<Match Review>
After the J1 League Kashima Antlers match last weekend, we welcomed the 5th round of the Levain Cup group stage in just 3 days. In Group E, the top 4 teams are tied with a 3-point difference, making it a fierce battle. The direct match against the top-ranked Gamba Osaka has already ended, but for Tokyo, it is crucial to win and accumulate points in order to advance to the Prime Stage.
With the J1 League match against Vissel Kobe just 3 days away, the team has been formed with a tight schedule in mind. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has played in all Levain Cup matches so far, will be in charge of guarding the goal. The center back duo remains unchanged from the Kashima match, with Soma ANZAI on the right side and Kashif BANGNAGANDE on the left. The midfield will consist of the same 3 players as the Kashima match. Up front, PEROTTI will replace Teruhito NAKAGAWA.
1st HALF - We will withstand the opponent's pace and wait for the timing to counterattack.
In the early stages, Cerezo Osaka dominated the pace. If they were able to quickly put the ball in the vertical direction, they were unable to recover the ball and were brought to the finish. Although there were no opportunities to score, the tables turned from Tokyo's set piece chance to a counter attack utilizing the speed of CAPIXABA, causing trouble for the opponent's forward momentum.
Tokyo, who wants to push back, but an accident occurred in the 24th minute of the first half when player Yoshifumi Kato was substituted due to injury. It became a situation where a substitution card was used early in the game.
Although we couldn't create decisive moments, in the 39th minute of the first half, we quickly carried the ball to the opponent's penalty area in a counter-attacking manner. Shuto ABE made a last pass and Diego OLIVEIRA received it in the vital area, turned around and took a shot, but unfortunately it went wide to the right of the goal.
2ndHALF - Earn 1 point with Nogawa's big save
Tokyo, who wants to take control of the game, made substitutions from the start of the second half, replacing Keigo HIGASHI with Takuya AOKI and Diego TABA with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. They are looking to break the situation by bringing in fresh players in the midfield and forward positions.
With this substitution, the flow changed and Ryoma WATANABE created scenes where Tawara Tsumita repeatedly broke through the left side and approached the Cerezo Osaka goal. In the 22nd minute of the second half, they launched a quick attack vertically and Tawara Tsumita broke through on a through pass from Ryoma WATANABE, creating a one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper.
Tokyo held onto the ball for a while and continued to move the ball in the opponent's half, but in the 35th minute of the second half, Cruyff's player dribbled the ball from a counter and carried it into the penalty area. He took a shot from the left diagonal position, but Nozawa reacted and deflected the ball that caught the right corner of the goal.
Player Nozawa made a big save in the 41st minute of the second half. The ball was crossed in front of the goal after being broken through on the right side, and Leo CEARA headed it in right in front of him. It was a shot taken while he was free, but without adjusting his body to the trajectory of the cross, Nozawa managed to barely touch the ball and clear it away.
Despite continuously bringing in fresh players towards the end of the game in an attempt to score, they were unable to break through and the game ended in a scoreless draw.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (24th minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Keigo HIGASHI (0th minute: Takuya AOKI)/Shuto ABE
FW Ryoma WATANABE (44th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Perotti (29th minute: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (0th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
Cerezo Osaka
STARTING XI
GK Yan Hanbin
DF Riku Matsuda (46': Leo Ceara)/ Ryosuke Shindo/ Sho Funaki/ Ryuya Nishio
MF Yo Kida (42': Riki Harakawa)/ Tokuma Suzuki/ Capixaba (58': Reiya Sakata)/ Hikaru Nakahara (74': Jordy Croux)
FW Satoki Uejo/ Mutsuki Kato (46': Hayato Okuda)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Tatsuya YAMASHITA
GOAL
―
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q, please give us an overall review of today's match.
A, I think it was a very exciting game for those who watched the game as a whole. Both teams were attacking with the aim of winning. In the first half, the opponent created more chances than us, but I don't think they necessarily dominated the game. Our pressing defense was unclear and it didn't work well in the first half. One of our strengths is intense pressing and quick transitions between offense and defense after winning the ball. However, it didn't work well in the first half. Also, I think the tempo of moving the ball was bad in the first half.
In the second half, Takuya AOKI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA were substituted in and the halftime adjustments worked well, allowing us to play better. We were able to dominate for a longer period of time in the second half and play good attacking football. However, Cerezo Osaka also has high-quality players, including foreign players, and they were able to create some decisive chances. It was also important for us to defend well and not concede any goals.
And I am very satisfied with the performance of Soma ANZAI today. I think Tawarazumida player has proven his growth as he plays more games. I also think PEROTTI played well as time passed. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who guarded the goal today, also played well. He showed us some decisive saves that saved the team. In the final round, if we win against Kyoto Sanga F.C., there is a high possibility of advancing to the top spot in the group stage. In that sense, I want to go for a win in the final round.
Q: Please tell us about player Yoshifumi's injury to the extent that is currently known.
A, I am scheduled to undergo a thorough examination tomorrow, so I cannot say anything at this point. Of course, I hope it is only a minor injury, but I cannot make any comments as I do not know the situation.
Q, The lineup was the same as the league match today, but please tell us the intention of 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. And the fact that injured players are returning has also had an impact since the start of the cup's qualifying league. In order for young players to continue to grow through gaining game experience, they must play well. And in order to play well, it is important to have experienced players join them and support them. If there are only young players, the game becomes unstable. Therefore, as we saw in the home game against Kyoto, I hope that by successfully integrating experienced players with young players, it will help promote the growth of the young players. In today's home game, we also used young players while also incorporating experienced players in order to both earn 3 points and promote the growth of the young players.
Q: How do you think about the reason why you couldn't put pressure on the first half?
A, today we tried to use Perotti and Diego Oliveira at the same time. Diego, who is not used to playing on the right side, and Perotti, who is still not used to our defensive shape, struggled to press effectively from the front, resulting in the opponent's defensive midfielder being left free too often.
One of our weapons is the high press. I hope that my team can use the high press to steal the ball and create chances. However, in the first half today, the press in the front line did not work well because it was not coordinated. Also, there were times when the pace of play with the ball was slow. The players are gradually starting to play at a fast tempo, such as one-touch and two-touch, but it cannot be said that they are doing it throughout the 90 minutes. It is still a stage of growth. It is true that the time when they can do it is increasing, but they have not yet reached the level I expect. I can see that the players who are not used to this play tempo are working hard every day, and they are definitely improving day by day.
[Player Interview]
＜PEROTTI＞
Q, please review the game.
A, I think it was a decent game in terms of content, but I wanted to stay calm and take it to the finish in the last part. After today's game, we have an important match against Vissel Kobe this weekend. I want to recover well and face the game on Saturday.
Q, The first half was tough, but which part didn't go well?
A, there were many mistakes and scenes where we couldn't cooperate in the first half. After finishing a not-so-good first half, we made adjustments during halftime and I think we were able to dominate the game in the second half.
Q, it was a substitution during the attacking period.
A, of course, I have the desire to play as long as possible, but it is the coach's decision to put players on the pitch, and there are times when I start and times when I come on as a substitute. Even when I am not in the lineup, I still want to support the team and encourage them to win. Even if it's just for 1 or 2 minutes, I will contribute my all for the team.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA player＞
Q, the play that saved the team was shining.
It was good to finish the game without conceding any goals as a result of the match that led to the Prime Stage.
Q, How was it watching the team struggle in the first half as a whole?
A, I don't think the content was good. We made adjustments at halftime and in the second half, everyone played with the same mindset, such as pressing from the front. I think it was good that we were able to make solid adjustments during halftime for the issues we had in the first half.
Q: Were there any improvements in the second half besides the press awareness?
A, the most shared aspect of the team in recent matches is sticking to the team's style, not losing in ball battles, and showing a strong "fighting attitude" by running until the end. Everyone feels that we need to show more in terms of "fighting" in our play. Even from the back, everyone was working hard, and personally, I was helped by many plays.
Q, a one-handed reaction save saved the team.
A, In all aspects, it is not possible to defend perfectly in a set state, so we assumed that such situations would increase after the 15th minute of the second half. It was a game with a lot of movement in both attack and defense, so we were able to play without any panic as we could imagine that there would be defensive gaps.
Q, have you played in every match so far in the group stage? Does this also contribute to proving what you have built up so far?
A, although today's match ended in a draw, I believe being able to play under the tension of aiming for 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 may have loosened. I want to take the tension as a positive and approach the next match as a team.
Q, What thoughts did Taishi Brandon NOZAWA have while fighting in the Levain Cup?
A, Tokyo is only thinking about winning the title. Personally, I have a mentality to focus on winning and I think I am growing with each game.
Q, Depending on the results of the 6th round against Kyoto Sanga F.C., the advancement to the Prime Stage will be determined. Please give us your enthusiasm.
I want to play with the sole focus of winning and breaking through.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, it was your first appearance in a while, did any of your teammates say anything to you?
A, I was encouraged to actively play with my own ideas because I was supported by my teammates, such as covering. I was able to play with the awareness of attacking before my own strengths.
Q, there was also a scene where a shot was taken. Please review the 45 minutes you played.
A, I came on as a substitute, so I felt a strong sense of responsibility to make a difference. However, I couldn't finish it off and I was very disappointed.
Q, With today's result, we have kept the possibility of advancing to the final stage of the Prime Stage.
A, it was good that it led to the next game. I want to win and advance in the next game for sure.
Q, I have been playing on the right side a lot while making many appearances as a substitute.
A, It is only to fulfill what can be done in the role and position given by the coach.
Q, please tell us about the challenges for the next game.
There are many challenges such as the quality of the final pass, cross, and shooting accuracy. I want to overcome these challenges little by little and become a top player.
Q, if any results come out, I have a feeling that a new door will open.
A, now, what I lack the most is results. I want to produce results and become a better player.
