＜Match Review＞
This is a crucial match for our team, aiming for our second consecutive three-game winning streak this season.
The 21st round of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, facing Avispa Fukuoka, was a home game at Ajinomoto Stadium following a midweek match. The team is currently on a streak of two consecutive games without conceding a goal for the first time this season. They have been able to secure victories by scoring a crucial goal while maintaining a strong defense and rhythm.
In the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, they marked a splendid victory at Ajinomoto Stadium, where they had only one win in the first half. They started the second half at home. In this match, which will be the second consecutive match at Ajinomoto Stadium, they will taste joy with a large crowd filling the stadium and aim to gain momentum for the future.
Tokyo has appointed Taishi Brandon NOZAWA as goalkeeper. The final line consists of Hotaka NAKAMURA, Masato MORISHIGE, Tetsuhiro OKA, and Yuto NAGATOMO, with Kei KOIZUMI and Riki HARAKAWA as the midfield duo. Kuryu MATSUKI is in the attacking midfield position. On the front line, Teruhito NAKAGAWA is on the right, and Soma ANZAI, who scored a dramatic winning goal in the previous match, is on the left. Up front, Diego Oliveira returns to the starting lineup after 3 games.
1stHALF—Ajinomoto Stadium wins again, kick off for 3 consecutive league wins
Fukuoka created a chance from a left cross in the opening minutes, but Wellington's header was saved by Nozawa. The early stages of the game were a back-and-forth affair.
Fukuoka adopted a modified system that is close to 4-4-2 when defending and 3-4-3 when attacking. Tokyo often faced man-to-man marking and numerical disadvantages in each position, requiring ingenuity in creating and breaking the gaps, including their positioning.
The first chance came in the 18th minute of the first half. Koizumi made a sharp turn in the midfield and passed it forward, where Matsuki made a vertical through pass. With the play of both players, the team quickly became more aggressive. Nakagawa and Diego connected the ball, and finally Matsuki took a left-footed shot. Unfortunately, it missed just to the right of the goal, but the team gradually increased their attack while switching gears.
Create a chance from a quick attack in the 33rd minute of the first half. Matsuki tried to break through with a clever one-two with Diego TABA, but was brought down by the opponent and did not reach a scoring opportunity. In this play, the kicker was Harakawa, who got a free kick in front of the goal near the penalty arc. It was expected that he would reproduce the brilliant kick he scored in the 2nd round of the Emperor's Cup, but the ball hit the opponent's head in the wall and went over the bar.
Tokyo, who saw the effectiveness of sharp counters by drawing in their opponents, also created gaps by having their fullbacks move into the center and launched quick attacks while avoiding pressure with consecutive one-touch passes from their build-up. Additionally, they continued to prevent dangerous situations by firmly marking passing options and showing toughness in challenges to snuff out any potential threats.
As Tokyo, how will we break down Fukuoka, who uses their strong defense as a weapon while showing a stable defense in recent games? The first half ended with a scoreless tie, and we entered halftime.
2ndHALF— Disappointing defeat after conceding a chance
Tokyo was the one who showed an aggressive attack from the start of the second half. Multiple players demonstrated a powerful attack, overtaking one after another from the back in coordination. They showed a variety of attacks, such as building up using the goalkeeper, switching to a teammate from a dribble, and changing positions after moving up to the space.
In the 14th minute of the second half, there was an accident where players Morishige and Yasuzaki collided heads during a set play in front of the opponent's goal. After about 5 minutes of treatment, both players returned to the pitch, but it was a worrying scene.
In the 61st minute of the second half, Tawara Sekita was substituted for Nakagawa and put on the left wing. The formation was changed to move Yasuzaki to the right side.
However, in the 21st minute of the second half, we allowed a low cross from the right side to the opponent, and Juken player was able to change the course with one touch by entering the near side, and Nozawa player couldn't react in time. We conceded a goal for the first time in three games in a form where we could not take advantage of the one chance and allowed Fukuoka to take the lead.
In the 27th minute of the second half, Tokyo, who wants to change the flow of the game, sends Ryotaro ARAKI as the top striker and Takahiro KO as the defensive midfielder. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI entrusted the counterattack to these two players who can add changes to the attack. In addition, in the 31st minute of the second half, Keita ENDO, who is returning from injury, replaces Yasunori ANZAI and Shuhei TOKUMOTO is brought in as the left fullback. Changes are made on the pitch in order to find a way to win.
In the 40th minute of the second half, a direct free kick was awarded just outside the penalty area, at a 45-degree angle to the right. Araki's sharp right-footed kick aimed for the top right corner of the goal, but was blocked by the opponent's fine save, resulting in no goal. Although they created a close opportunity, they were unable to shake the net. In the 44th minute of the following second half, Tawarazumida broke through the left side and crossed. Matsuki jumped in, but the opponent quickly returned and stretched their leg out to clear it.
The second half additional time is displayed for 6 minutes. Both players, Takashi and Koizumi, carry the ball forward with small passes, and then Tawarazumi Tada, who received the ball on the left side, accelerates with a dribble. He cuts in and brings the ball to the center of the pitch, swinging his right foot, but it hits the opponent's goalkeeper directly in front of him.
Tokyo, who is increasing their offensive, has a sharp cross from Matsuki, who made an inner lap. Endo ran into the far side, but the ball was just too high for him to catch with a header. Furthermore, with Takahashi's sharp through pass and Araki's one-touch play, they tried to change the game, but in the end, they couldn't break through Fukuoka's defense and the game ended. Their winning streak stopped at 2, and they suffered a disappointing defeat at home.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Masato MORISHIGE/Tetsuhiro OKA/Yuto NAGATOMO (30th minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kusei MATSUKI/Kei KOIZUMI/Riki HARAKAWA (27th minute of the second half: Yu TAKUHYO)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA (27th minute of the second half: Ryotaro ARAKI)/Soma ANZAI (30th minute of the second half: Keita ENDO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (16th minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
―
＜Avispa Fukuoka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Masashi KAMEKAWA (17th minute of the second half: Itsuki ODA)/DOUGLAS GLORY/Masaya TASHIRO/Taiki MIYA/ Yuto IWASAKI
MF Daiki MATSUOKA/Hiroshi MAE
FW Kazuya KONNO (41st minute of the second half: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Wellington (30th minute of the second half: Shahabzahedi)/Ryoga SATO (17th minute of the second half: Masato SHIGEMI)
SUBS
GK Daiki SAKADA
DF Seiya INOUE
MF Yuji KITAJIMA
GOAL
21 minutes into the second half: Masato SHIGEMI
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a very tight game. We were performing well enough to win. We were close to getting 3 points. However, we couldn't get the win. It's very disappointing. The first half was as expected. In the second half, we lost the second ball to the opponent and they were able to control the rhythm. In that time, we gave up a goal. It made the game very difficult. If we could have held on for 0-0, I think we could have scored a goal in the end with the adjustments made by the players. Today, we weren't good enough and it's very frustrating, but we were able to perform as a team as intended. In that, we need to improve more in the attacking third and in the sharpness in front of goal.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, please review the game.
A, it wasn't all bad, but I think it was just a small difference. Everyone feels the pain of losing points by giving a little gap. Everyone knew it was an important game to either break into the top or not. I think it would be great if we could show our strength and not give any gaps at times like this, including myself.
Q, Compared to the first half, the second half had a more stagnant development. How did you see the difference in development between the first and second half?
A, The opponent also took measures based on the first half in terms of how to defend and move the ball. We had to play better than them even if they took measures, and we had to raise our gear one or two more times. We gave them a little opening, which led to this result. I think it's important for each individual to improve the quality of their play one by one.
Q, the combination of the defensive midfielders has changed and we have been able to rotate them in a good way.
There are Takahiro KO and Riki HARAKAWA as defensive midfielders, and I don't think there will be another opportunity to play with such good players in the same team, so I have to absorb everything I can with the mindset of a young player. All three of us are different types of players, but Takahiro KO is good at reading interceptions and always showing his face, while Riki HARAKAWA is good at accuracy in kicking and attacking, so I want to absorb and improve while playing on the same team. We are in a series of games, but I hope we can all do our best together.
<Keita ENDO player>
Q, this was my first game appearance in 5 matches.
I was on the bench since the previous match against Shonan Bellmare, and I wanted to play in today's game as much as possible. I think I have to make up for it with my own results in order to have more opportunities to play in future matches.
Q, please reflect on the entire game even though you came on as a substitute.
It was a goal conceded by being caught off guard, and I was disappointed to lose because of that goal, but it was also a point of reflection that we were not able to create dangerous scenes in our attack. I think that's just how soccer is, where one chance can determine the outcome. In the match against Shonan, we were able to win in that way. This time, it ended up being the opposite.
Q, did you feel like the right side was congested? How were you trying to break through?
A, every time I received the ball, I was under pressure from about two opposing defenders. So, I was playing while thinking about how to break through. There were few scenes where I was involved with the ball, and I want to look back and reflect on what caused this.
Q, How do you want to utilize your strengths?
A, it depends on the situation, but I believe that I can make the right play at that time depending on the members who are playing. If it is a scene where I should take on one-on-one, I can also take on the challenge, and if it is more effective to use my teammates, I think I can work together to break down the opponent. I think that being able to adapt to such an environment is a strength. In order to make use of that strength, I want to be conscious of preparing myself to be able to receive the ball freely first.
Q, What kind of preparation do you think will be necessary for the next match against Kashiwa Reysol?
A, It is important to have a rebound mentality. Among the members who will play in next week's match, there may be players who started on the bench today, and there may also be players who are not on the bench. The strength of these players will be needed, and we want to make sure that these players can bring energy to the team. We hope to have a good preparation for the match through training.
