Match Review
The excitement and enthusiasm of the match against Verdy, after 16 seasons, stirred the players' fighting spirit. The blue and red fans and supporters, filling the stands behind the goal, welcomed the players who came out for warm-up with loud applause and cheers. Responding to this was Yuto NAGATOMO. He struck his left chest emblem stronger than anyone else and rallied the fans and supporters back.
"Losing at home is something Tokyo's pride cannot allow. In the best atmosphere, we show 'We are Tokyo,' and the 90 minutes have begun."
1st HALF - After conceding 2 goals, a player was sent off, resulting in a numerical disadvantage.
In the first half, which kicked off with high tension, it was Tokyo that created the first chance. In the 11th minute, they applied pressure from a high position in the opponent's territory, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA made a cut just before the area. Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA received the pass and struck with his left foot inside the area, but it was blocked by the opponent. Furthermore, in the 15th minute, they created another shooting opportunity. Kei KOIZUMI picked up the second ball, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE made the last pass. Although it didn't connect, Teruhito NAKAGAWA picked up the loose ball and aimed with his right foot. The shot was on target but went straight to the goalkeeper.
Unable to convert these two chances into goals, a penalty was conceded in the 26th minute. This was converted by Matsuki, allowing the first goal. Furthermore, in the 34th minute, a second goal was conceded. A ball that Henrique TREVISAN attempted to connect was intercepted, leading to a cross, which was met by some strong volley shot from Someno.
Tokyo, already facing a two-goal deficit, suffers further setbacks. In the 43rd minute, Soma ANZAI receives a second yellow card and is sent off. They will have to fight the remaining time with one player less.
2nd HALF - A dramatic equalizer just fell short
Even when trailing by two goals with a numerical disadvantage, Tokyo did not falter at all. During the difficult period when the ball was being passed around by Verdy, everyone ran hard and defended desperately, and their posture of looking for chances gradually shifted the momentum in our favor.
In the 68th minute of the second half, Kosuke SHIRAI did not miss the opponent's short pass and intercepted it, sprinting up the right side to deliver a low cross. Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who came in for the ball, let it pass, and Keita ENDO, who was behind him, kicked it in with his right foot, scoring the first goal back.
Tokyo, wanting to press on, brought in Riki HARAKAWA and Jája Silva to intensify their attack. However, Verdy's defensive awareness was high, and they struggled to break through, entering stoppage time still trailing by one goal.
Even then, we couldn't carry the ball to the goal as we wanted, and just when we were prepared for the end of the match, it was Endo who saved the team. In the 45+4 minutes of the second half, goalkeeper Go HATANO sent a feed to the front line. Enrique, who had moved up front, contested for the loose ball, which Nakagawa picked up and passed to Endo, who was next to him. Receiving this, Endo created a shooting angle for himself and struck with his left foot. The powerful shot shook the goal net.
After that, Tokyo continued to aim for a comeback goal, but the final point did not come, and time was up. Nevertheless, the players in blue and red, who overcame a two-goal deficit with ten men, received cheers from the fans and supporters behind the goal, vowing to win the upcoming "home" match against Verdy in August.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Kanta DOI/Henrique Trevisan/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in 28th minute: Yuto NAGATOMO)
MF Takuto UHI (substituted in 38th minute: Jaja Silva)/Takahiro KOBAYASHI (substituted in 16th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Kei KOIZUMI (substituted in 38th minute: Riki HARAKAWA)
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in 16th minute: Keita ENDO)/Soma ANZAI/Teruhito NAKAGAWA
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Masato MORISHIGE
GOAL
23rd minute of the first half: Keita ENDO/45+4 minutes of the second half: Keita ENDO
<Verdy>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Mateus
DF Kazuya MIYAHARA / Naoki HAYASHI / Hiroto TANIGUCHI (39th minute: Kohei YAMAKOSHI) / Daiki FUKAZAWA
MF Kosuke SAITO (17th minute: Seiryu ONAGA) / Akihiro MORITA / Tetsuyuki INAMI / Tomoya MIKI (34th minute: Yuuan MATSUBASHI)
FW Itsuki SOMENO (34th minute: Yuto TSUNASHIMA) / Yudai KIMURA (17th minute: Hiroto YAMAMI)
SUBS
GK Yuya NAGASAWA
MF Tiago ALVES
GOAL
28th minute of the first half: Tomoya MIKI/33rd minute of the first half: Itsuki SOMENO
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please review today's game.
I think we had a good start in the first half, but there was a bad period of about 10 minutes during which we were scored on. That changed the flow of the game. However, there were moments at the beginning and end of the first half where we were able to perform well. I believed that if something changed in a particular situation, it would turn into our game. At halftime, we discussed that if we could score one goal, we could score another. In the end, we went for the third goal, but there was not enough time and the match ended.
The players really gave their all on the pitch and fought desperately to turn the game around for the fans and supporters. The fans and supporters truly provided amazing support and are the best fans in Japan.
The players really put on a wonderful performance until the end and tried to turn the game around. It's unfortunate that we couldn't secure the 3 points, but I hope we can reflect on today's match and grow from it. The players fought with a warrior-like mentality and truly played in a way we can be proud of. However, in the end, there wasn't enough time, and I feel sorry that we couldn't deliver a victory to our fans and supporters.
Q: Yesterday, Keita ENDO, whose full transfer was announced, scored 2 goals.
A, I truly believe that today he made a great impact and showed something wonderful as a player. However, he still has room for growth. He has a good character, and I think it's a good thing that he has made a full transfer. He also fought hard while working hard today.
Q: Please tell us about the intention behind the last substitution.
A, Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI worked very hard and moved well to seize their flow. I wanted to bring in Riki HARAKAWA and Jája Silva as soon as possible, but I had to consider the balance. The players who came on as substitutes performed very well and caught up nicely. Even after equalizing at 2-2, they showed a determination to win, and the warrior-like mentality of the players is not something every team possesses. I believe this is a testament to the growth we have achieved through the training we do every day.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita ENDO＞
Q, that was a wonderful equalizing goal. Please reflect on the match.
A, the passionate feelings of the fans and supporters for this match were clearly conveyed, and even though we were down to 10 players in the first half, our ability to play without giving up until the end led to the equalizer. The most important thing is that the support from the fans and supporters became our strength. Even during difficult times, we felt the support from the fans and supporters on the bench, and we could not show a disappointing performance against Verdy. Once on the pitch, I only thought about returning the results.
Q: Both goals were scored with great feeling.
A, I don't know if it's right or wrong, but I believe that what matters is that we played with all our might as a team. We couldn't afford to lose 0-2. I think the two goals we scored were transformed from the support of our fans and supporters. It was Kosuke SHIRAI who won the ball in a high position and ran into the goal area along with Tsubasa TERAYAMA. As substitutes, we were talking on the bench about 'let's change the flow ourselves,' and I think our ability to out-sprint the opponents led to the goals. Regarding the second goal, I was thinking about shooting when I received the ball, and I'm glad it went in nicely.
Q: The complete transfer to the team was announced on the 11th. How do you feel about your performance right after that?
A, I hadn't scored a goal until now, so I thought it was a chance to perform in a big game like today. Even after equalizing, I was aiming for another goal, but I believe we at least secured one point. Ryotaro ARAKI and Kuryu MATSUKI have been leading the team's attack up to this point, but after being absent from the U-23 Japan national team, I absolutely did not want it to be thought that I was relying on them. There were times in Germany when I couldn't even get on the pitch, and I want to work hard from here to earn the recognition of the fans and supporters. I believe that top players can consistently show good performances. I want to continue to show my contributions, not just end with these two goals.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, it was a tough match. Please review the game.
A, I think we managed to equalize from 0-2, which is the minimum result we could achieve. We should have played better in the first half, and I believe it is too late to switch on once we fall behind, so we need to perform well from the start.
Q, I think there were moments when we had to watch both the opponent's fullback and winger after going down to ten men. What specific points were you aware of in the second half?
If we conceded a third goal with a two-goal difference, the match would become even more difficult, so we focused on playing in a way that would prevent conceding. As can be seen from today's match, I believed that if we could score once, it would change the flow of the game, so I was conscious of moving forward to avoid conceding.
Q: What was your strategy for playing in the second half?
Since we adopted a 4-4-1 formation, I thought it would be good to score through counterattacks and set pieces after establishing a solid block, and I believe that worked well. I knew the opponent would panic when the score changed from 0-2 to 1-2, so we managed to score an additional goal and equalize, which made the second half of the match go as planned.
Q, Kosuke SHIRAI's sprint speed saved the team.
A, that is my weapon, and I feel that it has gradually improved since last season, and I am finally able to showcase my play, which I am happy has contributed to the team's strength.
Q: What was the atmosphere like during the match against Verdy?
I think it was a hot match that I have never experienced before.
Q, please tell us your goals for the future.
A, there are still many points for reflection, but I am starting to be able to show my play, so I want to firmly secure the position of right side back.
<Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA>
Q, please review the game. This was your first start after the transfer.
A, it was my first time in the starting lineup, but we fell behind 0-2 in the first half, and losing a player made it worse. I believe it was a result of showing weakness and getting caught off guard. That is something I need to reflect on.
Q: You often played in close proximity to Teruhito NAKAGAWA. What were you conscious of?
Both players can play in the front line or in the second line, one position back. When one drops back, the other is aware of taking advantage of the space behind, and they switch positions while playing.
Q: In the first 20 minutes, we saw plays that got behind the opponent's defenders. What kind of communication was there within the team?
A, the area where I aimed from behind was in line with the team's concept, so I was playing to target behind, but I couldn't create plays that led to goals. I want to work on being able to come up with different strategies in such situations.
Q: There were many times when you had to focus on defense due to the impact of the player being sent off, but did you gain anything from today's match?
I think it was good that we showed our resilience and managed to catch up in the end. However, I believe we need to reflect on the first half as well. I hope we can continue to catch up against opponents who are leading.
