＜Match Review＞
The last four matches of the season have arrived. Tokyo, who won consecutive matches against Kyoto Sanga F.C. and Kashima Antlers, has moved up to 6th place and entered a home match with only three days of rest. This round, they faced Shonan Bellmare. In the last match of the first half of the season, they were defeated, so this round, which they welcomed at home, became an important match where they wanted to demonstrate what the team has built up over the past four months and prove their growth.
Tokyo started Yuto Nagatomo, who was on the bench in the previous match against Kashima, considering the fatigue from national team activities. Shuto Abe, who marked the club's 1000th goal in the previous match, also returned to the starting lineup.
1st HALF - Unable to bring the ball to the finish while holding it At the beginning, Shonan quickly switched between offense and defense, swiftly carrying the ball to the front line before Tokyo's defensive formation could be set up, and brought it to the finish. In the 9th minute of the first half, a free kick was awarded at the right corner of their own penalty area, and a shot aimed at the right corner of the goal was taken, but it narrowly missed to the right side of the goal.
After the first 10 minutes, Tokyo started to possess the ball and gradually pushed the opponent back while moving the ball wide. They carried the ball to the opponent's deep position from the sides, but the cross balls and through passes were not connecting well, and they couldn't finish successfully. On the other hand, they didn't focus on breaking through with possession, but rather tried to stop the opponent's counterattack at a high position and attack before their defense was organized. However, they still couldn't make the final pass before the finish and couldn't complete the shot.
In the midst of struggling to create opportunities, in the 23rd minute of the first half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE carried the ball deep into the opponent's side from the left side and delivered a cross ball in the negative direction. Diego OLIVEIRA and Takaki TSUKAGAWA, who had jumped into the goal area, failed to connect, and the ball spilled outside the penalty area. However, Leandro, who had jumped in, took a powerful one-touch shot. It was blocked by the opponent's defender, but finally managed to shake the opponent and create a chance.
In the 31st minute of the first half, Masato MORISHIGE passed a middle pass from his own half to the back of the opponent's defense, and Ryoma WATANABE broke through into the penalty area. He sent a pass across the goal, but Abe, who had jumped in front of the goal on the right side, failed to meet it properly. Watanabe jumped slightly early and was judged offside.
To counter the opponent's counterattacks, we speed up the transition between offense and defense, and quickly and aggressively press the ball holder to prevent them from functioning effectively in the early stages of the game. Even when we are pushed back, we persistently hold our ground and do not give away any clear-cut chances, reaching halftime without conceding a goal.
2nd HALF - Unable to convert the starting chance into a goal and conceded in the final stages
In the beginning of the second half, we had a chance to score from a free kick near the opponent's goal in the 2nd minute. Leandro delivered a sharp ball towards the goal, and Watanabe jumped to head it, but it was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper.
In the second half, as the tempo of passing and pressure increased compared to the first half, Tokyo calmly held onto the ball and accelerated when the opportunity arose to aim for the opponent's goal. In the 10th minute of the second half, Tsukagawa switched the ball while in the left area of the penalty area and carried it to the goal line, crossing it into the goal area. Diego, who was waiting, attempted a header but failed to make solid contact and the ball deflected to the right of the goal.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Morishige headed the corner kick from the left side. He completely shook off his marker and was able to bring the ball to a shooting position, but the ball narrowly missed the goal.
As the second half progresses, both teams gradually stretch their formations and the game becomes more open, with quick attacks utilizing space. Tokyo also creates space in their own half, but they are caught off guard for a moment. In the 33rd minute of the second half, when player Abe receives the ball, he is quickly dribbled past and allows a middle shot, which flows into the left corner of the goal, resulting in the first goal being conceded.
In the 37th minute of the second half, Tokyo, who wanted to counterattack, tried to break through by connecting short passes in a narrow area in the opponent's territory, but lost the ball and was countered. They couldn't stop Machino, who was trying to break through on the right side, and he was able to penetrate into the goal area. As a result, they conceded a goal in a one-on-one situation and fell further behind.
Although we increased the attacking gear with the players who came on as substitutes and approached the opponent's goal, we were unable to break through the goal. The inability to convert the chances at the start of the second half had an impact, and we missed out on a third consecutive victory.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (38th minute of the second half: Hantaka NAKAMURA)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Shuto ABE (38th minute of the second half: Kazuya KONNO)/Keigo HIGASHI/Koki TSUKAGAWA (28th minute of the second half: Kusei MATSUKI)
FW Ryohei WATANABE/Diego OLIVEIRA (22nd minute of the second half: Luiz PHELLYPE)/Leandro (28th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
Shonan Bellmare
STARTING XI
GK Kosei TANI
DF Koki TACHI/Shuto YAMAMOTO/Daiki SUGIOKA
MF Hirokazu ISHIHARA/Masaki IKEDA (13th minute of the second half: Shuto MACHINO)/Akimi BARADA (41st minute of the second half: Naoki YAMADA)/Taiyo HIRAOKA (13th minute of the second half: Yusuke SEGAWA)/Yoshihiro NAKANO
FW Wellington (41st minute of the second half: Takuji YONEMOTO)/Tarik (31st minute of the second half: Hiroyuki ABE)
SUBS
GK Kotaro TACHIKAWA
DF Hayato FUKUSHIMA
GOAL
33 minutes into the second half: Abe/37 minutes into the second half: Machino
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, we knew today's game would be difficult. We were concerned about the motivation, but the players approached today's game with a strong fighting spirit.
Regarding the tactical aspect, we were unable to possess the ball and control the game in the first 10 minutes. I believe Shonan is a fantastic team when they have the ball. However, after the first 10 minutes, we were able to dominate the game along with the ball. I think both Shonan and Tokyo understood that the first goal in this match would be crucial.
In the second half, we were able to maintain possession of the ball and dominate the game. However, we were unable to convert our chances and the game became more open in the last 10 to 15 minutes. If the game continues scoreless during this period, there is a possibility that one team will score and decide the outcome of the match.
In the Kashima Antlers match, we were able to win with a great goal. However, this time the shot was taken from a distance away from the goal, so it seemed safe, but Shonan's shot went in. When we are scored against in the last 10 to 15 minutes, the opponent also starts to defend, making it difficult for us to catch up and turn the game around.
This week, the team had a great training session and I think they approached the game with a strong fighting spirit and no issues with motivation. In terms of soccer, we need to actively aim for the opening goal from the first half and challenge ourselves to decide the game within the remaining 10 to 15 minutes of the second half. However, in order to do that, we need to dominate the opponent from the start of the game and create decisive chances, but I don't think we have reached that level yet. If we can't dominate the game from the beginning, the game will become scoreless and open, and the opening goal will become a key factor in determining the outcome with both teams having chances.
What I want to say again is that I don't think anyone can criticize the players' fighting spirit, and I myself have no doubts. However, we need to improve more in terms of soccer. It's not about Shonan being good and us being bad, it's something that can happen to any team. I wish Shonan good luck. Since the next match against Cerezo Osaka is coming soon, I want to focus and prepare for it.
Q, Shonan is working on playing soccer while watching the opponent, what do you think about the quality of that?
A, I think Shonan is a wonderful team like Tosu. However, I think it becomes more difficult when they are drawn into the opponent's attack after conceding the first goal. I think that is the reason why they are in their current position.
In terms of defense, this team has a clear style of keeping the defense line very compact, using high press and middle press effectively to confuse the opponent, and if they can take the lead, they will lower the block and defend with everyone.
When we focus on ourselves, what Tokyo needs to aim for in the future is the mentality of scoring the opening goal in the first half and finishing the game. Especially this season, the J1 League is highly competitive. It is also shown in the data that we have won 100% of the games in which we scored the opening goal. In a competitive league, I think it can be said that the team that scores the opening goal can advance the game advantageously. Especially in home games, I think it is necessary to have a mentality of attacking from the first half and aiming for the opening goal. It means being greedy for goals from the first half and becoming more aggressive.
[Player Interview]
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA player＞
Q, how do you look back on the game?
A, I think we showed our determination to the opponent. The opponent made the crucial plays, while we couldn't finish them. However, I don't think we were bad. I think the key to winning or losing in soccer lies in being able to finish in the final moments, so we need to focus on that.
Q, I think there were plays where we couldn't break through the center or couldn't go to the goal even if we escaped to the back.
A, I think it's not as pessimistic as it was able to pass through the back. At the beginning of the first half, the opponent's pressure was more than I imagined, and I felt that my eyes were not used to it. It is a part that needs to be improved, but once it became visible, I was able to take advantage of the back after biting. I also didn't completely separate the opponent in the center, so I want to increase the quality and the number of times I do it.
Q: Do you feel that the quality of play is more important than the quantity today?
A, yes. Quality is always important and I think it is something that a team must have.
＜Yasuki KIMOTO player＞
Q: How was Shonan looking back on the game?
A, the opponent came with momentum while fighting to avoid relegation, and I think we let them play at their own pace. In the end, we conceded a goal from an open play, which was not the scenario we had envisioned.
Q, because there was no place to pass the ball when I had the ball, I think it was one option to kick it to the empty space behind the opponent's defense when coming back from the front line to defend.
A, the opponent was coming from the front line, so it was important to create opportunities in the back. However, I didn't want it to be just long balls, so the use of long balls and short passes in that area was really difficult this year, and looking back today, it was difficult. I'm thinking about what was the right answer, but (at this point) I can't find it, or rather, the opponent's press was good, so breaking that down is the challenge from now on.
Q, we conceded 2 goals in some moments where we were patient.
To reach the top position, it is necessary to endure there as well. It was very good that we didn't concede in the first half, but I think that conceding in the final period is a lacking aspect to go higher.
Diego Oliveira player
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, it was a very difficult match. The opponent defended compactly and tried to score by putting long balls forward and tempting our mistakes. We conceded a goal in the second half, and from there it became the kind of match the opponent wanted. It is very disappointing that it ended with a result that we did not desire, and it is not anyone's fault in particular.
Q: It seemed like Diego TABA didn't receive good balls. Where do you think the team needs to reflect on?
A, the opponent came with a system like 5-back and set a high line, so it was natural to have difficulty in attack, and even in that situation, we need to find countermeasures during the game and connect until we can take a shot. I want to learn from today's reflection and approach future matches.
Q: Was it a game where you wanted to win more than anything else?
A, because it is soccer, I understand that the result is the most important thing, and it is one of the reflections that we could not win in today's difficult match. However, instead of lowering our heads because we couldn't win while being obsessed with the result, we want to firmly prepare for the match on Wednesday and fight together with the fans and supporters at home, even in difficult matches.
Q, what kind of game do you want to make the Cerezo match?
We will aim to play winning football. No matter who plays, the players who are on the field will run and fight desperately. We want to show such a figure.
＜Ryoma WATANABE player＞
Q, please reflect on the game despite the disappointing result.
A, if we had made the decisions we should have made at the start of the first half and the start of the second half, and if we had done what we were supposed to do properly, I don't think we would have ended up in such a difficult situation. I think that is still an area where we are lacking.
Q, I felt like I found a breakthrough strategy to target the opponent's back.
A, it also gave the impression of being desperate. It was a personal reflection that I couldn't find the right position to take during the build-up from the center-back throughout the 90 minutes. I also need to reflect on today's game by watching the footage and use it to improve for the next match.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q: How were you thinking about breakthrough strategies while receiving a considerable amount of pressure from the opponent in the first half?
A, it is the impression after the first half that I wanted to increase the number of times we defend from the front line and take the ball away from the opponent.
Q, I think that Diego TABA changed the game as a substitute and the movement in the front line decreased as the second half progressed.
A, when Diego was substituted and the opponent came in, there were several instances where there was no passing option when he came back to defend from the front line. We wanted to press higher and win the ball, but we couldn't coordinate well and there were few opportunities for passes, which was the impression in the second half.
Q: How do you feel about the match against C Osaka in 3 days, considering the short interval?
A, since the next game is coming soon, I think we can be more aggressive in both offense and defense, so let's have another discussion together and show a good performance to the fans and supporters.
