Match Review
The Meiji Yasuda J1 Sec. 3 match against last season's J1 League champions Vissel Kobe. Tokyo has shown resilience by coming back from behind in the first two matches of the season, but has only managed consecutive draws, so they are eager to secure their first home victory of the season.
10 players started in the same lineup as the previous match, with Kei KOIZUMI making his first start of the season as a defensive midfielder alongside Kuryu MATSUKI. Additionally, Hotaka NAKAMURA was included in the squad. He returned to Ajinomoto for the first time in about 10 months after rupturing his right Achilles tendon last April. New signing Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA was also included in the matchday squad for the first time since joining.
1st HALF—A back-and-forth battle with both sides attacking
Tokyo aimed for a victory at home, but faced an immediate crisis. In the 5th minute of the first half, a shot from the opponent hit the elbow of Masato MORISHIGE, who was blocking, and a penalty kick was awarded to Kobe after an on-field review supported by VAR. However, the opponent's kick went well wide of the goal, allowing Tokyo to escape the danger.
Tokyo, looking to break through, saw Ryotaro ARAKI pick up a cleared left corner kick in the 13th minute of the first half and deliver a cross with his left foot. In the center, Diego OLIVEIRA and Morishige competed for the loose ball, which was taken by Teruhito NAKAGAWA in the penalty area, but his shot with the right foot was blocked by the opposing defender, preventing a goal.
In the 16th minute of the first half, Keita ENDO, who started in two consecutive matches, cut in from the left side and attempted a powerful ground shot with his right foot. Unfortunately, it was caught by the goalkeeper, but the blue-red team aggressively attacked the opponent's territory.
In defense, against Kobe, who attacks by targeting Yuya OSAKO using long balls, Henrique TREVISAN and Mori-shige show strong defense in the center, working closely with the defensive midfielders to deny the opponent any freedom.
Tokyo is trying to launch an attack starting from Diego TABA in the center, but the opponent has raised their level of vigilance against number 9, making it difficult to create decisive chances.
The first half, which saw both teams neutralizing each other's strengths, ended in a scoreless draw after a back-and-forth battle.
2nd HALF—Koizumi's opening goal was not enough due to a numerical disadvantage.
In the second half, the match quickly came to life. The catalyst was Kashif BANGNAGANDE's sharp interception.
In the 5th minute of the second half, number 49 stole the ball on the left side with a sharp start and dribbled forward. Matsuki received the cross near the penalty area and aimed with his left foot, but it was blocked by the opposing defender.
When Kafumi Yoshi kicked the right corner kick obtained here, Henrique TREVISAN touched the ball at the near post, and Kei KOIZUMI, who ran in at the far side, struck it directly with his right foot to score the opening goal. With a powerful shot from number 37, he responded to his starting lineup selection, and Tokyo successfully scored the first goal of the season.
Kobe is also increasing their offensive pressure. In the 12th minute of the second half, they equalized with a cross from the left after a dribble breakthrough that was met in the center.
In the 24th minute of the second half, Henrique was shown a red card for bringing down an opponent as he was about to break free from a long ball. This resulted in a direct free kick that was converted by Osako, allowing the opponent to take the lead.
Tokyo, facing a numerical disadvantage and a one-point deficit, seeks to find a breakthrough through the dribbling ability of Jája Silva, who was deployed on the left side.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Jaja took a right-footed shot near the penalty arc. The rebound, blocked by the opponent, was powerfully targeted by Matsuki with his right foot, but it was thwarted by the opposing goalkeeper's save.
Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, made three substitutions in the 37th minute of the second half to change the course of the game. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was placed as a left attacker, and Jája Silva was moved to the right. Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, who entered the front line, made his blue-red debut. Additionally, Hotaka NAKAMURA, who was utilized as a right side back, made his long-awaited return after about 10 months from a serious injury.
In the 43rd minute of the second half, Kobayashi, who made a dribble attempt, was fouled and earned a free kick. Matsuki aimed directly with high precision using his left foot, but the ball narrowly missed the top right corner of the goal.
In the 7 minutes of added time, player Tawaramizuki displayed a slicing dribble from the left side to the center and sent a final pass forward, but it did not get through. Furthermore, player Koizumi powerfully advanced from the center to the right side. Player Jaja aimed fiercely with his right foot, but the shot targeting the near side was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, failing to break the goal.
Tokyo, despite being at a disadvantage in terms of players on the pitch and score, bravely attacked but fell short. They lost to Kobe 1-2, resulting in a frustrating first defeat of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (substituted at 38 minutes: Hotaka NAKAMURA)/Masaaki MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVIZAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Kei KOIZUMI/Ryota ARAKI (substituted at 38 minutes: Go KOBAYASHI)
FW Keita ENDO (substituted at 17 minutes: Jaja SILVA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted at 38 minutes: Kota TAWARATSUMITA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (substituted at 28 minutes: Yasuki KIMOTO)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Keigo HIGASHI
GOAL
5 minutes into the second half: Kei KOIZUMI
<Vissel Kobe>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Gotoku SAKAI/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA/Mateus TULER/Yuki HONDA (29th minute: Ryo HATSUSE)
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Hiroki Yamaguchi/Rikuto HIROSE (29th minute: Jean PATRICK)/Yoshinori MUTO (45+7th minute: Nanasei IINO)
FW Taisei MIYASHIRO (37th minute: Yosuke IDEGUCHI)/Yuya OSAKO
SUBS
GK Powell Obinna OBI
DF Takuya IWANAMI/Ryuho KIKUCHI
GOAL
12 minutes into the second half: Taisei MIYASHIRO/29 minutes into the second half: Yuya OSAKO
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please summarize today's match.
First of all, I deeply regret and feel disappointed that we could not achieve the desired result. One thing I am proud of is that the players fought until the end for victory, giving their all and challenging themselves even in difficult situations. With this regret, I would like to thoroughly analyze our performance today. Vissel Kobe showed how to win matches as a champion team. I believe the moment of the red card was a turning point in the match, but we want to reflect on this game properly and become stronger fighters. I also want to thank the fans and supporters who passionately supported the players. Their energy pushed us forward, and thanks to them, even with ten players, the team was able to fight until the end. I sincerely appreciate the wonderful support once again.
Q: Regarding the option to raise the player's position and make it more offensive, was it not possible due to the expulsion?
We were considering a substitution strategy to play offensively in an 11 vs 11 situation, but unfortunately, the red card put us in a difficult situation. From that point on, we knew it would always be challenging with one less player, and the goal scored from that free kick further favored the opponent. We fought with a strong mentality to seize the next goal, and within that, we intended to equalize while utilizing our substitutes and turn the game around. All the players who came on as substitutes gave their all and fought until the end, but unfortunately, today was not our day.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, please review the 90 minutes first.
A, we were able to score the opening goal, but we conceded a goal at a time we didn't want to. There was still time left, and I have the impression that we were overwhelmed by the momentum of the opponent who could score another goal.
Q: What aspects were you asked to focus on as a starter, and how did you progress the game on the pitch?
A, I knew that the number of long balls would increase, so I was thinking about contributing significantly to recovering second balls as a defensive midfielder. As a team, I believe we had a strong awareness of not losing second balls or aerial battles, but we need to continue to advance after winning the second balls. I think we can only improve through practice so that everyone in the team can share the same vision and attack effectively, and I want to work hard on this.
Q: What kind of communication was there on the pitch after the second goal conceded?
We were encouraging each other to move forward, even if it meant taking risks, and there was no option to pull back here. We aimed to equalize first, even if it meant taking risks. As we continue through the long battle of the league matches, I believe there will be situations similar to the second half, so I hope to communicate with the players on the pitch today to be able to respond flexibly in those moments.
<Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA>
Q, please review the game. This was your first match appearance in Tokyo.
It was a difficult situation to be in, so I thought I just had to chase the ball with all my might and head towards the goal. Since we were down to 10 players, there were challenges with balance, but I was focused on trying to score at least one goal.
Q: You played during a difficult period. What were you conscious of?
A, since we were in a situation of numerical disadvantage and losing, I was focused on getting into the goal area and breaking through behind the defense. I believe I was able to showcase my defensive skills, such as chasing the ball from the front line, but I want the fans and supporters to see me breaking through and taking shots in the attacking phase, so I want to further improve my coordination with my teammates.
Q: After joining Tokyo, there was a period of adjustment. What kind of preparations were you making?
I have been carefully adjusting to avoid injuries. I was eager to play soccer in front of the fans and supporters in Tokyo, so I am glad I could make that happen today. I have always had to leave the pitch on a stretcher at Ajinomoto Stadium, so I am happy to have played without injuries until the end. From here, I want to keep improving my condition.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match against Avispa Fukuoka.
I have heard that we have a poor record against teams from Kyushu. However, I believe that it has nothing to do with new members like myself, Ryotaro ARAKI, and Keita ENDO, so I want to create a different flow than before. I also want to celebrate together with the fans and supporters.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: Please reflect on the match.
It was a match where we took the lead in the third round, but we allowed the opponent to score before we could build momentum. I believe one of the factors that led to the two goals conceded was that the players on the pitch were unable to make adjustments with each other. In the first half, there were moments when we were pressured, but we were able to defend solidly. Conversely, in the second half, after scoring, it felt like we lacked the team's development on how to proceed with the match.
Q: Today, I played as a double pivot with Kei KOIZUMI, who was also appointed as team captain.
I was able to play with a good sense of distance with Koizumi. In the first half, there were several moments when I could receive the ball while Koizumi was carrying it. I think it will be important moving forward for the team to advance through the defensive midfielders, for everyone to be aware of building the game, and to share that understanding.
Q: Did the expulsion of a player cause a significant change?
It was a tactic focused on long balls, so throughout the 90 minutes, regardless of the red card situation, the match was played with an awareness of Kobe's style during defense. First, I think the entire team needs to analyze why the scene of the red card occurred and work on improvements.
