Match Review
Tokyo, which suffered a defeat in the previous match against Avispa Fukuoka, saw its winning streak come to an end. This game will be a fresh start towards a resurgence. An incident caused a 30-minute delay in the match start due to thunderstorms and heavy rain, but adjustments to the match time allowed the rain to subside and the pitch conditions to improve. The kickoff took place amidst lingering humidity.
In Tokyo, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who was selected for the U-23 Japan national team for the Paris Olympics, took the position of goalkeeper. The final line included four players from the right: Kosuke SHIRAI, Kyosei KIMOTO, Teppei OKA, and Shuhei TOKUMOTO. In the defensive midfield, Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI were positioned, with Teruhito NAKAGAWA playing just behind the forwards. The wings featured Soma ANZAI on the right and Kota TAWARA on the left, while Diego Oliveira was placed at the forefront. Additionally, Ryotaro ARAKI, a member of the U-23 Japan national team for the Paris Olympics, and captain Kuryu MATSUKI were on the bench for the match.
1st HALF—Diego allows a turnaround just 2 minutes into the match
The match suddenly comes to life. From the early stages, Tokyo connects passes and attacks. They avoid the press with angled passes using the goalkeeper. Here, Nakagawa is fouled, earning a free kick that is played out to the right side, where Shirai sends a through pass forward. Anzai then delivers a cross with his right foot just inside the goal line, and it is Diego TABA who connects in the center of the goal. With a lightning-fast strike just 2 minutes into the match, Tokyo successfully takes the lead.
The team, which had left issues with their first-half performance and momentum, showed a proactive attitude from the start and took the lead. Diego TABA, who scored against his former club, ran over to the bench. He embraced the staff and substitute members, showing a strong fist pump.
In the 5th minute of the first half, Takahashi made a mid-range shot with his left foot from a series of attacks. In the 13th minute of the second half, Tawaramizuki broke through the left side and brought the ball to the front of the goal, taking a near miss shot. Tokyo is increasing their offensive pressure.
Tokyo created consecutive chances, but conceded a goal just after in the 14th minute of the first half. Matheus SAVIO delivered a pinpoint through pass from near the penalty arc to the left side, and Diego broke through at the near post to equalize.
In the away match, Tokyo aggressively pressed forward. In the 23rd minute of the first half, player Tokumoto made a big switch from the left side to the right. Player Diego TABA broke through diagonally, regained possession after a brief loss, and earned a corner kick. After that, they continued to earn corner kicks, pushing forward in front of the opponent's goal to create a big chance. However, they were thwarted by the opponent's determined defense and could not score the go-ahead goal.
In the 29th minute of the first half, player Tawaramizuki dribbled powerfully forward from just before the halfway line. He continued to advance and, after entering the penalty area, unleashed a powerful left-footed shot. The ball grazed the crossbar and went over the goal, but he created a chance through individual skill.
However, in the 32nd minute of the first half, they lost the ball during a build-up from their own half. A lofted vertical pass from player Nozawa was intercepted by the opponent, and player Takamine quickly shot with his left foot from the trap. They were caught off guard as the goal was left open, allowing an unexpected go-ahead goal.
Kashiwa waits for a chance with a counterattack against Tokyo, who actively pushes forward. They scored the opening goal early on and continued to create chances but couldn't convert, while increasingly suffering from Kashiwa's quick attacks. Tokyo also showed resilient defense, and just before the end of the first half, Nozawa stopped a close-range shot from the opponent's corner kick. The first half ended 1-2, with a one-goal deficit at halftime.
2nd HALF— Tetsu's first professional goal is immediately followed by a comeback
First, Tokyo wants to equalize. They show a proactive attitude in the second half, pressing towards the Kashiwa goal. In the 3rd minute of the second half, they pushed into the opponent's territory, and player Kimoto was fouled near the penalty arc, earning a free kick opportunity. From a good position directly in front of the goal, player Tokumoto aimed with his strong left foot, but the ball unfortunately went just over the bar. In the 12th minute of the second half, from Tokumoto's left corner kick, player Shirai aimed with his left foot at the loose ball, but he also couldn't hit the target.
Tokyo continues to push forward, winning the ball in high positions, with Kō creating chances through one-touch connections and vertical passes that change the rhythm.
In the 20th minute of the second half, three substitutions were made at once. Araki was placed as the lone striker, Matsuki was positioned as the attacking midfielder, and Keita ENDO was brought in as the left winger to increase the attacking pressure.
The defense holds strong. In the 26th minute of the second half, the right side was breached and a shot was aimed at the near side, but this was saved by player Nozawa with a diving save. With a determined stop to prevent any further goals, they continue their desperate defense to bring the momentum back to Tokyo.
In the 30th minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO was sent in as a right back, and in the 33rd minute, he received a loose ball from a right corner kick, controlling it with his chest before shooting with his left foot. He continuously encouraged his teammates, aiming to energize the pitch with both words and play. Furthermore, in the 38th minute of the second half, he made an inner lap to appear in front of the goal, connecting directly with passes alongside Araki and Matsuki, getting involved in the chances created.
Then, in the 43rd minute of the second half, from a free kick opportunity gained on the left side, Tokumoto delivered a sharply falling ball, and it was Okada who powerfully headed it in at the far side. The rookie, who has started in four consecutive matches, scored his first professional goal with a header that saved the team, bringing Tokyo back into the match. On the bench, Go HATANO and Nakagawa also raised their hands to energize the supporters behind the goal, creating an atmosphere for a comeback.
Tokyo launches an unrelenting attack during the 8 minutes of additional time. However, during a pressured period, the players lined up on the final line opened up the vital area, allowing a free floating pass, which led to a scramble in front of the goal resulting in a conceded goal. At a time when there was very little time left, they allowed a go-ahead goal.
Immediately after, a sharp left cross from player Tokumoto led to a powerful direct volley from player Anzai that hit the target, but it went straight to the opposing goalkeeper and did not shake the net. After that, they launched attacks by sending long balls to the front line, but the counterattack did not bear fruit. It resulted in a frustrating away loss and the first consecutive defeats of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI (30 minutes into the second half: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Teppei OKA/Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Hiroshi TAKAU (36 minutes into the second half: Chikara HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (20 minutes into the second half: Ryotaro ARAKI)
FW Diego Oliveira (20 minutes into the second half: Kuki MATSUKI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (20 minutes into the second half: Keita ENDO)/Soma ANZAI
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Masato MORISHIGE
GOAL
2nd minute of the first half:Diego OLIVEIRA / 41st minute of the second half:Teppei OKA
<Kashiwa Reysol>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kenta MATSUMOTO
DF Daiki SEKINE/Hiroki NODA/Taiyo KOGA/Diego (substituted in 36th minute: Eiichi KATAYAMA)
MF Eiji SHIRAI/Tomoki TAKAMINE (substituted in 36th minute: Kazuki KUMASAWA)/Yushi YAMADA (substituted in 27th minute: Takuya SHIMAMURA)
FW Mateus SAVIO (substituted in 27th minute: Sachiro TOSHIMA)/Tomoya KOYAMATSU (substituted in 15th minute: Kosuke KINOSHITA)/Mao HOSOYA
SUBS
GK Masato SASAKI
DF Naoki KAWAGUCHI
GOAL
14th minute of the first half: Diego / 32nd minute of the first half: Tomoki TAKAMINE / 45+4th minute of the second half: Sachiro TOSHIMA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q: Please summarize the match.
I think it was a very entertaining football match. The players gave their all while showcasing our performance and our style of football. However, I am very disappointed and frustrated that we did not achieve the desired result. There were parts of the match where we were able to show what we have been working on, but there are still many things we need to learn. We should continue to improve on those aspects, and we are a special team that can still grow. I am proud that the players fought fiercely and gave everything in their pursuit of results. However, we still need to eliminate the simple mistakes that lead to goals against us. Because of those simple mistakes, we faced a tough battle, as if we had to climb a great mountain. I truly appreciate all the fans and supporters who came out to cheer us on and push us forward. I hope they will continue to support us without giving up.
Q: I believe that we are able to reach the opponent's goal by utilizing the characteristics of our forwards, but what are your thoughts on the final accuracy aspect?
The finishing part is an area where we still need to improve. We are able to enter dangerous areas for the opponent and into the penalty area, which reflects the football we have been creating. Today, we were able to show that our football is growing in that aspect. However, there are still many things we need to learn and improve. I believe today was one of the matches where we could earn points on our own. We need to feel, grow, and learn.
[Player Interview]
＜Teppei OKA＞
Q, this was your first professional goal. Please review the scoring scene.
It was a situation where we had no choice but to catch up, and I was able to make eye contact with Ryotaro ARAKI, take a good position, get free, and enter the goal area at the right timing, so that was good. A good ball came from Shuhei TOKUMOTO, so I just had to connect with it.
Q: We had the ball for a long time, but we continued to struggle to attack effectively.
A, it would have been better if I could have attacked more effectively while coordinating with the midfield players to speed up the play. It was difficult to make an effective pass directly because the opposing defenders were on high alert, but I was conscious of relieving the pressure by quickly utilizing the holding midfielder to facilitate the play.
Q: How did you respond to attacks from the opponent's side?
A, there were many attacks from the sides, and in the previous match against Avispa Fukuoka, I was caught off guard, so I was particularly aware of my preparations and the coordination with Kei KOIZUMI, who is one line ahead. However, there were several instances where the ball was played negatively, and the defensive midfielder was late to apply pressure, so I think I needed to push the defensive midfielder forward in those situations. There were several scenes where I was hit with a middle shot, so I believe we need to improve on that.
Q: You have been continuing to play as a starter.
I am aware of growing with each match. I believe that repeating the same mistakes is the worst thing to do. As a player in my first year as a professional, I think there is only room for improvement, so I believe it is important to correct mistakes, absorb good things, and grow. I have not yet achieved results, so I want to increase my contributions to the team.
Q: From here, there will be matches against JEF United Chiba in the Emperor's Cup in three days, followed by a match against Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium. How will you approach these games?
A, we absolutely cannot have three consecutive losses, so first and foremost, we want to pursue our style of football and make good preparations to ensure victory in the Emperor's Cup.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q: It was a frustrating defeat despite having the ball for a long time. Please reflect on the entire match.
A, we were able to move the ball fluidly while observing the opponent's spaces and our teammates' movements, focusing on the defensive midfielder. However, as a team, we want to improve the accuracy of our final shots and increase the number of chances created.
Q: We were progressing well in the match, but we conceded goals in quick succession.
We conceded an easy goal that could have been prevented. Although there were no players who were careless during the goal scene, I would like to take this as a good lesson and connect it to the next match.
Q: After overcoming a difficult period, Teppei OKA scored his first professional goal from an assist by Shuhei TOKUMOTO.
We were in a situation where we allowed the opponent to lead 1-2, but we were able to maintain possession of the ball and were looking for chances by repeatedly moving the ball in and out, mainly through our defensive midfielders. The assist came from a free kick, and I was able to take it confidently. After equalizing, we had a chance to score a third goal, but it turned into a frustrating situation as the opponent had a higher finishing ability.
Q, it was reminiscent of the free kick that assisted Soma ANZAI's goal in the match against Júbilo Iwata.
Before kicking with Riki HARAKAWA, I mentioned that I wanted to at least get over the opponent player on the near side. Thanks to that advice, I was able to kick a good ball. I also had a good feeling when I assisted Anzai's goal in the match against Iwata, so I was able to aim confidently. The cheers from the fans and supporters behind the goal also motivated me, and I was filled with the desire to meet their expectations. I am also grateful to Oka for finishing it off with a great header.
Q: Next weekend, there is also a match against Albirex Niigata at the Japan National Stadium.
A, I think this result is a matter of mindset, and how we switch gears is important. I want to communicate among the players, centered around the three captains, and make the necessary adjustments. In the Emperor's Cup 3rd Round on Wednesday, I want to create a good flow so that we can secure a solid victory against JEF United Chiba at our National stadium.
