＜Match Review＞
The J1 League, which had a three-week interval due to national team activities, is finally resuming. This match is the last game of the first half of the season, which consists of 34 matches throughout the year. We faced Shonan Bellmare away. We have already played against Shonan twice this season in the Levain Cup, with one win and one loss. However, unlike the Levain Cup, where we actively used young players, we played the league match with our best lineup. Most of the injured players have returned, and except for Kuryu Matsuki, who is participating in the U-21 Japan national team's overseas expedition, we approached this match with almost the best lineup.
The composition of the Tokyo team is based on the previous match against Kashima Antlers before the break. Yuto NAGATOMO, who has just returned from national team activities, took a rest, and Hotaka NAKAMURA entered as the right full-back. In the absence of Matsuki in the inside half position, Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE were lined up. Henrique TREVISAN and Leandro also made the bench after recovering from injury. Despite the impact of national team activities, Coach Albert chose today's starting eleven as the best current option.
As the game progressed and the rain intensified, the conditions became difficult. Both teams disrupted each other's ball possession with pressing from the front and coordinated sliding towards the ball side in the midfield. In the early stages, Tokyo pushed Shonan back towards their goal by using short passes and passes to the middle range, but they were unable to take a shot on goal. On the other hand, in the 12th minute of the first half, a player was drawn into the penalty area and a free shot from the middle range was taken from a pass in the negative direction. In the 14th minute of the first half, Tokyo was threatened with a close shot after losing the ball in the midfield. Then, in the 26th minute of the first half, Tokyo conceded a goal when a floating pass was played behind the defensive line after claiming a handball and becoming a ball watcher, and Masaki Ikeda scored a looping shot over Jakub Slowik. As Shonan began to fill the space in their own half, Tokyo struggled to find attacking opportunities. It was difficult to utilize the speed of players like Kensuke Nagai and Adailton without space behind the defense. Tokyo ended the first half by repeatedly experiencing moments where they were caught on the counterattack and pushed back while trying to find attacking options while moving the ball.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, started in the second half. In the 5th minute, Nagai, who received Ogawa's side change, made a move and crossed the ball into the goal area. Adailton, who jumped in, made a header shot. Although it did not hit the target, they created a chance with a wide development and a simple attack, which they couldn't do in the first half in a narrow area. However, they struggled to bring the ball to a shooting position, so in the 14th minute of the second half, they made three substitutions at once. Kashif BANGNAGANDE replaced Nakamura, Tokuya Aoki was replaced by Keigo Higashi, and Leandro was substituted for Nagai. Immediately after the substitutions, the new players got involved with the ball and created opportunities to threaten the opponent's goal, showing signs of change. Leandro held the ball in a high position on the right side, while Kashif BANGNAGANDE held the ball on the left side and delivered sharp balls into the goal area. However, before they could take control, they conceded a goal from a corner kick in the 25th minute of the second half, widening the deficit.
Tokyo continued to counterattack without losing momentum, and in the 31st minute of the second half, Adailton broke through with a long feed and threatened the Shonan goal, but his shot was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper. In the 39th minute of the second half, substitute player Kazuya Konno put in an early cross in front of the goal, and once again Adailton jumped in and took a header shot, but it was saved by the goalkeeper. Tokyo continued to attack while changing sides. In the 41st minute of the second half, Yoshitomo Kashiwagi received the ball in a deep position on the left side and sent a fast and accurate ball to Diego Oliveira, who had jumped in front of the goal. Diego took a one-touch shot, but it also missed the goal. In the 45+5th minute of the second half, Tokyo created a situation where many players entered the opponent's penalty area from the left side, but Kyosuke Kimoto's shot near the goal was also unable to find the net.
Despite launching a fierce attack towards the end, we were unable to counter and ended the first half of the season with a frustrating defeat. We will now face V-Varen Nagasaki in the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup, just 3 days later, followed by our first match of the second half of the J1 League against Sagan Tosu, also just 3 days later.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
First of all, I would like to praise Shonan, our opponent today. We kicked off in the rain, and we had to show a determination to win from the start. I think Shonan showed more determination to win this match than us.
Throughout the first half, especially in the first 20 minutes, we were unable to play well. The intensity, particularly in defense, was not at the level we expected. As a result, we allowed the opponent to create chances. I believe that conceding a goal at that point had a significant impact on the subsequent flow of the game.
After that, Shonan tightened their defense. Therefore, in the early stages of the second half, they made three substitutions and brought in attacking players who could play in a narrower space. I think there was improvement in the second half. However, they conceded an additional goal from a corner kick, making the game even more challenging.
This season, I think the J1 League is a very competitive league. If you are even slightly outmatched in intensity by the opponent, results like today's can occur in this season's J1 League.
There were times when we were able to play well in terms of the quality of football. However, I think it was a match where we were not able to fully express our characteristic intensity and defensive intensity.
This season, the team must continue to grow. This includes mentality. The playing style also needs to grow, and I think we need to change the mentality of the entire club, including not only the players but also our staff, to a winning mentality. To become a club that is always in the top competition, the improvement of the quality of football and the change in mentality become important. The second half of the season will begin next week, but I want to firmly grow these two things.
Playing style is gradually growing. I am very satisfied with that aspect. I also want to stabilize the mentality of a winner and continue to grow so that I can express a mentality that is committed to winning. I cannot aim higher if I am satisfied with the current ranking. I must always have a winner's mentality that is focused on being at the top. I have also conveyed this to the players, but I, including myself, need to reflect on today's game and direct the criticism towards myself. This season, in order to establish a base style and a winner's mentality in this club, we must learn from today's game.
Q, scenes where frustration with the judgment could be seen were also observed.
A, I haven't seen the footage, but regarding the scene where a handball was appealed, it seems that the VAR check resulted in a judgment that it was not a handball. I don't think the referee influenced the outcome of today's match. As for the result of today's match, I think we should focus on ourselves. If the opponent is fighting fiercely, we must show an equal or even greater fighting spirit.
This is the scene where I received a yellow card, but the ball went out and the assistant referee raised his flag indicating that it went out. However, there was a development where the ball curved and returned to the pitch. It was not a significant action.
Q: Does the compatibility of playing style with Shonan affect the results?
A, I think football is very simple. At least, you have to compete with the same intensity as your opponent. Regardless of the system or playing style, if the intensity is not equal or higher, it will not be a battle. If you can express the same intensity, then you can talk about tactics and strategies related to football, but today's game did not unfold in that way. In order to achieve success in the future, these two aspects must be developed.
Our team has always expressed a winning mentality, but it is still an unstable situation to say that we can express it consistently. Sometimes we play with high intensity, but there have been times when we lose in the final part of the game. Regarding today's match, I analyze that we lost in a situation where the intensity was insufficient. The rain may have also had an impact. In any case, I think we were not able to fight in the appropriate way today.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoya OGAWA Player＞
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, there were many mistakes on our part, and the tempo didn't pick up, so the game turned out like this and we couldn't push up the defensive line. We also ended up with no goals in the attack, so we need to learn from this game and make use of it in the next game.
Q, where do you think the factor lies that prevented us from expressing our own uniqueness?
In the part where we connect after taking the ball, the passes were usually accurate, but they ended up being off target, resulting in the ball going back to the opponent and increasing our defensive time. As a result, we gradually exhausted ourselves. I feel like we allowed the opponent to play the way they wanted.
Q, Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA took office and the first half of the season ended with today's game. We lost today, but how do you feel about the progress and response so far?
There are definitely areas where we are growing, and not every game was good, but there were also good games with good content, and there were still games like today that have a long way to go. The coach says that this season is a season of building up, so we need to be patient and continue. We are very frustrated, but we must continue without wavering in what we want to do.
Q, the number of league matches for FC Tokyo has also decreased for you.
A, I don't really feel it yet, but the game at Ajinomoto Stadium is over and I was able to give a speech in front of everyone. I am determined to challenge myself overseas. After that, the next game at FC Tokyo will be the last league match, so I want to win it firmly.
Q, what kind of play do you want to show in the last game?
A, Tosu is a very aggressive team and a team that we have a poor record against. We want to win by playing our own soccer, preventing Tosu's soccer, increasing the time with the ball, and being satisfied with the content. I would like to repay with goals and assists if possible, but more than that, I want to express the feelings of playing for FC Tokyo for 7 and a half seasons by winning the team.
Shuto ABE player
Q, I felt it was difficult to bring the ball to the finish while holding it.
A, I think there were many simple mistakes. There were also scenes where we conceded on the counterattack after losing the ball. I think that directly affected the result.
Q, Was there a period without matches, and did you have a feeling that the ball didn't stick to your feet?
A, as a team, we looked sluggish and I felt like we couldn't move much. As preparation for the game, we need to work harder from warm-ups to bring out our agility. If we don't, we won't be able to keep up with the game's pace, so I want to be more conscious of that next time.
Q: The opponent mentioned that they have made significant preparations since losing in the Levain Cup. Did you feel their enthusiasm and any areas where they made adjustments?
A, simply, I think the opponent had a stronger desire to win today's match. We were losing in the ball contest in certain situations, so if we can't win there, it will affect the result of the match. We lost in a really simple aspect and the opponent was winning in terms of motivation as well.
＜Player Kazuya KONNO＞
Q, how did you feel watching the game from the bench?
A, I felt that we were struggling to grasp our own pace from the first half. However, I thought that the opponent's (physical activity) would decrease in the second half, so I was thinking about what I could do when I entered the pitch in that state.
Q, I felt that the flow changed with the player substitution, but we were unable to score.
A, I think we were able to create our own flow and create many chances. However, if we can't score goals, it's meaningless, so I felt that we need to work on the final part. I want to build on that for the next game, even if it's just a little bit.
Q, today's game marked the halfway point of the league. Please share your enthusiasm for the second half.
A, everyone is not satisfied with the current ranking. We want to build up from practice to avoid playing such games and move up.
Kensuke NAGAI
Q, how was the game looking back?
A, there were many easy mistakes and the way the ball was taken was bad. As a result, I feel that the burden on the back also increased. I feel that there are many things that need to be done and improved from now on.
Q, what specific points do you feel did not go well?
A, throughout the game, we made mistakes at moments where the flow seemed to be coming our way and ended up conceding goals. Towards the end of the first half, we had some pressure but there were few crosses or shots, and I felt that we wouldn't be able to score unless we increase the number of those opportunities. I want to work on increasing the number of chances and also reducing our mistakes.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q: please review the game.
A, we lost the ball many times throughout the game. We ended up depleting our own energy.
Q: It was a chasing game, but what was the team's focus in playing towards a comeback?
A, it would be good if we could push into the opponent's territory, but we lost the ball before that. As a result, the area for the players at the back to defend became wider. I think the mistakes in the build-up were everything today.
Q: What preparations will you make for the next game?
A, I think we have no choice but to improve the accuracy of our play. We are playing soccer aiming for the goal while holding the ball, so if we are easily robbed of the ball by a simple mistake before heading towards the goal, our physical strength will also become tough. Today, I personally think that we ended up strangling ourselves and that led to the result.
