<Match Review>
The Levain Cup has entered the second half of the group stage in Sec. 4. Gamba Osaka will be welcomed at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. In order to make up for the frustration of losing in the last match with consecutive goals in the final minutes, we want to receive the support of our home fans and secure 3 points at all costs.
Tokyo's newly announced JFA/J.League designated player Soma ANZAI started in the starting lineup. ANZAI was placed as the right back, while Yuto NAGATOMO was used as the left back. The veteran duo of Keigo HIGASHI and Takuya AOKI served as the double pivot in midfield, tightening the team's center line with many young players in the front line.
1stHALF—Player Anzai Makes a Dynamic Debut
The start of the game saw the opponent holding onto the ball and chasing it from the front line. Even after gaining possession, the ball was difficult to control and we were unable to bring it to our own pace.
However, after about 15 minutes, the flow begins to shift towards Tokyo. By thoroughly connecting the ball from the back line, they are able to avoid the press from the opponent's front line. As a result, players like Higashi and Aoki slowly make their way into Gamba Osaka's territory.
Koki TSUKAGAWA, who has taken up the top position, and Ryoma WATANABE, who has entered the opponent's penalty area, created time by holding onto the ball, and multiple players supported the ball holder to activate the attack.
Player Anzai, who made his official debut in the J League, actively took a high position and boldly attacked behind the opponent's defense. Although he did not reach the finish, he showed strength and reaction speed in the ball contest that was not inferior to professional players, and in one-on-one situations with opponents, he attempted to dribble past them and even showed scenes of taking back the ball by putting his body in defense.
With the dynamic power of fresh players, Tokyo maintained control of the game and headed into halftime.
2ndHALF - Takagawa scores his first goal of the season to earn 3 points
Tokyo's attitude remains unchanged even in the second half. They continue to fight with strength in the ball battles, and even if they have to pass the ball back, they maintain possession and build up their attacks.
During the build-up, there were moments where we lost the ball due to mistakes and the opponent was able to quickly carry the ball to our goal. However, we applied pressure on the ball holder by sending multiple players from the front line, and even after winning the ball, we continued to move forward towards the opponent's goal while maintaining possession.
Despite holding onto the ball, the tide turned in the 26th minute of the second half as they struggled to break through the opponent's defense block. When Gamba Osaka's Yamamoto was sent off for a dangerous play, Tokyo gained a numerical advantage and intensified their attacks.
In the 29th minute of the second half, Adailton picked up the ball on the left side of his own team's penalty area and started dribbling. He sped up and ran up the left side, faking a cut-in to create space, and crossed the ball with his left foot. The ball, which was moving away from the goal, passed over the head of Perotti, who had been marked near the goal, and Koki Tsukagawa, who had been running in from behind, volleyed it with his right foot. He powerfully shot it into the left corner of the goal.
Tokyo, who doesn't let up on their attack even after taking the lead. They actively aim for the opponent's goal and compact their formation, pushing up from the back. This allows them to quickly recover the second ball even if they lose possession, and launch a strong attack.
In the final stages of the game, we were unable to maintain possession of the ball and were also vulnerable to the opponent's quick attacks. However, by fighting for the ball, we were able to maintain our focus and hold onto our one-point lead until the end of the game.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Seiji KIMURA/Enrique Trevizan/Yuto Nagatomo
MF Keigo Higashi (36th minute of the second half: Leon NOZAWA)/Takuya AOKI/Koki TSUKAGAWA
FW Ryoma WATANABE (14th minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Naoki KUMATA (14th minute of the second half: Perotti)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (24th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Junya SUZUKI/Renta HIGASHI
GOAL
29' Second Half: Koki TSUKAGAWA
＜Gamba Osaka＞
STARTING XI
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Takao TAKAO/Ryu TAKAO/Kwong Yong Won EGAWA (36th minute: Hiroki FUJIHARU)
MF Rihito YAMAMOTO/Ryotaro MESHINO (27th minute: Naohiro SUGIYAMA)/Aki KURATA (36th minute: Wataru YANAGISAWA)/Jiro NAKAMURA (27th minute: Hiroto YAMAMI)
FW Takashi USAMI (18th minute: Hideki ISHIGE)/Takeshi SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
―
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, in the first half, there was a long period of time where we were able to dominate the game with the ball. Ryoma WATANABE and Koki TSUKAGAWA were able to create good attacks in the attacking midfield position. By playing well between the lines, they were able to create a good distance and our right back, PREMIST, was able to become free and create chances from there.
I think we were able to create the same flow at the start of the second half. There was a player from the opposing team who was sent off, and during that time, Adailton was brought in and his performance led to a goal. In the final minutes of the game, Keigo Higashi had to be substituted due to cramping, and I think it was an area for improvement that we were not able to play well in the last 7-8 minutes. Our ideal is to defend by holding onto the ball and ending the game, but we were not able to do that. I hope our young players will learn that holding onto the ball is the best form of defense.
And today, I would like to praise the play of Yasuaki Azai. Despite it being his debut game as a professional, he showed us a fantastic performance. He has shown that players with his level of quality can adapt and excel in a short amount of time with the team.
[Player Interview]
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA＞
Q, the play of running around the pitch was impressive.
A, I went back to the starting point and became aware of what I should originally do. I wanted to make this game a chance to express myself by running for my teammates once again. I am not satisfied, but I am happy to have contributed to the team's victory.
Q, it was an impressive goal. How do you look back on it?
Player A, Adailton, sent me a good ball. I just had to hit it well, so I am grateful to Adailton.
Q, he ran all the way and scored a goal. It was a super play.
A, I think it was a well-executed shot with power.
Q, How do you look back on today's overall play?
It was a game where we were conscious of sending passes vertically as a team. In particular, we were able to play with a good relationship with Ryoma WATANABE. However, after receiving the ball, I feel like I didn't have enough plays where I turned forward or got involved in scoring goals. From here on, I want to work together with my teammates.
Q, we got our first official victory in April. It seems like a good momentum will be created for the league games from here on.
A, our team needed a victory. Yuto NAGATOMO is leading the team and boosting their spirits, instilling a mentality of winning at all costs. As for the game itself, we still need to work on our performance, but I believe it was a match where we were able to show our determination to win.
Q, I think it was a well-functioning game where young players and experienced players fused well.
It was a game where the desire to win as a team came together. There are young players, experienced players, and various others, but today we were able to show unity and exert our strength both on offense and defense.
Q, I think it's a strength of Tsukagawa to show off his play in that chance scene.
A, I couldn't be involved in such a chance scene this season, so I want to work hard again to become a player who can run, play box-to-box, and show my face in front of the goal.
Q, was the shooting course perfect?
A, that was perfect. You didn't resist the cross and just made the shot. I was relieved that it went into the goal. As an individual, I wanted to see results, so I will continue to work even harder for the team from here on.
Q, the play that utilized teammates was particularly noticeable.
A, I ran for my teammates, created space, didn't lose in the ball battle, ran diagonally to create space on the opposite side, and was conscious of giving my teammates more options. There is a saying "useless running", but I believe it is the most important play for the team's victory.
Q, I think the combination with Soma ANZAI, who made his debut in today's match, was also good.
A, it was a great play, so it was easy for me to follow. It was a good play with a lot of momentum, which didn't feel like a debut match.
Q, please tell us your thoughts on shouting "Sha!" with the fans and supporters.
A, although it was a little embarrassing, I want to continue to cherish the moments where I can share joy with the fans and supporters.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q, How was your professional debut match?
A, I challenged this game with a really strong feeling after the starting lineup was announced. Since Tokyo hasn't been able to win, I didn't want to be told that I lost while playing, so it was really good that the team was able to win first.
Q, What did you focus on during the match?
A, since it was my first appearance, I just played with all my might. I was conscious of not becoming timid and fighting with confidence even if I made mistakes.
Q, it was the starting point of the attack, but how was the feeling?
A, there were still many ball losses and the accuracy was also poor while being entrusted with the place kicker, so I think I can improve more. I think it's a plus for me to be able to play for 90 minutes here, so I want to improve the quality even more.
Q, I think it was a play while cramping at the end, but I felt that the fighting spirit was fully displayed.
A, since we had already used up all of our substitution slots, we couldn't afford to lose anyone, so in the end, I fought with the determination to keep running even if I collapsed.
Q, did Tsukagawa enter the middle and Anzai become free on the side, as they had been practicing?
When we were creating on the left side, I think we were able to follow the practice of having Tsukagawa and Watanabe create in the middle and myself compete on the outside.
Q, What were the unsatisfactory points?
A, there was a player with strong heading today, but I feel sorry that the kick often drifted to the far side.
Q, how was the practice of adjusting with set plays? I think we haven't done enough of it.
A, I was conscious of kicking a ball that would allow me to compete because there is a strong player in the center, but I couldn't kick it well because of tension.
Q, his strength was evident in his play.
A, I believe my strength lies in showing my fighting spirit, so I was able to challenge with a strong determination to win despite Tokyo not being able to win.
Q, were you nervous?
A, I made a mess (lol).
Q, What was your state of mind from knowing the starting lineup to the game?
A, I found out after yesterday's practice at the KODAIRA ground, but I was able to predict it during yesterday's practice, so I spent the night organizing my feelings and imagining my play in the game, and preparing for it.
Q, How was playing at Ajinomoto Stadium?
It's the pitch that I've been watching from the stands since my academy days, so I was really happy to be able to stand here again. However, I think this is just the beginning, so I want to do my best to get results and play in the league.
Q, how was the victory of Shah, which I think was the first time in five years?
A, it was hot. I was helped by the cheers during the game, and seeing the fans and supporters made me feel like I could fight again, so it was really reassuring.
