＜Match Review＞
The Emperor's Cup Round 16 match against Roasso Kumamoto, which was the first official match after the break, was lost due to conceding early and not being able to get into rhythm. The restart of the league match, which will be played in 3 days, is another away game that involves a long distance travel. The opponent is Cerezo Osaka, who has not won a single game this season, including the Levain Cup. They were also defeated 1-3 by Kashima Antlers in the league match before the break, making this a crucial match to stop their losing streak in the league and official matches.
Tokyo, who is aiming for victory, has their reliable captain Masato MORISHIGE returning to the starting lineup. Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined the team during the summer transfer period, also made the starting lineup following his appearance in the Emperor's Cup. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who made his J1 league debut, was also selected to start. Additionally, newly joined Jája Silva, who just joined the team, made the bench and became a member of the team.
This season, they have only won one game away from home and Tokyo is struggling with away games. In order to make a comeback in the second half of the season, they want to overcome their weakness in away games. Cerezo Osaka, who has not won in three games this season, has become the perfect opponent to overcome this weakness.
1stHALF—Matsuki scores his first goal of the season with a strong start
At the start, the players' movements were sharp and they entered the game in a highly focused state. The defense maintained a high line, pressing aggressively in coordination with the front line. They were able to steal the ball in the opponent's territory and created several opportunities for shots.
With the momentum in their favor, they scored the opening goal in the 8th minute. Yuto NAGATOMO received a free kick on the left side beyond the half line and kicked it into the space behind the opponent's defense with perfect timing. Diego OLIVEIRA, who understood the intention, broke through and received the ball in the penalty area while carrying an opponent defender on his back. Although the opponent defender tried to control the ball, Kuryu MATSUKI, who had entered the penalty area to support, picked it up and Julian, wearing the number 7, calmly controlled the ball, shook off the defender, and confidently swung his left foot to guide it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
After taking the lead, they continued to dominate for a while, and in the 17th minute of the first half, they finished their attack with consecutive shots. They regained the ball in a deep position on the left side of the opponent's field, and Ryoma WATANABE took a shot that missed the timing of the opponent's goalkeeper, but it went wide to the right. When the opponent's goal kick restarted with a short pass, Diego TABA immediately chased and blocked the clearance ball. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up the loose ball and cut in with his right foot, but the opponent's goalkeeper reacted and saved it.
The accident occurred in the 21st minute of the first half. During the aforementioned chance, Diego TABA injured his foot while blocking the opponent's clearance and was unable to continue playing, resulting in a substitution with PEROTTI.
After this substitution, the flow of the game gradually shifted towards Cerezo Osaka. They were unable to stop the breakthroughs of Jordy CROUX on the right side and CAPIXABA on the left, and were constantly pushed back by dangerous crosses into the box. However, the defenders threw their bodies in front of the most dangerous areas and managed to block the shots, and even when they couldn't, goalkeeper Taishi NOZAWA calmly dealt with the situation. There were also moments where they were saved by the opponent's missed shots, but they managed to end the first half without conceding any goals.
2ndHALF - Overcoming Accidents to Earn 3 Points
After the rain fell, the second half saw a continued period of attack from Cerezo Osaka, who were trailing by one point at home. In addition, in the 5th minute of the second half, midfielder Kei KOIZUMI sat down on the pitch and was substituted. This was another incident of a player being substituted due to injury, following the first half.
The opponent's fierce attack comes before regaining composure with player substitutions. In the 10th and 15th minutes of the second half, they face consecutive decisive pinches, but the former is defended by player Taishi Nozawa's header shot with his right foot, and the latter is avoided by player Watanabe who breaks free behind the high line, but is shot with a calculated loop shot in a one-on-one situation with player Taishi Nozawa, but it misses the goal and they escape unscathed.
The game continues with patience, but Tokyo on this day continues to fight without getting frustrated. Even if they are broken down deep on the sides, and even if they cannot steal the ball in front of the midfield, they maintain their formation by having everyone put their bodies on the line in front of the goal, and always having someone near, in front of the goal, and on the far side to prevent easy shots from being taken.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Yasuki KIMOTO and Shuhei TOKUMOTO were joined by J-League debutant Pim on the pitch, and the system was changed. They added numbers to the side that was struggling and did not allow them any freedom, while placing the speedy Jaja up front to anticipate counterattacks.
In the closing stages, we want to close the game with a one-point lead and show a determined fight. We will solidify the goal with five defenders and react quickly to second balls, thoroughly executing clear plays in dangerous areas.
In the final minutes of the 5-minute additional time, Jaja made a breakaway towards the opponent's goal and created a chance by inducing a clearance mistake, but the desperate defending opponent's defender blocked it and no additional points were scored. Immediately after, the final whistle blew and they were able to secure a valuable 3 points away from home, stopping their losing streak in official matches.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kei KOIZUMI (5 minutes into the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)/Keigo HIGASHI (33 minutes into the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Kosei MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego OLIVEIRA (21 minutes into the first half: PEROTTI) (33 minutes into the second half: Jajá SILVA)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (33 minutes into the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
FW Adailton
GOAL
8 minutes into the first half: Kuryu MATSUKI
Cerezo Osaka
STARTING XI
GK Yan Hanbin
DF Ryosuke Shindo/Seiya Maikuma/Koji Toriumi/Sho Funaki
MF Hiroki Kida/Shinji Kagawa/Jordy Croux (22nd minute of the second half: Masaya Shibayama)/Capixaba
FW Satoki Uejo/Ryo Watanabe (22nd minute of the second half: Sota Kitano)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Matej JONJIC
MF Tokuma SUZUKI/Haruki ARAI/Reiya SAKATA
GOAL
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[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Director Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A tough 90 minutes. We were prepared for everything, but the players worked hard and brought a winning mentality and spirit. However, what was important was that we were able to get 3 points with the fans and supporters who continued to support us during the 90 minutes and additional time. I am happy to have sent them home with a smile.
Q, please tell us about the timing of changing the system at the end of the game.
Unfortunately, in the middle of the first half, Diego OLIVEIRA was injured and then, at the start of the second half, Kei KOIZUMI was substituted, leaving only one substitution remaining. At that point, we thought about when to make the final substitution and executed it. As it was the final substitution, we were conscious of using it at the right timing and by bringing in fresh players while considering the energy of the players who were still playing, we aimed to bring out the team's energy. We were able to defend well until the end by responding to Cerezo Osaka's strength of crossing while changing sides.
Q, Please evaluate Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who made his J1 League debut.
A, I am very proud. He gave a performance that deserved a clean sheet, and I think it was a good night for him. He showed a strong mentality and positive aspects. I think this is because the entire goalkeeper group is working hard every day. Our team, group, players who played here, and players who stayed in Tokyo are all doing a great job of improving the team every day. Right now, we are working hard to create a strong team, step by step. In order to become the team we envision, we still need to continue growing. In order to create the team we aim for, we need to have the dedication like we did today.
Q, Please evaluate the growth of Kuryu MATSUKI.
A, he is doing very well. He has acquired the necessary information as an individual and is also doing very well as a member of the team. I am also inspired by his mental aspect and dedication. I believe there is more room for improvement for him to become the player he envisions.
[Player Interview]
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, We wanted to control the ball ourselves, but the flow of the game also played a role, so I think it was good that we were able to win in such a difficult match.
Q, please review the scoring scene.
A, the loose ball came to where I moved it well, so all I had to do was put it in.
Q, it was a goal scored from the flow of a quick start from a free kick, but what was the reason for Kuryu MATSUKI being able to take that position?
A, Keigo HIGASHI was playing in a position outside, so I took the position of attacking midfielder to support Diego OLIVEIRA. He rolled in there nicely for me.
Q, the partner of the double volante changed in the first and second half. Please reflect on the differences in roles in the defensive part.
At the defensive midfield position, it would have been better if we could have recovered more second balls and defended without allowing the opponent to turn towards our goal. Also, if we could have shown our faces more when building up our attacks, it would have been even better. However, Kei Koizumi, Koki Tsukagawa, and Higashi all had good communication and ran well, so I feel like we were able to play as a team.
Q, after the 30-minute mark in the second half, it seemed like the team shifted to a defensive strategy by increasing the number of players in the defensive line. What was the team's mindset during this time?
First, it is important to not concede any goals. We had three tall players in front of the goal to defend against crosses from the side, and we were also hoping to add a goal through a counterattack by Jája Silva.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA player＞
Q, please review the game.
A, Today's match was my debut game 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. We didn't have many moments where things went well as a team, but my teammates gave their all, especially in defense. I believe their efforts led to our victory.
Q, What were you conscious of before the match as it was your J1 League debut game today?
As I approached my debut match in the J1 League, I was extremely excited. I am grateful to have been able to deliver a victory to those who always support and encourage me. Although we won the game, even if we had tied or lost, it would have been a day without regrets.
Q, Please reflect on your performance today.
A, Although there were few good times during the match, I think it is important for the team to win and take one step forward. I believe that there will be more difficult matches in the future, but I want the team to continue growing step by step.
Q, please tell us what you were conscious of as the last player in the high defensive line setting.
I approached the game with the mindset of "leave the space behind the defense line to me" and we were able to communicate well. I think it was good that I was able to make bold plays. I was able to make decisions on when to move forward and when to hold back, and it was good that we were able to finish the game without conceding any goals.
Q, Please let us know if there are any points that have been consciously corrected since the Roasso Kumamoto match.
A, I was conscious of increasing the tempo of play and creating a situation where the team could press from the front and push up from the back. As a team, I want to take control and dominate both defensively and offensively, and I see it as my personal challenge to encourage this more from the back. In the Kumamoto match, we were always on the back foot, so I was conscious of taking the initiative.
<Jája Silva>
Congratulations on your Q, J-League debut.
A, thank you very much. I have been wanting to play in a game as soon as possible, and it was great to be able to actually play in a game and earn 3 points.
Q, What kind of play did you imagine when you entered the game, even though it was a short time?
Unfortunately, my playing time was short, but I followed Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's instructions and wanted to contribute to the team by helping my teammates. It was a short time, but for me, this is the beginning of my J-League career and I want to extend my playing time more and more. Anyway, I am very happy that we were able to win today.
Q, we were just one step away from the goal towards the end of the game.
A, it's disappointing and frustrating that I couldn't score a goal, but I was able to show my strengths by carrying the ball from the midfield position and being stopped by the goalkeeper and blocked by the defender. I want to make sure to score in the next opportunity.
Q, this is my first game and my first win. Please tell me your honest feelings.
It is very exciting to have earned 3 points in the first match of the J-League. This week, the team has been training hard, so it's great to see the results pay off.
Q, Next week will be Jája Silva's first home game, and it will also be our team's first time returning to our "home" in about a month. Please share your enthusiasm for the next game.
A, I've heard that the atmosphere at the stadium is really great, so I'm looking forward to playing at our "home" in Tokyo. Today, even though we're playing away in a faraway place, we had so many fans and supporters come to cheer us on. I can only imagine how amazing it will be for a home game. I'm really excited to play at our "home" in Tokyo.
