<Match Review>
Three days after last weekend's J1 League match against Kashima Antlers, we welcomed Sec. 5 of the Levain Cup group stage. Group E is a fierce competition with four teams tied with a three-point difference. The direct confrontation with the leaders, Gamba Osaka, has already concluded, but for Tokyo, it is crucial to win this match to accumulate points towards advancing to the Prime Stage.
With the match against Vissel Kobe in the J1 League coming up in three days, the squad has been organized with the busy schedule in mind. The goalkeeping duties have been entrusted to Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has played in every match of the Levain Cup so far. The center-back pairing remains unchanged from the match against Kashima, with Soma ANZAI at right back and Kashif BANGNAGANDE at left back. The midfield setup is the same three players as in the Kashima match. In the forward line, PEROTTI has replaced Teruhito NAKAGAWA.
1st HALF - While enduring the opponent's pace, waiting for the timing to counterattack
In the early stages, Cerezo Osaka set the pace. When they were able to play the ball vertically early on, they couldn't recover the ball and were taken to the finish. Although there were no opportunities to score, the situation shifted from a set play chance for Tokyo to a counterattack utilizing CAPIXABA's speed, leading to a finish, highlighting the struggles against the opponent's vertical momentum.
Tokyo wants to push back, but an incident occurred in the 24th minute of the first half when player Yoshifumi was substituted due to injury. The situation led to an early substitution.
Although they couldn't create a decisive moment, in the 39th minute of the first half, they quickly carried the ball to just outside the opponent's penalty area in a counter-attack. Shuto ABE's final pass was received by Diego OLIVEIRA in the vital area, and he turned and took a shot, but unfortunately, it went just wide to the right of the goal.
2nd HALF - A big save by Nozawa earns us 1 point
Tokyo, wanting to take control of the match, brought in Takuya AOKI for Keigo HIGASHI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA for Diego TABA at the start of the second half. They aimed to change the situation by introducing fresh players in the midfield and forward positions.
This substitution changed the flow of the game, with Takuya Tawaratsumida repeatedly breaking through on the left side, creating scenes that threatened the Cerezo Osaka goal. In the 67th minute, they launched a quick vertical attack, and Takuya Tawaratsumida broke free from a through pass by Ryoma WATANABE, resulting in a one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper.
For a while, Tokyo maintained possession of the ball and moved it within the opponent's half, but in the 35th minute of the second half, Kluivert dribbled the ball into the penalty area on a counterattack. A shot was taken from a position just in front of the left diagonal of the goal, but Nozawa reacted and deflected the ball that was aimed at the right corner of the goal.
Nozawa made a big save in the 41st minute of the second half. After being breached on the right side, a cross ball was sent into the goal area, where Leo CEARA headed it right in front of him. Although it was a shot taken in a free position, Nozawa managed to react just in time and deflected the ball without losing his balance to match the trajectory of the cross.
In the final stages of the match, fresh players were brought in to continue aiming for a goal, but they were unable to break through. The match ended in a scoreless draw.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (Substituted in 24th minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Kengo HIGASHI (Substituted in 0th minute: Takuya AOKI)/Shuto ABE
FW Ryoma WATANABE (Substituted in 44th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Perotti (Substituted in 29th minute: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego Oliveira (Substituted in 0th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
<Cerezo Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Hanbin YAN
DF Riku MATSUDA (substituted at 0 minutes: Leo SEARA)/Ryosuke SHINDO/Kakeru FUNAKI/Ryuya NISHIO
MF Haruki KIDA (substituted at 42 minutes: Chikara HARAGAWA)/Tokuma SUZUKI/CAPIXABA (substituted at 13 minutes: Reiya SAKATA)/Akira NAKAHARA (substituted at 29 minutes: Jordi CLUCAS)
FW Satoki UEJO/Mutsuki KATO (substituted at 0 minutes: Hayato OKUDA)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Tatsuya YAMASHITA
GOAL
―
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Coach Press Conference Comments]
Q, please provide an overview of today's match.
I believe that for those who watched the entire match, it was a very exciting game. Both teams played aggressively aiming for victory. In the first half, the opponent created more chances than we did, but I don't think we were necessarily dominated in the match. Our defensive pressing became ambiguous, and that was a part of the first half that didn't work well. One of our characteristics is intense pressing and quick transitions between offense and defense after winning the ball. However, that didn't function well in the first half. Additionally, I think the tempo of how we moved the ball was poor in the first half.
We brought in Takuya AOKI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA at the start of the second half, and the adjustments made at halftime worked well, allowing us to play well in the second half. We had a long period where we were able to control the game, and I believe we played good football, aiming more aggressively for the opponent's goal. However, Cerezo Osaka also has high-quality players, including foreign players, so they created several decisive chances, but it was also an important point that we defended well and did not concede any goals.
I am very satisfied with Soma ANZAI's performance today. I believe that Tawaramizuki has proven his growth with each match. I also think PEROTTI has been playing well as time goes on. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who defended the goal today, also had a good performance, especially showing several decisive saves that saved the team. If we win the final match against Kyoto SANGA F.C., we have a high chance of advancing to the group stage in first place. In that sense, I want to go for a win in the final match.
Q: Please tell us what you know about Yoshifumi Kashi's injury at this time.
A, I am scheduled to undergo a detailed examination tomorrow, so I can't say anything at this point. Of course, I hope it's a minor injury, but I cannot comment as I do not know the situation.
Q: Today, the lineup was the same as in the league match, but could you explain the intention behind the member composition?
I have been telling everyone since the beginning of the season that I want to win in the Levain Cup as well. The return of injured players has also had an impact since the start of the cup's qualifying league. I believe that in order for young players to gain match experience and grow further, they must play well, but to play well, it is important to have experienced players join them and support them, not just young players. If it is only young players, the matches can become unstable. Therefore, as was the case in the home game against Kyoto, I hope that successfully integrating experienced players with young players will promote the growth of the young players. In today's home game, I utilized experienced players alongside young players to not only secure 3 points but also to encourage the growth of the young players.
Q: What do you think was the reason for not applying pressure in the first half?
Today, we tried using PEROTTI and Diego OLIVEIRA at the same time. Diego is not used to playing on the right side, and PEROTTI is still getting accustomed to our defensive shape. As a result, we struggled with our pressing from the front, often leaving the opposing midfielder free.
One of our weapons is high pressing. I hope to make it a weapon for my team to apply high pressure, win the ball, and create chances from there. However, in the first half today, the pressing from the front line did not coordinate well, so it did not function effectively. There were also parts where the pace of play when we had the ball was slow. The players are gradually starting to play at a faster tempo with one-touch and two-touch, but it cannot be said that they are doing this consistently for 90 minutes; they are still in a growth stage. It is undeniable that the time they can do this is increasing, but the current situation is that they have not yet reached the level I expect. I can see that the players who are not used to this pace of play are making daily efforts in that regard, and they are undoubtedly improving their level every day.
[Player Interview]
＜PEROTTI＞
Q, please review the game.
I think it was not a bad match in terms of content, but I wanted to be more composed in the final moments to finish it off. After today's match, we have an important game against Vissel Kobe this weekend. I want to recover well and prepare for Saturday's match.
Q: The first half was tough, but what aspects were not going well?
In the first half, there were many mistakes and moments where we couldn't connect. After finishing a not-so-good first half, we made adjustments at halftime, and I believe we were able to dominate the match in the second half.
Q, the substitution occurred during a period of aggressive play.
A, of course, I have the desire to play as long as possible, but it is the coach who decides the players on the pitch, and there are times when I start as a starter and times when I come on as a substitute. Even when I am not in the squad, I think about supporting the team and inspiring them to win. Even if it's just for 1 or 2 minutes, I will contribute my all for the team.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: The play that saved the team shone brightly.
I am glad that we were able to finish the match without conceding any goals, which leads to advancing to the Prime Stage.
Q: The first half was a tough battle for the entire team, but how did it look from the back?
I think the performance was not good. We made adjustments at halftime, and in the second half, everyone played with the same awareness, pressing from the front. I believe it was good that we were able to properly address the issues from the first half during halftime.
Q: Aside from the awareness of pressing, were there any improvements in the second half?
A, what we have been able to share the most as a team in recent matches is to uphold our team style, to not lose in one-on-one situations, and to clearly show our "fighting spirit" by running through to the end. Regarding the "fighting" aspect, we all feel that we need to demonstrate it more through our play. Even from the back, I could see that everyone was working hard, and personally, there were many plays where I was helped.
Q: The one-handed reaction save saved the team.
A, it is not possible to defend perfectly in every aspect, so I anticipated that such situations would increase after the 15th minute of the second half. Since it was a match with a lot of ups and downs in both offense and defense, I could imagine that there would be defensive misalignments, so I was able to play without any panic at all.
Q: So far in the group stage, you have participated in every match. Does this also lead to proving what you have built up until now?
A, today's match ended in a draw, but I believe that being able to play with the tension of competing for advancement to the Prime Stage until the next Sec. 6 will be an asset in my professional career. If we had won today's match, the tension might have eased. I want to view being able to play with this tension positively and approach the next match as a team.
Q: Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, what are your thoughts on how you have fought in the Levain Cup so far?
A, Tokyo is only thinking about winning the title. I personally approach each match with a mentality focused on winning, and I believe I am growing with each game.
Q, depending on the result of the match against Kyoto SANGA F.C. in Sec. 6, the advancement to the Prime Stage will be determined. Please share your enthusiasm.
I want to play with the only thought of winning and breaking through.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: It has been a while since you last played. Did any of the other players say anything to you?
A, I was encouraged by the players around me to think about what I wanted to do and to actively pursue it, as they would provide support such as covering. I was able to play with the awareness of taking the initiative, which is one of my strengths.
Q, there was a scene where you took a shot. Please review the 45 minutes you played.
I came on as a substitute, so I felt a strong sense of responsibility to do something. Therefore, I couldn't finish it off, and I was very frustrated.
Q: Today's results have kept the possibility of advancing to the Prime Stage in the final match.
A, it was good that we connected to the next match. I want to make sure we win the next match and break through.
Q: You have been coming on as a substitute frequently, and you have also been playing on the right side more often.
A, I will just fulfill the role and position given by the coach.
Q: Please share the challenges for the next match.
There are many challenges, such as the quality of the final pass, the quality of crosses, and the finishing ability of shots. I want to gradually overcome these challenges and become a top player.
Q: I have a feeling that if some results come out, a new door will open.
A, I believe that what I lack the most right now is results. I want to achieve results and become a better player.
