Match Review
On October 1, the day the club was established, we were fortunate to play a home game on the occasion of our 25th anniversary. The three home games following the match against Sagan Tosu were designated as the 25th anniversary commemorative matches for Tokyo. The opening match against Tosu saw us trailing by two goals, but we came back in the second half to score three goals and turn the game around, marking a promising start to our 25th anniversary celebrations.
On the anniversary of its establishment, this match welcomed Gamba Osaka and faced the game with the same starting members as the match against Tosu.
1st HALF - Hargawa's first goal since joining & Diego's goal gives a 2-point lead
The match starts with both teams clashing intensely from the beginning. Tokyo gradually begins to create more time in possession of the ball.
Connecting short passes, they advance the ball to the vital area of the opponent's territory, searching for a path to the goal. The first chance comes in the 15th minute of the first half when Diego OLIVEIRA delivers a through pass, allowing Teruhito NAKAGAWA to break into the penalty area. He has a chance to shoot right in front of the goal, but his finish is blocked by the opposing goalkeeper. Ryoma WATANABE and Adailton react to the loose ball, but both of their shots are also blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.
In the 20th minute of the first half, a critical situation arose in front of the goal. Player Kurata made a through pass that Player Usami broke through, but the shot taken from just in front of the goal to the right went slightly wide to the left, avoiding disaster.
As the first half approached its end with a somewhat open development, Tokyo created a chance. In the 34th minute of the first half, there was a corner kick opportunity from the left side. Riki HARAKAWA sent a fast ball to the near post, and Watanabe, who broke free from his marker, made a heading shot that skimmed the back. The ball targeted the left corner of the goal, but it couldn't shake the net due to the sharp reaction of the opposing goalkeeper.
While creating good opportunities, it was a situation where goals were hard to come by, but the match changed in the 37th minute of the first half.
On the right side, Yuto NAGATOMO has the ball and makes a horizontal pass to the center. As Diego TABA approaches to receive the ball but lets it go, Nakagawa receives it from behind. Timing it perfectly, Harakawa makes a run into the penalty area in an underlap-like manner, and Nakagawa drops the ball at Harakawa's feet. After evading the approaching defender with precise touches, he finally scores by slipping the ball under the opposing goalkeeper's feet.
Tokyo maintained control of the flow. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Adailton, who had opened up on the left side, delivered a looping pass behind the opponent's defensive line. Diego TABA broke free, calmly evaded the opposing goalkeeper in the penalty area, and slotted the ball into the goal. Without relinquishing the initiative they had seized, Tokyo quickly extended their lead.
2nd HALF - Complete victory on the 25th anniversary day with consecutive Tawara goals in 2 matches
Tokyo's momentum does not wane even as the second half begins.
In the 6th minute of the second half, Adailton intercepted an opponent's pass error and entered the left side of the penalty area. He sent a slightly negative cross, and Watanabe connected with it directly, but it was deflected off the left post.
After that, Tokyo maintained control as the match progressed. They surpassed Gamba Osaka in both the number of times they approached the opponent's goal and the time they held the ball, and even after losing the ball, they quickly transitioned between offense and defense without leaving any gaps in their defense.
Although a decisive goal was hard to come by, the man who was brought on in the 22nd minute of the second half delivered results for the second consecutive match.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up a long ball that was deflected back near the halfway line and started to dribble. He initially carried the ball to the left side near the goal line, deep into the opponent's territory. Although he was being marked by two defenders, he forcefully turned and shook off the marks, then entered the penalty area. As he approached the goal, with no angle and limited shooting options, he curved the ball with his right foot into the upper right corner of the goal.
After taking a 3-point lead, the match was handled without any danger. Celebrated the 25th anniversary with a complete victory, marking the first clean sheet in six matches.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub Słowik
DF Yuto NAGATOMO / Masato MORISHIGE (substituted at 44 minutes: Yasuki KIMOTO) / Henrique Trevisan / Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted at 32 minutes: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (substituted at 32 minutes: Keisuke Koizumi) / Riki Harakawa / Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted at 32 minutes: Jaja Silva) / Diego Oliveira / Adailton (substituted at 22 minutes: Kota Tawara)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
37th minute of the first half: Riki HARAKAWA/43rd minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA/33rd minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
<Gamba Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Takaio Ru/Sato Yota (20 minutes into the second half: Shota FUKUOKA)/Kwon Kyung-won/Keisuke KUROKAWA
MF Ryotaro MESHINO (27 minutes into the second half: Yuya FUKUDA)/Akira Kurata (10 minutes into the second half: Issam Jebali)/Neta Lavi/Dawan (20 minutes into the second half: Hideki ISHIGE)/Yuki YAMAMOTO
FW Takashi USAMI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Genta MIURA
FW Hiroto YAMAMI
GOAL
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[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
We were able to showcase our strengths with a strong performance. I believe the players were able to express their play throughout the match. In that process, the players worked hard, fought dedicatedly, and delivered a good performance. There were also moments where we could have scored a few more goals, and we were able to create chances while playing our football. Defensively, we managed to keep a clean sheet. Today is a special day for the club, and I am proud of achieving victory and everyone involved with the club.
Q: I think it was a tough time until we scored the first goal. What were you thinking?
A, Gamba Osaka is a very good team. I thought it was important to control our performance, to fight with composure, and to fight with dedication. We were able to play good football, and it is also important to continue to grow. Today was a tough game. We got off to a good start and were able to play well in the first half. I think it was wonderful that we created chances based on what we designed in practice. If we could have scored more goals in the second half, the players would have gone home with even more smiles.
Q: Following the match against Sagan Tosu, Kuryu MATSUKI and Riki HARAKAWA started in the lineup. Please share your evaluation of them.
A, a very good combination is being created. The good performances in both matches are proof of that. It is important not only for them but also for the team to continue improving. It is essential to work hard and practice in all aspects, and I want to elevate individual skills while growing as a team. If we can grow day by day, I believe we can get closer to the team we dream of.
[Player Interview]]
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, it was a very intense match. Please review the game.
It was a very strong and tough team. It became a difficult match, but with the support of our home fans, we were able to show good football from the start. We want to continue this good momentum.
Q: Throughout the match, it felt like the team was able to play at a high level.
In the first half of the last match against Sagan Tosu, there were mismatches in defense, leading to defensive gaps. In today's game, the defense worked well, and we were able to apply pressure actively from the front line. I believe we had a very good match, as we were able to create three goals from solid defense leading to good attacks.
Q, the second goal was scored at a time when the team wanted an additional point. Please review the scoring scene.
It was an additional goal that brought calmness and momentum to the team just before the end of the first half. A good ball was sent from Adailton to the opposing defender, making it a situation where all that was left was to score. I believe that today, the power of all players, including those who started the match and those who came on later, came together for the victory.
Q、We won the match commemorating the 25th anniversary with a goal from Diego TABA, who is also the symbol of the team.
A, today's match was a special day for everyone involved in Tokyo. I am honestly happy that I was able to score a goal and contribute to the victory in such an important match. Many fans and supporters came to the stadium today as well. I believe we were able to deliver a match that brought joy to everyone. It was three points earned by everyone involved with the club.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q、It felt like we were very compact in our play from the start of the first half.
I think it was good that even during bad times, like in the last match against Sagan Tosu, the team was able to stay focused and not fall apart, which I believe led to our victory.
Q、I believe playing at a high position led to the opening goal.
A, there were few plays where Gamba Osaka's midfield players followed up on forward runs, so even before scoring, there were a few instances of attacking participation with forward runs. The opponent's defensive line had gaps, and we were able to effectively exploit those to penetrate. Although there were moments where we were left attacking due to continued play in high positions, it was a scoring scene where we successfully expressed a breakdown by building up from the sides and committing numbers. Personally, there were many plays where mistakes stood out, so I would like to improve on that.
Q: Please reflect on the scoring scene again.
A, Yuto NAGATOMO sent a pass from a high position on the right to the center, Diego OLIVEIRA let it go, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA provided the pass. The way many players were involved with the ball and found space to break through was something we particularly focused on in practice this week, and it was a goal that reflected the results of our training. I miscontrolled the ball received from NAKAGAWA, but I was able to place the ball in a position that made it easy to shoot with my second touch. It was just a matter of smoothly guiding it in.
Q: We are entering a break period from here. How will the team spend this time?
We were able to approach today's match with a shared awareness to fight aggressively, just like in the previous match against Tosu. In that context, we were able to achieve victory with the performance we had today. I believe it is important for the team to continue to refine our skills. Since there will be a break of a few weeks until the next match against Yokohama FC, I want to make good use of this time.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q. In the second half, with the situation of not being able to score, it became the decisive goal of the match.
In the previous match, I was in the opposite position, but while the game was progressing with a score of 2-0, which is the most dangerous score, I entered the match with the intention of scoring an additional goal to decide the game. I'm glad I was able to achieve a good result.
Q, please review the dribbling scene of the goal.
I knew there was space, so I carried the ball. I was pushed to the side, but I was able to break through with a nutmeg as I aimed, and I was able to shoot where I intended, so it was good.
Q: You came on as a substitute, but what was your mindset when you entered the match?
A, in a good way, I was able to enter the match in a state of 'nothingness' and focus on the things I needed to do. Before the match started, the entire team had discussed applying pressure, so we were able to express what we needed to do effectively.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
We are on a good streak with two consecutive wins, so both the team and individuals want to seek results to ensure this does not break in an away game. I want to prepare to face Yokohama FC and reach the final match of the 25th anniversary celebration with a three-game winning streak.
