Match Review
Tokyo traveled to the away ground of Fukuoka. In the last two matches, they have been unable to secure victory due to a lack of finishing ability, but their performance has definitely improved. In this match against Avispa Fukuoka, they aim to take control with flexible decision-making and positioning, and to capitalize on the flow of the game to secure a win that will boost the team's momentum by converting the chances they need to take.
Tokyo aims for victory after three matches, sticking to the usual 3-4-2-1 system. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA will guard the goal, with a three-man defense consisting of Kanta DOHI, Masato MORISHIGE, and Teppei OKA from right to left. The wings feature Kosuke SHIRAI on the right and Yuto NAGATOMO on the left, while the holding midfielders are Kento HASHIMOTO and Takahiro KO. The inside midfielders are Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, with Keita YAMASHITA positioned at the top of the attack. Additionally, Keigo HIGASHI has made the bench for the first time this season. Noted for his soccer IQ by coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the veteran's performance, which supported the team last season, is also drawing attention.
A light rain and chilly weather at BEST DENKI STADIUM. The match started with Fukuoka's kickoff.
1st HALF - Returning to the second half with focused defense
Right from the start, we faced a major crisis with a long ball, but Konno's shot narrowly went over the crossbar, allowing us to escape. In the following 10 minutes of the first half, we were pressed by the opponent and faced consecutive shots, but our defense made a series of brave blocks to prevent any goals.
The first shot for Tokyo came in the 18th minute of the first half. Shirai sent in a cross from the right side, which Nakagawa skillfully tried to redirect with his body, but it was caught by the opposing goalkeeper. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Yamashita received the ball in midfield and flicked it forward while being challenged. Tawara-Tsumida broke free and carried the ball to the goal line before crossing it back, where Nakagawa let it pass, and Shirai, who came in from the opposite side, took a shot. They created a chance with a brilliant play, but it was blocked by the opponent, preventing them from taking the lead.
In the 24th minute immediately after, Konno took a powerful shot, but the ball aimed at the near post from close range was sharply saved by Daishi Nozawa. The defense is also working to create flow by locking down the goal.
Fukuoka is aiming for a long counterattack. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Zahedi broke free from a through pass from Konno and slotted it into the goal, but the assistant referee ruled it offside. The decision did not change with VAR support, and the goal was not recognized.
In the 44th minute of the first half, we were almost pushed back in a scramble in front of the goal from the opponent's set piece, but Hashimoto managed to clear it just in time. We are showing our desperate defense.
Both teams created chances, but the score remained unchanged even after 4 minutes of added time in the first half. Tokyo struggled defensively and could not create a consistent breakthrough against Fukuoka's four-man defense as they headed into halftime.
2nd HALF - Always one step behind. Conceded a goal just before the end of the match and lost.
Neither team made any substitutions at halftime. The second half started with the ends switched. Tokyo, which only had two shots in the first half, is looking to break the deadlock. However, it was Fukuoka that created the first opportunity.
In the 12th minute of the second half, a decisive sliding shot was taken from the opponent's right corner kick in a scramble in front of the goal, but Hashimoto cleared it just at the line. A fine play continuing from the first half saves the team.
In the 15th minute of the second half, Tokyo, wanting to change the flow, substituted Kei KOIZUMI for Shirai on the right side and Sato Eiin for Yamashita in the inside half. They changed the system to push Nakagawa to the front line.
Immediately after the substitution, a chance was created from Tawara's dribbling breakthrough, and Koizumi received a through pass from Doi while holding the ball in a high position, returning it from the right side pocket. Gradually, good shapes began to emerge. In the 27th minute of the second half, after connecting the ball on the right side, the moment it was passed from Doi to Hashimoto, Nagatomo dashed fiercely into the penalty area from the left side. Hashimoto sent a pinpoint floating pass here, but it was just slightly off.
On the left side, NAGATOMO was strengthening his presence in both offense and defense, and was substituted by Soma ANZAI in the 29th minute of the second half. At the same time, Keigo HIGASHI, who was making his first appearance of the season, was sent onto the pitch in place of Takahiro KO. Immediately, HIGASHI created a chance.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Koizumi provided a soft lob pass with one touch to Anzai on the far side. Creating a close chance.
Tokyo, gaining momentum from the player substitutions, showed aggressive play from the front line and intensified their offensive. Defensively, player Morishige made a crucial block, preventing any goals. On the attack, they displayed a forward-focused strategy, while their concentrated defense conveyed a strong determination not to allow any opening goal. The tense moments continued.
In the final stages of the match, the players fought hard in harsh conditions with low temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain. In the 43rd minute of the second half, Henrique TREVISAN was brought on to replace Okada. In response to Fukuoka's attack using the tall Wellington, they utilized Henrique to leverage his height and strength in one-on-one defense.
Tokyo had been holding off Fukuoka with concentrated defense despite facing many shots, but they conceded a painful goal during the 6 minutes of second-half stoppage time. A cross that they allowed under pressure was headed in by player Ando, giving up the opening goal in the final moments.
Chasing a one-point deficit, we attempted long throws and crosses to counterattack, but to no avail. While we endured together and aimed for the goal, we ultimately conceded a goal at the very end, resulting in a frustrating defeat away in Fukuoka.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO (29th minute: Soma ANZAI)/Teppei OKA (43rd minute: Henrique TREVISAN)/Kanta DOI
MF Hiroshi TAKAU (29th minute: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kento HASHIMOTO/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA/Kosuke SHIRAI (15th minute: Kei KOIZUMI)
FW Keita YAMASHITA (15th minute: Eiin SATO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Seiji KIMURA
MF 常盤亨太
FW Leon NOZAWA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
-
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Yota MAEJIMA (41st minute: Yu Hashimoto)/Masaya TASHIRO/Tomoya ANDO/Takaaki SHICHI
MF Daiki MATSUOKA/Tomoya MIKI/Kazuya KONO (41st minute: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Yuji KITAJIMA (11th minute: Shintaro NAGO)/Kazuki FUJIMOTO (11th minute: Yuto IWASAKI)
FW Shahab ZAHEDI (29th minute: Wellington)
SUBS
GK Yuma OBATA
DF Takumi KAMIJIMA
MF Hiroki AKINO/Masato SHIGEMI
MANAGER
Myung Hwi KIM
GOAL
5 minutes into the second half: Tomoya ANDO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please provide an overview for today.
Many fans and supporters came to the away game, but unfortunately we were unable to earn any points, and I think it was a disappointing match. The quality of the game was poor, and we were always a step behind.
Q: Especially in the second half, the opponent had possession of the ball for a prolonged period. How did you analyze that?
A. Regardless of the second half, we were in a situation where the opponent had possession of the ball, so first and foremost, each individual needed to not just fall back and defend, but to press effectively where necessary. It was essential to create an organized structure, but ultimately, I believe it was important for each person to perform well in one-on-one situations. When that shape started to fade, we made slight adjustments to our pressing style, but we struggled to deliver a good performance. I think there was also a need to boldly change the system or formation.
Q, please tell us the intention behind the mid-game substitution of Henrique TREVISAN.
Regarding the use of player Henrique, he is originally a player who plays as a center-back, but one reason is that he is left-footed, which increases the likelihood of him being able to deliver simple long balls effectively when receiving the ball. Another reason is his strength in set pieces, so I decided to use him as I believe he can demonstrate his abilities when opportunities arise.
[Player Interview]
＜Kento HASHIMOTO＞
Q: It was a difficult match. What were you thinking on the pitch?
As the coach mentioned, it was a tough match. We couldn't really control the game at our own pace, and we conceded a goal due to a momentary lapse at the end. It was a frustrating game.
Q: What do you feel made the match difficult?
We couldn't deliver the ball forward in good condition. There were few scenes where someone faced forward and made a move in good condition, and I think there are various factors for that. We need to improve in that area. If we don't create more frightening attacks for the opponent, I don't think we can get closer to scoring. We also had few shots, so we need to increase those kinds of scenes.
Q: It felt different from the previous matches, as we have been struggling to score in recent games.
As we play more matches, our opponents will come up with strategies, and we will also prepare for their strategies, but sometimes it doesn't go as we expected. In that context, it's about how the players on the pitch will tackle the game. Regarding today's match, we struggled to simply exploit the space behind the defense, and I think it was a game that really highlighted the challenges we face in figuring out how to create more threatening attacks.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, it was Keigo HIGASHI's first appearance in the J League for the 2025 season.
A, it’s frustrating. It was a very difficult match. Throughout the game, it was mostly a time of enduring the opponent's attacks. I think this reflects the current strength of the team. Although my playing time was short, I tried to aim for a goal or a final pass that would lead to a goal. It didn’t go well, and I’m very frustrated.
Q: It felt like our defensive line was pushed back by the opponent's attack.
A, we became passive from the first half, and that continued into the second half. Considering the long season, I think there will be matches where we have to play defensively. Still, we need to fight for 90 minutes to ensure we don't let the opponent score in the end, and whether we can bring home 1 point makes a big difference, so I believe that aspect is a challenge for us.
Q: It seems that the content of the previous matches and today's match was different.
A, since it is a sport with opponents, they will also analyze us. There is still a lot of room for improvement in how we can break through when faced with high pressing, how we transport the ball into the opponent's territory, and how we aim for the goal, so I believe we need to work on this with a shared understanding within the team.
