Match Review
In the 2023 season, we welcomed the final match at home Ajinomoto Stadium. It was a season filled with various events, culminating in a year-end summary. We aimed to deliver 3 points to our home fans and supporters and approached this match with the desire to build momentum for the final match of the season.
Due to accumulated warnings and condition adjustments, there were slight changes in player selection from the previous match against Albirex Niigata. The center-back pairing consists of Yasuki KIMOTO and Masato MORISHIGE, while Shuhei TOKUMOTO starts as the left-back. Up front, Teruhito NAKAGAWA returns from suspension to play on the right wing.
1st HALF - Diego scores to take the lead, updating his career high
Although they were initially pushed back by the momentum of Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, the time spent maintaining possession of the ball gradually increased, leading to more opportunities to attack.
The big opportunity came in the 18th minute of the first half. After repelling the opponent's attack, Kimoto received the ball on the right side and sent a sharp vertical pass to Nakagawa, who had started moving into space up front. Nakagawa, having gotten behind the opponent, broke into the penalty area and faced a one-on-one with the goalkeeper just in front of the right side of the goal. He took a shot that aimed to go past the goalkeeper's feet, but the ball veered to the left of the goal.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Adailton forcefully cut in from the left side to the center, shaking off his marker and striking with his right foot from a position directly in front of the goal, but it was blocked by a defender.
Tokyo, having grasped the rhythm of the attack, continues to create chances in succession. In the 40th minute of the first half, they broke down the right side and created a point in the penalty area, then passed to the left, where player Tokumoto, who had made a run, aimed for a mid-range shot, but it went over the goal.
While creating chances but unable to finish, the attacking momentum bore fruit in the 41st minute of the first half. A vertical pass from Riki HARAKAWA reached Adailton, who was positioned near the center of the penalty area. Adailton, seeing Diego OLIVEIRA in his line of sight, left the ball with a heel pass while dragging his marker along. Diego then ran in and smoothly slotted the ball into the left corner of the goal with his left foot, giving Tokyo the long-awaited opening goal.
2nd HALF - Turned over at the start
We wanted to continue the good flow we had towards the end of the first half, but we fell apart at the start of the second half. In the 6th minute of the second half, we couldn't catch the movement of the third player from the passing work in the midfield, and we were caught behind the defense line with a one-touch pass. Asano broke free and scored with a shot from Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's early movement.
Cannot stop the momentum of Sapporo.D. In the 12th minute of the second half, a cross from the left side was played between the defensive line and the goalkeeper, and it was touched in by player Kogashi, who broke through the final line, resulting in a goal conceded. The game was turned around in an instant.
After that, there was a period of time where they could not break through Sapporo's solid defense set up in their own territory. In the middle of the second half, Takuya AOKI, Keigo HIGASHI, and Kosuke SHIRAI were brought in, and in the final stages, fresh players Naoki KUMATA and Tsubasa TERAYAMA were also introduced to invigorate the team. However, they were unable to change the flow of the match, and it entered additional time.
Tokyo intensified their attacking posture and pressed forward, but in the 45+4 minutes of the second half, they lost the ball in a high position, allowing a long shot that went over the head of player Nozawa, widening the deficit. Tokyo continued to aim for a goal until the end, but they were unable to close the two-goal gap and the match ended.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Shuhei TOKUMOTO (29th minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Keisuke KOIZUMI (21st minute: Takuya AOKI)/Riki HARAKAWA (39th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Ryoma WATANABE (21st minute: Keisuke HIGASHI)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Diego Oliveira (39th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
41st minute of the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA
<Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takanori SUGENO
DF Shunta TANAKA/Daihachi OKAMURA (30 minutes into the second half: Shota NISHINO)/Akito FUKUMORI (0 minutes into the second half: Kiriya NAKAMURA)
MF Yuya ASANO (45+1 minutes into the second half: Shingo OMORI)/Takuma ARANO/Hiroki MIYAZAWA/Daihi SUGA (0 minutes into the second half: Supachok)/Yoshiaki KOMAI/Ryota AOKI
FW Go KOBAYASHI (35 minutes into the second half: Gunhee KIM)
SUBS
GK Shun TAKAGI
MF Yuki KOBAYASHI
GOAL
6 minutes into the second half: Yuya ASANO/12 minutes into the second half: Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA/45+4 minutes into the second half: Shingo OMORI
[Comments from Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI at the Press Conference]
Q, please review the game.
A, the result of the defeat is very disappointing. I feel sorry for the fans and supporters. It would have been better if we could have converted our chances. We had several opportunities to create more chances and seemed likely to score. There were also moments in the match where we had the chance to pull ahead of the opponent. We couldn't capitalize on those moments. In today's match, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo was better at converting their chances.
Q: In the first half, we were able to show what we had prepared in terms of offense, but in the second half, we conceded two goals before we could respond to the opponent's tactics. Please tell us the factors that led to the defeat.
A, regarding the first half, we were able to execute what we had prepared against Sapporo, so it went as expected, and the flow of the match was such that we could aim for an additional goal. In the second half, we continued to concede goals during a period when our performance dropped. These two points disrupted our plan and changed the flow of the game. I believe that if we had been able to score the second goal, the match would have developed differently. Even during the difficult times in the second half, I felt that we were able to create our own chances.
Q: What do you think is necessary for young players who came on in the second half to demonstrate their abilities, improving individual skills or enhancing teamwork?
A, both are necessary. Of course, the role of the bench members is to impact the team when they come on and to fight until the end of the match. We couldn't turn the game around today, but I want to apply what I learned in today's match to the next one.
[Player Interview]]
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: There was a very good start to the first half, but we ended up conceding a goal early in the second half.
A, it was a very good start to the game, but I think it was a match we could have won if we had been able to score in situations other than the opening goal. The goals we conceded were simple, and it turned into a rather bland match. However, there were moments where we could express what we are challenging and working on as a team. If we focus on the positive aspects, I believe we were able to execute our intended plays better than usual.
Q: Both as a team and as player Morishige, the high positioning play and the defense that limited the opponent's play shone from the first half.
A, being aggressive in both offense and defense was especially the theme for today. In the first half, we were able to express ourselves well in terms of ball movement and defense from the front line. However, in the second half, there were changes in the opponent's style of play, and it felt like there were more situations where we couldn't respond effectively.
Q: What kind of response was required on the pitch against the opponent who made substitutions and changed tactics at the start of the second half?
A, there wasn't a major disruption, but we were caught off guard for a moment, which directly led to a goal. I believe the lack of detailed communication resulted in the consecutive goals conceded early in the second half.
Q: During the post-match ceremony, you expressed your feelings as a captain. What is necessary for the final match and for Tokyo to move forward?
What I expressed on behalf of the players at the ceremony is everything. It is important to understand where the team aims to go and what each player needs to do to achieve that goal. This season, there have been various changes within the club, but I see it as actions that lead to the team winning and becoming champions.
There are differences in methods and ways of thinking, and there may be both support and opposition, but ultimately, everyone involved with the club should aim for the same place, and to reach that goal, we must face the same direction. We should create something better by discussing the methods and processes related to our goals. I believe that advancing the conversation with the premise of "what to do to win" is what connects each person to "doing their job."
<Diego OLIVEIRA>
Q, you scored your career-high 15th goal. Please review the goal scene.
Regarding the goal, the players were in a good position, which allowed for good coordination, and we were able to score quickly. A good ball came from Adailton, so I just had to tap it in. However, it is very disappointing that we could not win in our final home game, and we were unable to celebrate with the fans and supporters in what was the last match of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Q, there were chances in the first half, but in the second half, we continued to be pressed. Please review the game.
It was unfortunate that we could only score one goal in the first half, despite both teams having chances. In the second half, it was disappointing that the opponent had many chances while Tokyo had few.
Q: The next match against Shonan Bellmare will be the final match of the 2023 season. Please share your enthusiasm.
There are no easy matches. The match against Shonan is always difficult, and since it's an away game, I think it will be even more challenging. It has been a tough season, but I want to prepare for a week so that we can finish on a good note in the end.
<Takuya AOKI>
Q: You came on in the second half, but how did you observe the match from the bench in the first half? Also, what was your intention when you stepped onto the pitch?
In the first half, I felt that when we quickly attacked vertically after winning the ball, it created opportunities. When I came on in the second half, I focused on closing the distance, but there were parts that didn't go as well as I hoped.
Q: How did it feel to stand on the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium after a long time?
A, it had been a while since the match itself, and it was also a long time since I played with the players who had been participating in matches, so I think there were many moments where we couldn't sync well in that regard.
Q: It was a season with injuries and a long rehabilitation period, but how do you reflect on the overall experience?
I felt that it was a bit of an unfavorable situation for me that I got injured again just when I had returned and my condition was improving, and at that timing, the coach changed.
Q: The team is currently in a situation with no wins in the last four matches, how will the team focus as we head into the final match of the season?
A, I believe that we will improve by winning, so I think we should just greedily pursue victory together.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q: It has been a while since you last played in a match. What were you mindful of as you approached the game?
A, I prepared for the match as usual. I had been putting in my best effort during regular practice, but when I found out I would be starting, I became even more motivated.
Q, there were many moments in the first half where Tokyo had the flow, but in the second half, the game developed into a situation where we were pushed back. Please review the game.
In the first half, Diego OLIVEIRA scored the opening goal in a match situation where it was uncertain which way it would turn, allowing us to end the first half well. On the other hand, in the second half, we spent a lot of time on the defensive, leading to a difficult period. I believe the responsibility for making the match difficult lies with the defense after conceding a goal. The equalizing goal ended up deciding the match.
Q: What were you conscious of, given that you have different characteristics compared to other full-backs?
I was trying to do what I could. I thought that if I focused on what I needed to do without thinking about difficult things, I could calm the game down. I was able to do that well in the first half, but I regret that I couldn't be an escape route in the second half. Playing in the match was indeed very enjoyable.
Q: The next match against Shonan Bellmare will be the final match of the 2023 season. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, I want to finish strong with a solid victory. This season has truly made our fans and supporters feel a lot of frustration, so in the final match, I want to play with all my strength for Tokyo, filled with gratitude.
