＜Match Review＞
In the previous match, Tokyo faced Nagoya Grampus and suffered their first defeat in 5 games. In this match, they aimed to restart their momentum as they welcomed Yokohama F. Marinos to their home stadium, Ajinomoto Stadium. Tokyo made 4 changes to their starting lineup against such a tough opponent. Enrique Trevizan was placed as center back, Yuto Nagatomo as right back, Kuryu Matsuki as attacking midfielder, and Ryotaro Araki as lone striker. Teruhito Nakagawa, who will face his former team, started on the bench and waited for his chance to play.
Preventing consecutive losses, and aiming for the second win of the season at home at Ajinomoto Stadium, the stands were dyed in blue and red, and the kickoff whistle blew amidst high voltage.
1stHALF - Gradually take control of the pace after conceding the first goal
The first chance came to Tokyo. In the 4th minute of the first half, Ryotaro ARAKI's free kick was crossed by Henrique on the far side. Kashif BANGNAGANDE reacted to this and aimed for a shot, but it was blocked by the opponent. Then, immediately after, Yokohama FM's Yan Matheus created a chance from the right side. In the 5th minute of the first half, he cut in and swung his left foot, but it was touched and deflected by goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA.
From there, the opponent held onto the ball for a while, and Tokyo continued to chase the ball. Then, in the 25th minute of the first half, the flow changed when Matsubara intercepted a pass from Takahiro KO aimed at Tawara Tsumita. In the end, Nam Tae-hee scored a beautiful goal, giving up the first goal.
After passing the first 30 minutes, Araki, the front line player, was able to pull the ball out while flowing left and right, gradually creating an attacking rhythm for Tokyo. In particular, Tawarazumiya player made a bold move towards the goal, bringing the ball to the goal multiple times. However, they were unable to score due to the opponent's desperate block in front of the goal. In the end, Matsuki had a big chance but couldn't convert, and they went into halftime with a one-point deficit.
2ndHALF - Despite a fierce attack, Nagatomo's powerful equalizer was not enough for a comeback.
Tokyo continues to attack even in the second half.
Immediately after the kickoff, a big chance was created. Soma ANZAI, fed by Yasuki KIMOTO, broke through the right side and put a fast ball into the goal area. Araki, who threw his body forward, jumped in, but was just one step short.
However, Tokyo, who gained momentum with this play, aggressively approached the goal and a tying goal was born in the 10th minute of the second half.
Matsuki connected the loose ball from a cross by Tawarazumida from the left side, and Nagatomo, who had jumped in near the penalty area, took a quick shot with his right foot. The brilliant shot pierced into the goal.
Tokyo, who has completely grasped the pace, aims to reverse without letting go. They surpass the opponent in both ball possession and second ball recovery, and in the middle, they added thickness to the front line by bringing in players such as Nakagawa and Diego OLIVEIRA. However, the crucial reverse goal is not easily decided.
In the 23rd minute of the second half, Kashifu player jumped into the cross of Nagatomo player and powerfully volleyed, but it flew straight to the opponent's goalkeeper without meeting. In additional time, Nakagawa player's left-footed shot narrowly missed the goal, and right after that, the game ended. Although they were able to prevent a losing streak, they were unable to score a goal despite their offensive efforts and ended up with only 1 point.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Henrique Trevizan/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kusei Matsuki (43rd minute of the second half: Riki Harakawa)/Takuya Takahiro (43rd minute of the second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Kei Koizumi
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (21st minute of the second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Soma ANZAI (31st minute of the second half: Jaja SILVA)/Ryotaro ARAKI (31st minute of the second half: Diego OLIVEIRA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Teppei OKA
GOAL
10 minutes into the second half: Yuto NAGATOMO
＜Yokohama F.Marinos＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK William POPE
DF Ken MATSUBARA/Takumi KAMIJIMA/Taiki WATANABE (37th minute of first half: Riku YAMANE)/Katsuya NAGATO
MF Kota WATANABE/Takuya KIDA/Nam Tae-Hee (0th minute of second half: Keigo SAKAKIBARA)
FW Mateus JUNIOR (17th minute of second half: Kenta INOUE)/Anderson LOPEZ (17th minute of second half: Asahi UENAKA)/Elber (17th minute of second half: Ryo MIYACHI)
SUBS
GK Fuma SHIRASAKA
DF Ren KATO
GOAL
25' 1st Half: Nam Tae-hee
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, please review the game.
A, there are complex emotions. It was a game that we were able to win. I think it was a very entertaining game, and both teams were aggressive and played good football. I think this was also a good promotion for Japanese football. I think there were situations in the first 30 minutes of the first half that we had to endure. We were able to fight stronger towards the end of the first half, and I think we were able to find the material to turn the game around in the second half. We were able to execute that in the second half and create enough chances to win the game. Overall, it was a good game, so we want to continue building the team so that we can play even better.
Q, the game development was completely different between the first and second half. What was the reason for the change in momentum?
A, in the first half we were a bit passive and became heavy in the back, but towards the end of the first half we were able to go forward. And at the end of the first half, I think we were able to move the ball well by using the space we were trying to use. That continued in the second half and we were able to create a good flow. I was confident that we could equalize and even score a second goal.
I am truly proud of the players. They gave everything they had to fight for victory. We want to continue to improve ourselves and learn as much as we can during the games. It is important and a great aspect of our team that we were able to show our strength. We hope to get closer to the team we have dreamed of by continuing to improve and grow. However, there are still things we need to do in order to achieve that.
[Player Interview]
Yuto NAGATOMO
Q, it was the first goal in 5118 days at Ajinomoto Stadium. Please review the scoring scene.
When Kuryu Matsuki had the ball, I was in a good position and open, so I had the image of shooting directly when the ball came. Matsuki passed the ball at a good timing, so all I had to do was swing.
Q, I think the side back has become more conscious of taking a high position.
A, not only myself, but also players like Kosuke SHIRAI and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, have been involved in many scenes of assists and goals. I believe this is the result of the team's efforts.
Q, What kind of communication did you have with Soma ANZAI, who is on the same side?
A, I haven't worked together much, so I think we can continue to improve our relationship. Yasuzaki is dedicated to defense and plays with attention to detail, such as pressing back, so it's very helpful and easy for me.
Q, during the consecutive games, it seemed like the team was able to switch gears from the previous defeat and approach the game.
A, It's a good thing for the team that we didn't collapse. The first half was a tough start, but we were able to talk and make adjustments on the pitch, and by the end of the first half, we were able to get into our own rhythm. Being able to talk and make adjustments among the players on the pitch is where we feel our growth.
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, please review the game.
A, there were also times when sharing and corrections were achieved on the pitch, and the overall low line was resolved, and from there, a flow of counterattacks was born. I think the team's strengths were shown. In the previous match against Nagoya Grampus, we also gave away goals from situations that were not major crises. So we want to learn how to hold our ground and have a mindset of being okay with a 0-0 score in the first half depending on the situation.
Q, In the second half, there were build-up plays and forward movements from player Yasuki KIMOTO.
A, I think I was able to show my strengths by how I involved myself in the attack. I want to continue doing that. The challenge for me in today's game was that there were not many chances created after I passed the ball forward. Tokyo has a strong front line, so I want to continue being a key player in the attack.
Q: How do you reflect on being able to avoid consecutive losses and multiple goals conceded?
A, I think it is absolutely necessary to avoid consecutive losses in order to aim for the top. I think we were able to achieve the minimum result. In today's match, we conceded a goal, but we were conscious of not conceding goals consecutively like in the Nagoya match, and we needed to concentrate especially for the 5 minutes after conceding. I believe that being able to fight patiently without giving away additional points or collapsing will lead to the next step.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, Ryotaro ARAKI was used as a starter at the same time as the Urawa Reds match for the first time since the match.
A, Today's game was an open match, so there weren't many scenes where we could connect passes together. However, Matsuki and I always have a good distance between us, so we want to continue improving and getting results.
Q, we also saw an attacking attitude such as taking a middle shot.
A, Overall, I wanted to calm the game down a little more. After the opposing center back was substituted due to injury, the game became more open, so I think we should have been able to move the team without adjusting to the opponent and connecting the ball.
Q, the second half had more driving force forward than the first half.
A, we changed our pressing style in the middle of the first half. We discussed it at halftime and continued it in the second half. We had a good pace going from about the last 10 minutes of the first half, so I think it was a game we could have won if we had been able to finish in the crucial moments. However, in order to win, we need to work on creating a good pace from the start of the game.
