<Match Review>
In the previous match, Tokyo won 6-3 against Kashiwa Reysol, who are competing for the top spot, in an official game after a break of about 3 weeks. In this match, they faced Yokohama F.Marinos, who are also competing for the top spot, at Ajinomoto Stadium for their first home game in about a month.
Tokyo made two changes to their starting lineup from the previous match. Kuryu MATSUKI, who scored his second goal of the season as a starter in the previous match, will start from the bench, while Shuto ABE will start alongside Koki TSUKAGAWA. Hotaka NAKAMURA also made his first start since returning from injury at left back.
1st HALF - Conceded 2 goals by taking advantage of a momentary gap
The game continues with both teams possessing the ball and moving it at a fast pace, creating opportunities to bring the ball to the goal.
Tokyo used Kazuya KONNO, who ran quickly from the left side to the space on the right side in the 9th minute of the first half, to attack the opponent's goal. KONNO cut in and took a sharp curved shot, but the ball unfortunately hit the crossbar after passing the goalkeeper's outstretched hand.
In the 12th minute of the first half, Yuto NAGATOMO was judged to have fouled Nakagawa in response to the opponent's counter, resulting in a free kick near the penalty area. The opponent's well-aimed shot narrowly missed the goal.
In the 31st minute of the first half, as Yokohama was increasing their ball possession, they threatened the goal with a quick transition from defense to offense after a ball recovery. Shuto ABE, who had brought the ball into the opponent's penalty area, passed it to Erik, who was waiting to receive it. Erik shook off his marker in a one-on-one situation and took a shot that went between the defender's legs, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper.
After that, as Yokohama continued to hold onto the ball, in the 40th minute of the first half, a corner kick from the left side was sent to the back near the goal, and Iwata was pressed by the player and conceded the first goal.
Tokyo, who immediately launched a counterattack, had player Konno send a cross ball from the right side to the opposite side in the 44th minute of the first half. Ryoma WATANABE, who had jumped behind the opponent, made a one-touch shot but missed the goal and went over it.
On the other hand, in the first half of 45 minutes, when the right side is broken through and a cross ball is put between the goalkeeper and defender in front of the goal, it cannot be cleared and is pushed in by Nakagawa player, widening the deficit.
As the team pushes forward, space is left behind, allowing for a counterattack from Yokohama. Just before the end of the first half, a looping shot is taken from outside the penalty area. The ball flies towards the goal, but Jakub SLOWIK makes a backstep and dives towards the ball, using his fingertips to redirect it and keep it out of the goal.
2nd HALF - Tokyo grabs a valuable 1 point with 2 goals from set plays
Tokyo, who wants to make a comeback, gets a chance in the 8th minute of the second half. They get a free kick in the left corner of the penalty area, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who came on for Nakamura in the second half, puts in a sharp cross ball in front of the goal. Tsukagawa picks up the ball in the right area of the penalty area where the opponent's clearance fell, and swings his left foot, scoring a ground shot in the bottom right corner of the goal, bringing the score to 1-2.
Tokyo, who wants to strengthen their counterattack mood, quickly made a substitution by replacing Abe with Matsuki, Konno with Adailton, and Diego Oliveira with Luiz Phellype.
This substitution brought the flow closer.
At 18 minutes into the second half, Tsukagawa heads in a ball from Matsuki's corner kick from the right side. The ball, which broke through the crowded area, flows into the bottom right corner of the goal, and Tokyo equalizes.
Tokyo, who intensified their attack, invaded the vital area from the left side while putting the ball diagonally forward in the 30th minute of the second half. In the end, Felipe received a pass just outside the penalty area and took a well-aimed shot, but it narrowly missed to the right of the goal. In the 37th minute of the second half, Adailton attempted a powerful volley shot from just outside the penalty area, but the sharp shot went just above the goal.
In the 39th minute of the second half, Adailton reacted to Watanabe's through pass. He broke through into the penalty area and faced the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation, but his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper. Tokyo, who had been taking advantage of the opponent's gap with their build-up from the back, almost took control, but they couldn't finish their attacks and ended up losing the ball, leading to a counterattack from Yokohama. In the final stages of the match, both teams had open opportunities to bring the ball into the goal area.
In the 45+5 minute of the second half, a cross ball was put in front of the goal and Anderson LOPES was able to hit it, but it hit the crossbar and was unable to score.
In a match where either team could have scored the final goal, the game ended in a draw with both teams maintaining an attacking stance.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Hotaka NAKAMURA (46': Kashif BANGNAGANDE)
MF Shuto ABE (58': Kuryu MATSUKI)/Keigo HIGASHI/Koki TSUKAGAWA (73': Seiji KIMURA)
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego OLIVEIRA (58': Luiz PHELLYPE)/Kazuya KONNO (58': Adailton)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
FW Keita YAMASHITA
GOAL
8 minutes into the second half: Tsukagawa/18 minutes into the second half: Tsukagawa
<Yokohama F.Marinos>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yohei Takaoka
DF Ryuta Koike/Tomoki Iwata/Eduardo/Katsuya Nagato
MF Takuya Kida/Joel Chima Fujita (40th minute of the second half: Kota Watanabe)/Takuma Nishimura
FW Teruhito Nakagawa (16th minute of the second half: Marcos Junior)/Leo Ceara (24th minute of the second half: Anderson Lopes)/Elber (24th minute of the second half: Kota Mizunuma)
SUBS
GK Powell Obinna OBI
DF Ken MATSUBARA/Shinnosuke HATANAKA
GOAL
First half 40 minutes: Iwata/Second half 45 minutes: Nakagawa
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A, of course, at this moment, we expected a difficult match against a team that is currently ranked higher than us. In the first few minutes, we played nervously, but then we were able to dominate the game. However, the game was interrupted for a long time due to the decision of whether it was a penalty kick or not, which stopped the flow. After that, we struggled against Yokohama F.Marinos' high-quality high press and had a hard time stopping them.
We still have challenges in moving forward with the ball in a coordinated manner. Of course, in the first few games of the season, we allowed simple long balls without maintaining the appropriate distance because we didn't want to take big risks. But now, we expect the entire team to move forward with the ball with a good sense of distance. The first half was a difficult situation where we couldn't do that.
The first goal against us was a big blow. It was a very difficult situation to be down 0-2 after conceding a second goal. Especially since they were the team that eliminated us last season by scoring a lot of goals, it was a tough match. Moreover, many players who experienced that match last season are still with us and were on the pitch today. Despite having that experience, the players showed their growth.
The growth on the soccer field, I think, is progressing day by day. And not only on the soccer field, but also in the mental aspect, I think we were able to show a strong presence as winners today. The first 30 minutes of the second half was a period where we were firmly in control. After it became 2-2, there was a decisive chance to turn the game around. After that, the last 10-15 minutes of the game became a difficult time for us. It was a match against Marinos, who are competing for the top spot. In that sense, it is natural for there to be difficult periods towards the end of the game. It ended in a draw, but many of the players who were on the pitch at the end of the game were young players. It was a plus for the team to be able to have a match like this with young players like Koji, Seiji Kimura, and Kuryu Matsuki. I have conveyed this to the players, but I am not satisfied with not being able to win. I will be truly happy when we can win with good plays. And today, we were able to make good plays at certain periods. However, it ended in a draw. In that sense, it was not a completely satisfying game.
Q: In the last 15 minutes, you substituted player Tsukagawa with player Kimura and it seemed like you switched to a 3-back formation. It appeared that you were being pushed back from that point. How do you feel about that?
A, that substitution was a situation where Tsukagawa had no choice but to be substituted. Another point is that it was a match against Marinos, who have wonderful players. I want you to remember the away match. Even if we fought with a similar lineup, we couldn't respond well. We expected to struggle against Marinos' side attacks in the late stages of the match, so we were cautious. It was a modification to deal with their weapon, crosses, and by leaving Adailton and Luiz Phellype up front, we were also aiming for chances from there. In fact, there were decisive chances. It is ideal to always want to possess the ball. However, the team has not yet grown to the point where they can do that. I always think that I should be a realist. We must face reality.
Q, the first 30 minutes of the second half were in Tokyo time, but the play was revitalized with player substitutions. What kind of effect did it have?
A, in the second half, especially when three players were substituted at the same time, the expected development occurred. However, Marinos also made adjustments with each substitution and improved their play. The first 30 minutes of the second half continued to be a good time, but there were also parts that became exhausted due to the intense play during that time. I want to use Xavi and Iniesta to maintain possession of the ball, but they are not with me. Our substitutions also worked, but Marinos also came up with effective cards, so we have to respond to that. It was a situation in the latter part of the second half where Tsukagawa had to be substituted and we had to adapt well considering the effect of Marinos' substitution cards. It is ideal to maintain possession of the ball while continuing to hold a 4-back and to defend better, defending with the ball. It is possible that there may be situations where we cannot ideally hold onto the ball. Today, the latter part of the game was such a situation. To firmly defend the struggling goal, it was also my decision to make adjustments. This summer, our strengthening department has made wonderful reinforcements. One of them scored two goals today. The team is growing with their addition.
[Player Interview]
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q, how do you reflect on the result of a draw?
I couldn't accept the first goal in a frustrating way, but it was a goal that I absolutely couldn't afford to concede, so honestly, it was very painful. However, in the second half, we all had the desire to fight back, and I realized that courage is important. There was a gradual emergence of the courage to receive the ball, to attack, and such. As everyone started to receive the ball and move towards the goal more frequently, we had more set-piece opportunities, and ultimately, I think it was a team effort with me just scoring the two goals.
Q, please reflect on the first point.
A, I thought there would be a lot of people in front of the goal, so I swung with all my might. I believed that something would happen if I shot, and the ball went to a good place.
Q, how was the situation of the second point?
A, it was a big deal that Kuse put in a good ball. The fact that the far side was a little low was shared by the team, so I thought I could jump in there and a good ball came. I want to thank Kuse "san" (laughs). I just told him "Nice ball" earlier.
Q, the batting average was really high, wasn't it?
A, because I had been squatting for a year and a half, I was able to jump higher (laughs). When it was time for a substitution, I only ran a little and couldn't come back, so I thought it would be a bother to the team if I stayed on the pitch and decided to switch.
Q, I think the first goal was the first goal in the J1 League. The second goal seemed to be more joyful.
A, because we were losing, I didn't have much room to be happy, so I showed off a little with the next goal (laughs). The second goal was an equalizer, so my teammates were also happy, and I was honestly happy.
Q, Go Hatano player and goal performance.
A, (Go) HATANO is always joking around and it was a performance made on a whim, but it was really lame so I didn't want to do it (laughs). However, since Go came and did it, I did it a little bit (laughs).
Q, it was a story about squatting for a year and a half.
A, I have been asked by various people, but it was a year and a half that changed my football life. There are many thoughts packed into that year and a half. If it weren't for that period, I wouldn't be who I am now, and I don't think I would be standing here either. Honestly, even today's game, although it's a different team, I think I was able to repay a little.
Q: Are you able to demonstrate your strengths?
A, it is also a place where you can score goals, and it is also a place where you can be bold, so I would like to continue to work here to build more.
Q, how do you feel about the challenges as a team?
A, in the first half, I think we couldn't see the front due to the opponent's pressure. Everyone was showing their faces, but we ended up making a lot of back passes due to the opponent's pressure, which made the press faster for Marinos. I think that was the cause of not being able to go forward. However, I don't think the distance was bad. There were some moments where the distance from the center back was a bit far, but there were also moments where we were able to enter smoothly with a one-touch pass when entering as a side back, so I think that is the challenge. In the second half, it felt like the opponent's press dropped relatively, creating space, and we were able to use that space effectively.
Q: How do you feel about scoring a goal?
A goal is definitely something that fans and supporters are most happy about, and it is also the most rewarding part of being a soccer player. So, I was eager to score a goal and I'm glad I did.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, please look back on the draw.
A, because it was a home game, I wanted to win, but I think there were also very positive aspects, so I want to continue.
Q: Was there a big difference between the first half and the second half?
A, in the first half, the opponent was also fresh, so there were times when we could build up, but there were also many times when we lost the ball. I think we were able to focus on what we needed to do and play the game today.
Tokyo took the initiative in the second half, where the game became more open. I think we need to build on these things and strive to become a team that can win these types of matches, without being satisfied with a draw.
Q, I feel the tenacity and perseverance from player Higashi, who has been holding on since the Kashiwa match.
A, both offense and defense are important positions, so I want to reduce the number of goals conceded even more in terms of defense, and although the number of goals scored is increasing in attack, there is also a flip side to it. So, there are parts where I think it would be good to keep it to one goal conceded today, and I want to focus on the details and continue to do my best.
Q, can you please tell me specifically what parts you feel positive about?
A, I think we are able to connect the ball and move forward more than in the first half of the game at Nissan Stadium, so I take that as a positive. I want to continue this and challenge ourselves to turn it into a win.
Q: Which is greater, the positive aspect or the frustration of not being able to win?
Personally, I approached this match with strong determination, especially considering that we lost 0-8 away last season. It is disappointing that it did not result in a victory, but I believe it was a draw that will lead to the next match.
Q: How are you feeling in terms of fatigue despite the continuous appearances?
A, I had few opportunities to play in the first half, and today, many fans and supporters cheered for me, and the club also energized me. I think I need to give my best and play with joy in every game as a professional, and I want to play with responsibility.
There are tough times, but I realize that preparation and care are important year by year, and I can also learn from senior players like Morishige and Nagatomo who have been able to play at the top level until that age by working on such things.
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q: What adjustments did you make in the second half after conceding 2 goals in the first half?
First of all, in terms of tactics, since it was a home game, we thought that we needed to score and equalize, and then turn the game around. Until now, we might have kept conceding goals and losing, but we decided to put an end to that and everyone had a strong determination to score and equalize, and we talked about catching up and turning the game around.
Q, I scored two goals and caught up.
Both goals were set plays, but I think it would be good if we could also make that a weapon. We were able to create chances even in the flow, so we had opportunities to turn the game around, and I think the team is gradually growing.
Q: What were the things that the team was able to do and unable to do?
In the first half of the attack, we were unable to effectively pass the ball from the back, which resulted in not being able to perform effective ball circulation. Also, we conceded 2 goals this time after conceding 3 goals in the previous match, so although we didn't lose, as a defensive player, I think we need to make adjustments and prevent conceding goals.
In the parts where we were able to catch up to a tie, it gives us confidence above all else, and I think it was good that we were able to approach the higher-ranked teams with a positive mindset.
Q: What kind of preparations do you want to make for the next game?
A, I think it is important to continue what we have been doing so far. I don't think we need to change what we should do, so while continuing that, we need to produce results and improve our ranking. In the remaining matches, we want to unify our desired path and continue to work towards it.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: What were you conscious of when taking the assist corner kick?
A, watching the first half, the far side was quite open. I thought if I could kick it to a position where the goalkeeper couldn't reach on the far side, it might go in, so I passed it to Morishige on the first shot, and on the second shot, I also aimed for the far side. I think it was good that it led to a goal.
Q: Player Tsukagawa said, "Thanks to Mr. Kuse."
A, no doubt about it (lol)
Q, what were you conscious of while watching the first half of the game?
I think substitute players are there to change the flow. I was watching while thinking about what kind of play can change the flow from the first half.
Q, what do you think is necessary to win a game like today?
A, I think the individual aspect becomes important in the end. The players who started the game also fought tough for 90 minutes, so while continuing that, I want to raise awareness from practice to make the final decisive part.
Q: Did you feel any difference compared to when you played in the first half of the season?
A, (Today's game) in the first half, we were able to possess the ball, but we had difficulty making progress and lost the ball in our own half many times. However, I think we were able to possess the ball more effectively than when we played in the first half of the season, and I wanted to score goals in those moments when we were able to do so.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, what instructions did you receive from the coach when you entered the game?
A, there were no clear instructions, but I am a defensive player, so I understood that the intention was to not concede any more goals by switching to a 5-back formation. I entered the game with the mindset of not conceding goals. The opponents had many skilled players, so I thought that if I jumped into the ball, I would easily be stripped of it. Therefore, I patiently endured and focused on extending my leg towards the shot at the end.
I have been preparing myself to enter the game with full concentration and determination, regardless of the situation, since I was on the bench today. I believe that's what I did when I got the chance to play.
Q: I noticed your confident play. Has your previous experience influenced this?
Although I didn't have a lot of playing time in J2, I think I was able to learn about the mindset when playing in a match.
Q, I was able to see the self-confidence that never loses the play at my feet.
A, I don't think so. We lost about two games, but there were scenes where we escaped from difficulties by breaking through the sides, and scenes where we were intercepted. It would have been better if those scenes didn't happen, but we are conscious of them and working on them in our regular practice, so I feel that we need to eliminate easy mistakes.
Q: Were you able to demonstrate your defensive ability against Yokohama F.Marinos today?
A, I knew that Marinos had fast and strong players because I sell my physical abilities, but I knew that I couldn't lose in running, so I was prepared for that. I think I was able to demonstrate that part firmly.
Q, I think it was your first time on the Ajinomoto pitch, were you conscious of that?
A, no, I wasn't aware of that at all. There were a lot of spectators in the stands today, and the pre-game production was amazing. I've never played in such a big stadium before, so I was overwhelmed, but it made me realize that this is what it's like to play at Ajinomoto Stadium.
Q, I have been on the bench for every match since my return. I feel like I have gained the trust of the coach.
A, I think I am recognized by the coach for playing the role of a closer so far. I think it's because the results are coming along that I am able to play in the games, so I believe I have gained trust in that aspect. However, I feel that there are many challenges in terms of my technical skills, positioning, and prediction compared to the two starters, so I hope to improve in those areas.
