Match Review
Three days after the defeat in the 'Tamagawa Classico' against Kawasaki Frontale, the stage moved to Japan National Stadium, and Tokyo welcomed a home game against Urawa Reds.
Considering the consecutive matches, the starting members were changed with six new players from the previous match. Go HATANO was suspended from the goal, and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA took his place. Hotaka NAKAMURA returned to the starting lineup as the right side back for the first time in about 11 months. The center backs were Enrique Trevisan and Kanta DOI, who formed a partnership for the first time since the opening match. Additionally, fresh players were used for both wings, with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left and Soma ANZAI on the right. The average age of the starting members on this day was 22.73 years, showcasing a 'young 11' on the pitch.
At the Japan National Stadium, where we have not lost in 5 matches, a losing streak is not allowed. With our first home victory of the season at stake, we kicked off amidst the pouring rain.
1st HALF - Pushed forward but just one step short
The blue and red players entered the match with high tension from the beginning. Just over 30 seconds after kickoff, the first shot was taken. Ryotaro ARAKI, who intercepted the ball in the opponent's territory, made a shot. Futoshi NAKAMURA reacted to the loose ball, but the shot went wide. Then, in the 5th minute of the first half, they faced a crisis, but Daishi NOZAWA timely rushed out to block the shot from Thiago SANTANA and avoided danger.
The moment of joy arrived in Tokyo in the 12th minute of the first half, as they connected passes on the left side and pushed forward to penetrate the pocket (the area beside the penalty box). Nakamura took a deep position, and after passing to Tawaramizuki, Takahiro KO took a shot from the middle. This struck the side netting. However, due to VAR support, a foul was determined to have occurred in the play just before, and this goal was disallowed.
Nevertheless, Tokyo did not ease their offensive pressure, but in the 24th minute of the first half, they were struck down by an unreasonable blow. The ball was picked up in their own territory by Thiago SANTANA, who unleashed a shot with his left foot from near the halfway line. The ball sailed over the head of Daishi Nozawa, who was positioned forward, and was sucked into the goal.
Furthermore, the accidents continued, and Nakamura, who had been showing great plays, was substituted due to injury. Kosuke SHIRAI was brought in to stabilize the situation, but as a team, they could not capitalize on their chances and went into halftime trailing by one goal.
2nd HALF - Taro's goal & Kuryu's first home goal for the comeback
Tokyo, which cannot end like this at "Our National", rewinds the clock and challenges the second half of the battle. The opportunity arrives early. About 45 seconds into the match, player Tawaramizuki cuts in and unleashes a shot with his right foot, signaling the switch to attack.
Then, in the 5th minute of the second half, the equalizing goal was scored. Matsuki received a cross from the left side by Kashif BANGNAGANDE and shot with his right foot from just outside the penalty area. He hit the left corner of the goal, shaking the net.
In the 13th minute of the second half, a comeback goal was scored. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who had the ball on the left side, delivered a cross with his right foot, and it was Matsuki, wearing the captain's armband, who connected in front of the goal. His direct volley, skillfully struck with his dominant left foot, deflected off the hands of goalkeeper Nishikawa and was drawn into the goal.
In the 29th minute of the second half, when the game began to open up, both attackers Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Keita ENDO were brought on simultaneously. They intensified the press from the front and maintained their work rate. Although there were increasing periods of being pushed back, they held on to their one-goal lead with resilient defense centered around both center-backs. They patiently advanced the clock.
In the 45th minute of the second half, the opponent turned the situation around from their build-up and quickly advanced to the goal area. However, Takashi threw his body to block Watanabe's shot. This was the biggest crisis of the match that was averted. In the additional time displayed as 5 minutes, Riki HARAKAWA and Jája Silva were brought in. The final card was played, and the team prepared to hold on to their lead.
The climax came in the 45+4 minutes of the second half. A powerful shot by Ito flew to the right corner of the goal, but Daishi Nozawa made a big save to stop it. Tokyo, maintaining their concentration until the end, achieved their second victory of the season at 'our National Stadium', and after the match, the stadium echoed with 'The City That Never Sleeps'.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA (substituted at 32 minutes: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Kanta DOI/Enrique Trevisan/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuki MATSUKI (substituted at 45+2 minutes: Jaja Silva)/Kazuhiro TAKAHI (substituted at 45+2 minutes: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Kota TAWARA (substituted at 29 minutes: Keita ENDO)/Soma ANZAI/Ryotaro ARAKI (substituted at 29 minutes: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Masato MORISHIGE
GOAL
5 minutes into the second half: Ryotaro ARAKI/13 minutes into the second half: Kuryu MATSUKI
<Urawa Reds>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hiroki SAKAI (10 minutes into the second half: Yusuke MATSUNO)/Yota SATO/Marius HOIBRAATEN/Ayumu OHATA (35 minutes into the second half: Hirokazu ISHIHARA)
MF Atsuki ITO/Samuel GUSTAFSSON/Ken IWAO (25 minutes into the second half: Shoya NAKAJIMA)
FW Naoki MAEDA (10 minutes into the second half: Tomoaki OKUBO)/Thiago SANTANA (35 minutes into the second half: Shinzo KOROKI)/Ryoma WATANABE
SUBS
GK Ayumi NIEKAWA
MF Yoshio KOIZUMI
GOAL
24th minute of the first half: Thiago SANTANA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please review the game.
I think it was an exciting football match. It was a game where two good teams gave it their all. We were able to perform well as a team. At halftime, the game was not unfolding in a way that reflected the score. We played good football in the first half, and although a goal was disallowed, there were moments where we created good chances to score. I believe that the players' faith in their football allowed us to turn the game around. The key to today's victory was believing in our football, trusting our teammates, and being able to play our game with conviction. I am also pleased that we were able to stick to our principles, score goals, and send our fans and supporters home with smiles.
Q: Have there been any corrections or changes since the match against Kawasaki Frontale?
In the match against Kawasaki, we lacked sharpness in front of the goal. As a result of a player being sent off and the team going down to ten men, it became a difficult match. We analyzed our performance from the previous match and practiced to create more threats towards the goal. We were able to show that in today's game. Without making any major changes, our performance led to the results. I am proud that all the players are working hard every day to advance our football. There are still areas where we need to work hard and build up. I believe we are moving in the right direction, so we will continue to work hard with humility.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q: Please reflect on the match.
A, the opponent's super shot went in, and it became quite a difficult situation, but I think being able to turn it around is a plus for the team. Regarding today's match, I believe that the pressure from the front line and the short counters after regaining possession were also a threat to the opponent.
Q: Overall, there were few major crises, and we were able to defend firmly, but how do you feel about the defensive performance?
A, the defense is gradually improving, and today we were able to press from the front in coordination. Henrique TREVISAN and Kanta DOI were able to win the ball up front, and I think we were able to launch attacks smoothly from there. I believe the next match will be against a team that will use long balls, so I want to make sure we prepare for that as well.
Q: What factors contributed to the activation of the attack in the second half?
I think the opponent pulled back a bit, but today we were able to create depth in our attack after receiving the ball, especially for myself and Araki. Today, we were able to receive the ball a lot, which I believe led to effective attacks from there.
Q: It seems that the combination between Matsuki and Araki is improving.
A, Araki also understands his own characteristics, and he always takes a position where I can see him when I lift my head. Conversely, I think it would be even better if I could get involved well when Araki has the ball.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q, please review the game.
In the first half, we conceded a goal in an unfortunate manner, and I think it was crucial for the team to figure out how to recover from this situation. We organized ourselves well, and being able to express our style of football in the second half was the main factor that led to our victory.
Q: Including the equalizing goal, it seems that the attack has been organized and revitalized in the second half.
During halftime, Kuryu MATSUKI and I confirmed to lower our distance and playing area a bit to engage more with the ball and create the game compared to the first half. I believe what we shared was expressed on the pitch, and I feel we played well together. I also felt that the team's buildup was revitalized.
Q: Today's goal marked the fifth goal in the league. It seems like your play towards the goal and shooting sense are becoming sharper.
I always play with the awareness to stay calm in front of the goal. I believe that this awareness led to a goal today.
Q: You mentioned that you have not had good memories at the Japan National Stadium.
A, today's goal has cleared those feelings with the team's victory.
Q: I will not be able to participate in the next match against Kashima Antlers due to contractual reasons, but how will you improve from here?
I believe it is important to continue our play without losing our style. When I was selected for the U-23 Japan national team, I want to play with the intention of contributing to the team.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: It was your first match back in the starting lineup in a while, and I think it was a 90 minutes where you were able to showcase your strengths and good plays. How do you reflect on the match?
I was really frustrated that I couldn't be involved in the last 5 matches, and seeing the players who weren't on the field performing made me think that I also had to do something. I'm glad I was able to relieve my frustration on the pitch in a situation where the team wasn't winning.
Q: You were involved in many chances by responding to opponents who quickly set up defensive blocks. Please tell us what you were conscious of in terms of offense.
I was aware of entering the far post position when crosses were coming in, which I had been working on since camp. There were several chances, but I couldn't convert them, and I reflect on that. I want to work on being able to score in those kinds of opportunities and perform well in important moments of the match.
Q: During the period you couldn't play, what did you work on to prepare for your return to the game?
To ensure that there is no difference in intensity between the members playing in the match and those in practice, I have been working hard to maintain intensity during training so that my stamina does not drop regardless of when I play. I believe this contributed to my performance in today's match, and I want to continue this approach.
Q: This weekend's match against Kashima Antlers and next week's match against Verdy are coming up, and there are several matches in April. Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming games.
A, we were able to win today, but it won't mean anything unless we continue to win, including the next match against Kashima. While it's important to celebrate today's victory, I want to switch my mindset and prepare thoroughly for the next game, so that I can help the team during this tough stretch of matches.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: Please reflect on the match.
In the first half, there were times when we controlled the ball, and even after conceding a goal, we quickly gathered as a team to discuss it. There was a lot of conversation among the players in the locker room at halftime. I can't put it into words, but even after conceding, I felt that we could win.
Q: There were many attacks from the left side in today's match.
I communicated with Kashif BANGNAGANDE and Takahiro KO the day before and before the match. I was able to receive passes at the timing I wanted, which allowed me to create many opportunities to make plays. I had fun playing today, and although there was a period when I couldn't participate in matches, I was able to unleash what had built up during that time.
Q, please review the scene of today's assist.
A, we practiced many setups for cut-ins like that. I think I was able to deliver a good-speed ball, but I wish I could have provided a higher quality ball. As a result, I believe it was a scene that reflected the成果 of our practice.
Q: There is a match against Kashima Antlers at the Japan National Stadium coming up soon. Please share your enthusiasm.
A, I believe that no matter where the opponent is, what we do will not change. I want to recover well, prepare to showcase my play, and in the next match, I aim to score and lead the team to victory.
