GAME RESULTGame Result

Semifinal Round Game 2 2021/10/10 (Sun)
Audience 9,910 people 
Weather: Sunny, Low Temperature 26.4°C, Humidity 62% 
Referee: Hajime MATSUO Assistant Referees: Naoya OKAWA / Koji MORIKAWA Fourth Official: Akihiko IKEUCHI

YLC Prime Stage Semifinal Round Game 2

Ajinomoto

HOME

FC Tokyo

2-1

Match Finished

First half1-0

Second Half1-1

AWAY

Nagoya Grampus

FC Tokyo Nagoya Grampus
15' Adailton
55' Yojiro Takahagi
Scorer 80' Sho INAGAKI
66' Adailton → Keigo Higashi
75' Tsuyoshi Watanabe → Bruno Uvini
83' Yojiro Takahagi → Hirotaka Mita
83' Takuya Aoki → Kazuya Konno
Player Substitution 51' Naoki Maeda → Shviltzok
69' Matheus → Gabriel Xavier
89' Yoichiro Kakitani → Yuki Soma
12 Shoot 12
6 CK 3
9 FK 13
Warning
Exit
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 13 Go HATANO
DF 22 Takumi NAKAMURA
DF 4 Tsuyoshi WATANABE
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
DF 23 Ryoma WATANABE
MF 8 Yojiro Takahagi
MF 21 Takuya AOKI
MF 31 Shuto ABE
FW 15 Adailton
FW 11 Kensuke NAGAI
FW 9 Diego OLIVEIRA
FC TokyoSubstitute
GK 1 Tsuyoshi Kodama
DF 5 Bruno UVINI
DF 34 Rio OMORI
MF 7 Hirotaka MITA
MF 10 Keigo HIGASHI
MF 18 Manato SHINADA
FW 38 Kazuya KONNO
Nagoya GrampusStarting Lineup
GK 1 LANGERAK
DF 4 Nakatani Shinnosuke
DF 14 Yasuki KIMOTO
DF 17 Ryoya MORISHITA
DF 20 Kim Min-te
DF 23 Yutaka YOSHIDA
MF 5 Kazuki NAGASAWA
MF 15 Sho INAGAKI
FW 8 Yōichirō Kakitani
FW 16 Matheus
FW 25 Naoki MAEDA
Nagoya GrampusSubstitute
GK 21 Yohei TAKEDA
DF 13 Haruya FUJII
DF 26 Shumpei NARUSE
FW 10 Gabriel Xavier
FW 11 Yuki Soma
FW 40 Schwarzok
FW 44 Mu KANAZAKI

[Highlight Video]

[Player/Coach Comments]

"Ryoma WATANABE"
(I played in a different position than usual in both games, but what did I have in mind?)
"I was conscious of playing without losing my strengths."
One of the concerns is the opponent's long ball, so we need to analyze it carefully and think about when to drop back and fight.

(I was working hard on both offense and defense, but the feeling was)
"I was thinking about how I could make the most of Adailton's dribbling skills, since he was in front of me."
I thought it would be fine to use it even when I overlapped. I was thinking that it would be fine even if it didn't happen. The most important thing was to make the most of his characteristics.

(About the first short corner)
"I thought the opponent would dislike the short corner."
"There was no mark on Takahagi, so I decided to take the challenge. It was also the second attempt, so I thought I would give it a try. In the end, it led to a goal, which was great."

(How to make use of today's battle in the future)
"There are still 6 games left, so I don't know which position I will play in, but if I base it on today's hard work, I don't think we will lose to anyone."
In terms of focusing on results, today was a situation where we had to score points, but if we always fight with this mentality, I think our ranking will naturally improve, and I hope to continue playing Tokyo soccer based on this kind of battle.

(The scene of conceding in the second half was only that moment)
"I knew that the players on the front line would be tired and pushed in, with many injured players."
After Tsuyoshi WATANABE was substituted due to injury, there were changes in the coordination of the defense, and we conceded a goal due to a momentary lapse. I felt that this is still an area where we are lacking. As a DF, I felt a different way than before and I want to build on that for the next game.

(Is it the first time playing as a side back?)
"It was my first time, but there is no difference in soccer. I believe I can play in any position as long as I utilize my strengths and maintain a high average of play. I was able to showcase those strengths."

(Played with a sense of dynamism, but what were your thoughts while playing?)
"I wanted to win, and I played with the mindset of playing in any position for the team, but I have to accept the result of not being able to win. I want to become a player who can fight even more for the team."

"Yojiro TAKAHAGI"
(Reflecting on the result of 2 matches with a total of 3-4)
"I think the 3 goals conceded in the first match were crucial."

(How will we fight today?)
"We entered the game with a plan to win 2-0 by sticking to our usual style of play, rather than trying to change something."

(It was a goal from a set play, but it went as planned)
"It wasn't something we had decided beforehand, but we made a judgement based on the situation and it led to a goal. I didn't expect Watanabe (Ryoma) to take a short corner."

(Looking back at the second goal)
"Diego OLIVEIRA was able to carry the ball to the front of the goal by connecting from behind, so I had time to touch the ball once and re-enter the goal area."
"I think it was good that I was able to score a goal as a result of Diego OLIVEIRA and Nagai players taking a shot and collapsing, but I was able to carry the ball from behind firmly."

(It was difficult to fight after it became 2-0, but I think there were more things we could have done)
"I think the team was organized in what we needed to do, and we were able to go for another goal as a team and defend from the front, so it's a shame we conceded, but I think we did what we needed to do."

(Although we did not make it to the final round, it was a promising battle)
"I realized the importance of continuing this type of game in the league matches."

"Shuto ABE"
(Looking back on this tournament)
"A tournament we approached with the goal of winning back-to-back championships.
It is truly frustrating to have been defeated just one step away from the final round, after making it through the qualifying rounds all the way to the semifinals.
It's disappointing for myself and frustrating for the team that we couldn't make it to the final round, but we have to take a step forward from this defeat and move on to the next.
Unfortunately, the third goal in the last game of the away match is truly regrettable.
In the end, it became a game where we lost by one point, but it really hit home and became a tournament where we felt the weight of that one point.

(Last 6 games of the league, what kind of appearance do you want to show to the fans and supporters?)
"Today, we received wonderful support and encouragement in the form of applause at home, and it truly gave us strength."
Although we were unable to advance to the final round, we must switch gears and continue to fight in the league matches in the future.
"I want to finish the season by raising the ranking even one more than now."

"Tokyo - Manager Masaru HASEGAWA Press Conference Summary"
"I'm really disappointed."
It was once a 2-0 score, and in the last 20 minutes, I'm thinking about what kind of battle to have.
Although we had considered switching to a 3-back formation, it wasn't necessary as we weren't being pushed back. However, as time passed and we were down by one point, we had to go for a third goal. We were watching the situation and unfortunately ended up conceding a goal.
I am really frustrated with myself and I want to think about whether I could have done something else while watching the game again.
We truly appreciate all the support from our fans and supporters until the very end.
I feel sorry for not being able to meet expectations as a coach. However, the players fought really well.
I believe their feelings and play reached us despite many injuries.
We hope that Nagoya, who won, will fight with us and win the championship together.

(The intention of using Ryoma WATANABE as the left SB was)
"Playing as a wing back in the first game was a prelude to the second game."
If we were in a situation where we had to win the second game, I was thinking of using Ryo as a SB before the semifinal round.
After watching the performance of the wing back in the first game, I thought he could play well as a left SB and decided to use him.
Of course, I did some basic training as it is different from being a wing back, but I couldn't convey everything. I think players like Morishige supported me and did a really good job.
"He was able to deliver a good cross ball and in the 1-on-1 situation with Maeda Naoki, he hardly let him do any work. I think that was the result of today and I believe he played very well."

(When looking back at the total of 2 games, where do you think the turning point was?)
"I think it was the 3rd goal in the first game."
I think the goal we conceded right after scoring one point and the goal we conceded in additional time were what ultimately affected the game. We had Adailton's goal in the first game, and we could have been in a good position even with a 2-0 score, so I think the third goal was painful.

(After the match, what kind of words did you say to the players?)
"We couldn't make it to the final round this time, but I think there was growth for both the team and individuals."
I think the parts where we fought with our emotions will definitely be conveyed to the fans and supporters, and playing games like this will lead to further growth. I told the players, "We lost today, but let's show our soccer in the last 6 league games."

"Nagoya - Massimo FICCADENTI Press Conference Summary"
"The first game was in a way, an emotional match, and this second game was also a match that included elements of both a 90-minute battle and a 180-minute battle, giving an incredible amount of emotion."
A game with various emotions at different times. The reason such a match was possible was because Tokyo was truly an amazing team. First and foremost, I want to praise the opponent.
The flow of the game was very open from the start. Both teams were trying to score the first goal and then go for a second, which could change the course of the game. I thought there would be a strong psychological impact depending on which team scored.
The second game started in such a situation, so both teams seemed to be actively trying to score. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal in the middle of that, and although we wanted to change the flow by making player substitutions in the second half, we ended up giving away another goal.
After that, the opponent started to defend, so Igor GABRIEL was brought in. From there, the players' strong determination was poured into their play and it took shape as a goal. I want to tell the players, "You have accomplished something amazing."

(Inagaki showed a strong presence on both offense and defense)
"I think his strong desire to play for the team is reflected in every scene he is in. Even if you have the desire, it doesn't mean anything if it's not reflected in your play."
"He is a truly reliable player because he expresses that by running for the team."