＜Match Review＞
Away at Kobe, the 34th round of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League was welcomed. The match after the international match week is a battle against Vissel Kobe, who is currently in second place with a one-point difference from Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who is in first place with a club record of 6 consecutive league wins.
Tokyo's winning streak ended at three games with a draw against Sagan Tosu in the previous round, but their strength of transitioning from good defense to good offense is still evident and the team's condition is by no means bad. They will want to showcase their abilities against Kobe here.
The starting members have changed the lineup of the final line. In response to Yasuki KIMOTO's suspension, Teppei OKA, who was playing as a left back, was used as a center back. Yuto NAGATOMO was moved to left back and Hotaka NAKAMURA was placed as right back.
In addition, an accident occurred during the pre-game warm-up for Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who was originally listed as a starter. As a result, Renta HIGASHI was substituted in as the left wing, and Keita ENDO was added to the substitute members for the first time this season.
1stHALF - Keita Kyo's goal from a scramble appearance leads to success
Both teams have been fiercely competing for the ball since the beginning of the game, with intense moments standing out. While Kobe is pushing forward with high press and long balls, Tokyo is able to keep up with them by pressing from the front line.
Against Kobe, who attacks with power through long balls and side attacks, Tokyo responds with pressing from the front line and accurate blocking. Even after winning the ball, they avoid the opponent's press with calm passing and try to pull the flow firmly towards them.
Kobe was the first to create a big chance. In the 15th minute of the first half, Mutoh competed for a long feed from the left side to the opposite side with a header, and Ohsako received a powerful shot behind the final line, but Taishi Brandon Nozawa saved it with a sharp reaction. In the following 16 minutes, Taishi Nozawa also deflected Miyashiro's left-footed shot with a sideways dive, highlighting the team's solid defense.
From good defense to good offense──. It was in the 24th minute of the first half when the efforts of the blue and red eleven, who have continued to work towards achieving results, paid off.
As both central midfielders drifted to the left side and exchanged passes, they searched for a switch in attack. At the touchline, Keigo HIGASHI supplied a soft lofted pass into the penalty area. Ryotaro ARAKI then twisted his body to control the ball with his chest, and Ryota HIRONAGA made a clever left-footed outstep to redirect the ball into the opposite side of the net, giving the team the lead. Wearing the number 22 jersey, Ryotaro HIRAMATSU, who was suddenly called onto the pitch, scored a brilliant first-time shot from a direct play, successfully taking the lead for Tokyo.
Ball possession has been given to the opponent, but they have been able to demonstrate their strengths in both pressing from the front line and responding to long balls in defense. They are also able to pick up second balls, but due to the distance between players, it is difficult to connect passes after winning possession, resulting in a back-and-forth situation on the pitch.
In the 8th minute of additional time, a long counter attack was launched from the opponent's long throw, and Takahiro KO's lift up was followed by a precise ball supplied by right side player ARAKI with an early cross. Soma ANZAI made a sharp dive, but unfortunately his right-footed shot narrowly missed the goal on the right side.
Both teams continued to play with high intensity in various areas in the first half, with Tokyo showing their defensive strength and attacking the goal sharply. They were able to convert one chance into a goal and took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
2ndHALF - Additional point with Anzai's goal to make up for missed opportunities in the end of the first half
Kobe made a substitution, replacing Matsuki with Taki at the start of the second half. Tokyo entered the second half with the same lineup as the first half.
In the second half, Matsuki's elegant play dances on the pitch. In the 7th minute of the second half, while carrying an opponent player on his back in the penalty area, Erik turns and shoots a looping shot. The opponent goalkeeper barely manages to deflect it, but the blue and red commander's outstanding spatial awareness creates a scoring opportunity in an almost impossible position.
Taro, in blue and red, showed off his signature right foot kick. This will once again bring a moment of joy to Tokyo.
In the 9th minute of the second half, Matsuki accurately kicked the ball with his right foot from a set play on the right side, sending it to the front of the goal. Anzai, who ran in from the far side, headed the ball perfectly between the opponent defender and goalkeeper, scoring a goal. Tokyo extended their lead to 2 points in the early stages of the second half.
In the 14th minute of the second half, Diego OLIVEIRA, who had been showing strong post-play on the front line, was replaced by Ewerton GAUDINO, who was sent onto the pitch as the lone striker.
Unexpected accident for the goalkeeper here. In the 17th minute of the second half, he injured his left foot while catching the opponent's cross. Although he returned to the game, the pain recurred in the next play. He had to leave the pitch on a stretcher and was replaced by Go HATANO who came on as a substitute.
Tokyo, who unexpectedly used a substitution opportunity, made three changes at once in the 27th minute of the second half. Keigo HIGASHI, Endo, and Araki were replaced by Kanta DOI in the defensive midfield, Leon NOZAWA on the left wing, and Keita YAMASHITA as a forward. They changed their system to a two-top formation and shifted to a more aggressive pressing style in search of an additional goal.
Tokyo, showing great concentration in defense. In the 34th minute of the second half, Go Hatano makes consecutive super saves to save the team. He jumps out from the back and deflects Sho Sakai's shot with his left fingertips, then stops a difficult ball aimed at his feet by Takashi Muto with an amazing reaction. Despite the sudden opportunity to play, the blue and red mood maker brings momentum to the team with his play.
Kobe, who pushes in with a power play by sending in tall players. However, Tokyo also approaches the source of long kicks firmly, competes fiercely at the drop point of the ball, and does not give the opponent any freedom by recovering the second ball. They continue to show a defensive effort in the penalty area until the end.
After 9 minutes of additional time, Tokyo continues to withstand Kobe's relentless attacks on goal, as they throw the ball in from the side and back.
The players' white 2nd uniforms are stained with the colors of the grass and soil. It proved how much they had fought with their bodies.
Overcoming accidents and defending until the end with everyone, we defeated Kobe, who is on a 6-game winning streak in the league and undefeated in 12 official matches. We achieved a brilliant victory against our opponents who are competing for the championship with a solid defense, making it our 5th consecutive undefeated match in the league. The triumphant song "Sleepless City" echoed throughout Noevir Stadium and we showed our blue and red pride on away ground.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA (21st minute of the second half: Go HATANO)
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Masato MORISHIGE/Tetsuhiro OKA/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Takuya KOU/Keigo HIGASHI (27th minute of the second half: Kanta DOI)/Ryotaro ARAKI (27th minute of the second half: Keita YAMASHITA)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA (14th minute of the second half: Ewerton GAUDINO)/Keita ENDO (27th minute of the second half: Leon NOZAWA)/Soma ANZAI
SUBS
DF Renta HIGASHI
MF Riki HARAKAWA
GOAL
First Half 24th Minute: Keita ENDO / Second Half 10th Minute: Soma ANZAI
Vissel Kobe
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Takashi SHIBATA/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA (35th minute: Ryuho KIKUCHI)/Mateus TUREL/ Ryo HATSUSE (27th minute: Yuki HONDA)
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Yoshinori MUTO/Yosuke IDEGUCHI (27th minute: Rikuto HIROSE)/Daiju SASAKI (0th minute: Koya YURUKI)
FW Taisei MIYASHIRO (17th minute: Patric GOMES)/Yuya OSACO
SUBS
GK Shota ARAI
MF Yuya KUWASAKI
GOAL
―
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, please give us an overview of the match.
It was a battle as expected. We have respect for the opponent as the defending champion team and we knew they had players with high individual abilities. Moreover, they had not lost in their recent 12 matches, so we knew it would be a tough game. In the midst of that, we were able to show a strong team performance, bring out our wonderful individuality, and have a fight worthy of 3 points. Vissel Kobe's attack was direct and threatening to the goal, with long balls coming in and competing in the air to enter the box. So, I think we were able to execute our rules for dealing with long balls and defending in the box firmly.
Winning gives us a great opportunity to learn more about our style of play. During the game, there were areas where we could have improved our attack, so we want to work on those and continue to grow. We were able to create chances by using the spaces we aimed for, but if we had been calmer and controlled the ball better when we had possession, we could have used those spaces even more effectively. If we had done that, we might have been able to score more goals.
However, I am truly proud of the players and I think they fought well. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA unfortunately got injured during warm-up, but I think it showed that any player who came on could play well. Keita ENDO made an impact and scored a fantastic goal. Although he didn't have many chances to touch the ball, goalkeeper Go HATANO, who came on in the middle of the game, also contributed to keeping a clean sheet. These are the results of everyone's hard work in the clubhouse. They are preparing well for moments like this.
I am very happy to have been able to deliver 3 points to the fans and supporters who came from far away today, and to share the joy with them. I am also glad to have been able to bring smiles to their faces.
Q: Did the meticulous defensive training after last week's conceded goal pay off?
A, I think we were able to fight very well as a team in defensive situations. We were able to do the parts that we had to do sharply and the parts that we had to do stronger. We want to be able to show our strengths every time we play against any club. In today's match, we were able to keep a clean sheet against the defending champions Kobe, thanks to the players' daily efforts and disciplined team performance.
Looking back at the performance by analyzing the game, I think we could have created more threatening opportunities for the opponent's goal when we had possession of the ball in attacking scenes. As a team, we need to continue to do so. I am truly proud of the players' mentality and their fighting spirit and unity as a team. It is very positive that we can learn and improve from our victories.
[Player Interview]
＜Keita ENDO Player＞
Q, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was suddenly called to play due to an injury to the player.
A, I have never experienced anything like this in my football career so far, but the coach told me to "just do what you always do" and "show me your mentality". I think I was able to demonstrate that with one result.
Q, it was a victory that will lead to the next game.
A, I think we played very good football as a team, and it was a tough opponent, but we were able to tough it out and defend well, and it was good to win. It was also a game that will lead to the next one as an individual.
Q, Ryotaro ARAKI passed the ball into the corner of the goal. Please review the scoring scene.
A, when Keigo HIGASHI had the ball in that position, I thought he would give me a pass with a good idea. There was Matsuki ahead of the pass, and I took my position, thinking that he would receive it properly. I trusted Keigo HIGASHI and Matsuki and waited. I'm glad the shot flew to a good place.
We were able to give a wonderful birthday present of 3 points to coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, whose birthday was on October 16th.
A, it's not just my achievement. It was great that we were able to win as a team. I think it was a good birthday present.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q, please review the game and scoring scenes.
A, personally, I had a period where I couldn't score, and in the first half, there was a good ball from Ryotaro ARAKI, but I missed the chance. Still, that position is where I've been aiming for a year, and I think the result of continuing to aim for it was that goal. I was able to score at a good timing as well.
Q, we continued to work hard without losing our pace until the end.
A, I was the only one who changed the members among the team that had won three consecutive games in the previous round, and I felt responsible for not being able to win that game. I prepared to play this game with strong determination and was able to play with all my heart until the end.
Q, the defense worked well at the start of the game, but was it difficult to connect to the attack?
A, Although it was a difficult and long time, if we can defend together and withstand without conceding, we can gain momentum by scoring one point. It was an important thing to be able to withstand the difficult time without conceding throughout the 90 minutes in order to fight and win. Although we were pushed back a little in the beginning of the game, it was a big achievement for the team to be able to withstand it.
Q, How do you plan to build on the result of keeping a clean sheet against the offensively strong Vissel Kobe in the next game?
A, we want to fight without changing what we do. Next is at home, and we haven't been able to win at Ajinomoto Stadium, so I think there will be some changes in how we fight against Shonan Bellmare, but if we continue to do our base against any opponent, I think we can fight firmly. We want to fight firmly by showing our own style without being confused by the opponent's soccer.
<Hotaka NAKAMURA>
Q, I think the start of the game was really good, but what kind of communication did you have on the defensive line?
A, We shared the opponent's strengths in meetings and such. It's important to know how to stop what the opponent wants to do, and in the end, it comes down to not losing in the ball battle. Today, we communicated well and both teams were able to do well. As a result, I think we were able to continue to eliminate the opponent's strengths. We were able to fight until the end today, and I think that's what led to our victory. As a defender, it was a game where I was able to do what I wanted to do. It was good to finish the game with a clean sheet, so I want to win the next game with a clean sheet as well.
Q, in the end we were under pressure for a long time, but we managed to hold on.
A, we were able to fight patiently without losing concentration until the end. It is very important to control the defense line by raising and lowering it in small increments. The game result may have changed by just a few meters or centimeters if we had raised the line. We were also paying attention to the smallest details as a team, so it was good that it led to a good result.
Q, I played a full game as a starting member for the first time in a while.
A, it was about a month and a half since I played as a starter. I was prepared for it to be tough. Personally, the toughest part was getting into the flow of the game in the first half. As I started to show my strengths, I got into a rhythm. I think I was able to keep fighting until the end because I was able to show my strengths.
