First Preseason Match of the Season

With the start of the league season just two weeks away, a preseason match was held against Sagan Tosu. Under the guidance of coach Ranko POPOVIC, who took over last season, the team's slogan "C.O.A Football ~ aiming for further evolution ~" is set as they aim to win the league title and start the season. Following the Okinawa camp, the team is currently holding a camp in Miyazaki and Miyakonojo, where they are trying out new players and confirming the team's current state. Although it is an away game, it was a great opportunity for a real match.

Tokyo will face Ulsan Hyundai tomorrow in a practice match, considering the players' condition due to the consecutive games so far, with a fresh lineup. There will be no major changes in the defense, but Yonemoto and Tanabe will play in the defensive midfield, Vucicevic and Ishikawa on the left and right midfield, Kono as the attacking midfielder, and Hirayama as the lone striker. New signing Nozawa and returning player Abe from Yokohama FC will be on the bench. On 2/14, the team announced the loan signing of Chun Son LEE from Southampton FC (England). As the competition within the team intensifies, it will be a test for the players to see how they can showcase their skills and fight for their spot. This is also the significance of this match.

Sagan Tosu, on the other hand, made a leap to 5th place last season with the soccer style that coach YOON Jong Hwan aims for. Many key players remain and they are looking to further improve their defense and hard work this season. While FW TOYOTA remains the center of their attack, Sagan Tosu's strength lies in all players understanding the concept of pressing and quickly launching attacks. With further improvement, they should be able to compete for the top spots. However, today FW TOYOTA is absent due to poor health and MF FUJITA, a key player on both offense and defense, is on the bench due to injury. New additions FW RONI and MF JONATHAN will start in their place.

The game started at 2:01 PM in Tokyo at the Best Amenity Stadium, with a refreshing and sunny weather.

Allowing the opponent to take the lead with a momentary lapse of control

Tokyo has been firmly connecting passes and looking for opportunities to exploit their opponent's weaknesses since the start of the game. In the 3rd minute, Hirayama steals the ball from the opponent's DF in the penalty area and takes a shot with his right foot, but it is caught by the goalkeeper. After that, Kono, Ishikawa, and Vucicevic move around freely and create chances. On the other hand, Tosu tries to counterattack quickly after winning the ball, but Tokyo's DF also responds well to their attacks.

At 21 minutes, from Hirayama's side change to Ishikawa on the right side. He dribbles up and puts in an early cross, but Hirayama runs into the center and heads it, but the ball goes over the bar. At 26 minutes, a throw-in from the right side. Tanabe quickly connects with Tokunaga and crosses from a deep position on the right side to the front of the goal. Nema runs in and heads it, but the ball has no momentum and goes outside the left goal.

Despite creating multiple attacking opportunities from the side, they were unable to take a shot. Then in the 31st minute, Oita floated a pass from near the half-line behind Tokyo's final line. FW Roni quickly reacted and touched the ball before Gonda, scoring an unguarded goal. They were playing well, but conceded a goal from a long ball. Tokyo wanted to make a comeback, but gradually lost control of the second ball, allowing the opponent to control the pace. They were able to create chances from set pieces, but were unable to score. They ended the first half one goal behind.

Watanabe, who came on as a substitute, scored a goal to secure the victory.

At halftime, Tokyo, who was urged by coach Popovich to "definitely turn the game around," aggressively pressed forward to steal the ball. In the 49th minute, Hirayama broke through the left side and aimed with his right foot, but was blocked by the opposing DF. In the 58th minute, Vucicevic dribbled inside the left area and drew the opposing DF, passing to Yonemoto who had moved up. He aimed for the goal directly from outside the area, but narrowly missed to the right of the goal.

As the second half passed the 20-minute mark, gradually the passes started to circulate in the midfield and the team was able to launch attacks facing forward. In the 66th minute, a side change from the center to the left side by Kono. Ota then brought it inside and took a right-footed shot. In the 69th minute, Kono dribbled out from the right side and cut inside for a shot after a combination play with Hirayama. They completely took control of the pace. Then in the 74th minute, Morishige sent a long ball from near the halfway line. Hirayama showed persistence in the left area and connected with Vucicevic behind him. They aimed for a goal, but the opponent's defender cleared it just before the goal line. However, Ishikawa picked up the loose ball and took a shot, which was deflected by Kono and the ball flowed into the bottom left corner of the goal, equalizing the score.

Tokyo made a substitution, bringing in Nozawa for Kono in the 77th minute. Then in the 80th minute, they made another substitution, bringing in Watanabe for Ishikawa during a left corner kick. Vucicevic quickly took the short corner and crossed it for a shot. Watanabe, who had just entered the game, ran into the center and headed the ball into the goal. A one-touch play resulted in a goal. In the 87th minute, Abe was substituted in for Vucicevic. Tokyo calmly handled the opponent's counterattacks and the game ended with this result. They won their first preseason match of the season.

[Player Comments]
"Kono" "(What was the scoring scene like?) I touched it a little (laughs). It wasn't a good performance for me. Even in that, I tried to make the flow forward with as few touches as possible and keep it simple. However, if we could break through with one-two passes in a position closer to the goal... The distance between the players was also good. Still a long way to go."
"Watanabe" "Even though we had injured players and the team was not complete, it was good to be able to get results firmly, which also means developing a habit of winning. I pushed the goal with my left chest... (laughs)"
"Hirayama" "First of all, we were focused on the results, so even if we were scored first, it was very good to be able to get a victory by turning the game around. The scoring scene was not because I stuck to it, but thanks to Nema and Nao who worked hard after that."

[Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference Summary]
"I think it was the game we expected. Both teams showed their good sides in a match where they were not fully in top form during the preparation period. Our team aimed to take control of the game from the beginning, create chances, and score."
I think we were able to control most of the game, but in the first half we couldn't finish despite creating chances. On the other hand, I think the opponent was able to score their first shot on target.
I think it is worth evaluating that we were able to come from behind and win, despite being scored on first. In terms of the game itself, we had more ball possession and chances, so I feel that it was good that it led to the result.
Even if we didn't get the result here, I don't intend to change my thoughts, but today's victory must have given the players confidence.
I would like to express my gratitude for being able to play on this wonderful pitch during this time. I am grateful to the fans and supporters of both teams for their support, and I would like to thank the Tokyo fans and supporters for coming all the way to cheer us on.｣

[Sagan Tosu Manager YOON Jong Hwan's Press Conference Summary]
"Many people came to the first official game of this season, but unfortunately it ended in a disappointing result. However, we were able to see both the challenges and areas for improvement, as well as a sense of expectation, so I think it was a game where we could feel both. (What are the specific challenges?) Continuing from last season, there are still many challenges in terms of ball possession, unnecessary movements, and concentration."