<Match Review>
The game will be a test of the team's determination to win the league. In the previous match against Kashiwa Reysol, they conceded an early goal away from home but quickly equalized and managed to secure 1 point despite having a player sent off. However, the players' words after the match were mostly filled with regret.
"If you aim for victory, you have to win regardless of whether it's at home or away."
The next match, one week later, will be an away game at Sanga Stadium by KYOCERA. With many injured and suspended players, managing the team's lineup is not easy. However, in this match, captain Masato MORISHIGE and the team's oldest player Yuto NAGATOMO will start, and the team will come together to face the battle.
1st HALF - Jakub Slowik's good defense keeps the score at 0-0 at halftime
The first half was a long 45 minutes of patience. In the early 5 minutes of the first half, the ball was lost on the left side and quickly carried to the goal, shaking the goal net. With the support of VAR, the play where player Yamada took the ball from Kashif BANGNAGANDE was judged as a foul and the goal was cancelled. However, it was a sudden start under pressure from Kyoto.
After that, Tokyo gradually gained momentum and created scenes where they threatened the goal. In the 15th minute of the first half, they pushed from the left side and Kei KOIZUMI, the inside half, entered the pocket. From that second attack, Diego OLIVEIRA took the ball to the shot, but it was saved by the goalkeeper in front of the goal.
The first half saw this good flow not continue. The ball was unable to be advanced due to Kyoto's quick transitions and pressure. Even when Morishige, the source of supply, had the ball, he couldn't find a receiver and had to return it to Jakub SLOWIK many times. From there, second balls were recovered and the defensive time increased.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, a decisive shot by PATRIC was saved by SLOWIK's big save. In other scenes as well, despite being brought to the goal, they were unable to make a decisive play and were forced to defend, but managed to end the first half without conceding any goals.
2nd HALF - Unable to take advantage of opportunities and suffered first loss of the season due to repeated goals
In the second half, Tokyo was the first to create a chance. In the 2nd minute of the second half, Adailton, who had broken through the left side, received a cross from Katsufu and took a free shot. However, the right-footed shot went too high and missed the goal.
In the 17th minute of the second half, substitute player Kota TAWARATSUMIDA made a move on the right side. Adailton, who was waiting on the outside, couldn't make a good connection with the ground cross with his left foot.
In the 24th minute of the second half, PEROTTI was substituted in and the formation was changed to a two-top with Diego. They added depth to the front line and went for the opening goal.
However, in the 30th minute of the second half, they conceded the first goal. From the second attack of a set piece, the final goal was scored by player Kawazaki with a header shot.
After conceding a goal, Tokyo brought on Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who made his first appearance in the league after signing a professional contract, and Yuta ARAI, who made his first appearance in the league. They will play an attacking game in order to catch up.
However, they were unable to create the chances they wanted and instead gave away a penalty kick in the 44th minute of the second half, which was scored by PATRIC, resulting in their second goal against. They pushed until the end and came close to scoring a goal, but the time ran out and they suffered their first loss of the season in their second consecutive away game. In the next match, they will face Yokohama FC at home for the first time since the opening game.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yakubu Swobick
DF Yuto Nagatomo (33rd minute of the second half: Tsubasa Terayama)/Yasuki Kimoto/Masato Morishige/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kei Koizumi/Keigo Higashi/Koki Tsukagawa (33rd minute of the second half: Yuta Arai)
FW Teruhito Nakagawa (12th minute of the second half: Kota Tawaratsumida)/Diego Oliveira/Adailton (24th minute of the second half: PEROTTI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO/Henrique TREVISAN
GOAL
―
＜Kyoto Sanga F.C.＞
STARTING XI
GK Tomoya Wakahara
DF Shogo Asada/Rikito Inoue/Kosuke Shirai
MF Sota Kawazaki/Shinpei Fukuoka (37th minute: Osamu Henry IYOHA)/Shohei Takeda (19th minute: Daiki Kaneko)/Kaiki Yamada (19th minute: Teppei YACHIDA)/Hibiki Sato
FW PATRIC/Kosuke Kinoshita (45+2nd minute: Ryogo YAMASAKI)
SUBS
GK Warner HAHN
MF Daigo ARAKI
FW Yudai KIMURA
GOAL
30' Sota KAWASAKI / 45+1' PATRIC
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, I expected the game to be intense and have many fighting scenes from the beginning. That's why our game plan was to control the game after the initial chaos. It was difficult to control the game in the first 20-25 minutes, but we were able to calm down afterwards. However, we struggled against Kyoto's aggressive and intense defense, and although we were able to control the game at times, we couldn't maintain it. I don't think either team was able to control the game for a long time. In that case, the team that scored the first goal would take all three points. Adailton had a chance to score the first goal, but Kyoto was able to capitalize on that chance and take all three points. In any case, it was a game where we needed to control the game more.
I couldn't play well in the center, and I couldn't play between the lines as usual. I think we were able to create chances when we were able to play like that, but it wasn't something we could do consistently. I think the team that scored the first goal won, and it was an unstable game.
Q, the goals we conceded were from set pieces and penalty kicks, and were not really related to our tactics. How will we make adjustments for the future?
The big difference between the first two games and today's game is that in the first two games, we had more control and created more chances, but today that was not the case. We were not able to create as many chances as we expected. The game against Urawa was a strong battle between both teams. And I think Kashima and Kyoto have a strong focus on aggressive defense. In the game against Kashima, we were able to calmly play and create multiple chances, but today that remains a challenge for us.
The current team has multiple players who are skilled at playing in the center and between the lines out of action. In addition, Matsuki, who is on the U-20 Japan national team, is also absent. There are multiple players missing in specific positions, but we must cover for them as a team and play. We expected today's match to be difficult. Therefore, we aimed to use speedy wingers to attack. As expected, it was difficult to play in the center against Kyoto, who come with an aggressive defense, so we aimed to use wingers to create width. We wanted to calmly play when we had the ball and continue attacking in the opponent's territory, but the game did not go as planned. Even if we aim for a specific style, it is inevitable that it will be difficult if multiple players who are suitable for that style are out of action. In that situation, we hoped to utilize the speed of both wingers, but we were unable to develop the game as expected, and the match was not a calm one. Therefore, the first goal had a significant impact on the game.
As for the response to the question, I do not think that conceding goals from set pieces is a major problem for the team. I think it is very commendable that multiple young players who made their debut as professionals played boldly.
[Player Interview]
Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Q, please review the game.
A, We were pushed by the opponent's momentum from the first half and lost to Kyoto in the recovery of second balls. I think we need to improve on not being able to take the lead. It's an area that can be improved, and I think it will lead to a better outcome if we can pick up on that.
Q, I had the impression that I haven't been able to receive the ball in the desired location or timing yet.
A, In the first half, there was an impression that we were unable to hold the ball in the opponent's territory. We were unable to attack while moving the ball, so I think we need to increase the thickness of our attack. It's good to attack quickly vertically, but I want to carry the ball more carefully and rotate it more in the enemy's territory. I think it was due to the players' distance and lack of compactness that we couldn't win the second ball or rotate the ball. When we had the ball, I think we had some good attacks, and it's important to see how much we can attack while rotating the ball in the opponent's territory.
Q, What do you think is important in order to attack by passing the ball even against strong opponents?
A, I think it is important to connect from the back without fear. Otherwise, I don't think we can grow as a team or as players. Today, I felt that there was a gap in consciousness between whether to connect from the back or attack with long balls within the team, so we need to deepen our common understanding and improve in that aspect. Everyone has high technical skills, so if we improve in that area, I think our actions will become more defined. If we align our consciousness and make the best choices at that time, I think it will lead to a stronger attack and increase our possession rate. I think these things are important against strong opponents like this.
<Tsubasa TERAYAMA>
Q, What were you conscious of when you played?
A, I wanted to hold the ball in the middle and calm down the game. We had conceded a goal before entering, so I was conscious of not only calming the ball down, but also scoring a goal when entering the game.
Q, What did you focus on in order to score while keeping the ball calm?
A, Looking back on today's match, while watching from the bench, I thought that our rhythm was not being established due to the opponent picking up many long balls and second balls. I believed that it was important to advance to a higher position while holding onto the ball and progress the game closer to the goal. Therefore, I thought that plays such as penetrating behind the opponent's full-back while holding onto the ball and taking advantage of the space behind were necessary. As a result, I thought that the team's distance would improve and we would be able to pick up second balls.
Q, Yuta ARAI was also expected to play at the same time and give the team momentum and energy. How do you look back on your own play?
A, it is unfortunate that we lost. It's frustrating that I haven't been able to score since I joined. Even in that situation, I felt the need to show my value, so I realized that I need to be more involved with the ball and show a more aggressive attitude towards scoring.
Q, after conceding a goal from a penalty kick, you were encouraging the team. What were your feelings at that time?
A, I thought the game would end if I gave up there. Recently, there have been many cases where additional time is extended due to VAR, so I thought we could definitely recover. I think the fans and supporters wanted to see us fight with our heads held high instead of looking down. I don't think the fans and supporters come to see us when we're feeling down, so I thought it was important to fight until the end and I encouraged the whole team.
Q, what are the future challenges for playing with players Arai, Tawarazumida, and 3 others?
Without players like Kuryu MATSUKI and Naoki KUMATA on the U-20 Japan national team and with injured players, we young players need to play aggressively and with a stronger mentality than the veteran players in order to not be rendered useless in situations like today. We also have the Levain Cup, so we want to show our presence.
Q, there will be another game soon.
A, as the Levain Cup is also an important tournament, I want to win the game on the 8th and continue on to the league matches.
Q, please tell us about your emotions at the end of the game, when you were probably feeling the most regret.
A, it was a game that we had to win, so I was disappointed that we couldn't win. During corner kicks and other chances, the fans and supporters were cheering loudly, but I felt ashamed that we lost in front of them.
<Yuta ARAI>
Q, how was your league debut?
I entered the pitch with the mindset of scoring a goal within the given time.
Q, What instructions did the coach give?
A, I was called at the timing when the coach was communicating with the coaching staff, so there were no specific instructions from the coach. It was a sudden appearance, but I had prepared well, so I wanted to play my own game from the beginning.
Q, were you able to show your play?
A, I still can't play satisfactorily. I want to be a player who can produce results in the given time.
Q, What were you feeling while watching the game from the bench?
A, I felt that I couldn't bring our rhythm and couldn't play as usual. In the second half, the team's flow improved and I wanted to change the flow because I played, but I lost, so I want to leave results in the given time.
Q, I think there were some close scenes.
A, I swung firmly and thought it might hit the opponent and become a chance, so I swung.
Q, you were on the bench from the previous match, what were your feelings while sitting on the bench?
A, I was thinking, "Please let me play in the game soon."
Q, I think you are eager to extend the number of games and playing time from here, but what kind of preparations will you make?
A, I think if I don't get results, I won't be able to make it to the bench in the next game. There are many amazing players and the team is deep, so I want to learn from other players in practice and score more points in the game.
On the 8th, there will also be the Levain Cup, which I think will be a great opportunity to showcase our skills.
A, As the team has not won 2 games, we want to win the game on the 8th and head into the next league match with a good momentum.
