<Match Review>
The third match of the Levain Cup group stage, which we approached with 1 win and 1 loss. If we win here, we can turn the tide and take the lead towards advancing to the Prime Stage. The men entrusted with this important match are hungry for the game.
In the last three games, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA has been guarding the back, while Junya SUZUKI started for the first time in the official game as a right back. Takuya AOKI, who returned to the pitch after a long absence in the previous game against Sagan Tosu, also started and 16-year-old Ryunosuke SATO, who started on the right wing, followed the first game against Cerezo Osaka. Up front, Naoki KUMATA, who scored his first professional goal in the second game against Kyoto Sanga F.C., secured his first starting position in this game.
This season, Tokyo has yet to win a single away game in both the league and cup matches. In order to achieve their first away victory with a "fresh" lineup, they faced off against Gamba Osaka.
1st HALF - Despite enduring a tough match and putting their bodies on the line, they conceded a goal just before the end of the first half.
The start of the game was a battle of long balls, but gradually the game settled down. With two teams led by a Spanish coach, the ball began to move with short passes. Although the first shot was given to Gamba Osaka, in the 7th minute of the first half, Kumada took a left-footed shot in front of the goal. It was blocked by the defender in front of him, but it was a shot that showed potential.
However, the opponent, who had been fielding their main players, continued to dominate the game. Even if we managed to steal the ball, our passes were often disrupted during the build-up, resulting in more opportunities for the opponent to take shots. Despite this, thanks to the efforts of Masato MORISHIGE and Seiji KIMURA, we were able to prevent any goals from being scored against us. However, we were unable to maintain possession of the ball for a significant amount of time.
In the 38th minute of the first half, Tokyo launched a counterattack. Adailton forcefully cut through the left side and brought the ball to the front of the goal, but his shot was not successful. However, Matsuki was able to directly connect with the ball that spilled to the opposite side, leading to a corner kick.
This play will be the catalyst for the game to pick up pace. In the 41st minute of the first half, we pressed the opponent's goalkeeper, but their skillful build-up allowed them to quickly bring the ball back to our own goal. In the end, player Morishige managed to prevent the opponent's shot, but it was a dangerous situation where they could have easily broken through our defense.
Although it was a difficult situation, we wanted to keep a clean sheet and continue into the second half, but we were scored on just before the end. The opponent entered the penalty area from the left side and Sugiyma player kicked it in spectacularly, leaving us one goal behind at the end of the first half.
2nd HALF -Defeated by adding 2 points in the final stage
At halftime, Diego OLIVEIRA and Hisatoshi NISHIDO were substituted in and adjustments were made to the defensive formation. Diego TABA took care of the opponent's anchor player, Neta LAVI, and worked to shut down their build-up.
However, the flow of the game remains unchanged. Gamba Osaka is quicker in decision making and switching, and they move the ball around using the pitch more effectively. In the 8th minute of the second half, they were able to take a decisive shot in the penalty area, but it was saved by player Nozawa's fine save.
Gradually, Gamba Osaka's pace began to drop, and around 15 minutes into the second half, Tokyo was able to move the ball in their opponent's territory. They were able to carry the ball deep into both sides and increase the number of crosses.
However, as time passed without being able to create a chance to tie the game, we switched to an attacking formation by bringing in Leon NOZAWA and Yuta ARAI to add depth to the front line, and sliding Nishido to left back. However, we continued to struggle with unstable build-up play and were vulnerable to short counter attacks. In the 42nd minute of the second half, we conceded a second goal that sealed the game, and in additional time, we allowed a third goal from a long counter attack, resulting in a tough outcome.
On the weekend, we will return to our home Ajinomoto Stadium and play a league match in just 3 days. In order to make up for the frustration of consecutive away matches, we will fight against Shonan Bellmare not only for the performance but also for the victory.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Junya SUZUKI/Masato MORISHIGE/Seiji KIMURA/Yuto NAGATOMO (36th minute: Yuta ARAI)
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA (0th minute: Diego Oliveira)/Takuya AOKI (10th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Kosei MATSUKI/Ryunosuke SATO (19th minute: Leon NOZAWA)
FW Naoki KUMATA/Adailton (0th minute: Hisatoshi NISHIDO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Renta HIGASHI
GOAL
―
＜Gamba Osaka＞
Starting XI
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Riku HANDA (36th minute of the second half: Ryu TAKAO)/Genta MIURA/Kwong Yong Won (25th minute of the second half: Shota FUKUOKA)/Keisuke KUROKAWA
MF Neravavi/Dawan/Naohiro SUGIYAMA/Yuki YAMAMOTO (16th minute of the second half: Rihito YAMAMOTO)/Fan Alano (16th minute of the second half: Yuya FUKUDA)
FW Issam Jebali (25th minute of the second half: Hiroto YAMAMI)
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
MF Shu KURATA
GOAL
First half 43rd minute: Naohiro SUGIYAMA/ Second half 42nd minute: Yuya FUKUDA/ Second half 45+1 minute: Naohiro SUGIYAMA
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, for me, this cup tournament is recognized as an important event to give young players a chance. Today, I also used many young players. They may have made many mistakes. I believe that young players have the right to make mistakes. Due to the mistakes of young players, we lost possession of the ball and allowed the opponent to launch counter attacks, resulting in many goals against us. However, I am proud of our young players. Once again, I want to give young players a chance in the next Levain Cup. For example, player Kumada is attracting attention as a promising player for the future. I think we need to give him many opportunities to become a great player. That's why, today, our young players challenged and lost due to their mistakes.
Gamba Osaka is a dangerous team when given the ball, and I think they are a team that is growing with a new coach. In the first half, there were many mistakes and we ended up giving the ball to the opponent, and we were forced to defend. In particular, we were outnumbered on the sides and were broken through many times, and the late goals also came from there. In the second half, we used even more young players from the start and fought for the equalizer and the turnaround. Gamba Osaka brought out their main players. On the other hand, I think they tried to improve more in the second half while using many young players. It was great to see the young players increase their awareness towards the opponent's goal for the equalizer and the turnaround in the late second half. However, it is unfortunate that we made mistakes there and conceded multiple goals on the counter.
I want to continue giving chances to young players, and I believe the Levain Cup is a great opportunity to do so. I have also directly told the players in the locker room. As long as I am here, I will continue to give chances to young players. I would like to take this opportunity to thank veteran players Morishige, Nagatomo, and Diego for supporting young players in difficult situations.
Q, What was the intention behind changing the system to 4-4-2?
A, in the first half, we lost the ball a lot in the midfield. In order to not lower our block, it is important to not lower the midfield. Today, Ryunosuke SATO had good movements and played well, but he is only 16 years old. In the first half, I think there was a tendency for the defensive block to drop because we couldn't dominate the midfield. In the second half, we tried to improve on that. And we continued to give playing time to YADA Ryunosuke to encourage his growth.
Today, we made substitutions with full consideration of giving young players playing opportunities. It was not only a substitution to improve the first half's adjustments, but also a substitution to give young players playing opportunities and maintain a good balance. For example, Matsuki was used as a starter, but he still needs more time to regain his game sense.
[Player Interview]
Naoki KUMATA
Q, how was the game review?
A, it was a complete defeat as a team. I think the opponent was better in terms of play intensity and technical aspects.
Q, How did you see the content from the front line as the final line was also low and the time zone when the second ball was picked up continued?
I think we need to improve the accuracy of our possession when we have the ball, but personally, if I can secure the ball 50-50, I believe we can create solid attacking opportunities as a team.
Q, it was also a game with few crosses.
A, yes. The number of times the cross came up was not many, but I want to increase the plays that lead to goals other than crosses.
Q, I think it was a bitter experience even though I played the full game. How will you use this experience going forward?
A, it was a game where we were able to get a feel for it. Next, no matter what the situation, I want to do my best to make the team win.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
Q, this was my second start in a row after the Cerezo Osaka game. Please review the match.
A, I am honestly frustrated. In the first half, we were on the defensive and had a tough time. The only thing I can evaluate from today's game is that I didn't show any weaknesses in defense as an individual.
Q, I think the intensity was high, but I don't think we were able to show our strengths on the attacking side.
A, the defensive time was long and physically demanding, and we couldn't show our strengths in attack. I think our basic physical strength is still lacking.
Q, I think the whole team made a lot of mistakes and it dragged on.
A, we were able to make some improvements during halftime and I think we were able to improve a little in the second half. However, if we had communicated and made improvements during the first half, I think the game would have been a little different.
Q, In the previous Cerezo Osaka match, you mentioned it was the most intense 60 minutes of your life. How was today's match?
A, I think today was a wonderful time that led to growth. The coach also says that without mistakes, we cannot grow, so it was definitely not a waste of time in that aspect.
Q, How do you want to connect today's game to the next one?
A, I believe it is important to maintain the same attitude even in U-18 matches while aiming to play in the top team.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA player＞
Q, How do you look back on the first goal scene?
It was a shot that could have been prevented. I take responsibility for making the game difficult as a goalkeeper because we couldn't end the first half, which wasn't going well as a team, without conceding a goal.
Q, Regarding the second and third goals conceded, they were both scored from counterattacks while trying to score. How did you feel?
A, In particular, if we were able to prevent the second goal, I think we could have kept the possibility of winning as a team, so it's frustrating.
Q, As a result of losing this match, we ended up with 3 points in 3 matches.
A, There are still 3 matches left in the group stage, but I don't want to end the Levain Cup for this season in those 3 matches. I want to win those 3 matches no matter what. However, I think everyone on the team knows that we can't win with the performance we showed today, and each and every one of us needs to fight harder.
Q, How do you want to use this bitter experience for the next time?
A, there is no guarantee that you will be able to play in the next game. As a goalkeeper, I believe it is a position where you must lead the team as a leader, so I want to do my best in the next game.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, how was the game review?
A, as an individual, I made many mistakes and the team was unable to move forward. In many scenes, we were caught on the counterattack after losing the ball due to our own mistakes, which actually led to conceding goals. Therefore, I think we need to make some adjustments.
Q, the entire team was stretched out due to receiving the opponent's counterattack. There were also scenes where Matsuki took care of multiple opponents in the midfield position.
After losing the ball on the side, there were also moments where communication between the midfield and defense players was not good enough in terms of risk management. I felt that we needed to play soccer where we don't easily lose the ball.
Q, When considering the games in the summer that will be on the bench, I think it will be necessary to increase the time holding the ball. Do you feel that today's game will be a lesson for the future?
A, today's performance was very poor. We were unable to express our positional play during build-up. We will take this as a good learning experience and in the next match against Shonan Bellmare, we want to show a style of play that can adapt to their unique football.
Q, it was a game where we couldn't fully utilize the strengths of player Kumada. How do you plan to utilize player Kumada in the future?
A, I want to communicate and coordinate well from our regular practices. As this is only the second official game for player Kumada, I believe we still have room for improvement in our teamwork. Of course, we must work together, but I also want to make sure we can utilize our first-year players more.
Q, What kind of game do you want to have against Shonan Bellmare in 3 days?
A, all we need to do is change our mindset and accumulate points. We definitely want to win.
Q, There was also a scene where I talked with Terayama, A, There was a space between the side back and center back, so Terayama told me that it would be difficult for the opponent to take the ball away if the defensive midfielder dropped there. So, Terayama and I played while being aware of that. There were also moments where we could pass the ball, so I think it was a good option.
Q, Is it safe to say that the team has achieved a positive balance?
A, In the end, I think it wasn't good because I couldn't take a shot. I think we were able to create a way to move forward as a team.
Q, What do you need to do to move the ball to a high position from there?
A, the distance between players and individual skills seemed lacking. Many players, including myself, had scenes where the ball was taken away. I want to improve my individual tactics so that the ball is not easily taken away.
