＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, which boasts a high winning rate of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the league since the appointment of coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, including two consecutive wins after the break. In the midst of relying on clean sheets and solid defense in the last 5 games, they faced a tough match against Yokohama F.Marinos, who have the most goals in the league and are competing for the championship.
The goal was guarded by 20-year-old Taishi Brandon NOZAWA for the third consecutive game, while Seiji KIMURA was chosen as the center back in place of the suspended Henrique TREVISAN and formed a partnership with Masato MORISHIGE. In addition, Keigo HIGASHI, who scored a goal in the league for the first time in 1624 days in the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., was placed in the vacant defensive midfielder position, and Ryoma WATANABE was chosen as the attacking midfielder.
And Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who returned to the front line in the Kyoto match, made a comeback as a starting member at Nissan Stadium, his former team's match. He returned to the place of memories as "Teru of the blue and red".
In the upcoming match against Yokohama FM and the following match against Vissel Kobe, we will face off against the top two teams in the standings. This will be a crucial game for Pim Tokyo, as they aim to climb up the rankings. They will be looking to avenge their defeat at Ajinomoto Stadium in June.
1st HALF - Diego equalizes to bring back the flow
After the kick-off, the champion's passing was pushed in. The initiative was taken by Yokohama FM, who moved the ball fluidly while players took positions without being bound by the starting position. And in the 12th minute of the first half, they conceded the first goal. Anderson LOPES, the lone striker, created a one-on-one situation with Nozawa and Miyachi, who had broken through behind. Nozawa saved the shot, and although they didn't allow a quick second action from Nishimura, the loose ball was put in by Nagato.
In the league match, Tokyo did not look down even after conceding a goal for the first time in three games. They continued to play with a thorough rhythm in both offense and defense, and the scenes of quickly switching between the two and going on the counter attack increased. In the flow of the game, they scored an equalizing goal in the 23rd minute of the first half. Nakagawa Teruhito, on the right side, dribbled past an opponent and moved towards the left side, where there was space. Tawaratsumida Kota confidently made a vertical run and crossed the ball with his left foot, which was then put in by Oliveira Diego who had come in near the goal.
After the score returned to even, Tokyo increased their number of counterattacks from the midfield where they had been hooking. Diego TABA's ball control and Tawara Tsumita's dribbling bewildered Yokohama FM. They were starting to gain momentum, but were unable to score a comeback goal and ended the first half with a 1-1 tie.
2ndHALF - Despite creating two scenes of hitting the crossbar...
The second half saw a rapid increase in game tempo. It became a fierce 45 minutes with intense changes between offense and defense.
Yokohama FM creates a chance in the 5th minute of the second half. In this match, both teams get their first corner kick, and from a set piece, player Matsubara takes a shot. However, the Tokyo defense blocks it with their bodies.
In the 19th minute of the second half, Tokyo made three substitutions at the same time. Adailton, Jája Silva, and Riki Harakawa, who made his Tokyo debut, were sent onto the pitch. Shortly after, a decisive chance came. Adailton, who received the ball on the left side, made a powerful dribble towards the goal and entered the penalty area to take a shot. Jája, who picked up the blocked ball, also took a shot. Both shots were powerful, but they were unable to find the back of the net.
The battle in the hot and humid stadium is entering the final 15 minutes and becoming a war of attrition. Both teams' players are giving it their all to score a second goal.
And in the second half, from the 39th to the 40th minute, Tokyo launches a fierce attack. Adailton, who received the first corner kick of the game, headed the ball with his back, but it hit the crossbar after bouncing off to the far side. Just one minute later, Watanabe shows off. He tries to cross from the right side, but it is blocked. He picks up the second ball, cuts in from the center, and takes a left-footed shot from a 45-degree angle to the right. It was a powerful shot that the opposing goalkeeper couldn't even move for, but it also hit the crossbar and did not go in.
Unexpected outcome awaited just after entering the 6-minute additional time.
In the 45+1 minute of the second half, player Watanabe scored a low trajectory middle shot into the right corner of the goal. Despite playing an evenly matched game in terms of chances and switching between offense and defense, they were unable to bring back points against the strength of Yokohama FM.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Seiji KIMURA/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keigo HIGASHI (19th minute of the second half: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI/Ryoma WATANABE (45th minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (35th minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (19th minute of the second half: Jaja SILVA)/Adailton TAWARATSUMIDA (19th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
23' First Half: Diego OLIVEIRA
Yokohama F. Marinos
Starting XI
GK Hiroki Iikura
DF Ken Matsubara/Shinnosuke Hatanaka (19th minute of the second half: Takumi Kamijima)/Eduardo/Katsuya Nagato (36th minute of the second half: Ryotaro Tsunoda)
MF Kota Watanabe/Takuya Kida/Takuma Nishimura
FW Yan Matheus (0th minute of the second half: Kenta Inoue)/Anderson Lopes (28th minute of the second half: Nam Tae-hee)/Ryo Miyaichi (19th minute of the second half: Kota Mizunuma)
SUBS
GK Powell Obinna OBI
MF Riku YAMANE
GOAL
First Half 12th Minute: Katsuya NAGATO/Second Half 45+1 Minute: Kota WATANABE
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Director Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A,Both teams played good football and it was a battle to showcase their strengths. It was truly an entertaining game and we had our chances to win. The players fought with dedication and desperation to deliver a strong performance. It's unfortunate that we couldn't get the result we wanted, but we want to use this pain to become stronger.
Q, How did you try to stop Yokohama F.Marinos' attack?
A,Overall, we were able to defend as planned. I think Yokohama FM had a good start and played well, moving the ball around effectively in the first 20-25 minutes. Towards the end of the first half, we were able to control the game ourselves. Overall, we were able to use the spaces we wanted and get behind the opponent's defense, and in the second half we were able to continue playing well while confirming those areas at halftime. However, our shots hit the post twice and we had a chance to score a second goal, but unfortunately we lost the final goal towards the end.
Q, What about Keigo HIGASHI's positioning?
A,we were able to fight well while looking at the available space, and I think we were also able to use good space. There were also many scenes where it seemed like we could score from good attacks. I think there were many good points in today's game, so I want to extend the positive aspects and improve the areas that need improvement and move forward.
[Player Interview]
Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Q, please review today's game.
A, I think it was a game where it was uncertain which way it would go. In that game, I felt the difference in the ability to make decisions and the ability to attract luck that leads to goals. It was a close game, but in the end we couldn't win, so I realized that we need to be more severe in order to produce results and show a more determined attitude in pursuit of results.
Q, how was your performance today in the first 80 minutes since your return?
A, it was a 50-60 percent performance. I want to move more and create plays to make chances. It was honestly fun to be able to play from the start. It's really frustrating to lose and lose to the same opponent twice. As I mentioned earlier, I think we won't be able to reach our goal of "winning" unless we narrow the gap we felt in today's game.
Q, before the match you said "I don't know what kind of emotions I will feel", please tell us again about your feelings playing at Nissan Stadium.
A, thanks to the warm atmosphere of Yokohama F.Marinos' fans and supporters, I was able to play today, and the Tokyo fans and supporters also cheered me on as I faced my former team. I wanted to win in response to their support, so I feel sorry that we couldn't. There are many challenges, but I believe there is still room for improvement. I will prepare for the next game so that we don't lose again.
Q, the next match will be an important game against a strong opponent in order to show progress in winning against tough opponents. Once again, we ask for your enthusiasm.
We cannot go up without defeating the top teams, and we definitely do not want to lose at the Japan National Stadium, where our winning percentage is good. We want to turn today's defeat into strength and fight together as one, including all the fans and supporters. Please create the best atmosphere. Thank you.
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, please review the game.
A, of course, we knew it would be a difficult match as they are a strong contender for the championship. The match turned out to be just as tough as we expected. Although we played well, we couldn't get the desired result in the end, which is very disappointing. We can't change what happened, so we have to move on and focus on the next match. Our next opponent is also a tough one, but we will rest well and prepare for it.
Q, please review the goal scene from the short counter that tied the game.
A good cross ball from Kota TAWARATSUMIDA came in from a good counter, and we were able to score a goal. I am happy that we were able to score, but it is sad that our team lost.
Q, the next game will be a very important match for Tokyo at the Japan National Stadium. Please give us your enthusiasm.
A, the next game will also be a difficult one. The next opponent, Vissel Kobe, is also a team competing for the championship, so even though it is a home game, we expect it to be a tough match. We want to fix the mistakes we made in today's game and prepare to have a good game.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, it was my first full-time appearance in the league match in a while. Please review the game.
A, we conceded the first goal due to our own mistakes and differences, but we were able to equalize within the first half and turn the game around. However, in the end, we conceded a goal in additional time due to Yokohama F.Marinos' persistence and our own weaknesses. It was a moment where both our improvements and areas for improvement were exposed. We need to make adjustments and improvements.
Q, What did you particularly focus on in terms of defense against Yokohama FM, who puts pressure on the attack?
With strong player Anderson LOPES at the top position, it was not easy to let the ball in easily, and even when we were pushed in, we were conscious of not going to the opponent's ball holder and solidifying the center position. I think the team was aware of not letting them put their bodies on the line in the final stage. I think it was good in that regard.
Q: Although we conceded a goal towards the end of the match and ended up losing, did you feel any sense of accomplishment in the way we played throughout the full 90 minutes?
A, now that the game has just ended and we lost, I can only think of the bad parts of the play. However, I was able to approach the game in good condition. I think I was able to make the minimum plays, but the staff told me that there were some parts where my build-up passes were off, or I was floating, or my response to the opponent's defense was a little late. I want to have a proper discussion about whether my position is correct or if I am just responding too slowly. When I get the chance, I want to win next time.
Riki HARAKAWA
Q, this was your first official match after joining. In the difficult situation of 1-1, what were you conscious of when approaching the game?
A, First of all, I focused on defense while watching the game. Both teams had an open game where they skipped the midfield. As the attackers entered the pitch at the same time while skillfully involving the ball, I was conscious of attacking from the counter to take advantage of their strengths. There were chances, so if we could play while watching the opponent when launching a counter, I think even more chances would have been created.
Q, there were also plays that led to scoring opportunities from accurate kicks that I am good at. How was the performance in today's match?
A, I was able to play for 90 minutes in last week's practice match, so I feel confident in my condition and rhythm. I think I will continue to improve as I play more matches. Since we had a lot of opportunities to counterattack, I was always looking for chances to receive the ball in the opponent's territory and make plays like receiving the ball in a negative position or taking a mid-range shot. I want to increase the number of plays where I receive and demand the ball.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, Even when watching the game, I think the first thing that is required is the strength of defense. Personally, I am a player who can make a difference in attack, so I want to improve my skills by practicing and playing games, including coordination with other players, so that I can show the difference between me and other players when I receive the ball and when I want the ball.
