＜Match Review＞
Entering April, this match against Vissel Kobe is only the second home game for Tokyo in the 2022 J1 League season. It is the second match in a three-day span against three clubs participating in the AFC Champions League (ACL). In the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos, Tokyo lost by one goal, so they want to show the team's growth and aim to earn 3 points in this match at home, Ajinomoto Stadium.
This time, Kuryu Matsuki was suspended and Keigo Higashi was used as the inside half. Kensuke Nagai was selected as a starter in the front line for the first time since the opening match in the league. Ryoma Watanabe played as the right fullback in the defense line, and Yuto Nagatomo played as the left fullback.
Vissel Kobe, the opponent, had Andres INIESTA starting in the lineup, and Kento HASHIMOTO made the bench.
Tokyo, who had possession of the ball from the start, was targeted in the space behind the full-back and was pushed towards the goal. In the 5th minute of the first half, they were invaded deeply on the right side and a cross ball was put in, which was headed by player Yuya Osako, but it deflected to the left of the goal. Unable to maintain possession of the ball, in the 12th minute of the first half, they were once again pushed towards the goal from the right side, and Jakub Slowik made a big save in a one-on-one situation. However, the loose ball in front of the goal was pushed in by player Keisuke Yamaguchi, resulting in the first goal being conceded.
FC Tokyo, trailing by one goal, gradually began to press the opponent after conceding. In the 27th minute of the first half, they moved the ball wide and entrusted it to Shuto Abe, who took a position near the right side of the penalty area. Abe crossed the ball with his left foot, and Higashi dropped the ball with one touch on the far side. Nagai, who had entered the penalty area, attempted to score with his left foot, but the shot went over the goal. In the 28th minute, immediately after, Tokyo induced a mistake from Kobe with high pressure and Higashi played a through pass behind Kobe's defensive line as they tried to attack. Diego Oliveira, who had made a run into the space, aimed for a shot with precision, but it narrowly missed to the left of the goal. In the 40th minute of the first half, there was another big chance. Kimoto played a sharp pass to the right side from the middle range. Watanabe put in an early cross with good timing, and Nagai attempted to score, but was stopped by the opponent's goalkeeper's defense.
Tokyo, who strengthened their attack from the start of the second half, increased their pressure. In the 6th minute of the second half, Nagai broke through into the right space inside the penalty area and passed the ball in the negative direction near the goal line. Watanabe, who had jumped in near the goal, met the ball in front of the opponent's defender, but the shot narrowly missed to the right of the goal. Continuing to create chances from the right side, in the 10th minute of the second half, Watanabe passed the ball to Nagai in space by passing through the legs of the marker he faced. Nagai, who had broken through, passed the ball in a curved manner to the far side when the opponent approached near him, and Adailton, who had been closing in front of the goal, headed it in to equalize the score.
Tokyo's momentum is unstoppable. In the 12th minute of the second half, Watanabe dribbled past Iniesta on the left side and passed the ball to the near side of the goal. Nagai ran in and flicked the ball with his heel, then Adailton connected it and Diego received the ball in front of the goal. Morishige struck the ball powerfully and successfully turned the game around, shaking the net.
In the 21st minute of the second half, Nagatomo received a wedge pass just outside the penalty area and flicked the ball towards the goal. The ball, which the opponent defender couldn't handle, fell in front of Diego. The opponent goalkeeper also came forward to close the distance, but calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal, allowing Tokyo to quickly pull away from Kobe.
Keidai Yamashita, who was substituted in the final stages of the match, immediately got involved in chances. In the 44th minute, he broke through in front of the goal and swung his left foot from a diagonal position on the left, but the shot narrowly missed to the right of the goal. In the closing moments of the match, Keiki Mita put in a cross from the left, and it seemed like a goal was scored with a diving header, but the goal was disallowed due to a handball decision with the support of VAR. Nevertheless, they continued their attacking momentum from the start of the second half until the final whistle, creating a strong impact of attacking football at Ajinomoto Stadium in the 45th minute.
Alberto's journey in Tokyo has just begun. After back-to-back matches against ACL participating clubs in just three days, they are preparing for a match against Urawa Reds. On April 10th, they aim to leave a greater impact of attacking football at Ajinomoto Stadium and continue to grow through training starting tomorrow.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, we couldn't start the game well and struggled for 10 minutes, 15 minutes. And we conceded a goal from our mistake. After that, I think we were able to get into the game well. And we had several clear chances in the first half, so it would have been good if we could have created goals from there, but it didn't go well.
After that, I think what decided the game was maintaining a fast tempo. I think that allowed us to dominate the game overall. In the second half, the pressing from the front was effective overall, and we were able to maintain a good balance in terms of ball possession and actively attacking the goal. And in the second half, we were able to create many decisive chances and I am happy that we were able to produce multiple goals from there, and I am happy that the team has continued to grow.
Q: The right side seemed to be functioning particularly well in the second half, and it appeared that Ryo Nagai was given space. Please evaluate the performance of the right side.
A, I think it is true that our right side was functioning. However, it is interesting that the same side, the opponent's left side, also had good attacks. There were good offensive and defensive plays on the same side, our right side, and their left side. They created goals from there, and we also created multiple decisive chances. It is an interesting point that many chances were born on that side for both teams. Regarding the second half, I think we were able to attack well not only from the right side but also from the left side.
Q: How do you feel about the current players' positioning, given that you focus on playing soccer with a specific position in mind?
A, overall, we were able to take a good position, and we were able to attack from the sides, but we still lacked attacks from the center. Even though we were able to take a good position, I think it will take a little more time to build attacks from the center. It is a part that we must continue to grow throughout this season. However, we are able to construct side attacks. As always, I want to improve the team's completeness as we continue to play games.
Q: In the previous match, you mentioned that there was a focus on the wings rather than the tempo of play. How was it in this match?
A, regarding today, I think there were two key points. The first is whether we can express our playing style. The second is how fast we can maintain the playing tempo. I thought that would lead to victory. Kobe is good at attacking from the center. And we are good at attacking from the sides rather than the center. In that flow, at the start of the game, we struggled to respond to their attacks from the center. And then, I think we were able to build up our side attacks well and grasp the rhythm. And today, intensity and play intensity were more important than play speed. I think maintaining a high play intensity in the second half was the key to victory. Not only in today's game, but also in practice, we have been able to play with high intensity, and we have been able to maintain good physical condition, which I think led to victory.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, I was in a position to shoot if the ball came loose because it was a set play, and I was able to score nicely when the ball came to me.
Q, is it more accurate to say that the ball came to you if you were in that position, rather than actively calling for it?
A, I took a position where no one was there to avoid receiving a counterattack and to be able to pick up loose balls if they came.
Q: After conceding the first goal, Kobe Univ seemed to have stopped attacking. Did the team face difficulties before and after conceding the goal?
A, we did what we had to do, and Kobe Univ didn't defend from the front line, so we had many opportunities to carry the ball to the opponent's territory. I wish we could have aimed for the goal while moving the ball.
Q, do you think the goal scene showed emotions?
A, we have to show our emotions in every game, and if the players behind us don't lift the team up, the team will sink. So, I think I have to be in a position to give the team a boost while playing steadily.
Q: We have been conceded the first goal in two consecutive matches, but especially today, there was an impression of steadily turning the game around. How was the overall game play throughout the 90 minutes?
A, there are still areas that need to be fixed, and Kobe is not a team that presses from the front line, so I wish we could have passed the ball more quickly. I also want to improve while discussing with everyone.
Q: After the Hiroshima match on 3/12, we were still talking about "still a long way to go". Has the level improved a bit today?
A, I think we are growing, but the goal difference and the accuracy of ball circulation were not satisfactory in the game, so I want each individual and the team to continue to grow.
Q, it seems that the start of the game has been poor so far, what do you think is the cause when watching from the back?
A, FC Tokyo until now has been a soccer team that starts from defense and builds rhythm, but from this season we are challenging ourselves to play soccer by connecting the ball and creating rhythm. Throughout the game, I feel that it is a bit stiff, but I think that if we continue to challenge ourselves to pass the ball with a sense of tension, we can further progress in the future.
Diego Oliveira player
Q: How was it, considering that the opposing team had possession of the ball for a long time in the first half?
A, I knew that Kobe was originally a high-quality team, so it was within my expectations that they started the game well and got into a good rhythm. In the second half, on the contrary, we were able to demonstrate our own quality and control the ball, so I think that was the factor that improved. I also think that we were able to make use of the reflection from the first half.
Q, I think there was a period of time when the ball didn't come to the front line. What kind of preparations were you making?
I felt the difficulty of the opponent's defensive block, where they pulled back and solidified their defense, more than the difficulty of receiving the ball in the front line. Since I missed a scoring opportunity in the first half, I was playing while thinking about scoring as a team as soon as possible and being able to turn the game around. In that process, I think it was good that I was able to score in a scene that was more difficult than the first half.
Q, there were many scenes where we were able to break through with one or two touches.
In the second half, we were able to express the attacking patterns and rhythm that we have been practicing, and because the opposing team couldn't keep up with it, we were able to score more points than them. As a result, our team gained confidence and we were able to control the game at our own pace, which was a good thing.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next game.
A, today's game, many fans and supporters came to the stadium and gave us great support. It is important for us to recover and prepare well to close the three-game series with a victory and take 3 points in the next Urawa game. In the next Urawa game, we would like many people to come to Ajinomoto Stadium and support the team, and share the victory with the fans and supporters.
Q: please review the game.
A, I thought it would be a difficult battle from before the game because the opponent is a high-quality team. In that situation, I believed that if we could show our rhythm and style, we could create chances, so I am happy that we were able to score a lot and win.
Q: What kind of adjustments did you make in the second half?
The first thing we corrected was the intensity. It's not that we couldn't do it in the first half, but we couldn't surpass the opponent, so we talked about raising the intensity again in the second half, and I think we were able to recover.
Q, you were able to attack effectively while utilizing the sides, right?
Rather than being able to attack from my own side, I think the balanced attack from both sides in the second half led to the goal.
Q, you can welcome the last match of the three-game series against Urawa in a good shape, switching from the previous defeat.
A, of course, it is expected that the next match will also be difficult, but we want to play with high concentration and aim to take 3 points by playing at home in Ajinomoto Stadium.
Kensuke NAGAI
Q, first of all, please reflect on the scene of the first cross.
A, when I thought about giving it at the first timing, the opponent didn't come close, so I had time and was able to confirm the position inside firmly. I could also see Adai (Adailton) 's position, so I was able to match it well.
Q, Ryo NAGAI also left the next goal to Adailton with a good heel.
A, I could see it clearly. I didn't think I could hit the ball myself, so I checked the position of the defender before receiving it, and chose to pass the ball to him.
Q, both of those two points were initiated by Watanabe's pass. In the first half, there were scenes where the passes didn't connect, and the two of them were exchanging passes, but as time went on, they started to connect, didn't they?
A, at first I couldn't grasp the timing to pass to Ryoma WATANABE, but when I said, "If you pass it to me, I'll catch up, so please trust me and pass it," he started passing it to me, which was really helpful for me. From there, I was able to create several opportunities, which ultimately led to calmly scoring the first goal.
Q, what were the factors that allowed you to make a successful comeback?
A, we had chances from the first half, and at halftime we talked as a team that if we could score one goal, we could gain momentum. So, while pursuing what the coach is asking for, I am confident as a player and I think that led to us scoring three goals in the second half.
Q, what do you think is the reason why Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA has been able to achieve results even in a season of building?
A, the importance of the coach himself having a winner's mentality is always emphasized in daily practice and before matches. It takes time, but we are constantly told to build up while winning, so I think the reason we are winning is because of that aspect.
Q: Do you think it is also important not to lose consecutive games?
A, if we continue to lose, it will be difficult to secure a spot in the ACL or win titles, so we were aware of that and we talked about being more aggressive because it's a home game. Personally, I had a couple of chances, so I want to score a goal next time and lead the team to victory.
＜Player Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, I think the team's momentum and flow changed after scoring the first goal.
A, there were chances in the first half, and if you can score in soccer, it can be a good medicine for the team, so we were able to score consecutively in a good atmosphere at home, so I think Tokyo's uniqueness came out.
Q, I think we were able to take the ball with a coordinated defense from the second half.
A, in the second half, the opponent's physical activity decreased, and the intensity is also one of Tokyo's strengths, so it was good that it fit well in the second half.
Q, in the first half we were unable to convert our chances, but in the second half we were able to effectively convert our chances into goals. What changed?
A, I think it's a really good thing because we can create a lot of chances. If we can score when we have the chance in the first half, it will be an easier development, and since we are still in the growth stage, I want us to score while creating many chances together and win the game.
Q, how is the penetration rate of the new football style?
A, I still think we have a long way to go. We won today, but I want to further refine the content starting from practice.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next game.
It's a good thing that we didn't lose, but what's important is to win consecutively, so Urawa is a really good team and the game is in 3 days, so I want to prepare well. Personally, I want to make an appeal if I can play in the game.
