Match Review
The "Rikizo Tokyo" team played their debut match at home at Ajinomoto Stadium.
On this day, Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI sent out the same 11 players from the opening match to the pitch. Two players were substituted from the previous match. Kento HASHIMOTO and Yasuki KIMOTO, who returned after four and a half seasons, were newly added to the team.
1st HALF - Miller game ends in a scoreless draw
The match, in which both teams adopted the same system, took on the appearance of a Miller game from the beginning and played out as an intense ground battle.
Tokyo was the first to create a scoring opportunity. In the 10th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA kicked the ball from a left corner kick and Masato MORISHIGE headed it. The ball hit the crossbar and Kei KOIZUMI pushed it in, but the shot missed the target.
On the other hand, just before the end of the first half, the right side was broken and caused a pinch, but goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a block at the last minute and the game was tied 0-0.
2nd HALF - Tokyo misses out on 2nd consecutive win with a distant goal
The game gradually became deadlocked in the second half. In an attempt to break this balance, the Tokyo side made their move first. In the 19th minute of the second half, Sato Keiin and Soma ANZAI were substituted for Marcelo RYAN and Kosuke SHIRAI. Furthermore, in the 28th minute, Kanta DOI was replaced by KIMOTO.
However, time passes by as they continue to compete for dominance without giving in to each other.
And in the 37th minute of the second half, when Tokyo was preparing to use their last substitution, the game changed. They were broken through on the right side and conceded the first goal when Nishimura pushed in a ground cross.
Before the game resumed, Ewerton Gaudino and Hashimoto were substituted for Nakagawa Teruhito and Koizumi. After that, the number 18 in blue and red returned to Ajinomoto Stadium to set up the game, but the goal remained elusive until the final whistle blew as the opponent's goalkeeper caught Ewerton's middle shot. They were defeated by Machida, who they couldn't beat in both games last season, and couldn't achieve their second consecutive victory in the opening game.
MATCH DETAILS
FC Tokyo
Starting XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO/Tetsuhei OKA/Kanta DOI (28th minute of the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)
MF Takahiro TAKAU/ Kota TAWARATSUMIDA/Kei KOIZUMI (37th minute of the second half: Kento HASHIMOTO)/Kosuke SHIRAI (19th minute of the second half: Soma ANZAI)
FW Marcelo HIAN (19th minute of the second half: Kei Sato)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (37th minute of the second half: Ewerton GAUDINO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Henrique TREVISAN
FW Keita YAMASHITA/Leon NOZAWA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
―
＜FC Machida Zelvia＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kosei TANI
DF Henry Kai Mochizuki/Daihachi OKAMURA/Gen SHOJI/Yuta NAKAYAMA
MF Dolecevic/Ryohei SHIRASAKI (30th minute of the second half: Hokuto SHIMODA)/Hiroyuki MAE
FW Takuma NISHIMURA (41st minute of the second half: Kanshi Kuwayama)/Yuki SOMA (30th minute of the second half: Na SANGHO)/Se Hun OH (6th minute of the second half: Shota FUJIO)
SUBS
GK Tatsuya MORITA
DF Kotaro HAYASHI
MF Vasquez BYRON/Keiya SENTO
FW Mitchell DUKE
MANAGER
Go KURODA
GOAL
37' Takuma NISHIMURA
[Interview with Rikizo MATSUHASHI, Manager]
Q, please review the game.
Unfortunately, it was a very disappointing game in terms of results. However, it was also a game where various tries and errors were visible, and I think it was a game where the players showed a strong desire to challenge compared to the previous match. Instead of just leading to the next game, we need to find a way to connect and move forward.
Q, I thought I saw various ideas compared to the previous section, such as how to assemble the build-up. What did you focus on the most?
A, We emphasized that during the preparation period and worked on it. Although there is a part where it leads to a winning game, I think it was one of the very good parts that we tried it firmly.
Q, I think the coach himself wants one more idea when it comes to carrying the ball to a certain extent, but even further.
It is difficult to play while moving well in the opponent's system, such as how much pressure to put on the center while leaving the side thin, or how to make the center thin while making the side thick. If the goal is not to break through, but to score a goal, shooting should be the first option. I think it is important to enter that area, so I think it was a bit monotonous that I couldn't create thickness in that sense.
The reason for becoming monotonous is that we couldn't connect the ball firmly to the next one at the loose ball and easily passed it to the opponent, and the arrow changed and returned to our own field. I think it's because the case has increased. Even if you lose it, you will be returned to a place where you don't have to go back. And if you go out again from there, I think there will be physical problems, and the longer the time passes, the thicker it becomes and I think it becomes impossible to show it.
Q, in the scene of conceding a goal, we continued to make plays that were not clear as I just said, and we were done in an instant.
A, as expected, the match is decided in an instant. I didn't see everything at the exact timing of the substitution, so I will confirm it from now on, but I think it's important to fill that gap properly. It's not that the players don't have that awareness at all, so I want to demand that they demonstrate that accuracy.
[Player Interview]
Takahiro KO
Q, compared to the previous match, it seemed like the team's way of fighting was more organized.
A, First of all, I think the team was able to be aware of the movement of breaking through the line by taking off when the opponent came, so that was better than last time. However, there are still some weaknesses, and today there were mistakes in casual passes and controls, and both individually and as a team, so I want to improve on that.
Q, Kei KOIZUMI's balance between offense and defense was also good, and his positioning as a wing back was also well organized.
A, Koizumi player and I were able to move in a way that fills the position when one of us goes forward. It is our job to supply passes to the players in the front line with a good sense of distance, so we want to focus on it more. How much we can play forward is also a personal quality, so we want to improve it. We will think about where to compete with the wing back while playing.
Q, the next match will be against Nagoya Grampus in the middle of the week with only 3 days of rest. What do you want to fix before facing them?
A, since it's a consecutive game, first of all, I want to make sure to condition well and prepare for anyone to come out. Defense had a lot of time to endure and there were places to get stuck. Anyway, I want everyone to be aware of going into scary places to take the goal. It's a short time, but I hope to prepare well.
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q, How was Ajinomoto Stadium after 4 and a half seasons?
A, it was exciting. The moment I entered Ajinomoto Stadium, I felt a surge of emotions that was beyond my imagination. Even when I went to greet the fans and supporters during warm-up, they called out my name and sang chants, which really warmed my heart..
Q, compared to the opening game, we were able to pass the ball to some extent. I think the next challenge is how to break through when we go out to the attacking third.
A, since there was only one shot within the frame, we need to take more shots, including from the middle range, in order to score.
Q, What kind of work do you want to do as an individual?
A, I think that's what the coach is looking for, how far we can get into the front position. After that, we pick up the second ball and launch a secondary attack. I think we can create chances from there, so I see it as my role.
Q, Nagoya Grampus match in 3 days.
A, we need to improve our condition quickly, so not only in practice, but also when we play, we need to be conscious of how well we can play and do our best.
