GAME RESULTGame Result

Sec. 9 2019/4/28 (Sun)
Audience 36,412 people 
Weather: Sunny, Low Temperature: 19.2°C, Humidity: 30% 
Referee: Minoru TOJO Assistant Referees: Hiroshi YAMAUCHI / Yoshihito HAYASHI Fourth Official: Kazuyoshi ENOMOTO

J1 Sec. 9

Ajinomoto

HOME

FC Tokyo

2-0

Match Finished

First half1-0

Second half1-0

AWAY

Matsumoto Yamaga FC

FC Tokyo Matsumoto Yamaga FC
44' Kensuke NAGAI
77' Diego OLIVEIRA
Scorer
68' Kensuke NAGAI → Jael
83' Yojiro TAKAHAGI → Na SANGHO
90'+3 Diego OLIVEIRA → Kota MORI
Player Substitution 61' Daiki Maeda → Ryo Nagai
61' Keiya Nakami → Taro Sugimoto
76' Masaki Miyasaka → Jorginho
7 Shoot 10
10 CK 5
14 FK 11
62' Yoichiro Takahagi
Warning 31' Tanaka Hayuma
53' Leandro Pereira
82' Taro Sugimoto
Exit
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 33 Akihiro HAYASHI
DF 25 Ryoya OGAWA
DF 32 Tsuyoshi WATANABE
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
DF 6 Kosuke OTA
MF 15 Takefusa KUBO
MF 8 Yojiro Takahagi
MF 18 Kento HASHIMOTO
MF 10 Keigo HIGASHI
FW 9 Diego OLIVEIRA
FW 11 Kensuke NAGAI
FC TokyoSubstitute
GK 1 Tsuyoshi Kodama
DF 20 Hyun Soo JANG
DF 22 Takumi NAKAMURA
MF 29 Makoto OKAZAKI
MF 39 Kota MORI
FW 16 Jael
FW 17 Na SANGHO
Matsumoto Yamaga FC Starting Lineup
GK 16 Tomohiko MURAYAMA
DF 5 Tomoki Imai
DF 4 Maki Iida
DF 31 Yuya HASHIUCHI
MF 3 Tanaka Hayuma
MF 14 PAULINHO
MF 35 Masaki MIYASAKA
MF 42 Ryo TAKAHASHI
MF 13 Nakami Keiya
FW 7 Maeda Daisuke
FW 10 Leandro PEREIRA
Matsumoto Yamaga FCSubstitute
GK 23 Kengo TANAKA
DF 15 Eduardo
MF 6 Ibuki FUJITA
MF 8 Serginho
MF 20 Taro SUGIMOTO
MF 32 Akira ANDO
FW 11 Ryo NAGAI

[Highlight Video]

[Player/Coach Comments]

"Kensuke NAGAI"
(Looking back at the scoring scene)
"In a scene a little while ago, I aimed for a shot from Takahagi's pass, but I couldn't score because I didn't have the right angle. I thought I could score if I had a little more angle, so when I received a through pass from Kubo, I deliberately trapped the ball a little outside and was able to move the opposing GK to the near side. After that, I was able to slide it in nicely, leading to the opening goal."

(When Kubo had the ball, I had a feeling it would come)
"After Watanabe took the ball, Kubo had it. I was prepared for two scenarios, one where Kubo would shoot after I moved even if the pass didn't come, and one where he would pass to me. When the through pass actually came, the ball came inside more than I expected, so I was surprised, but it ended up bringing out my strengths, so I'm glad. I'm grateful that he gave me the ball like that."

(Kubo and I have a good partnership)
"Kubo can carry the ball by himself and use other players as decoys to take a shot. The final decision is up to him, but both I and Diego OLIVEIRA are always ready when he receives the ball."

(One of the reasons for the team's good form is the dynamic performance of the FW line)
"The first goal was scored because of a quick transition from attack to defense, with Watanabe taking the ball and I was able to finish it. I think the team has a clear goal and everyone is facing the same direction, which is a factor in our good form."

(Despite consecutive games, we are maintaining good form)
"Even if the members change, our approach remains the same."
Actually, we are playing a good game. We want to continue this and make it possible for anyone to fight fiercely regardless of who is playing.

"Tsuyoshi WATANABE"
"It was my J1 League debut match, so I wanted to play with all my might. I was glad that I was able to do that in this match."

(Were you nervous because it was your debut match?)
"I always prepare myself to be ready, so I was more excited than nervous. I think that was a good thing."

(Things I was conscious of when facing the game)
"I think I should not lose to anyone in terms of my strong points such as heading and covering, so I played with the consciousness of surpassing my weak points and playing boldly."

(The opening goal came from Watanabe's defense)
"It was lucky that the ball I took led to a goal. I wanted to aggressively take away any opportunities during the game, so when a chance ball came, I was able to successfully take it and it led to a goal. It was a scene where I was able to play my ideal play."

(It also gave me confidence)
"Being able to play my own game also gave me confidence."

(This marks the end of our undefeated league season. Looking ahead to the next match)
"At this point, not a single player is satisfied. We are not content here and have a strong desire to win the next match as well, so we will continue to prepare diligently."

(I think my height, strength, and physical abilities are my strengths, but today there was an opponent with speed. What were you conscious of?)
"Maeda is my junior from high school. I knew what kind of play he would bring, so I predicted his speed beforehand and moved first, so I didn't think I would lose."

"Tokyo - Coach Hasegawa Press Conference Summary"
"Thanks to the good weather during Golden Week, we had a lot of fans and supporters come to watch the game. It was great that we were able to play our soccer for the full 90 minutes. I think the players were able to maintain their focus and play until the end. We knew it would be a tough match against Matsumoto, so we talked about how we needed to be on the defensive from the start. I think we were able to play with high intensity from the beginning. I wish Kubo could have scored a goal, but he played with great energy and made some amazing plays today."
Today, there were some changes in the DF line, such as Watanabe making his first start and Ota making his first start of the season in the league. However, both of them smoothly entered the game and the surrounding players provided good support.
I think it is a big plus that we were able to create a new style of soccer. We have a 5-day break now, so I want to take a good rest and prepare for the away game against G Osaka.

(Scored a goal by switching between offense and defense in a game with high ball possession)
"I didn't expect to be able to push them back that far. Watching Matsumoto's games so far, I had the impression that they were coming from a very forward position in the first 5-10 minutes. I also expected them to start the game in the same way today. In the game context, I thought we could gradually gain an advantage, but Matsumoto's defense is very strong, so even if we score a goal, they can still push us back at the last minute. I didn't think it would be easy to score. In that situation, we were able to take advantage of that momentary opening and make a high-quality pass and shot. I think it was a scene where that momentary precision came together perfectly."

(The part of quickly recovering when it was taken away seems to be one point)
"If the opponent can take the ball back at the moment when they think they can switch, it will naturally become a chance, so no matter where the opponent is, the switch after pushing in is important. This is what I have been saying since last season. This season, we focused on the accuracy after taking the ball. I think the team's aim and the players' intentions were in line in that goal scene."

(Under pressure as the top team, how do you plan to manage and lead the team?)
"Today, there was a sense of crisis within the team due to the change in members. We did not feel any complacency or arrogance just because we are in first place as a team. The players have also experienced a setback last season, so they fully understand that they need to fight each game and play their own soccer."
Captain Higashi is inspiring the team, and experienced players are leading the young players, so we can continue to maintain a relaxed atmosphere during practice."

"Summary of Matsumoto - Yasuharu Sorimachi Press Conference"
"As I had imagined before the match, it was a tough game."
If we are scored against, there are parts that we must disrupt our balance as well, so I thought that Tokyo's strength would be even more evident, but it turned out to be that way.
I thought I would be able to turn things around in the second half, but I don't think I had enough energy to do so.
There are still areas that can be improved, so we need to do them properly.
At the same time, even if there is no increase in skills when you wake up tomorrow, you must make efforts to compensate for it and work hard.
Today's opponent is the top team in Japan's top league, so in that sense, there are also parts that I was able to learn from.
"We want to use today's experience to prepare for the next home game against C Osaka."

(Was there also a part where the game plan fell apart due to conceding at that time?)
"Considering that we also conceded at a similar time in the previous Levain Cup Shimizu match, we need to sort out that part."
It's a part of the game that I'm particular about, but unfortunately it has weakened a bit. In that sense, it's a shame and it's not Matsushita if we don't show our strength there.
"The quick counterattack of the 2-top formation is also a major weapon for Tokyo, and we have been paying close attention to it. In that sense, it was a disappointing goal to concede."