Match Review
After two years, Tokyo advanced to the Semifinal Round, entering the second match with a one-win advantage towards their first championship in three years. Amid a series of matches including the league, they made four changes to the starting lineup from the first match, with Yasuki KIMOTO, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, Ryoma WATANABE, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA starting on the pitch. The Levain Cup Prime Stage quarterfinals welcomed the kickoff of the "second half, 90 minutes."
1st HALF - Endured but conceded 2 goals in the final stages
The formation chosen by coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI was the same three-back as in the first match four days ago. They faced Avispa Fukuoka by adapting to their system and creating a mirror game structure.
From the very beginning, Fukuoka struggled to cope with the overwhelming cheers from the home crowd. They lost the second balls and spent a lot of time in their own half, unable to push the line forward. However, when right wing-back Kosuke SHIRAI and left wing-back Kashif BANGNAGANDE managed to shake off their opponents near the touchline, they advanced the ball deep into the opponent's territory, creating opportunities to threaten the goal with crosses.
Tokyo was gradually starting to find its pace, but just before the end of the first half, they suddenly lost their rhythm. In the 38th minute of the first half, Inoue from Fukuoka delivered a sharp feed diagonally from the right side, which Oda controlled with his chest inside the penalty area, allowing Yamagishi to score a goal that leveled the aggregate score over two matches.
In addition, during stoppage time, consecutive corner kicks were awarded, leading to the second goal in the 45+3 minute. A ball sent to the near side by a former player was headed by Oda, and Jakub SLOWIK made a sharp reaction to initially clear the ball, but it was determined by VAR support that it crossed the goal line.
2nd HALF - Late power play also did not bear fruit
Tokyo, wanting to turn the score of the two matches around in the first half, is unable to build their attacks as they would like, just like in the first half. In the 11th minute of the second half, they bring in their trump card, Adailton, but there is no space to utilize his dribbling skills, making it difficult to find a way to attack. In the 20th minute of the second half, they send in Koki TSUKAGAWA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Shuhei TOKUMOTO all at once, but it does not lead to an effective breakthrough, and only time passes by.
In the 30th minute of the second half, Konno was able to get behind the defense line from a counterattack and shook the goal net, but thanks to VAR support, it was ruled offside. This kept a glimmer of hope alive as the match approached its end.
In the final stages, Tokyo tried to send the ball forward quickly and break through with power play, but they lacked precision and were unable to break down Fukuoka's defense, which was strong and tall, as they entered stoppage time. In the end, they placed center-back Henrique TREVISAN up front to strengthen the power play, but this also did not lead to a goal. The total score over the two matches ended at 1-2, resulting in their elimination in the quarterfinals.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Henrique Trevisan/Yuto Nakatani (substituted in 20th minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kosuke SHIRAI/Kei Koizumi/Riki Harakawa/Ryoma WATANABE (substituted in 20th minute: Keisuke Higashi)/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in 35th minute: Tsubasa Terayama)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 20th minute: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Naoki KUMATA (substituted in 11th minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
―
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Seiya INOUE (substituted in 6 minutes into the second half: Kennedyegbus MIKUNI)/Ryuki NARA/DOUGLAS GLORY
MF Yota MAEJIMA/Hiroyuki MAE/ Yuya YAMAGISHI/Komiya MORIYAMA (substituted in 0 minutes into the second half: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Itsuki ODA
FW Kazuya KONO (substituted in 45+4 minutes into the second half: Wellington)/Lukian (substituted in 17 minutes into the first half: Yosuke IDEGUCHI)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Masato YUZAWA
FW Reiju TSURUNO
GOAL
38th minute: Yuya YAMAGISHI/45+3rd minute: Itsuki ODA
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, it ended in a disappointing result. I think we were able to fight with good balance while controlling the game in the first half. However, towards the end of the first half, the opponent created a chance and managed to score. In the second half, I believe the players fought with everything they had. They fought desperately to go for the goal. I am proud of the efforts and attitude of those players. However, it turned into a tough challenge, and it ended in a disappointing result.
Q: Please tell us the intention and aim of fighting with a three-back formation today, following the first match.
There were good elements in the battle on Wednesday. We fought considering how to utilize those strengths. As I mentioned before, we decided on our approach based on our current situation and the players we could utilize. Given that it was a series of three matches in eight days, we made those choices considering the team's condition. In that process, I believe we grasped what is necessary for us to evolve and develop, so we want to continue becoming a strong team.
Q: What were your thoughts on how to break through in the second half when a goal was needed?
A, both in terms of my mentality and the mentality of the entire team, we had the attitude to go for the next goal from the first half. Even when the score was 0-2, that did not change, and we had to fight to deliver a strong performance. I believe there were parts in the first half where we were able to control the game. However, the opponent effectively used the time just before halftime. It resulted in a significant loss in an away match, but in order to become a team that wins trophies, I believe we need to capitalize on such situations ourselves.
[Player Interview]]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It was a situation where we had to score. What mindset did you have when entering the match?
First, we only had the mindset to capitalize on the few chances we had and go for a goal. We conceded two goals in the first half, which made the match difficult for us.
Q: I think the approach at the start of the match was offensive rather than defensive.
I think the start was very good, but we got caught up in the opponent's pace and atmosphere after conceding a goal. The set pieces we gave away in quick succession could be seen as 'what ifs', but I believe we needed to defend them properly. By creating a situation of 0-2, the opponent's play and style became very clear. Unlike the first match at home, we couldn't manage the game well.
Q, I think there was also difficulty in bringing it to the final stage due to the opponent's very solid defense.
A, it was a situation where we matched up with a similar formation, and towards the end of the match, it felt like we were playing with a power play. The reason for this is that we couldn't decide the match in the first half. As a team, we need to become more skilled in matches, and if we don't correct our weaknesses and shortcomings, we won't be able to rise any higher from here. Although I came on as a substitute, I felt this way even from the bench, and it is very frustrating.
Q: You played three matches against Avispa Fukuoka in a short period. Looking back on the overall experience, what challenges and sense of achievement did you feel?
A, such a three-match series is not something you can experience often, and there was always a tactical back-and-forth. I believe there was a tactical interplay between both teams, and I wanted to win at all costs to move on to the next stage. I want to switch gears and move forward.
Q: With only the league matches remaining, how will you proceed from here?
I want to show our determination in each match so that we can achieve a higher rank in the league.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: It was a frustrating match.
In terms of offense, we delivered several crosses, but they did not lead to any goals. Fundamentally, the number of crosses and the involvement in attacks were too few, which is frustrating.
Q: It was your first appearance in the starting lineup since May. Please tell us what you were conscious of regarding your use as a wing-back.
A, it was my first start in a while and I played as a wing-back, so I was conscious of playing offensively, but in the end, I couldn't make plays that led to goals. I am reflecting on my own performance.
Q: When you entered the second half after conceding two goals, what kind of things were shared as a team in the locker room?
It was a regrettable goal to concede, and everyone had the confidence that we could do better. Coach Klamovski also encouraged us by saying, "We are better than this!" so we approached the game with a determination to bounce back. It is very frustrating that we did not achieve a good result.
Q: The stadium had a unique atmosphere. How did you feel on the pitch?
In the first half, I felt particularly good on the pitch, but the way and timing of the goals we conceded were not good, which allowed the opponent to gain momentum. I think we need to correct that as a team.
Q: As for Kashif BANGNAGANDE himself, he returned from injury and played for a long time in a match after a while. How does he want to approach the future?
A, once you are in a match, you must deliver results. I believe results are the most important. This time, I was unable to achieve that, so when I play in the next match, I want to focus on getting results. Today, I felt really frustrated, and I don't want to feel this way again in the future. Since only the league matches are left, I want to switch gears and concentrate on the league matches.
<Tsubasa TERAYAMA>
Q: You entered the match in a behind situation, but what were you conscious of?
Although we were in a losing situation, we knew that if we could score one goal, we could catch up in the aggregate score over two matches. So, I focused on scoring that first goal as we entered the match. The coach also instructed me to position myself as a wing-back and to make movements aimed at scoring, so I was always aware of that.
Q: You participated in the match while your condition has been improving, including practice. How do you feel about your individual performance?
A, I currently feel a sense of sharpness in my body. However, if I cannot produce results or leave an impression when participating in official matches, it is meaningless. Still, I don't want to just end it by saying it's meaningless; I must reflect and continue to push forward. I want to maintain the mindset that when I get the chance, I will achieve better results through continued effort.
Q: How do you feel about the two matches you played in the Levain Cup Semifinal Round?
I believe that winning battles at the ball is one of my strengths, and I have been particularly conscious of that. It may be just a little, but I think I was able to demonstrate that in these two matches. I feel that because there are scenes where I can showcase my characteristics, a rhythm is being created within me, so I want to delve deeper into that aspect.
Q: Based on today's results, what kind of play do you want to show from here on?
I am really frustrated that it ended in an incomplete performance, and I am also disappointed about the limited playing time. I believe that reflects my current abilities, and I want to focus on what I can express in the short time given to me, directing my efforts inward. I want to pay more attention to the quality of my training. Additionally, I want to be more conscious of consistently delivering results.
