＜Match Review＞
In the previous match, Tokyo won with a dramatic comeback goal in additional time against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in an away game. After the break due to national team activities, they continued their winning streak and faced Shimizu S-Pulse at home at Ajinomoto Stadium, which was the subject of "Voice Support Operation Verification Match".
For Tokyo, this "voice support operation verification target match" is the first match in about a month since the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo match on July 6th. In the previous match, the voices of the fans and supporters turned into a great strength and led to victory. In this match as well, they approached the game with the intention of turning those voices into power.
1st HALF - Unable to maintain rhythm due to frequent ball losses
Both teams had a strong focus on vertical play in the early stages, with scenes of the ball being carried towards the goal. Tokyo tried to exploit the gap in the opponent's defensive line by carrying the ball to a high position from the sides, but they couldn't take a shot. On the other hand, Shimizu approached Tokyo's goal in a counter-attacking manner around the 20th minute of the first half, but Yagopikachu's shot veered to the left of the goal.
Tokyo, who couldn't keep the ball for a long time, gradually pushed back to their own half and had more time to set up their defense. In the 28th minute of the first half, after their formation was pushed back, they allowed Matsuda to take a powerful shot. The shot narrowly missed the right side of the goal, but the pressure on the ball side was delayed, allowing for a well-aimed shot.
Tokyo, who wants to take control of ball possession, got a chance for a corner kick in the 39th minute of the first half. Masato Morishige took a header shot from the far side after a corner kick from the left side, and although it was initially blocked by a defender, Adailton followed up and scored a goal with the loose ball. It seemed like a significant opening goal was created in a slightly pressured situation, but it was disallowed for offside as Toyo Keigo was deemed to have been involved in the play.
After that, there were many scenes where I easily lost my ball and couldn't get into the rhythm, and the game turned around.
2nd HALF - Tokyo tries to equalize after conceding a goal but allows another goal in the late stage
As the second half begins, Tokyo increases the tempo of their build-up play and creates more opportunities to penetrate deep into the Shizuoka's defense with quick touches. They were able to create a momentum that was just one step away from a finishing opportunity. However, their momentum was disrupted in the 13th minute of the second half. Shizuoka broke through the left side and carried the ball deep into Tokyo's territory. Carlinhos Junior scored with a header from a big cross ball to shake Tokyo's net.
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow of the game, made a substitution in the 15th minute of the second half. They replaced Higashi with Tsukagawa Koki and Mita Hirotaka with Leandro.
Tokyo wants to calmly build up and enter the opponent's territory, but in the 20th minute of the second half, they lost the ball after trying to connect short passes from the defense line and break through the opponent's press. They allowed a shot inside the penalty area, but it deflected to the left of the goal and they escaped unharmed.
Shimizu chose to defend in their own half, so Tokyo kept possession of the ball and pushed the game forward in the opponent's half. Despite struggling to break through the opponent's defensive block, in the 32nd minute of the second half, player Felipe threatened Shimizu's goal with a powerful mid-range shot. In the 36th minute of the second half, player Kazuya Konno received the ball at the right corner of the penalty area and passed it to the far side of the goal, where player Kashif BANGNAGANDE made a diving one-touch attempt, but failed to score.
It was the timing when Tokyo started to find the rhythm of their attack, but in the 40th minute of the second half, they were broken through on the right side and a cross ball was put into the goal area, allowing Thiago Santana to head it in for an additional point.
In the final stage, we actively put the ball into the goal area, targeting forward player Ferippi with early crosses, but we were unable to bring it to a shot. We couldn't extend our winning streak at Ajinomoto Stadium, but fortunately, we will be able to play at home again in the next match. We will start fresh in the match against Cerezo Osaka on August 13th (Saturday).
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub Slowik
DF Yuto Nagatomo/Yasuki Kimoto/Masato Morishige/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in the 41st minute: Junya Suzuki)
MF Kuryu Matsuki/Keigo Higashi (substituted in the 15th minute: Koki Tsukagawa)/Shuto Abe (substituted in the 32nd minute: Kazuya Konno)
FW Keiki Mita (substituted in the 15th minute: Leandro)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Adailton (substituted in the 32nd minute: Luiz PHELLYPE)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
＜Shimizu S-Pulse＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shuichi GONDA
DF Teruki HARA (39th minute of the second half: Eiichi KATAYAMA)/Yugo TATSUTA/Yoshinori SUZUKI/Reon YAMAHARA
MF Ryohei SHIRASAKI (18th minute of the second half: Ronaldo)/Daiki MATSUOKA/Yago Pikachu (29th minute of the second half: Benjamin KOLOLLI)/Kishi KANESHI (29th minute of the second half: Yusuke GOTO)
FW CARLINHOS JUNIOR (18th minute of the second half: Koya KITAGAWA)/Thiago SANTANA
SUBS
GK Takuo OKUBO
MF Kota MIYAMOTO
GOAL
Second half 13th minute: CARLINHOS JUNIOR/Second half 40th minute: Thiago SANTANA
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, Shimizu is a team that plays dangerously if given even a little leeway, so that made the first half difficult. They are a team that launches dangerous attacks if we give them the ball, and at the same time, their dangerous side attacks were also something we were cautious of.
In the first half, I think our play improved as time went on. We were able to create some chances, and unfortunately, there were also goals that were not allowed.
In the second half, I think we had a good start. We were able to play better and dominate the game. However, during that time, we conceded a goal from Shimizu's counter-attack and I think that goal had a big impact on the flow of the game.
In the first half, Tama (Mita) played well by entering the opponent's defensive line, and in the second half, Leandro, who was substituted in, also played well. I think the J1 League is a very competitive league. In that sense, regardless of the ranking, every match against any opponent becomes a very difficult match. Depending on who scores the first goal, it will have a significant impact on the flow of the game afterwards.
I highly appreciate the players' dedicated play and efforts. They also took good care of the ball during the game. As an improvement, I wish we could have attacked more from the sides. I would like to commend today's opponents and their coach. Although we didn't win today's match, we will switch our mindset and prepare for the tough match against Cerezo Osaka in the next round.
Q, there were several plays that lacked technical accuracy, how were you coaching?
A, I think that in that part, there were more mistakes before, and recently the number of mistakes has decreased. Comparing the start of the season to now, I think it is clear that the technical aspect has also improved.
However, most players have not experienced this playing style before. Thales is one of them, and Abe is also one of them. Kuse was a high school student until last year. I am satisfied that such players have continued to grow steadily over the past six months.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE is also growing well, but there is still room for improvement. Our completion rate has not reached 100 percent. Therefore, there is an unstable element that can collapse from one mistake. In a closely contested match like today, the opening goal still had a significant impact on the result. For example, if the disallowed goal had been allowed, the outcome would have been different. If we had taken the lead, Shimizu would have had to play for a goal in the second half, which would have created space behind their defensive line. We could have potentially capitalized on that space and had better attacks through quick transitions. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal on a counterattack during a period when we were dominating the game and getting closer to scoring. That goal had a big impact on this match.
Of course, there are still mistakes. However, they have decreased compared to before, and the players are growing. Throughout this year, I want to build the foundation of this team and I hope that each player will continue to grow every day.
[Player Interview]
＜Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, I think we had a lot of time to control the ball in the first half.
A, it is important to play calmly when entering the opponent's territory, although the ball was able to be held. I think that if we come up with more ideas and continue to attack the opponent, we can become a better team.
Q, what do you think was the factor that led to the defeat in the match?
A, there are various things, but the opponent also played with a lot of enthusiasm while fighting to avoid relegation. I think we also needed to show more enthusiasm, and after the game, we haven't been able to analyze it calmly yet. We need to reflect on it properly, learn from our mistakes, and if we can connect it to the next FC Osaka match, that would be great.
Q, what parts went well?
A, there were scenes where we entered the opponent's attacking area, so it was a matter of thinking in front of the goal, and I think the opponent will increasingly defend the goal tightly, so I hope to be able to break down such teams and play.
Q: How do you want to connect to the next game?
It is important not to have consecutive losses. I think if we were able to make adjustments to the details, the results would have been different, so I hope to discuss and improve that with the players.
＜Hirotaka MITA player＞
Q: please review the game.
A, we were able to carry the game in a good rhythm in the first half, and I think the game would have changed if we had scored a goal. I think if we can't score despite having a good rhythm, it will end up like today's game.
Q, I think you were very conscious of breaking down the opponent's defense while receiving the ball.
A, I was told by the coach that he wanted me to take on that role, so I played hard there.
Q, what kind of image did you have before the game?
Instead of staying on the side, I focused on playing in the center and coordinating with the players around me to break through the midfield.
Q: What were the things that the team was able to do and unable to do?
A, we were able to dominate the ball in the first half, but the part that didn't lead to goals is a challenge. I think we need to improve the team's ability to break through even when the opponent defends and pulls back in the second half.
Q: What preparations will you make for the next game?
A, based on today's reflection, I want to prepare well so that we can win the next home game.
＜Player Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, how do you feel about your performance today?
I think missing the opportunity to score a middle shot was a big impact on the team.
Q, around the 44th minute, there was a good chance created from Matsuki's successful ball recovery. Do you remember that situation?
A, I wanted to connect the goal with my own characteristic of pressing, so I hope to create more situations like that.
Q: There were scenes where the defense on the side was bypassed compared to the opening. Can it be said that today's goals were also lost in the competitive aspect?
A, I think it's my responsibility.
Q, I think we were creating chances from Matsumaki's ball recovery in the duel, but it seemed that the challenge today was to finish them off.
It's not a matter of problems, but rather, I think it's also a stroke of luck, and today I want to approach it with a positive mindset that the luck has rolled over to the opponent's side.
Q: What are the points for improvement in the future based on the results of today's match?
A, even after the game ended, the players were talking to each other, so we want to improve for the next game.
Q: In the 19th minute of the second half, there was a scene where Adailton received a through pass on the left side. What are your thoughts on the probability of scoring increasing if you continue to show such combinations?
If there are players with forward propulsion as a team, it is best to utilize them, so I would like to position them in a way that can make use of such players and pass the ball.
Q: There was a player substitution and a change to a 4-4-2 formation during the match. What was your strategy to break through from that point?
A, I see taking a certain amount of risk as giving depth to the attack.
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA player＞
Q, please review today's match.
A, I think it was a situation where we allowed the opponent to score a chance and, conversely, we were unable to convert our chances.
Q, it seemed that there were differences in the movement of the ball between the Hiroshima match and this round throughout the game.
A, in the Hiroshima match, the opponent kept coming forward, and we were able to create space with one touch and use flicks to advance to the goal. Today, the opponent started with a solid defense, and I think that was a different aspect.
Q, is it a challenge to dismantle and transport it when it is set up?
A, how to make the opponent bite and draw them out, and also take more initiative, move the ball, move the opponent, change the standing position and move. I feel that we want to continue doing that part. I think it's difficult if we can't unify the overall intention, so I think it's gradually getting better and I want to continue.
Q: What instructions and roles were you given when you entered the pitch this time?
Since it was after conceding a goal, I was conscious of going for a goal, creating a solid rhythm, and taking care of the ball, as I am always told to do.
Q, how would you rate yourself?
A, I still have a long way to go. As you can see from the results, I have been conceding goals even after I entered the game, and I haven't been able to score either, so I will pay more attention and strive to produce results.
Q, I played in the away game last week, but today was my home debut match.
As a new addition, I am currently given the opportunity, but I think it depends on whether I can seize this chance, so I will do my best to produce solid results and earn the trust of the coach and teammates. Playing at the home stadium, TOHO S., I felt the unique atmosphere of each team. I felt grateful to be a part of Tokyo's team once again. From now on, I will work hard to repay the fans and supporters with results.
'I want to become a presence that makes the team believe 'we can win if I play' and I also want to focus on visible results.'
＜Yasuki KIMOTO player＞
Q, it seemed like there were many times when the ball didn't move as you wanted it to, but how did it look from the back?
A, in the previous match against Hiroshima, there was space because the opponent came forward, but today we were more faced with a defensive approach, and I think it is true that we were unable to pass the ball in a good shape.
Q, is it the biggest factor that we couldn't shift the four defensive lines against each other?
A, there was no shaking, and there was also the fact that I couldn't spin in a way that would make the opponent uncomfortable. It became a situation where I relied too much on my footwork, making it very easy for the opponent to respond.
Q: Is it still difficult to open that part if it doesn't come out?
A, there were some difficult matches even if you came from the front in the early stages of the season, but in the last match against Hiroshima, we were able to have a very good development, and even in a slightly defensive situation in the next stage, we have to find a way to break through, and I think there will be times when we fall behind in the future, so it is important to come up with ideas there.
Q: How do you perceive the situation where there are fluctuations in the content this season, while coach Albert emphasizes growth and building a base, at the point when one-third of the season remains?
A, I've been saying this all along, but since we are professionals, we need to produce results. It is very difficult to produce results while building a foundation, so we all need to challenge ourselves. The season is already two-thirds over, so I don't think the fans and supporters can wait any longer. I think there will be difficult times and matches, but it is also important for us to have the ability to solve them ourselves. Regarding the defense in the first half, we talked about it after the game and realized that there were things we could have changed by discussing among ourselves. If we had been able to change it during the game, I think the outcome would have been different.
