Match Review
The unveiling match of "Chikarazo Tokyo" was held at their home Ajinomoto Stadium.
On this day, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI sent the same 11 players onto the pitch as in the opening match. The substitute members saw a change of 2 players from the previous match. Kento HASHIMOTO and Yasuki KIMOTO, who returned after 4 and a half seasons, were newly added to the roster.
1st HALF—The mirror game remains scoreless
The match, where both teams adopted the same system, took on the appearance of a mirror game from the early stages, showcasing intense localized battles.
Among them, it was Tokyo that created the first scoring opportunity. In the 10th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA took a corner kick, and Masato MORISHIGE headed the ball. It hit the crossbar, and although Kei KOIZUMI pushed in the rebound, the shot could not find the target.
On the other hand, just before the end of the first half, they were caught off guard on the right side, but goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a crucial block, and the match went into halftime at 0-0.
2nd HALF—The goal is far away, missing out on the opening two consecutive wins
As the second half began, the match gradually reached a stalemate. In an attempt to break this deadlock, the Tokyo side made the first move. In the 19th minute of the second half, Sato Keiin and Soma ANZAI were brought in to replace Marcelo RYAN and Kosuke SHIRAI. Furthermore, in the 28th minute of the second half, Kanta DOI was substituted for Kimoto.
Even so, neither side gives in, and time passes as they compete for control.
Then, in the 37th minute of the second half, when Tokyo was preparing to use their last substitution, the match changed. After being broken through on the right side, a low cross was pushed in by Nishimura, allowing the first goal.
Before the match resumes, Ewerton Gaudino and Hashimoto will be substituted in for Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Koizumi. After that, the blue-red number 18, who returned to Ajinomoto Stadium, will organize the play, but the goal remains elusive until the end, and as Ewerton's long-range shot is caught by the opposing goalkeeper, a long whistle is blown. They lost to Machida, whom they couldn't beat in both matches last season, and were unable to achieve two consecutive wins to start the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO/Teppei OKA/Kanta DOI (28th minute of the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)
MF Hiroshi TAKAU/Yasuki 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: Keiun 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 Mochizuki/ Daihachi OKAMURA/ Gen SHOJI/ Yuta NAKAYAMA
MF Dreshievich/ Ryohei SHIRASAKI (30 minutes into the second half: Hokuto SHIMODA)/ Hiroyuki MAE
FW Takuma NISHIMURA (41 minutes into the second half: Kanishi KUWAYAMA)/ Yuki SOUMA (30 minutes into the second half: Na Sang-ho)/ Se Hun OH (6 minutes into the second half: Shota FUJIO)
SUBS
GK Tatsuya MORITA
DF Kotaro HAYASHI
MF Vasquez BYRON/Keiya SENTO
FW Mitchell DUKE
MANAGER
Go KURODA
GOAL
37th minute of the second half: Takuma NISHIMURA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please review the game.
A, as a result, it was a very disappointing game. However, it was also a game where various tries and errors were visible, and I believe it was a game where the spirit of challenge was shown more firmly than in the previous match. Rather than just connecting to the next one, I think we must somehow connect to the next one.
Q: I felt that there were various improvements in the build-up play compared to the last match. What did you focus on the most?
A: During the preparation period, we emphasized our attacking play and worked on that. I believe that if this leads to winning games, it will be worthwhile, but I think one of the very commendable aspects is that we made a solid effort in that area.
Q, you can carry the ball to a certain extent, but I think the coach feels that he wants to add another touch to go further beyond that.
A, I think it is difficult to play effectively while applying pressure centrally against the goal and leaving the sides vulnerable, or while strengthening the sides and thinning out the center, depending on the opponent's system. The goal is not just to break through, but ultimately to score, so shooting must be a primary option. I believe it is also important to enter that area, so in that sense, we couldn't create enough depth and it felt a bit monotonous.
I think the reason it has become monotonous is that we have been unable to properly connect the ball at loose ball situations, easily handing it over to the opponent, which has increased the cases where the direction changes and we are pushed back to our own half. We are being pushed back to a point where we don't need to return as soon as we lose the ball. And when we try to move forward from there, I believe physical stamina issues arise, and as time goes on, we are unable to maintain that intensity.
Q: In the scene of the conceded goal, there were plays that couldn't be clearly cleared as I just mentioned, and we were caught off guard in an instant.
A, I believe that the outcome is decided in an instant. I didn't see everything since it was just at the timing of the substitution, so I will check it from now on, but I think that is definitely a point that needs to be addressed properly. It's not that the players completely lack that awareness, so I want to ensure that we can fully demonstrate that precision.
[Player Interview]
＜Takahiro KO＞
Q: It seemed that the team's approach to the game was more organized compared to the previous match.
A, first of all, I think the entire team was aware of the movement to break through the line when the opponent came, which was better than last time. However, there are still some weaknesses, and today we made mistakes in seemingly simple passes and control, both individually and as a team, so I want to improve on that.
Q, I think the balance between offense and defense with Kei KOIZUMI was good, and the positioning of the wing-back was quite organized.
A, with player Koizumi, we were able to move in a way that fills the position when one of us goes forward. Our job is to supply passes to the forwards with good spacing, so I want to focus more on that. How much we can play facing forward is also a matter of individual quality, so I want to improve on that. While playing, I will think about where to make the wing-backs compete.
Q: The next match will be against Nagoya Grampus in midweek after a three-day break. What areas would you like to improve upon for this match?
Since it's a series of matches, I want to first ensure that our condition is well-prepared so that anyone can step in without any issues. There were times when we could endure defensively, and we found our rhythm in certain areas. Above all, I want everyone to be conscious of entering dangerous areas to score goals. Although the time is limited, I hope we can prepare thoroughly.
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q: How was Ajinomoto Stadium after four and a half seasons?
A, it was exhilarating. The moment I entered Ajinomoto Stadium was more moving than I imagined, and when I went to greet the fans and supporters during warm-up, they called my name and sang chants, which really warmed my heart.
Q: Compared to the opening match, we were able to circulate the ball to some extent. I think the next challenge is how to break down the opponent in the attacking third.
A, there was only one shot on target, so we need to shoot more to score, and we have to create more shooting opportunities, including from mid-range.
Q. What kind of role do you want to play as an individual within that?
A, I think the coach is looking for how far forward we can position ourselves. After that, it's about picking up the second ball and launching a secondary attack. I believe we can create chances from there, so I see that as my role.
Q, there is a match against Nagoya Grampus in 3 days.
A, I need to improve my condition more quickly, so I want to be conscious of how well I can play when I get on the field, starting from practice.
