<Match Review>
Tokyo, having suffered consecutive losses in the last three matches of the first half of the league, welcomed new coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI and is set to start the second half of the season with a fresh start.
The first match for Coach Kramovski. The goalkeeper is Jakub SLOWIK. The defense line from the right consists of Kei KOIZUMI, Masato MORISHIGE, Henrique TREVISAN, and Yuto NAGATOMO. The double pivot is assigned to Kyu Matsuki and Shuto ABE. Ryoma WATANABE is positioned as the attacking midfielder. The lone striker is Diego OLIVEIRA, with Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the right wing and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left wing.
1st HALF - With Diego's goal, the Klamovski regime takes the lead
Under the new coach, Tokyo enters the Nagoya Grampus territory with high intensity and momentum from the start. They fight tenaciously for the ball, quickly close in on the ball side, swiftly transition to attack after regaining possession, and quickly return to defense after losing the ball.
Both teams have quick vertical speed, leading to an open game from the start, but Tokyo continues to carry the ball forward persistently without easily losing possession.
In the 17th minute of the first half, Diego TABA, who received the ball on the left side, made a dribble and delivered a cross ball towards the negative direction near the goal line. Watanabe, who was waiting at the near side right in front of the goal, made a powerful direct shot, but the ball just went slightly over the frame.
As expectations for a goal rise, the match begins to unfold in the 18th minute of the first half. Watanabe has the ball just in front of the penalty area and plays a through pass to Diego inside the penalty area. Diego, receiving the ball while holding off an opposing defender, makes a brilliant turn and shoots with his left foot, sending the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal, successfully giving Tokyo the lead.
Tokyo continued to push forward without losing momentum after taking the lead, but in the 34th minute of the first half, Nakagawa was substituted due to an accident, and Koki TSUKAGAWA was sent onto the pitch as his replacement.
In the latter part of the first half, there was a period where Nagoya pressed forward, but when they regained possession, they maintained the ball without easily losing it. After advancing to a high position, players gathered around the ball side, aiming to break through the situation with coordination and teamwork.
2nd HALF - Victory in the first match of the new commander with high press and duels
As the second half begins, Tokyo ramps up the pressure again, pushing Nagoya back. Their defensive intensity on the ball side remains high, preventing Nagoya from building their attacks as they wish.
The high pressure in the front line took away the precision and speed of Nagoya's build-up, allowing Tokyo to win the ball in advanced positions and create opportunities for thick attacks. In the 13th minute of the second half, after winning the ball high up the pitch two or three times, they earned a corner kick, and the ball delivered by Matsuki was met with a superb header from Diego TABA, but the shot just went over the goal.
Even in the middle of the second half, Tokyo's intensity at the ball remains high. In the 31st minute of the second half, they earn a free kick opportunity on the left side, and Matsuki sends a ball into the goal area that Henrique heads towards the goal, but it unfortunately goes just to the left of the goal.
Immediately after the goal kick, as Nagoya built up play, they pressed hard from the front, and Diego TABA intercepted a back pass and moved towards the goal. He evaded the opposing goalkeeper and took a shot, but unfortunately, it went just wide of the left side of the goal.
Despite maintaining control and creating scoring opportunities, the team struggled to secure additional goals until the long-awaited goal came in the 35th minute of the second half. From a central collaboration, Matsuki sent a pass deep into the left side of the opponent's territory, allowing Abe to break free and calmly deliver a pinpoint cross in front of the goal. Diego TABA, waiting in front of the goal, headed the ball past the goalkeeper to extend Tokyo's lead.
As the match entered its final stages, the substituted players responded by chasing the ball from the front line, fighting without reducing intensity in duels. The high pressure and thick attacks lasted for 90 minutes, along with battles for the ball. Peter CKLAMOVSKI's first match with Tokyo successfully left a strong impact and three points at home at Ajinomoto Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Kei KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Shuto ABE/Ryoma WATANABE (46': Reo NOZAWA)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (34': Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (46': Leandro PEROTTI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (64': Keigo HIGASHI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO/Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
18th minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA/35th minute of the second half: Diego OLIVEIRA
<Nagoya Grampus>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK LANGERAK
DF Haruya FUJII/Shinnosuke NAKATANI/Yuki NOGAMI (36th minute: Ryoga KIDA)
MF Ryoya MORISHITA (31st minute: Ryotaro ISHIDA)/Takuji YONEMOTO (0th minute: Riku YAMADA)/Sho INAGAKI/Ryuji IZUMI (19th minute: Akinari KAWAZURA)
FW Mateus CASTRO/Kensuke NAGAI (19th minute: Takuya SHIGEHIRO)/Kasper JUNKER
SUBS
GK Yohei TAKEDA
MF Kazuki NAGASAWA
GOAL
―
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q: Please summarize today's match, which was the first game.
A, I am proud of the players and staff for delivering a strong performance. I believe we were able to prepare well with solid support throughout this week. While incorporating our key principles, we achieved defensive stability and were able to move the ball effectively in our attack. I think they showcased what we have been working on in practice. They fought with dedication, hard work, and conviction, and I believe we fought in a way that deserves to win.
Q: What did you do to build relationships with the players during the short preparation period?
I believe we were able to showcase what we have focused on in training. While it is important for the team to evolve, it was also crucial to consider what we need to do to defeat Nagoya. We must give our all in both offense and defense, in terms of both movement and intensity, and we have been working on those aspects. The players gave everything they had, and I believe the rewards for their efforts have come back to them. The support from our fans and supporters truly gave us great strength. When the players were tired, I think they were able to push through thanks to their encouragement.
Q: Please tell us the objective of today's match.
First of all, I think they were able to fully showcase what they have been practicing. I believe there are still many areas for improvement, and there are points we need to continue to work on to get better. We have been doing what we need to do in our daily practices. I think we were able to show our physical effort and execute our style of play well. The hard work the players have put in deserves a victory. We were able to demonstrate strong team performance, and I think they did well. However, I also believe there are still many aspects that need improvement.
[Player Interview]]
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, you had a great performance with 2 goals. Please review the goal scenes.
For the first goal, I received a pass from Ryoma WATANABE that was played into the space, turned around, and struck with my left foot. The shot flowed into a difficult angle for the opposing goalkeeper to reach. As for the second goal, a slightly high cross from Shuto ABE was sent in front of the goal. I predicted it would go over the defender who came in front of me, so I moved behind and was able to connect with my head skillfully for the goal.
Q: With your back to the goal, you took a shot after turning around. What kind of image did you have in mind when you struck with your left foot?
Before turning around, I was able to clearly visualize where the goal was, including the opponent's position. After trapping the ball, I focused on the angle at which to shoot and struck with my left foot.
Q: Diego TABA played a key role in leading the attack from the lone striker position. Please tell us what you were conscious of throughout the 90 minutes.
A, today was a match where not just me, but the entire team worked hard together. I believe that everyone running with all their might and fighting in both offense and defense led to our victory. I think it was a victory that we all seized together.
Q: Today, we were able to secure a victory in a good way. Please share your enthusiasm from here on.
A, we will be able to play at home in the next match as well, so while respecting our opponent, we want to aim for consecutive home victories to build even more momentum from here.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, please review the game.
If we can play matches like this for 90 minutes, I think we will lose less often. There were more scenes where we should have scored than actual goals, so if we can finish those chances and avoid conceding goals, I believe our ranking will naturally improve.
Q, please review the scene of the first goal.
At first, I was trying to make a ground pass, but I couldn't because the opponent was in the way. However, I could see both Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Diego OLIVEIRA, so considering the direction of the opponent's body, I made a lob pass to Diego. During the match, I was always watching Diego's movements to make passes. There were scenes where I could have made passes if I had observed more beforehand, so I will reflect on that part and want to utilize it next time.
Q: Towards the end of the first half, you blocked a shot from player Nagai, showing your presence both in defense and offense throughout the match. What were you focusing on?
During the match, due to Nakagawa's injury, I changed my position to the side, and from there, I was conscious of following the opposing winger during defense. I wasn't particularly focused on defense; rather, the result of being aware of the defensive responsibilities as a team led to that kind of play.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match against Kashiwa Reysol.
I want to continue daily training to further increase our intensity, play high-intensity matches like today, and deliver victories to our fans and supporters.
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q: A goal was scored from Henrique TREVISAN's interception. What were you conscious of throughout the 90 minutes?
I think the team is at a turning point with the change of coach. After regaining possession of the ball, we focused on getting the ball to the forwards. In that context, Diego OLIVEIRA scored a goal in a good way.
Q: What instructions did the coach give regarding defense for the upcoming match?
A, Nagoya is a team that uses solid defense and quick counterattacks as their weapons, so I was told by Coach Klamovski to switch between offense and defense quickly and to regain possession of the ball immediately after losing it.
Q, your play shone in everything, including interceptions at high positions and participation in attacks.
A, I think the important thing is to continue playing well from now on. To do that, I believe we need to practice and level up, so I want to keep going to be able to play well as a team.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: It has been a while since your last starting appearance. Please tell us what you were conscious of throughout the match.
First of all, I was conscious of entering the match with high defensive intensity, and I thought it wouldn't matter if I couldn't compete defensively. I was given the chance to start, so I approached the match with a strong mindset. I wanted to play the full 90 minutes, but my stamina, which is a challenge for me, showed. After I came off the bench, I entrusted everything to the players on the pitch.
Q: Your play, which fully utilized your strengths, shone. Please tell us what you were particularly conscious of in the offensive aspect.
A, for me, I was focused solely on achieving results in today's match. However, I was unable to achieve results today, and I am very frustrated. There were many tactical aims as we approached the match, so there are many things I cannot comment on here, but I believe utilizing my dribbling, which is my personal strength, will positively impact the team. I particularly focused on dribbling breakthroughs and creating opportunities that lead directly to goals in today's match.
Q: We were able to progress through the second half of the league in a good way. Please share your enthusiasm from here on.
A, I want to energize the team with plays that utilize dribbling, and I believe that by increasing the number of plays I initiate towards the goal, we will see results. To move the team in a positive direction from here, I want to express this through my play so that we can catch a good flow. As an individual, I will pursue results.
