Match Review
The first official match after the break was the Emperor's Cup Round of 16 against Roasso Kumamoto, where we conceded an early goal and couldn't find our rhythm, resulting in a loss. The league match resumes in three days, again involving a long-distance away game. Our opponent is Cerezo Osaka, against whom we have played three matches this season, including the Levain Cup, without a win. We lost 1-3 in the league match before the break against Kashima Antlers, making this a crucial match to stop our losing streak in the league and in official matches.
Tokyo, aiming for victory, sees the reliable captain Masato MORISHIGE returning to the starting lineup. Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined the team during the summer registration period, is also in the starting lineup following the Emperor's Cup. The goalkeeper is Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, making his J1 League debut. Additionally, Jája Silva, who has just joined the team, has made the bench as part of the squad.
This season in the league, Tokyo has only managed to secure one win away, and they struggle significantly in away matches. To make a comeback in the second half of the season, they want to overcome their aversion to away games. Cerezo Osaka, who have not won in three matches this season, are the perfect opponent for that challenge.
1st HALF - Matsuki's first league goal of the season in a strong start with momentum
At the start, the players came out sharply and entered the match in a highly focused state. The defensive line maintained a high line, pushing close to the halfway line, while executing a coordinated high press from the front. They created several scenes where they won the ball deep in the opponent's territory and ended with shots on goal.
With the momentum gained, they took the lead in the 8th minute of the first half. After earning a free kick on the left side beyond the halfway line, Yuto NAGATOMO skillfully kicked the ball into the space behind the opponent's defensive line. Understanding the intention, Diego OLIVEIRA broke free and received the ball inside the penalty area, holding off the opposing defender. As he tried to control the ball, it was poked away by the defender, but Kuryu MATSUKI, who had jumped into the penalty area to provide support, picked it up. The player wearing number 7 calmly controlled the ball, shook off the defender, and struck with his left foot without hesitation, sending it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
After taking the initiative, the team maintained control for a while, and in the 17th minute of the first half, they ended their attack with consecutive shots. They regained the ball deep on the left side of the opponent's territory, and Ryoma WATANABE took a shot that caught the opponent's goalkeeper off guard, but it went wide to the right. When the opponent restarted with a short goal kick, Diego TABA immediately chased and blocked the clearance. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up the loose ball and swung his right foot from a cut-in, but it was reacted to by the opponent's goalkeeper.
The incident occurred in the 21st minute of the first half. During the previously mentioned chance, Diego TABA injured his foot while blocking an opponent's clearance, making it impossible for him to continue playing, and he was substituted for PEROTTI.
From this substitution, the flow of the match gradually tilted towards Cerezo Osaka. Unable to stop the breakthroughs of Jordy CROUX on the right side and CAPIXABA on the left side, they were pushed back and frequently faced dangerous crosses into the goal area. Nevertheless, in the most dangerous areas, the defenders threw their bodies to block, and even in scenes where they couldn't stop the shots, Taishi Nozawa calmly responded. There were moments where they were helped by the opponent's missed shots, but they went into halftime without conceding a goal.
2nd HALF - Accepting the ongoing accidents and securing 3 points
After the rain started, Cerezo Osaka, who were trailing by one goal at home, continued to be pressured. Furthermore, in the 5th minute of the second half, midfielder Kei KOIZUMI sat down on the pitch and was substituted. An incident occurred where players had to be substituted due to injuries, continuing from the first half.
Before regaining composure after the player substitutions, they were subjected to a fierce attack from the opponent. They faced two critical moments in the 10th and 15th minutes of the second half; in the first instance, Daishi Nozawa prevented a header shot from player Maeguma with just his right foot, and in the second instance, player Watanabe broke free behind the high line. In a one-on-one situation with Daishi Nozawa, he attempted a carefully aimed lob shot, but it went wide of the goal, allowing them to escape unscathed.
The struggle continues, but on this day, Tokyo fights without impatience. Even when they are broken down deep on the sides, and even when there are prolonged moments without regaining the ball in the midfield, everyone is committed to putting their bodies on the line in front of the goal, ensuring that there are always players positioned at the near post, in front of the goal, and at the far side to maintain a formation that does not easily allow shots on goal.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Yasuki KIMOTO and Shuhei TOKUMOTO were joined by J-League debutant PITA on the pitch, changing the system. To prevent the opposing side from gaining freedom, additional players were deployed, and to prepare for counterattacks, speedy PITA was placed as the lone forward.
In the closing stages, we want to close the match with a one-point lead, showing a decisive fight. While solidifying the area in front of the goal with five defenders, we did not lag in our reaction to second balls and thoroughly executed clear plays, such as clearing the ball significantly in dangerous areas.
In the final moments of the 5 minutes of added time, player Jaja broke free and approached the opponent's goal, creating a situation where he could have scored due to a clearance mistake, but he was blocked by a desperately returning defender, preventing an additional goal. Just after that, the whistle for time-up blew, and they accumulated valuable 3 points in the away game, stopping the consecutive losses in official matches.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique Trevisan/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI (5 minutes into the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Keigo HIGASHI (33 minutes into the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego Oliveira (21 minutes into the first half: Perotti) (33 minutes into the second half: Jaja Silva)/Kota TAWARA (33 minutes into the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
FW Adailton
GOAL
8th minute of the first half: Kuryu MATSUKI
<Cerezo Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Hanbin YAN
DF Ryosuke SHINDO/Seiya MAIKUMA/Koji TORIUMI/Shogo FUNAKI
MF Haruki KIDA/Shinji KAGAWA/Jordi CLUCAS (substituted in 67th minute: Masaya SHIBAYAMA)/CAPIXABA
FW Satoki UEJO/Ryo WATANABE (substituted in 67th minute: Sota KITANO)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Matej JONJIC
MF Tokuma SUZUKI/Haruaki ARAI/Reiya SAKATA
GOAL
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[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
It was a tough 90 minutes. We prepared well, but I believe the players brought in the mentality and spirit to work hard and secure the victory. However, what is important is that we were able to earn 3 points together with the fans and supporters who continued to cheer for us during the 90 minutes and additional time. I am happy that we were able to send them home with smiles.
Q: Please tell us about the timing of the system change towards the end of the match.
Unfortunately, midway through the first half, Diego OLIVEIRA was injured, and shortly after the start of the second half, Kei KOIZUMI was substituted, leaving us with one substitution remaining. At that point, we considered the timing for the final substitution. Since it was the last substitution, we were conscious of using it at the right moment, aiming to inject fresh players while considering the energy of those still on the field to ensure the team's energy was maximized. Changing sides and delivering cross balls is a strength of Cerezo Osaka, and I believe we responded well and defended effectively until the end.
Q, please evaluate Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who made his J1 League debut.
A, I am very proud. He delivered a performance worthy of a clean sheet, and I think it was a good night for him. He showed a strong mentality and positive aspects. I believe this is because the entire goalkeeper group works hard every day. Our team, the group, the players who participated here, and those who stayed in Tokyo are all doing a great job trying to elevate the team every day. Right now, we are building a strong team step by step while working hard. We still need to grow to become the team we envision. To create the team we aspire to, we need dedication like today.
Q: Please evaluate the growth of Kuryu MATSUKI.
A, you are doing very well. You have acquired the necessary information as an individual, and you are also doing very well as a member of the team. I am inspired by his mental aspect and dedication. I believe there are still things he can refine to become the player he envisions.
[Player Interview]]
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, we wanted to control the ball ourselves, but given the flow of the match, I think it was good that we were able to win such a difficult game.
Q, please review the scoring scene.
A, the loose ball came to where I had predicted and moved well, so all I had to do was to slot it in.
Q: The goal was scored from a quick start of a free kick, but what was the reason that Kuryu MATSUKI was able to take that position?
A, since Keigo HIGASHI was positioned outside, I took a position to enter the space behind the forwards to support Diego OLIVEIRA. The ball rolled to me perfectly there.
Q, the double pivot partners changed between the first and second halves. Please reflect on the differences in their roles in defense.
In the defensive midfield position, it would have been better if we could have prevented the opponent from facing forward a bit more and recovered second balls, while also being able to show ourselves well during the buildup of attacks. However, I felt that Kei KOIZUMI, Koki TSUKAGAWA, and Higashi communicated well and ran hard, allowing us to fight as a team.
Q: It seemed that after the 30-minute mark of the second half, you shifted to a formation that increased the number of defenders to hold the line. As a team, what were you focusing on?
A, first of all, it's about not conceding goals. There were three tall players in front of the goal to clear the cross from the side, and we aimed to add a goal with a counter from Jája Silva if possible.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, please review the game.
Today’s match was my debut in the J1 League. Although it was an away game, I am filled with gratitude for being able to play in such a wonderful atmosphere. There were few moments when the team performed well together, but my teammates gave their all, especially in defense. I believe their hard work led to our victory.
Q, Today's match was your J1 League debut. What were you conscious of before the match?
As I was about to debut in the J1 League, I was very excited. I am happy to have delivered a victory to those who always support and encourage me. We won the match, but even if it had ended in a draw or a loss, it would have been a day without regrets.
Q: Please reflect on your performance today.
Although there were few moments when the match went well, I believe it is important for the team to win and take the next step forward. I think there will continue to be difficult matches ahead, but I want us to grow as a team, step by step.
Q: Please tell us what you were conscious of as the last player in a high defensive line.
I approached the game with the mindset of taking responsibility for the space behind the defensive line, and we communicated well. I think it was good that I was able to play with confidence. I was able to make the right decisions on when to push forward and when to hold back, and I'm glad we finished the match without conceding any goals.
Q: Please tell us if there are any points you have consciously corrected since the match against Roasso Kumamoto.
I focused on increasing the tempo of play and creating situations where the team can initiate defense from the front by pushing up from the back. I believe my future challenge is to encourage the team to take control and dominate both defensively and offensively from the back. In the match against Kumamoto, I was always reacting rather than taking the initiative, so I aimed to take the lead.
<Jája Silva>
Q, congratulations on your J-League debut.
A, thank you. I was eager to play in the match, and I am very glad to have actually participated in the game and secured 3 points.
Q: Although it was a short time, what kind of play did you imagine when you were on the field?
Unfortunately, my playing time was short, but I wanted to contribute to the team by following Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's instructions and helping my teammates. Although it was a brief time, this is the beginning for me in the J-League, and I want to gradually increase my playing time. Anyway, I am very happy that we were able to win today.
Q: Just before the end of the match, we were one step away from the goal.
I am disappointed and frustrated that I couldn't score a goal, but I carried the ball from the midfield position, was stopped by the goalkeeper, and blocked by the defender, yet I was able to show my strong play. I want to make sure to score in the next opportunity.
Q: This is your first match and your first victory. Please tell us your honest feelings.
I am very happy that we were able to earn 3 points in our first match in the J.League. The team has been training hard this week, so it's great to see the results.
Q: Next week will be the first home game for Jája Silva, and as a team, we will return to our "home" for the first time in about a month. Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match.
I have heard that the atmosphere at the stadium is really great, and today so many fans and supporters have come to this distant away game, so I believe the home games must be even more amazing. I am really looking forward to playing at our "home" in Tokyo.
