Match Review
Last season, the match that returned to the J1 League after 16 years ended in a draw with 2 matches, and the resolution has been carried over to this season. The battle between the two clubs, both based at Ajinomoto Stadium, will open once again.
Tokyo made three changes to the starting lineup from the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale. Up front, Ewerton was positioned as the lone striker with Sato Keiun as the shadow. Additionally, Henrique TREVISAN and Yasuki KIMOTO were changed on either side of the final line as they awaited the starting whistle.
1st HALFIkegain breaks through and scores the equalizer
From before the match, the atmosphere created by the fans and supporters of both teams led to an intense local battle from the kickoff. The scene was quickly set with Tokyo holding the ball and Verdy aiming for a short counterattack.
The first goal was scored by Tokyo V. In the 20th minute of the first half, they created space in the near zone from a right corner kick, and Hayashi headed the ball, putting them at a disadvantage.
It was three minutes later. Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, made a brilliant combination play, and in the end, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA slid it in, but the shot hit the feet of the opposing goalkeeper, Matheus, and struck the left post.
In the 43rd minute of the first half, Sato, who had honestly said he was "really looking forward to this match and fired up," made a run behind the defense to receive a floating pass from Takahiro KO and scored the equalizing goal, bringing the match back to square one.
The intense battle, where neither side backed down and maintained their own style, heads into the second half with a low-scoring draw.
2nd HALF - Henrique's late goal secures 1 point
Shortly after the start of the second half, the three forwards create a scoring opportunity again. Player Sato sends a lofted ball behind, which Player Tawara picks up to create some time, and Player Gaudino makes a run. The opposing goalkeeper's excellent save prevents the goal, and Player Sato aims for the loose ball, but the shot goes over the target.
However, in the 7th minute of the second half, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA seized the moment when the ball was loose in front of the goal, and player Someno from Tokyo V did not miss the opportunity. Due to a careless ball loss, they allowed the go-ahead goal.
Here, in the 15th minute of the second half, Marcelo RYAN is brought in to replace Gaudino and launch a counterattack. Furthermore, in the 26th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Maki KITAHARA are sent onto the pitch to replace Sato, Tawaramizuki, and Kento HASHIMOTO, respectively.
Immediately after the substitution, player Higashi connects with a cross from the left side, but unfortunately, it misses the target. Tokyo continues to strengthen their offensive, closing in on the Tokyo V goal one after another in the final stages of the match.
Then, just before entering stoppage time, in the 44th minute of the second half, they finally broke through. Soma ANZAI, who had opened up on the right side and was in a slightly deeper position, sent a cross ball towards the far side, and Henrique jumped higher than the opponent to head it in, leveling the score again by directing it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
After that, the game opened up and both teams attacked each other with counterattacks. In that process, Tokyo utilized long balls to penetrate deep into the opponent's territory, but they could not secure the go-ahead goal.
The intense match saw both sides refusing to give in, resulting in another shared point.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Enrique Trevisan/Seiji KIMURA/Kosuke SHIRAI (substituted in 45 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
MF Soma ANZAI/Takahiro UCHIYAMA/Kento HASHIMOTO (substituted in 26 minutes: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in 26 minutes: Maki KITAHARA)
FW Megumi SATO (substituted in 26 minutes: Teruto NAKAGAWA)/Ewerton Gaudino (substituted in 15 minutes: Marcelo HIAN)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Teppei OKA/Kanta DOI
MF Tohru TOKIWAKI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
43rd minute of the first half: Sato Keiun / 44th minute of the second half: Henrique TREVISAN
<Verdy>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Mateus
DF Yuto TSUNASHIMA/Hayashi Naoki/Hiroto TANIGUCHI
MF Seiryu Ohnaga/Rei Hirakawa/Kosuke SAITO (substituted in 38th minute: Tetsuyuki INAMI)/Yuta Arai
FW Itsuki SOMENO (substituted in 14th minute: Yuan MATSUHASHI)/Yudai Kimura (substituted in 38th minute: Ryosuke SHIRAI)/Hiroto YAMAMI (substituted in 27th minute: Yuya FUKUDA)
SUBS
GK Yuya NAGASAWA
DF Kazuya MIYAHARA/Kaito SUZUKI
MF Soma SHIKINO/Takeshi YAMAMOTO
MANAGER
Hiroshi JOFUKU
GOAL
20th minute of the first half: Naoki HAYASHI / 7th minute of the second half: Itsuki SOMENO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please review the game.
A, the result was that we were able to catch up at the end and secure 1 point. First of all, I think we need to savor this 1 point while preparing for the next match. For me, it was my first match against Verdy in Tokyo, and both teams received boos for the draw, which made me realize it was truly a fierce battle. Of course, I didn't feel that way from the start, so it's very disappointing that we couldn't deliver a victory. I want to make good preparations for the next match.
Q: I think we were able to recreate the scene where we aimed for the finish with the movement of the third person we practiced in advance. What do you think?
A, I don't think the reproducibility was that high, but it doesn't happen repeatedly in the game. Still, I believe some of the chance creations came from fluidity, and while one was finished, the other was not. I think the challenge remains in how accurately we can finish those opportunities. After all, we can't win just by breaking through, and there is no victory unless we shake the goal net, so I want to keep striving for that.
Q: In the second half, the formation changed to one top and two shadows with the introduction of Marcelo RYAN. What kind of picture were you trying to create?
I think that incorporating a slightly dynamic approach like that, while considering how to create a starting point in a high position, can help us utilize the advantage on the sides more effectively by making good judgments and skillfully using players, rather than just relying on breakthrough power and speed in wide areas. I believe we were able to show a bit of that picture, but we still haven't reached the point of taking shots at the end, and while there were a few opportunities, it's a bit disappointing that they didn't lead to goals.
Q: I think it became clear that Tokyo V aimed for short counters while positioning themselves in the midfield, and Tokyo maintained possession. How did you want to move in that situation?
A, I thought that it was absolutely unacceptable to be afraid of counterattacks and not aim for the center; I needed to approach it with the mindset of turning that around. As long as we have the ball, that is two sides of the same coin, and such scenes will always occur. Of course, if we can crush it there, it will become our pace, but there were also several moments when we couldn't establish our pace and the opponent caught a good rhythm. I am seeking to try in those situations, and there is no option to not try. In words, it means "Don't take the easy path." We really need to see it through and turn it around. Based on that, the next scenes that emerge will definitely create advantages on the sides, and there may have been areas where we could have expressed what we had prepared more vividly, but I think the first half was a bit lackluster. In the second half, I wanted to change our character and aim to break through by making substitutions.
Q: Regarding the scene where player Sato Kei-in scored, it was noticeable today that there were more passes aimed at the back from the midfield rather than from the last line. What is your evaluation of that?
A, I thought there was a bit of distance in the first half, so I pointed that out during halftime instructions. Long balls become effective once we get close to the opponent's territory. If we are deep in our own half, of course, there was also the height of the opponent's line, so I thought there was a possibility to break through with quality there. I communicated a bit of the methodology for that plan to the wing-backs and the wide players among the three center-backs, and for the rest, I conveyed that we should aim for that area after getting closer to the opponent's territory with a more compact formation overall. I believe we were able to show that part a little in the second half.
[Player Interview]
<Henrique TREVISAN>
Q, please review the game.
A, it was a very difficult match since it was between teams that share the same stadium as their home. We were able to create chances as well, but the opponent was also creating opportunities, so it was a situation where it could have gone either way, and I think it turned out to be a very tough match.
Q: It has been a while since you were in the starting lineup for the league match. What aspects did you focus on as you approached the game?
I haven't had many opportunities to play until now, but I was always prepared to step in, so I'm happy to have been given a chance today. We still haven't been able to overcome the tough situation we're in, and I wanted to win today to get through it, but we couldn't secure the victory. Nevertheless, I want to continue doing what needs to be done, and after taking a good rest, I will prepare for the next match.
Q: Please reflect on the scoring scene.
A, today's goal was just like in practice, and Anzai made a very good kick, so I think it was great that I was able to score. We couldn't win a match that we wanted to win, but I believe it was a goal that can lead to the next one, and I am happy to have contributed to the team.
Q: How do you feel about the team's growth?
I think both as an individual and as a team, we are improving. However, I believe that both I and the entire team still need to grow, and we can improve our build-up play as well.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q, please review the game.
When the opponent took the ball away, we were able to immediately apply pressure and force them to kick the ball. Since there are many strong players in Tokyo's defense line who excel in duels, we aimed to recover the ball there to increase our possession time and connect it to secondary and tertiary attacks. While conceding goals is sometimes unavoidable, I believe I need to become a player who can score two or three additional goals to secure victory.
Q, I received a vertical pass from Takahiro KO well and scored a goal. Please review the scoring scene.
I have been coordinating with player A during regular practice. We were in sync, which led to the goal. I want to increase the number of times we do this.
Q: There have been four consecutive matches without scoring. What preparations have you made for this match?
Personally, I was thinking about increasing my shots. I was considering what would be a threat as an attacking player. My characteristic is making runs behind the defense, and while showcasing that strength, I continued to play in a way that would frustrate the opponent. There was also scouting information that the opponent would bite, so I was able to effectively shake off their marking with my checking movements. As a team, I believe that quick vertical attacks are the form where our strengths are most evident. To increase those situations, it is important to move the ball and exploit the opponent's weaknesses.
Q: The next match will be against Fagiano Okayama. It's a short period, but what kind of preparations will you make?
I think we just have to switch gears and keep going. Today, I missed a crucial opportunity that I should have converted, so even though we have consecutive matches, I believe it's important to continue doing what we do without changing our approach. I hope we can share the points of reflection from today with the team and align our efforts to improve.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q: Please reflect on today's match.
A, just like in the match against Kawasaki Frontale, we were trying to connect from the back and move the ball forward, but in the Kawasaki match, we were too focused on that and sometimes struggled to advance the ball. Today, overall, we used a few more long balls and vertical passes. Within that, I think it would have been better if we could have interacted a bit more effectively. When it seemed like we might force our way forward, we weren't able to receive the ball again from the back and calmly circulate it once more. I think there were moments when there was no movement from the front line after carrying the ball, and the positions where we were looking to play and receive the ball were still a bit narrow. I believe there are still areas we need to grow in as we continue to play matches.
Q: I think we can see Kimura's personal growth in various aspects, such as not being afraid to hold the ball and making plays diagonally forward. What are your thoughts on this?
A, any good player makes mistakes, and backward mistakes are not good, but Coach Matsuhashi never says to avoid challenging passes. I believe that the play is possible because there is an environment to challenge, and we have done such plays at Sagan Tosu and in the Paris Olympics. I think that experience and courage lead to a bit of composure.
Q: You were sharp in your covering during today's match, but how do you feel about your one-on-one defending?
A, I was marking closely, and since it was a mirror game today, there were aspects that were easier to grasp. I didn't lose in power battles when clashing with the opponent, so I think that was a positive point.
Q: Although we couldn't win today's match, how will you make adjustments and improvements for the next game?
In these two matches, we have conceded 3 goals and 2 goals, so first and foremost, we need to reduce the number of goals conceded. Today, the front line has scored 2 goals, so I believe there are good signs in our attack, and we are gradually becoming able to control the ball. However, if we continue to concede goals, we cannot win, so our priority is to avoid conceding. Today, we were caught out by set pieces and our own mistakes, but we want to tighten up in those areas as a team and continue to maintain a challenging attitude together.
