Match Review
The sixth match out of eight official matches scheduled in May was a clash against Sagan Tosu in the Levain Cup. It was a knockout game where the winner would advance to the playoff stage.
In the previous league match against Yokohama F. Marinos, just two days ago, and with another match against Gamba Osaka coming up in three days, about half of the starting members were changed. The center backs were Masato MORISHIGE and Teppei OKA, who started together on the pitch for the first time in an official match, while the double pivot featured Kei KOIZUMI and Riki HARAKAWA, who faced their former teams. Up front, Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Kuryu MATSUKI lined up, and Jaja SILVA, who scored his first goal after joining in the second round match against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama, played on the right wing.
1st HALF - Although we continue to be pressed, we counterattack with a short counter.
It was a game against Tosu, which has become a tough opponent with five consecutive losses in the league, but for a while after the kickoff, we struggled as the opponent held the ball and made us run for a long time.
Especially on the left side of Sagan Tosu, there were many instances where we were caught off guard in our right side defense, easily allowing incursions into our territory and leading to continued crossing opportunities. However, in front of the goal, we managed to clear the ball, centered around player Morishige, and even when we faced a crisis from a corner kick, we were helped by the opponent's shooting mistakes, somehow managing to hold on without conceding a goal.
Tokyo struggled to find rhythm in their attack due to shaky defense, but occasionally managed to create opportunities with quick counterattacks. In the 19th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA broke through, and Nakagawa attempted a left-footed shot in front of the goal, but it went wide. In the 22nd minute, Matsuki aimed with his left foot, but the goalkeeper made a save. Furthermore, in the 37th minute of the first half, Kosuke SHIRAI got behind the opponent's last line and crossed the ball, but Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's attempt at the far side only shook the outside of the side netting.
Despite being pressured by the opponent in front of the goal, we endured and turned the match around with a tense development, looking for chances on the counterattack.
2nd HALF - Morishige scores first, but equalized just before the end
First, to change the flow in the second half, Tokyo substituted Nakagawa with Ryotaro ARAKI, which improved their defense. Then, in the 11th minute of the second half, they succeeded in taking the lead from a corner kick. Morishige, who jumped in at the near side, headed in the right corner kick from Harakawa into the goal.
With this opening goal, Tokyo completely took control of the game, aiming for a second goal. In the 17th minute of the second half, Morishige had another chance from a corner kick, but unfortunately, it went wide.
In the 30th minute of the second half, there was another big chance. Shirai's middle shot, which was aimed inward, was saved by the goalkeeper, but Matsuki was free to follow up on the rebound. However, he could not push it into the open goal, and it did not become the second goal.
In this situation, Tosu gradually made a comeback and surprisingly allowed an equalizing goal during the second half's additional time. Marcelo RYAN skillfully switched positions with the defense line, and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who had rushed out, was also evaded and the ball was smoothly sent into the goal.
EXTRA TIME—The fierce battle with both teams having players sent off ends with no score change
Once again, the extra time started with a change in mindset, and in the 7th minute of the first half, Tae Hyeon KIM from Tosu was sent off with a second yellow card. This created a numerical advantage situation. However, as they struggled to attack the 10-man opponent, in the first half's additional time, Harakawa was also sent off with a second yellow card. It became a battle of 10 against 10.
Both teams exerted all their energy in the second half of extra time, being pushed back by Tosu, but they endured on the brink and held on to a score of 1-1. The match was decided by a penalty shootout.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT—Tokyo scored successfully with all players, and Taishi saved the fifth shot from Tosu!
Penalty shootout for advancement to the playoff round.
Tokyo, taking the first turn, saw Mori Shige succeed on the first attempt, followed by Araki on the second, Endo on the third, Shuhei TOKUMOTO on the fourth, and Koizumi on the fifth, all scoring reliably. When it came to the fifth kicker for Tosu, Nagano's kick was stopped by Taishi NOZAWA. After a fierce battle, they advanced to the playoff stage to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI (12 minutes into extra time: Leon NOZAWA) / Masato MORISHIGE / Tetsuhira OKA / Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Kuki MATSUKI (42 minutes into the second half: Keigo HIGASHI) / Kei KOIZUMI / Chikara HARAKAWA
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (15 minutes into the second half: Keita ENDO) / Teruhito NAKAGAWA (0 minutes into the second half: Ryota ARAKI) / Jaja SILVA (15 minutes into the second half: Soma ANZAI) (17 minutes into extra time: Hiroshi TAKAHASHI)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Henrique TREVISAN
MF Ryunosuke SATO
GOAL
11 minutes into the second half: Masato MORISHIGE
<Sagan Tosu>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ilgyu PARK
DF Kosuke YAMAZAKI/Katsunori UEEBISU/Harada Wataru/Kitajima Ikuya (substituted in 0 min: Kim Tehyeon)
MF Kawahara So/Watnabe Ryohei (substituted in 0 min: Kohei TEZUKA)/Hino Shota (substituted in 22 min: Ayumu YOKOYAMA)
FW Cayman TOGASHI (substituted in 38 min: Atsushi KAWATA) (extra time 4 min: Taichi KIKUCHI)/Yoichi NAGANUMA/Vinicius Araujo (substituted in 12 min: Marcelo Hian)
SUBS
GK Arnau
DF Yusuke MARUBASHI
MF Kentaro MORIYA
GOAL
45+1 minute of the second half: Marcelo RYAN
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please review the game.
It was a good battle of football. Both teams played in a highly entertaining manner. While not much may have happened in this tight match, our players fought hard and gave their all to secure a tough away victory. It was a battle with one day less rest than our opponents, but the players delivered the performance they wanted to show. They showcased our strengths and fought until the end with a belief in our football. I believe that was a key factor in our victory. I also want to thank the fans and supporters who traveled to the away game on a weekday to support us. Their cheers gave strength to the players.
Q: It may have been a match where things didn't go well, but please tell us about the defense that endured the opponent's attacks in the final stages and the last penalty shootout.
A, looking back at the match, I think there were still areas that needed improvement. The first half was an even contest, and in the second half, we were able to utilize the areas we wanted to. I believe that allowed us to take a 1-0 lead, and we were able to deliver a performance worthy of that lead even in this series of matches. However, it is disappointing that we couldn't close out the game over the full 90 minutes. The way we finish the match in the final moments is something we need to improve on. We must learn from this.
The extra time was filled with various elements. There were situations where we had an advantage due to one of the opposing players being sent off. However, in the end, both teams had the same number of players. We found ourselves in a situation where we had to finish the game with ten players, but that was a part we have been able to handle. The players fought with their own characteristics, individuality, and beliefs, all the way to the penalty shootout.
I am proud of the players. It is difficult for those who have had few opportunities to play to step into matches like this, but they fought hard. All the players, both individually and as a team, connected and played together. We cannot play perfect football at all times. However, within that, there were elements that allowed us to grow. We are able to show a special mentality in our daily training, and I believe that is the mentality of a winner. The players gave their all.
Q: What kind of encouragement did you give to the players before entering extra time?
A. We talked about places that might be available during the next time slot. It's about what will be important in the next 15 minutes. I was thinking of empowering them, including the finer details. The players showed what kind of men they are, and I am proud of them. I want to recover properly and prepare for the next match when we return to Tokyo.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q, please review the game.
It was a tough match, but I believe that our collective desire to win surpassed that of our opponents, which led to the result. It was good that we were able to fight tough in this difficult away match. I think that if everyone on the pitch does not share the same understanding in various decision-making situations, it can lead to moments like the one where we conceded a goal. This is something we need to reflect on.
Q, please review the scoring scene.
When a good ball comes, I had a good feeling and confidence that I could score from set plays. I believed that gaps in the opponent's defense would definitely appear. I was relieved that it went into the goal successfully. I think that being able to score in decisive moments and finishing the match solidly will be something the team will need to focus on in the future.
Q: There was a consistent awareness of building up play behind the opponent throughout the match.
A, since the opponent's line was set high, I distributed the ball with the image of dropping it behind. It was a part that the opponent disliked and also a target for the team. After receiving the ball, I was also conscious of actively aiming for opportunities if they arose.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q, please review the game.
Although I did not have the opportunity to start in the league matches, I was always aware of the possibility of playing in a game like today and prepared through daily training. It would have been best if I could decide the match with my own assists or goals, but I am glad that I was able to successfully convert my penalty kick as the kicker.
Q: Throughout the 120 minutes, Shuhei TOKUMOTO's strengths were evident.
A, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and Teppei OKA were both demanding that the ball be sent to them more and more, and I have confidence in my play after receiving the ball. I believe that being able to play with the mindset that showcasing our strengths leads to victory was a factor that contributed to our positive direction.
Q: However, conceding a goal in the closing stages of the match made the game difficult.
It was a goal that we were able to prevent. I believe it is something we can correct and build on for the next match. We will face Gamba Osaka in the league in three days, and next Friday, we will compete against Sagan Tosu in the league. I want the entire team to share the challenges. After that, I think it is important for the attacking players to have faith and for the defenders to hold strong in defense.
Q: It seems that you have developed the ability to score even in unfavorable match situations.
A, there were many opportunities that could have led to additional goals in today's match. It is important to focus on the details from practice, and I want to take the fact that we can win and make corrections in a difficult match like today as a positive and carry it forward to the next game.
<Teppei OKA>
Q, please review the game.
A, of course there was tension, but my responsibility was to contribute to the team's victory. In defense, I worked on challenge and cover with Masato MORISHIGE, coached the players around me, and since the opponents were targeting our back, I played with that awareness. In terms of offense, I played with the mindset that it was okay to make mistakes as long as I was actively challenging. I intentionally made cuts to show that I was aware and played confidently. Ultimately, being able to achieve victory was truly significant, and with the experience of winning, I can make adjustments and want to carry that forward.
Q: Wasn't the support from your seniors also significant?
A, Kei KOIZUMI and Riki HARAKAWA, who were playing as defensive midfielders, really showed up at the right moments, making the build-up play much easier. I believe this victory was thanks to the support from those around us.
Q, I believe this is a new start. Please share your enthusiasm for the future.
I want to seize the opportunity from here and contribute to a victory without conceding any goals in the matches I participate in. I felt it again today, but everything we do in practice at Kodaira Ground is important, so I want to grow without wasting a single day.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It was a long time since I returned from injury to play in an official match.
First and foremost, victory was an absolute requirement, rather than the content of the match. It would have been better if we could have finished the game properly in 90 minutes, but the opponent had momentum and we allowed a goal. It went to a penalty shootout, but I'm glad we were able to win.
Q: Please tell us what you were conscious of during the period of the match when it was unsettled towards the end of the second half.
A, irregularities occurred on the pitch, such as both teams having players sent off, so our first priority was to prevent the opponent from scoring any further and to capitalize on any opportunities to score ourselves. I believe everyone's hard work led to our victory.
Q: I played in the defensive midfielder position during extra time.
A, receiving the ball and moving it, creating rhythm, since the opponent had a high line, I aimed to send the ball behind them to build an attack, but overall I was fatigued, so I prioritized maintaining balance. Considering Kei KOIZUMI's participation in consecutive matches, I was also conscious of how I could support and work hard after coming on as a substitute.
Q: Continuing to reduce goals conceded is a challenge for the team. What kind of approach is necessary?
A, we needed to tighten things up at the end. I would like the team to organize how we defend throughout the 90 minutes and how we finish the match.
