<Match Review>
The Emperor's Cup Round of 16, aiming to advance to the quarterfinals. Tokyo faces Cerezo Osaka in a game at YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM. Before the break, they achieved a record of 4 wins and 1 loss in 5 official matches, showing a resurgence through hard work in both offense and defense and soccer played with full team unity. In this match as well, they want to firmly demonstrate their strengths and continue paving the way toward the AFC Champions League stage.
The 11 players selected by head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI for the starting eleven are as follows. The goalkeeper is Kim Seung-gyu, and the back line from the right consists of Kosuke SHIRAI, Alexander Scholz, Henrique Trevisan, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE. For Henrique, who had been sidelined due to injury, this was his first official match since the May 25 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Round 18 match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. In midfield, the defensive midfielders are Keigo Higashi and Kei Koizumi. The attackers are Keisuke Sato on the right and Leon NOZAWA on the left, with the two forwards being the team's 'lubricants,' Motoki NAGAKURA and Teruhito NAKAGAWA.
A knockout system where the match is decided in one game, from extra time to penalty shootouts. Including the bench members, they kicked off with a truly do-or-die attitude.
1st HALF—Although pushed back, signs of counterattack appear through adjustments and responses
In the early stages, Tokyo was pressed as the opponent held the ball, making it difficult to play facing forward. They failed to create numerical superiority by effectively exploiting the midfield mismatch, and time passed without being able to form their desired attacking shape. Against C Osaka, who showed a thick attack with fullbacks bursting forward from the inside, Tokyo tried to find a way out, but the opponent maintained aggressive play. The clock kept ticking in this difficult situation.
Although we did not allow any clear scoring chances, at the 25th minute water break in the first half, when the opponent had taken control, Coach Matsuhashi made adjustments to the team and provided countermeasures to resolve the mismatches occurring in midfield. However, immediately after, at the 28th minute, an accident occurred when Shirai, who had returned to our defense to respond to a counterattack, injured his right foot and was forced to be substituted. Sei MUROYA was sent onto the pitch as his replacement.
Gradually shutting down the opponent's strengths and starting to carry the ball into their territory, at the 45th minute of the first half, player Muroya created a close chance with a daring attacking participation and a grounded cross. Then, during the 6 minutes of first-half additional time, player Nagakura took a powerful long-range shot. Furthermore, at 45+6 minutes from a set piece, player Kashifu's left-footed kick was met by player Sato's dive but just missed. As the possibility of scoring gradually became more apparent, the first half ended. The match, forced into a difficult situation, went into halftime scoreless.
2nd HALF—Nagakura's winning goal leads to advancement to the Emperor's Cup quarterfinals for the first time since the 2016 season
Tokyo, wanting to take the initiative while skillfully gaining momentum, saw the coach make a move at the start of the second half. Teppei OKA was brought in as the left center-back, replacing Henrique. The number 30 was sent out with expectations for stability in the back line and build-up passes.
The second half continued with a seesaw battle. At the 5th minute of the second half, they lost the ball while trying to launch a counterattack and faced a dangerous counterattack, but Kagawa's last pass was fiercely pressed back by Kashifu, who made a sliding interception. They escaped a desperate situation, and after the danger came an opportunity. Then, at the 6th minute, Sato advanced with a counterattack into the penalty area and sent a final pass to the center. However, the opposing player desperately returned and intercepted. Unfortunately, they could not shake the goal net.
And in the 10th minute of the second half, the long-awaited opening goal for the Blue-Red was scored. They connected passes from their own half, searching for an attacking switch, and Nagakura, who had dropped back to the midfield for a post play, received the ball and quickly turned. Without hesitation, he sent a through pass to the front line, where Nakagawa broke free and calmly slotted the ball into the goal, giving Tokyo the lead.
However, in the 15th minute of the second half, Kagawa skillfully changed his grip near the penalty arc and struck with his left foot, breaking through the course and equalizing the score.
Tokyo, having been equalized against, immediately took action. At the 16th minute, right after conceding the goal, they substituted Higashi and Nozawa with Takahiro KO and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. In the 21st minute of the second half, from a side change by Takahiro KO, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA delivered a cross, creating a close chance as Nagakura connected in the center.
After that, player Tawara Tsukida continuously created chances. Accelerating vertically along the left side touchline, leaving the opposing defender behind, he showed a breakthrough with a left-footed shot. Then, with a cut-in pass, he set up a scoring opportunity for player Sato. Furthermore, he quickly made his presence felt by carrying the ball to the goal line on the right side and delivering crosses, all within a short time.
At the 34th minute of the second half, player Kim Seung-gyu made a sharp reaction to save a shot from player Honma from close range. The defense also supported the team with desperate defense.
Once again, after a crisis comes an opportunity. Immediately after the guardian's fine save prevented the danger at the 35th minute, Nagakura quickly surrounded and took the ball in his own half, then Tawara Tsukida showcased a dribble crossing the pitch from left to right. Receiving a pass from here, Sato played a floating pass over the opposing defense to the far side, where Nagakura appeared again, controlling the ball with one touch and sliding it into the goal, allowing Tokyo to take the lead. Wearing number 26, who had been showing a fierce performance both offensively and defensively, accomplished a big task.
The guardian also gets fired up by this development. In the 38th and 42nd minutes of the second half, he made consecutive fine saves to keep the goal intact.
After 6 minutes of displayed second-half additional time, they skillfully used the time while keeping the ball in a high position, withstood the opponent's final fierce attack, and the time was up. They advanced to the Emperor's Cup best 8 for the first time since the 2016 season, and the victory song of the 'City That Never Sleeps' echoed throughout YODOKO SAKURA STADIUM.
The matchups for the quarterfinals will be decided by an open draw held on Thursday, August 7th, from 17:00.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kim Seung-gyu
DF Kashif BANGNAGANDE (36th minute second half: Kanta DOI) / Alexander Scholz / Henrique Trevisan (0 minute second half: Teppei OKA) / Kosuke SHIRAI (31st minute first half: Naruki Muroya)
MF Keigo Higashi (16th minute second half: Takahiro KO) / Kei Koizumi
FW Megumu Sato / Motoki NAGAKURA / Leon NOZAWA (16th minute second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA) / Teruhito NAKAGAWA
SUBS
GK Masataka KOBAYASHI
MF Kento HASHIMOTO/Soma ANZAI
FW Marcelo RYAN
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
10th minute of the second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA / 35th minute of the second half: Motoki NAGAKURA
<Cerezo Osaka>
STARTING XI
GK Kim Jin-hyeon
DF Hayato OKUDA/Reiya SAKATA (30th minute second half: Dion Cools)/Ryuya NISHIO/Shinnosuke HATANAKA
MF Hinata KIDA (36th minute second half: Motohiko NAKAJIMA)/Shinji KAGAWA (36th minute second half: Masaya SHIBAYAMA)/Shunta TANAKA
FW Rafael Hutton (25th minute second half: Vitor Bueno)/Thiago Andrade (25th minute second half: Shion HONMA)/Lucas FERNANDEZ
SUBS
GK Koki FUKUI
DF Rikito INOUE
MF Kyohei YOSHINO
FW Kengo FURUYAMA
MANAGER
Arthur PAPAS
GOAL
15th minute of the second half: Shinji KAGAWA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: Please summarize today's match.
A, it was a very tough environment for both teams, and I think it is very positive that the match was decided within 90 minutes. In terms of quality, I believe this game was greatly affected by the heat, but in the end, winning through small successes and the accumulation of small efforts led to this result.
Q, During the break period, there were many game-style training sessions. How did the players who participated today feel about their performance?
A, we do not always fix the members, and it was also a period where various members played in positions that could be anticipated during the game. Among them, whoever played delivered a solid performance. Although we struggled to show that in the early part of today's match, the players quickly responded to the adjustments made midway. From there, we gained good momentum. Of course, there were times when we were attacked, but I believe we were able to advance the ball well and enter the final third in a good way.
Q. Considering the heat and the tough battle causing significant exhaustion, are you thinking about rotating members or giving them rest ahead of the Kashima Antlers match?
A, that is not the case. Although it is a difficult situation, our idea is to have everyone recover as quickly as possible so that all players can be options again. It is not necessarily true that just because a player remains at the Kodaira Ground they will play in the Kashima match or be in the next lineup. Of course, there is a possibility for such players, but the time to get into condition is limited to about a day and a half or two days within these three days. Within that time, we want to properly get everyone in condition, align their pace, and then make our choices.
Q, I think you had a strong mindset today of never giving up until the very end, even when they entered the penalty box.
A, I think that was where Cerezo Osaka was able to fully demonstrate their strengths. However, even within that, I want to commend Kim Seung-gyu and the defense line for firmly repelling attacks. Of course, the more such situations occur, the higher the possibility of conceding goals, so I believe it is important to thoroughly shut those down. We must firmly keep that as a theme, and since we have to continue even in this season, we will not use weather or climate as an excuse and will thoroughly address what can be improved. With that mindset, we want to prepare well in training.
Q: In the first half, it seemed difficult to control the opponent's midfield. How did you view that situation?
A, first of all, the defensive intensity was not high. Whether the body wasn't moving enough or not, in just a short time of watching, simple vertical passes were getting through easily. That is also the opponent's strength, and I think we should have understood that, but of course there are roles and things we are trying to do, yet not being able to take fuzzy positions led to errors in some places. However, during the first half break (at the water break), by communicating with the players while talking with the coach, I think we were able to gradually improve and take control of the pace.
Q. I think the coordination between the two players who scored goals today has deepened. Could you please give your evaluation of the two?
A, today, regarding teamwork, I was wondering how it was. In terms of the relationship when entering the opponent's box, the positioning was a bit slow, and there was perhaps too much time spent stopping. Naturally, that makes it easier for the opponent to defend, and there are many things they can do within the available space with more creativity. However, even when space is limited, how they use their perspective is a point I saw as needing further improvement.
[Player Interview]
<Motoki NAGAKURA>
Q. How do you feel looking back at the scoring scene?
A, Sato Yoshimasa watched carefully, so the perfect ball came, and I'm glad I was able to finish it. The defender touched it a little, but Yoshimasa passed it to a good spot, so it's thanks to his pass.
Q. After scoring a goal, you ran straight behind the goal. What were you feeling at that moment?
A, I am truly grateful to all the fans and supporters who came to the away games on weekday nights, so I really wanted to say thank you very much.
Q. Throughout the match, I think we saw plays where you received the ball, passed it, and ran for the team.
A, I was able to score one goal and provide one assist, but it was a match where we defended and won as a team rather than individually, so I believe it was a victory for the entire team.
Q. How do you feel when looking back at the scene of the first assist?
A, I received a pass from Leon NOZAWA and was able to face forward. When I looked ahead, I saw Teruhito NAKAGAWA was in a good position, so I was able to make good use of it. I thought it was impressive that NAKAGAWA was able to finish it off.
Q. Regarding the play before the first assist, I think the movement was good as you dropped your position from the front line to become the starting point, and then received the pass once again afterward.
A, I believe that is the position where I can thrive, so I am glad I was able to perform well there.
Q, You didn't stop moving your feet until the very end, did you?
A, Everyone was desperately defending. I think the fact that we were leading was also the driving force that kept our legs moving.
Q. Since Nagakura joined Tokyo, the team has recovered, and both Nagakura himself and the team have been able to produce results. How do you feel about this?
A, I think transferring was a good decision for me, and since the team is also improving, we aim to climb higher in the league matches and want to win the next game as well.
Q: The next match against Kashima Antlers is in three days. How is your physical condition? Can you run?
A, Yes, no problem!
<Player Kim Seung-gyu>
Q: Please reflect on the match.
A, I believe we were able to prepare well for today's match thanks to Shota YAMASHITA, the goalkeeper coach, and Ryota Inoue, the assistant goalkeeper coach. Thanks to their efforts, I feel we were able to perform well today.
Q, especially the big saves towards the end of the match greatly contributed to the team's victory.
A, I believed that if it wasn't just my play, but the entire defense could keep a clean sheet and control the game, the forwards would definitely score. I think we worked hard as a team and communicated well to fight for the full 90 minutes.
We received advice from the two goalkeeper coaches about the characteristics of the opponent, and they incorporated into our practice what kind of playing style they have and what kind of shots we could expect. We players have built up that practice, and I feel it led to the good performance today. It is precisely because of that practice that today's play and results were achieved.
Q, Today's victory has secured advancement to the Best 8.
In League A matches, we have recently felt confident about playing good games. We want to achieve solid results in the quarterfinals and make it all the way to the championship.
Q, The league match against Kashima Antlers will be held with a three-day interval.
A, we were well prepared even before today's match, so I want to keep up this momentum. There isn't much time until the game, but we will analyze the opponent's characteristics and proceed with thorough preparation. Aiming for a clean sheet victory, we will do our best in the Kashima match as well.
