<Match Review>
The J1 League reached its halfway point in the 2023 season. The final match of the first half was against Gamba Osaka away. This was the third match of the season, including the Levain Cup.
Tokyo has the same starting lineup as the previous match. Kei Koizumi, who was substituted in the first half due to discomfort in his foot, started on the pitch without any issues. Up front, Diego Oliveira, who has scored 4 goals in the last 3 matches, will play in the center, with Teruhito Nakagawa on the right wing and Ryoma Watanabe on the left wing, which is Tokyo's standard formation. Kuryu Matsuki, who received a red card in the previous match, is suspended and Kota Tawaratsumida, who performed well in the 2nd round of the Emperor's Cup 3 days ago, has been included in the substitute members.
1st HALF - Conceded 2 goals after the accident
Both teams increased the pressure on the ball side from the beginning, and Tokyo quickly put the ball to Diego TABA to create a starting point, and then searched for the thread of attack from a high position.
The opportunity came in the 9th minute of the first half, when the ball was passed to Koizumi on the left side, who then passed it to Diego in the center. After confirming that there was no defender behind him, Diego turned towards the goal and took a shot from the middle range.
On the other hand, there were scenes where the opponent was able to carry the ball to a deep position in their own territory. In the 15th minute of the first half, when the ball was taken in the vital area, the marker could not catch up to the ball holder, leaving them free to take a shot in the penalty area. However, goalkeeper Jakub SLOWIK made a fine save with his foot to avoid danger.
Before this pinch, Takuya AOKI was injured when he cleared a decisive pass in the penalty area. He returned to the pitch once, but was unable to stand up when he survived the above-mentioned pinch in the first 15 minutes, and Keigo HIGASHI was hastily substituted.
It was a place where I wanted to respond to the accident, but the opponent took the lead. In the 25th minute of the first half, when a corner kick from the left side was turned back towards the goal, Issam JEBALI pushed it in and we conceded the first goal.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, but in the 29th minute of the first half, they were slow to react to the opponent's restart in the scene of the throw-in, and a looping pass was made from the midfield position to the front of the goal. Issam JEBALI, who jumped in, was headed in and the additional point was taken in the right corner of the goal.
In the closing moments of the first half, Nakagawa was brought down and earned a free kick opportunity. Shuhei TOKUMOTO put a sharp ball into the goal area, and East player had a free header, but it went straight to the goalkeeper.
2ndHALF - Tsukagawa's goal at the end of the game was not enough for a comeback, ending with only 1 point.
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow of the game, will bring in Adailton in place of Yuto NAGATOMO at halftime to revitalize their attack.
Tokyo, who showed a strong awareness of vertical play from the start of the second half, pushed forward deep into the opponent's territory using Adailton. In the 2nd minute of the second half, they shook the opponent wide and Diego TABA headed in a cross ball from left side player Tokumoto, but the shot went straight to the goalkeeper.
He was aggressively attacking with a strong focus on scoring, but in the 15th minute of the second half, he was targeted from behind. He invaded deep into the opponent's territory on the right side, but lost the ball and was countered on the opposite side. The ball was carried to a high position, creating a numerical disadvantage in the penalty area. Although Yasuki KIMOTO tried to block the cross ball with his body, the ball was picked up by player Lori HONDA and the lead was extended.
Tokyo, who wants to strengthen their counterattack without letting their guard down, started to push back in the 21st minute of the second half. Nakagawa player started the play near the penalty area and used Tokumoto player who made a run into the box. Tokumoto player held the ball near the goal line and made a strong pass into the box. Diego TABA stretched his leg to make the shot, but it narrowly missed to the right of the goal.
In the 26th minute of the second half, they were once again hit by a counter and shaken wide, but Jakub SLOWIK made a super save when a shot was taken in front of the goal in a free state.
Diego TABA received a foul in a high position and got a free kick in the 33rd minute of the second half. Tokumoto player put a sharp ball in front of the goal, and Kimoto player took a high heading shot, but the ball heading towards the goal was cleared by a covering player.
Tokyo, who continued their attacking stance until the end without giving up, finally scored a goal in the 45+2 minute of the second half. Starting from the right side, the ball flowed to the opposite side where player Tokumoto picked it up and made a vertical run before crossing the ball. Koki TSUKAGAWA, who had made a run to the far side, headed the ball into the left corner of the goal, finally scoring a goal for Tokyo.
However, the comeback was limited to one point, and they lost 1-3.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yakubu Swobick
DF Yuto Nagatomo (46th minute: Adailton) (44th minute: Perotti)/Yasuki Kimoto (43rd minute: Henrique Trevizan)/Mashiko Masato/Tokumoto Shuhei
MF Kei Koizumi/Takuya Aoki (17th minute: Keigo Higashi)/Shuto Abe (23rd minute: Koki Tsukagawa)
FW Ryoma Watanabe/Diego Oliveira/Teruhito Nakagawa (23rd minute: Kota Tawaratsumida)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
GOAL
45+2' Second Half: Koki TSUKAGAWA
＜Gamba Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Riku HANDA/Yota SATO (39th minute of the second half: Genta MIURA)/Keisuke KUROKAWA (45+3 minutes of the second half: Wataru YANAGISAWA)
MF Aki KURATA (23rd minute of the second half: Yuya FUKUDA)/Neteravie/Dawan (23rd minute of the second half: Hideki ISHIGE)/Yuki YAMAMOTO/Fanarano (39th minute of the second half: Ryotaro MESHINO)
FW Issam JEBALI
SUBS
GK Kosei TANI
FW Hiroto YAMAMI
GOAL
First Half 25th Minute: Issam JEBALI/First Half 29th Minute: Issam JEBALI/Second Half 15th Minute: Riku HANDA
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, Today's game was a loss due to two defensive mistakes during set plays. Those two goals had a big impact on the flow of the game. We lost balance between offense and defense today. In terms of attack, I think we played well in both halves. We were able to possess the ball, actively aim for the goal, and create decisive chances. However, if we lose balance in defense, it will affect our overall balance. Even if we can hold onto the ball and play more offensively, if we make defensive mistakes and concede goals, our progress will be hindered.
The players were also informed earlier. I think the performance of last season was worse than this season. However, there were many games where we were able to finish with a clean sheet by tightening our defense. On the other hand, I think our attack has been better this season. However, even if we are able to attack, if our defense becomes unstable and the balance between offense and defense is disrupted, it can lead to poor results and loss of confidence. I think this season is a difficult one. The number of injured players has made the battle more difficult. However, we must overcome this obstacle.
Q, we were unable to catch the opponent's attack from the first half. What kind of plan did you have in mind?
A, I think that conceding two goals in the early stages of the first half has had a big impact on our play afterwards. The two goals have had a big impact. After conceding two goals, we are put in a psychological situation where we have to play more aggressively. In that situation, I think we gave the opposing team too much space.
Until the first goal, I think we were able to play aggressively. However, after that, we easily lost the ball and were countered, resulting in a corner kick and a goal. This is the nature of football, where one goal can have a big impact on the rest of the game. The second goal was the same. We didn't respond well to the opponent's throw-in, which led to the goal. Those two goals created a situation where we had to be more aggressive, which affected our play afterwards.
Q, What do we need to do in the second half to make a comeback with 19 points at the end of the first half?
In terms of attack, we continue to grow and now we need to focus on improving our defense through training. We have also advanced in the Emperor's Cup. In the Levain Cup, our progress to the group stage depends on the final round results. We want to aim for the top in both of these tournaments. Looking back at the first half of the league, injuries have had an impact. On the other hand, I don't think we were able to consistently achieve the expected results even when all players were available. In that sense, I don't think we were able to play as well as we had hoped in the first half.
[Player Interview]
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, What is necessary for the team to win in a difficult match?
A, At this point, it is difficult to talk about anything specific, but there is definitely some kind of mistake. However, it is not about blaming someone for that mistake, but rather reflecting calmly on what went wrong. The flow is bad, but I think we have no choice but to start over as a team.
Q, Diego TABA himself seems to be able to play in good condition. We could see him leading the team even in difficult situations.
A, I don't think my own condition is bad, but it's separate from the team winning. It's important to fight as a team, so I think we have to fight together and win.
Q, second half, created many scenes threatening the goal centered around Diego TABA and scored one point.
A, I think the second half was better. We had many chances, but we only scored one goal. There are areas in both our attack and defense that need to be fixed. As we head into the second half of the league, we want to make corrections and prepare for both.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q, please look back on the game
A, I think it was all about conceding the first goal while trying to take the lead before the opponent. We needed more driving force in both attack and defense from the first half. Adailton was also brought in during the second half, and it seemed that there were more opportunities to break through individually.
Q, it seemed that we were creating many chances through breaking and crossing on the left side throughout the match.
A, before the game, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA told us about the side attacks and breaking down the opponent's defense. We were particularly conscious of how we could contribute and push forward. Unfortunately, we only scored one goal from my involvement, so I want to create more opportunities for myself in the future.
Q, Tokumoto's offensive participation led to a goal. How will you continue to connect this assist in the future?
A, I feel that my chemistry with my teammates, including set plays, is improving. Although it didn't result in a goal, there were 3 or 4 scenes where I was able to kick with a good feeling. We have to continue doing that. I want to continue supplying high-precision balls for the team and create many goals.
＜Kei KOIZUMI player＞
Q, please review the game.
A, Speaking about this round, there were probably not just one but countless reasons for our defeat. The biggest difference between us and Gamba Osaka was whether we were able to demonstrate our strength in the ball-winning and properly recover second balls. Winning in those situations brought a good flow for Gamba Osaka. In a difficult game, the opponent scored the opening goal from a set piece and created a flow that led to additional goals. There are many reasons for our defeat, but losing in situations like ball-winning made the game difficult. In the first half, I played as an inside half, but giving too much freedom to players like Neta LAVI and Dawhan is a big regret.
Q, I played as a right back from the second half. Please tell me what you were conscious of while playing in a different position from the first half.
I was particularly conscious of creating a build-up shape. Among them, I was conscious of the suitability and playing style of wing players such as Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. I think the way my teammates use me depends on the players behind me, including myself. I want to play with even more attention to detail in creating attacks, and I want to strengthen my intensity again so that I don't lose in one-on-one situations.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, I had the impression that there were many scenes where I was not marking the opponent.
A, in the past few games, we have been conceding goals only from cross balls, so we have been practicing cross defense in this week's training as well. However, we still conceded from set pieces and cross balls, and I feel like I haven't been able to mark my opponent properly. It's also important to prevent cross balls from being played. Especially for the second goal, I let my opponent play the cross ball freely. There were also moments where I was not focused and it took me some time to apply pressure. I take full responsibility for that.
Q, were there any choices to stick to man-to-man while there were players moving around fluidly?
It is difficult to keep an eye on the ball and the opponent at the same time, but in front of the goal, if you are marked, it can lead to conceding a goal, so I think each player must take responsibility and mark their opponent.
Q, Before entering the second half of the league, there will be the final match of the Levain Cup group stage next week.
A, the Levain Cup is also an important match and we must win. It is a different tournament from the league, so we must approach it with a different mindset and fight.
