＜Match Review＞
After a week since the previous match against Nagoya Grampus, where we achieved our first victory in 7 games at the sacred Japan National Stadium, we now aim for our first consecutive win in 3 months as we enter the Saitama Stadium 2002, dyed in bright red.
Only one change in the starting lineup from the Nagoya game. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA will be guarding the goal, with Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO forming the center back duo for the first time in 7 games. Kei KOIZUMI and Tetsuhei OKA will be the fullbacks, while Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI will continue their partnership in midfield. Up front, Diego Oliveira will lead the attack with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left and Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the right.
Can they accelerate the momentum from last week's season-high 4 goals and achieve their first victory in 4 seasons at this difficult location? This crucial match towards a comeback in the end of the season is receiving a huge support from the blue and red supporters who have filled the visitor's area, as they kick off.
1st HALF - Leading with 2 points by controlling the game
The first half showed a near-perfect performance. The first chance was created by Urawa Reds, but the shot by Watanabe was off target in the area. In the 8th minute of the first half, Tokyo came close to scoring. Tawara Tsumita made a cross from the left side, Diego TABA collapsed on the near side, and Nakagawa made a shot on the far side. Although it flew straight to the goalkeeper, they were able to create a chance from the intended formation.
And in the 9th minute of the first half, they took the lead. Tawara Takada, who received a side change from Higashi, chose to cut in this time and put in an inswing cross with his right foot. This caused a clearance mistake from the opponent's defender, resulting in an own goal. In addition, in the 17th minute of the first half, Aoki calmly scored a penalty kick obtained from the flow of a corner kick, giving them a 2-point lead.
Looking at the overall game flow, there was a good balance between scenes where the ball was moved slowly and scenes where it was quickly countered. While there were several opportunities to score a third goal, in the 5 minutes of additional time, Urawa was pushed back, but they were able to hold on and keep a clean sheet by creating a solid block with all players.
2ndHALF - Dominated the game by recovering second balls and achieved a shutout victory
Tokyo, who has a 2-point lead, calmly progresses the game. They hold onto the ball firmly without rushing to attack. In the final line, player Taishi Nozawa actively participates in the build-up, creating a numerical advantage and overcoming Urawa's pressure. They have also shown a willingness to go for a third goal whenever they see an opportunity.
However, Urawa, who cannot afford to lose at home, came out more aggressively in the first half, which inevitably led to periods of being pushed back. However, Tokyo on this day remained calm in their response. There were not many scenes where they were brought to the brink of conceding a goal, and even the few chances they gave up in the 61st minute were saved by a determined shot block from player Okazaki. As the game went on, players such as Yuto Nagatomo and Soma Anzai, known for their hard work, were sent out to close out the game.
In the 4th additional time, player Daisuke Nozawa fights hard. He carefully saves a powerful shot that was aimed at the goal, and confidently approaches the ball in the crowded area. Tokyo, who endured firmly with the whole team, achieved their first shutout victory in 8 games and accumulated 44 points.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kei Koizumi/Masato Morishige/Yasuki Kimoto/Tetsuhiro Oka
MF Takauyo Takahashi/Keigo Higashi (21st minute of the second half: Yuto Nagatomo)/Ryotaro Araki (31st minute of the second half: Keita Yamashita)
FW Diego Oliveira (31st minute of the second half: Soma Anzai)/Kota Tawaratsumida (21st minute of the second half: Keita Endo)/Teruhito Nakagawa (45+4th minute of the second half: Leon Nozawa)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA
GOAL
9 minutes into the first half: Own goal / 17 minutes into the first half: Ryotaro ARAKI
Urawa Reds
Starting XI
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hirokazu ISHIHARA (46': Yusuke MATSUO)/Rikito INOUE/Marius HOIBRATEN/Ayumu OHATA
MF Samuel Gustafson (61': Genki HARAGUCHI)/Kaito YASUI/Tomoaki OKUBO (61': Yoichi NAGANUMA)/Ryoma WATANABE/Takahiro SEKINE (81': Yoshio KOIZUMI)
FW Brian LINSEN (27': Thiago SANTANA)
SUBS
GK Ayumi NIEKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
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[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, please give us an overview of the match.
A, We were able to give a strong performance overall and I think we were able to produce something worthy of victory. There were times when we were able to control ourselves well and take advantage of our opponent's weaknesses in attack. In that situation, I think there were also moments where we were able to take a third goal and push our opponent away. The important thing was to firmly follow our rules and connect them to our performance. All the players fought with strong energy and dedication. Also, as a positive point, we were able to have a strong defense by working together and keeping a clean sheet. All the players contributed greatly to today's victory and I am proud of them. And I would like to thank all the fans and supporters who came here. I think their energy and passion pushed us forward for the entire 95 minutes.
Q, please evaluate the performance of Yasuki KIMOTO, who made his first start in a while.
A, he gave us a very good and strong performance. I think it's because he prepared well from his daily training and worked hard on the details. There may be times when he loses his rhythm when he's not playing, but he showed us what he always does in today's game. I think he fought strongly in all aspects and was able to control the game well.
Q, What points did the opponent's coach pay attention to after the substitution?
A, Urawa Reds is a very good team and I respect them. I also think the coach is very excellent and the club plays very good football. However, the most important thing for us is to not be afraid and fight even if we respect our opponents. In terms of defense, we were able to respond well to the opponent's attacks and close the middle tightly. Even when they expanded to the sides, we were able to respond properly because we have our own rules. Throughout the game, the players fought devotedly to give a very good performance. We were also able to create good opportunities in the attack and use the spaces we wanted effectively. However, I think it would have been better if we could have scored one or two more chances and finished the game.
We want to continue our process and analyze our performance thoroughly. In doing so, we want to build upon the good parts and work on improving the areas that still need polishing. We also want to recover properly and prepare for the next game.
[Player Interview]
Ryotaro ARAKI
Q, we have achieved a consecutive victory. Please review the game.
We were able to play our own football in both games. We feel like we are winning while dominating the game.Our current style is to possess the ball while watching the opponent and advance, not just with fast attacks.
Q, we were able to take 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 Ryotaro Araki taking the kick?
A, There is no particular person who kicks, but I was talking to Diego TABA just before the game, and he said that he gave up the previous round, so if there is another opportunity, it would be good for me to kick.
Q, did you take time before kicking? Is there a reason for that?
A, I organized in my head how to calm myself down and how to enter the approach and kick.As I was simulating, it became a form of holding back a little.
Q, it seems like you kicked while keeping a close eye on the opponent's goalkeeper.
A, I try to kick while looking at the opponent's goalkeeper. I always do a lot of simulations, thinking about what to do if it's the first shot, where to go if it's the second shot, and in the end, I kicked it in the middle while looking at the last step of the run-up. It was fortunate that it was a little to the left. It felt like I kicked it in the opposite direction in my mind.
Q, After scoring for the first time in May, I also made a guts pose.
A, yes. I was happy to be able to score after a long time.
What instructions did the coach give during halftime, when the score was 2-0?
A, in the first half, we were able to play well both offensively and defensively, so we were instructed to continue increasing the tempo of our build-up in the second half.
Q, please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
We intend to win all the remaining games, not just the two consecutive wins, and we will do our best to win three consecutive games in the next game.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, please review the game.
First of all, I am happy that the team was able to win consecutive games and I think we were able to prove our strength, so I want to ride this wave from now on.
Q, it seemed like the vertical breakthrough and the back-and-forth with the opponent were going well.
There were also moments when the opponent's defense came with two players after cutting in the course, but as a result, the vertical course was open and there were players like Diego OLIVEIRA who could combine, so I tried to break through vertically with the intention of finishing with a cross.
Q: How was the scene that led to the opponent's own goal?
A, I tried to cross, but the opponent player put their foot out and the path was blocked. However, there was a player in the middle, so I thought I would try to get it in there, even if it meant hitting the opponent. In the end, it was a lucky goal due to the opponent's mistake.
Q, the players seemed to have a strong awareness towards the goal and their distance was also good.
A, I think it is important to continue this distance and have a strong awareness of scoring for myself, and I want to win the next game as well.
<Teppei OKA>
Q, please reflect on your contribution to the winning streak as a left back in this round.
As a defensive player, my job is to finish the game without conceding any goals. I was particularly conscious of putting my body on the line to prevent conceding. When facing the opponent on the sidelines, I think if I could have pushed them into my zone, I wouldn't have given them the opportunity to cross from the cut-in, and I think I was able to bring out my strengths in one-on-one situations. In the final moments, there was also a scene where I was saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA. There were many things that needed to be corrected, so I want to continue to grow without becoming complacent.
Q, there were many movements where Kota TAWARATSUMIDA took the outside and Teppei OKA took the inside during the first half attack.
A, I was conscious of running on the inside to disperse the marking on player Tawarazumida and being involved in the ball and attack. I also talked with player Tawarazumida before the game and I think we were able to activate as planned to some extent.
Q, throughout the first and second half, we were able to play the game in a compact manner.
A, led by Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, controlled the movement of the defense line. By raising the final line, the central position naturally became more compact, and the recovery rate of second balls by Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI was also very high. The movements of each player created compactness.
Q, I think Teppei OKA's originality is reflected in his play. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the third consecutive victory.
A, I want to be able to differentiate myself from other fullbacks in the team by doing plays and heights that only I can do, and by having the fearlessness to go into the goal area. And from here, I want to further improve my play intensity and base, such as sliding and running.
