Match Review
After achieving consecutive home victories against Sagan Tosu and Gamba Osaka, the team has been training with the goal of moving up at least one position in the standings in the remaining five matches.
In the first match after the restart, Kosuke SHIRAI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA returned to the starting lineup after a long time. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had just returned from the U-22 Japan national team's tour in America two days ago, also started on the pitch. Additionally, the central midfielders Riki HARAKAWA and Kei KOIZUMI formed a new combination as they kicked off.
1st HALF - A goal conceded just as we were about to seize control
The first half was a difficult development. The build-up from the final line was unstable, and there was no rhythm in the attack. Pass mistakes in the midfield were noticeable, and there were long periods without shots. Tokyo's first shot came in the 23rd minute of the first half, with Diego OLIVEIRA, Adailton, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE involved on the left side to deliver a cross. Koizumi picked up the loose ball and aimed for a mid-range shot with his right foot, but it went over the goal.
Just as Tokyo was beginning to take control of the game, they conceded the opening goal in the 32nd minute of the first half. They were caught out from behind while pushing forward, and Inoue, who had burst out from the defensive midfield position, controlled the ball just outside the penalty area and took a left-footed shot. The ball deflected off Henrique TREVISAN's back, changing its course, and the ball that was flowing in the opposite direction to where Nozawa was prepared was sucked into the goal.
Tokyo wants to launch a counterattack, but they are struggling to bring the ball effectively to the opponent's goal. Just before the end of the first half, they finally connected the ball in the vital area, but the volley shot taken by Ryoma WATANABE was saved right in front of the opponent's goalkeeper.
2nd HALF - Early missed opportunities resonate
In the second half, chasing a one-goal deficit, it was Tokyo that had the first clear chance. In the 12th minute of the second half, right back Shirai sent a quick floating pass to the front from just before the halfway line, allowing Adailton to break behind the opponent's defense. However, in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, his shot was blocked, and he missed a crucial opportunity.
After that, Keigo HIGASHI and Kuryu MATSUKI were brought in to strengthen the midfield, increasing the time spent moving the ball in the opponent's territory. However, there were several instances where the intentions of the passer and receiver did not align, and the number of times they entered the dangerous area in front of the goal did not increase, while time continued to pass.
Even as the game entered the final stages, the attacking gear did not increase, and the match ended with a one-point deficit. It was not the first three consecutive wins of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI (19th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI)/Masaaki MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (42nd minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Riki HARAKAWA/Ryoma WATANABE (42nd minute of the second half: Naoki KUMATA)
FW Kota TAWARAZUMI (19th minute of the second half: Kuryu MATSUKI)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Adailton (34th minute of the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
―
Yokohama FC
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kengo NAGAI
DF Katsuya IWATAKE / Ndoka Boniface / Kyohei YOSHINO (substituted at 44 minutes: Mateus MORAES)
MF Towa YAMANE / Yuri Lara / Shion INOUE (substituted at 44 minutes: Tomoki KONDO) / Kotaro HAYASHI / CAPRINI (substituted at 24 minutes: Sho Ito) / Keijiro OGAWA (substituted at 24 minutes: Koki SAKAMOTO)
FW Marcelo HIAN (substituted at 37 minutes: Hiroki MITA)
SUBS
GK Masaki ENDO
DF Kento HASHIMOTO
GOAL
32nd minute of the first half: Shion INOUE
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a very disappointing result. We need to learn valuable lessons from such games. There were parts where we strayed a bit from our way of fighting and our foundation, and we couldn't express what we wanted to do. We also made the game difficult for ourselves. I think it would have been better if we had moved the ball quickly and utilized the space, instead of missing opportunities to exploit the back. However, the players fought desperately to catch up. Still, there were times when we overthought the game and forgot the simple aspects. Although today’s result is disappointing, we want to learn, recover, and prepare for the next match in order to become a better and smarter team.
Q: What were your thoughts on the use of the U-22 Japan national team members who joined the team the day before the match?
A, as we prepared for this match over the course of a week, there were points that needed to be considered while observing the situation, but I believe we were well-prepared. Among them, the returning players responded well to be able to participate.
Q, what are the reasons or causes for not being able to fully express what we want to do and what we value?
If we could increase the tempo of moving the ball a bit more, I think we could have created opportunities to get behind the defense. Getting behind the opponent is one of our strengths, and today we missed those moments. When good movement created good space, there was no forward run. There were moments when we were in good positions, so we needed to share our timing and intentions. That is an area we need to improve, and I believe we must continue to learn. Today, the final passes and the passes that initiated plays near the area 20 meters from the goal lacked sharpness.
[Player Interview]]
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, please review the game. It was your first start in a while.
A, we were put under pressure from the opponent right from the start of the first half. We couldn't aim for the space behind and ended up making a lot of short passes, which allowed the opponent to pressure us positively and take the ball away, leading to many scenes of short counterattacks. It was not a good flow.
Q: It seemed that the opponent's defense was well-positioned when Tokyo had the ball.
A, the opponent was defending in a way that formed a block and tried to draw us in. As a result, we often found ourselves passing the ball in front of the opponent, and there were times when they targeted penetrating passes.
Q: There weren't any major crises, but on the other hand, it seems that we couldn't create significant chances or fully grasp the flow of the match. What do you think are the factors behind this?
There were many instances of playing beautifully, but a point of reflection is that there were few actions aimed at roughly targeting the opponent's block from behind.
Q: With the last 5 matches of the season, many fans and supporters came to the away games.
A, today we played a disappointing match, but we have two home games left, and I want to fight to win them and finish the season strongly.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: You participated immediately after returning from the activities of the U-22 Japan national team. Please tell us what you were conscious of when coming on as a substitute.
From the bench, I felt that in the first half, we particularly fell into their trap, the ball was being played around the outside, and our positioning made it easy for Yokohama FC to defend. When I came on, I was conscious of receiving the ball in the central position, spreading it to the sides, and sending vertical passes to the forwards, but the opponent was also defending with a block, and they didn't give us much freedom. Personally, I ended the match feeling unfulfilled, and I regret that the game ended without me being able to give my all.
Q: It seemed that you played in the position just ahead of the defensive midfielder quite often.
A, as I mentioned earlier, I was focused on fully utilizing the positioning on the pitch that would make it uncomfortable for the opponent, which was one of the issues I felt from the bench during the first half. If we could have played more effectively in the spaces on either side of the opponent's defensive midfielders, increased vertical passes, and created more combinations to break through, I believe the flow of the match would have changed.
Q: Today, you achieved your 50th appearance in the J1 League. As you reach this milestone, how do you want to evolve and grow from here?
I want to enhance my individual skills to break through situations like today's match and to be able to make plays that determine the outcome of the game. In the last four matches of the league, I want to grow into a player who can make a difference in the remaining season.
Q: Many fans and supporters created a home-like atmosphere for today's match as well. Please share your enthusiasm for the remaining matches.
A, despite creating a wonderful atmosphere, I feel sorry that today's match turned out to be very disappointing. The next match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima will be the last game of our 25th anniversary at home, so I want to focus solely on delivering a victory to our fans and supporters as we approach the match.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q: It has been a while since your last appearance, and you came on in a situation where you were trailing by one goal. What were you conscious of during the match?
I wanted to deliver more crosses, but when I saw my teammates in front of the goal, my movement stopped a bit, so I opted for more short passes. However, I think I should have been more proactive in delivering crosses and conveying messages to my teammates.KLAMOVSKII felt that while clearing the demands from the coach, I also needed to express more of my own ideas.
Q: I think there was some regret about not being able to start, but how do you want to overcome this hurdle?
A: To participate in the match, it is important to clarify what Coach Klamovski is looking for from practice. Also, I believe we have to play aggressively and without fear of making mistakes, so that we don't fall behind the younger players.I don't want to hear that we lost because Yuto NAGATOMO wasn't there or because Teruhito NAKAGAWA wasn't there. I believe we have enough members to win, so each person needs to play more passionately from practice, and I want to do my best to ignite that fire.
Q: I could hear a big cheer today as well.
I think it was a match where we had to respond to the passion of the fans and supporters.I believe that only by showcasing our play will the fans and supporters want to cheer for us, and I want to create a positive cycle where their support improves our performance.I want to finish the season in a higher position for the sake of the fans and supporters.
Q: The next match will be at home. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, I haven't been able to play at home for a while, so my desire to participate is strong. For that reason, I will be working hard in practice.
