round, so we wanted to win somehow to regain a good atmosphere. However, the league continues, and I want to take this positively and connect it to the next match.
Q: It seems that the flow improved in the second half after going into halftime at 0-1.
We talked about going more towards the goal. However, when we entered the second half at 0-1 and conceded the second and third goals, the match would have been over, so I think we were able to hold on there. In that situation, we were able to come back once, so next time I want to make sure we can turn this into a win.
Q: Next, we will face Sapporo at home in three days.
A, the temperature has been rising recently, but I think we will gradually get used to it, and I believe that players who are not participating today will also get their chances. Therefore, we need to enhance the team's unity while competing with each other. Personally, I have recently been able to participate in matches, and I am truly experiencing the joy of playing. I felt very frustrated during the first half of the season, so I want to perform even better.
