Match Review
The last game of the first half of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League is an away match against Kyoto SANGA F.C. After this match, the International Match Week begins, leading to a short break. Tokyo's Sec. 15 match against Yokohama F.Marinos has been rescheduled, so they have not strictly completed half of the season, but this can be considered a milestone game for now.
Currently in 17th place. The reality is that the results have not matched the content so far. However, we want to fully accept this, express what we have built up since the team started on the pitch, and achieve good results to enter the break period with a positive feeling.
We cannot end like this. After the disappointing defeat in the previous match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, we must show a rebound mentality and demonstrate a strong desire for goals and victory. For such a game, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI selected an all-Japanese player lineup, including the bench members.
Goalkeeper Go HATANO returns to the starting lineup for the first time in two league matches. The defensive midfield duo consists of Keigo HIGASHI and Takahiro KO. With these players, known for their excellent ball control, playing together, there are high expectations for chance creation from build-up play. The wing backs are Kei KOIZUMI on the right and Keita ENDO on the left. KOIZUMI starts for the first time since the 14th round match against Albirex Niigata, where he added an attacking accent by cutting inside from the right side to create overlaps for Doi and by breaking through in front of goal to score.
One key point in this match will likely be how the right side with player Doi functions. For the shadow positions, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who is set to join the Japan national team from the next day, was placed on the left, and Soma ANZAI, who continues to demonstrate versatility, was positioned on the right. In the lone striker role, Keito Sato, who is expected to deliver goals, was selected.
1st HALF—Time spent fighting on the opponent's turf continued, conceding the first goal
Before the match, during the player introductions, Seiji KIMURA, who has experience on loan to Kyoto, Kosuke SHIRAI, facing his former club, and Coach Matsuhashi, who was once a player, received applause from Kyoto's fans and supporters. Meanwhile, during Kyoto's player introductions, Takuji YONEMOTO, who has played for the Blue-Red team, was warmly applauded from behind Tokyo's goal.
The blue-red eleven, welcomed by the passionate chorus of "You’ll Never Walk Alone" from the blue-red family who came all the way to away Kyoto, showed spirited play from the start. They aggressively pressed from the front line, fiercely contested the ball, firmly recovered second balls, and advanced the match by using long balls to push into the opponent's territory.
Tokyo focuses on simple football in the early stages. They compete without losing in key moments, but there are few scenes where they build attacks by connecting from the back line, and they struggle to show consistent attacking play. Gradually, the second balls are also being picked up, and the time spent playing in their own half increases.
In the 32nd minute of the first half, during a period when we were fighting on the opponent's turf, Kyoto used the pitch widely from a throw-in return, delivered a cross ball while free, and scored by kicking the rebound in the center. Once again, we conceded a goal from a play originating from the side.
Tokyo, chasing one goal, connected with one-touch plays from the center to the left side in the 40th minute of the first half while pressing forward. Finally, player Endo cut inside and took a right-footed shot. Although it did not hit the target, they approached the goal with sharp attacks and combinations.
In the first half, they were unable to shake the goal net even during the 2 minutes of additional time. Although they managed to press with long balls and high pressing early on, the build-up from the back line was not smooth, and the players' spacing and repositioning did not click, resulting in 45 minutes without showing the true character of "Rikizo Tokyo." However, the teammates behind the goal loudly cheered on the players returning to the locker room. Facing the second half, where they must meet these expectations, they took a halftime break to regroup.
2nd HALF—Unable to find a foothold for counterattack
No player substitutions at halftime. Before the second half begins, the players spread out on the pitch and actively communicate in their positions until just before kickoff, confirming their adjustments to reorganize.
The effect quickly appeared on the pitch. At 4 minutes into the second half, the ball was passed from the left side to the center and entered the penalty area, then from player Higashi to player Takashi, and Koizumi took a right-footed shot on the rebound. Many players were involved, launching a powerful attack.
In the second half, Tokyo wants to attack while maintaining possession, and Kyoto aims to intercept high up the pitch and launch quick counterattacks.
In the 13th minute of the second half, after multiple players started engaging with the ball, Tokyo displayed a brilliant attack from the left side. Player Tawara Tsukida passed the ball, Keita ENDO broke free and crossed it back, and player Koizumi took a shot from the center. It seemed that Keita ENDO kicked the rebound to equalize, but with VAR support, Keita ENDO was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.
Kyoto extends their lead and takes the initiative with player substitutions. In the 25th minute of the second half, while trying to build up from the back using the goalkeeper, they lost the ball under high pressure. The ball was then connected at a high position, and from Nagasawa's hold-up play, Takeda scored a half-volley, resulting in the second goal conceded.
Tokyo, chasing two goals, made substitutions in the 27th minute of the second half, bringing on Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Leon NOZAWA in place of Tawara Tsukida and Anzai. They simultaneously replaced both shadow players to revitalize the team.
However, Kyoto was the next to shake the net. At the 30th minute of the second half, after pushing forward with a long feed, Okugawa received a pass from Kawasaki and struck a goal with his right foot. With consecutive strikes from the substituted players, the lead was extended to three goals.
Kyoto continued to play freely and created multiple scoring opportunities, while Tokyo was often seen defending and enduring. In the 39th minute of the second half, Sato leapt to meet a sharp left cross from Endo, but the opposing goalkeeper caught it just before reaching the goal.
At the 42nd minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO was brought in to replace Kimoto. The formation was changed to a back four as they launched their final counterattack.
Tokyo wants to approach the opponent's goal by mixing in long balls, but the attack becomes monotonous due to their inability to attack effectively, creating a vicious cycle. Despite earning many free kicks and corner kicks, they failed to create any highlights, and the away match against Kyoto ended in a frustrating 0-3 defeat, following the match in August last year.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Go HATANO
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO (42nd minute 2nd half: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Kanta DOI/Kei KOIZUMI (33rd minute 2nd half: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Soma ANZAI (27th minute 2nd half: Leon NOZAWA)/Hiroshi TAKAGU/Keigo AZUMA (33rd minute 2nd half: Kento HASHIMOTO)/Keita ENDO
FW Yoshimasa SATO/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (27th minute 2nd half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Teppei OKA/Seiji KIMURA
MF Kota TOKIWA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
-
<Kyoto SANGA F.C.>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takeshi OTA
DF Shinnosuke FUKUDA/Hidehiro SUGAI/Yuta MIYAMOTO/Yoshinori SUZUKI
MF Sota KAWASAKI/Takuji YONEMOTO (21st minute second half: Shohei TAKEDA)/Shimpei FUKUOKA (40th minute second half: PATRIC William)
FW Sora HIRAGA (12th minute second half: Temma MATSUDA)/Murilo Costa (21st minute second half: Masaya OKUGAWA)/Shun NAGASAWA (40th minute second half: Shogo ASADA)
SUBS
GK Kentaro KAKOI
DF Hisashi APPIAH TAWIAH
MF Kyo SATO/Ryuma NAKANO
MANAGER
CHO Kwi Jae
GOAL
32nd minute first half: Sota KAWASAKI / 25th minute second half: Shohei TAKEDA / 30th minute second half: Masaya OKUGAWA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, Please give us a review of today's match.
A, It was a frustrating match. Even though we showed this kind of performance at the end, I truly feel sorry to the fans and supporters who came all the way here and gave us passionate cheers. However, we cannot give up here, so I want to say again and again, "We will definitely win next time." Next time, we want to win firmly and send the fans and supporters home from the stadium with smiles. We must continue to make steady efforts for that.
Q. It seemed like you relied too much on long balls in the first half.
A, exactly. Of course, during preparation we didn’t explicitly emphasize that approach, but I think such decisions increased as the match progressed. However, since it happened occasionally, we communicated that at halftime, which I believe led to a good flow in the early part of the second half. The opponent also applied pressure, so we didn’t outright ignore the situation no matter what, as sometimes the opponent’s pressure was more advantageous. I think that’s one way to judge those moments. However, in terms of quality, including second balls, we started losing control, and when that coordination faltered, we began to fall behind in the game’s development.
Q. When looking at the entire match, I think the difference in team strength is reflected in the result, but in the details of the game, there were noticeable moments where the reactions were slow or the challenges for the ball were delayed, falling short compared to the opponent.
A, especially in the first half, I think there were parts where the opponent's strengths were brought out due to the increase in long balls. However, in the early part of the second half, by building up properly, I feel we connected to several faster attacks. Also, I don't think there is a difference in team strength as was mentioned at the beginning.
Q. The three players at the front—one striker and two shadows—have driving force when the attack is switched on, but how did you plan to utilize the strengths of these three during the build-up phase of the attack?
A, while having several objectives, when the defensive midfielder is involved in building up play, there is a tendency to be pulled along with that. Since the opponent applies very high pressure, if we can act while properly managing space and timing, using the space behind them as a starting point can become one option. However, I think it’s no good if the forward players drop back too much there, and rather than dropping back just to receive the ball, the aim was to pick up the ball, face forward, and accelerate directly into good space.
However, unfortunately, it might have been a bit too low. It's fine when it comes to involvement in the build-up, but perhaps the player is too close to the inside or dropping too deep. The role of creating an advantage for the wing-back by moving to the side is assigned not only for today but generally. There are times when the condition is very good, but when the opponent's press is quick like today, it might be necessary to drop to a slightly lower position to create passing angles. If a third player gets involved there, passing lanes can be created without dropping so deep. Considering the characteristics of the players in attack, I think it was a bit too low.
Q. After the match, there was a moment when the players also paused to listen for a while in front of the fans and supporters who continued chanting.
A, given the current results, I think it's natural for people to think, "That coach is no good. It can't continue like this." Even if it's not said directly, I feel it myself. However, I have no intention of giving up or surrendering here. It's up to the club to decide, but I believe I must build a team that earns the trust of the fans and supporters, and I must become that kind of coach.
I sincerely accept this. What the fans and supporters are saying is only natural. Drawing energy from that, with a little time to spare, I want to prepare thoroughly and definitely show a team that can earn 3 points, and move forward together with the fans and supporters.
[Player Interview]
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: This was your first start in a league match in a while. Where do you think the factors that made the match difficult lie?
A, simply put, conceding goals was light, and we also lost in the battles for the ball. We couldn't show the threat in our attack either. There was a brief good flow in the early part of the second half, but throughout the match, our time on the ball was limited. I feel that overall, we couldn't manage to bring the momentum to our side effectively.
Q, you were able to create good moments at the start of the second half.
A, in the first half, even though the three center backs were circulating the ball, nothing seemed likely to happen, so in the second half, we slightly changed our build-up and tried to break down from the left side. We were able to seize the momentum temporarily there, but the opponent made substitutions to shut that down, and after that, we couldn't regain the flow in our favor.
Q, There have also been many goals conceded from crosses.
A, that can only be improved through practice. It depends on each individual, and I believe it's a matter of awareness.
Q, from here we enter the break period.
A, we believe there are parts within our team that need to be changed, so we will try to address those areas. First, we must start by not conceding goals in defense. Looking at the standings, the reality is that we have to work towards staying in the league, so rebuilding and stabilizing our defense is the first priority we should focus on.
Q. How did you perceive the final support from the fans and supporters?
A, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Even in difficult times, they cheer us on like that and give us power, so they are truly a reliable presence. We must desperately aim for victory together with our fans and supporters, and for their sake, we must put in even more effort to deliver a win. Today, I felt that very strongly once again. I can only be grateful for that power.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q. It was a frustrating result, but how do you look back on the match?
A,I felt we need to start the game with more momentum from the very beginning.
Q: I think the first half was about wanting to create attacking shapes while moving the ball more.
A,The distance between each player was too far, and it felt like we were being caught at every stop like a local train. The players on the sides were also too congested, so I feel we need to be more creative.
Q. Was the opponent's strong pressing also a factor in why things didn't go well?
A,I believe we can fix everything with our own skills, and I also think the mental aspect plays a role.Although I won't be with the team during the break, I think I can gain experience through national team activities, so I want to do my best with what I can do.
Q. How do you feel about the upcoming national team activities?
A,I think this is a chance to learn from various players, so I want to do my best with all my might.
Q: There will be a bit of a break, but please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming league matches.
A, I hope to fix what needs to be fixed and be ready for the match.
I believe we must win for the fans and supporters, so we absolutely have to win next time.
