＜Match Review＞
The final match of the three-game series, which included a match against Júbilo Iwata in the Levain Cup, was an away game against Kyoto Sanga F.C. with a three-day break. It was Tokyo's first match at SANGA STADIUM by KYOCERA. They traveled to Kyoto with the aim of achieving three consecutive wins in the league.
The starting lineup has changed slightly since the last J1 League match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Yuto Nagatomo, who was selected for the Japan national team, made his first start of the season as the right back, while Takuya Aoki, who was suspended for the Hiroshima match, returned as the anchor. On the bench, Rei Hirakawa and Yojiro Takahagi, who both came on as substitutes in the match against Iwata, made their first appearance in the J1 League squad.
Tokyo continues to be pushed back by Kyoto, who apply pressure from the start. They struggle to break the press and find themselves being pushed into their own half. Even when they have possession, they often make mistakes with their passes when trying to move forward, which takes time for them to find their rhythm. Around the 20th minute of the first half, they start creating opportunities to threaten Kyoto's goal with fast-paced passing and side changes from player Masato Morishige. In the 24th minute, Kazuya Konno receives a wide pass and quickly passes it to Shuto Abe, who then receives the ball again and sends it to the right side for Yuto Nagatomo to cross. From this point on, Tokyo is able to break Kyoto's press, maintain possession, and gradually push them back into their own half. The biggest chance of the first half comes in the 45+1 minute, when Konno passes the ball and Diego Oliveira picks it up, carrying it into the penalty area while being marked by an opponent defender. Oliveira sends a low cross into the goalmouth, but it narrowly misses Kusei Matsuki, who was diving in to reach it.
The second half started with the opponent having a sharp start. In the 5th minute of the second half, they penetrated deep into the right side and targeted a pass in the opposite direction towards player Peter UTAKA. It was a shot that aimed for the top right corner of the goal, but player Jakub SLOWIK made a super save and deflected it. Tokyo, searching for a chance to counterattack, created opportunities through set plays. In the 20th minute of the second half, player Adailton jumped in and took a header shot from a corner kick from the right, but it ended up in front of the opponent's goalkeeper.
Even though Tokyo couldn't increase the time of ball possession, they didn't miss a momentary opportunity. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Yasuki Kimoto, who had the ball in his own half, sent a long pass towards the opponent's defensive line. Konno jumped out and controlled the ball near the goal line, sending a final pass with a target in front of the goal. Diego, who had jumped into the center of the goal, made a one-touch finish, and the ball that hit the opponent's defender rolled into the goal, leading Tokyo to a successful opening goal, which was Diego's memorable 50th goal for Tokyo.
Immediately after, Kensuke Nagai was substituted for Konno. We will take control of the game by using fresh players. We will push the opponent back and progress the game. Towards the end of the game, we faced the biggest pinch when Utaka broke through and jumped into the goal area freely, but the opponent's shot missed the frame and we escaped the danger, achieving three consecutive wins in the league.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, for the first 20 minutes or so from the start of the match, as expected, we were put under intense pressure by Kyoto and struggled with our build-up from the back. The team is still in a growth stage. In that sense, it is inevitable and within expectations to struggle with build-up against a team that applies high pressure, at this point in time.
After that, there was a period of time where we were able to control the game. We moved the ball with intention, created opportunities to break the opponent's defensive block, and had time to control the match.
We were able to create chances from many crosses and corner kicks. However, we improved at halftime because we had too many crosses and not enough central breakthroughs. As we told the players during halftime, we expected Kyoto to come at us with intense pressing in the second half, and we actually struggled against their pressing for the first 10 minutes or so.
After enduring the opponent's attack, we were able to control the game and create more decisive chances. And, while Kyoto's defensive line was high, we were able to break through the space behind it with a long ball and take the lead successfully.
There was a period in today's match where the team clearly demonstrated further growth. It was from the 10th to the 15th minute before the end of the match. I would describe it as finishing the match by controlling the ball and defending with it, and I think it was proof of our growth that we were able to express that on the pitch. There was a mistake in receiving a counterattack at the very end, but in the last 10 minutes and 15 minutes of the match, we were able to create multiple decisive chances to score additional goals while defending by dominating the game, and I believe that is a sign of the team's growth.
It is a joy to grow with victory and reflect on the game to move on to the next one. Just because we achieved victory today, both myself and the players are not satisfied. I believe we can play better and it is wonderful to celebrate this victory, but I want us to continue to grow by focusing on ourselves. This season, I want the team to focus on growing day by day and continue to move forward.
I am grateful to Ryouma and Yojiro, who were brought on in the final stages of the match and contributed to the team with high quality, helping to control the game and bring it to a close.
Q, please tell us the intention behind starting player Yuto NAGATOMO.
A, he is the owner of an amazing experience that everyone has no room for discussion. I played with Ogihara, the left back of Kyoto, during my time in Niigata, and I knew his attack was dangerous, so I appointed Nagatomo to suppress that.
And having Nagatomo is both a joy and a source of pride for the team. He will soon join the Japanese national team. We pray for the victory of the national team and his success.
Q: What was the best thing about the time you endured in defense?
I understand that there are two ways to defend. One is to narrow the space and strengthen the defense. The other is to hold the ball and defend.
In today's match, we had a good defense by compactly defending the space. At the same time, we were able to express a good defense by holding the ball towards the end of the game. In that sense, I am very satisfied with today's defense. There are hardly any players in this team who defend by holding the ball. I am delighted that such players were able to express themselves by securely finishing the game in a situation of 1-0 by holding the ball.
Q, please evaluate the performance of the center back players.
A, we have three excellent center backs. Furthermore, the young center backs are growing day by day. I am delighted that the players who will carry Tokyo's current and future are gathered in this club. First of all, Captain Morishige is experienced and quickly adapts to the new playing style, expressing his experience, which makes me happy. And both Kimoto and Enrique have not played much in this playing style. In such a situation, I am happy that the three, including Morishige, are starting to show excellent play, and the young center backs are growing day by day, trying to catch up and surpass them.
[Player Interview]
Diego Oliveira player
Q, please look back on the goal scene.
The ball came out from player A Kimoto to player Konno, who carried the ball, controlled it, and then passed it to the goal, allowing me to score in the center. It wasn't the goal scene I had hoped for, but it's important to score goals, so I'm glad I was able to score it firmly.
Q, It looked like the shot was off target, but because of good performance in daily practice, it flew into the goal, right?
A, sometimes I think luck is necessary, but it's important to do well in everyday actions and regular practice. Even during the game, I try to give everything I have. I think that's how luck is connected.
Q, the first goal of this season became the 50th goal in the league matches at FC Tokyo.
A, I am happy to be able to score the first goal of this season. I always played with the intention of scoring goals, so it was good to be able to score properly. Also, I am very happy to have reached a total of 50 goals in the league. I think this record was born because my teammates trust me. Above all, soccer is a team sport, so I am happy to have won with my own goal.
Q: The coach also mentioned that the defense has improved. Do you feel that the defense has also improved?
As a team, I feel that the defensive level is improving day by day, regardless of who is on the field. By staying compact and positioning ourselves well to block, we are able to unify our awareness in these areas, making it easier for our forward players to defend and transition to attack. In the previous match, Henrique TREVISAN made a contribution when he was on the field, and I believe that anyone who steps onto the field can play at the same level.
Q: What kind of player is Konno?
Player Konno is young, but everyone knows he is a great player. He is dedicated to daily training and we celebrated when he scored his first goal. Today, he assisted again, so we expressed our gratitude by celebrating. We hope to strengthen our collaboration in the future, increase good plays, and show you scenes of carrying him.
Yuto NAGATOMO
Q: Please share your thoughts on winning the first game of the season as a starter.
A, I'm relieved that we won. The team was in a good state with two consecutive victories, so I thought it would be my fault if we lost while I was in the starting lineup, and I desperately did my best.
Q, I have a memory of playing as a right full-back when I had a practice match with FC Tokyo during my time at Meiji University. Do you have a feeling of returning to your roots?
A, I was playing while remembering my time at Meiji University. However, the expectations as a left or right full-back remain the same, so I calmly played on the pitch, trying to express the tactics and style of play that the coach demanded.
Q, you are about to participate in the final qualifying round of the World Cup as a member of the Japan national team. However, you have not had much playing time in Tokyo so far, and there are differences between playing for your club and playing for the national team. Do you have any concerns about this?
A, I have no worries at all. I have been through various tough situations before. The previous national team match at the end of January was more nerve-wracking because we only had a 45-minute practice match against Tohoku University of Economics after the off-season before entering the final qualifiers (I was worried).
I played in the national team's match at the end of January, and since returning to Tokyo, I have also played about 80 minutes in practice matches. I have also played in the league matches from the middle, and there is absolutely no problem as I played the full 90 minutes today.
Australia will also come to win desperately, and we also want to win and secure our spot. I think it will be a very tough and interesting match, but we will do our best to win and secure our World Cup spot.
Takuya AOKI
Q, There were times in the first half when we were pushed back, but how was the game overall?
A, We panicked in the first 20 minutes, but I think both teams played the kind of soccer they wanted. After losing the second ball to the opponent during the game, we found ourselves in a pinch. I want to practice whether to go and pick up the ball as a team or set up a block.
Q, there were also scenes where the ball holder was being tough in the ball contact.
I thought I had to actively go for the ball. The coach also mentioned it, so I played with the intention of increasing the intensity more than the opponent.
Q, I think there were more passes with fewer touches after the second half, which also became the starting point of the attack.
A, there were parts that were done, but I want to improve them further to make them better.
Q, I think there has been an increase in long balls and runs behind the defense from the team as a whole since the middle of the game.
A, it is also our aim to shake the sides, and I think we were able to attack while using the depth behind the opponent. I think it will be even better if we increase the patterns of attack after shaking the opponent.
Q, How is the current situation regarding the team's desired soccer style?
A, I want to dominate more. I think there are aspects that can only be felt through growth during matches, not just in practice. There are still many things that need to be done, such as being able to adapt flexibly when the opponent's formation changes.
I would like to pursue the commitment to winning along with the team's growth.
Q: please review the game.
A, in the first half, we became passive against the opponent's strong defense and intensity. However, in the second half, we were able to control the ball and carry the game, so it was good. It was a fulfilling 90 minutes.
Q: Did you feel like the opponent was aiming for a counterattack? What measures did you take?
A, I knew that if we took the ball, we would have to pass it to player Utaka, but we had a few chances created against us. The players in the back were able to manage the risks, so I think if we play solidly, we can become a team without any weaknesses.
Q: What did you focus on when transitioning to the attack?
A, our strength lies in quick vertical attacks after winning the ball, and if that's not possible, we are conscious of using short and long passes effectively while connecting in the back to continue our offensive.
Q, how was the communication on the pitch in terms of improving during the game?
A, there were times when the opponent had the ball, but our style of soccer is to possess the ball ourselves. In the previous match against Hiroshima, we were overwhelmed by the opponent's pressure, but this time we made adjustments to our positioning while valuing the ball and communicated with each other.
Q, the scoring scene started with a long pass from Kimoto player. Was it as you imagined?
A, there were opportunities to kick long balls during the match, but I intentionally chose not to. In the midst of that, Konno asked me to play a long ball once. I felt like it took a long time when I kicked it, but Konno received it well, so it was good and went as planned.
Q, the team has won 3 consecutive league matches.
A, I don't really care about the points because the season has just started, but I think we have been able to achieve three consecutive victories because the team is growing and playing with belief in our direction. From now on, I want to play each game to seize victory.
