<Match Review>
Tokyo, who won against Kawasaki Frontale in the Tama River Clasico at the Japan National Stadium and brought back 1 point in the away game against Kashima Antlers. While wanting to keep this momentum, they faced the away game against the top-ranked Vissel Kobe.
Masato MORISHIGE, who will make his 450th appearance in the J1 League in this match, and Henrique TREVISAN, who will be playing as a center back for the first time in three matches, formed a partnership. Yuto NAGATOMO and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who were not in the lineup for the Levain Cup three days ago, were also named in the starting lineup.
Facing the top team in the last game of May. Tokyo, who has been gaining momentum with consecutive games against top teams, is looking to bring back both confidence and results in this important match.
1st HALF - Unable to capitalize on opportunities, consecutive goals conceded towards the end
The starting lineup for the Levain Cup three days ago was made up of half of the players, but the start of the game was not bad. They moved the ball well and were superior to Kobe in recovering second balls. In the 5th minute of the first half, they quickly approached the Kobe goal. They pushed from the left side and Ryoma WATANABE's in-swinging cross was returned by Insoo YU on the far side. It didn't connect with any players in front of the goal, but it created a good opportunity to score.
As time goes by, Kobe's pressure gradually increases. Their strength in duels and driving force become more prominent, and Tokyo ends up losing control of the game. In the 20th minute of the first half, Matsuki breaks through on the right side and crosses the ball, which is then volleyed into the far side by Muto, resulting in the first goal being conceded.
After conceding a goal, we continued to face a series of crises, but were saved by Jakub SLOWIK's superb save.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Abe and Nakagawa made a one-two play and entered the penalty area. Abe followed up on a loose cross ball, but his shot hit the right post.
If you miss a great opportunity, you will concede a goal just before the end of the first half.
In the 41st minute of the first half, when trying to connect the ball in their own half, the ball was taken away by player Uchise, who then put in a fast cross ball in front of the goal. Player Osako, who had jumped in front of the goal, was unable to catch it and calmly let it in. In addition, in the 44th minute of the first half, player Muto, who had broken through on a through pass from player Osako, conceded the third goal.
2ndHALF - Unable to close the gap despite scoring two PKs
Tokyo, who was trailing by three points, made a substitution from the start of the second half. They tried to change the momentum by bringing in Takuya AOKI and Koki TSUKAGAWA for Keigo HIGASHI and Watanabe, respectively.
The signal fire of the counterattack was raised in the 14th minute of the second half. Kei KOIZUMI was fouled and earned a free kick, which Shuhei TOKUMOTO aimed directly at the goal. The shot hit the wall, but in the scramble for the ball, Kobe committed a handball and earned a penalty kick. Diego OLIVEIRA calmly converted this chance and scored one point back.
After this goal, Tokyo's start became sharper and they pushed for a longer time. They simply sent the ball to the front line and connected it to a thick attack by picking up the second ball. In the 26th minute of the second half, Henrique TREVISAN player made a close header shot from a corner kick.
After the last 15 minutes, a large space began to open up on the pitch and the game entered an open phase. Tokyo, with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who can change the situation on his own, tried to find a breakthrough from the sides. However, they were unable to show effective attacks against Kobe, who were trying to close the game.
As time passed by, in the 39th minute of the second half, they once again earned a penalty kick from a set piece. This time, Perotti, who was subbed in towards the end of the second half, calmly scored and closed the gap to one point.
Even after entering the 5 minutes of additional time, Tokyo did not lose their attitude of aiming for an equalizing goal and continued to move forward, but they were unable to reach another point before time was up. They were unable to take points from the top team.
One week later, we will return to our home Ajinomoto Stadium to play against Yokohama F.Marinos. We want to win our last home game of the first half and regain our momentum.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Yakubu Swobick
DF Yuto Nagatomo/Masato Morishige/Henrique Trevizan/Shuhei Tokumoto
MF Kei Koizumi/Keigo Higashi (46': Takuya Aoki)/Shuto Abe (81': PEROTTI)
FW Ryoma Watanabe (46': Koki Tsukagawa)/Diego Oliveira/Teruhito Nakagawa (76': Kota Tawaratsumida)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
Second half 14 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA/Second half 40 minutes: PEROTTI
＜Vissel Kobe＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Ryo HATSUSE/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA (25th minute of the second half: Yusei OZAKI)/Mateus TUREL/ Yuki HONDA
MF Mitsuki SAITO/Keisuke YAMAGUCHI/Daiju SASAKI (33rd minute of the second half: Haruya IDE)/Koya YURUKI (45th minute + 2 minutes: Lincoln)
FW Yoshinori MUTO/Yuya OSACO (33rd minute of the second half: Patric Jean)
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Andres INIESTA
GOAL
First Half 20th Minute: Yoshinori MUTO/First Half 41st Minute: Yuya OSAKO/First Half 44th Minute: Yoshinori MUTO
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, I think we lost the game due to our mistakes. I want the players to understand this again. Of course, I respect Kobe, but I want them to understand that if we play well, we can surpass any opponent.
I also told the players, but in today's match, the first 10 minutes, 15 minutes were good. We were able to start with concentration, but then we gave the opponent a chance due to a simple mistake. The first goal for Kobe was born from a ball loss in the center of the pitch, and the second goal was also due to our mistake. We must have suffered mental damage in the situation of 0-2. It was also regrettable that we conceded 3 goals at the end of the first half.
However, in the second half of the 45 minutes, we were able to prove that we are a team that can switch our mindset and fight. But that is not enough for just 45 minutes. We must continue to prove ourselves throughout the entire 90 minutes. I think we were clearly able to surpass our opponents in the second half. They must have felt our momentum to equalize. That's why Kobe played in a way to use up time. Once again, I believe we lost today's match due to our own mistakes.
Q, Was the main reason for the first half not going well due to the intensity?
A, I think it is exactly the part that was pointed out. The attitude and intensity of fighting one-on-one was not enough in the first half. I think we need to continue to express the attitude of fighting for 90 minutes in order to win every game. We are working hard to improve and make that possible.
Our goal is to achieve a high level of play style, and it is a fact that some players are struggling to adapt to that style. I understand and acknowledge that. In the process of changing the style, mistakes are bound to happen. To cover those mistakes effectively, I believe a fighting spirit and strong individuality are necessary. I also want to leave a clear improvement in this club in that aspect.
This season, we continue to fight with a strong mentality focused on victory. We must show this fighting spirit for the entire 90 minutes in every match, just like we did in the second half today. The players fought desperately and ran towards victory in the second half. This is not a matter of physical strength, but a mental issue. A mentality focused on victory and a fast playing tempo are what we are currently seeking.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q, please review the game.
A, the decision making and tempo of passing were slow, and the overall pace of the game became slow. I think our weaknesses were exposed.
Q, I don't think we can make excuses, but did the schedule of the game on the second day also affect it?
A, If you are tired and cannot play well, you can simply avoid playing in this round. I remember talking about something similar before, that we need to play without using the schedule as an excuse. We all understood this and went into the game, but if we are weak and lose to ourselves, we cannot win against the opponent. I think the first half of the game was a testament to that.
Q, I think we were able to show our team's determination by scoring two goals in the second half.
A, There were also parts where the pace slowed down due to the opponent scoring 3 points in the first half. In the second half, we were able to show our strength in the ball contest, but there are also moments where we wonder why we couldn't do it from the first half. I think there are problems within ourselves for not being able to fully express good plays, and I have said it many times, but unless we can improve on that point, I don't think we can move forward.
Q, Did the short preparation and confirmation time before the Vissel Kobe match also have an impact?
A, I don't think it was a matter of insufficient confirmation. As a tactic, we prioritized not putting high pressure on the front line, but rather preventing Diego OLIVEIRA from blocking the pass route to the opponent's defensive midfielder. However, when the game actually started, they simply kicked long balls, so we should have been tougher on the source of the ball. I think it is important to balance both preparing in advance and being flexible and making adjustments during the game.
<Takuya AOKI>
Q, this was your first appearance as an anchor. Did you feel confident?
A, I think we have a good flow, but I believe that continuity is the most difficult thing, so I want to continue firmly.
Q, I think that Aoki's movement was a trigger for the surrounding players to move as well.
A, that happened. I think it would be great if I could show it in my play.
Q: What are the future challenges for the team?
A, Regarding today's match, I think we were able to score with our determination in the second half. However, in the future, I want us to be able to take goals with our own will.
Q, we fell behind by 3 points in the first half, making it difficult to maintain composure and carry on with the game.
A, I was watching from the bench during the first half and I felt like that on the pitch. I thought it would be good if I could organize that and get into the game.
Q, Do you need a sense of balance to move forward?
A, I think it is important to differentiate between when to take care of the ball and when to go with momentum. Today, we were not able to do that, so there were scenes where we brought the ball up to the goal keeper, and overall, I think there were a lot of half-hearted plays.
Q, in the first half, the pace was not grasped, and in the second half, there are many times when the game develops well.
A, I definitely think there will be waves. This will be my second appearance from the second half, but just like in the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, it's not good to continuously concede goals during a bad flow. Even in a bad flow, I think we need to keep it to at least one goal conceded. If we concede three goals like today, it will be difficult to bring it back to a tie. Even in a bad flow, I think it's necessary to accept it in a bad way.
Q, what could be the reason for not being able to do so?
A, I think the short time for preparation also had an impact on today's game.
Q, does it also contribute to the factor that you cannot change the flow until halftime?
A, I think it would be best if we could change only the players who are on the pitch during the game. I don't think we can reach the top if we don't become a team where players can change while talking to each other.
<PEROTTI>
Congratulations on your first goal in J1, Diego OLIVEIRA. Did you receive any advice from Diego OLIVEIRA during your regular training on penalty kicks?
A, thank you very much. Regarding penalty kicks, there is no instruction on how to kick, but we always practice penalty kicks with him after practice. Since coming to Japan, Diego TABA has taught me both on and off the pitch. I am filled with gratitude towards him.
Q, What are you learning from Diego TABA, who has a track record in Japan?
Player Diego TABA has had various experiences in Japan. He always gives me advice, saying "You have to be patient and do your best."
Q, What kind of conversation did you have when taking a penalty kick?
A, I was asked by Diego to "kick it?" and I told him that I also wanted to kick it honestly. I felt that he trusted me and it gave me confidence to make a solid decision. I am grateful to Diego for giving me the opportunity to score a goal.
Q, with a 2-point deficit when taking the penalty kick, and with Kobe fans and supporters behind the goal, was there a lot of pressure?
A, I always practice and always think about kicking as usual. To be honest, I was so focused that I didn't care about the opponent's fans and supporters, and I was trying to kick the same way as always.
