Match Review
The first home game after the break is against Kyoto SANGA F.C. We lost 0-2 to Kyoto, who we also competed against in the Levain Cup, and we were unable to showcase our strengths at all. On the other hand, in the final match of the group stage of the Levain Cup, we won 3-1 away, and this match is an opportunity to replicate that and achieve consecutive league victories.
The starting members remain unchanged from the previous match against Cerezo Osaka, and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made his first appearance in the J1 League at Ajinomoto Stadium.
1st HALF - Watanabe's opening goal & Nozawa Taishi's big save
The match progresses at Tokyo's pace. In the 7th minute of the first half, Masato MORISHIGE's cleared ball is touched once by Diego OLIVEIRA to Keigo HIGASHI. Receiving the return, Diego carries the ball and performs a one-two return with Kuryu MATSUKI just before the penalty area, bringing it into the left position inside the penalty area and unleashing a shot with his left foot, but he cannot hit the target.
In the 14th minute of the first half, Diego TABA received a throw-in and made a through pass, but Matsuki broke free and headed towards the goal, only to be caught by the opposing goalkeeper who came out.
As the first half approaches the midfield, Kyoto increases their possession of the ball, leading to a somewhat open match development.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Kei KOIZUMI received a vertical pass from player Morishige and sent Kosuke SHIRAI running down the right side. After SHIRAI delivered a slightly negative cross with his right foot, it was initially touched by an opposing defender, but player Higashi calmly reacted to the loose ball and dropped it back. There, Ryoma WATANABE, who was waiting, slotted it in with his right foot, giving Tokyo the lead.
After taking the initiative, Tokyo's momentum did not stop. In the 38th minute of the first half, Matsuki received a throw-in and spread the play to the opposite side, where Yuto NAGATOMO passed directly to Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA cut in centrally with a dribble and struck with his right foot, but the opposing goalkeeper made a sharp reaction and was unable to concede a goal.
Just before the end of the first half, a momentary lapse allowed player Yamazaki to break into space and enter the penalty area. It was a decisive one-on-one situation, but player Nozawa Taishi calmly closed the distance and blocked the shot, overcoming a major crisis just before the end of the first half with a big play.
2nd HALF—A powerful volley shot by Player Higashi secures the victory
As the second half begins, Kyoto also comes forward with momentum, but Tokyo is conscious of switching from attack to defense, quickly regrouping to solidify their goal area and not giving any opportunity for a counterattack.
On the other hand, Tokyo takes advantage of Kyoto's forward position to launch a counterattack. Then, in the 13th minute of the second half, a spectacular goal is scored.
Player Nagatomo, who was waiting outside the penalty area, avoided the crowded goal area during the set play and floated a ball into the space on the right side of the penalty area. Player Henrique headed the ball back towards the goal, and player Azuma, who was positioned at the near side, executed a powerful right-footed shot from a chest trap, striking it into the bottom left corner of the goal to extend the lead to two goals.
After expanding the lead, there were times when we were pushed back by Kyoto, but we controlled the game with fresh players while making substitutions. In the 38th minute of the second half, Jája Silva, making his home debut, took a powerful shot just outside the penalty area, but could not score in front of the opposing goalkeeper's desperate save.
After that, including the 5 minutes of additional time, we did not allow Kyoto to create any decisive chances and calmly dealt with their somewhat power-play style of fast vertical attacks that utilized height. We concluded the match with a score of 2-0, achieving consecutive victories in the league.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (30th minute: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI/Kaguto HIGASHI (30th minute: Jaja SILVA)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (22nd minute: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (37th minute: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Kota TAWARA (22nd minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO
GOAL
36th minute of the first half: Ryoma WATANABE / 13th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI
<Kyoto Sanga F.C.>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Soen YUN
DF Shogo ASADA/Rikito INOUE (34th minute: Hisashi APPIAH TAWIAH)/Shinnosuke FUKUDA
MF Sota KAWASAKI/Daiki KANEKO/Teppei YACHIDA/Fuki YAMADA (17th minute: Daichi HARA)/Hibiki SATO (24th minute: Yuto MISAO)
FW Ryogo YAMASAKI (24th minute: Patrick)/Yuta TOYOKAWA (17th minute: Kosuke KINOSHITA)
SUBS
GK Gakuji OTA
MF Temma MATSUDA
GOAL
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[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
I believe we were able to deliver a good performance. Within that, we were able to play in a way that deserves to win. There were many aspects where we performed well, and I think as a team we are growing in a positive direction. I am proud that the players fought with their beliefs and gave their all. I hope we can extend the good moments for as long as possible, and ultimately be able to maintain that for the full 90 minutes. Today, we truly delivered a good overall performance. The energy, dedication, and passion that the players showed while fighting inspired me as a coach. We were able to play in a way that deserves to win, but I believe there are still areas where we can grow and improve, so as a team, I want to take further steps to deliver even better performances.
Q: Was it unexpected that the match developed in a relaxed manner rather than the hard work that the opponent had anticipated?
A, we have prepared for everything and practiced to respond to whatever the opponent does. For us, it is simply about being able to play our football well and maximizing our performance while controlling the game ourselves. Today, the players performed really well and deserved the win. They fought hard. I wish we could have shown a few more goals for the fans and supporters. I am truly grateful to the fans and supporters. They created a wonderful atmosphere and have been a great support for the players. The players are also very happy to send them home with smiles.
Q: The players were able to carry the ball with dribbling without fearing mistakes, was that one of the good points?
A, I definitely think that was the case. I believe we were able to play good football within that context, effectively utilizing the spaces we wanted to use, and there were moments when we posed a threat by exploiting the gaps behind Kyoto. In those moments where we showcased those good aspects, there were scenes that made the fans and supporters stand up and get excited. I think it was great that the players were able to maintain that intensity until the end.
Q: Player Jaja's speed and the return of injured players have increased our options.
A, we are creating a team that can overcome anything together, no matter the situation. I believe we delivered a good performance, but I still think there are areas where we can refine every aspect. I hope we can grow by building up one step at a time, and we were able to do that tonight. I believe the players are now clearly understanding how to fight. Fighting while adhering to our principles has become our foundation. It is important for individuals to shine within those principles. Today was a good example of that, but I believe there is still much to be done.
[Player Interview]]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, I assisted Ryoma WATANABE's goal with a split-second decision.
A, I am always aware of the probabilities while playing. In that scene, when considering the probability of scoring a goal, I judged that passing to Watanabe would lead to a better chance of scoring. I believe I was able to calmly choose a play with a higher probability.
Q: Higashi's long-awaited goal brought us significantly closer to victory.
When the ball was passed to Henrique TREVISAN, I felt that a return pass was coming. I was able to calmly trap the ball, switch places with the opponent, and make good contact with the ball. I have been practicing shooting with Tsuyoshi KODAMA during our daily training. I have also been getting more opportunities to play in the attacking midfielder position, and the practice has helped me stay calm when taking shots. I want to continue this.
Q: How did you get involved in the attack as an attacking midfielder, and how did you analyze the opponent's defense?
I focused on three things: moving to positions that are difficult for the opponent to catch, acting as a link player in the attack, and entering the box. In defense, I played in coordination with Diego OLIVEIRA, switching to defense from the front line and not giving the opponent any freedom. Although I was able to score a goal, I felt that we spent a bit too much time playing in our own half throughout the match. I want to work on this consciously from here on, so that the players can increase their positive play.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, please review the game.
There were some bad moments during the match, but I believe that being able to stay focused and not concede a goal during those times led to today's victory.
Q, it was your first goal in four months. Please review the scoring scene.
I was honestly happy because it was my first goal in four months. The scoring scene was made possible by a good pass from Keigo HIGASHI, so I just had to slot it into the goal. I'm glad I was able to hit the target and convert it into a goal.
Q: I think your role in the attack has changed in recent matches.
While it is a prerequisite to play the role assigned by Coach Klamovski, I want to increase what I can do and get more involved in scoring. I will continue to grow every day through training.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, next we face a strong team, Yokohama F.Marinos, but like today, we want to progress the match without conceding any goals and take our chances to secure a win. Although it's an away game, I want to prepare well for a week so we can win solidly.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: Please reflect on today's match against your former club.
It was a 90 minutes mixed with difficulty and enjoyment. I think we sent in a lot of crosses in front of the goal, and we were able to create good attacking shapes. I am most happy that we achieved victory, and I believe we were able to play as I envisioned.
Q: How did you analyze Kyoto SANGA F.C., the team you were with until midway through this season, as an opponent?
I thought they would bite when I had the ball. After receiving the ball, I believe I was able to express the play of breaking free with a one-two pass and taking a deep position on the right side as planned.
Q: It was the first home game in the third official match. What were your thoughts on standing on the pitch?
I am very happy to have played in front of many fans and supporters at our home, Ajinomoto Stadium, and even more so to have ended with a victory. I want to make our first home game the best possible start. The support from our fans and supporters was very powerful and gave us strength.
Q: How do you want to contribute from here, utilizing your own characteristics as a player?
I want to utilize my sprinting ability, which is my greatest weapon, to show many crosses and plays that lead to goals from the right side, just like in today's match.
