GAME RESULTGame Result

ACL Match 2 February 18, 2020 (Tuesday)
Attendance 7,755 
Weather: Clear, Light Wind, Temperature: 9.2°C, Humidity: 45% 
Referee: Yakub Abdulbaki Assistant Referee: Abdullah Aljanidani / Hamid T S Alghafri Fourth Official: Alshaqshi Suleiman

AFC Champions League 2020 Group Stage ACL Match 2

Tokyo Stadium

HOME

FC Tokyo

1-0

Match Ended

First Half0-0

Second Half1-0

AWAY

Perth Glory FC

FC Tokyo Perth Glory FC
83 minutes: Leandro Scorer
59 minutes: Adailton → Kazuya KONNO
89 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA → Joan OUMARI
90+2 minutes: Shuto ABE → Kyosuke TAGAWA
Player Substitution 73 minutes: Joel KIANESE → Nicolas DAGOSTINO
75 minutes: Cristian POPOVIC → Jake BRIMMER
89 minutes: Ivan FRANIC → Gabriel POPOVIC
10 Shoot 6
5 GK 18
12 CK 3
5 Direct Free Kick 16
4 Indirect Free Kick 3
4 Offside 3
0 PK 0
Warning 14' Tomislav Muršec
Ejection
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 33 Akihiro HAYASHI
DF 2 Sei MUROYA
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
DF 4 Tsuyoshi WATANABE
DF 6 Ryoya OGAWA
MF 8 Yojiro Takahagi
MF 15 Adailton
MF 18 Kento HASHIMOTO
MF 20 Leandro
MF 31 Shuto ABE
FW 9 Diego OLIVEIRA
FC Tokyo Bench
GK 13 Go HATANO
DF 32 Joan OUMARI
DF 37 Hotaka NAKAMURA
MF 7 Hirotaka MITA
MF 38 Kazuya KONNO
FW 23 Kiichi YAJIMA
FW 27 Kyosuke TAGAWA
Perth Glory FC Starting XI
GK 33 Liam Ready
DF 2 Alex Grant
DF 4 Gregory Biutrich
DF 5 Ivan Franjić
DF 12 Kim Subom
DF 16 Tomislav Murcera
MF 17 Diego Castro
MF 29 Cristiano Popovic
MF 88 Neil Kilkenny
FW 7 Joel Chianese
FW 9 Bruno Fornaroli
Perth Glory FC Bench
GK 1 Tandoh Berafi
DF 3 Jacob Tratt
DF 8 James Meredith
MF 20 Jake Brimmer
MF 22 Bince Ria
FW 18 Nicolas D'Agostino
FW 28 Gabriel Popović

[Highlight Video]

[Player and Coach Comments]

Leandro
(Reflecting on today's battle)
"Today was a difficult fight because the opponent was defensive.
Still, the entire team was patient in defense, attacked together, and was able to win 3 points together.

(In terms of perseverance, I think my contribution on the defensive side was significant)
"One of the characteristics of my playing style is hard work. In terms of contributing to the team, I was able to contribute today in the form of a goal. Besides that, I believe it is most important to fight for the team in various ways and to seize victory."

(Looking back at the goal scene)
"Abe was free in the penalty area, so I passed the ball and asked for a return. I don't remember much about that scene, but I had an image in my mind. Today's match was really difficult, but I am truly happy that I was able to score a goal and achieve victory."

(I think I was playing to seek results)
"I play for the team. I believe that everything has led to victory as a result."

(About the relationship between Diego OLIVEIRA and Adailton)
"I think we have been able to build a good relationship with easy communication. We can stimulate each other, so I want to continue this."

《Shuto ABE》
"In the first half, we struggled to execute our desired attack, but gradually from the middle of the first half, we started to play the soccer we wanted, and in the second half, we were able to attack quickly forward. I wish I could have sprinted vertically and moved the ball more to play our soccer from the first half."

(About the scene of the assist to Leandro that became the winning goal)
"At first, the pass came from Leandro where I was running. I kept the ball, and when I looked up, I saw Ogawa making a run inside, and Leandro was free. I was thinking I would trap the ball and send in a cross, but he showed his characteristic decisiveness. I didn't think he would shoot from that angle, but I felt that his decisiveness led to the goal."

(It was a goal we took to score as a team)
"Since it was at home, we wanted to score. It was reassuring to have players like Morishige and Watanabe defending behind us."

(About the play of my classmate, player Konno)
"Having a player like that come in during the second half raises the gear, and I think the opponent feels uncomfortable. When a player who comes in midway boosts the momentum, the team also gets into it, and I believe that led to the goal."

(Although it has only been a short time, the combination with the forwards is good)
"I have been able to play well while talking with Leandro and the others during practice. The solid effort in practice is being reflected in the matches. However, there are still moments where the ball doesn't connect due to my mistakes, so I want to focus on that."

(After playing 3 matches in the ACL, evaluation so far and looking ahead)
"With the J1 League starting soon, I want to prepare thoroughly for the long battles ahead. I want to work hard so that I can always be in the starting lineup and seize victories."

《Tokyo - Summary of the Press Conference with Coach Kenta HASEGAWA》
I am grateful that over 7,000 fans and supporters came out on a Tuesday during the week.
I knew from before the match that they would be a very difficult opponent. I had been thinking about how to break through their defense for a week. As a result, we couldn't easily score, and we weren't able to create many big chances. The opponent was also strong in ball possession, but they hardly created any dangerous situations.
I think it was good that we were able to play without rushing throughout the match. Also, Konno came in midway and changed the flow. We were able to create a period of time to push the opponent back, which ultimately led to Leandro's opening goal.
In the end, I thought it was important to manage the substitutions well as a coach during the match, so I am really glad that we were able to secure 3 points at home.

(What instructions were given for the second half)
"In the first half, the midfield players tended to be heavy at the back.
Often plays in front of the opponent's midfield even during attacks, and when trying to apply pressure, it was difficult to move forward. I wanted them to play more aggressively in that regard.
If we could have applied pressure a little better, we might not have allowed them to pass the ball around like that in the first half.
I thought that even if the defense line ended up being equal in numbers due to pressure, it would be fine as long as I sprinted back if I got beaten.
I think the team communicated well and responded effectively in the second half. There were some moments where we were pressured with the ball, but we handled it well in front of the goal. We were able to transition from good defense to good offense.

《Perth Glory, Coach Tony Popovic Press Conference Summary》
"As a coach, there are times when you leave the pitch feeling that the opponent was stronger when you lose a match, but looking back at our performance this time, I cannot think that way at all. This is because, despite fighting in the ACL for the first time, the players fought with all their might. The content of the match showed that all the players were fighting towards victory, so we will not look down and want to work towards the next challenge."


(I think there were changes to the schedule and various things as we approached the ACL, but how was this expedition?)
"I am grateful for the courteous treatment from everyone in Japan. We were also able to focus on soccer. I had no complaints about my stay in Japan."

(What kind of measures and analysis were being taken regarding Tokyo)
"Tokyo was also applying pressure, but I think we were the ones pressing harder until we allowed a goal. Leandro scored a wonderful goal, and this was a scene that represented the high quality of Tokyo. We should have at least secured a draw.
There was also a one-on-one scene with the GK, but we couldn't score. However, I believe that being able to compete against a strong team like today will contribute to our confidence in the future.