＜Match Review＞
There are only 3 matches left in the first half of the league. The second match of the consecutive matches played within 3 days was against Shimizu S-Pulse away. Tokyo, which has been away from victory since May, aims for a victory for the first time since the Gamba Osaka match on April 29. Considering the consecutive matches, Coach Albert 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 full-back. Ryoma Watanabe played as the right winger, and Kensuke Nagai played as the left winger.
Tokyo tries to attack by moving the ball to the side and putting pressure on the opponent from the front, aiming to put the ball behind the opponent's high defensive line. When the Tokyo player pulls the ball out from deep in their own half and moves it with few touches to create rhythm, the surrounding players support by entering with exquisite distance and removing the opponent's press. In the 8th minute of the first half, Matsuki Kuryu receives the ball and dribbles forward when a gap is created in the midfield of Shimizu. When the opponent's last line drops to respond, Matsuki attempts a daring middle shot. The shot, which was deflected by Diego OLIVEIRA, changed course and hit the left post.
After that, there were scenes where we were pushed back into our own half by the opponent's fast-paced attacks. In the 20th minute of the first half, a cross ball from the right side was played into the goal area and quickly passed to Thiago Santana, but his shot hit the right post. Just after surviving a pinch, we had a good opportunity. In the 22nd minute of the first half, Iwai sent a through pass to Diego in the center at a timing when the opponent's defense line was not organized. Although it was cut off by the opponent defender, Abe Shuto, who was following up, collected the second ball. He then passed the ball to Matsuki, who had entered the left side of the penalty area, but Matsuki's shot with his left foot was blocked by the opponent defender.
As the first half entered its final stages, the opponent pressed the front line while erasing the passing lanes, making it difficult for the build-up to go smoothly. This resulted in missed passes and turnovers in the midfield, making it difficult to establish an attacking rhythm. In the 45th minute of the first half, when Morishige Masato passed the ball to Ogawa Ryo on the left side, he was able to shake off the opponent's press. Ogawa then passed the ball to Diego, who had dropped back to receive it. Diego passed the ball through the gap between the opponent's defenders on his back, and Watanabe, who had made a run towards the goal, confidently aimed for a mid-range shot. Although the opponent's goalkeeper initially saved the shot, Ogawa, who was following up, pushed the loose ball into the net, giving Tokyo the lead with their first goal of the season.
In the second half, Tokyo's positioning and the tempo of their passes increased, bypassing Shimizu's press and smoothly entering the opponent's half. They continued to attack heavily, not allowing the opponent to focus on a specific target by using both the center and the sides. 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 the ball to Diego, who had positioned himself in the center of the penalty area. Diego used Abe, who had made a run from the right side of the penalty area, but their timing was off and Abe couldn't take a shot. However, he recovered and sent a cross ball in the negative direction. Ogawa, who had intercepted the ball, jumped with momentum from behind the opponent's defender and headed the ball into the goal with a high contact point, widening 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 possess the ball even in the late stages of the match. In the 45th minute of the second half, Keiki Mita passed the ball behind the opponent's defense from a post play, and Adailton, who broke free, accelerated towards the opponent's goal. He approached the left side of the goal and took a shot, but it was blocked by the good defense of the opponent's goalkeeper, Tonda. Even in the additional time, Tokyo's pressing and passing in the midfield maintained their intensity and speed, achieving a clean sheet in the form of "defending with the ball" that Coach Albert aims for. They secured their first victory in 5 league matches.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
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. After the start of this season, we have had many games with a more direct play towards the goal and have earned points. Then, the team has grown and gradually understood the playing style. The ball possession rate has also increased, but we have had a series of games without results. And the team has further grown and achieved victory by expressing "loving football" on the pitch for the first time this season. At the beginning of the season, the team was afraid of possessing the ball. This is because many players had not played in the current playing style before. After that, we grew to possess the ball, but I don't think we were necessarily able to play with love for the ball. The previous few games did not produce 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 won. Of course, our playing style is not only when we have 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 so easy to win every game with multiple goals in soccer. However, I think it was a game that took a big step forward. Moreover, today, not only did we achieve victory, but I think the players had a sense of accomplishment that they played well. It was also a big step in the sense that they were able to firmly realize what soccer, which loves the ball, is like. All the players had happy expressions. Among them, I would like to mention Tokihiro Kojiro, who I think played a wonderful game today. He had never played as a one-man midfield before, but he played a wonderful game as a one-man midfield for 90 minutes. Diego didn't score a goal, but he contributed to the team in a wonderful way throughout the game. And Kojiro Yasuda, who came on as a substitute in the final stages of the game, is gradually getting involved in the top team. I would like to reevaluate 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.
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.
