Match Review
Overcoming numerous hardships to reach the goal and strive for victory. This is truly a moment to show the team's pride.
In the away match against Hiroshima for Sec. 29 of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, the team faced the direct impact of Typhoon No. 10. The players moved their travel plans up by one day and headed to Hiroshima on Thursday, but the Tōkaidō Shinkansen was stopped along the way. They were stranded for over seven hours in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture and finally moved to their accommodation in the same prefecture just as the date changed. However, the next day, due to road closures from the typhoon and heavy rain, as well as severe traffic jams on general roads, it was difficult to head west. Therefore, in the afternoon, they moved to Tokyo by bus. Today, on the morning of the match day, they took a flight to Yamaguchi Ube Airport and then took a bus for about three hours, finally arriving in Hiroshima city about six hours before kickoff.
The opponent is Sanfrecce Hiroshima, currently on a six-match winning streak and just two points behind the league leaders. Tokyo is in a tough situation with no goals scored in four matches since the break, resulting in two draws and two losses, but we want to respond to the passionate support of the fans who have come all the way here and those who are sending their thoughts through the DAZN broadcast. Although we were unable to conduct the scheduled practice the day before at the venue, which presents some challenges in terms of conditioning, the team is prepared to fight and seize the opportunity to rise again.
The starting eleven in blue and red, eager to fight as one in the upcoming game, features Taishi Brandon NOZAWA as the goalkeeper. The final line consists of Hotaka NAKAMURA, Kanta DOI, Masato MORISHIGE, and Kosuke SHIRAI from right to left. Morishige has returned from a concussion substitution in the match against Verdy two games ago. At the base of the midfield are Hiroshi TAKAU and Kei KOIZUMI. Ewerton Gaudino, making his first start in blue and red, takes the right wing, while Teruhito NAKAGAWA is positioned on the left wing. In the center, Ryotaro ARAKI and Diego Oliveira are lined up in a vertical formation.
Additionally, Yuto NAGATOMO, who was selected for the Japan national team, and Henrique TREVISAN, who had been sidelined due to injury, are also included in the squad. Considering the burden of travel on their condition, both Teppei OKA and Tsuyoshi KODAMA joined the team and participated in practice, truly coming together as one to aim for victory as they approached kickoff.
1st HALF - Early opportunities lost with 2 goals conceded
The first big chance was created by Tokyo. In the 2nd minute of the first half, Ewerton seized the opportunity when the opponent's build-up went awry, applying pressure and winning the ball in the center. Diego then took a left-footed shot from the left side. This was caught by the opposing goalkeeper, but it created an immediately close scene. After that, they continued to apply coordinated pressure from the start, connecting the ball to Diego at the front line and looking for attacking options.
However, it was in the 5th minute of the first half when they were gradually trying to push forward. They allowed a header shot from a cross on the left side by the opponent at the far side. They managed to deflect it, but the loose ball was quickly picked up by Hiroshima in the penalty area, and Toru Gai Arslan calmly kicked it in, scoring the opening goal early in the match.
Tokyo wants to gain momentum. Diego TABA and Koizumi showed a fierce press back in coordination, leading the team from the back. In the 20th minute, Nozawa caught a header that was perfectly timed from the opponent's corner kick. He continues to strive to rebuild from defense.
However, as the match continued with struggles against the opponent's quick predictions and movements, in the 32nd minute of the first half, we were pushed into the penalty area and once again conceded a goal from a rebound by player Turgay Arslan. We found ourselves with a two-goal deficit.
In the 35th minute of the first half, Matsuki suffered an injury to his right ankle due to a contact play with an opponent. There were concerns about his condition, but fortunately, it was not serious, and he was able to return to the pitch somehow.
That Araki creates a good opportunity with his skilled technique. In the 42nd minute of the first half, he advanced from the left side, received the ball in the center, and turned while evading the opponent's pressure. Ewerton, who received this pass, took a powerful left-footed shot from outside the penalty area. Although it was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, it was a strong shot that showed its threat, making it difficult for the opponent to catch.
Tokyo gradually intensified their attacks, but they were unable to shake the goal net in the first half. After two minutes of added time, they reached halftime with a score of 0-2.
2nd HALF - Koshikawa's goal and Teru's dynamic play led to a fierce counterattack, but it fell just short.
In the second half, without making any substitutions, the team looked for solutions by passing vertically around Takahashi and Diego TABA from the start, engaging in intense pressing in midfield, and showing a focused approach with Nakagawa's sliding cut in the penalty area.
This attitude draws the flow to Tokyo. In the 9th minute of the second half, Ewerton made a sharp attack from the left side and created a chance with his left foot. In the 11th minute, Matsuki aimed with his right foot. Two minutes later, during Ewerton's left corner kick, Morishige headed the ball. Nakagawa tried to change the course right in front of the opposing goalkeeper, but the ball just went slightly over the frame.
It seemed like the game had completely turned to Tokyo's pace, but unexpectedly, they conceded a third goal here. Right after creating a big chance, they allowed Hiroshima to enter the penalty area, and a play that collided with the opponent resulted in a foul, awarding a penalty kick. Turgay Arslan scored the kick, completing his hat trick.
Tokyo, chasing a three-goal deficit, made a move immediately after conceding a goal. Araki and Ewerton were substituted for Keita ENDO on the right wing and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left wing in an attempt to counterattack.
Furthermore, in the 18th minute of the second half, Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA and Keigo HIGASHI were brought in as defensive midfielders to revitalize the pitch, replacing Takashi and Diego TABA.
Then, in the 34th minute of the second half, a long-awaited goal was scored by the blue-red army, who couldn't let the match end like this. Player Tawara received a throw from goalkeeper Nozawa and broke through the left side with a high-speed dribble from his own half. He powerfully advanced to the penalty area and softly crossed it to the center, where player Kogashi ran in. With a powerful shot while sliding in, he shook the net and started the counterattack with a goal after five matches.
With this strike, the players' movements become significantly lighter. The pressure towards the front intensifies, leading to a period of play in the opponent's territory. Despite the physical strain on both the substitutes and the starting players, they excel in predicting second balls and making quick starts, restricting the opponent's freedom. Following this, there are long through passes from player Higashi with a floating ball, and shots from player Tawaramizuki showing cut-ins from the left side, resulting in a game completely in Tokyo's pace.
And it was just after entering the 6 minutes of added time in the second half. A corner kick from the right. Player Nakagawa took advantage of the opponent's gap and received the ball from a quick short corner, driving along the goal line towards the goal, resulting in a sharp shot that induced an own goal from the opponent. It was a determined counterattack, closing the gap to just one point.
Tokyo continues its powerful offensive. Player Nozawa also supports the team with a big save, stopping a one-on-one against the opponent.
However, the match ends here. The away game against Hiroshima, which was faced under the harsh travel conditions due to Typhoon No. 10, resulted in a 2-3 defeat. However, including the lively performance of the substitutes, we were able to show our determination.
The players' expressions revealed their thirst for victory and the frustration of not reaching it. Some players had red eyes.
After the match, the goal stand continued with the chant "We're always with you. If you believe in yourself, victory will come" followed by a grand chorus of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
The league will enter a break due to the International Match Week, but with this feeling in our hearts, the club must unite and move forward, aiming for victory against Nagoya Grampus at the Japan National Stadium. The games fought to overcome adversity will surely become a catalyst for something.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Kanta DOI/Masato MORISHIGE/Kosuke SHIRAI
MF Takuto UHIRO (26th minute: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kei KOIZUMI/Ryotaro ARAKI (19th minute: Keita ENDO)
FW Diego Oliveira (26th minute: Go OBAKASHI)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Ewerton Gaudino (19th minute: Kota TAWARAZUMI)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
GOAL
34th minute of the second half: Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA / 45th + 1 minute of the second half: Own Goal
<Sanfrecce Hiroshima>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Keisuke OSAKO
DF Shuto NAKANO/Hayato ARAKI/Sho SASAKI
MF Naoto ARAI (22nd minute of the second half: Sota KOSHIMICHI)/Turgay ARSLAN (22nd minute of the second half: DOUGLAS VIEIRA)/Hayate KAWABE (11th minute of the second half: Tsukasa SHIOTANI)/Toshiki HIGASHI
FW Taishi MATSUMOTO/Makoto MITSUDA (22nd minute of the second half: Yotaro NAKAJIMA)/Mutsuki KATO
SUBS
GK Goro KAWANAMI
DF Osamu Henry IYOHA
MF Yusuke CHAJIMA
GOAL
5th minute of the first half: Turgay Arslan / 32nd minute of the first half: Turgay Arslan / 18th minute of the second half: Turgay Arslan
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q, please review the game.
First of all, I am proud of the players who gave their all to perform and win. For us, it was a significant challenge to have to travel on the day of the match. We fell just short of overcoming this challenge. I believe there were key moments in the match where we showed the quality to move towards the team we want to be. Sanfrecce Hiroshima capitalized on good opportunities and scored when it mattered. I believe goals change games, and Hiroshima scored those goals. We must create those moments ourselves without giving them to our opponents.
We fought strongly until the end of the match and were able to score good goals ourselves. We were also able to create the flow in the final stages while playing our football. Of course, we feel regret about the result. However, I am proud of the players' dedication and efforts. I would like to thank all the fans and supporters who came all the way here to support the team until the end. I believe there are those who wanted to come but couldn't, and those who tried to come but gave up. I am grateful to everyone who supports the team. Today's match was a battle that required a lot of travel to get here. That was a big challenge. However, I am very proud of the fight the players showed today. We just fell a little short of the result.
Q: After traveling for two full days and arriving on the day of the match, the team showed their determination in the end. What did you say to the players?
A, I really feel proud of the dedicated fight today, which I talked about after the match. It took us three days to get to this match. We left earlier than usual, but we got held up along the way. As I mentioned earlier, there were various challenges, and it was a significant challenge. The best part was the fight at the end of the match. They fought dedicatedly for our football. With a strong belief, we were able to seize the momentum and score a goal.
(Seeing the players regretting after the match) There is regret because we did not achieve the result. What is important for us is to thoroughly analyze our performance. I believe we were able to show how we can compete against a team at the top of the league and what kind of team we want to become. It was also a tough lesson where we learned the areas we need to improve.
[Player Interview]
<Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA>
Q: It was a determined goal that changed the flow of the game.
A, I was able to enter the pitch calmly as usual. We were in a situation where we were trailing 0-3 and had to score one goal at a time, but I believe my goal led to the second goal and created a good atmosphere. It was good that the team was able to score two goals, but we came to Hiroshima to win, and I wanted to at least secure a 3-3 draw. No one is satisfied with today's result or performance, and many issues have arisen.
Q: This game took place amidst many irregularities, such as travel to Hiroshima.
A, since we are playing a match, we came to win, and I believe that as a professional football player, there are no excuses on the pitch. Today was also a match we had to win, and I think our abilities were reflected in the results.
Q: Do you think that today's goal will lead to the next one for you, Kobayashi?
A good ball came from Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, and I thought I could get into a good rhythm by scoring myself. I hadn't been able to score in recent matches, so it was good for the team to score one or two goals, but I want to contribute to the team with goals that lead to points.
<Hotaka NAKAMURA>
Q, it was a difficult situation during the match. Please review the game.
A, no matter what happens, if we have to play the match, as professionals, we have no choice but to do it. The fact that we lost is true, so I have no excuses at all. I am truly filled with feelings of regret towards the fans and supporters who came to cheer for us.
Q: It was a situation where we allowed a 3-point lead, but in the end, there was an attack that showed our determination.
In a situation where we had no choice but to do our best, the substitutes came in and we gained momentum. Keigo HIGASHI communicated really well, which allowed us to hold the ball more. From there, we were able to challenge vertically, and I believe that creating good phases led to our hard-earned goals. After a long period without scoring, being able to score two goals in today's match may not mean we've fully taken a step forward, but I definitely think it will lead to our next success.
Q: It seems that you have been able to play boldly in the last few matches.
Although it's not like me, I was in a mentally difficult situation for a while, but with the support of various people, I was able to take a small step forward emotionally. I believe I can only express myself now, so I think I will just keep going.
