GAME RESULTGame Result

Sec. 32 2017/11/18 (Sat)
Audience 19,476 people 
Weather cloudy, weak temperature 15.0 degrees, humidity 56% 
Referee: Itaru HIROSE Assistant Referees: Seiichi KANAI / Tadashi BABA Fourth Official: Takao NISHIYAMA

J1 Sec. 32

Bear Star

HOME

Sagan Tosu

2-1

Match Finished

First Half2-0

Second Half0-1

AWAY

FC Tokyo

Sagan Tosu FC Tokyo
17' Riki HARAKAWA
34' Akito FUKUTA
Scorer 90'+4 Yu KAJIN
60' Akito FUKUTA → Tsuyoshi AOKI
73' Kyosuke TAGAWA → Kei IKEDA
88' Yuji ONO → Yu FUJITA
Player Substitution 62' Yohei KAJIYAMA → Yoshito OKUBO
72' Peter UTAKA → Rei HIRAKAWA
78' Kensuke NAGAI → Ryoichi MAEDA
6 Shoot 11
4 CK 8
16 FK 16
63' Yuji ONO
Warning
Exit
Sagan TosuStarting Lineup
GK 33 Shuichi Gonda
DF 13 Yuzo Kobayashi
DF 5 Kim Minhyuk
DF 15 Chung Sung-Hyun
DF 23 Yutaka YOSHIDA
MF 6 Akito FUKUTA
MF 14 Yoshiki Takahashi
MF 4 Riki HARAKAWA
FW 40 Yuji ONO
FW 27 Kyosuke TAGAWA
FW 32 Victor Ibarbo
Sagan TosuSubstitute
GK 12 Shugo TSUJI
DF 8 Yu Fujita
DF 35 Aoki Takeshi
MF 25 Yasuhiro Yasuyu
MF 50 Koki MIZUNO
FW 11 Yohei TOYODA
FW 22 Kei Ikeda
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 1 Yu OKUBO
DF 22 Yusuke Tokunaga
DF 14 Hyun Soo JANG
DF 5 Yuichi MARUYAMA
MF 2 Sei MUROYA
MF 37 Kento HASHIMOTO
MF 38 Keigo HIGASHI
MF 6 Kosuke OTA
FW 10 Yosuke Kajiyama
FW 15 Kensuke NAGAI
FW 9 Peter UTAKA
FC TokyoSubstitute
GK 33 Akihiro HAYASHI
DF 4 Yoshimoto Kazuhito
DF 36 Masayuki YAMADA
MF 21 Insoo YU
MF 40 Rei HIRAKAWA
FW 13 Yu KAJIN
FW 20 Ryoichi MAEDA

[Highlight Video]

[Player/Coach Comments]

"Sei MUROYA"
(Looking back on the match)
"I think it was not good for the team that we were able to score during that time when the opponent was also coming forward, as we also had chances. However, we were able to create many chances throughout the match and we were able to play the attacking style we wanted, so I think we can look forward from here."

(I think there were particularly chances in the second half)
"We were able to create chances from both sides several times. However, we were unable to score, so I think we need to improve as a team."

(What about the shot aimed with your left foot?)
"I have a good feeling with my left foot and I can make crosses and shots. I have to make sure I can score in those situations."

(There was also a good collaboration with player Rei HIRAKAWA)
"I understand Rei's characteristics. I believed that good passes would come out, so I was able to play boldly there."

"Hirakawa Rei Player"
(It was a tough match against Tosu, what are your thoughts on the game?)
"Tosu was in a defensive state, so I knew exactly what I needed to do. There weren't many moments where they put pressure on me, so I was able to have the ball. It would have been best if we could have won. Next time, I want to play in a way that contributes to a victory."

(What was it like when your name was called for a substitution?)
"I felt determined. We were losing, so I was conscious of playing more aggressively."

(What words did your teammates say to you?)
"After the game, everyone said 'congratulations' to me. That's when I realized that this was the start of something."

(Did you gain confidence by playing today, or did you feel like you need to level up in various aspects?)
"Since I am playing in J3, I didn't have any confusion about what the team is doing. As an individual, I still feel like there are things I need to do, and I want to keep playing so that I can produce results when I get the chance."

(There was a scene where I collided with Ibarbo, but)
"I was blown away... I felt like it was world-class physicality."

(There are only 2 games left this season, but it would be great to play at the final match at Ajinomoto Stadium.)
"I want to make sure it doesn't end today. If I can appeal through practice, I still think there's a chance, so I want to work hard to seize that opportunity."

"Tokyo - Takayoshi Amma Coach's Press Conference Summary"
"I am truly grateful for the large number of fans and supporters who came to support us all the way to the away game and gave us a boost."
The match started with the instruction to "be careful of Ibáñez's set plays." I think we were able to handle the set plays well, but for the first goal, I have to praise Harakawa. After conceding, we switched gears and continued the match, but unfortunately, the second goal was scored after we cleared the second ball and it fell to the opponent's side. Even in a losing situation, we were able to play aggressively on both offense and defense, and we were able to handle the opponent's counterattacks as well.
The attack has been able to create multiple opportunities to shoot freely by moving the ball firmly without becoming disorganized and repeatedly entering behind Tosu. In order to score, we must increase the number of chances.
We must win in order to respond to the support of those who support us.
"I want to continue to challenge without losing focus as a team, just like how Kato (Yu Okubo) scored until the very end without giving up."

《Q&A》
Q=Did the game plan change after conceding the first goal?
"Rather than focusing on the game plan, we first confirmed as a team where the opponent's spaces were. We were able to enter dangerous positions while maintaining our positions between players. I believe that the first goal, whether we score it or not, can change the flow of the game and we should pay more attention to it."
However, I felt that Tosu's defense always had a strong defensive awareness, as they were willing to put their bodies on the line and close the gaps at the very end. I believe that in order to win, it is not just about technical skills, but also about playing with dedication, so I want to work on that in training."

Q=Evaluation of Hirakawa player
"I think he did well with Hirakawa. First, he put Hashimoto Kento on the front line and set up a player configuration that could jump into Hirokazu's cross. Through practice matches and red and white games, we knew that Hashimoto was a player who could score goals in the area, so we used him there."
Even if you attack recklessly from behind, you will end up receiving a counter. I believe in Hirakawa's quality to distribute the ball firmly in the narrow space of the high-density front line. As for the part where he fought for the ball, he talked about not being able to cope with the fast and strong press at the U-17 World Cup, so I think he is trying to overcome that challenge in order to move on to the next stage."

"Summary of Tosu Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference"
"When dividing into first and second halves, the first half was good in terms of both score and creating many chances. Looking at the entire game, I think we were able to play at a very high level in terms of technique and tactics."
The players were told that FC Tokyo would continue to push forward no matter how much risk they took in the second half. They executed their halftime tasks well in the second half.
Especially Yuji ONO, Akito FUKUTA, and Victor Ibarbo were not in perfect condition from the beginning to the end, but even in that state, they played amazingly on the pitch.
However, if I were to be greedy, I think it would have been better for the team if we could have taken more chances and widened the point difference in the second half. I can't help but feel frustrated about conceding a goal at the very end."