Match Review
The final match of the congested schedule that continued from late March was an away game against Albirex Niigata. For head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, it was a match against his former team, which he led until last season.
Tokyo has a record of 3 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses so far, with more defeats than victories. They have yet to win in 5 away league matches and struggle on the road, but a win is absolutely necessary to turn things around from here. They want to recall the joy and the essential "something" needed to secure 3 points at the Japan National Stadium once again, and aim to draw closer to goals and victory through flexible decision-making.
Considering the schedule, the red and blue starting eleven changed five players. Seiji KIMURA was placed in the center of the three-back, Henrique TREVISAN took the left stopper position, and Kanta DOI completed the defensive line. The defensive midfield duo consisted of Kento HASHIMOTO and Hiroshi TAKAO, while the wing backs were Kei KOIZUMI on the right and Keita ENDO on the left. The inside halves were Megumi SATO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. Up front was Marcelo RYAN, expected to score his first league goal. Attention is also focused on the combination of Takao and KOIZUMI, both facing their former clubs, as well as the left-side duo of ENDO and TAWARATSUMIDA, who are starting together for the first time.
The game, where Coach Matsuhashi received big applause and some boos during the pre-match player introductions, kicked off at 14:03 with the Tokyo ball under clear skies at DENKA BIG SWAN STADIUM.
1st HALF—Leading with Hian's first league goal
Tokyo searched for attacking options from the start. In the 6th minute of the first half, after a period of struggling to maintain possession, they connected vertically through pressing from the front and a sharp interception. From a wedge pass by RIAN, the ball was played out to the right side, where Koizumi made a one-touch return pass that Sato targeted to create a chance.
With this, the movement of the blue and red became lighter. Immediately after, in the 8th minute of the first half, the ace scored his long-awaited first league goal. When Lucas RIAN picked up the loose ball slightly to the right side of the center of the pitch and advanced with it, he did not miss the moment when the opponent's marking slowed down and struck with his left foot. He pierced the top left corner of the goal with a powerful controlled shot using the instep, successfully scoring the opening goal early in the game.
In the first half, there was a strong impression that the on-pitch perspectives, which were "disjointed" in the previous match against Shimizu S-Pulse, were properly organized. The defense worked effectively by pressing from the front line and quickly intercepting passes as soon as they were played. With high anticipation in both offense and defense, the team launched rapid transitions to attack the goal. The players' positioning and spacing were good, creating many triangles and opening multiple passing lanes. While allowing the opponent to hold the ball to some extent, Tokyo gained control of the game's pace through soccer that embodies "good defense leading to good offense."
After that, player Hian made a breakaway, creating plays in midfield and making large developments to the opposite side, showcasing a variety of attacking strategies with players continuously advancing from the back. Although they couldn't score an additional goal, the players on the pitch worked together in both offense and defense, demonstrating the football the team should play as they headed into halftime.
2nd HALF—Secured the win with additional goals by Hian and Aniki, marking the second away victory of the season
Both teams entered the second half without any substitutions. Tokyo aims to maintain control by continuing the precise anticipation and aggressive style demonstrated in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Tokyo gained momentum by directing the arrows toward the goal. Many players actively engaged with the ball, pushing into the opponent's territory. Then, in the 7th minute of the second half, an additional goal was scored from a brilliant play.
Koizumi, who had the ball on the right side, passed it to Doi, who was advancing while carrying the ball inward. Doi then aimed for a forward run through the center, and after a one-two with Sato, he delivered the final pass to Koizumi inside the penalty area. Koizumi received it, accelerated sharply, and with a graceful goal, sliced through the last line with a vertical breakthrough and calmly finished with his right foot. The dependable "Aniki" made a big impact against his memorable former team on his professional debut, extending Tokyo's lead to two goals.
Tokyo continues to demonstrate sharp predictions. Not only do they react quickly to loose balls, but all players also reposition accurately to create passing lanes, actively engaging with the ball. Each player shines across the pitch, and the dynamic play continues.
However, at the 21st minute of the second half, the right side was broken through in a moment of lapse. Although Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a save once, the ball spilled in front of the goal due to a coordination error, and it was kicked in by Kasai, resulting in a conceded goal. The score was reduced to a one-goal difference.
Just after, in the 24th minute of the second half, Tak player was forced to be substituted due to a heavy collision in a midfield contest. At this point, Kosuke SHIRAI was brought in as the right wing, and Koizumi was converted to a defensive midfielder. Until then, Tak had been controlling the entire team from the base of the midfield with precise communication, passing, and timely positioning, so the team was challenged to fill that gap and secure the victory in the remaining approximately 20 minutes.
In the 37th minute of the second half, after a period of being pressed by Niigata due to an unexpected substitution, another superb goal was scored, firmly aimed at the net.
Shirai, who picked up the loose ball inside his own penalty area, dribbled forward and accelerated strongly through the center of the pitch, delivering a precise vertical final pass. Running alongside, RIAN broke free and powerfully struck with his right foot to score an additional goal. This second goal by number 19, which saved the team in a tough situation, allowed Tokyo to extend their lead to two goals once again.
At the 40th minute of the second half, Henrique, Hashimoto, and Tawara Tsukida were substituted with Teppei OKA, Kota TOKIWA, and Leon NOZAWA. Each entered the same position, with the bench making moves to close out the match.
The second half added time was displayed as 11 minutes due to the response to player Takahashi. At 45+9 minutes in the second half, the opponent scored from a set piece to reduce the gap to one goal, but the team showed an aggressive attitude including substitute players, maintained focus until the end, and outperformed the opponent with anticipation to secure a 3-2 victory. Player Hian also contributed with 2 goals, securing the first away league win since the opening match against Yokohama FC.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI/Kei KOIZUMI/Enrique Trevisan (40th minute second half: Teppei OKA)/Seiji KIMURA
MF Yu TAKAO (28th minute second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Kento HASHIMOTO (40th minute second half: Kota TOKIWA)/Keita ENDO (13th minute second half: Soma ANZAI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (40th minute second half: Leon NOZAWA)
FW Yoshimasa SATO (30th minute second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Marcelo Hian
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MFMaki KITAHARA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
8th minute first half: Marcelo RYAN / 7th minute second half: Kei KOIZUMI / 37th minute second half: Marcelo RYAN
<Albirex Niigata>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daisuke YOSHIMITSU
DF Soya FUJIWARA/Jason Geriya/Shunto Inamura/Yuto HORIGOME (2nd half 22 min: Kento HASHIMOTO)
MF Taiki ARAI (2nd half 40 min: Yuji HOSHI)/Hiroki AKIYAMA (2nd half 22 min: Yoshiaki TAKAGI)/Yota KOMI (2nd half 13 min: Danilo Gomes)/Motoki HASEGAWA/Hitoshi OKUMURA (2nd half 40 min: Miguel Silveira)
FW Yuji ONO (2nd half 13 min: Keisuke KASAI)
SUBS
GK Kazuki FUJITA
DF Fumiya HAYAKAWA/Michael James FITZGERALD
MANAGER
Daisuke Kimori
GOAL
21st minute of the second half: Keisuke Kasai / 45+9 minutes of the second half: Danilo GOMES
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please review today's game.
A, it was a difficult match where the outcome was uncertain until the very end, but despite struggling at times, we are pleased to have secured a solid victory.
Q. After spending four seasons in Niigata, how did you feel about playing as the opposing team's coach in a match there?
A, I felt a strange sense of coming back among the players, staff, and related people who have fought alongside me for a long time. That said, in the world of competition, how to defeat the opponents and how to demonstrate our progress are also important aspects in a way.
Q, Until the substitution due to Takahiro KO's injury, it was a good game, but did the match proceed as planned?
A, the counterattack that resulted in a goal showed the good aspects we have. Especially the second goal was a wonderful goal, I believe. However, regarding the two goals conceded, there were parts where we disrupted our own pace. Instead of focusing on the two goals conceded, our style of play until then was very conservative. At the point when we scored the third goal, instructions were passed to the entire team, and from there we started trying new things and created good opportunities. Although it did not always lead directly from the finish to a goal, I hope the team will have courage.
If we had continued as we were, there was an unpleasant feeling of "maybe...". I think we can evaluate that they did well in trying firmly and moving the ball to create space ahead, as I had instructed them. How to correct the errors within that, and how to connect the corrections to scoring in the end, are things we still need to continue working on.
Q: Before the match, you said, "We must score goals." How do you reflect on the fact that you were able to score 3 goals in the end?
A, it is very frustrating that what we are doing can be seen negatively or diminished because we are not scoring goals. However, in football, you cannot win without scoring. I do not underestimate this fact, but if we do not thoroughly address this, we will not be able to move in the direction we aim for. I believe this is something we absolutely must not overlook, and I want to continue emphasizing it going forward.
Q. The players' arrows were pointing towards the goal, and it looked like their gazes were aligned.
A, at first, the defense was not going very well. The opponent is good at taking positions that create hesitation, and because of that hesitation, we couldn't fit in properly. In the second half, we gave the players the task of arranging themselves to tighten that area a bit, and while there were some calm moments, conceding two goals was unfortunate both in terms of shape and overall play.
Regarding the attack, in the early stages there was still some confusion, and although I intended to clearly communicate to the players why we connect the ball from the back, I felt it was still lacking. By effectively using the space created through those attempts, we were able to attack in a good way. How we interpret that is important. Since we haven't been winning, the players haven't gained confidence, but at some point, I need to clearly demonstrate what is required. Within what I have shown, there are parts that they have been able to execute.
[Player Interview]
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q, you scored two goals today.
A, I have been practicing every day to score goals, so I am very happy to have finally scored, and moreover, to have scored 2 goals and helped the team win. I want to take a good rest and prepare for the next match.
Q, please review each goal scene.
A, the first goal came from a pass by Keisuke Sato, and I carried the ball myself by dribbling. There were options on both sides, but since there was good space, I was able to skillfully slot the ball in with my left foot. For the second goal, Kosuke SHIRAI carried the ball, and after I moved to the left, I ran diagonally. After the ball came to me, I initially seemed to mishandle the trap, but I was able to control the ball well afterward and score.
Q: Do you think these two goals will be a trigger for you to score even more goals in the future?
A, I am also happy to have joined Tokyo and to have scored my first league goal as a Tokyo player, contributing to the team's victory. It boosts my confidence, and I want to continue adding more goals moving forward.
Q: The song that was used as a chant for Amaral and Lucas has become a chant for Marcelo RYAN. What do you think about that?
A, of course, we still have a long way to go to catch up to those two, but it’s encouraging that fans and supporters back us and recognize our efforts. We want to play in a way that allows us to catch up to them for Tokyo.
Q. Have you struggled because you have been away from scoring goals until now?
From the very first day I joined, I have been training with the goal of scoring goals and helping the team win. It has been very frustrating not being able to score for a long time. However, I always believed that I would eventually score, and today, being able to score and help the team win is the most important thing.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q. How did you start the match?
A, Marcelo RYAN scored at a good time. I thought the opening goal was important, so in that sense, taking the lead was significant. As a team, we were also able to challenge various aspects of ball possession. I think it was a good start.
Q, you played as a wing-back. How did you feel about your position?
A, I thought it would be good to move inside and help the defensive midfielder, so I was allowed to play freely without sticking strictly to the wing-back position. I made sure to stay wide when needed, and I hope to improve on reading the opponent better and doing it more skillfully.
Q, please review the goal scene.
A, Kanta DOI made the final pass, and I believe the important thing was that I was able to get to that position.
Q: The result was 3-2. Was this a match that revealed some challenges as well?
A, it was a difficult match, but we need to be more particular about how we finish and win in the end. Honestly, if there had been 15 more minutes, we might have lost, so we want to make sure to handle that properly.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming home match against Vissel Kobe.
Just like the match against Shimizu S-Pulse in Group A, winning consecutive games is the only thing that matters, so we want to work hard to secure those consecutive wins.
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q, please review the assist scene.
After winning the ball, I saw the space ahead. I had the image of peeling off the opposing player and carrying the ball up to a high position, and since Marcelo RYAN moved at a good timing, I just had to pass the ball to him. I think it went exactly as imagined up to the goal.
Q, I believe you came on as a substitute during a difficult time and timing.
A. We were leading, and since we wanted to avoid conceding goals, and Kei KOIZUMI was performing well and scoring from the right wing position, I also wanted to achieve some kind of result myself. While focusing on not letting the defense be easily broken, I was determined to make the most of the few chances we had.
Q. Without the third goal, the match could have ended in a 2-2 draw.
I think we were able to score the third goal and also showed a positive attitude in going for the goal. We want to continue with the aggressive mindset of aiming for the second and third goals, but I think both conceded goals were unfortunate. We want to make corrections going forward.
Q. It seemed that wide players often took positions more inside during play.
A, I think it's also good to play by moving inside depending on the situation, and I myself am always conscious of playing by breaking through with passes from the outside area, like the second goal scored by player Koizumi. While bringing out my strengths, I want to continue to be mindful of playing in good positions.
