<Match Review>
In the previous match, Tokyo achieved a 3-0 victory against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo at home, marking their first win in 4 league games. However, in the last match, they were unable to continue their winning streak as they lost 0-3 to Urawa Reds in an away game. There were scenes such as Kuryu MATSUKI's powerful free kick hitting the post, but they were unable to break through and score.
This match, we return home and want to accumulate 3 points with the support of our fans and supporters, while balancing both performance and results. Our opponent will be Júbilo Iwata, who we will face for the 4th time this season, including the Levain Cup. Tokyo has yet to win against Iwata in the previous 3 matches, with 1 draw and 2 losses, struggling against their solid defense and strong counterattacks that fill up the space in our own half. We want to calmly move the ball and exploit the gaps in their defensive organization, while also speeding up our transition from attack to defense and pressing on the counter, in order to shut down their counterattacks and take control with our thick and aggressive offense.
1st HALF - Tokyo takes the lead with 2 goals in a good start
The game started off with a bang. In the 4th minute of the first half, Tokyo earned a free kick opportunity on the right side of the penalty area. Kashif BANGNAGANDE quickly put the ball in, and it flew high in front of the goal after the opposing defender failed to clear it. Yasuki KIMOTO, who predicted the landing spot, won the battle against the opposing goalkeeper and headed it in, giving Tokyo the lead.
Tokyo continues to hold the ball even after taking the lead, and they have been able to build up their attacks in the opponent's half. Leandro, the key player, has had many opportunities to play facing the goal in the vital area, while inside halves Shuto ABE and Matsuki have been making runs behind the defense, but the final pass has been just off.
Unable to create chances despite pushing up to the penalty area, an unexpected opportunity arises. In the 14th minute of the first half, Leandro puts pressure on the opponent's goal keeper with a back pass. Although he was unable to steal the ball, the goal keeper's pass goes to the feet of Ryoma WATANABE. WATANABE takes the ball into the penalty area and shoots a ground shot, slipping past the opponent's goal keeper and scoring. Tokyo adds another goal from a strong press from the front line.
In the 19th minute of the first half, Kazuya KONNO carries the ball to a deep position in the penalty area, but his pass to the front of the goal is slightly off target and cleared by the opponent. After that, there were times when they couldn't get into a rhythm, giving the opponent attacking opportunities due to their own mistakes. However, towards the end of the first half, they were able to push the opponent back with a controlled attack while maintaining possession of the ball.
In the 42nd minute of the first half, there was a counter chance. Watanabe passed the ball to Matsuki in the penalty area, but Matsuki's one-touch shot was deflected by the crossbar.
2nd HALF - Unable to score additional points, but wins with a clean sheet
Even in the second half, Tokyo continued to possess the ball and advance the game. Even when losing the ball in a high position, the backline pushed up and maintained a compact formation, quickly regaining possession and launching second and third attacks to threaten the opponent's goal. From the start, they repeatedly attacked the opponent's penalty area and created numerous shooting opportunities, including direct free kicks, but were unable to find the back of the net.
If you hold onto the ball but cannot break through the goal, Iwata will be threatened with a goal from the counter. In the end, they will aggressively aim for shots and defend the goal with their bodies against the opponent.
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow in a situation where they cannot break through, made a series of substitution cards after the middle of the second half. In the final stages of the match, Diego Oliveira and Keita Yamashita controlled the ball and created scenes where Abe made runs from the back and put in a cross ball in front of the goal. Both teams' formations became stretched and the game became open in the final stages, but the defenders calmly dealt with Iwata's counterattacks. They achieved a 2-0 victory with a clean sheet.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (43rd minute: Junya SUZUKI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Keigo HIGASHI (36th minute: Yuki KAJIURA)/Shuto ABE
FW Kazuya KONNO (26th minute: Keiki MITA)/Ryoma WATANABE (26th minute: Diego OLIVEIRA)/Leandro (43rd minute: Keita YAMASHITA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Renta HIGASHI
GOAL
4 minutes into the first half: Kimoto/14 minutes into the first half: Watanabe
＜Júbilo Iwata＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ryuki MIURA
DF Norimichi YAMAMOTO (46': Ryo GERMAIN)/Kotaro OMORI (84': Riku MORIOKA)/Daiki OGAWA/Ricardo GRACA
MF Rikiya UEHARA/Kosuke YAMAMOTO/Yasuhito ENDO (65': Masaya MATSUMOTO)
FW Kotaro OMORI (65': Mahiro YOSHINAGA)/Yuki OTSU (65': Shota KANEKO)/Yuto SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Yuji KAJIKAWA
MF Atsushi KUROKAWA
GOAL
―
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A, I think those who are in the world of professional soccer must always maintain composure. There are wins and losses, but if you let your heart fluctuate with that, you will end up reacting like a fan or supporter.
It is not easy to convey the value of the ball. Just by saying to the players, "Let's play the ball carefully from today," they will not immediately be able to do it. They must understand the concept firmly in order to express it. They must continue to accumulate training, and as a coach, I must continue to persuade the players. I tell the players again that the best way to defend is to possess the ball.
During the first half of today's match, as always, the game dynamics changed significantly with the goal being scored. Fortunately, we were able to take the lead in the early stages of the first half. Even without that opening goal, we were able to suppress their attacks by taking the ball away from the opponents and maintaining possession for the entire 45 minutes of the first half. Iwata has a team with high-quality players. Therefore, if we give them the ball, they will come at us with very dangerous attacks. Rather than being confused about the outcome of each game, I want to convey to the players the importance of possessing the ball throughout the year and I hope they can learn that.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and some may wonder why. I think our style of play has changed since three months ago. Some players have transferred out. We also have many injured players. Veteran players accumulate fatigue when the schedule is tight. That's why we haven't been able to consistently grow in a positive direction. We hope to be able to grow like that, but there are various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of the season, and the process of growth is not always positive. This season, there will be good matches in the future, as well as matches that are not so good. For example, today, it is an area for improvement that we easily lost the ball many times. We want to continue to convey to the players through daily training how to possess the ball not only for 45 minutes but for the entire 90 minutes. I have been conveying this message since the beginning of this season. And I still want to continue to convey it, and I want to repeat it again at the end of the season.
Q: In the second half, the opponent aggressively attacked with the ball. Was it ideal for the team to not get flustered and continue attacking?
I didn't say to the players, "Let's aim for a counterattack." I asked them to play the same way in the second half as they did in the first half. Of course, it would be great if we could create chances from counterattacks, and pressing high and then attacking after winning the ball is also one of our weapons, so we want to continue doing that. However, what we were aiming for in the second half was to keep possession of the ball and play like we did in the first half.
I think you may have a question here. Did the players not listen to the coach? That is not the case at all. To continue playing for a long time, more time is needed, and the players cannot continue to express themselves for 90 minutes if they are not convinced from the bottom of their hearts.
Yesterday afternoon, I was watching Albirex Niigata's play, and they were playing amazingly. I think many people don't know what level of play they had in my first season in Niigata. That's because in the first season, there were few players who understood how important it is to possess the ball. The fact that the coach who is in charge this season is doing a great job also contributes, but I think it's because the players have spent three seasons with the same playing style and have gained confidence that they can play well consistently.
I have said it many times, but one of the most important tasks for me this season is to build a base for the team. It is to guide the players to understand important concepts. And giving young players a chance is also one of my tasks.
Q: I feel like the team's playing style has been changing compared to the early stages of the season.
A, I have been able to play as expected since the second half of the away game against Shimizu S-Pulse. I think we were able to play the way we expected for those 45 minutes. However, several players who played in that game are no longer with us. And several other players are currently injured. If there were no transfers and no injuries, I think the situation would be different now.
After scoring points in the Kashima Antlers game at home, there was a difficult period. We were able to continue playing well in the Emperor's Cup Nagasaki game, but unfortunately, we couldn't win.
And today, I think we were able to play well in the first half. I also think we were able to play well in the first half of the Sagan Tosu away game. If we can continue to grow with the same players, it would have been a different situation, but we have not been able to follow the expected growth line because we cannot do that.
At the start of this season, we utilized direct play to accumulate points. In the middle of the season, if we were competing in the lower ranks, everything would change in the world of football. Naturally, the fans and supporters are seeking the team's victory. That's why we must aim for victory. Of course, the club also expects the team to win. And the players also expect to win. After all, whether it is a good playing style or a valuable playing style is judged by whether we win the game, which is the common sense in this world.
However, this season, the team started with a state where it is not composed only of players who are accustomed to this playing style. 18-year-old Kuryu MATSUKI joined the team and he has been playing well within the team. And Thales also joined, and Yasuki KIMOTO joined as well. I am not a magician. What I can do is to continuously encourage growth over time.
And foreign players are sweating for the team. Leandro is also running for the team and contributing to the press. Diego and Adai(ton) are also contributing to the defense.
I think the process of growth needs to be viewed over a long span. At the same time, I think things need to be viewed positively. The first season with a new team is very tiring. In the first season, I put a lot of energy into convincing many people. The first season is tiring, but enduring it is also part of my job.
[Player Interview]
＜Yasuki KIMOTO
Q, please look back on the goal scene
It was a scene where the opponent touched the ball from a set play and it was floating in the air, but I was able to hit the ball towards the goal, even if I collided with the goalkeeper a little, and it was good that it went in.
Q: Did you feel like you could score a goal today?
A, I didn't have that feeling at all, but I was approaching every game with a purpose, and I hadn't been able to score goals, so today I approached it with a strong determination and it was good to score a goal. Scoring points with set plays can also change the flow of the game, and I think the timing was good.
Q, my first goal came from a set piece after transferring.
As a center back, I always thought that if I wanted to score, it would be through set plays. I was always aiming for it, but sometimes the ball wouldn't come or even if it did, I couldn't convert it. So, I really wanted to score as soon as possible.
Q, how was today's attack in terms of aiming for vertical passes, etc.?
A, especially in the first half, we were able to move the ball well and use our time while holding onto the ball. In the previous match against Urawa, we lost the ball a bit too much and it took a toll on our physical condition, so we made adjustments from that point and were able to create our own time while valuing the ball in the first half. If we can continue playing that kind of soccer in the second half, I think we can have an even better game.
Q, there were also situations where we were pushed back in the second half as the opponent changed their members.
When the score becomes 2-0, it is common to be pushed back. I think the impression is strong that we defended well in the second half while wanting to take the initiative ourselves.
Q, I was teased by my teammates after scoring a goal.
A, I was happy to have everyone tease me because my character is that kind of character.
Q, in the second half, we also gave the opponent the impression that we handed over the rhythm and initiative to them.
In the second half, there were some easy mistakes due to fatigue, and there were scenes where we gave the ball to the opponent, so that is a challenge. As for the first half, we were able to move the ball and score, so I think it would be great if we could build on the style of play we had in the first half.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, I think the team had a good start to the game.
A, today's game went well because Leandro and I had been talking about changing positions while cooperating. Konno and Yoshifu were able to take positions in high positions on the wide side, so I think the attacks from there went well.
Q: Were you able to coordinate the team during this week's practice?
A, we also practiced and played in the game while calling out to make sure someone is always at the top, while being conscious of moving while looking at each other's positioning.
Q: Did you think the game was decided when we scored two points?
I was definitely aiming for the third goal, but I slowed down a bit after the second goal, which is something I regret. I think if we had scored the third and fourth goals, we could have finished the game more comfortably.
Q: The opponent was pushing harder as the point difference widened. How did the team respond to this situation?
A, before the match, we were expecting this kind of development, and Albert PUIG ORTONEDA, the coach, also said that if the opponent was losing, they would kick long balls in the end and push us in. Everyone was aware of raising the defensive line and played accordingly. It's inevitable to be pushed in under such circumstances, and if the ball is kicked, we will be pushed in, so it was crucial to pick up the second ball. There were several dangerous scenes, but we were able to take time after stealing the ball in the midfield, so I think we didn't concede any goals.
Q, please look back on the goal scene.
A, I missed the first touch when the ball came, so I slowed down because I thought the opponent would take the ball away. They were defending by closing the space without going for the ball, so I was able to see the goalkeeper and score a goal. It wasn't exactly what I intended, but I'm glad it went in.
Q, did you aim for the crotch?
A, because there was no other choice, I swung with all my might there.
Q, I think the press was going well. As a result, it was a goal from the opponent's mistake.
A, our intended defense is to go from the front line, and we have been working on it since the beginning of this season. I think the challenge from now on is to make that defense possible against any team. Even if it wasn't my goal, I think it's important to be able to steal the ball from that position since we were able to score one point from there.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, it was my first return in 4 games.
A, it was great that I could play with a fresh mindset and that the team was able to win.
Q, was there anything you thought about in the first game after the transfer of players Ryo Nagai and Takahagi?
A, because I have learned a lot from players Ryo NAGAI and Takahagi, I feel really sad, but I understand their choice as players, so I respect that. I have to fill the gap left by the two of them so that we won't be told that we can't win without them. In that sense, I think it's good that we won.
Q, we were able to take a 2-point lead in the early stages, but around the 30th minute of the first half, I felt that the momentum changed. How did you feel on the pitch?
A, there was a part where the amount of exercise decreased due to the heat, while the start of the first half was very good. However, it was good that we were able to prevent conceding goals, so in the future, we would like to make improvements and correct the time period when the amount of exercise decreases.
Q, I think Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA considers holding the ball as the best defense, but what are your thoughts on that?
A, I think that's what Coach Albert Pobor said. If we have the ball, we don't need to defend, so I hope we can increase that time.
Q, in your comeback match, you received a lot of fouls. How is your physical condition?
A, it was physically tough considering it was a comeback match, but I think I was able to refresh myself during the rehabilitation period, so my performance was good.
Q: Have you noticed anything about the team while observing from the outside during the rehabilitation period?
A, I lost the ball many times, and there were scenes where I was isolated when the ball went to Diego or Leandro, so today I entered the game with the awareness of supporting that area.
Q: What kind of relationship do you have with player Kaua as he gets more playing time as an anchor?
A, John HIGASHI is a player with excellent ball control skills and the ability to see the field. He is very easy to play with because he also supports me by giving me instructions. I hope to take a position that allows me to support John HIGASHI and add a good accent to the attack, and move forward with the ball.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, it was a big victory. Please look back on the game.
I thought we were able to play the football we had in mind from the first half. We were able to score two goals at a good time, so I think we were able to advance the game advantageously.
Q: There was a scene where I matched up with Iwata's player Yasuhito ENDO. Did you have anything in mind?
A, before the game, I had heard from Endo that the attack would start, so I imagined that Shuto ABE and I would go more rigorously there.
Q: It gives the impression that the pass route of player Hikaru ENDO was blocked in defensive situations.
I thought that if we didn't let them pass from there, the attack wouldn't go in the direction the opponent imagined. We couldn't have a perfect defense, but it was good that we were able to hold them back to some extent.
Q, the attack was able to create shooting opportunities with Leandro as the starting point.
A, the goal is something that we have always been seeking, and I think there is a big difference depending on whether we can score there or not. So, I want to make efforts to be able to score there.
Q: After taking a 2-point lead, the game became a back-and-forth exchange of the ball. How do you feel about that issue?
A, there were parts where the defense line got tired and pulled back around the remaining 15 minutes of the second half, so I think if we could have shifted to the ball side, we could have had a great game until the end.
Q, it's a shame that we couldn't finish it off with a chance, but weren't we able to use the middle well with Matsuki and Watanabe?
A, I usually take positions by watching the situation of the wing players, but this time I was able to share a good image while watching the opponent.
Q, I think it was a fluid position that didn't fix the center forward, but were you able to synchronize with the team there?
A, especially Leandro, we also changed positions so that Leandro could move freely. I think that when Leandro dropped, if the defender came to bite, the back would open, so I think we were able to do that in training.
