<Match Review>
The J1 League has reached the halfway point of the season and has entered the second half of the season from this round. It will be the second round of battles with the opponents who have already played once, switching between home and away. The first match of the second half is against Sagan Tosu, who lost 0-1 at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. They have lost 6 consecutive matches in the league and are a difficult opponent in terms of results. As for Tokyo, who have lost their last 2 official matches, they want to see results along with a sense of growth. Ryoya OGAWA, who will play his last match at Tokyo before moving overseas, started in the starting lineup. Hotaka NAKAMURA entered as the right back.
1st HALF - Tokyo concedes the first goal in a back-and-forth battle for control
Early on, Tokyo moves the ball calmly from the back while defending against Sagan Tosu's attempts to push forward from the front. While they don't create any finishing opportunities, the inside halves and wingers are able to exploit gaps in the opposition's defense, switching the attack and entering their opponent's half.
As time passed, Tosu gained more possession of the ball. Even after winning the ball, they were unable to quickly transition to attack and were often dispossessed by the opponent. Around the 20-minute mark, they were able to bypass the midfield and play a through ball to center forward Adailton, gradually pushing their formation forward and entering the opponent's half. In the 26th minute, Shuto ABE and Ryoma WATANABE played a one-two pass, allowing ABE to break through on the right side. As the opponent's defender rushed back, ABE passed backwards. Adailton was waiting there and took a one-touch shot, but was stopped by the opponent's goalkeeper.
In the 30th minute of the first half, it seemed that we were gradually pushing back, but when the second ball was picked up by Yuto IWASAKI, we couldn't put pressure on and allowed a powerful middle shot to be scored in the upper right corner, giving up the lead. In that scene where we were aiming to recover the second ball, Abe was injured and Leandro was sent onto the pitch, and Watanabe changed positions to inside half.
Tokyo, who is trailing by one point, collects the ball near the penalty area with Adailton and Leandro as the starting point, but cannot bring it to a shot as the opponent quickly fills the space. There was also a scene where Watanabe broke through and faced the goalkeeper one-on-one, but he was unable to equalize due to the opponent goalkeeper's great save. In the midst of both teams holding the initiative, they turned the game around with one point behind, taking advantage of a momentary gap.
2nd HALF - Continuing the counterattack, but conceding goals
Tokyo wants to go on the offensive, but in the 3rd minute of the second half, they were pushed back near the goal and couldn't clear a cross ball from the right side, allowing Diego to score an additional goal. Despite struggling to bring the ball to the front line, in the 8th minute of the second half, Leandro received a pass in the vital area and dribbled past multiple defenders before taking a shot. Although he couldn't find the target, by increasing the speed of their passes and incorporating more direct plays compared to the first half, Tokyo was able to create more chances near the opponent's goal.
In the 15th minute of the second half, three players were substituted at the same time, with Keita YAMASHITA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Yuto NAGATOMO taking to the pitch. Then, in the 18th minute of the second half, YAMASHITA, who had broken through the opponent's defense, received the ball and before the defender could make a tackle, Leandro was able to pick up the ball and aim for the goal.
After 25 minutes into the second half, when Tokyo's attack began to activate, they were unable to respond to the opponent's quick counterattack after their wedge pass to the front line was blocked. Fuchi HONDA, who received the ball on the right side, cut in and scored a goal on the near side. Furthermore, in the 33rd minute of the second half, they lost the ball due to a coordination mistake during the build-up, and were pushed wide by the opponent's counterattack, resulting in a goal by Yuki KAKITA in the penalty area.
Despite the spread of the behind, Tokyo wants to grab the thread of the counterattack while firmly connecting the ball, but in the 40th minute of the second half, when the ball was trying to be connected from the defense line to the side, it was taken away and the ball was not able to be cut off to the ball side, and Kaito Kaida scored a spectacular fifth goal. The play towards Tosu's goal continued until the final whistle, but compared to the first half, they were unable to create decisive opportunities, and Ogawa's last match before his overseas transfer ended in a disappointing result.
MATCH DETAILS
F.C.Tokyo
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hogao Nakamura (15 minutes into the second half: Yuto Nagatomo)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato Morishige (38 minutes into the second half: Shinji Okazaki)/Ryoya Ogawa
MF Kuryu Matsuki (15 minutes into the second half: Keigo Higashi)/Takuya AOKI/Shuto Abe (33 minutes into the first half: Leandro)
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Adailton/Keita YAMASHITA (15 minutes into the second half)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
FW Kazuya KONNO
GOAL
―
Sagan Tosu
Starting XI
GK Ilgyu PARK
DF Wataru HARADA/Ryunosuke SAGARA/Fansoko/Diego
MF Yuki HORIGOME (21st minute of the second half: Taichi KIKUCHI)/Akito FUKUTA/Kei KOIZUMI (38th minute of the second half: Naoyuki FUJITA)/Yuji ONO (17th minute of the first half: Fuchi HONDA)
FW Yuto IWASAKI (38th minute of the second half: Ryunosuke SAGARA)/Taisei MIYASHIRO (21st minute of the second half: Yuki KAKITA)
SUBS
GK Tatsuya MORITA
DF Shinya NAKANO
GOAL
First Half 30 Minutes: Iwasaki/Second Half 3 Minutes: Diego/Second Half 25 Minutes: Honda/Second Half 33 Minutes: Kakuta/Second Half 40 Minutes: Kakuta
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
It was a game with a clear difference in performance between the first half and the second half. Regarding the first half, we also created several decisive chances and had a lot of time to control the game in a good way. There were also two decisive chances. However, unfortunately, while Shuto ABE was down, Tosu scored a goal.
And as for the second half, I think it was a completely different development from the first half. There were many times when we easily lost the ball, and the defensive intensity was not as expected. I think there were also many scenes where the fighting spirit was lacking. As a result, it led to multiple goals conceded.
The soccer that this team had been playing until last season and what we are looking for this season are different. It is not necessarily easy to adapt to those changes. Everyone expected this season, which is undergoing reforms, to be very difficult, but I think we should not allow the performance in the second half. I think we should not rely solely on Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI to provide high intensity to the entire team.
Today, we want to reflect on today's game with a critical eye, make improvements, and move forward. And in order to achieve the playing style we aspire to, we cannot express it if we lose the ball easily as we did in the second half today.
Q: Was the impact of playing 120 minutes against Nagasaki significant?
Only 4 or 5 players played for 120 minutes. Other players did not play for 120 minutes on Wednesday. I don't think physical condition was a major factor. I think there are other factors to blame, so we need to reflect on ourselves critically.
Q, among them, player Morishige who had played for 120 minutes, was substituted in the middle of the second half.
Regarding Mori Shige, fatigue may have affected him. However, the current situation is that we do not have many center-backs who are able to play in the game. Henrique (TREVISAN) also got injured.
This club, which carries the name Tokyo, must aim higher. I think we must continue to fight for higher goals. There is also the reform of the playing style, but it is also important to reform the mentality of this club.
Q: Was there any difference between what you actually expected and what happened with Tosu?
I have a lot of respect for the team called Tosu and their coach. Whether it's the way they play soccer or the content of today's match, I want to praise today's victory. However, the fact that we lost today due to conceding multiple goals is our own fault.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoya OGAWA Player＞
Q: please review the game.
In the Nagasaki match, we played for 120 minutes and as a team, our bodies were not moving due to fatigue. However, as professional football players, we cannot use that as an excuse. If our bodies are not moving, we should find a way to adjust our playing style and there should be things we can do. I think it means that the current Tokyo team does not have the power to change for the better.
Q, it was the last game before transferring overseas in Tokyo.
I knew from the warm-up that there were many fans and supporters who came wearing the number 6 jersey, and when I was called by my name, I received a big applause, including from the Tosu fans and supporters. It really made me realize that I am leaving the J-League today.
Q: What kind of team is Tokyo for player Ogawa?
A, we are not a team that always wins, and there are many areas that are still developing, but I truly believe that we have the potential and the members to win the championship. I think it's great that I have spent 7 and a half seasons in Tokyo.
Q, a new challenge begins as an individual
First of all, I want to start by securing a position and then gradually and enthusiastically appeal as I did when I entered the professional league. I want to make sure to grab a position and do my best to give a good report to the fans and supporters in Tokyo, Japan.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: please review the game.
If we had been able to score in the places where we could, I think we could have turned the game around in a different way. We conceded a goal first in the second half amidst a bad flow, and the opponent took control of the game, including the timing of the goal.
Q: Did you have any damage from playing for 120 minutes on Wednesday?
A, I felt like I could move more than I thought. I was able to play there without any problems.
Q: We have lost three consecutive official matches. What is necessary to regroup for the next one?
A, I don't know what to do right now, but we can only fix this situation ourselves, and we knew that this kind of time would come. I think we have no choice but to do what we have to do without panicking.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, it was a difficult situation to come on as a substitute.
A, I wanted to change the flow, but I ended up dragging on. Everyone was tired, so the amount of exercise didn't increase and it was a complete defeat.
Q, how do you want to improve the situation where you keep conceding goals?
A, it will become a hindsight, but there are also parts that players can do, so while talking with the coach and staff, I hope to calmly feel what needs to be done, what needs to be improved, and what needs to be done after resting.
Q: Does the mental aspect also have an impact?
In soccer, mental strength also plays a significant role. I think it's a crucial moment to show resilience, and when a new coach comes in, various changes occur. I want to properly embrace those changes and move forward.
Q, I think it was a match that the team really wanted to win, as it was the last game before Ogawa's overseas transfer.
A, everyone had feelings there, and even if Ryoya OGAWA goes there, I hope he will do his best by utilizing the experience he had in Tokyo. I want him to do it boldly.
Q, please send a message to the fans and supporters who came to support us all the way to Tosu.
I think there are also people who came from Nagasaki for the Emperor's Cup, so I feel really sorry and I want to do my best here to respond to the support and bounce back.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, today's game, the defense line and the front line were very disorganized and stretched out, and we were conquered in the midfield. When the defense line retreats, we also have to naturally drop back, so we couldn't effectively put pressure on the opponent in terms of physicality for counterattacks.
Q: How was the first match after returning from the U-21 Japan national team's expedition to Uzbekistan?
A, the condition was not good, and I think the game would have changed if I could have increased the defensive intensity more. There are still many areas that need improvement, but I think it became clear how to behave and play soccer in the second half of the season precisely because I had this experience. It's not about physical fitness, but I want to make sure to win the game.
