＜Match Review＞
Tokyo faced their first away game at the Japan National Stadium in the 5th match of the season. In the previous match against Shonan Bellmare, they suffered a 0-2 defeat, their first loss in 6 matches and first match without scoring in 7 matches. However, they are still in a high position in the standings. They faced their rival FC Machida Zelvia, who also calls Tokyo their home, at the sacred Japan National Stadium where they have a perfect record of 4 wins this season.
The starting lineup saw several changes from the previous match. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and right back Hotaka NAKAMURA remained unchanged, while Yasuki KIMOTO and Kanta DOI formed a partnership in the center back position. In place of the suspended Yuto NAGATOMO, Tetsuhei OKA was selected as the left back. In the midfield, Keigo KOIZUMI returned to the starting lineup after 5 matches, playing alongside Keigo Higashi. Up front, Diego Oliveira led the attack with Ryotaro ARAKI playing behind him, Keita ENDO on the left, and Soma ANZAI returning from suspension on the right.
1st HALF - Starting off on the defensive, trailing by one point heading into the second half
Machida started with a 3-back formation, causing mismatches on both sides and putting them on the back foot, especially in dealing with the right side's player, Mochizuki. Furthermore, they struggled to deal with Erik, who was creating opportunities and drifting to the right side.
In the 11th minute of the first half, Erik received a diagonal feed from the left side and allowed a close shot that almost resulted in a goal. In the 15th minute of the first half, they conceded the first goal while unable to break the flow of the game. When the ball was taken away and passed to Erik near the goal, Shirozaki finished it off. They were unable to catch the opponent who jumped in from the third row.
After conceding the first goal, Tokyo finally switched on and were able to move the ball on the ground, creating chances in situations where Diego TABA was involved. In the 21st minute of the first half, Araki had a shot from a flow where the ball was passed to Diego TABA in front of the goal, and in the 27th minute of the first half, Endo threatened the goal with a powerful mid-range shot after exchanging passes with Diego TABA, even though it was a bit far from the goal.
However, there was no equalizing goal, but we were able to regain control and there were scenes where we were saved by the great save of player Taishi Nozawa even when receiving a counter. In the final moments, we defended persistently and ended the first half with a one-point deficit.
2nd HALF - Despite launching a counterattack, 2 points were lost.
In Tokyo, where it seemed like the game couldn't end like this, they conceded another goal early in the second half, just like in the previous match against Shonan Bellmare. In the 49th minute, Soma sent a cross from the left side with his right foot, and while throwing his body out on the far side, Shirasaki passed it back to Se Hun OH in front of the goal, who then pushed the ball into the net.
Being two points behind Machida is heavy, and as time passes, they are unable to create the shape of their attack as they wish. While relying on Diego TABA's keeping power, they tried to make progress, but they were unable to create the desired shape of their attack.
In the 29th minute of the second half, they finally created a decisive opportunity. Koizumi, who received a pass from Nozawa, dribbled up to the enemy's territory and passed it through to Endo, who was running up the left side. Endo took a direct shot, but Asai, who had jumped in from the opposite side, was unable to finish the shot.
After that, Takahiro KO and Ewerton were brought in, and they tried to score a goal, but they conceded a goal from a corner kick. Yasuma kicked the ball and it bounced off Takashi Nozawa, and it was sucked into the goal.
Tokyo, who suffered an unexpected 3-point loss, tried to show some determination, but in the end, no goals were scored and the 5-minute additional time passed. They went from being undefeated in 5 games to suffering consecutive losses, and their unbeaten record at the Japan National Stadium was also stopped.
MATCH DETAILS＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka Nakamura (32nd minute of the second half: Uto Takahiro)/Yasuki Kimoto/Kanta Doi (18th minute of the second half: Kosuke Shirai)/Tetsuhei Oka
MF Keigo Higashi (42nd minute of the second half: Leon NOZAWA)/Kei Koizumi/Ryotaro ARAKI (32nd minute of the second half: Ewerton Gaudino)
FW Diego Oliveira (42nd minute of the second half: Keita YAMASHITA)/Keita ENDO/Soma ANZAI
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Henrique TREVISAN
GOAL
―
＜FC Machida Zelvia＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kosei TANI
DF Henry Kai Mochizuki (18th minute of the second half: Daiki SUGIOKA)/ Chang Min Kyu/ Gen SHOJI/ Kotaro HAYASHI
MF Dolesevic/ Ryohei SHIRASAKI/ Hokuto SHIMODA (40th minute of the second half: Keiya SENTO)
FW Erik (32nd minute of the second half: Yuki NAKASHIMA)/ Yuki Soma (40th minute of the second half: Kazuki FUJIMOTO)/ Osehun (32nd minute of the second half: Mitchell Duke)
SUBS
GK Koki FUKUI
DF Akioki ASHIBE
GOAL
First Half 15th Minute: Ryohei SHIRASAKI/Second Half 4th Minute: Se Hun OH/Second Half 34th Minute: Yuki SOMA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI]
Q, please give us an overview of the match.
A, I think our performance was not enough. In the key areas, the opponent was superior. I am disappointed about that. The players gave their all and fought hard. We need to show our performance firmly towards the end of the season in the next game. I want to finish the season with a strong feeling by learning from here.
Q, please tell us about the issues you saw in the first half and how you addressed them during halftime.
A, the first 30 minutes were a wasted development for us. From the start of the match until the 30-minute mark, we played in a way that suited the opponent's style. Towards the end of the first half, we were able to control the game, but overall, we needed to be sharper and have a better performance. We need to be able to deliver that performance for the next match. Today, we conceded goals easily, including an unfortunate one. In order to get results, we needed to prevent that from happening.
Q, Did you come up with countermeasures while understanding FC Machida Zelvia's way of fighting, but were the opponents able to surpass it?
A, I think there were areas where we needed to respond better rather than the opponent being good. We were unable to use our strengths in the areas that needed to be addressed. However, in other matches, we were able to respond and achieve results. Today, it was the opposite, where we were unable to use that area effectively while Machida was able to. It's not that there was anything surprising, but it's disappointing that we were unable to use the key area effectively.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, please review the game.
A, we were unable to shut down the opponent's strengths and ended up letting them do what they wanted. The things the opponent did were as expected, but we were overpowered in that situation. If we lose in that situation, I think it's only natural that this kind of result would happen.
Q, Machida has approached the game in a different position than usual.
A, I learned about it at the meeting before today's game. There were instructions on how to respond to it, but in the end, I think the players on the field have to solve it themselves. Especially, I noticed while playing in the center of the pitch and I think it would have been good if I could have sent out instructions for dealing with the 3-back and solved it.
Q, What were you conscious of while playing throughout the game?
I was conscious of collaborating with Keigo HIGASHI, but as an individual, I need to pick up more second balls, pass them to the players in the front line, and play in a way that threatens the opponent more.
Q, we have suffered two consecutive losses. We have some time off, but what kind of preparations will we make?
A, I think we need to review the fundamentals such as winning the ball and picking up second balls. Today, we were hesitant. When we are playing well, we can do what we want to do freely and I think we can perform even better. Not only the players who played in the game, but also the players on the bench and outside the bench, the whole team needs to accept today's result and I think there are many things we can do better. There are still two more games. I want to show that this is not the end.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, it was a game where the defensive burden was heavy for the team.
A, it was a long game of endurance and patience. We conceded a goal in the early stages, but our aim was to equalize before conceding a second goal. Conceding a goal early in the second half was a sign of our weakness and our current situation. Both individually and as a team, we need to continue to improve our level.
Q, please tell us about the feeling and coordination of the double volante with Kei KOIZUMI.
A, we couldn't win the game and we want to improve our teamwork even more. This season, we formed a double pivot for the first time in an official match, and we were pushed back by the opponent's attacks for a long time, so we couldn't bring out each other's strengths.
Q, Following the previous match against Shonan Bellmare, it became a game where we couldn't express our good attacking moments.
A, when the opponent defends with 5 players and blocks the back, the space is inevitably erased and the number of chances is reduced. This is the current situation. This was also the case in the Shonan game, so we want to improve so that everyone can have a common understanding of how to fight.
