＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, who welcomed their first home game in the J1 League in about a month. The previous match, which marked the start of the second half of the league, ended with a tough result against Sagan Tosu, whom they played away. In order to make a good restart at home, the team stuck to their own way and took to the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium.
1st HALF - Early accident
At the start, they were immediately hit by an accident. In the 10th minute of the first half, Hotaka Nakamura, who had run up the right side, injured his leg and couldn't stand up. Nakamura couldn't get up, so Kashif BANGNAGANDE was hastily substituted, and Yuto NAGATOMO was moved to right back. After that, in the 16th minute of the first half, they were pushed back when the ball was held on the left side, and the crossed ball sent to the far side was returned and Lukian scored near the left goal, giving the opponent the lead.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, attacks with a higher tempo of switching between offense and defense than the opponent. They approach the goal, but they cannot reach a decisive scene. However, in the 34th minute of the first half, a chance comes. Masato Morishige passes a wedge pass from the defense line to the front line, and Kuryu Matsuki picks up the ball and swings his left foot just outside the penalty area. It was a well-measured shot, but the ball deviated slightly to the right of the goal. In the 37th minute of the first half, Diego Oliveira, who received a pass in the vital area, brought the ball to a shot with one touch, but was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper's offense and defense.
As the first half entered its final stages, Fukuoka maintained a compact formation and set their defensive line higher to fill the space in their own half. However, they struggled to find attacking opportunities and instead resorted to passing the ball backwards. They attempted to exploit the space behind the opponent's defensive formation with mid-range passes from the defensive line, but there was no space available and the ball couldn't connect. They ended the first half trailing by one goal.
2nd HALF - Equalized with a powerful shot by Konno, but tied with a penalty kick
FC Tokyo, who wants to change the flow of the game, substitutes Leandro for Kensuke Nagai at the beginning of the second half. Then, in the 4th minute of the second half, Matsuki plays a looping pass backwards, and Kazuya Konno breaks through into the space behind the opponent. He controls the ball and takes a shot inside the penalty area, but it is saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. However, Leandro reacts to the loose ball in front of the goal and scores with a shot, equalizing the score.
In the midst of a fast-paced game, in the 13th minute of the second half, we conceded a counterattack and the ball was passed in front of the goal, but Jakub SLOWIK managed to save it just in time after Kenji KANAMORI took a sharp shot. In the 15th minute of the second half, we launched a counterattack. Diego received the ball in the vital area and both the opponent's goalkeeper and Kashif BANGNAGANDE jumped to intercept it. Kashif BANGNAGANDE's shot, which was touched first, was blocked, but Leandro managed to pick up the loose ball and attracted the defender before passing it in the opposite direction. Ryo WATANABE made a one-touch shot, but it went over the crossbar.
Tokyo, which has created a rhythm of attack, launches a relentless attack. In the 18th minute of the second half, there is a chance for a corner kick from the left. The ball that entered the goal area was cleared, but Konno, who was in the right place, volleyed the ball from outside the penalty area with one touch. The sharp shot with a steep trajectory was sucked into the upper left corner of the goal, and the team successfully turned the game around with a spectacular goal.
The tide seemed to be leaning towards Tokyo, but in the 30th minute of the second half, Kimoto was fouled near the penalty area and a penalty kick was awarded. Fanma scored the penalty kick and equalized.
Additional time was displayed as 10 minutes, and even after the 90th minute, both teams continued their attacking posture. In the 45+8th minute of the second half, he dribbled past the opponent marker inside the penalty area and took a shot, but it was saved by the opponent goalkeeper. Until the very end, they carefully connected and broke down in order to aim for the Fukuoka goal, but they were unable to take the lead and drew 2-2.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hogao NAKAMURA (10th minute: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Keigo HIGASHI (41st minute: Takuya AOKI)/Ryo WATANABE
FW Kazuya KONNO (41st minute: Keiki MITA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (26th minute: Adailton)/Kensuke NAGAI (0th minute: Leandro)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Makoto OKAZAKI
GOAL
4 minutes into the second half: Leandro/18 minutes into the second half: Konno
＜Avispa Fukuoka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Tatsuki NARA/Miyuki Oki/Takaaki SHICHI
MF Yota MAEJIMA/Sotan TANABE (43rd minute of the second half: Shun NAKAMURA)/Hironori MAE (21st minute of the second half: Juanma DELGADO)/Tatsuya TANAKA (5th minute of the second half: Juanma DELGADO)
FW Jordy CROUX (0th minute of the second half: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Yuya YAMAGISHI/Lukian (37th minute of the second half: Daiki WATANABE)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Yuta KUMAMOTO/Masato YUZAWA
GOAL
First half 16 minutes: Lukian / Second half 33 minutes: Juanma
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, in the first half, the opponent's goal was born from our tactical mistakes. Normally, we were able to box out and defend outside the penalty area, but we couldn't do that in the scene of conceding a goal. Nakamura Hotaka's injury also had an impact, and the first half became a bit chaotic. After being scored against, we couldn't effectively break through the defense when the opponent narrowed the space. It's not easy to break through when the space is narrowed to that extent.
And in the second half, we were able to start with increased intensity. As a result, there was a higher possibility of receiving counterattacks from the opponent, but we took the risk and were able to attack and turn the game around. We had several chances to score additional goals and decide the game by making it 3-1 from a 2-1 situation. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal from a penalty kick, but because the distance was far, I couldn't clearly see whether it was a definite penalty kick from my perspective. After the game, we discussed whether it would be clearer to have an on-field review in such cases. Even now, I still don't know whether it was a penalty kick or not.
Q: It was said that there were many tactical mistakes in the first half, but considering the result of the previous match, I think today's game was very important for FC Tokyo. In that regard, there were some frustrating moments, how do you feel about them?
A dangerous aspect of Fukuoka is the game development after they score the first goal. It becomes very difficult there. This is because Fukuoka is skilled at narrowing the space and defending, and counterattacks after stealing the ball are their major weapon. Therefore, if we allow them to score the first goal, it will become a game development that they are good at. Facing Fukuoka, who has such a weapon, our players were a bit afraid of losing the ball after conceding the first goal and that is why we couldn't play as expected in the first half.
And at halftime, we talked about playing more boldly. We also brought in Leandro and asked him to play between the central lines, and that worked well too. By having Leandro play inside, we allowed Kashiho to take up the width on the left side. Of course, by taking such a risky position and attacking, there was a higher possibility of receiving counterattacks, which are their weapon. However, after making it 2-1, we had several chances to score additional points with their weapon, the counterattack. As expected, it is easier to attack when there is a large space behind the opponent's defensive line. From the 2-1 situation, there was a possibility of scoring additional points and deciding the game with a 3-1 lead, but unfortunately, we were caught up with a penalty kick. Winning 1 point is important, but honestly, we wanted to get 3 points.
Q, in the first half, it seemed like there were many players complaining to each other on the same team.
It is very difficult to attack against an opponent who has narrowed the space so much. My players have never had the experience of attacking against an opponent who has narrowed the space so extremely. Because it is difficult, I think they were communicating on the pitch, but I didn't feel any bad atmosphere. We have fought against Fukuoka many times, and they are good at defending and narrowing the space after taking the lead. It is very difficult to break through that, and I think frustration can build up.
[Player Interview]
＜Kazuya KONNO
Q: please review the game.
A, it was my first start in the league for a long time, so I wanted to get a result no matter what, and it was good that I was able to score a goal. However, it is frustrating that we couldn't win the game.
Q: I think the team's rhythm changed in the second half. What was able to be corrected?
A, the opponent's press dropped in the second half, but I still think we are far from the soccer we are aiming for. There were moments where we played along with the opponent's long balls. I think we need to take better care of the ball and connect more. In the final stages of the game, we were tired and couldn't find the right passing opportunities, so I think we can fix that.
Q, can you look back on the goal scene?
A, I was able to hit the ball with a strong impact and it flew to a good spot because it was loose and free. It was a good play.
Q, at what stage did you decide to hit directly?
A, when the ball bounced once, the opponent was not coming and I was in a free state. I was on the right side of the goal and thought I could go to a good place if I aimed for the outside and aimed for the far post, so I kicked it and it flew to a good place, so I'm glad.
Q, this is the first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium, right?
A, yes. It took quite a long time, so I would like to practice in order to be able to score a lot from now on.
Q, I think you were exploding with joy.
Since it was a comeback goal, I went all the way to the back of the stadium hoping that the atmosphere would become even better.
Q, I think he also made a significant contribution to the defense.
A, I had analyzed that the opponent's full-back player would come up to a high position and cross the ball, so it was quite tough, but I thought I had to return to my own half and defend properly. I think I was able to do that well.
Q, I think shooting on the outside is difficult even in practice.
A, that shot was in a kicking form that I haven't practiced. I really focused on watching the ball and only concentrated on the impact, and it worked out well.
Q, did you think it would go in the moment you hit it?
A, I thought it would go in. As soon as I hit it, I could see the trajectory of the ball and felt that it went to a good place.
Q, what instructions did you receive from the coach?
A, I was asked to play in the center and create opportunities.
Q, what were your personal thoughts going into the game?
When I entered the game, we were losing 0-1, so I entered with the determination to run hard and contribute to scoring.
Q, it will be a form in which the losing streak stopped in the end.
A, it was good that we were able to stop the losing streak, but we want to continue preparing for the next game so that we can win from here.
＜Kashif BANGNAGANDE player＞
Q: You suddenly found yourself on the pitch. What were you thinking about when you entered the game?
A, this was my first time entering a game in this way, but the coach told me to go out and play, so I entered the game with a clear head. However, when I actually stepped onto the pitch, my body didn't move much at first, but gradually I got used to it. It was a good experience.
Q, were you unable to play as you expected?
There were many instances where the coordination with the midfield did not go well, and although we talked a lot during halftime and the second half, I couldn't really showcase my own play as much as I wanted to in the first half.
Q, I felt like we couldn't see how to break through as a team in the first half.
A, we were discussing and making adjustments on the pitch, but there were many irregularities such as substitutions, and especially in the first half, there were many situations where the team did not perform well.
Q: I think we improved in the second half, but what was the reason for that?
A, each player's positioning, the players often discuss at halftime, and also receive instructions from the coach, so they are able to adjust their positions without being caught up in the opponent's movements, which I think is the reason why it has improved compared to the first half.
Q, how do you feel about not being able to win at home?
I think it was a game that had many chances and could have been won, so I think we lacked the mentality of a winner to win there. It was the first time in a while at Ajinomoto Stadium, and we hadn't won the last two league matches, so we discussed as a team to change the flow and entered the game. I'm really frustrated.
Q: Do you think there are situations where you can take the initiative yourself? What do you prioritize when you have the ball?
A, my characteristic is the driving force, and the play of going forward with dribbling and taking off the opponent, but I couldn't do that, so it was a game with only points of reflection as an individual.
Q: How do you feel about the competition for the right-back position with Ryoya OGAWA's transfer?
The competition for the side back position has been high since Ryoya-kun joined, and I think it will become even more intense in the future. So, I think my playing time will change depending on how much I can produce results when I play. In that sense, today's game ended with a disappointing result for me. If I get another chance, I want to focus more on producing numerical results, showing a difference in attack, and making corrections in the defensive aspect where there were many areas that needed improvement.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q: How do you feel about the completely different expressions between the first half and the second half when looking back on the game?
I feel that I was able to play better than the previous match. I want to move the ball with courage.
Q, in the first half, I felt like I was looking for opportunities to pass the ball.
A, I think it's about where to switch while moving the ball sideways. The players behind want to move forward, but there are difficult parts when everyone goes forward, so I think it's okay to redo and rebuild there. However, I feel that we need to move the ball forward without fear and continue to progress towards the goal.
Q, was it also because Leandro came in that things went smoothly in the second half?
A, if there is no intermediate point in the midfield, the attack becomes weak, and of course, there is also the option of passing from the defender to the front line, but if that's all, the midfield becomes stretched, so I felt the need for an attack using the midfield.
＜Player Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the home game at Ajinomoto Stadium after a long time.
A, I wanted to get 3 points, but I was caught up. We lost 1-5 in the away game, and we also lost to Tosu in the previous match, so I wanted to win and regain a good atmosphere somehow. However, the league matches will continue, so I want to take it positively and move on to the next one.
Q, the first half ended with a score of 0-1, and it seems that the flow improved in the second half.
We talked about going towards the goal more. However, if we enter the second half with a score of 0-1 and concede the second and third goals, the game will be over, so I think we were able to hold on there. In the midst of that, we were able to turn the game around once, so I hope we can take this and turn it into a win next time.
Q, the next match will also be against Sapporo at home with a 3-day break.
A, recently the temperature has been getting higher, but I think we will gradually get used to it, and I think the chance will come to the players who haven't played today. So we have to enhance the team's unity while competing. Personally, I have been able to play in the recent matches, and I am experiencing the joy of playing. I was very frustrated in the first half of the season, so I want to play even better.
