<Match Review>
The second home game at the new Japan National Stadium welcomed Kyoto Sanga F.C. as the opponent. In a grand production featuring approximately 1500 fireworks and flames, moving lights, and lasers, players from both teams appeared on the sacred pitch of National Stadium.
Tokyo changed their midfield and forward players from the previous match. Keigo Higashi was placed as the anchor, and Koki Tsukagawa and Kuryu Matsuki formed a combination as inside halves. Leandro was chosen as a starter in place of Kazuya Konno in the forward line. Konno was left out of the match squad, and Hirotaka Mita was included as a substitute.
1st HALF - Leandro scores the first goal with a golazo
Tokyo, who has been holding onto the ball since the beginning, pushes Kyoto back into their own half with a mix of long and short passes. In the 13th minute of the first half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who received a pass from Leandro, dribbles out and then passes through the penalty area, where Leandro breaks free and takes a shot, but it hits the post.
Although they continued to hold the ball for a long time, their play before the finish was off and they couldn't create any decisive chances. It seemed like they were struggling to break down the opponent, but in the 28th minute of the first half, they finally made a move in the game.
Masato MORISHIGE passes a looping pass to Kashiwa FUJII in the left side space, who receives the ball in a deep position in the opponent's territory. When he passes a lateral pass to Leandro, who has jumped into the inside space, Leandro swings his right foot from the left corner of the penalty area. The curved shot hits the crossbar and left post and is sucked into the goal.
After that, Kyoto, who started from the side, was pushed back and there were scenes where they were able to put dangerous balls in front of the goal, including set pieces. They were unable to hold onto the ball or push back, but they held firm in the penalty area and managed to defend their lead until the end of the first half.
2nd HALF - Additional points after Mita's middle kick
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow that was pushed in the end of the first half and once again hold the ball and take the lead, is also effective in pressing from the front line and entering the Kyoto camp. In the 9th minute of the second half, Matsuki player becomes the starting point with a post play in the penalty area, and passes a heel pass to Diego OLIVEIRA player who has come around. The left foot shot of Leandro player from the position of 45 degrees diagonally to the left of the goal was stretched out by the opponent's goalkeeper and bounced off.
If you cannot take advantage of the starting opportunity, you will gradually be pushed into Kyoto. The opponent will quickly push in with a fast ball, but Tokyo will try to change the flow of the game by taking the ball and calmly connecting. In situations where the opponent is pressing forward, they will aim for a counterattack and change their attack according to the situation.
In the 31st minute of the second half, the ball was pushed into the goal area and a ground cross was sent through, but the ball that didn't connect in front of the goal ended up on the far side, where an opposing player jumped in free, but was unable to meet the ball that had changed direction and escaped unscathed.
There is a chance after the pinch. Immediately after that, in the 33rd minute of the second half, Mita player made a middle shot from the right side on a counter attack, and Adailton player, who followed up on the ball that the opponent goalkeeper deflected, scored a big additional point.
In the 37th minute of the second half, Adailton picked up a clearance mistake by the opposing goalkeeper and attempted a looping shot at the empty goal, but it was cleared by a desperate defending player near the goal line.
As the game entered the final stage, Kyoto gained momentum and pushed forward. Tokyo held a 2-point lead and controlled the ball without rushing, including additional time, and closed the game with a clean sheet.
Two players who scored goals in the Levain Cup final of the 2020 season and on April 29th at the Japan National Stadium, scored goals for the third time at the National Stadium, bringing Tokyo their first 3 points in 4 games.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yakubu Swobick
DF Yuto Nagatomo/Yasuki Kimoto/Masato Morishige/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (31st minute of the second half: Hotaka Nakamura)
MF Koki Tsukagawa (31st minute of the second half: Hirotaka Mita)/Keigo Higashi/Kusei Matsuki
FW Ryoma Watanabe (45+2 minutes of the second half: Keita Yamashita)/Diego Oliveira (24th minute of the second half: Luis Felipe)/Leandro (24th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
First half 28 minutes: Leandro/Second half 33 minutes: Adailton
＜Kyoto Sanga F.C.＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Naoto KAMIFUKUMOTO
DF Shogo ASADA/Yasusuke SHIRAI/Rikito INOUE
MF Kosuke TAKETOMI (4 minutes into the second half: Shinpei FUKUOKA)/Shohei TAKEDA (23 minutes into the second half: Daiki KANEKO)/Temma MATSUDA (12 minutes into the second half: PAULINHO)/Sota KAWASAKI/Kyosuke SATO
FW Peter UTAKA (0 minutes into the second half: Yudai KIMURA)/Yuta TOYOKAWA (23 minutes into the second half: Alan KARIRUSU)
SUBS
GKTomoya WAKAHARA
DFYuki HONDA
GOAL
―
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
A, Regarding today's match, the flow did not change between the first and second half, and the same flow continued throughout the 90 minutes. Kyoto is one of the most intense teams in the J1 league. We fought to maintain a good balance against such opponents. We also worked on finding a balance between pressing aggressively and maintaining possession of the ball, which is our style. I believe we were able to maintain a good balance in the end.
In the match against Gamba Osaka a week ago, we lost the ball multiple times and couldn't find our rhythm. In the previous match against Vissel Kobe, we were unable to press and lost our defensive intensity. Especially in the first 20 minutes of both halves, we were expecting Kyoto to press aggressively. While facing that press, I think we were able to maintain a good balance.
The J1 League this season has become a very competitive league. Top teams struggle against lower teams and there are many losses. In that sense, I think points in this league are very valuable.
When we played at the Japan National Stadium a few months ago, unfortunately Henrique got injured towards the end of the game. In today's match, Morishige received his fourth warning and will be suspended for the next match. As for the center back, there may be some unlucky aspects at this stadium.
And today, more than 50,000 customers came to visit. Playing a game in this amazing stadium, watched by everyone, is something that everyone hopes for and feels that this club should have in the future.
We will have a break starting tomorrow and then continue to play in the league. I want to continue to grow and fight with the current members in the remaining five games. Of course, we cannot win every game. Sometimes we will lose. I think there are people who get angry when they lose. However, I don't want them to forget that the players are trying to adapt to a very big change this season. I am asking the players to play at a high level, which they have not done much until last season. It is not an easy thing for them to do. Several players are veterans who have aged. For example, I am grateful that players like Morishige, Azuma, Nagatomo, and Diego have adapted well and positively to the changes. For example, Nagatomo is also learning to play in the center and adapting well. I am proud of their humble attitude. On the other hand, I am also proud of the young players, such as Yoshifu and Kuse, who have just started as professionals and are growing with this style.
[Player Interview]
<Leandro>
Q, it was my first start in a while.
I am happy to be able to return to the starting lineup, but what made me the happiest was winning today.
Q, we were able to score the goal that led us to victory. Please review that scene.
As soon as the pass came out from Kashif, I heard Diego's voice saying "Free!" so I turned forward and imagined the goal and swung my right foot at the moment I trapped the ball. I'm glad I was able to score.
Q, is the course as intended?
A, I aimed for it.
Q, please tell us about the heart mark performance after scoring a goal.
A, we headed towards the bench to share our joy with the entire team.
Q, decided again at National.
A, yes. I think I have to play here every game. (laughs) I like the atmosphere of the stadium, but when I play at the National Stadium, many fans come to support me, which also gives me strength.
Q, How was it playing in front of an audience of 50,000 people?
A, the entire team is happy to have played in front of a large audience. The fact that many of you came to the stadium has boosted the players' motivation and I believe it contributed to today's victory.
Adailton Player
Congratulations on the 2-0 shutout victory at National.
A, thank you very much.
Q, please review the 90 minutes of play today in front of an audience of over 50,000 people.
A, I knew it would be a difficult game before it started. I am happy that we were able to end the game with a win in a tough situation throughout the 90 minutes, and that we were able to share the joy with many fans and supporters in this stadium.
Q, how did you watch the game from the bench in the first half?
A, We were able to enter the game with a good start while showing our strong desire to win, and we were able to fight for the ball firmly. We were able to score the first goal, and it seemed like we were able to use the space behind the opponent well.
Q, what thoughts did you have when you stepped onto the second half pitch?
A, I stood on the pitch with the desire to contribute to the team when I was called. Of course, scoring a goal is a visible form, so I wanted to score a goal and I am very happy that I was able to score it and end with a victory.
Q, today's appearance marked the 200th game in the J1 league.
I am very happy to have achieved 200 games and I am very happy to have achieved this result after playing many games. I hope to continue playing many games and achieve various results.
Q, how far will you go?
A, Although there are no specific numbers, I believe it is important to not only focus on the pitch, but also take care of my body off the pitch and maintain good condition in order to play as many games as possible. That is the key.
Q, please give a message to all the fans and supporters who always support us.
A, We are always supported by our fans and supporters, and we receive strength from your cheers. So we hope you will continue to come to the stadium and support us. And as long as you come, we want to live up to your expectations and do our best.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, how was the game with over 50,000 spectators in attendance?
A, I am very happy to be able to play in this environment as a player. In the game at the Japan National Stadium in April, I was not able to be a member and I felt frustrated from the pitch. I am very happy as a player to be able to contribute to the victory by playing today.
Q, the guts pose when the whistle blew at the end of the game was impressive.
A, we started this year with various thoughts. On the pitch, players have to prove themselves through their play, so it was good to be able to play with various thoughts in front of a large audience at the Japan National Stadium and express them.
Q, How do you feel about being able to end the tough back-to-back away games with a victory?
A, there are consecutive games for every team, so there are no excuses, but we must pick up points. In the midst of still having room to improve, I think the players must respond to the team borrowing the stadium and gathering people. There are no players who do not have motivation in this environment. However, even in such an environment, each game is still just one game, so I think we must have high motivation and pick up points in every game. I also want to play the next game with the same passion and responsibility as today.
Q, I think you were paying attention to not letting Peter UTAKA play freely. Did you communicate with the center back player?
A, I think it is Kyoto's characteristic to quickly counterattack by looking at UTAKA player after taking the ball. Regarding that point, I think we were able to quickly suppress Kyoto's transition by including myself, MORISHIGE player, and KIMOTO player as the center.
Q, didn't you take control of the pace from the first half with such plays?
A, I think it was good today that we were able to quickly switch from managing risks from behind to attacking from the front. I want to continue this as a standard.
Q, I think this year's big theme is connecting the ball, but I feel like there are more good situations where we can carry the ball from deep positions to the goal. How do you feel about playing in those situations?
A, of course there are scenes that cannot be done, but we must continue to challenge and pursue what we are aiming for, and not be obsessed with winning. There is some risk in connecting the ball, but it is up to the players to decide whether to continue with that burden or avoid it, and I think the balance was good today.
Ryoma WATANABE
Q, What kind of modifications did you make to prepare for the Kobe match?
A, going to defend from the front at the start of the game, the desire to win more than the technical aspect, and the areas that Kobe fixed after the game ended are those kinds of things.
Q, Did we have a proactive attitude and were able to take the lead, so we were able to play the game with a positive attitude without being passive like in the previous game?
A, yes. In our football, it is important to fix the areas where we were taken from the front line, and we were able to score by taking the opponent's ball from the front and then doing a short counter. So, I hope we can increase those opportunities.
Did you feel like you were able to control the game, even though it took some time to score the second goal from the first?
A, I didn't have the feeling of conceding, so in a way I was able to control it, but I think I could have held onto the ball more. I hope we can fix that in the next Kashima game. It was a game where we really wanted to win, so I'm glad we were able to win.
Q, How was the game in the high humidity of the 3 consecutive matches?
A, I was conscious of replenishing water from the day before. There were also games where my legs were about to cramp, and it was the most frustrating for me that I couldn't run due to lack of condition, so I was able to adjust while consulting with the trainer, and it was good that I was able to play almost three full games.
Q, is it safe to say that the players were able to play the game while considering their positions?
A, it is important to know who will cover that position when going from the front line to defense, but I think it is important that everyone can cover it together.
Yuto NAGATOMO player
Q, please give us your thoughts on the game.
A, in the previous match against Kobe, we were unable to go forward from the start. However, we talked as a team and were able to play aggressively, utilizing our possession to create attacks from the first half. I believe this is what led to today's result.
Q, with today's victory, you can go to the national team with a good feeling.
A, winning is big. Today, we were able to win in front of more than 50,000 fans and supporters, so we can go to the national team in a good emotional state.
How was it for Yoshimi YAMASHITA (referee), who was scheduled to be in charge of the Q, W Cup and had his first game in J1?
A, I don't mean to sound arrogant, but it was a fantastic refereeing. They had a calm and confident control that didn't make it feel like their first time. I think the reason the game didn't get out of hand was thanks to the referee.
Q, Was there any talk of cooperation as it was your first assignment?
A, before the match, there was a conversation with the coach about being the referee for the first time. I'm not sure if "support" is the right word, but we talked about creating the game together, so I think I was able to support it.
Q, what exactly is support?
A, although it is called support, it is a feeling of controlling emotions and playing the game together with the referee, as sometimes emotions can get heated due to the judgement.
Q, The game held at the Japan National Stadium had a record-breaking attendance of 50,994 as a home game for the club. Was it a special atmosphere?
A, it's still special. While there may be 40,000 or 50,000 people attending national team matches, it's not often that a J-League match exceeds 50,000 spectators. So, not just for FC Tokyo, but also for the development of the J-League, I think it's a wonderful thing.
