Match Review
A week after securing a victory against Nagoya Grampus at the sacred Japan National Stadium, the team aimed for their first consecutive win in three months as they headed to the Saitama Stadium 2002, dyed in bright red.
There is only one change in the starting lineup since the Nagoya match. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA will guard the goal, and the center backs will be Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, who returns to the starting lineup after seven matches. The two full-backs will be Kei KOIZUMI and Teppei OKA, while the holding midfielders will continue with the combination of Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI. Up front, Diego Oliveira will be at the top, with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left and Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the right.
Accelerating the momentum from the last match where they scored a season-high 4 goals, can they achieve victory at this challenging venue for the first time in four seasons? A crucial match for a comeback in the latter part of the season kicked off, receiving loud cheers from the packed blue-red supporters in the visitor area.
1st HALF - Controlled the match and took a 2-point lead
The first half showcased nearly perfect content. The first chance was created by Urawa Reds, but Watanabe's shot inside the area went wide. Shortly after, in the 8th minute of the first half, Tokyo approached the goal. Taba's cross from the left side was deflected by Diego at the near side, and Nakagawa shot from the far side. Although it went straight to the goalkeeper, it created a chance from the intended play.
Then, in the 9th minute of the first half, they took the lead. Tawara Tsukita received a cross from Higashi and chose to cut in, delivering an inswinging cross with his right foot. This induced a clearance mistake from the opposing defender, resulting in an own goal that went straight into the net. Furthermore, in the 17th minute of the first half, Araki calmly converted a penalty kick awarded due to a handball by the opponent during a corner kick sequence, giving them a two-goal lead.
Looking at the overall flow of the game, there was a good contrast between scenes where the ball was moved slowly and scenes where they quickly launched counterattacks. They created several opportunities to score a third goal, but during the five minutes of added time, they were pushed back by Urawa. However, they managed to maintain a clean sheet by forming a solid block as a team and went into halftime without conceding.
2nd HALF - Recovered the second ball, dominated the match, and achieved a shutout victory
Tokyo, with a 2-point lead, proceeds with the game calmly. They maintain possession of the ball without rushing their attacks. At the final line, player Taishi Nozawa actively participates in the build-up, creating numerical advantages to overcome Urawa's pressure, and when they see an opportunity, they show their intent to go for a third goal.
However, Urawa, who cannot afford to lose at home, pushed forward more than in the first half, which inevitably created some periods of pressure. However, Tokyo remained calm in their response. There were not many scenes leading to shots, and in the 16th minute of the second half, a rare crisis was averted when player Oka made a tremendous shot block to keep the goal safe. From that point on, players known for their hard work, such as Yuto NAGATOMO and Soma ANZAI, were sent in to close out the game.
In the 4 minutes of added time, Daishi Nozawa fought hard. He made a careful save of a powerful shot that was on target, and without fear, he approached the ball in the chaotic situation inside the area. Tokyo, having endured well as a team, celebrated their first clean sheet victory in 8 matches, bringing their points total to 44.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Teppei OKA
MF Hiroshi TAKAUCHI/Kegoro HIGASHI (21 minutes into the second half: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Ryotaro ARAKI (31 minutes into the second half: Keita YAMASHITA)
FW Diego Oliveira (31 minutes into the second half: Soma ANZAI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (21 minutes into the second half: Keita ENDO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (45+4 minutes into the second half: Leon NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA
GOAL
9th minute of the first half: Own goal / 17th minute of the first half: Ryotaro ARAKI
<Urawa Reds>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hirokazu ISHIHARA (substituted at 0 minutes: Yusuke MATSUNO)/Rikito INOUE/Marius HOIBRAATEN/Ayumu OHATA
MF Samuel GUSTAFSON (substituted at 16 minutes: Genki HARAGUCHI)/Kaito YASUI/Tomoaki OKUBO (substituted at 16 minutes: Yoichi NAGANUMA)/Ryoma WATANABE/Takahiro SEKINE (substituted at 36 minutes: Yoshio KOIZUMI)
FW Brian LINDSEN (substituted at 27 minutes: Thiago SANTANA)
SUBS
GK Ayumi NIEKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
―
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Coach Interview]
Q: Please summarize the match.
A, we were able to deliver a strong overall performance and I believe we deserved the victory. There were times when we could effectively control the game and exploit the opponent's weaknesses in our attacks. I think there were moments when we could have scored the third goal and pulled ahead. The important thing is that we executed our strategies thoroughly, which allowed us to translate that into our performance. All the players fought with strong energy and dedication. Additionally, as a positive point, we were able to maintain a solid defense and defend strongly in coordination, which helped us keep a clean sheet. Every player made a significant contribution to today's victory, and I am proud of them. I would also like to express my gratitude to the fans and supporters who came here. Their energy and passion pushed us forward for the entire 95 minutes.
Q: Please evaluate Yasuki KIMOTO, who made his first start in a while.
A, he delivered a very good and strong performance. I believe that is because he has been well-prepared through daily training and has followed through on the finer details. There may be times when he loses his rhythm during periods when he is not playing in matches, but he was able to showcase what he always does in today's game. I think he fought strongly in every situation. And he was able to control the match well.
Q: What points did you pay attention to when the opposing team's coach was replaced?
A, Urawa Reds is a very good team, and I respect them. I think their coach is also very excellent, and as a club, they play very good football. However, what is important for us is that while we respect our opponents, we must fight without fear. In terms of defense, we were able to respond well to their attacks and effectively tighten up the middle. Even when the play was spread to the sides, we had our own principles to follow, so we were able to respond properly. Throughout the match, the players fought selflessly to deliver a very good performance. We were also able to create good opportunities in attack and effectively utilize the spaces we wanted to use. However, I think it would have been better if we could have finished one or two more chances to end the match decisively.
We want to continue our desired process while thoroughly analyzing our performance. We aim to build on the areas where we performed well and also address the improvement points that still need refinement. We want to recover properly and prepare for the next match.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryotaro ARAKI＞
Q, please review the game. It has become a consecutive win.
In both matches, we were able to play our style of football. I feel that we are winning while dominating the game.It's not just about fast attacks, but also about possessing the ball and advancing while observing the opponent, which is our current style.
Q: You took the lead early on, and there was a scene with a penalty kick for the second goal. In Tokyo, there is an image of Diego OLIVEIRA taking the kick. Can you tell us the background of why Ryotaro ARAKI took the kick?
A, there is no specific player designated to take the kick, but I was just talking with Diego TABA before the match, and since he let me take it last time, he said it would be fine if I took the next opportunity, so I took it.
Q: You were taking your time before kicking. Is there a reason for that?
A, I was organizing in my mind how to calm myself down, how to start my run-up, and how to kickand it ended up being a bit of a pause.
Q: It seems that you kicked the ball while closely watching the opponent's goalkeeper.
I try to kick while watching the opposing goalkeeper. I always simulate quite a bit, thinking about what I would do for the first kick and where it would go for the second kick, and in the end, I kicked it down the middle while watching until the last step of my run-up. It was fortunate that it was slightly to the left. I felt like I was able to catch the goalkeeper off guard with my kick.
Q: After scoring a goal for the first time since May, you also made a fist pump afterwards.
A, that's right. I was really happy to score again after a long time.
Q: What instructions did the coach give at halftime when we were leading 2-0?
In the first half, we were able to fight well both offensively and defensively,so there was a directive to increase the tempo of the build-up in the second half.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
I intend to win all the remaining matches without ending with just two consecutive victories, and first, I will do my best to achieve three consecutive wins in the upcoming match.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, please review the game.
First of all, I am happy that the team was able to win consecutive matches, and I believe we have proven our strength, so I want to ride this wave moving forward.
Q: It seemed that you were successfully breaking through vertically and engaging in tactics with your opponents.
There were moments when the cut-in route was blocked and the opponent's defense came with two players, but that opened up vertical routes, and with players like Diego OLIVEIRA inside who can connect, I attempted to break through vertically with the intention of finishing with a cross.
Q: What did you think about the scene that led to the opponent's own goal?
I tried to make a cross, but the opposing player stuck out a leg and blocked my path. Still, there were players in the box, so I thought I would try to get it in, even if it meant hitting the opponent. In the end, it went in due to a mistake by the opponent, so I think I was lucky.
Q: It seemed that there was a strong awareness of the goal, and the players' sense of distance was also good.
I think it's important to maintain this sense of distance, and I want to keep a strong awareness of the goal and win the next match as well.
<Teppei OKA>
Q: Please reflect on this match where you significantly contributed to the consecutive victories as a left back.
As a defensive player, what I need to do is finish the match without conceding any goals. I was particularly conscious of putting my body on the line to avoid conceding. When facing an opponent at the sideline, if I can push them into my zone, I believe I could prevent them from making a cross from a cut-in, and I think I was able to showcase my strengths in one-on-one situations. There were moments when I was caught out at the last part, and I was saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA. There were many points that needed correction, so I want to grow without becoming complacent.
Q: During the first half, there were many movements where Kota TAWARATSUMIDA took the outside and Teppei OKA took the inside.
To ensure that the marking on player Tawaramizuki is dispersed, I focused on running inside to engage with the ball and the attack. I believe that, to some extent, we were able to activate our strategy as discussed with player Tawaramizuki before the match.
Q: Throughout both halves, we were able to manage the game compactly.
A, Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO were controlling the ups and downs of the defensive line. By raising the final line, the central position naturally became compact, and I believe that the second ball recovery rate of Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI was also very high. The movements of each player created compactness.
Q: I believe Teppei OKA's originality is reflected in his play. Please share your enthusiasm as you aim for a third consecutive victory.
I want to differentiate myself from the other full-backs in the team by my unique plays, height, and the fear I bring when entering the goal area. I also want to further enhance my play intensity and foundation from here through slides and running.
