Match Review
Tokyo, who traveled to the away ground. With 2 wins and 1 loss so far, they want to grab a victory here and gain momentum for a strong start.
Tokyo made seven changes to their starting eleven from the previous match. Yasuki Kimoto made his first start of the season as center back, while Kento Hashimoto returned to the starting lineup for the first time since his comeback. In addition, Maki Kitahara from FC Tokyo U-18, who was on the bench in the previous match, will also draw attention as he could break the record for the youngest player to make an appearance in the J1 League.
On the other hand, during the pre-match player introduction, there was a big round of applause from the blue and red supporters in the goal end for Kashima Antlers' Ryotaro ARAKI, who played together last season.
1st HALF—Tokyo created several chances from counters, but couldn't finish them off.
In the 2nd minute of the first half, Tokyo immediately created a chance. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's vertical pass found Marcelo RYAN, who broke through and ran alone. Although it was blocked just before the finish, this counter showed the fearlessness of Kaua, who scored 3 goals in the previous match.
Tokyo, who tries to attack by connecting the ball while making simple decisions. While they are having a hard time creating shooting opportunities, in the 17th minute of the first half, player Tawaradzuma received the ball on the left side and took a right foot shot from a cut-in to the center, finding a good chance from a counter attack after drawing the opponent into their own half.
In the 25th minute of the first half, Yuto NAGATOMO made a strong shot from the far side after Tawara Tsumita broke through from Marcelo RYAN's flick from the right side throw-in. However, the shot was blocked by the opposing defender who desperately returned to defend.
In the 35th minute of the first half, as the pass to the diagonal line became effective, Teruhito NAKAGAWA received the ball near the penalty arc after connecting from the left side forward and passed it to Tsumoru TAKUMI, then took a left-footed shot. He created a scoring opportunity by breaking through the vital area, but unfortunately it grazed the bar and missed the goal, unable to shake the net.
The first half ended scoreless. There were some dangerous moments due to disorganized build-up, but the defense remained focused and did not allow any goals. It was an impressive 45 minutes with each player giving their all.
2ndHALF - Unable to continue the winning streak in the league after missing multiple great opportunities
Tokyo, who entered the second half without any member substitutions, continued to create chances early on. Teppei OKA, in the final line, fed the ball forward. Taira SHIGE, who skillfully received the ball, cut in from the left side and swung his right foot, but it was blocked by the opponent.
Tokyo attacks the enemy's territory in their favorite form from the beginning.
In the following 5 minutes of the second half, there was another big chance. After connecting the ball, Hashimoto moved to the right and from there, Yasuzaki broke through vertically and crossed the ball, with Marcelo RYAN in the center making a perfect header. Unfortunately, it hit the left post and they were unable to score the first goal once again.
In the 9th minute of the second half, Nakamoto cut off the ball in the midfield and Nagakawa launched a counterattack. He faked out the opponent's player and brought the ball to the penalty area, but his right foot shot went over the goal. Then, in the 11th minute of the second half, Marcelo RYAN pressed fiercely against the opponent's build-up, causing the opponent's goalkeeper to make a mistake. Tawara Taketa tried to score from the left side with a one-touch shot, but it narrowly missed to the right, missing a great opportunity.
Tokyo, which pushes forward with its organizational strength and breaks through with individual power. In the 18th minute of the second half, player Tawarazumida powerfully dribbled down the left side while pulling away from the opponent's mark. Midfielder Marcelo RYAN aimed for this cross with his right foot, but unfortunately it went straight to the goalkeeper.
In the 22nd minute of the second half, the opponent took a middle shot from the flow of the corner kick, but Taishi Brandon NOZAWA stretched his right arm while being pushed back and made a desperate save. Furthermore, it seemed that the opponent had scored with a header from the corner kick, but with the support of VAR, it was judged as offside and they escaped danger.
Kashima, who is gaining momentum, continued to be pushed and in the 27th minute of the second half, they gave a penalty kick due to a foul in the penalty area, allowing Suzuki to score and take the lead.
Tokyo, who fell behind by one point while creating many chances from the beginning. Here, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI takes action. In the 38th minute of the second half, players Kitahara and Leon NOZAWA were substituted. The 15-year-old and 7-month-old youngest player in the J1 league, and the number 28 who made his first appearance after being on the bench for all matches this season, were entrusted with turning the tide.
In the 43rd minute of the second half, Kitahara, who replaced Takahiro KO, made his first touch as a midfielder. He received a pass from the left, faked out the opponent, turned forward, and then made a through pass. Although it was caught by the opponent's defense, it was a play that showed great potential.
Tokyo, who wanted to make a comeback all at once, unfortunately conceded a frustrating second goal in the 90+1 minute just after entering the second half additional time from a set piece.
The game was a mix of build-up and quick attacks, creating many chances and showing promise for a new style. However, lacking in finishing, it resulted in a disappointing away loss. With this, the team's record for the season is now 2 wins and 2 losses, a 50% success rate.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Yuto NAGATOMO (38th minute of the second half: Leon NOZAWA)/Tetsuhiro OKA
MF Soma ANZAI/Uh-hyeong KANG (38th minute of the second half: Makoto KITAHARA)/Kento HASHIMOTO (18th minute of the second half: Kei KOIZUMI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
FW Marcelo HIANN (24th minute of the second half: Keita YAMASHITA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (24th minute of the second half: Yoshihito SATO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Kanta DOI/Henrique TREVISAN/Kosuke SHIRAI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
-
＜Kashima Antlers＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoki HAYAKAWA
DF Koji NONO (45+6 minutes: Kim Tae-hyun)/Naomichi UEDA/Ikuma SEKIGAWA/Koki ANZAI
MF Yuta HIGUCHI/Yu FUNAHASHI (13 minutes: Takashi TOKUDA)/Ryuta KOIKE/Yuta MATSUMURA (1 minute: Shu MOROOKA)
FW Leo CEARA (13 minutes: Kei CHINEN)/Yuma SUZUKI (34 minutes: Chavrichorn CHAVALITCHEWCHAI)
SUBS
GK Yuji KAJIKAWA
DF Keisuke TSUKUI
MF Takashi SHIBASAKI/Ryotaro ARAKI
MANAGER
Toru ONIKI
GOAL
29' Second Half: Yuma SUZUKI
45+1 minutes into the second half: Shu MOROOKA
[Interview with Rikizo MATSUHASHI, Manager]
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a very frustrating game. In the first half, both teams lacked the finishing touch, but we had a few chances and couldn't convert them. We started the second half controlling the game. I wish we could have converted at least one of the decisive chances we had, but Kashima Antlers took control and scored, making it their game in the end. It's very frustrating.
Q, Maki KITAHARA made his first appearance in the J1 League as the youngest player ever.
There were some plays where I could feel his ability to make good decisions at the last minute and to hit the opponent's weak points with feeds and see through them. There were some challenges, but I hope he can build confidence for the future.
Q, What instructions did you give?
A, I told them to get involved with the ball and aim for passes that would bother the opponent. I think they were also nervous compared to their usual self.
Q, What was the intention behind using Kitahara as a substitute during that time, despite being behind in the game?
A, we are selecting members while considering that situation. We used it because we think it is a piece to score even if it is not limited to the situation of losing, but also in the situation of leading.
[Player Interview]
Kento HASHIMOTO
I think you showed a strong presence during the time you played.
A, there were scenes where we were able to show our strengths, but there are still areas that need improvement.
Taking a position that becomes an escape route for teammates in build-up, positioning for smooth ball delivery to the front line, and coordination and synchronization with those around me are still things I need to work on. I want to improve even more.
Q, With the addition of Kento HASHIMOTO in the midfield, we were able to see many scenes where the ball moved smoothly.
A, I don't think it's enough at all. The soccer that coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI is looking for is not fully expressed. However, in the first half today, we were able to create some good opportunities in attack as a team. First of all, I want to increase the number of attacks. As playing that connects to the attack is also my strength, I want to increase the number of plays involving the ball in the future.
Q, not only holding the ball, but also sometimes it seemed like a well-balanced attack, such as a fast vertical attack.
A, I think that is our strength. Sometimes we launch quick attacks vertically, and sometimes we control the ball and take control of the game. By using both effectively, I think it can be a threat to the opponent as well.
<Maki KITAHARA>
Q, this is your J-League debut. Can you share your thoughts?
A, I received words from my seniors such as "Have fun" and "Play as you always do", which helped me relax a little. I couldn't show all of my plays, but my honest impression is that it was fun.
Q, what do you think about becoming the youngest record in history?
A, I didn't really pay attention to records, but I think it's an honor when my seniors and friends tell me about it. However, I don't want to be satisfied with this and I want to work hard from here on out.
Q, what were your feelings when you entered the game in a behind situation?
A, I think I was brought in to change the flow of the game, but I also feel like I could have shown more of my strengths. In the end, we conceded another goal after I came on, so I still feel like I wasn't enough.
Q, what kind of play did you want to make as an individual?
A, I want to continue to use my strengths to exploit the opponent's weaknesses, and since the team was in a losing state, it would have been better if I had been able to contribute to the score.
Q, I have stood on the professional stage, but what kind of career do you want to pursue from now on?
A, I was only able to play for a short time today, so I have the desire to play for a longer time and also the desire to start. I was able to make my J League debut today, but I am not satisfied with this and I want to aim for higher places.
