＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, who advanced to the semifinals for the first time in 2 years and is aiming for their first victory in 3 years, faced the second match with a one-win advantage. In the midst of consecutive matches including league games, four starting members were replaced from the first match, with Yasuki KIMOTO, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, Ryoma WATANABE, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA starting on the pitch. As they entered the kickoff for the second half of the 90 minutes in the Levain Cup Prime Stage quarterfinals.
1st HALF - Despite enduring, 2 goals were conceded towards the end.
The coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI chose the same 3-back system as the first match four days ago. They created a mirror game structure to match the system of Avispa Fukuoka and faced Fukuoka.
The time continues when the momentum of Fukuoka, which receives a great cheer from the home, is received from the start. The time spent in their own half without being able to push up the line by picking up the second ball. Still, when right wing back Kosuke Shirai and left wing back Kashif BANGNAGANDE took off their opponents on the touchline, they carried the ball deep into the opponent's territory and created scenes that threatened the goal from crosses.
Tokyo had been gradually gaining momentum, but just before the end of the first half, their rhythm was suddenly disrupted. In the 38th minute of the first half, Fukuoka's Inoue player kicked a sharp feed from the right side to the opposite corner, and Oda player dropped it with his chest inside the penalty area. Yamagishi player then jumped in and scored a goal, making it even in the total of two games.
Furthermore, in additional time, they continued to give corner kicks one after another, and in the 45+3 minute, they conceded their second goal. The former player put the ball into the near side, and Oda player headed it, but Yakubu Sowbick player reacted sharply and initially cleared the ball, but it was determined by VAR support that the ball crossed the goal line.
2nd HALF - The late power play bears no fruit
Tokyo, who wants to turn the score of the two games in the first half, cannot build an attack as they thought, just like in the first half. In the 11th minute of the second half, they bring in their trump card player, Adailton, but there is no space to unleash his dribbling skills, and they struggle to find an attacking option. In the 20th minute of the second half, they simultaneously send in three players, Koki Tsukagawa, Keigo Higashi, and Shuhei Tokumoto, but it does not become an effective breakthrough strategy, and only time passes.
In the 30th minute of the second half, Konno was able to get behind the defense line from a counterattack and shake the goal net, but the offside was judged with the support of VAR. This kept a glimmer of hope until the end of the game.
In the final stages, Tokyo tried to send the ball quickly to the front line and break through Fukuoka's defense with a power play, but their accuracy was not enough and they couldn't break through the height and strength of Fukuoka's defense, entering into additional time. In the end, they strengthened their power play by placing center back Henrique Trevisan on the front line, but this also did not lead to a goal. The two-game total score ended at 1-2, resulting in elimination in the quarterfinals.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yakubu Swobick
DF Yasuki Kimoto/Henrique Trevizan/Yuto Nagatomo (20th minute of the second half: Shuhei Tokumoto)
MF Kosuke Shirai/Kei Koizumi/Riki Harakawa/Ryoma Watanabe (20th minute of the second half: Keigo Higashi)/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (35th minute of the second half: Tsubasa Terayama)
FW Teruhito Nakagawa (20th minute of the second half: Koki Tsukagawa)/Naoki Kumata (11th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
―
＜Avispa Fukuoka＞
STARTING XI
GK Takumi Nagaishi
DF Seiya Inoue (46': Kennedyegbus Mikuni)/Tatsuki Nara/Douglas Grolli
MF Yota Maejima/Hiroyuki Mae/Yuya Yamagishi/Kimiya Moriyama (46': Takeshi Kanamori)/Itsuki Oda
FW Kazuya Konno (49': Wellington)/Lucian (17': Yosuke Ideguchi)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Masato YUZAWA
FW Reiju TSURUNO
GOAL
First half 38th minute: Yuya YAMAGISHI/First half 45+3 minute: Itsuki ODA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Director Press Conference Comments]
Q, please review the game.
A, unfortunately it became a disappointing result. I think we were able to fight evenly while controlling ourselves in the first half. However, the opponent created a chance just before the end of the first half and scored successfully there. In the second half, I think the players gave everything they had and fought hard. They fought desperately to score goals. I am proud of the efforts and attitudes of these players. However, it became a tough challenge and unfortunately resulted in a disappointing outcome.
Q: Please tell us the intention and aim of playing with a 3-back formation today, following the first match.
There were elements that were good in the battle on Wednesday. We fought considering how to use that goodness. As I mentioned before, we considered our current situation and decided how to fight, taking into account the situation of the players we can use. It was a series of three games in eight days, so we made those choices considering the team's situation. Among them, I think we were able to grasp what is necessary for us to evolve and develop, so I hope we can continue to become a strong team.
Q, how did you plan to break through in the second half when a goal became necessary?
A, both as my mentality and as the team's mentality, there was an attitude of going for the next goal from the first half. Even when the score became 0-2, that didn't change, and we had to fight to show a strong performance. I think there were parts in the first half where we were able to fight while controlling the game. However, the time just before halftime was effectively used by the opponent. It became a big goal against us in an away game, but in order for us to become a team that wins trophies, I think we need to make use of such situations in reverse.
[Player Interview]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, what kind of mindset did you have when entering the game knowing that you had to score?
A, we only had the consciousness of seizing a few chances and taking one point. We conceded two goals in the first half and made the game difficult.
Q, I think the start of the game was offensive rather than defensive.
A, I think the start was very good, but we were overwhelmed by the opponent's pace and atmosphere after conceding a goal. The set plays we gave away in quick succession also became "if only" moments, but I think we needed to defend them properly. By creating a 0-2 situation, the opponent's play and style of play became very clear. We couldn't manage the game as well as we did in the first home game.
Q, there was also the difficulty of bringing it to the final stage due to the opponent's very strong defense.
A, it was a situation where we matched up with a similar formation, and towards the end of the game, it was like a power play. The fact that we couldn't decide the game in the first half was the factor. As a team, we need to become better at playing games and we need to fix our weaknesses and challenges. I strongly felt that if we don't do that, we won't be able to go further. I came on as a substitute, but even from the bench, I felt that way and it's very frustrating.
Q, Avispa Fukuoka played three consecutive matches in a short period of time. Looking back at the overall experience, what challenges and responses did you feel?
A, such a three-game series is not something that can be experienced easily, and there was always a back-and-forth. I especially think there was a tactical back-and-forth between both teams, and I really wanted to win and move on to the next stage. I want to switch gears and move forward.
Q, only the league matches remain. How will you proceed from here?
I want to show my feelings and play solidly in each game so that I can achieve a higher position in the A League.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, it was a frustrating game.
A, I raised several cross balls in the attacking area, but they did not lead to goals. The fundamental issue is that the number of cross balls and the number of times involved in the attack are low, which is frustrating.
Q, it was my first start since May. Can you tell us about your intention to play as a wingback?
A, I was conscious of playing aggressively as it was my first start in a while and playing as a wing back, but I couldn't make plays that would lead to goals. I am reflecting on my own performance.
Q: What did the team discuss in the locker room when entering the second half after conceding two points?
It was a wasteful goal conceded, but we had confidence that we could do better and Coach Kramovsky also encouraged us by saying, "We are not like this!" So we approached the game with a determination to turn things around. It's really frustrating that we didn't achieve a good result.
Q, there was a unique atmosphere in the stadium. How did you feel on the pitch?
A, on the pitch, especially in the first half, I had a feeling that I was able to do well, but the way we conceded goals and the timing were not good, and we let the opponent take advantage of it. I think we need to fix that as a team.
Q, as Kashif BANGNAGANDE, how do you plan to approach the future after making a comeback from injury and playing in a match for a long time?
A, if you play in a game, you have to produce results. I think results are the most important. I couldn't achieve that this time, so the next time I play in a game, I want to focus on the results. Today, I felt really frustrated, so I don't want to feel like this anymore in the future. Only the league matches are left, so I want to switch gears and concentrate on the league matches.
<Tsubasa TERAYAMA>
Q: What were you conscious of when entering the game in a behind situation?
A, although we were in a losing situation, there was also a situation where we could catch up with a total of 2 games if we could score one point, so we entered the game with the awareness of scoring one point first. I also received instructions from the coach to play in the wing-back position and make movements to score, so I was always conscious of that.
Q, it was a participation in the midst of improving the condition, including practice. How do you feel about your individual performance?
A, I feel a sense of responsiveness in terms of my physical sharpness even by myself now. However, it doesn't mean anything if I can't produce results or leave an impression when participating in official matches like this. Still, instead of just ending it as meaningless, I have no choice but to reflect and continue. I want to keep doing it with the feeling of producing better results when given the chance.
Q, how do you feel about participating in the Levain Cup quarterfinals through two matches?
I am particularly conscious of winning in the battle of ball possession, which I think is my own strength. I think I was able to demonstrate this in these two matches, even if it may be just a little. I also feel that a rhythm is being created within me because there are scenes where I can showcase my own strengths, so I want to further explore that aspect.
Q: Based on today's result, what kind of play do you want to show from here?
A, I'm really frustrated that it ended in an incomplete combustion and I'm also frustrated that I had little playing time. I think that's my current ability, so I want to focus on what I can express in the short time given to me and I want to train with more emphasis on quality. And I want to be more conscious of always producing results.
