Match Review
After a three-week interval, the previous match against Yokohama FC aimed for the first three consecutive wins of the season, but it ended in a tough defeat against the bottom team. After the match, the players all showed stern expressions, and Coach Klamovski pointed out issues in the attacking aspect. This week's match, returning home, will be a test of their rebound mentality.
How will we find a way to attack and approach the goal against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who also employs a 3-4-2-1 system? Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who vows that "the aggressive and attacking play will reach the supporters," returns from suspension. Aiming to change the flow at home, he approaches the match that concludes the 25th anniversary celebration in pursuit of 3 points.
1st HALF - Yoshifumi hits the crossbar with a decisive chance
Learning from the lack of attacking intensity in the previous match, the team showed a proactive attitude right from the start of this game. The return of Teruhito NAKAGAWA had a significant impact, as he created opportunities on the right side, increasing the time spent in attack. On the other hand, by showing an aggressive stance, there were also several instances where the back line was exploited, leading to moments where they faced Hiroshima's quick counterattacks.
Among them, the first to create a scoring opportunity was Hiroshima. In the 26th minute of the first half, from a quick restart on the right side, player Kawamura advanced and spread the play to the left side. Player Kato was able to connect with an early cross from player Higashi with a diving header, but here, player Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a super save to escape the danger.
Then, in the 37th minute of the first half, they launched a counterattack. Kei KOIZUMI, Ryoma WATANABE, and Diego OLIVEIRA worked together to break down the right side, and it was left back Kashif BANGNAGANDE who jumped in to meet Diego's cross directed backward. His shot with the right foot unfortunately hit the crossbar, but it threatened the goal with an attack that utilized the width of the pitch.
Nevertheless, neither team was able to score the opening goal, and the first half ended in a 0-0 draw.
2nd HALF - Although they once equalized
In the second half, after the opening goal became highly valuable, we allowed the opponent that precious goal. In the 3rd minute of the second half, although the ball that was roughly sent into the goal area was cleared, it was picked up by player Nakano, who sent a looping pass to player Masaru KATO, shaking the goal net.
Tokyo, who cannot afford to lose at home, equalized quickly. In the 62nd minute of the second half, Riki HARAKAWA carried the ball from the restart and made a through pass. Adailton, who got behind the opponent, sprinted up the left side and delivered a cross, which led to an own goal by the opposing defender.
After the score was reset, space began to open up on the pitch, and both teams created chances for a second goal, but a series of missed shots and good saves from the opponent prevented the next point from being scored.
In a stalemate, the score changed again in the 30th minute of the second half. Harakawa attempted to connect with the ball he picked up in his own half, but it was cut off by the opponent, leading to a counterattack. They couldn't catch Mita, who entered the area with a one-two with Douglas VIEIRA, and conceded the go-ahead goal.
Immediately after that, Naoki KUMATA and Keigo HIGASHI were brought in to aim for the equalizing goal, but Hiroshima maintained their concentration and solidified their defense, making it difficult to create the desired chances. In added time, Nakagawa was sent off, and they were unable to change the flow of the game, leading to the final whistle.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in 43rd minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Riki HARAKAWA (substituted in 34th minute: Keisuke HIGASHI)/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Diego Oliveira (substituted in 34th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton (substituted in 27th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMITA)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
17th minute of the second half: Own goal
<Sanfrecce Hiroshima>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Keisuke OSAKO
DF Tsukasa SHIOTANI/Hayato ARAKI/Sho SASAKI
MF Shuto NAKANO/Makoto MITA/Takumu KAWAMURA/Toshiki HIGASHI/Ezequiel (substituted in 43rd minute: Takaaki SHICHI)
FW Mutsuki KATO/Douglas VIEIRA (substituted in 43rd minute: Nassim BEN KHALIFA)
SUBS
GK Goro KAWANAMI
DF Taichi YAMASAKI
MF Taishi MATSUMOTO/Yotaro NAKAJIMA/Gakuto NOTSUDA
GOAL
3 minutes into the second half: Mutsuki KATO/30 minutes into the second half: Makoto MITSUTA
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
It was an exciting football match. If we look beyond the result, I think there were many even moments. In terms of performance, we were able to showcase the good football we want to play. However, I believe we lacked sharpness and precision in front of the goal and in the attacking third. We need to refine our ability to convert chances into goals and create opportunities from good situations. We played bravely forward while effectively utilizing the spaces we wanted to use, and we were able to display aggressive football. We created chances in the way we have practiced, and I believe the players fought with all their might to deliver three points for the fans and supporters.
Q: I saw an aggressive attitude for 90 minutes, but it seemed like the final accuracy was lacking. What kind of training do you think is necessary going forward?
I believe we need to refine what we have been doing rather than trying something new. Scoring goals is the most important thing. What is important to us, and what has been good, is that we have been able to develop the football we are trying to create. Within that, we were able to play positively and fight aggressively. We fell short of scoring today by just a little bit. We were able to utilize the spaces we wanted to use, and I think we were able to maintain a good tempo. On a different day, in a different game, we might have scored a few more goals. I think it's just a small difference. Hiroshima is a very good opponent, and it was a great match where both teams gave their all.
Q: Is the quality in the attacking third still incomplete because the team is still in the building phase, or was it insufficient in this game?
If we can't create such situations, we need to take a different approach, but I believe we were able to create good circumstances. I mentioned that we need to refine the final part, and we have to polish various elements. Of course, if we had scored two or three goals in today's match, no one might be saying such things. We were able to create scenes where it wouldn't be surprising to receive such rewards for the plays we created and the football we tried to play. The good plays, what we have built, and what the players have been trying to do this week were fully expressed. We should continue doing what we are doing without overthinking or complicating things. I believe that if we do so, we will be rewarded.
In a match like this, on another day, we might have scored a few goals. The players delivered what was deserved. However, football always teaches us lessons. Everyone feels regret, and the players are also disappointed that they couldn't secure a victory for the fans and supporters. The players will continue to strive to improve their performance. We hope to develop into the team we aspire to be.
[Player Interview]]
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q: The content of the match changed between the first half and the second half. How did it look from Riki HARAKAWA's position?
A, Sanfrecce Hiroshima was pressing more aggressively from the front in the second half compared to the first half. Conversely, Tokyo lost the awareness of receiving the ball as a team compared to the first half, resulting in a lack of passing options and leading to a period of kicking long balls.
Q: In the second half, the opponent's pressing position became higher.
A, we started to apply pressure on the opponent more than in the first half. It would have been good if we could play while observing the opponent's movements, but we couldn't do that.
Q: The goal was connected from Harakawa's pass. What were you conscious of?
After winning the ball, Henrique TREVISAN immediately passed it. This week, we practiced attacking plays where the side players break through. I knew I was free and that Adailton was positioned on the side, so I looked forward and made the pass. That scene was the result of this week's training.
Q: There is only one home game left, and the season is coming to an end. How do you plan to approach the remaining matches?
In the match against Yokohama FC, we were able to bring the ball into the opponent's box, so I think it's important to continue that. However, our next opponent, Albirex Niigata, is a team with a different style, so I want to prepare for a different way to break through through training.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: The way Sanfrecce Hiroshima played was different in the first and second halves, and I think there were some difficulties. How do you reflect on the match?
In the first half, we managed to break away from the opponent during the buildup from the back, and there were times when we maintained a good flow, but we couldn't convert our chances. If we had scored there, I think the second half could have gone differently. I'm very frustrated.
Q: I think that right after the start of the second half, the opposing wing-back's positioning was high, and we faced many attacks from the sides. How did you respond on the pitch?
A, it was also the opponent's weak point, so I expected them to attack from a high position in the second half. However, we were unable to respond well in the early stages and conceded a goal.
Q: There were some close shots in the first half. It felt like you participated in the attack more aggressively than in the previous match against Yokohama FC. How did you approach the game in terms of your involvement in the attack?
A, since Hiroshima was expecting the same formation as Yokohama FC, we studied the footage from the previous match against Yokohama FC. We knew that the scene where we hit the bar would open up that space, so it was just a matter of scoring a goal. If we could have scored there, it would have completely changed the flow of the game afterwards, so not being able to score is a major point of reflection. We were able to increase the number of times we were involved in the attack, but it did not lead to results, so I want to address this as an issue for improvement.
Q: There were many scenes involving player Yoshifumi Kashi in the breakdown phase, but how did you feel about the attack?
I thought we could attack well from the first half. It was an own goal, but I’m glad we were able to break through with the play we envisioned. However, we conceded a goal while trying to score another point, so I want to improve for the next match.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: There was a big save that saved the team in the first half. Please reflect on the 90 minutes.
I understand that this is an important time for me as an individual, and I am very frustrated that we could not secure a victory during this period. We were able to fight well as a team in the first half, so I regret the goals conceded in the second half. The team is also trying to change, and in order to walk together as one of the players towards that change, I believe that today's performance is still lacking in many areas. I will reflect on how to make changes for my own growth and improve for the next time.
Q: Following the match against Yokohama FC in the previous round, what progress did you feel from the back line in terms of how to approach the opponent who employs a three-back system?
To ensure that the match against Yokohama FC serves as a good lesson, we confirmed and organized as a team to prepare for the match against Hiroshima. In the first half, we felt that we were not able to respond well to our ball movement. If we had created our pace during that time and generated a flow that led to scoring, it would have been a perfect development. However, in the second half, we had the impression that there were more scenes where we were on the back foot defensively.
Q: It seemed that Hiroshima adjusted their style of play from the start of the second half.
A, personally, the opponent came at us with five players when they launched their attack. For us, especially in the second half, there were more situations where we had to defend with four defenders, leading to mismatches in certain situations. We understood that discrepancies would occur as a team and fought through it, and although we conceded a goal early in the second half, we managed to defend without collapsing significantly. As the player at the back, I regret that I couldn't do my job.
Q: Many people are feeling the growth of player Nozawa as he continues to participate in matches. With only three league matches remaining, how do you plan to conclude this season?
I don't want to lose my challenging spirit. I believe it is most important to play with responsibility when I think of the team that trusts and uses players like me, the fans and supporters who always provide strong support, and those who support me closely. In any form, I want to grow so that I can express my gratitude through my play in as many matches as possible. I want to grow more and, to become a player with depth, I want to express this not just within the framework of this season, but throughout my entire career.
