<Match Review>
Aiming for their first three consecutive wins of the season, the Blue-Red Army took on Avispa Fukuoka at Ajinomoto Stadium.
In the previous away match, we used a 3-4-2-1 system but failed to reproduce effective attacks and could not break through the opponent's defense. We suffered a frustrating defeat due to a goal conceded in the 45+5 minute of the second half. Although both the system and members have changed significantly since then, we want to demonstrate greater aggressiveness than Fukuoka, who are expected to play aggressively, and show a flexible style of play while carefully observing the opponent's approach.
Coach Rikizo Matsuhashi, considering the tight schedule with only two days between matches, changed eight players in the starting eleven. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, side back Soma ANZAI, and center back Alexander Scholz all started consecutively. The back line included Naruki Muroya and Masato MORISHIGE alongside ANZAI and Scholz. In midfield, Keigo Higashi and Kei KOIZUMI were deployed. The attackers were Reon Nozawa on the right and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left, with Keito Sato and the returning-from-suspension Marcelo Hian forming the front line. Additionally, players who started in the previous match—Yuto Nagatomo, Kanta DOI, Kento HASHIMOTO, Keita ENDO, Marcos Guilherme, Motoki NAGAKURA, and Teruhito Nakagawa—were on the bench. While sending fresh members onto the pitch, the team aimed for a third consecutive win through an all-out effort including the substitutes.
This season, we have built a team that maintains quality no matter who plays. Amid significant changes in the lineup, attention is focused on whether we can continue the momentum from consecutive 1-0 victories against Verdy and Kawasaki Frontale, as well as the adaptability shown in both offense and defense, and whether the players hungry for playing time can demonstrate passionate performances.
1st HALF—Keep calm, circulate the ball, and convert limited chances into goals
The match started with both teams feeling each other out. Tokyo continued to probe for attacking opportunities while maintaining possession, and Lucas RIAN broke free on a counterattack to earn a foul, but they were unable to create clear chances as they wished.
Tokyo increasingly held possession of the ball, using the goalkeeper from the back line to evade the opponent's pressure, but they couldn't add depth to their attack against Fukuoka's five-back formation that eliminated space, and failed to create any big chances.
Anzai, who played as right side back for Tokyo, tried to add variation to the attack with forward runs, cut-ins, and vertical breaks. However, when the ball was with the back line or defensive midfielders, they were unable to play the ball forward, resulting in prolonged periods of circulating the ball around the outside using the flanks.
Still, at the 35th minute of the first half, Sato received a sideways pass from Anzai, who had been the starting point of the attack on the right side, while gaining speed, and with that momentum, launched a fierce shot near the near post. At the 37th minute, Nozawa's long-range shot hit the left post, and Anzai's powerful right-footed shot unfortunately went straight to the goalkeeper. Tokyo continued to create close scoring opportunities in quick succession.
This momentum brings the long-awaited opening goal to Tokyo.
In the 41st minute of the first half, Anzai received the ball high on the right side, adjusted his position, and sent a soft cross into the area with his left foot. Waiting in the center, RIAN powerfully headed the ball into the goal. Number 19 scored a fine goal by firmly meeting the softly arcing ball with his head and targeting the right corner, allowing Tokyo to take the lead for the third consecutive match.
During the 3 minutes of additional time displayed, Fukuoka's Wellington received a second yellow card and was sent off. Tokyo went into halftime with a one-goal lead and a numerical advantage.
2nd HALF—3 Consecutive Clean Sheets and 3 Straight Wins
No substitutions at halftime. Fukuoka, on the other hand, made two changes and approached the second half with a 5-3-1 system.
Tokyo, considering their numerical advantage, wisely used time while maintaining possession without taking unnecessary risks. In the 13th minute of the second half, they suddenly sped up and attacked down the left side. Player Tawara Tsukida made a vertical breakthrough and crossed the ball, which player RIAN touched with one touch. Although it narrowly missed to the right of the goal, it was an effective attack targeting the opponent's weakness.
At the 21st minute of the second half, both side attackers were substituted out and Endo and Marcos were brought in. Additionally, Hashimoto was sent onto the pitch in place of Higashi, making three substitutions aimed at increasing pressure on the sides while adding accents to the way the ball was moved.
Tokyo advanced the match while pressing almost into the opponent's half. In the 27th minute of the second half, they broke through the right side with a direct pass, and when player Anzai delivered a cross ball, player RIAN contested it in the center. Player Sato picked up the rebound and took a left-footed shot inside the penalty area with skillful ball control. However, the shot hit an opposing player and failed to hit the target.
At the 30th minute of the second half, a switch was made from RIAN to Nakagawa to create a place for the ball to settle up front.
However, Fukuoka also showed a moment of danger when substitute player Zahedi unleashed a powerful left-footed mid-range shot while turning around. Although Tokyo has a numerical advantage, they are leading by only one goal. They want to maintain good ball possession, aim for an additional goal, and firmly close out the match.
The second half added time was 5 minutes. Although the time being pressed by Fukuoka, who went into power play with their last strength, increased, the opponent's momentum was repelled by Sei MUROYA's strong defense and Marcos' dribbling, and the time was up. The players who were brought in fought hard, and by utilizing decisive power at critical moments and the numerical advantage, they achieved their first 3 consecutive wins of the season. The clean sheet for 3 consecutive games was also the first of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Kim Seung-gyu
DF Sei MUROYA/Masato MORISHIGE/Soma ANZAI/Alexander Scholz
MF Keigo Higashi (21st minute second half: Kento HASHIMOTO)/Leon NOZAWA (21st minute second half: Keita ENDO)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (21st minute second half: Marcos Guilherme)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Keito Sato/Marcelo Hyan (30th minute second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Kanta DOI/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
FW Motoki NAGAKURA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
41st minute of the first half: Marcelo RYAN
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Masaya TASHIRO/Ryuki NARA/Tomoya ANDO
MF Itsuki ODA (38th minute 2nd half: Masato YUZAWA)/Daiki MATSUOKA/Tomoya MIKI/Takaaki SHICHI (0 minute 2nd half: Kazuki FUJIMOTO)
FW Yuto IWASAKI (0 minute 2nd half: Nassim Ben Khalifa) (10th minute 2nd half: Shahab Zahedi)/Wellington/Shintaro NAGO (30th minute 2nd half: Kazuya KONNO)
SUBS
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Hashimoto Haruka
MF Hiroki AKINO
FW Sanibrown Hanan
MANAGER
Myung Hwi KIM
GOAL
―
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please summarize today's match.
A, there are various opinions about the content, but I am very happy that we were able to earn 3 points. We scored the opening goal in the first half, and regarding the fact that we couldn't score despite having a numerical advantage in the second half, I feel that my halftime talk may have made us play a bit too safely. That balance was quite a difficult aspect. Although the substitutions allowed us to raise the gear a little, I still think there are challenges in how we play with one player more in the second half. However, I am very pleased to have met everyone's expectations.
Q, this is your third consecutive win; how does the coach feel about this?
A, of course, it is a wonderful thing, but I don't see it as something that makes me happy personally; I believe it is the power of everyone who supports me, and I think we must continue steadily. However, I also believe that in overcoming this, there will inevitably be various difficulties, challenges, and obstacles, and we must overcome each of them one by one.
Q. Regarding the goal scene, I think it was one of the styles the coach aims for, carefully connecting passes and looking for gaps. What are your thoughts on this?
A, in the rehearsal, assuming of course that the opponent's pressing shape was as rehearsed, I think each player did very well in moving while watching who to mark in a situation very close to that. However, I believe there were a few moments where the timing to switch on the challenge could have been better.
Q. It was mentioned that the players calmed down a bit due to the coach's halftime words, but would the failure to score the second goal be a major point of reflection?
A, that's right. Being able to attack and defend with one extra player allowed our style to come through even more strongly, especially in attack. However, by fully expressing that style, risks inevitably arise, and the opponent will definitely try to exploit them. I think I was a bit too cautious in drawing the line on how much risk we could take.
Q, Soma ANZAI showed good performance again in the previous match. Please give your evaluation of him.
A, I truly think they are wonderful, and not just player Anzai, but also Yuto NAGATOMO and Sei MUROYA who are currently playing as side backs. These three have been delivering really good performances and have been actively neutralizing the opponent's strengths.
Q. It feels like the efforts we have been making are finally bearing fruit. What aspects do you think have contributed to this three-game winning streak?
A, I think there are various factors, and if you look closely, there are many details, but one thing I can say is that the players approach each match with a mindset of never giving up, and I believe that attitude has led to these results.
[Player Interview]
<Marcelo RYAN>
Q, please review the game.
A, we were able to play a good match in the first half. Of course, we were also able to score. After that, the opponent had a player sent off, and the pace of the game slowed down a bit, but we were able to control the match in the second half as well, and I think overall it was a good game.
Q, the scoring scene looked like a very difficult ball was headed in.
A, I was able to take a good position, so I think it led to a shot and a goal.
Q. The opponent was down one player, and I think Tokyo's way of playing became more difficult from the second half. What were you conscious of while playing?
A, there were things to reflect on in the second half. While leading by one goal, we did not take unnecessary risks. In the second half, if we could have scored one, two, or three more goals, we could have secured the match.
Q. Please tell us what you focused on in terms of positioning against opponents who set up a defensive block with 5 players.
A, although the opponent had quite a few players behind, we were able to have good practice this week and, under the direction of the coach and manager, anticipated where the spaces would be, so it worked out well.
Q, as a side note, you looked good with blonde hair, but why did you change your hair color back to black?
A, My wife didn't really like (blonde hair), so I changed it because she told me to (laughs).
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q, We pulled off three consecutive wins without conceding a goal.
A, I am satisfied with the result. Securing a solid 3 points is a sign that we are able to play a focused match, especially since the games up to now have been quite rough.
Q, Please reflect on your own performance.
A, I think I was able to play proactively. In the second half, due to the opponent having one player sent off, there was the difficulty that the plays we could make were limited. Fukuoka did not come forward as much as we had anticipated, so I was conscious of how to move the ball, where to increase the speed, and how to engage the opponent's defensive midfielders. I think it would have been better if I could have played in a way that moved my teammates more effectively, and when the attack got stuck, I reflect that I could have had a bit more speed in canceling and moving on to the next action.
Q. Against opponents who solidify their defense, I think there were long periods when we couldn't break through the center.
A, the number of balls going to the outside increased, but that is not necessarily bad; what is important is how to get more balls into the center and inside from there. If the ball received at the side position is passed to the defensive midfield players and the ball is moved with good tempo, it will pose a threat to the opponent. I also feel we might have been a bit too cautious, and it would have been better if we could have played a bit more dynamically.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q: This was your first 3-game winning streak of the season. How do you look back on the match?
A, the team had achieved two consecutive wins, and personally, it was my first time in a while to start as a member in a league match. Both for the team and myself, in terms of connecting to a third consecutive win through the result of winning, it was a difficult match in many ways, but I think it was good that we were able to secure 3 points.
Q, it was your first start in four games; what were you thinking as you entered the match?
A, today I played as a defensive midfielder, so I tried to touch the ball a lot and constantly make my presence felt everywhere. However, I think it would have been better if I could have shown more of what I was able to do and practiced. There were a few side changes, but personally, I wanted to try a bit more in those areas. After the opponent was down to ten men, the second half became a more difficult game. Even in such a situation, I believe it was a valuable experience as a player to think smartly about what kind of play is necessary to secure 3 points.
Q. Was the part where you couldn't do what you were trying to do well also influenced by the significant changes in the members?
A, no, that doesn't change regardless of who plays, and I actually think the play shouldn't change because of that. In the sense that it is necessary to win no matter who plays and to play good football no matter who is on the field, even though there were various situations today, I think we could have done more and we must do so.
Q. There is another match against Yokohama F.Marinos in four days from now. How will you prepare for the next game?
A, regardless of whether Tokyo is currently on a winning streak or not, I believe it is important for the team to focus on and fight hard in the one match right in front of us. This applies not only to the players but also to the coach, staff, and the fans and supporters at home. We need to tighten our resolve once again, reset the feeling of having won three consecutive games, and approach the next match with care and focus on the game ahead.
