＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, who aimed for their first victory of the season, traveled to Fukuoka with a different formation than the previous three matches. In place of the suspended Enrique Trevizan, Masato Morishige's partner in central defense was Yasuki Kimoto, who made his first start of the season. In midfield, Takahiro Ko, making his debut in blue and red, was selected. Kuryu Matsuki played as attacking midfielder, with Ryotaro Araki leading the front line, adopting a "false nine" system.
Peter Tokyo kicked off in Fukuoka, which is also a cursed land where they have not won, with a record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 5 losses, in order to raise the signal fire of counterattack.
1st HALF - Perfect first half with Nagatomo and Taro's goals
Successfully grasped the ball from the start. The effect of having Takahashi in the position of defensive midfielder is significant, showing an outstanding presence as a passing point in the midfield. In response to this, the surrounding players also move in sync, creating a good distance between them and the ball. The fluidity on the sides is also seen in this game, with the wing and full-back showing a high level of cooperation, utilizing space and pushing forward to increase the amount of time spent in the opponent's half.
It took some time for the first shot, but in the 16th minute of the first half, Matsuki took a direct free kick with his left foot in front of the goal, but the low and fast shot was blocked by the opponent defender. Immediately after that, they created a chance in the flow of the game. In the 18th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA broke through the right side and put in a sharp cross. Matsuki, who was waiting on the far side, jumped in with his head, but unfortunately couldn't connect.
In the 28th minute of the first half, Tokyo, who had been dominating the game, finally scored the long-awaited opening goal. Matsuki and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who were on the left side, combined and Keita ENDO dropped the ball to Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who reacted quickly and sent a direct cross ball to the front of the goal. The ground ball landed perfectly at the feet of Yuto NAGATOMO, who recently returned to the Japan national team after a year and three months. The number 5, who scored a calm volley shot from a one-touch, scored his first goal since returning to Tokyo in 2010 in the J1 League.
After the opening goal, goalkeeper Go HATANO made a great save to keep the lead. Then, in the 32nd minute of the first half, they added another goal. Midfielder Matsuki received a long feed and skillfully collected the ball near the opponent's penalty area. He then sent a final pass to the space behind, where Ryo ENDO had escaped to the right side of the goal at a 45-degree angle and calmly slotted it in.
First goal, additional goal, no goals conceded. Despite the new formation, the game was nearly perfect as it reached halftime.
2ndHALF - 24-year victory at the demon's gate with Yoshifu's additional point
After entering the second half with a 2-point lead, Avispa Fukuoka, who changed to a 2-top system by bringing in Yuto IWASAKI, quickly approached the goal using long balls, but calmly responded. After enduring the first 5 minutes of the start, they increased the time spent in the opponent's territory by moving the ball as they did in the first half. In the 6th minute of the second half, while pushing on the right side, the ball was passed to Matsuki in the center, who then attempted a middle shot with his preferred left foot.
In the meantime, in the 12th minute of the second half, a crucial third goal that will determine the fate of the game is scored. The right side is conquered and Nagatomo sends a cross from a deep position. It goes to the far side, but Kashiwagi, who has made a run, takes a shot with his left foot. The powerful shot pierces through the goal net.
After expanding the lead to three points, we steadily advanced the clock while substituting Nakamura Hotaka and Tawaratsumida Kota for Nagatomo and Endo in the 26th minute of the second half. Both sides were replaced with one player each. Furthermore, in the 35th minute of the second half, Araki and Nakagawa were substituted for Higashi Keigo and Jája Silva to maintain the intensity and movement of the front line.
In the 37th minute of the second half, they conceded a goal from an attack led by their former teammate Kazuya KONNO, but they held on for the remaining 7 minutes of additional time and the game ended. They secured their first victory in 24 years on the difficult ground of Fukuoka, and earned their first 3 points of the season.
After a one-week interval, we will head to away to face Kawasaki Frontale in the Tama River Clasico.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (26th minute of the second half: Hotaka NAKAMURA)/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kusei MATSUKI/Takuya TAKU/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Keita ENDO (26th minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (35th minute of the second half: Jajá SILVA)/Ryotaro ARAKI (35th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI) (45th minute of the second half: Soma ANZAI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
First half 28 minutes: Yuto NAGATOMO / First half 32 minutes: Ryotaro ARAKI / Second half 12 minutes: Kashif BANGNAGANDE
＜Avispa Fukuoka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Itsuki ODA (27th minute of the second half: Masashi KAMEKAWA)/Seiya INOUE (0 minutes of the second half: Yuto IWASAKI)/Tatsuki NARA/Masaya TASHIRO/Yota MAEJIMA
MF Hiroyuki MAE
FW Kazuya KONNO/Wellington (14th minute of the second half: Shahabzahedi)/Masato SHIGEMI (27th minute of the second half: Daiki MATSUOKA)/Takeshi KANAMORI (14th minute of the second half: Reiju TSURUNO)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Daiki MIYA
GOAL
37' of the second half: Daichi MATSUOKA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, please review the game.
A, I think we were able to show a strong and good performance. I am proud of the players who fought. In the first half, we were able to control the game and make dangerous plays by taking advantage of the space behind the opponent, which led to our goals. In the second half, we continued to fight and were able to aim for the third and fourth goals. However, there were also times when we lost control of the game. This was because Avispa Fukuoka played long balls and made direct plays. We hope to learn from this and improve ourselves.
We were able to score a very good goal, create good chances, and play good football. The players fought very hard and played with conviction for the football they are playing. I am very moved. And I am very happy to be able to send the fans and supporters who cheered us on until the end of the game back home with a smile. I think we were able to perform well enough to deserve 3 points, and we will analyze and build our football from here.
Q, The first 20 minutes seemed to be a struggle. How do you evaluate the players who brought the flow themselves?
A, I think it's a difference in how you watch the game. Depending on how you watch it, we were able to get off to a good start and move the ball ourselves. In the first 30 minutes, we were able to play while dominating and using the areas we wanted to use. Even in the first 20 minutes, we were moving the ball, but maybe we didn't have what it takes to break down the opponent's defense. However, we were able to show our intention and play well from there. As a result, we were rewarded with two goals.
Q, this is the first time Tokyo has won in 90 minutes at this stadium. Can you share your thoughts?
A, It is a reward for us to be able to achieve such results, because we were able to perform and fight while believing in ourselves and our football, and the players fought with conviction. I think it was good to break such a negative record. We were able to do it because of the passionate support of our fans and supporters. It was great to be able to send them back to Tokyo with a smile.
Q, Please evaluate Nagatomo's performance in scoring the opening goal at the timing of his return to the national team.
A, I think he is a true legend of the club with a really great performance. He is the leader of this team and a special player. The goal was fantastic and it was a moment when we scored while dominating the game in the first half. We were able to play aggressively and achieve our goal. We need to check the video again, but I think the fullback came out aggressively into the area. I think it was a reward for the two of them playing well, but it was something that everyone did as a team. I think everyone who loves Tokyo is proud that he has been selected for the Japan national team. It is a special thing for him and for Japan. I really think he is like a red wine, maturing with age.
[Player Interview]
Yuto NAGATOMO
Q, this season, we achieved our first victory.
I was feeling frustrated for not being able to win three games, and especially because I heard that we haven't been able to win in Fukuoka away games. So, I'm really happy that we were able to win today by working hard together.
Q, we scored the first goal. It's the first goal in 14 years in the J-League.
A, Is it the first time in 14 years? It's embarrassing (laughs). My condition was good, so I was able to keep going forward and get into the goal area even in those situations. I was able to trap and shoot at the right timing.
Q, Yuto NAGATOMO has just announced his return to the Japan national team. Will this goal also be a big boost for the national team's upcoming matches?
A, winning is exceptional and it's even better to be able to score and assist and win. I think I can approach it with confidence.
Q, Today, both Nagatomo and Ryotaro Araki, who scored a goal, are from Higashi Fukuoka High School in Fukuoka. They both scored a goal in their hometown.
When I was in high school, I fought on this stadium as a dream stage. I have a lot of attachment to this pitch, and since Fukuoka is also a place I love, my joy has doubled or even tripled.
Q, This is the first victory in 24 years in Fukuoka, which has been called a difficult place for Tokyo. Please give a message to the fans and supporters for the upcoming games.
A, thank you for always supporting us. Is it the first time in 24 years? It's been 24 years since we were able to win in Fukuoka, so I'm glad we could finally give our fans and supporters a victory. The season is still long, so I want to stay focused and work hard in practice without getting too excited.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, since I played in the forward position today, I was conscious of showing my face in front of the goal as soon as possible. It was a goal that was born in a good shape. I think we were able to express a compact way of fighting by firmly linking defense. Since I am able to score at a pace of one goal per game, I want to connect my goals to victory.
Q, please review the scoring scene.
I was conscious of quickly following and supporting the ball that went beyond my head. In that situation, Keita ENDO received the ball in a good position and dealt with it. He created a 1-on-1 situation and calmly placed the ball in the left corner, taking into account the position of the opponent's goalkeeper.
Q, while maintaining a good performance since the start of the league, has also been selected for the U-23 Japan national team.
A, My playing style itself does not change, and I am focused on maintaining a good condition and playing with a focus on results. In national team activities, I do not know which position I will play, but I will do my best to survive as a final member of the Paris Olympics in the given time and position.
Ryotaro ARAKI Sportsnavi Linked Interview "Thoughts, Growth, and Change" is here
<Takahiro KO>
Q, please review today's game.
A, first of all, I was relieved. Personally, I have been feeling frustrated up until now, and I thought that if we didn't win today, there would be no next time, so it was good that we won.
Q, on the offensive side, it seemed like Takahiro KO and the team were able to calmly execute a restart if the attack from the center to the side was unsuccessful.
During the three games I watched from the outside, I thought it would be better for the midfield players to be more involved, so I wanted to prove that by entering the game. No matter where the ball was, I always showed my face and received and passed it. I was conscious of the distance between players like Kei Koizumi, Kuryu Matsuki, and Ryotaro Araki, so I think we were able to create a very good shape in the first half with the tempo and build-up there.
Q, up until now, Diego OLIVEIRA has been the target, but today the target was absent. How did you see the "player's awareness" that they receive?
I was always conscious of constantly passing and moving. Not only Ryotaro ARAKI and Kuryu MATSUKI, but also the side players Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Keita ENDO, I wanted to make them play more comfortably. I thought that if we became too cramped, we wouldn't be able to play good soccer as a team, so I wanted to make use of the four players in the front line and supply them with passes at a good tempo, so I was conscious of doing that.
Q, on the defensive side, the press from the front line was also well organized, and it seemed like they were pressing with a clear purpose.
A, I was personally concerned about the defense of the middle block, so I think we were able to time it well by pushing out the side players we had been working on in practice and fitting them in from the front line. However, I thought it would be tough for the team if we did it in every scene, so I told them to set up in the middle block and drop the wing players to respond, so we were able to use the defense from the front line and the middle block effectively today. I want to focus on the scene where we conceded at the end, so I want to work on that more.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q, it was an attacking force that cleared up all the frustration up until now.
A, We have been able to attack in a good shape so far, but we haven't been able to score goals and we haven't been able to finish our chances as a team. This time, everyone scored goals and I was able to score as well, which was really good.
Q: What is different today compared to before?
A, I think the awareness of moving forward was stronger. As a team, I think we were able to have better coordination in the connection between the defensive line, midfield line, and forward line compared to previous games.
Q, Regarding the goal scene, did you have an image of Yuto NAGATOMO's cross coming through?
A, In the first half, Nagatomo scored a goal from my cross, and in the previous game, there was a scene where I could have scored from Nagatomo's cross if I had been in the middle, so I was aware of the cross from the right side before the game. In fact, I thought "here it comes" and was able to score, which was great.
Q, Ryotaro ARAKI, who has been selected for the U-23 Japan national team, also scored a goal. Do you think this will lead to a good flow for the national team's activities?
A, In the midst of not having any victories as a team, we all talked about wanting to win this game no matter what and go to represent. So it was really good. My strength is in the attacking part, so it's important to naturally defend as a defender and keep a clean sheet, and I hope to go all out in the attacking part like in today's game.
