＜Match Review＞
After playing the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup on Wednesday, Tokyo will have to play 3 games in one week. In the league game, they ended with a fierce 0-0 draw against Urawa Reds in an away game. In the Emperor's Cup, they played against Verdy for 120 minutes in an intense match that went into a penalty shootout, eventually winning 9-8 after 9 rounds of close competition.
After Peter CKLAMOVSKI became the coach, Tokyo has not lost yet with 3 wins and 1 draw, and they are on a roll as they head into the third game of a 3-game series.
The starting members will be based on the lineup for the Urawa game, and Masato MORISHIGE, who avoided the Urawa game and the Emperor's Cup, returned to center back, while Henrique TREVISAN, who was substituted in the final stages of the Emperor's Cup, avoided this match.
1st HALF - Diego's goal puts us ahead, but we end up conceding the lead.
Both teams started by increasing the intensity of their challenges and colliding with each other. They maintained a compact formation and put strong pressure on the ball side. In the midst of this, it was Tokyo who managed to break through the high defense line.
In the 9th minute of the first half, Yakubu SLOWIK sent a feed to the front line from his own zone. Kashima Antlers raised their defensive line, but Kuryu MATSUKI broke through and brought the ball to the left side of the penalty area. Turning towards the negative direction, Diego OLIVEIRA received the ball in the center of the goal and scored a shot while turning around, giving Tokyo the lead.
The balance of the game remains unchanged even after the score changes. Both teams continue to play with high intensity, not giving in to each other. Then, in the 23rd minute of the first half, when Kashima is given a corner kick, the ball is headed by Matsuki and equalized from a position slightly further from the center of the goal.
Afterwards, Kashima gained momentum and the time for playing in Tokyo's territory increased. However, Tokyo did not allow scenes where they could freely bring the ball to the goal without losing their intensity in the ball's vicinity.
However, in the 45th minute of the first half, just when it seemed like the game would go into halftime tied at 1-1, the game was once again shaken up. A side attack pushed the ball into the goal area, and Matsuki took a shot at the ball that couldn't be cleared. The ball flew towards the goal and was pushed in by Higashida, turning the score around and going into halftime.
2ndHALF - Unable to turn the tide despite a spread out counterattack
Both teams maintained their intensity in the second half, but Tokyo showed a stronger attacking mindset.
However, in the 9th minute of the second half, the ball was carried deep on the right side and a cross ball was combined in front of the goal in the minus direction. Although the shot was reacted by player SLOWIK, the ball that spilled out to the outside of the penalty area was powerfully shot into the right corner of the goal by player PITUCA with a chest trap.
Tokyo, trailing by two points, attempted to break through by bringing in Shuhei TOKUMOTO and Koki TSUKAGAWA in the 17th minute of the second half, followed by Adailton in the 25th minute. Naoki KUMATA was also brought in at the 41st minute to boost the attack.
In the second half, at the 45th minute, Matsuki had a chance to take a free kick in front of the goal after Kumada was brought down by Anzai while trying to break through. Matsuki's direct shot hit the wall and changed direction, catching the goalkeeper off guard, but it narrowly missed the top of the goal.
Kashima, who entered the final stage of the match with a lead, was unable to break through and secure the victory, resulting in the first defeat under the CKLAMOVSKI regime.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yakubu Swobick
DF Kei Koizumi/Yasuki Kimoto/Masato Morishige/Yuto Nagatomo (17th minute of the second half: Shuhei Tokumoto)
MF Kusei Matsuki/Shuto Abe/Keigo Higashi (17th minute of the second half: Kota Tawaratsumida)
FW Ryoma Watanabe (41st minute of the second half: Naoki Kumata)/Diego Oliveira/Adailton (25th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
FW Leon NOZAWA
GOAL
9 minutes into the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA
Kashima Antlers
STARTING XI
GK Tomoki Hayakawa
DF Rikuto Hirose/Naoto Ueda/Ikuma Sekigawa/Koki Anzai
MF Kaishu Sano/Diego Pituca/Yuta Higuchi (25th minute of the second half: Yuta Matsumura)/Hayato Nakama (25th minute of the second half: Ryotaro Araki)
FW Hiroki Kakeda (30th minute of the second half: Shu Morooka) (45+4th minute of the second half: Yu Funahashi)/Yuma Suzuki (45+4th minute of the second half: Shoma Doi)
SUBS
GK Yuya OKI
DF Gen SHOJI
GOAL
First half 23 minutes: Yuma SUZUKI/First half 45 minutes: Yuki KAKITA/Second half 9 minutes: Diego PITUCA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Director Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, there were also parts where our performance was lacking. We were not able to achieve the desired result. We must learn from today's game and use it in the future. We were unable to capitalize on our chances against Kashima Antlers and could not break through their defense. I believe the players gave their all and fought until the end. It was a tough night, but they never gave up and fought desperately to turn the game around. It's disappointing that we couldn't get the result we wanted and couldn't send off Shuto ABE with a victory. Even if he goes overseas, I want to continue supporting him.
Q, you mentioned that you learned a lesson from today's game. Can you give an example of what that might be?
A, I think we were able to make a good start as we strive for a perfect performance. From there, we were able to take a 1-0 lead in a good shape. However, it was unfortunate that we conceded a goal from a set piece. Also, there are still areas that we need to improve in every situation, including defense and scoring opportunities. In order to deliver a perfect performance in those situations, we must improve in all aspects.
[Player Interview]
<Shuto ABE>
Q, it was a game with many fans and supporters holding up Shuto ABE's uniform. Please review the game.
A, I could see that many fans and supporters were holding up their uniforms from before the game, so I really wanted to win the last game and go to Belgium. It was good until we were able to take the lead in the first half, but we conceded a goal from a set piece and the momentum changed. I wanted to lead the team with more mobility and strength. I was trying to play as usual, but Kashima Antlers were also very strong and came aggressively, so I think the reason for our defeat was that we couldn't surpass them.
Q, today the "Aveshu" call echoed.
A, I thought to myself that I was being supported and I was honestly happy. I thought I could have done more and I wanted to respond to that support. I want to take this frustration and unleash it in Belgium.
Q: Did you plan your message for the ceremony in advance?
A, not only the color of my hair, but also in order to make the fans and supporters happy, I prepared a script and other things from the day before and approached the event. However, I was nervous when I stood in that place, so I made sure to give my greetings in my own words.
Q, What kind of presence do you want to deliver to your fans and supporters in the distant place?
A, In Belgium, there is no guarantee that I can play, so it starts with a position battle, so I hope to play in the game and leave results such as goals and assists, and if I can make a good report. I want to deliver my performance as a member of the Japan national team in Japan. I wanted to show that I have "Tokyo love" not only in my hair color, but also in my heart, so it became just a form, but I will always have such feelings.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, please review the scoring scene.
A, Jakub SLOWIK's long feed escaped to the left side, and Kuryu MATSUKI was able to jump out in a good position. He gave me a good ball from a deep position, so I was able to trap it and turn it into a shot. I think it was a goal that came from a good flow.
Q, please tell us the reason for your good form of scoring.
A, Last season, I was unable to improve my condition due to injuries, but now the pain from those injuries has disappeared and I am able to train in good condition. I believe this has led to good results in the games.
Q, Please leave a message for Shuto ABE, who has made a significant contribution to the team.
I was able to play with player Abe for 3 seasons. He made a big contribution to the team with his play for Tokyo, and I myself was helped a lot by Abe's play. Please let me express my gratitude first and foremost. For Abe, I think it will be a new start towards his dreams and goals, so we will support his success from Tokyo.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q, please review the game.
A, when we lost our rhythm, we conceded a goal. Overall, I felt that our physical limits came early. We were not able to have the energy to turn the game around as a team.
Q, Today will be the last game for player Shuto ABE. Please give us a message.
A, if I can show my mentality and my strengths, I believe I can perform well even in Belgium. I am used to sending many players away, but I think it will be tough for the team. I want to see Abe, who is performing well and leaving results, not come back right away.
Q, there is time until the next game. How do you want to spend this time as an individual and as a team?
A, We have no choice but to level up, so we want to spend a good break period by practicing hard and making each of us move more and fight better.
