Match Review
Tokyo experienced a frustrating defeat in the last match against Yokohama F.Marinos, despite feeling a sense of progress. After a week, they welcomed Vissel Kobe, currently in second place, for their second match of the season at Japan National Stadium. Vissel Kobe is a strong team competing for the championship with Yokohama FM, and in the first half of the season, they lost 2-3 in an away match.
A match where we want to achieve victory, including revenge for the last encounter, and to stop the losing streak. Kuryu MATSUKI, who missed the last match due to injury, and Henrique TREVISAN, who was suspended, have returned to the squad, and Diego OLIVEIRA, who was substituted in the match against Yokohama FM, is also listed as a starter in the top position.
Since the appointment of Peter CKLAMOVSKI as head coach, the defense has been organized, resulting in fewer goals conceded, and an attacking shape is being created. This match is a perfect opportunity to translate that growth into results and prove that the team is gaining strength. They took to the pitch at home at the Japan National Stadium, where they have won all three matches since last season, to demonstrate their determination and pride.
1st HALF—First goal at National in the heat of the moment
Perhaps it was the atmosphere of the Japan National Stadium, but the game started with high tension from the kickoff. In the 7th minute of the first half, Kobe's player, Muuto, took the first shot against his former club, and in the 8th minute, Tokyo's Kuryu MATSUKI excited the stadium with a long-range shot.
As the early stages passed, the match entered a more open phase. In the 14th minute of the first half, they were broken down by Kobe, and Yamaguchi had a decisive shot, but they escaped danger. While both teams created chances, it was Tokyo that succeeded in scoring first. In the 18th minute of the first half, although Masato MORISHIGE's feed did not reach Ryoma WATANABE, WATANABE applied pressure on the opposing goalkeeper, causing a passing error. Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who intercepted the ball, passed it to Diego TABA, who calmly slotted it into the goal.
Although they took an early lead, they faced a counterattack from Kobe. In the 20th minute of the first half, a header shot from Muto hit the crossbar after a corner kick rebound, and although it was ruled offside, in the 29th minute of the first half, a shot from Taki hit the post following a hold-up play by Osako.
The entire team raised their defensive awareness and overcame the crisis, while Tokyo maintained an attacking posture without retreating. In the 30th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's cross allowed Nakagawa to take a direct volley, and in the 39th minute, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA brought the ball himself and struck with his right foot after cutting in.
The score remained 1-0 at halftime, but the high-tension game from the first half continued to be filled with excitement as it reached halftime.
2nd HALF - The match ends in a tie after a fierce battle in the final stages.
After starting the second half with the same 11 players, the first shot was given to Kobe, but Tokyo's attitude of pushing forward remained unchanged. Although they couldn't connect to a goal, they created several situations where they quickly approached the goal after winning the ball in the opponent's territory.
Then, in the 20th minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO created a chance. He aggressively closed in on Osako, stole the ball, passed it to Nakagawa, and sprinted down the right side. After receiving the return pass, NAGATOMO caught the opponent off guard and delivered a cross with the outside of his left foot, which was deemed a handball by VAR support, resulting in a penalty kick being awarded.
Immediately after, Diego TABA was substituted, so the kicker was Matsuki. Without hesitation, he went to pick up the ball and aimed to kick it to the right side, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, and they could not score an additional point.
As Tokyo maintained a one-point lead, in the 37th minute of the second half, Seiji KIMURA was brought in to replace Nakagawa, changing to a five-back formation. This was a shift to the winning pattern from the last few matches, preparing to close out the game.
However, Kobe, who is competing for the championship, does not easily relent in their attacks. In the 42nd minute of the second half, a penalty kick was awarded due to a VAR decision that determined Jean PATRIC was fouled in the area. It was calmly converted by Osako, bringing the score level.
After entering the additional time displayed as 13 minutes, Tokyo was pushed back by Kobe, who aimed for a comeback, but there was the 'National Man' in Tokyo. In the 45+10 minutes of the second half, Adailton picked up the ball on the left side and started a powerful dribble towards the goal. Despite being at a numerical disadvantage, he forcefully cut between two defenders and struck with his right foot, and the ball, deflected off an opponent's foot, was sucked into the right side of the goal.
However, the game does not end here. In the 45+14 minutes of the second half, a cross from player Osako was kicked in by player Yamaguchi, equalizing at the last moment.
The dramatic conclusion of the fierce battle ends here with time up. The score of 2-2 results in both teams sharing one point.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Kengo HIGASHI (23rd minute: Riki HARAKAWA)/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (37th minute: Seiji KIMURA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (23rd minute: Adailton)/Kota TAWARA (23rd minute: Jaja SILVA)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Kosuke SHIRAI
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA
GOAL
18th minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA/55th minute of the second half: Adailton
<Vissel Kobe>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA/Yuki HONDA (30 minutes into the second half: Mateus TUREL)/Ryo HATSUSE (30 minutes into the second half: Nanasei IINO)
MF Leo OSAKI (0 minutes into the second half: Takahiro OHGIHARA)/Hotaru Yamaguchi/Daiju SASAKI (23 minutes into the second half: Jean PATRICK)/Koya YURUKI (13 minutes into the second half: Mizuki ARAI)
FW Yoshinori MUTO/Yuya OSAKO
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
MF Haruya IDE
GOAL
2 minutes into stoppage time: Yuya OSAKO / 14 minutes into stoppage time: Hotaru YAMAGUCHI
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A,it was a highly entertaining and wonderful game where both teams put in their best effort. Although the result was disappointing, I believe it was a game that deserved to be won. I think there were many positive aspects, as well as areas that need improvement. One positive aspect was that we were able to create many chances. However, it was a match where we needed to score and pull away from the opponent.
We delivered a strong performance, but it's disappointing that we couldn't turn it into a victory. With this pain, I want to organize the points we can improve on and make things better. I truly believe that our fans and supporters were wonderful. I am really grateful to all the fans and supporters who came out to support us. It's very disappointing that we couldn't secure the 3 points.
Q: With more than 10 minutes remaining, Seiji KIMURA was brought on. The team switched to a five-back formation, how do you evaluate the overall play of the team?
A,I made substitutions considering the balance. Teruhito NAKAGAWA gave his all until the end, so I substituted him at the right moment. It may be possible to look at just that part, but we need to analyze while considering the overall performance. There were chances to pull away from the opponent from the first half, and I believe it was a good point that we were able to create opportunities that led to multiple goals. In that context, we were able to compete well against Vissel Kobe, who are in the title race.
I believe the team is heading in the right direction, and there are still many areas where we can grow. I think we can further develop our strengths from here. While we can focus on specific moments, I want to reflect on the entire match while capturing the positive aspects.
[Player Interview]]
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q: It was a frustrating match at home. Please reflect on the game.
As a team, I think we were able to show our strength in battles for the ball and our fighting spirit from the start of the match. We felt the fragility of drawing a match that we could have won.In the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos and today's match against Vissel Kobe, we faced top teams, but we realized our fragility in not being able to accumulate points. It's a matter of fine details, but if we don't refine our positioning, concentration, and how to close out matches, we won't be able to grow into a team that competes for the top spots. It's frustrating, almost to the point of feeling like a loss.
Q: In the pre-match interview, you expressed the felt difference with the word 'maturity.' Does that mean it was accurately reflected in the match?
Yes, that's right. It is important for the team to unify their intentions on how to finish the match while in a winning situation, and how the players on the pitch fight. I believe it is necessary to enhance each individual's judgment and positioning.
Q: It seemed that the issues from the first half were properly addressed from the second half.
I think the support distance within the team improved even more in the second half. With the improved distance, we were able to recover second balls and connect them to our attacks. I believe being able to play with good distance was a significant factor.
<Adailton>
Q: There were plays that added accents to the attack throughout the match. Please reflect on the game.
I felt the difficulty of entering the pitch midway through a very intense match. There was a sense of closing the game with a victory after scoring an additional goal during the stoppage time of the second half, but we were pushed back by the opponent's momentum and unfortunately allowed a goal just before the end, making it a very frustrating match. I want to take the experience from this match and connect it to our next victory.
Q: It seems that the number of times you come on as a substitute in the lone striker position is increasing.
Even if I have to play in a position that is not my original one, if the team needs it, I will just give my all there. In today's match, Jája Silva was also brought in at the same time, and we were aware of each other and were able to connect well with the ball. I did play in the lone striker position in terms of offense, but the other players covered for me well.
Q: It seemed that the collaboration with player Jaja was also revitalizing the attack.
A, starting with player Jaja, there are many Brazilian players in Tokyo, and as fellow countrymen, we can align the finer details of our play. I believe that by deepening our collaboration with player Jaja from here, we can both improve even more.
Q: I think the goal scored during the additional time of the second half was a goal taken from our strong zone.
I am happy that we were able to score during an important time as a team when we needed a goal. I want to thank the gods. The league matches are still ongoing, so we will put in even more effort and strive for victory.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q, it was a frustrating match. Please review the game.
It's just a waste. I believe our current ranking is a result of not being able to win matches like this. We must accept reality and to win the league or consistently place in the top, we all need to become stronger and win matches like today.
Q: This match, you played as a full-back again. There were many matchups against speedy players. What were you conscious of?
A, without fear, I actively received the ball to connect our attacks with good rhythm as a team. On the defensive side, we allowed several crosses from players with distinct characteristics, so I want to reflect on that and improve for the next match. There are many players with unique traits in Tokyo's frontline, so I want to utilize them actively.
Q: In the last match, you played in midfield, and this match you will play as a full-back, which is a different position. What kind of preparation have you done this week?
In the midfield and as a fullback, the perspectives are completely different, so I have organized my thoughts and prepared everything I can for today. I don't know where I will play in the next match, but daily training leads to matches, so I think it's important to focus on each play one by one.
Q: We are facing a three-match series against Avispa Fukuoka. Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
We will have a three-match series against Fukuoka, but first, I want to focus on preparing for the upcoming match. I believe the first match of this three-match series will be very important. Since we can play the first match at home, I want to take advantage of that home advantage. Many fans and supporters came today, but we couldn't win, so I will prepare thoroughly this week to ensure we can deliver a victory in the next match.
