<Match Review>
With only 3 matches left in the first half of the league, the second match of the consecutive games was played away against Shimizu S-Pulse with only 3 days of rest. Tokyo, who has been struggling to win in May, aims for a victory in this match, which is their first since the match against Gamba Osaka on Apr 29 (Sat, Holiday). Considering the consecutive games, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA made some changes to the lineup from the previous match.
Keigo HIGASHI, who showed a great play in the Levain Cup match against Avispa Fukuoka, started as an anchor. Hotaka NAKAMURA was appointed as the right back. In the front line, Ryoma WATANABE played as the right wing, and Kensuke NAGAI played as the left wing.
At the start, Tokyo tries to put pressure on the opponent from the front towards the ball side. They move the ball to the side and put numbers on it, aiming for the timing when the opponent's defensive line is in a high position, and attempt to attack by putting the ball behind them. When the ball is pulled out by the player in the deep position of their own team and moved with few touches to create a rhythm, the surrounding players enter to support at an exquisite distance and peel off the opponent's press. In the 8th minute of the first half, Kuryu MATSUKI receives the ball in the gap in Shizuoka's midfield and dribbles forward. When the opponent's final line drops and responds, MATSUKI takes a bold shot at the middle. The shot, which was deflected by Diego OLIVEIRA, hit the left post.
After that, the scene continues where the opponent's fast-paced attack is pushed into their own territory, and in the 20th minute of the first half, a cross ball from the right side is touched by Thiago SANTANA with one touch in front of the goal, but the shot hits the right post. A good opportunity just after avoiding a pinch. In the 22nd minute of the first half, the defense line of the opponent is not organized, and a through pass is sent from Inagaki to Diego in the center. This is cut off by the opponent's defender, but Shuto ABE, who was closing in, collects the second ball and passes it to Matsuki, who has come into the left side of the penalty area, and Matsuki takes a shot with his left foot, but it is blocked by the opponent's defender.
As the first half drew to a close, the opponent's coordinated pressing and elimination of passing lanes made it difficult for us to smoothly build up our attacks, resulting in missed passes and turnovers in the midfield. With little success in creating passing opportunities, we spent much of the first 45 minutes passing the ball around in our own half. However, towards the end of the half, Masato MORISHIGE made a pass to Ryoya OGAWA on the left side, who was able to shake off the opponent's press and carry the ball into their half. He then passed it to Diego TABA, who had dropped back to receive the ball. Diego was able to slip the ball through the legs of the opponent's defender behind him, and Watanabe, who had made a run towards goal, took a powerful shot. Although it was initially saved by the opponent's goalkeeper, Ryoya OGAWA was there to tap in the rebound, giving Tokyo the lead with their first goal of the season.
In the second half, Tokyo's positioning and passing tempo increased, bypassing Shimizu's press and building up to smoothly enter the opponent's half. By using both the center and sides, they did not allow the opponent to focus on a specific target and continued to push them into the goal area with a thick attack. Then, in the 16th minute of the second half, Ogawa intercepted the opponent's pass while they were moving the ball in their defensive line. He passed it to Diego TABA, who had come into the center of the penalty area, and Diego TABA used Abe, who had jumped into the space on the right side of the penalty area from behind. Although the timing was off and Abe was unable to take a shot, he recovered and sent a cross ball in the negative direction. Ogawa, who had jumped into the far side, intercepted it and entered the goal area with momentum. He jumped from behind the opponent's defender and headed the ball into the goal with a high point, extending Tokyo's lead.
After widening the lead, the tempo of the passes increased, continuously pushing the opponent into their own half. Even if the ball was once taken away, they kept the distance close and immediately regained possession by putting pressure on the ball holder one after another, continuing to aim for a goal with a short counterattack. Then, in the 31st minute of the second half, when Diego player pushed deep into the opponent's half on the right side and returned the ball in the negative direction near the goal line, Nakamura player, who was near the right corner of the penalty area, sent a looping pass with one touch. As the opponent raised the defensive line, Abe player switched and took the back, heading the ball into the goal to score a significant third goal.
Tokyo continued to hold onto the ball even in the late stages of the game. In the 45th minute of the second half, Hirotaka Mita sent a pass behind the opponent's defense from a post play, and Adailton, who had broken free, sped towards the opponent's goal. He approached the left side of the goal and took a shot, but it was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper, Albert Puig Ortoneda. Even in additional time, Tokyo's pressing and passing game maintained its intensity and speed, achieving a clean sheet in the form of "defending with the ball" that coach Albert had aimed for. This resulted in their first victory in 5 league matches.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A, we were able to start the game in a good shape in the first half. However, there was a moment in the middle of the first half where we hesitated in our pressing and ended up giving the ball to the opponent. We wanted to defend in a higher position, but we couldn't reach a common understanding and our defensive block gradually dropped. Shimizu is a team that plays dangerously when they have the ball. In that sense, we had a difficult time in the first half. However, we were able to solve that problem towards the end of the first half, and the game development was firmly under our control throughout the 45 minutes of the second half.
In the past few games, we have been able to play well. In the first few games of this season, we had a more direct style of play towards the goal and were able to earn points. After that, the team grew and gradually understood our playing style. Our ball possession rate also increased, but we struggled to get results in some games. However, the team continued to grow and for the first time this season, we were able to express our "love for the ball" on the pitch and secure a victory. At the start of the season, we were a team that was afraid to possess the ball. This was because many players had not played in this style before. After that, we grew to possess the ball, but I don't think we were necessarily playing with a love for the ball. In the previous few games, we did not get good results, but we were able to play well. And today, the players expressed our playing style with confidence and love for the ball, and we were able to secure a victory. Of course, our playing style is not just about possessing the ball. Aggressive defense when we don't have the ball is also important.
I directly conveyed to the players, but today was the start of a day when FC Tokyo's playing style began to change. However, it is not easy to win every game with multiple goals in soccer. However, I think it was a big step forward. Moreover, not only did we win today, but I think the players had a sense of accomplishment that they played well. It was also a big step in the sense that we were able to firmly realize what kind of soccer we love. The players all had happy expressions. Among them, I would like to mention Keigo HIGASHI, who I think played a great game today. He played as a one-man anchor for 90 minutes, which he had never done before. Diego also did not score a goal, but he contributed to the team in a great way throughout the game. And (Yasuda) Toru, who came on as a substitute in the final stages of the game, is gradually getting involved in the first team. I would like to re-evaluate the growth of young players like him.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoya OGAWA Player＞
Q: please review the game.
A, today, I scored a goal myself, but the team also had a good flow, and in the midst of a series of frustrating games, it felt like things fell into place.
Q, there were also times in the middle of the first half when the opponent's pace took over, and I think that opening goal was a very important point.
A, in the beginning of the first half, the opponent was also energetic and there were moments where they put pressure on us and we couldn't easily break free. We kept doing what we needed to do and when the opponent's pace slowed down, we were able to score at a really good time. First of all, it was when Morishige (player) made a pass that allowed us to break free from the opponent's marking, and also when Diego received the ball in a good position, and when Ryoma Watanabe took a shot that the goalkeeper deflected towards the far side, all of these actions led to the goal. It was a game with good connections throughout the 90 minutes.
Q, the second point was when Ogawa stole the ball in a high position and jumped into the goal to score.
A, that's where Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the coach, is focusing on. It's about immediate recovery, if we lose the ball that we possessed, we quickly regain it. In that situation, Kuryu MATSUKI pressed the opponent and prevented them from making a pass behind, so I was able to move forward strongly. Diego was also positioned diagonally, and Shuto ABE played calmly. There were also moments where we rushed and forcefully shot the ball, hitting the opponent. So, I think everyone made the best judgment in front of the goal in today's match.
Q, do you think the team was able to express the style they are aiming for this season?
A, just because things went well today doesn't mean they will go well in future matches, but the style of soccer we played today is the style we are aiming for, and we want to score more goals from that kind of momentum.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, I think we were able to defend as a team throughout the game.
A, everyone was really focused and motivated from the warm-up before the match to the locker room. Their voices were loud and I think that passion was expressed on the pitch throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Q, in the past, there have been situations where we have brought the ball to a good position but the final last pass did not connect. However, in today's match, there were many instances where we were able to go all the way to the shot.
A, there was a discussion in the meeting about actively shooting when the goalkeeper deflects the ball a little in the analysis, and that centering is effective, so I think the result of everyone being able to play with awareness led to three goals. I felt once again that goals cannot be scored without increasing the number of shots.
Q, I think we were able to create opportunities from vertical passes by entering the opponent's gap.
A, Watanabe player entered the opponent's gap well and turned forward in many scenes, which was as intended by the team, so center-back Morishige player and Kimoto player put a good wedge pass there. It was good that we were able to put pressure on the opponent and continue to attack after entering there, which was in line with the meeting and practice.
Q, what was your goal when entering the game as a team?
We played with a strong awareness within the team that we must not lose in the essential part. In soccer, if you lose in that aspect, it's not worth talking about, so we entered the game with a firm determination to do it as a team, and I think that's what led to the result.
Q, was it a matter of believing that the ball would come to you when you scored your second goal in the league?
A, in the previous match and the match before that, there were two consecutive 1-1 situations that I couldn't score, so I felt responsible and frustrated. I'm glad I was able to score a goal this time. I was able to make the movement to get into the opponent's penalty area for the scoring opportunity, and all I had to do was to finish it. I want to express my gratitude to Nakamura for the good cross.
Q, I also recorded an assist.
A, at first, I was thinking of shooting if the ball came to my feet from Diego, but the ball drifted a little, so I changed my options and looked inside, and Ogawa was running in, so I thought I could hit it if I lifted the ball softly, so it was good that I was able to deliver a perfect cross.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, recently, in the midst of a series of games that we couldn't win, I thought today's game was very important and also difficult, but I think it was great that we were able to win.
Q, what do you think was the factor that led to victory?
A, I think the team gained momentum because they were able to express the soccer they have been working on so far, make adjustments to the details, and successfully move the ball forward, which led to scoring.
Q, achieved 200 appearances in the J1 League in today's match.
A, it was a long journey until reaching this 200th match, and I have made a lot of effort. In that sense, I am very happy to have achieved this 200th match. However, I want to continue extending my records without being satisfied with this result.
Q, what are the major differences from last season now that the coach has changed this season?
A, just like how each player has their own unique personality, each coach also has their own different ways of thinking and styles. However, I believe that in terms of the team coming together and aiming for victory, there are no major differences.
Q, please say a few words about the upcoming Kashima match.
A, Kashima is a top team with high quality, so I think it will be a difficult match. However, I want to maintain the momentum of winning away today and win. In addition, the support of the fans is always a great source of strength, so I want to deliver a victory while receiving even greater support at home.
Kensuke NAGAI
Q, we had been having a series of matches where we couldn't score goals, but we were able to win with multiple goals after a long time.
A, it was good to win. As a reflection of the past few games, we talked with Diego about reuniting as a team. As a result, we were able to win 3-0 and create many chances. I think we were able to feel the growth as a team. In the next Kashima game, we want to challenge ourselves to see how much we can do.
Q: What is the reason for being able to create many scenes where you can bring the ball to the shot while holding it?
A, until now, there have been many back passes and it's not like we were running away, but there were few risks or challenges to score goals. As a team, positive mistakes lead to growth, so we had a discussion before the game about doing it while taking on challenges. I think that's what led to good results and everyone being able to fight.
Q, as a player, Nagai had a lot of plays where he quickly passed the ball and then moved into space.
A, because we aimed for the back, there was space at our feet, and everyone continued to do it without anyone slacking off. Without that, today's result would not have been possible. I think the rotation of someone going behind and someone filling that space was really good.
Q: We will be playing against Kashima in 3 days. What kind of preparations do you want to make?
A, the base is to fight firmly in a place where people and the ball move like today, and to continue this play, I want to make good preparations.
＜Kojiro YASUDA＞
Q, it was your first appearance in the J1 League. Please reflect on today's match.
I was prepared, thinking that there might be a chance to play because we were winning 3-0. I was a little nervous when I stepped onto the pitch, but I think I was able to perform my own play.
Q, have you participated in cup matches before? Was the league different?
A, both matches are important, but the league matches are a year-long battle, and in the midst of each important match, I felt that I couldn't participate without a fighting spirit, so I approached it with determination.
Q: At the 93rd minute, there was a scene where you attracted the opponent and had a shooting opportunity. What kind of play were you planning to show?
A, up until now, I hadn't been able to make any impressive plays, so in the midst of a 3-0 situation, I approached it with the intention of showing my own play. Looking back at that moment, I think I could have cut in deeper and taken a shot, but I think it was good that I was able to finish with a shot in the end.
Q, PITA was also active on the pitch with players of the same generation like Matsuki. Did you also feel motivated?
Player A, Matsuki, has been continuously playing in the games up until now, so I don't want to chase after him, but I have a little bit of that feeling, and I hope that today is the first step and that it can be connected to the next.
Q, what kind of play do you want to show to the fans and supporters in the long league season ahead?
A, I think my characteristic is to create plays as a starting point, so I want to leave results such as goals or assists with those plays. From now on, I will ride the wave and move forward, accumulating 3 points and more. Thank you for your support.
