Match Review
In the previous match against Cerezo Osaka, we came close to a comeback but ended up with just 1 point. After the Emperor's Cup first-round match against Zweigen Kanazawa, we are heading with great enthusiasm to Panasonic Stadium Suita, aiming for our first league victory in 5 matches.
The 4-back system introduced from the match against Cerezo Osaka is still in the process of improving its training and maturity. In the starting lineup, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA replaced Soma ANZAI from the previous match. Three members on the bench were changed. Kashif BANGNAGANDE returned to the J1 League bench for the first time in 387 days. Motoki NAGAKURA, who joined on loan from Urawa Reds during this month's special registration period, was on the bench for the league match for the first time. Another player, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, returned to the league match bench for the first time in two games.
1st HALF—Conceded a direct free kick, going into halftime one goal behind
Kicking off at 18:30 while the heat still lingers, both teams aggressively approached the goal, leading to a high-intensity local battle sparking with fierce competition.
Just three minutes into the first half, from the left side, player Tawara Tsukida passed to Kento HASHIMOTO in the center, who took a mid-range shot. Tawara Tsukida then picked up the rebound and aimed with his left foot, but was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper.
At the 10th minute of the first half, although the defense line was broken through and faced a crisis, Go HATANO repeatedly threw his body to block the ball, and finally, Sei MUROYA made a last-ditch block near the water's edge to somehow escape the danger.
In the 18th minute of the first half, Kosuke SHIRAI, who had been actively moving up and down the field, was injured in an accident, and Yoshifu made an emergency substitute appearance.
As the home crowd's cheers gradually boost Gamba Osaka's momentum, the team is pressed for a period of time, and at the 33rd minute, they concede the first goal. Usami scores directly from a free kick on the left side, giving the away team the lead.
At the 41st minute of the first half, Keita ENDO took a direct free kick in front of the opponent's goal, but it failed to hit the target. The match remained evenly contested as it moved into the decisive second half.
2nd HALF—Increased offensive pressure towards the end, but conceded a second goal just before the end and lost the match
Five minutes into the second half, a decisive chance was created from a swing by substitute player Yoshifu. From a direct free kick on the right side, the ball was sent in front of the goal with the left foot, and Yasuki KIMOTO reacted to the rebound and was fouled, earning a penalty kick. However, the penalty kick taken by Marcelo RYAN was stopped by G Osaka goalkeeper Ichimori's excellent save, missing a great opportunity to equalize.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Sei MUROYA broke through the right side and sent a fast cross ball, which reached RIAN in front of the goal, but the shot was not completed.
Two minutes later, from a through pass by G Osaka's Shuto ABE, Dennis Humet took a shot, but Go HATANO made a great save to stop it.
As the back-and-forth battle continued, at the 19th minute of the second half, players Kei Sato, Nagakura, and Anzai were brought onto the pitch as substitutes. Nagakura, making his league debut for the Blue-Red team that day, positioned himself between the lines and became the starting point of the attack, gradually increasing the time spent pressing into the opponent's territory.
At the 39th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA was brought on as the final substitution to further strengthen the offensive. During the added time, NAKAGAWA broke free down the right side, but the grounded cross he sent in front of the goal was once again stopped by the opposing goalkeeper Ichimori.
And just before the end of the match, G Osaka scored a decisive second goal, sealing the outcome. Having fought a close battle, it was a defeat that left a lingering sense of regret.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Naruki MUROYA/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Kosuke SHIRAI (18th minute of first half: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)
MF Woo Ko HIGH/Keigo AZUMA (19th minute of second half: Motoki NAGAKURA)/Kento HASHIMOTO/Keita ENDO (19th minute of second half: Soma ANZAI)
FW Marcelo Hian (39th minute of second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (19th minute of second half: Megumi SATO)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Kanta DOI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
―
<Gamba Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jun ICHIMORI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Riku HANDA/Keisuke KUROKAWA/Shinnosuke NAKATANI
MF Neta Ravi (Second half 19 min: Tokuma SUZUKI)/Shuto ABE (Second half 41 min: Aki KURATA)
FW Takashi USAMI (Second half 33 min: Makoto MITSUTA)/Ryoya YAMASHITA (Second half 19 min: Juan Arano)/Denis Humet/Welton (Second half 33 min: Takeru KISHIMOTO)
SUBS
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shinya NAKANO/Genta MIURA
FW Issam JEBALI
MANAGER
Daniel POYATOS
GOAL
33rd minute of the first half: Takashi USAMI / 45+3 minutes of the second half: Takeru KISHIMOTO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, Please give us a review of today's match.
A, it turned out to be a truly frustrating game. While we had periods where we controlled the pace, we couldn't pose enough of a threat in the crucial moments at the end. Of course, there were chances to equalize, but we couldn't capitalize on them either. We struggled to create significant danger in front of the goal, which led to this defeat. However, everyone worked extremely hard, and there were moments when we successfully stopped the opponent's excellent attacks. Although conceding two goals is disappointing, I believe the players really gave their best effort.
Q. During the back-and-forth battle, it seemed like you weren't able to take control of the game as you wanted.
A, the opponent was not always applying high pressure, so from the start we wanted to take control and move the ball under those conditions. However, there were few such scenes in the first half, so in the second half we organized that aspect and discussed positioning and relationships when pressing, as well as where to break through. Ultimately, the ball did not settle well, and there were moments when it rolled to the opponent, leading to counterattacks, which was unfortunate.
Towards the end, the attempts to create a starting point near the penalty box at Marcelo RYAN's position, coming from Sei MUROYA's position, were very well done. However, even there, the play couldn't quite settle down. The ball needed to be firmly controlled, and there should have been an action in response to that, but although actions were happening, the ball did not connect to the next play. The ball was taken by the opponent moving forward, leading to a counterattack. We are still receiving a very high number of counterattacks, and there have been goals conceded as a result, so this is something that really needs improvement and must be continuously worked on. I believe the only way is to train hard enough to completely shut down those situations.
Q. It was a match that could have gone either way. What is necessary to turn this into a victory?
A, I think we just have to keep going. We have no choice but to believe in that and work together. However, you can't win at soccer with just passion, so tactical aspects are, of course, necessary. In today's game, there were naturally parts that were somewhat organized, and the threat in front of the goal needs to be increased much more. I personally think it might be better to consider that method more simply. Without that threat, even if we create good opportunities and execute as planned, it will be difficult to finish the game successfully. Even with the few chances we get, unless we can convert them, I believe it will be hard to earn points.
[Player Interview]
＜Sei MUROYA＞
Q, it was a match where it wouldn't have been strange to pick up points, but how do you look back on the game?
A, it was known in advance that Gamba Osaka's away games would be difficult. Conceding the first goal was a bit painful, but even so, we controlled the game firmly despite being attacked. Given the team's situation, I think we can't win unless we make the most of the few chances we get, so today we were a bit lacking in that area, and also lacked some luck.
Q. In situations like this, the team tends to fall apart, but it seemed like player Muroya was encouraging from the back and successfully creating a fighting spirit among everyone.
A, I was consciously trying to communicate, but in the end, we couldn't secure the 3 points. We have no choice but to look forward positively, and since there is little time until the next match, I want to prepare well.
Q. I think there were many effective situations where you took a wide position and then made a diagonal wedge pass from there.
A, well, there were several occasions where I could have passed to player Hian, but it would have been better if we had committed more players further up the field. Player Hian also created several chances, so we are creating opportunities; now it's just a matter of finishing them.
Q: From here, there will be two consecutive matches against opponents close in ranking. How will you prepare for these 6-point matches?
A, the preparation for the match is always the same, and what we do does not change, but now that the second half of the season has started, we must face the reality of our current ranking. I think this is a match where we absolutely must earn points, so I believe we just need to prepare thoroughly.
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q, It seemed like you were able to get a certain sense of confidence in the past few games, but how did you feel while playing today?
A, before the match, we organized the attack, shared with everyone about positioning and how to connect the passes, and I think we were able to do that especially well in the first half. However, since the results are not coming, it's still not good enough.
Q. How has the buildup been since the system changed to 4-4-2?
A, we can't say much without results. We've been conceding multiple goals in a row, and I think we need to improve the part where we seem to drop off a bit after conceding.
Q. I think there were parts where you connected the ball in coordination.
A, to some extent, there are parts that we can share in the attack, and I think there are parts that are gradually being built up. We are able to play while watching the opponent, so I think the finishing part is the challenge. It's not that we don't have chances, but I think the difference with the opponent came out in the part where we need to finish firmly.
Q, There is a match against Yokohama F.Marinos in just two days.
A, We really cannot afford to lose, and we must be more and more aggressive with both our offense and defense, putting our feelings forward even more. I strongly felt again today that earning 3 points is not easy, so I want to do my best properly.
Q. What will you focus on for the next match?
A, We are currently going through a truly difficult period, so we want to find some kind of opportunity. There's no point in looking down, so we want everyone to face forward and move ahead together.
