Match Review
The last three matches will be faced under the situation of having two consecutive losses for the second time since the appointment of coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI. In this round, we will be fighting against Albirex Niigata in an away game, which has been a "difficult venue" with only two wins this season.
The focus is on Kei KOIZUMI and Ryoma WATANABE, who are making a triumphant return to their former club. The hard worker wearing number 37 will play for the first time in Niigata after transferring, where he spent four seasons since turning professional, while the versatile attacker wearing number 11 will also play in Niigata for the first time on the J1 League stage.
This match, centered around these two players who are hungry for victory, aimed to stop the losing streak and create a good momentum for the final home game of the 2023 season coming up next.
1st HALF - Early momentum gradually slows down
The start was marked by a shining aggressiveness. With Teruhito NAKAGAWA suspended, Kuryu MATSUKI slid into the attacking midfielder position and actively made runs into space to invigorate the attack. Additionally, there was coordination as double pivot players Riki HARAKAWA and Kei KOIZUMI moved into the open spaces, demonstrating a strong intent to approach the goal.
On the other hand, the first big chance is created by Niigata. In the 8th minute of the first half, Taniguchi takes a powerful shot, but it is saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's fine save. It would have been good to turn this around and attack again, but from this point on, the team gradually struggles with Niigata's passing work.
Tokyo applied pressure to steal the ball from the opponent's build-up involving the goalkeeper, but it didn't work, leading to an increase in scenes where they allowed the opponent to invade their territory. There were moments when they could win the ball in high positions, but mistakes were noticeable in the next play, and they were quickly dispossessed by the fast-switching Niigata, preventing them from launching a counterattack. Although they did not concede a goal, Tokyo ended the first half with just one shot.
2nd HALF - Increased chances in an open game
In the second half, the game opened up, naturally bringing out the attacking power of Tokyo. Space began to emerge in the midfield, allowing for quick counterattacks after regaining possession. Diego OLIVEIRA and Adailton were able to face forward and approach the goal.
Then, in the 16th minute of the second half, the first clear chance of the match arrives. After the ball is carried deep into the opponent's territory on the left side, it is initially taken away but immediately regained. Finally, from near the left corner of the penalty area, Harakawa strikes with his right foot. The shot aimed at the goal was on target but saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Shortly after, in the 18th minute of the second half, a crisis arises as the defense line is breached, but Yasuki KIMOTO desperately returns and makes a diving tackle to block the shot. He puts his body on the line just in time, forcing the opponent to miss the shot.
In the middle of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE suffered an injury to his foot, but at that moment, Kosuke SHIRAI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA were brought on. Furthermore, in the closing stages, Keigo HIGASHI and Naoki KUMATA were also sent onto the pitch, leading to a battle in the last 10 minutes.
In the 38th minute of the second half, they applied coordinated pressure towards the opponent's goal and succeeded in winning the ball. However, Koizumi's bold mid-range shot went wide of the target. Conversely, in the 45+1 minute of the second half, a cross was sent into the goal area from the right side, and although a header shot was taken in front of the goal, Nozawa used his right foot to clear it from the frame.
It was a game where both teams wanted to win, but no goals were scored, and it ended 0-0. Tokyo stopped their losing streak, but they couldn't overturn the ranking against Niigata, who are one point ahead.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in 26th minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI (substituted in 44th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Riki HARAKAWA (substituted in 36th minute: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego Oliveira (substituted in 36th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton (substituted in 26th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMITA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
<Albirex Niigata>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kohei KOJIMA
DF Soya FUJIWARA/Michael James FITZGERALD (12 minutes into the second half: Thomas DEN)/Kazuhiko CHIBA/Naoto ARAI
MF Eitaro MATSUDA (23 minutes into the second half: Shunsuke MITO)/Hiroshi TAKANASHI/Yuji HOSHI (34 minutes into the second half: Hiroki AKIYAMA)/Shusuke OTA (23 minutes into the second half: Yota KOMI)
FW Kaito TANIGUCHI (34 minutes into the second half: Motoki NAGAKURA)/Koji SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Koto ABE
DF Taiki WATANABE
GOAL
―
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
I think it was a good battle of football. The players performed well, aggressively defended, and I believe it was good that we kept a clean sheet. We were able to effectively apply the press we aimed for and catch the opponent off guard. I think that was due to the hard work of the players. Albirex Niigata is a good team, but we have been focusing on defending to keep them as far away from our goal as possible, outside the penalty area. In that context, there were parts of the attack that we were able to control, and we were able to play with the intention of moving forward. However, I think it would have been better if we could have thought about when to move forward and when to maintain possession.
I think we were able to make many passes in the attacking area while playing in the opponent's territory. As we approached the goal, we need to refine our ability to finish the attack and take shots. The players fought desperately for victory. I want to move forward with this one point. I also want to thank the fans and supporters. It was the fans and supporters who provided the encouragement for the players to give their best effort.
Q: Please evaluate Kuryu MATSUKI, who was used as an attacking midfielder, and Yasuki KIMOTO, who started as a center-back after a long time.
We cannot evaluate just two players as highlights, but all the players worked hard and fought well. I believe Matsuki and Kimoto did a wonderful job. We aimed to press aggressively, win the ball, and create good opportunities, and there were parts where we succeeded. What I am proud of is that we fought hungrily and kept a clean sheet. However, I think we could have been even hungrier to score, and there were many good performances. We want to continue to improve ourselves as we move forward.
Q: What preparations have you made for the match against Niigata?
A, we polished our defense and finished without conceding a goal. We practiced in the area near the penalty box that we want to utilize. Niigata is a very good team, and we aimed to fight aggressively as well. We practiced good communication on when to press and when not to, and I believe we were able to showcase the positive aspects of that. We were solid in defense, and we practiced not allowing the opponent into our area this week, and the players delivered the results.
I think we were able to show good plays and good aspects in our attack. Within that, we were able to express our intention to play forward. However, I believe there were moments where we needed to control whether we should keep possession or push forward. That is an area we need to improve. We were able to utilize the areas we wanted to use and create very dangerous situations, but we may need to improve on taking shots and playing towards the goal. I believe the players expressed their spirit both in practice and on the pitch today. There are areas where we need to improve 100% to deliver our strong performance, but I want us to move forward to become the team we dream of being.
[Player Interview]]
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q: Please reflect on this match, where you made a full appearance in an official game for the first time in a while.
It had been a while, so I focused on quickly acclimating my body to the team's pace and intensity of the match. I was able to play aggressively from the first half, but there were also times when I couldn't express the play I was satisfied with. I want to connect the challenges I felt in today's match to my future growth. As a team, we ended up with the minimum results, and as an individual, I want to make use of the challenges and discoveries I gained this round in the next match. I believe it was a meaningful time.
Q: For about the first 30 minutes, we struggled with the opponent's pressure, but as the match progressed, it seemed to improve.
I felt the challenges of facing opponents who apply pressure from the front. However, I believe we need to improve our positioning, spacing, and the quality of support as a team. Otherwise, we will easily fall into the opponent's pressure and will not be able to create a rhythm in our attack. I would like to continue addressing the ball possession aspect as an ongoing challenge.
Q: In the 18th minute of the second half, there was a scene where Kimoto saved the team by putting his body on the line.
It is best not to give the opponent scenes like that, but by being aggressive in defense from the front, there will inevitably be space behind. As a result, I believe that finishing the match without conceding a goal gives confidence to the team and each player. We couldn't completely suppress the attack of Albirex Niigata, but I think finishing the match without conceding was a good minimum result as a defensive player.
Q: We are entering a break period, and the next match will be the final home game. How do you want to continue building on the opportunities you've gained?
First of all, I want to show plays that lead to the team's victory. Looking at our ranking, we are in a disappointing and shameful position, but I want to show our determination at home in the end. I want to show soccer that will rekindle the expectations of our fans and supporters for Tokyo from here on.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: A big save at the end of the match saved the team. Please reflect on the match again.
As a team aiming for victory, we played with the minimum requirement of not conceding goals to support our attacking play. Once we concede, the flow and plan can collapse instantly. There were moments in the first half where we felt the opponent's pressure, but I believe we were able to focus on playing patiently and ensuring that the momentum would come in the second half. While there are challenges in not scoring, considering our away game results this season, finishing the match without conceding was a good minimum outcome.
Q: It seemed that the flow shifted towards Tokyo as you successfully endured the pressure you faced from the beginning. How did you feel about the build-up from the back?
I had the image of skillfully using short passes to engage the opponent and long balls sent into the space created by their engagement. There were moments in the first half where we were under pressure, but I feel there wasn't much unstable play.
Q: I think the team's position was set higher in the second half than in the first half.
As the match progressed, the game became more open, and the defensive burden gradually increased. Centered around Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, even when the side backs and defensive midfielders were turned around, they returned firmly and did not give the opponent a big chance. The reason we weren't easily beaten in the final moments was thanks to the hard work in defense. I am grateful for my teammates' play.
Q: Contributed to a clean sheet, and after this, the U-22 Japan national team activities are upcoming.
I want to make this a good time to further level up as a player. Rather than a vague desire to improve, I want to focus on achieving solid results and cherish each day in my efforts.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
There were a few moments where we were caught off guard, but I feel that our defense improved compared to the previous two matches. That's why today, if the forwards, including myself, had done their job, it would have been a match we could have won, so I personally feel very frustrated.
Q: Matsuki created chances by initiating defense from the front line.
A, the opponent is very good at moving the ball, so even if I press individually, it's hard to take it away. However, today the players in the back also coordinated to press as a team, and there were many moments when that worked well, so I think that was good. However, in terms of offense, if I could have received the ball as an attacking midfielder and created plays, and if I could have beaten my opponent individually more, I think the game could have developed differently.
Q: You played in a position one step forward than usual. What were you conscious of?
I focused on playing with fluidity, regardless of position, and being aware of receiving the ball effectively between the opponent's center-back and defensive midfielder.
Q: There are only two matches left this season.
A, we will enter another break period, and since I have national team activities, I will focus on achieving results while playing. Even after returning from the national team, I want to practice the things necessary for the team to win.
