<Match Review>
This match against Cerezo Osaka in Sec. 25, which was postponed due to the influence of a typhoon, is a back-to-back battle that will be fought in just 3 days. In the previous match, Tokyo faced Shonan Bellmare with a good momentum of 2 consecutive wins, but they were unable to convert their chances in the early stages and ended up losing due to conceding a goal towards the end of the game.
The last three games of this season. Tokyo, who is in 7th place with a 4-point difference from 4th place C Osaka. The battle for the top is close, and the final ranking can change significantly with the result of just one game. Tokyo aims for a higher position and has been working towards transformation this season, and in order to show the growth of the team to the fans and supporters, the game will require both results and performance.
1st HALF - Cerezo Osaka creates chances but hits the post twice
The start of the match saw both teams creating scenes of bringing the ball into the penalty area. The first chance was created by Cerezo Osaka. As the Tokyo defense dropped back to respond, a through pass was made between the defenders, utilizing the space behind the left side. The player who broke through had the defense closing in on him, but a cross ball was sent to the far side, and Tada's shot missed the target and went over the goal.
In the 18th minute of the first half, Tokyo launched a counterattack. Kashif BANGNAGANDE reacted to a looping pass from the middle range and carried the ball to the deep left side. He then crossed the ball with a high, floating ball towards the goal line, but Diego OLIVEIRA was unable to make contact with his attempted bicycle kick.
Gradually, Tokyo increased their possession time and created opportunities to break through the opponent's defense. In the 27th minute of the first half, a diagonal pass from Matsuki Kuryu, who had been on the left side, entered the central area. Although it didn't reach Diego Taba, Ryoma Watanabe, who had jumped out from behind, took a one-touch shot from just outside the penalty area and hit the left post. As the ball bounced in front of the goal, Adailton, who was at the end of the trajectory, also took a powerful one-touch shot, but the ground shot was once again deflected by the left post.
In the 34th minute of the first half, Matsuki received a pass while facing towards the goal in the area just before the penalty area. He attempted a powerful mid-range shot, taking advantage of the delayed approach of the defender, but the ball with speed just missed the top of the goal.
Tokyo continues to attack. The defense is sharp and tough with a high press to quickly shut down any counterattacks from the opponent. Even when pushed back, they use space to advance the ball and threaten the opponent's goal. In the 40th minute of the first half, Kazufumi player sends in a low and sharp cross from the left side, and Adailton player dives for a header near the goal. It was a shot aimed at the far side of the goal, but it narrowly missed to the right.
2nd HALF - Watanabe's hat-trick & Felipe's first home goal
Tokyo had created many chances in the first half but failed to convert them, but they immediately changed the game in the beginning of the second half.
3 minutes into the second half, Adailton creates space and sends Kashiho running down the left side. Kashiho crosses the ball into the box, and as it drifts to the far side, Watanabe expertly traps it with one touch and shoots with his left foot before the defender can close in. The ball is sucked into the top left corner of the goal, and Tokyo takes the lead.
Tokyo kept possession of the ball even after taking the lead. The players maintained a perfect distance, moving the ball while making the opponent run. If the opponent came forward, they used the space behind them, and if they didn't, they slowly pushed forward while connecting short passes.
Tokyo seals the game in the final stage. In the 31st minute of the second half, Hotaka NAKAMURA breaks through the right side and crosses the ball, which is met by WATANABE with a one-touch volley on the far side, adding another goal. Tokyo doesn't stop there. In the immediate 32nd minute of the second half, Koki TSUKAGAWA sends a cross into the goal area from the right corner, and WATANABE heads it in, completing a hat-trick with his left foot, right foot, and head.
Even with a wide lead, Tokyo's momentum doesn't stop. In the 38th minute of the second half, Kazuya KONNO passes a through ball on the right side. Shuto ABE, who had made a run into the right side of the penalty area, crosses the ball near the goal line, and Luiz PHELLYPE changes the trajectory with one touch and scores the team's first home goal, making it the fourth goal of the match.
The attack was like the best defense, hardly allowing any attacking from C Osaka, and Tokyo raised their rank to 5th place. In the next match, they will face Nagoya Grampus away, and in the final match, they will face Kawasaki Frontale in the Tama River Clasico at Ajinomoto Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yakubu Swobick
DF Hotaka Nakamura/Yasuki Kimoto/Masato Morishige/Bangunagande Yoshifu
MF Koki Tsukagawa (36th minute: Shuto Abe)/Keigo Higashi (40th minute: Seiji Kimura)/Kuryu Matsuki
FW Ryoma Watanabe (36th minute: Leandro)/Diego Oliveira (30th minute: Luis Felipe)/Adailton (30th minute: Kazuya Konno)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO
GOAL
3 minutes into the second half: WATANABE/31 minutes into the second half: WATANABE/32 minutes into the second half: WATANABE/38 minutes into the second half: Luiz PHELLYPE
<Cerezo Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kim Jin-hyun
DF Riku Matsuda (31st minute of the second half: Bruno Mendes)/Ryosuke Yamanaka (24th minute of the first half: Ryosuke Shindo)/Matej Jonjic/Ryuya Nishio
MF Hiroshi Kiyotake/Seiya Maikuma/Tokuma Suzuki (0th minute of the second half: Nelson Ishiwatari)/Hirotaka Tameda (11th minute of the second half: Jean-Patrick)
FW Satoki Uejo/Adam Taggart (11th minute of the second half: Sota Kitano)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
MF Hikaru NAKAHARA
GOAL
―
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q, please review the game.
One of the goals we asked of our players was to be more aggressive and that was the key. They gained confidence in ball possession and were able to connect it to our attacks. As we showed in the first half against Kashima, we have entered a phase where we can increase opportunities to play towards the goal while maintaining possession of the ball.
The team fought for victory from the start of the game. They maintained a high intensity and play tempo. What I am satisfied with today is that we were able to maintain a high intensity throughout the game. We were able to express both our ability to control the game by holding onto the ball, which we have been working on, and our attacking mindset to go for the goal, which we asked of the players today. Of course, the first half of the Kashima game was good, and I think it was a great performance for this season. However, what I am satisfied with in this game is that we continued to express a high level in all aspects, including both offense and defense.
The growth stage of this season is as expected. Of course, it is natural that we need to grow more. In terms of results, we have eliminated relegation. And, compared to last season, we have exceeded the average number of points per game. This club was able to recover and move up when the ranking was falling. The team composition has not changed significantly from last season. However, we have dramatically changed our style in one year. Our goals for the future are clear, and I think the next two games will be great matches. Of course, they will be difficult games. It is a home game for Nagoya and Kawasaki may have a chance to win the championship. I think it is a great challenge to face such teams.
I want to say "Congratulations on your hat-trick" to (Ryoma) WATANABE. And I am satisfied that we were able to prevent (the game from happening) the best side back in Japan, Nagatomo, from playing.
Q, Today, we were able to keep possession of the ball in our own half and create opportunities by passing through the center and making vertical passes. Why do you think we were able to maintain a calm play and have a mental advantage?
A, of course, there are times when you can play with ease like in the Kashima game, but there are also times when you become a little nervous like in the Shonan game. It is still a fact that there are irregularities in each game. However, it takes time to turn those irregularities into regularities and to always perform at the same level.
Now, we have been playing as a team for 7 months. I think it's a good thing that young players like Kuryu (MATSUKI), Kashif (BANGNAGANDE), and Ryoma (WATANABE) are becoming the main players in the game.
[Player Interview]
Ryoma WATANABE
Q, please review today's game.
A, there were scenes that seemed to be decided from the first half, but we couldn't finish them. However, I felt like I could score today. There were more mistakes than usual, but since I was able to score, I will try to take it positively.
Q, please review from the first goal, as all of them were fantastic.
I collided with player Tsukagawa, but I was able to call out to him and I was thinking of taking a shot at the landing point. Tsukagawa's body was right in front of me, so I controlled it with my first touch and was able to place it in a good spot, so I calmly slid it into the far side.
Q, the second and third points were both calm.
When Nakamura was trying to cross, he was prepared, so I think that's why it went well and in a good direction.
I think the third goal came as I expected, with a one-touch, so I was able to score a good goal at the timing when I entered forward while being careful of offside. I think it was good.
Q, Wasn't it a very compact and good game in terms of content?
A, I think games that we can go from the front are becoming good games, and the Shonan game was not quite fitting, so we reflected on the points we were pulling and worked towards today. If we can keep going and hammering, I think we can shape it into our own form, so we want to keep that in mind and keep doing it for the next two games.
Q, How will you approach the remaining two games of this season?
Our goal is to qualify for the ACL, but first we have to focus on each game, as Nagoya and Kawasaki are not easy opponents. So we want to take it one game at a time.
Q, when was the last hat-trick?
A, since elementary school (lol).
Q, did you receive the ball?
A, I received it.
<Luiz PHELLYPE>
Q, Please share your thoughts on scoring your first home goal.
A, I am happy to be able to achieve results in a situation where we have not been able to score points recently, including the first home goal.
Q, What do you think is the difficulty in achieving results while having limited playing time, and what are you conscious of?
A, I always have about 15-20 minutes to spare, so I try my best to do what I can on the field. I was only missing a goal, so I am happy to have been able to achieve a visible result in the form of a goal.
Q, will this goal be a good opportunity?
A, I am always aiming for the goal, so I hope to score in the next game as well. However, football is difficult, so there are times when I can score and times when I cannot. I will prepare to be able to score.
Q, How was the process leading up to the goal?
As I believed the ball would come in, I went into the goal and the ball arrived perfectly, so all I had to do was score.
Q, how was the cooperation between the teams?
A, Today, not only the scene where I scored a goal, but also recently, I couldn't bring the ball to the center forward position and I often had to enter the game in difficult situations where we were losing. In such situations, the ball came to me firmly, and I was able to produce results, so I think it was good.
Q, how about the remaining 2 games this season?
A, in the last two games, I want to go for the win with all my might. Whether we have a chance to win the title or not, I believe that the most important thing is to fight in the upcoming game, so we will prepare thoroughly to end the remaining two games with a victory.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, please review the scene where you assisted.
A, I was able to kick the ball just as I imagined. It was great that Watanabe was able to cut back and score for us.
Q, There were many improvements seen from the Shonan game. What were you conscious of?
Compared to the Shonan game, there was a higher level of aggressiveness towards the opponent's backline, and we were able to dominate the game throughout. I believe it was because of this aggressiveness that we were able to have such a good game today.
Q, Nakamura player, Yoshifumi player's side back played an active role in the game.
A, Before the game, we were told in the scouting that the opponent's fullback is the starting point of the attack. We talked with Nakamura about being able to control the pace if we win the battle between the fullbacks, and we entered the game. It was great to be able to surpass the opponent's fullback and maintain control throughout the game.
Q, I get the impression that we are seeing more early crosses in matches.
A, I was told to actively encourage the players who enter the field from practice, and gradually I feel that I am getting used to playing with the players inside. It was good to be able to show that in the game.
Q, Do you feel that the variety of plays is increasing?
A, Every time I play in a game, my signature play is being watched out for, but I feel that actively attacking from the left has led to good plays.
Q, how do you feel about winning big while also having vocal support at home games?
It was my first time winning a game with vocal support at home, so I am very happy.
Q, Did you communicate anything during the positioning?
In the first half, Adailton opened up on the outside, creating space. As for who would open up and who would make runs behind, Mori Shige had already talked about the combination between himself and Adailton before the match, so I think there was a common understanding within the team.
Q, Unlike the previous match, we were able to maintain possession of the ball for most of the time. As a side back, what kind of plays did you consciously make a change in from the previous match and how did it affect the game?
A, I thought that even if I kept the ball for a long time, it would become like the Shonan game, so I thought that it was necessary to actively break through the back even as a side back. In the Shonan game, there was not enough aggressiveness towards the front, so it became that kind of game. In order to reflect on that, I think that the fact that there were many plays that jumped out to the front resulted in an increase in ball possession rate, and we were able to play our own soccer.
<Hotaka NAKAMURA>
Q, please review the game.
A, since we lost the game we had to win last time, we talked about fighting together from the beginning with our feelings rather than the content of today's game. We couldn't score in the first half, but I think we were able to have a game that showed our feelings.
Q, I think it was a very passionate game, but how did you approach it?
A, It's the same for every game, but I wanted to defend firmly in the areas of my strengths, such as winning the ball, and also fulfill the demands of the coach in terms of build-up and attacking participation.
Q, It was a goal from a cross from player Nakamura, did you see player Watanabe?
A, Of course, I myself need to do more in terms of the number and quality of crosses, but I wasn't specifically looking at Watanabe when the goal happened. I was hoping someone would be there to connect with my cross. The goal was thanks to Watanabe scoring, not my cross, so the quality wasn't that high. However, I'm glad it led to a goal. I want to improve the quality and number of crosses from here on out.
Q, I think we did pretty well on the defensive side, and I also think we were able to build up our attacks well. Where do you think we improved?
A, various formations and defensive strategies are different for each team, and in the previous match against Shonan, we had to respond to their excellent defense. This time, we were able to watch the opponent's footage carefully and confirm our positions within the team, which allowed us to circulate the ball well. I think we were able to improve from the previous match against Shonan. As a team, we need to figure out how to overcome intense pressure and not panic. In matches like the one against Shonan, we need to be able to calmly carry the ball and not panic.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, The game was completely different from the Shonan match the other day. What preparations did you make in the last three days?
A, Regarding the Shonan match, we talked about improving the parts where we couldn't press from the front. In today's Cerezo match, we knew from our analysis that if we didn't shut down the opponent's anchor, they would be able to develop from there, so we made sure to go there.
Q, how did you feel on the pitch, keeping it compact for 90 minutes and reacting quickly to the movement of the ball?
A, it was a very tough game, but even before scoring a point, everyone was moving fluidly, and I think the whole team was more tightened when I was pressing from the front and East player covered well.
Q, Wasn't this the best game of the season?
A, it was a victory with a certain point difference, so I want to take it as a plus.
Q, I think the meaning of the remaining games will change in various ways with today's victory.
A, as there will be a short break, we will use this time to prepare thoroughly for the next Nagoya match and do our best to break into the top ranks in the remaining two matches.
Q, I think the cooperation on the left side was smooth today.
When Adailton came on, he was able to use space well, and Kashiwagi, who is a player with distinctive characteristics, was able to handle the ball well while maintaining balance. I think we were able to play smoothly today and create many opportunities, so I believe this is a winning strategy for future games.
Q, Do you feel that the team is more active when there is a lot of movement from the inside half like today?
A, yes. While making the game behind, I think it would be a better team if we don't forget to jump in front of the goal.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: What were you careful about during the match?
A, Last week's game was disappointing in terms of our commitment to winning. We can only make up for it in the game, so today we all made adjustments and organized ourselves properly. I believe this was a key factor in achieving this result.
Q, I think we were able to pass the ball quite a bit without fear of the opponent's press, but why was that possible in today's match?
A, There are various elements, but first we organized our defense. In the previous match against Shonan, we couldn't get into a good rhythm and ended up dropping back. So this time, we were able to push forward positively, which improved our attacking rhythm. When Tokyo is able to play like this, it's really good and I think we were able to bring out that aspect well.
Q: Have you discussed anything as a team for today's match?
A, I think that each person was able to play while thinking during the game throughout the season. It was good that we were able to improve on the points we reflected on in the Shonan game today. Even though we are winning, there are still areas for improvement, so I hope we can discuss it more as a team and become even better.
Q, what are the improvement points?
A, we were talking about aiming for the goal more as we were unable to invade the goal area even though we were pushing in the first half. It's good to cross simply from the side, but I think we should increase the variety of attacks, such as invading another dangerous area.
Q, How do you feel about the defense of player Higashi being effective?
A, I read the course and the opponent's intentions, and the inside half is good at coaching, so there are many players who can run well, so I was able to use that and handle the places where I came out well. I think I did well there today.
Q, I think we were able to do it smoothly compared to the Shonan game, including cooperation with the front line.
A, of course, the opponent is important, so there are times when the content is like today and the game doesn't go well, so the Shonan game was not good in terms of both content and result, but even in such situations, I think there are a few games like that throughout the year. Even in such situations, I think it will be important to somehow get points and it will be important in the season. I still think that is a challenge. When things are going well, we play good games like this and score goals, but in games that don't go well, it is still a challenge to figure out how to set up and look up.
