Match Review
This is a match for the second three consecutive wins of the season.
The match against Avispa Fukuoka in Sec. 21 of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League will be a home game at Ajinomoto Stadium following a midweek match. The team is currently on a streak of two consecutive matches without conceding a goal for the first time this season. They have been accumulating victories by creating rhythm in defense and scoring a crucial single goal to win.
In the previous match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, we marked a magnificent victory at Ajinomoto Stadium, where we had only one win in the first half of the season. We kicked off the second half of the season at home. This match, which will also take place at Ajinomoto Stadium, aims to bring joy alongside the large crowd filling the stadium and to gain momentum for the future.
Tokyo has appointed Taishi Brandon NOZAWA as the goalkeeper. The final line consists of four players: Hotaka NAKAMURA, Masato MORISHIGE, Tetsuhei OKA, and Yuto NAGATOMO. The defensive midfielders are Kei KOIZUMI and Riki HARAKAWA. Kuryu MATSUKI is positioned as the attacking midfielder. In the forward line, Soma ANZAI is on the left, having scored a dramatic winning goal in the previous match, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA is on the right, while Diego Oliveira has made a starting lineup return after three matches.
1st HALF - Ajinomoto Stadium consecutive wins, kick-off for the third consecutive league victory
Fukuoka created a chance with a left cross at the start, but Wellington's header on target was firmly saved by Nozawa. After that, the early stages developed into a probing exchange.
Fukuoka adopted a hybrid system close to 4-4-2 in defense and 3-4-3 in attack. Tokyo often faced situations where they were marked man-to-man or outnumbered at various positions, requiring creativity in how to create positional shifts and break through defenses.
The first chance came in the 18th minute of the first half. Koizumi made a sharp turn in midfield and passed forward, where Matsuki made a vertical through ball. With the play of both players, the team quickly became more aggressive, and from the ball connected by Nakagawa and Diego TABA, Matsuki took a left-footed shot from the middle. Unfortunately, it went just outside the right side of the goal, but they gradually intensified their offensive while switching to attack.
In the 33rd minute of the first half, a quick attack created a chance. Mori-shige cleared the opponent's feed with a header and connected forward, while Matsuki attempted to break through with a clever one-two with Diego TABA, but was brought down by the opponent and could not reach a decisive opportunity. From this play, a free kick was awarded near the penalty arc, directly in front of the goal, with Harakawa as the kicker. A brilliant kick like the one scored in the 2nd Round of the Emperor's Cup was expected, but the ball hit the head of the opponent in the wall and went over the bar.
Tokyo saw that a sharp counterattack by drawing the opponent in was effective. Furthermore, the full-backs moved into the center to create gaps, and they launched quick attacks while avoiding pressure with a series of one-touch passes during the build-up. Defensively, they maintained control over the passing options and showed toughness in duels, preventing dangerous situations from arising.
As in recent matches, Tokyo showed stable defense, and the question is how to break down Fukuoka, which uses the height and strength of its defense as a weapon. The first half ended scoreless, and halftime was reached.
2nd HALF - A frustrating defeat after missing a chance
Tokyo showed aggressive attacking play right from the start of the second half. Multiple players coordinated to display a powerful attack, overtaking one after another from the back. They showcased a variety of attacks, including build-up play using the goalkeeper, switching from dribbling to passing to teammates, and changing positions after advancing into space.
In the 14th minute of the second half, an accident occurred when players Morishige and Anzai collided heads during a set piece in front of the opponent's goal. After about five minutes of treatment, both players returned to the pitch, but it was a scene that caused some concern.
In the 16th minute of the second half, Takuya Nakagawa was replaced by Takuya Tawara, who was brought in as a left winger. The formation was changed to move Anzai to the right side.
However, in the 21st minute of the second half, we allowed a low cross from the right side by the opponent, and Shigemi entered the near side and changed the course with a one-touch. Nozawa reacted but was unable to make it in time. We conceded a goal for the first time in three matches, allowing Fukuoka to take the lead.
In the 27th minute of the second half, Tokyo, wanting to change the flow of the game, sent in Ryotaro ARAKI as the lone striker and Takahiro KO as a defensive midfielder. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI entrusted the two players, who could add variation to the attack, with the counterattack. Furthermore, in the 31st minute of the second half, Keita ENDO, returning from injury, replaced the injured player Anzai, and Shuhei TOKUMOTO was brought in as the left back. Changes were made on the pitch to find a winning strategy.
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 right-footed kick sharply aimed at the top right of the goal was thwarted by an excellent save from the opponent, resulting in no goal. It was a close scene, but they couldn't shake the net. In the following 44th minute of the second half, Tawara Tsukita broke through on the left side and delivered a cross. Matsuki jumped in, but the opponent quickly returned and desperately stretched out to clear the ball.
The additional time in the second half is displayed as 6 minutes. Players Takahashi and Koizumi exchanged short passes while moving forward, and player Tawara Tsukita, who received the ball on the left side, suddenly accelerated with a dribble. He cut in and brought the ball to the center of the pitch, striking with his right foot, but it went straight to the opposing goalkeeper.
Tokyo, increasing their offensive pressure, saw Matsuki deliver a sharp cross from the inner lap. Endo made a run to the far side but just missed the ball as it was slightly too high for a header. Additionally, Takahashi's sharp wedge pass and Araki's one-touch play added some variation, but they were unable to break through the Fukuoka defense until the final whistle. Their winning streak was stopped at two, resulting in a frustrating home defeat.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Masato MORISHIGE/Teppei OKA/Nagato YUTO (30 minutes into the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Kei KOIZUMI/Riki HARAKAWA (27 minutes into the second half: Hiroshi TAKAHI)
FW Diego Oliveira (27 minutes into the second half: Ryotaro ARAKI)/Soma ANZAI (30 minutes into the second half: Keita ENDO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (16 minutes into the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
―
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Masashi KAMEKAWA (substituted in 17th minute: Itsuki ODA)/DOUGLAS Glory/Masaya TASHIRO/Miyata Daiki/Yuto IWASAKI
MF Daiki MATSUOKA/Hiroyuki MAE
FW Kazuya KONO (substituted in 41st minute: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Wellington (substituted in 30th minute: Shahab Zahedi)/Ryouga SATOU (substituted in 17th minute: Masato SHIGEMI)
SUBS
GK Daiki SAKATA
DF Seiya INOUE
MF Yuji KITAJIMA
GOAL
21 minutes into the second half: Masato SHIGEMI
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please review the game.
It was a very tight match. We showed a performance that could have led us to victory. I believe the three points were within reach. However, we were unable to secure any points, which is very disappointing. The first half was as expected, but in the second half, we lost the second ball to the opponent, and there were times when they seized the rhythm. During that period, we allowed the opponent to score. Conceding a goal made the match very difficult. If we could have held on to a 0-0 score, I believe we could have scored at least one goal in the latter stages when the players made adjustments. Today, we fell short, and it is very frustrating, but we were able to show the performance that the team intends to deliver. However, we need to improve in the attacking third and in the sharpness in front of the goal.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, please review the game.
A, it wasn't all bad; I think it was just a slight difference. Everyone feels the pain of losing points due to giving a little opening. Everyone understood that this was an important match to determine whether we could break into the top ranks or not. I believe that in times like this, having the strength to win and not giving any openings is something we should all strive for, including myself.
Q: Compared to the first half, the second half became somewhat stagnant. How did you view the difference in developments between the two halves?
A, the way to defend and move the ball was something the opponent had prepared for based on the first half. Even with their preparations, we needed to play at a level that surpassed theirs, and we had to step up our game one or two more gears. We ended up giving them a slight opening, which led to this result. I believe it is important for each individual to improve the quality of their play and the overall quality at the end.
Q: The midfielders have changed their combinations, and we are able to rotate in a good way.
In the defensive midfield, we have Takahiro KO and Riki HARAKAWA, and I believe that opportunities to play alongside such great players in the same team are rare, so I need to absorb as much as I can with a young mindset. All three of us are different types of players, but Takahiro is good at reading interceptions and always showing himself, while Riki excels in kick accuracy and attacking aspects. I want to absorb these skills while playing in the same team and strive to improve together. We are entering a series of matches, but I hope we can all work hard together.
<Keita ENDO>
Q: This was your first match in five games.
A, I was on the bench for the match against Shonan Bellmare last time, and I wanted to participate in the game as much as possible today. I believe that the only way to earn more opportunities to play in future matches is to make up for it with my results.
Q: You came on as a substitute, but please reflect on the entire match.
It was a goal conceded due to a lapse in concentration, and I personally regret losing because of that goal, but I also reflect on the fact that we weren't able to create any scary scenes in our attack. I believe that in football, the outcome is decided by taking advantage of one chance. In the match against Shonan, we won in that manner. This time, it turned out the opposite.
Q: It seemed that the right side was congested, how were you trying to break through it?
A, when receiving the ball, I was pressured by about two opposing defenders every time. So, I was thinking about how to break through while playing. There were few scenes where I could get involved with the ball, and I want to reflect on what the cause of this was.
Q: How do you want to utilize your strengths?
A, it varies depending on the situation, but I believe I can deliver the right play based on the members who are on the field. If it's a situation where I should take on a one-on-one, I can do that, and if it's more effective to use my teammates, I think I can work together to break down the opponent. I believe my strength lies in being able to adapt to such environments. To make the most of that strength, I want to be conscious of preparing myself to receive the ball freely first.
Q: What kind of preparations do you think will be necessary for the next match against Kashiwa Reysol?
A rebound mentality is important. Among the members participating in next week's match, there may be players who started on the bench today, as well as players who were not on the bench. We will need the strength of those players, and I want to ensure that they can bring energy to the team. I hope we can prepare well through training leading up to the match.
