<Match Review>
After completing the first half of the J1 League season, we faced Shonan Bellmare in the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup just 3 days later. Our opponent was V-Varen Nagasaki. In the rainy and humid weather of Nagasaki, we took to the pitch with the goal of advancing to the round of 16.
The goalkeeper position was filled by Go HATANO, and Yuto NAGATOMO returned from national team duties to play as the right fullback. Masato MORISHIGE partnered with Henrique TREVISAN in the center back position. Keigo HIGASHI took on the role of anchor, while Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE were lined up as the inside halves, just like in the Shonan match. Adailton was positioned in the center of the forward line, Kazuya KONNO on the right wing, and Leandro on the left wing.
Tokyo has been pushing from the beginning. When they create a scene where they can bring the ball to the finish line in front of the opponent's goal, in the 3rd minute of the first half, Watanabe takes advantage of the space on the right side and crosses the ball. Leandro, who was waiting on the far side, powerfully volleys the ball and scores in the left corner, successfully giving Tokyo the lead. After that, they continue to create numerical advantages on the sides and threaten the opponent's goal, but they let one chance slip away. In the 14th minute of the first half, the opponent breaks through on the left side and crosses a sharp ball into the goal area. Although it wasn't connected in the center, Yamazaki Ryohei scores a powerful goal on the right side, equalizing the score. After that, Tokyo keeps possession of the ball. They move the ball to deep positions while changing sides, looking for a gap in the opponent's slow slide. They struggled against Nagasaki's quick counterattacks, but as time went on, their pressing back in the midfield and quick approach to the ball made it difficult for Nagasaki to launch a counterattack. Towards the end of the first half, when it seemed like Tokyo had taken control of the game, in the 31st minute, a pass was sent behind the defense line and Yamazaki's shot from the right side was blocked by Hatano. However, when they cleared the resulting corner kick, Abe Taisei powerfully scored a long shot, allowing Nagasaki to take the lead.
Tokyo, who is behind, pushes the opponent with Konno's dribble breakthrough, but they cannot create a decisive situation. Just when it seemed that the first half would end, in the 45+1 minute, Konno's dribble breakthrough on the right side caused the opponent to commit a handball and won a free kick. Leandro's player put a sharp ball in front of the goal, and the ball that the opponent's goalkeeper bounced off went to Adailton, who was on the far side. Adailton, who took one touch, powerfully shot the ball into the right corner of the goal and equalized the game.
In the second half, both teams created good opportunities from the beginning. In the 4th minute of the second half, Tokyo's Adailton player sent a looping pass behind the opponent's defensive line, and Watanabe player broke through to face the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. However, although the looping shot went over the goalkeeper's head, the ball missed the frame. In the 7th minute of the second half, Nagasaki was given a good opportunity. Ibarbo player broke through behind and headed towards the goal. However, Hatano player closed the gap with perfect timing to match the opponent's breakthrough, and blocked the shot with his body. After creating chances for each other, Tokyo continued to attack in the opponent's half by holding onto the ball. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Watanabe player received a pass from Leandro player, dribbled past one defender and took a shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. While taking care of the opponent's counterattacks, Tokyo held onto the ball for most of the time and came close to the opponent's goal, but they couldn't break through the opponent's defense and the game went into extra time.
In the 4th minute of the first half of extra time, Ogawa, who had moved to right back, put the ball behind the opponent and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had entered the game at the beginning of extra time, broke through and scored with a one-touch shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. As the game went into extra time, Tokyo had even more time to play in the opponent's half. They stopped the opponent's attacks at an early stage and launched thick attacks, but they couldn't break through as easily as in the second half. Then, in the additional time of the first half of extra time, Cristiano, who had cut in from the left side just outside the penalty area, couldn't stop his dribble and allowed a powerful shot to be scored in the top right corner, giving the opponent the lead.
In the second half of extra time, we moved the ball wide and created opportunities on the side to attack the opponent who was holding the center. We were vulnerable to counterattacks due to our aggressive play, but we managed to block them with our bodies. In the final minutes, we continuously put sharp crosses into the opponent's goal area, but unfortunately, we couldn't convert them. In the closing moments of the game, we created several chances from set pieces, but we were unable to score and lost 2-3.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A, I approached this tournament with a very high motivation. In today's match, we were able to dominate the game from start to finish. We created many chances, but that's football, sometimes you can't win. I think we were superior to the opponent not only in ball possession but also in the number of clear chances. In that sense, I can only be grateful for the players' performance today. However, in football, these things can happen. Two of Nagasaki's three goals were long shots from outside the penalty area. In that sense, I want to commend Nagasaki. I hope they continue to perform well in the Emperor's Cup. It is a blow to be eliminated, but what is even more painful is Henrique's injury. It is a very serious injury for us. I pray for his quick recovery.
Q: What were you conscious of in terms of strategy during the second half, considering the possibility of extra time?
A, we fought with the expectation of settling the game in 90 minutes until the end. If that was difficult, we hoped to decide the game while making multiple substitution cards in extra time. The team was functioning well, so there was no need to make more substitutions in the second half than necessary. The team was functioning well, so I think it was a situation where it wouldn't be strange even if we scored additional points. It was a strange development that they didn't go in. Since the team was functioning well, I thought we could decide the game in the remaining time of the second half. And in extra time, it became a situation where we made substitution cards according to fatigue.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoma WATANABE Player＞
Q: Was the scene that led to the opening goal executed as planned?
Our team's aim was to lure the center back to the side. Even if the ball didn't come, I believe it was important to run into that space, and running there led to the goal.
Q: What was the reason for not being able to score one more point in the second half after the game was tied 2-2?
A, I myself had moments where I could face forward in the midfield, and I also took several shots, so it is necessary to firmly finish them.
Q, despite being eliminated from the Emperor's Cup, please tell us your enthusiasm for the future league.
A, since it's already over, I hope to switch gears and aim for a higher position in the league.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, please reflect on the game despite the frustrating defeat.
In the beginning of the match, I think we started well and were able to score goals. However, as we tried to build on that, we conceded a goal due to a slight defensive mistake. This led to a turnaround in the game. I think it was good that we were able to equalize at one point, but I believe the outcome would have been different if we had been able to create more decisive chances in the second half.
We had more possession of the ball for a long time, but I think it was a difficult development to break through.
Q, I think the idea at the end has always been a challenging part.
I think we need to keep trying to create more opportunities and ideas in front of the goal. I believe that the tempo changed and the flow improved when player Tierney PAUL joined, but it is not enough to rely solely on players with ideas. I think we need to share the team's image and ideas as a whole and continue to improve through training.
Q, the next game is coming soon. Please let us know your enthusiasm.
A, we lost and the Emperor's Cup is over. I think we have no choice but to switch gears and focus on the first match of the second half of the league. I want to channel the frustration from today and fight with the desire to improve our position as much as possible, so I hope to express that feeling through our play.
<Go HATANO>
Q, how did you feel about fighting in a situation where there were few chances towards the end?
In the second half, I played while thinking about how I could help the team in a situation where goals were not being scored easily. I had anticipated that the game would develop in this way to some extent, so I feel frustrated that I was not able to help the team in that situation.
Q, with the league match coming up in 3 days.
First, I want to return to Tokyo and organize today's events, and then I want to prepare well for the league match and get involved in the game.
Q, please tell us about the aspects that the coach expects from you, such as being the foundation of individual defense range and attack.
A, what is being demanded of the coach in terms of the attacking aspect is the ability to connect simply, and I think I have been able to do that to some extent. On the defensive side, I am being asked to make saves that can save the team. In that regard, I was not able to respond today, so I feel that I need to grow myself. I want to continue to improve.
