＜Match Review＞
Tokyo headed to the northern land in hopes of securing their first three consecutive wins in two seasons. They made two changes to the starting lineup from the previous match, with Yuto Nagatomo at right back and Henrique Trevisan at center back. In order to avenge their defeat of 5 goals in the same match at the same venue last season, they faced off against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
1stHALF—Unexpected goal but Tawara equalizes
Tokyo, who has been looking for opportunities since the beginning, launched a long counterattack from the 3rd minute of the first half, drawing in their opponents. Teruhito NAKAGAWA made a high-speed dribble from their own half and quickly brought the ball to the opponent's penalty area, supplying a final pass to the right side. However, Soma ANZAI's shot was unfortunately blocked by the goalkeeper.
Tokyo, who created a big chance with sharp attacks, but Sapporo made a big side change from the left side by player Arano just 5 minutes into the first half. Player Baba broke through the opposite side and crossed it directly, which ended up in the near side of the goal, taking the lead unexpectedly.
As the game continued, Sapporo continued to aggressively press and push us back, so we aimed for a speedy attack. This paid off in the 27th minute of the first half.
Playing on the right side of their own half, Diego OLIVEIRA, who had dropped back for a post-play, made a one-touch through pass forward. Takahiro KO, who quickly reacted to this, broke through on the right side and crossed the ball, which was met by Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who had made a run into the goal area. He then executed a spectacular volley with his left foot, utilizing his signature move of coming in from the opposite side of the cross, and equalized the game.
"For player Tawara Tsumeta, who had been saying 'I want visible results', it was a long-awaited first goal of the season."
In the 31st minute of the first half, there was a big chance from Kashif BANGNAGANDE's left corner kick. Nakagawa tried to score twice in a row from a close distance, but both were blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper's fine saves and they were unable to take the lead.
Afterwards, Tokyo will create blocks and balance the game while taking control of the game by not allowing Sapporo to have the ball, and will try to break the situation by launching a counterattack. The game ended with a 1-1 tie.
2ndHALF - Press Rush and 3 consecutive Diego goals
Even in the second half, we keep our center of gravity low and look for opportunities for a quick attack while drawing in the opponent. In the 15th minute of the second half, we set up a favorite formation with a cross from player Yoshifumi Kase and a jump from player Yasuaki Anzai on the right side, but unfortunately it did not reach.
As the game progressed past the 15-minute mark in the second half, we gradually increased our aggressiveness with well-timed pressing, pushing the opponent back and causing the game to shift in our favor.
In the 20th minute of the second half, Sapporo's Diego player put pressure on the goal kick they attempted to build up, causing a mistake from the opponent. Azusa player cut it on the right side and passed it to Diego player who then passed it to Nakagawa player in the center. Nakagawa player persevered and passed the ball vertically, resulting in a comeback goal. In just a short amount of time, they changed the flow of the game and successfully turned the tables, attacking Sapporo's goal.
Diego TABA has made a complete comeback. This marks his third consecutive goal in the league since his return.
Thoroughly execute a strategy of aiming for a counterattack while managing the risk again after taking the lead. Tighten the center and advance time with concentrated defense.
In the 36th minute of the second half, the left side pocket was penetrated, but player Nagatomo blocked the shot with a sliding tackle. In the 41st minute of the second half, substitute player Leon NOZAWA returned deep into his own territory and sealed the cross with persistent defense.
Showed a calm game play despite conceding the first goal in an unexpected way, and demonstrated their skill in effectively countering at crucial moments, ultimately securing the win with a high press.
Despite conceding possession to the opponent, they closed the center firmly in the additional time of the second half and ended the game while maintaining the lead with a focused defense. They secured 3 points in Sapporo, which has been considered a "difficult place" since the 2012 season, and achieved a 3-game winning streak in the league for the first time since March 2022.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (26th minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Takuya UCHIYAMA/Kei KOIZUMI/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (26th minute: Chikara HARAKAWA)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA (38th minute: Jaja SILVA)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (38th minute: Leon NOZAWA)/Soma ANZAI (45+4th minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
First half 27 minutes: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA/Second half 20 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takanori SUGENO
DF Seiya BABA (42nd minute of the second half: Yuki KOBAYASHI)/ Rei IEIZUMI/ Daiki SUGA (42nd minute of the second half: Tatsuya HASEGAWA)
MF Tomoki KONDO (26th minute of the second half: KIM GON-HI)/ Takuma ARANO (26th minute of the second half: Ruru TAKAO)/ Yoshiaki KOMAI/ Ryota AOKI/ Yuya ASANO/ Supachok (26th minute of the second half: Kirya NAKAMURA)
FW Takeshi SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Jun KODAMA
DF Daihachi OKAMURA
GOAL 5th minute of the first half: Seiya BABA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, please review the game.
It was a tough away game as expected. It was a fight where we had to show our strengths and mentality in order to fight firmly. I think the players definitely showed that. What we learn from every game is the consciousness of winning the game. Today was a game where we had to fight with that in mind. I am proud of the players who worked hard, showed their determination to win, and fought with that mindset. In terms of football, there are still many areas that we can improve on. We need to analyze our performance while looking back and continue to grow.
The game was still in need of improvement, but we were able to turn the score around and win in a tough away game, starting with a difficult situation of 0-1. I am proud of the players who were able to achieve victory in a battle against the great opponent Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, led by the best coach in Japan, Mr. Misha (Coach Petrovic).
The players used up all their energy. They were exhausted after the game. And I am happy to have brought 3 points to the fans and supporters who cheered us on with all their might. I want to express my gratitude for their support.
Q, Please tell us your evaluation of Diego OLIVEIRA, who has scored goals in three consecutive games.
A, he is a truly special player for us and has given us a great performance. He has made an impact and contributed with his performance. As I always say, it is because we all work hard every day that we are able to achieve this, and I am proud that he has come back and scored points.
Q, I think we can reproduce the attack.
A, Reproducibility is one of the things we are working on, and I think it is evidence that our attack can be dangerous. The first goal was also in a very good form, and we were able to show what we are working on. The hardworking players were rewarded. There are many things we need to learn in the game, and we need to continue to grow in our football. Also, we need to have the right mentality and character in the process. Today, I am happy that the players had the necessary things and worked hard. A few days ago, there was talk that we didn't have a three-game winning streak last season, but we believe we are a special club. The players showed their character and mentality and proved that we are a special club, and I am proud that we were able to win three games in a row. For the next game, I think the players will have a good rest and recover. Let's forget about this three-game winning streak and focus on the next game.
[Player Interview]
＜Kota TAWARATSUMIDAPlayer＞
Q, I scored my first goal of the season. Please review that scene.
A, Takahiro KO broke through and it became a race between himself and the right back of the opponent. I had a sense that my speed was faster, and Takahiro KO gave me a really good ball, so all I had to do was match it. I thought a fast ground ball was coming, but it was a floating ball, so I went for it.
Q, wasn't it very difficult to defend against the opponent's 3-back and right wing players?
A, Honestly, it was really tough to have to move up and down, but I was able to talk to everyone around me and take care of myself. It was good that we didn't concede any goals from there.
Q, I feel that the defensive strength has increased.
A, I still have a long way to go. I want to steal various things from my seniors and continue to grow.
Q, In the midst of back-to-back games played in two days, I was able to make an assist in the previous match and score a goal in this match.
A, Today, it wasn't an incredibly good play, and it wasn't a super goal that was taken away by individual skills. However, in the tired situation of consecutive games, it is a plus for both myself and the team that we were able to create such a situation and score points together as a team.
Diego OLIVEIRAPlayer
Q, today's victory resulted in a 3-game winning streak in the league.
A, Playing at Sapporo Dome is always a tough game for us every season. It was a mentally and physically tough game, but we were able to secure a victory. It's certainly great to score goals in three consecutive games, but what makes me even happier is that we were able to turn the game around and win after conceding a goal early in the first half. It's a testament to our team's ability to capitalize on limited chances and finish strong. I believe it's a sign that the team is in good form, including myself.
Q, please review the scene of the comeback.
A, Soma ANZAI did not miss the opponent's restart mistake and collected the ball in a high position. He quickly turned and passed it to Teruhito NAKAGAWA in the center. He also passed the ball after attracting multiple defenders, so all he had to do was slide it into the goal with his left foot. As I mentioned earlier, I am more happy about the fact that we were able to win the away game in a difficult situation than my own goal.
Q, I think the team's hard work led to victory.
A, Today's match was a very tough game where we were marked by the opponent for a particularly long time. I think we were able to surpass the opponent in terms of physicality as a team. Today, we will all celebrate the victory together and I think the next match will also be a difficult one, but we want to continue our winning streak as one team. We also want to express our gratitude through our play to the fans and supporters who always support us no matter what the situation may be.
Masato MORISHIGEPlayer
Q, please review the game.
A, I think it was a difficult game even compared to previous games.
Q, we conceded an unexpected goal early on, but we were able to hold on and finish strong. How did the defense feel?
A, we were caught off guard in the beginning of the first half, but that goal was more of an accident. After that, we were able to make adjustments and defend well, not allowing the opponent to get close to our goal. I think being able to make those adjustments was a key point. On the other hand, when we had the ball, we were able to take shots, so we believed we had chances to attack.
Q, the opponent had many attacks that used side changes.
A, I'm getting used to playing as a side back, so I've also become more accustomed to how to handle the defensive line and the midfielder after being shifted there. I think it was good that we were able to make adjustments during the game without getting flustered.
Q, it was the first victory in Sapporo since the 2012 season. This season, we have been able to break the jinx of away games that we have not been able to win, such as Fukuoka. Do you feel any difference on the pitch compared to last season?
A, the 2012 season, is not a memory (bitter smile). The biggest difference is the team atmosphere, where everyone is working towards winning from daily practice, and that atmosphere is also present in the games. The current team has the strength to bounce back even in difficult times. I believe that a team that can maintain this throughout the season can go far, so I think the next game will be important as well.
