＜Match Review＞
Tokyo has experienced a turbulent week. On the 14th, Coach Albert resigned, and on the 16th, it was announced that Coach Peter Cklamovski would take over. However, the new coach will join the team after the 20th, so Assistant Coach Takayoshi Amma will temporarily take charge of the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., the final game of the Levain Cup group stage.
Although it is a very difficult situation to advance to the prime stage, Tokyo's attitude of striving to win each and every game in front of them will not change. The day before the match, Captain Masato MORISHIGE said, "We must show our fighting spirit for the fans and supporters who come all the way to the away game and deliver a victory."
Victory is the minimum requirement to advance to the next stage. In this season, they have only won one official game, so they showed their determination in an away game and faced a crucial match in their quest to reclaim the title after three seasons.
Tokyo started with a formation that included Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI as a double pivot, with Ryoma WATANABE playing as an attacking midfielder. Kei KOIZUMI was placed at right back, while Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has been a starter in every Levain Cup match so far, was given the responsibility of guarding the goal.
1stHALF—One strike from Morishige's spirit and one skillful strike from Nakagawa
Under the guidance of Head Coach Takayoshi AMMA, Tokyo has been reviewing the part of their fighting attitude that forms the basis of soccer. They showed a high level of concentration from the start. In the first five minutes, they earned three consecutive corner kicks. On the third one, BETO player Matsuki's ball was met by player Morishige. He shook the net with a powerful header. After the goal, while his teammates ran over in joy, number 3 headed straight to the bench to share his happiness with Head Coach AMMA and the bench members.
However, after taking the lead, they struggled against Kyoto's press. The contact play in the midfield increased, they couldn't hold onto the ball, and there were scenes where they were caught on the counterattack after losing possession. And in the 18th minute of the first half, when they were invaded deep into the left side, they failed to clear the cross ball and allowed an equalizing goal by Hirado player.
The tension of the game has not settled down even after returning to the starting point. The aggressive attitudes of both teams stand out in a good way, and the game is shaping up to be a great one with both teams colliding. In the midst of this, Tokyo creates a chance in the 28th minute of the first half. From the development of pushing the opponent into the penalty area, they calmly move the ball and search for space. Matsuki makes a vertical run into the space on the right side of the penalty area and crosses it in front of the goal. Teruhito NAKAGAWA scores on the opposite side of the net, regaining the lead once again.
After that, both teams had attacks and defenses in front of the goal, but the score did not change, and Tokyo maintained a one-point lead as the game reached halftime.
2nd HALF - Defending the lead and advancing to the prime stage
Kyoto replaced two players in the defense line in the second half, while Tokyo started without making any substitutions.
After a first half that was evenly matched, the battle for control in the second half is being watched closely, with Tokyo stepping up and surpassing the opponent in intensity.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Diego OLIVEIRA, Koki TSUKAGAWA, and Ryoma WATANABE pressed one after another from the front line. WATANABE took the ball all the way to the goal and made the final pass to the free Diego player. With the goalkeeper also drawn towards WATANABE, Diego calmly slotted the ball in to extend the lead.
After gaining a two-goal lead, Tokyo proceeded with the game with some margin and goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made fine saves to protect the goal in critical situations.
As the game entered the final stage, Kyoto, who had been on the defensive, began to counterattack. However, players Morishige and Henrique Trevisan continued to repel their attacks by solidifying the center and maintaining a high level of concentration.
Even in the additional 7 minutes, without losing sharpness in the start, they all run to defend when losing the ball, and quickly press back when pushed in, preventing Kyoto from creating good opportunities.
Stay focused until the end, and with a 3-1 score at the final whistle, we stopped our losing streak at 3 games in official matches and achieved our first away win since the league's 9th round against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on April 22nd.
Despite finishing second in the group stage of the Levain Cup, they advanced to the Prime Stage as one of the top three teams among the second-place finishers in all five groups. After the match, the chant of "The City That Never Sleeps" echoed throughout the stadium as players and staff shared their joy with the fans and supporters.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kei Koizumi/Masato Morishige/Henrique TREVISAN (45+5 minutes: Kanta Doi)/Yuto Nagatomo
MF Shuto Abe/Kuryu Matsuki/Ryoma Watanabe (19 minutes: Keigo Higashi)
FW Takaki Tsukakawa (19 minutes: Koki Tawara)/Diego OLIVEIRA (25 minutes: Perotti)/Teruhito Nakagawa (25 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO
GOAL
First half 8 minutes: Masato MORISHIGE/First half 27 minutes: Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Second half 4 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA
Kyoto Sanga F.C.
STARTING XI
GK Tomoya Wakahara
DF Shogo Asada/Rikito Inoue (46': Hisashi Appiah Tawiah)/Kosuke Shirai
MF Daiki Kaneko/Teppei Yachida (65': Shimpei Fukuoka)/Fuki Yamada (70': Takumi Miyayoshi)/Taiki Hirato/Kyosuke Sato (46': Shinnosuke Fukuda)
FW PATRIC (65': Kosuke Kinoshita)/Yudai Kimura
SUBS
Gakuji OTA
Temma MATSUDA
GOAL
18' First Half: Taiki HIRATO
[Coach Takayoshi Amma Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, I am truly grateful to all the fans and supporters who came here to support us. It was a very difficult week, but I am especially grateful to the players who were able to move on and play with courage in the next game, which we must move on to.
Q, Please tell us the reason for adopting the 4-2-3-1 formation and how you decided on the game plan of quickly moving the ball forward.
A, When it became necessary to win with the current players, I thought this formation was the best. By placing Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI close together, I think everyone was able to move in and out of the space without being separated. In addition, by combining the center backs, I think we were able to have stable ball control, which led to spectacular goals like the second one. Also, in terms of risk management, we had been receiving counters for a long time, so it was our intention to try to handle them with one more player. Of course, we cannot prevent all counters, but the scene where everyone came back and defended like in the end of the first half was a play that we haven't seen much recently. It's been a while since we were able to show such attacking force, but also such defensive force, and it's a good thing since it's the core of our team.
Q, It seemed like the players were playing as if they were liberated. What was emphasized?
A, this week, we also had intense training and cramming. The players responded very well, and when I asked, "How is it?" they replied, "I'm looking forward to playing the game." They showed that attitude even before the game.
Q, among many key players, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA was chosen as the goalkeeper.
A, The Levain Cup has been played with Taishi Brandon NOZAWA in every match so far, so instead of just running away in this match, let's have Taishi NOZAWA challenge one more time. As for the substitution in the second half, there were many attacking intentions, so the choice was the same as before.
[Player Interview]
Masato MORISHIGE
Q, please review the game.
It was a match where I felt the feelings of all the players. I think that the strong determination we had throughout the 90 minutes led to this result. No matter what form it took, it was a match we approached with the intention of winning, so I wanted to score a goal no matter what and I think that determination was carried through to the ball. I want us to continue with the attitude of scoring and defending goals together like we did today.
Q, we were caught up once, but it was impressive to see us continue to fight without looking down. I think there was a different atmosphere on the pitch than before.
A, everyone worked hard on both offense and defense without stopping their feet. Chasing after one ball with all their might, aiming for the opponent's goal, and being able to fight for 90 minutes for victory, I think it was good regardless of the result.
Q, in the post-match interview, you talked about "for Coach Yasuma". Please tell us again about your feelings towards Coach Yasuma.
Coach Yasuma and I have talked about many things and fought together during difficult times. I think that not only myself, but everyone had a strong desire to win for Coach Yasuma, who has supported us. This strong feeling was reflected in our play during the game.
Q, it was a game where we were able to take a new step as a team. How will we continue to improve as a team from here on out?
A, We want to continue and further enhance the sense of unity like today. With the appointment of a new coach, we want to show more of a team fighting attitude like today. We want to show our passion and fight for the fans and supporters.
Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Q, we broke through in a wonderful way and scored a goal. Please review.
We are grateful to player Kuryu Matsuki. We were able to express the way we connect and break the ball as a team in the game. That led to the result. Everyone was emotionally invested, so we were finally able to score and win. It was a good feeling.
Q, in the previous match against Gamba Osaka, he was quite upset, saying "It was my fault."
A, I wasn't aware of it, but I think this victory is the result of various emotions and thoughts from everyone on the team, and I believe that a strong team is one that can overcome difficult times together no matter what the situation. We were able to win with the soccer that the team is trying to play by overcoming such a difficult wall. It wasn't something that we were able to do for the entire 90 minutes, but I think the first half was particularly good, and we were able to score with momentum in the second half. I think it was a victory where the team was able to express what they were trying to do at the minimum level.
Q, how do you want to follow up on this victory?
A, We must not forget this game where we fought together with momentum and feelings, and leave it behind in the away game. We have a game at home next, and in order to make a comeback as a strong Tokyo team, we must aim to win every game. If we can't achieve our goal and satisfy our fans and supporters, I think we won't be able to win every game. Especially this season, we were only able to win one game away, so I finally feel like we were able to repay the support of our fans and supporters.
＜Leon NOZAWA player＞
Q, we entered the game with a winning situation. What were you conscious of?
A, we were winning and it was a time when the team's stamina was dropping, so I decided to step up and rev the engine again, with the mindset of "let's go even further".
Q, I think you have been very critical of yourself in the games you have played so far. How do you evaluate your performance today?
A, I played as a winger and naturally wanted to score goals, but I feel like I was able to contribute by pressing and passing the ball. I couldn't achieve any personal results, but in terms of contributing to the team's victory, I feel like I was able to do more than in previous games and I am growing as a player.
Q, I was called by the fans and supporters during halftime. I think it was a sign of their expectations.
When I am called by that name, I feel that people are expecting something from me. As a player, it also motivates me to bring even more joy to the fans and supporters. I want to continue to work hard and respond to the support of everyone who always supports me with results.I want to push myself even further and continue to strive to meet the expectations of everyone who supports me.
Q, doesn't Leon NOZAWA have a special feeling about the game where he played and the team won under the command of Head Coach Takayoshi AMMA?
Coach A Yasuma taught me a lot of things and trusted me to join the team and play in the game. I was able to meet the expectations by achieving victory with the trust I received. However, there are still many things I need to work on personally, so I want to continue to grow and repay the support of Coach Yasuma, the staff, and the fans and supporters.
