Match Review
After the away match against Yokohama F.Marinos and the match against Vissel Kobe at Japan National Stadium, Tokyo returned to Ajinomoto Stadium for the first time in about half a month. The match against the two teams competing for the top spot in the league was one where Tokyo did not fall short in terms of content. Rather, they held the initiative for a long time, but the late goal conceded turned a draw into a loss, and a victory into a draw, which was very harsh for Tokyo compared to the events that occurred on the pitch.
In this round, we will face Avispa Fukuoka, who is ranked higher than Tokyo by 2 points, to clear the frustration from the last two matches. Since we will also play the same match in the Levain Cup Prime Stage quarterfinals on the 6th, it will be a "three-match series against Fukuoka" until the second leg of the quarterfinals on the 10th, resulting in three matches against Fukuoka in 8 days.
In order to gain momentum for advancing to the Semifinal Round of the Levain Cup, and to ensure victory and accumulate points in a direct confrontation against a closely ranked opponent in the league, we approached this match at home with the determination to win at all costs.
Tokyo has Seiji KIMURA, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, and Kuryu MATSUKI, who were selected for the U-22 Japan national team, all included in the starting lineup. Kanta DOI is in the reserve members.
1st HALF - Consecutive goals conceded in the early stages
The match suddenly comes to life. At the same time as the kickoff, Fukuoka launches an attack in front of Tokyo's goal. Although they had set up a solid block in front of the goal, they struggled to keep track of their marks as Fukuoka frequently used the sides to divert their attention. In the 2nd minute of the first half, a cross ball was sent from the right side, crossing in front of the goal, leaving Sato free at the far side, allowing them to score the opening goal.
Tokyo wants to take the initiative by cutting down the opponent's momentum, but in the 11th minute of the first half, they were broken down from a set piece. After a throw-in on the right side was delivered near the goal line, Konno received the ball and moved into the penalty area. When a pass was played backward, Yamagishi struck a powerful shot right in front of the goal, widening the deficit.
Tokyo wants to score a goal early, but they are unable to bring the ball to the goal due to Fukuoka's quick transition to defense and return after losing possession.
In a situation where it was difficult to find a way to attack during the flow of the game, a good opportunity was created from a set piece. In the 21st minute of the first half, a chance for a free kick was obtained on the right side, and the ball, after being deflected once, floated high in front of the goal. Seiji KIMURA attempted a back header as the ball was coming down, but the shot hit the crossbar directly.
In the 33rd minute of the first half, they were pushed into the penalty area due to a set piece, and despite being unable to clear it, they faced two or three shots but managed to block them by putting their bodies on the line.
In the latter part of the first half, they maintained possession of the ball and looked for attacking opportunities in the opponent's half, but were unable to find a clear path to an effective finish. They ended the first half two goals down.
2nd HALF - In the final stages, Kumada's shot is still far from scoring
Tokyo pushes forward with momentum and strength in ball contests from the start. Not only do they move the ball in the opponent's territory, but the actions heading towards the goal are also increasing.
As the play increases in battles for the ball, chances for free kicks near the opponent's penalty area will arise. In the 62nd minute, there was a chance for a free kick from the right side. Riki HARAKAWA, who was substituted in just before, took the free kick, and Adailton, who also came on as a substitute, headed it but it narrowly missed to the right of the goal.
Tokyo made early substitutions in the second half, but they also attempted to change the course of the game with substitutions in the final stages. In the 29th minute of the second half, Koki TSUKAGAWA was brought on for Teruhito NAKAGAWA, and Naoki KUMATA was substituted in for Diego Oliveira. The final substitution came in the 38th minute of the second half, with Kosuke SHIRAI coming on for Ryoma WATANABE to strengthen their counterattack.
The counterattack bore fruit in the 41st minute of the second half. After earning a corner kick from the left, Harakawa sent a ball to the far side, which Kumada headed into the goal.
After that, even after entering additional time, there were continued opportunities for set plays, but the shots could not hit the target, and they lost 1-2 without scoring a goal.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Seiji KIMURA/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keigo HIGASHI (15 minutes into the second half: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kuryu MATSUKI/Ryoma WATANABE (38 minutes into the second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (29 minutes into the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (29 minutes into the second half: Naoki KUMATA)/Kota TAWARA (15 minutes into the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
41st minute of the second half: Naoki KUMATA
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Yota MAEJIMA (substituted in 24th minute: Masato YUZAWA)/Seiya INOUE/Ryuki NARA/DOUGLAS GLORY/Itsuki ODA
MF Kazuya KONO (substituted in 24th minute: Reiju TSURUNO)/Yosuke IDEGUCHI/Hiroyuki MAE
FW Ryo SATO (substituted in 39th minute: Tatsuya TANAKA)/Yuya YAMAGISHI (substituted in 15th minute: Takeshi KANAMORI)
SUBS
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Masaya TASHIRO
MF Yuto HIRATSUKA
GOAL
2nd minute of the first half: Ryoga SATO/11th minute of the first half: Yuya YAMAGISHI
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
It was a very disappointing result and a regrettable night. I believe that not being able to make our best start in the first half was my responsibility. Conceding a goal early made it difficult for us to play our game. Despite that, the players tried to showcase their characteristics and resilience. After the 30th minute of the first half, I think we were able to play while gaining our momentum. After the discussion at halftime, the players responded wonderfully. We were trying to change the flow with a goal, but it became a tough situation as we couldn't score. I wish we could have scored a bit earlier. The players fought desperately to turn the game around. I apologize for not being able to deliver 3 points for the fans and supporters.
Q: What instructions did you give at halftime to change the situation?
A, we were able to fight well after the 30th minute of the first half, so we talked about continuing that and reaffirmed our basic style of play. I think it was a match that tested the players' characters in various ways during such a tough battle. Despite that, they fought tenaciously, and from the latter part of the first half, we were able to play positively in our own style.
As a positive point, we were able to play good football when we found our rhythm, moving the ball quickly, getting into space, and entering dangerous areas. I believed that if we could score one goal, the momentum would shift in our favor, and it would have been better if we had scored a bit earlier to secure the three points. It is a very disappointing result, but we will rise up strongly from here.
[Player Interview]]
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, the lack of concentration at the start of the match led to two goals, and I have nothing but regret about that. However, towards the end of the match, we created depth in our attack, generating consecutive set-piece opportunities, which resulted in a goal by Naoki KUMATA. I realized that we must prove through our play that we can win even against a defensively solid team like Avispa Fukuoka.
Q: You conceded a goal early on, but how did you make adjustments on the pitch?
A, Fukuoka set up a five-man defense when defending, making it difficult to break through during attacks. Throughout both halves, we couldn't effectively create attacking patterns, and it left the impression that we ended up that way.
Q: There have been no victories in the league for 3 matches.
I think it is important to firmly accept this result. We cannot be involved in the Levain Cup matches, but I believe we must address our issues in order to aim higher as a team.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q: What was your impression watching from the bench in the first half?
A, we conceded a goal right at the start of the first half, and we conceded the second goal with the same momentum, but it's common for the flow of the game to change when you score one back, so I didn't think there was any problem and didn't feel particularly pessimistic.
Q. Since participating, chances have been created from kicks, which is one of your characteristics.
As a team, I think we needed to step up our game and show our momentum to the opponent, even if it meant struggling at the start of the second half. After scoring one goal, our tempo increased, so I believed that if we had shown our momentum from the very beginning of the second half and scored within the first 20 minutes, it would have been a different match. I think we could have played in a way that showed more momentum to the opponent. This is not something that can be done alone, so the whole team needs to create an atmosphere of 'we can turn it around even if we concede 2 goals.' In any situation, if we can score one goal back, it can change everything, so I want to manage our approach throughout the 90 minutes.
Q: We will have back-to-back matches against Fukuoka in the Levain Cup. What points will you improve on to prepare for the match against an opponent that plays defensively?
I think that if the opponent is in a defensive position and we let them hold the ball, it will disrupt our tempo. Since the opponent is playing with a five-back formation like today, I believe that the most important thing is not to concede the first goal as the match progresses. In the next match, the regulations will change, so each goal will carry more weight than in the league matches. I want to approach the game while considering our strategy.
<Naoki KUMATA>
Q: It has been since the match against Kashima Antlers on July 16 that you have played. What was your intention when you stepped onto the pitch?
A, compared to before, I was able to play at an earlier time. Since I came on during a period when Tokyo was pushing forward, I personally thought I could definitely score. It was a shame that as a team we couldn't get the second and third goals, especially since we had the momentum.
Q: This was your first goal in the league. Please reflect on the scoring scene.
As a forward, it is natural to leave results in the form of goals, so I want to continue scoring from now on.
Q: It seems that you have been improving your form, such as scoring in practice matches.
I entered the match with the mindset of achieving at least the minimum results, so I think it was good that we were able to score the minimum points. The content of the first half was regrettable, so since we have another match against the same opponent soon, I want us to correct that as a team and focus on achieving results in the next match.
Q: There has been a period without participation. What kind of preparations have you been making?
This summer, we have had many practice matches, and I have been focusing on increasing my physical activity, including training, to improve our transition between offense and defense. Personally, I am working on increasing my defensive intensity to participate in league matches, and I want to continue this to extend my playing time in the league.
