＜Match Review＞
The J1 League has reached the halfway point of the season and entered the second half of the matches, with teams facing opponents they have already played but with the home and away fixtures reversed. The first match of the second half was against Sagan Tosu, whom FC Tokyo had lost to 0-1 at home in the first half. Tokyo has suffered six consecutive defeats in the league, making Sagan Tosu a difficult opponent for them. Tokyo, who had lost their last two official matches, wanted not only to show their progress but also to achieve a positive result in this match. Ryoya Ogawa, who will be transferring overseas after this match, started in the lineup. Hanataka Nakamura was also included as the right full-back.
1st HALF - Conceding the first goal in a back-and-forth battle for control
In the early stages, Tokyo calmly moved the ball from the front to the ball side to counter Sagan Tosu's pressure. Although they did not create scoring opportunities, the inside half and wings were able to draw out the ball through the gap between the opponent's players, creating moments where they entered the opponent's territory and switched to the attack.
As time passed, Tosu had more possession of the ball. Even after winning the ball, they quickly transitioned between offense and defense, and there were several instances where they failed to release the press and had the ball taken back by the opponent. Around the 20th minute of the first half, they started to play through balls over the midfield from the defensive line to the center forward, Adailton, gradually pushing Tosu's formation down and entering the opponent's half. In the 26th minute of the first half, Shuto ABE and Ryoma WATANABE played a one-two pass, allowing ABE to break through the right side. As the opponent's defender hurriedly retreated, ABE passed the ball in the opposite direction. Adailton was waiting there and made a one-touch shot, but it was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper.
In the 30th minute of the first half, just when it seemed like we were starting to push back, Yuto Iwasaki picked up the second ball and scored a powerful mid-range shot into the top right corner, conceding the first goal. In that scene where we were aiming to recover the second ball, Abe got injured and Leandro was sent onto the pitch, while Watanabe changed positions to inside half.
Tokyo, who is trailing by one point, tries to control the ball near the penalty area with Adailton and Leandro as the starting point in the front line, but the opponent's defense quickly fills the space and prevents them from taking a shot. There was also a scene where Watanabe broke through and had a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, but he was unable to equalize due to the opponent goalkeeper's excellent save. In a game where both teams have control, Tokyo ended the first half with a one-point deficit after being caught off guard for a moment.
2nd HALF - Continuously maintaining a counterattack posture but conceding goals repeatedly
Tokyo wants to launch an offensive, but in the 3rd minute of the second half, they failed to clear a cross ball from the right side near the goal, allowing Diego to score an additional goal. They struggled to bring the ball to the front line, but in the 8th minute of the second half, Leandro received a pass in the vital area, dribbling past defenders one after another and taking a shot. Although he couldn't find the target, by increasing the speed of passing and incorporating more direct plays compared to the first half, Tokyo created more opportunities to approach the opponent's goal.
In the 15th minute of the second half, three players were substituted simultaneously, and Keita Yamashita, Keigo Higashi, and Yuto Nagatomo were sent onto the pitch. Then, in the 18th minute of the second half, Yamashita, who had penetrated behind the opponent, pulled the ball out. Before receiving it, the opponent defender stuck out his leg, but Leandro picked up the ball that couldn't be cleared and aimed for the goal.
After 25 minutes into the second half, when Tokyo's attack began to activate, their pass to the front line was blocked. They were unable to respond to the opponent's quick counterattack, and Fuchi Honda received the ball on the right side and scored a goal from a cut-in to the near side. Furthermore, in the 33rd minute of the second half, they lost the ball due to a coordination mistake in the build-up phase, and they were shaken wide in the penalty area by a counterattack, resulting in a goal by Yuki Kakita.
Despite falling behind, Tokyo wants to grasp the thread of a counterattack while firmly connecting passes. However, in the 40th minute of the second half, they lost the ball while trying to connect it from the defensive line to the side, and Kaito Kakinuma scored a spectacular goal, making it the 5th goal against them. Tokyo continued to play towards Tosu's goal until the final whistle, but they couldn't create decisive opportunities compared to the first half, 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/Toshio SHIMAKAWA/Seok Ho HWANG/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: Kakita/Second half 40 minutes: Kakita
[Interview with Coach Albert]
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.
＜Player 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.
＜Player 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.
