<Match Review>
This round, which is a back-to-back match fought in 3 days, is against Cerezo Osaka in the postponed Sec. 25 due to the influence of a typhoon. In the previous round, Tokyo faced Shonan Bellmare with a good momentum of 2 consecutive wins, but they were unable to convert the chances they gained in the early stages and ended up conceding a goal in the end, resulting in a defeat.
The last three matches of this season. Tokyo, who is in 7th place with a 4-point difference from 4th place C Osaka. The battle for the top is close, and the final ranking can change significantly with the result of just one match. Tokyo aims for a higher position and has been working towards transformation this season, and in order to show the growth of the team to the fans and supporters, the match will require both results and performance.
1st HALF - Cerezo Osaka creates chances but hits the post twice
The start of the match saw both teams creating scenes of carrying the ball into the penalty area. The first clear chance was created by Cerezo Osaka. As the Tokyo defense dropped back to respond, a through pass was made between the defenders, utilizing the space behind the left side. While the defense was drawn towards the player who broke through, a cross ball was sent to the far side, but Lori's shot missed the target and went over the goal.
In the 18th minute of the first half, Tokyo launched a counterattack. Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who reacted to a looping pass from the middle range, carried the ball to the deep left side. He then crossed the ball with a high, floating ball towards the goal line, but Diego OLIVEIRA was unable to meet it with a bicycle kick.
Gradually, Tokyo increased their possession time and created opportunities to break down the opponent's defense. In the 27th minute of the first half, a diagonal pass from Kuryu MATSUKI, who was on the left side, entered the central area. Although it didn't reach Diego TABA, Ryoma WATANABE, who had jumped out from behind, took a one-touch shot from just outside the penalty area and hit the left post. The rebound fell in front of the goal, and Adailton, who was at the end of the trajectory, also took a powerful one-touch shot, but the ground shot was once again deflected by the left post.
In the 34th minute of the first half, Kindergarten player Julian received a pass while facing towards the goal in the area just before the penalty area. He aimed for a powerful middle shot, taking advantage of the delayed approach of the defender, but the ball, which had gained speed, narrowly missed the goal.
Tokyo continues to attack. The defense aggressively presses high up the field to quickly shut down any counterattacks from the opponent. Even when pushed back, they use space to advance the ball and threaten the opponent's goal. In the 40th minute of the first half, Kashiwagi sent in a low and sharp cross from the left side, and Adailton made a diving header near the near post. Although the shot was aimed at the far post, it narrowly missed to the right.
2nd HALF - Watanabe's hat-trick & Luiz Phellype's first home goal
Tokyo had many chances in the first half but couldn't convert them, but they immediately change the game in the beginning of the second half.
3 minutes into the second half, Adailton creates space and sends Kashiho running down the left side. Kashiho crosses the ball into the box, where it is met by a one-touch finish from Kindergarten player Dawhan, who expertly traps the ball and shoots with his left foot as the defenders are caught off guard. The ball finds its way into the top left corner of the goal, giving Tokyo the lead.
Tokyo maintained possession even after taking the lead. The players kept a perfect distance, moving the ball while making the opponent run. If the opponent came forward, they used the space behind them, and if they didn't, they slowly pushed forward while connecting short passes.
Tokyo seals the game in the final stages. In the 31st minute of the second half, Hotaka Nakamura breaks through on the right side and delivers a cross, which Ryo Watanabe, waiting on the far side, volleys with his right foot to score an additional goal. Tokyo doesn't stop there. In the immediate aftermath, in the 32nd minute of the second half, Koki Tsukagawa sends a cross into the goal area from the right corner, and Watanabe heads it in to score, completing a hat-trick with his left foot, right foot, and head.
Expanding their lead, Tokyo's momentum doesn't stop. In the 38th minute of the second half, Kazuya KONNO passes a through ball on the right side. Shuto ABE, who had made a run into the right side of the penalty area, receives the cross ball near the goal line and Luiz PHELLYPE redirects it into the goal with one touch, scoring their first home goal and making it 4-0.
The attack was like a strong defense, barely allowing any attacking from C Osaka, and Tokyo moved up to 5th place. In the next match, they will face Nagoya Grampus away, and in the final match they will play the Tama River Clasico against Kawasaki Frontale at Ajinomoto Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA (36th minute: Shuto ABE)/Keigo HIGASHI (40th minute: Seiji KIMURA)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE (36th minute: Leandro)/Diego OLIVEIRA (30th minute: Luiz PHELLYPE)/Adailton (30th minute: Kazuya KONNO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO
GOAL
3 minutes into the second half: WATANABE/31 minutes into the second half: WATANABE/32 minutes into the second half: WATANABE/38 minutes into the second half: Luiz PHELLYPE
＜Cerezo Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jin Hyeon KIM
DF Riku MATSUDA (31st minute of the second half: Bruno MENDES)/ Ryosuke YAMANAKA (24th minute of the first half: Ryosuke SHINDO)/ Matej JONJIC/ Ryuya NISHIO
MF Hiroshi KIYOTAKE/ Seiya MAIKUMA/ Tokuma SUZUKI (0th minute of the second half: Nelson ISHIWATARI)/ Hirotaka TAMEDA (11th minute of the second half: Jean PATRIC)
FW Satoki UEJO/ Adam TAGAART (11th minute of the second half: Sota KITANO)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
MF Hikaru NAKAHARA
GOAL
―
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
One of the purposes we asked of the players was to attack aggressively, and I think that was the key. We have gained confidence in ball possession. We were able to connect that well to our attacks. I think we have entered a phase where we increase opportunities to play towards the goal while maintaining ball possession, as we expressed in the first half of the Kashima game.
The team fought for victory from the start of the game. They maintained a high intensity and play tempo. I am satisfied today because we were able to maintain a high level of intensity throughout the game. We were able to express our ability to control the game by holding onto the ball, which we have been working on, and to fight more aggressively towards the goal as we asked the players to do today. Of course, the first half of the Kashima Antlers game was good, and I think it was a great performance even in this season. However, what I am satisfied with in this game is that we continued to express a high level in all aspects, including both offense and defense.
The growth stage of this season is as expected. Of course, it is natural that we need to grow even more. In terms of results, we have eliminated relegation first. And compared to last season, we have exceeded the average number of points per game. This club was able to turn things around and take steps towards the top when our ranking was dropping. The team composition has not changed significantly from last season. However, we have dramatically changed our style over the course of one year. Our goals for the future are clear, and I believe the next two games will be fantastic. Of course, they will be difficult games. It is a home game for Nagoya and Kawasaki may be playing for the championship. It is a great challenge to face such teams.
I want to say "Congratulations on the hat-trick" to Ryoma WATANABE. And I am satisfied that I did not let Nagatomo, the best side back in Japan, play (the game).
Q, today, we continued to play calmly by passing the ball in our own half and enticing the opponent, inserting vertical passes through the center. Why do you think we were able to maintain a sense of mental composure?
A, of course, there are times when you can play with ease like in the Kashima game, and there are times when you become a little nervous like in the Shonan game. It is true that there are still irregularities in each game. However, it takes time to turn those irregularities into regularities and to always perform at the same level.
Now, we have been playing as a team for 7 months. I think it's a good thing that young players like Kuryu Matsuki, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, and Ryoma WATANABE can become the main characters of the game.
[Player Interview]
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, please look back on today's game.
There were scenes that seemed like we could score from the first half, but we couldn't finish them. However, I felt like we could score today. There were more mistakes than usual in the game, but we were able to score, so I want to take that as a positive.
Q, please look back from the first goal, all of which were great.
I collided with player A, Tsukagawa, but I was able to communicate well, so I was thinking of shooting when I entered the landing point. Tsukagawa's body was right in front of me, so I controlled it with my first touch and placed it nicely, so I calmly flowed it into the far side.
Q, the second and third points were both calm.
When player Nakamura was trying to cross, he was prepared, so I think that's why it went in a good direction and a good course.
The third goal, I thought it would come with one touch, so I entered forward while being careful of offside, and I think it was good that I was able to score with a good ball at the timing.
Q, Wasn't it a very compact and good game in terms of content?
I think games that we can go forward from the beginning become good games, and the Shonan game didn't go well and we were trailing, so we reflected on that and worked towards today. If we can keep going forward and score, I think we can shape the game in our favor, so while being conscious of the next two games, I want to keep doing that.
Q, how will you approach the remaining two matches of this season?
We have set the goal of participating in the ACL, but first and foremost, each match against Nagoya and Kawasaki is not an easy opponent, so we want to fight each match one by one.
Q, When was the last hat-trick?
A, since elementary school (lol).
Q, did you receive the ball?
A, I received it.
<Luiz PHELLYPE>
Q, please share your thoughts on scoring your first home goal.
A, I am happy to be able to achieve results even though I haven't been able to score points recently, including the first home goal here.
Q: I think there is a difficulty in achieving results within limited playing time. What are you conscious of?
A, I always have about 15-20 minutes of time, so I do my best to do what I can during that time and enter the field. I was only thinking that I lacked goals, so I am happy that I was able to achieve results in the visible form of goals.
Q, is this goal likely to be a good opportunity?
A, I always aim for the goal, so I hope to score in the next match as well. However, soccer is difficult, so there are times when I can score and times when I can't. I will prepare to be able to score.
Q: How do you feel about the process leading up to the goal?
A, I believed that the ball would come in and went into the goal area, and as a result, the ball arrived perfectly, so all that was left was to score.
Q, do you think that there were also significant parts where cooperation was achieved?
A, today, not only the scene where I scored a goal, but also recently, I often entered the game in difficult situations where the ball couldn't be brought to the center forward or when we were losing. In such circumstances, the ball came to me properly, and I was able to produce results, so I think it was good.
Q, how are you preparing for the remaining two matches this season?
I want to go all out and win in the last two matches. Regardless of whether we have a chance to win the title or not, I think it is most important to fight in the upcoming match, so we will prepare thoroughly to finish with a victory in the remaining two matches.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q, please reflect on the scene where you assisted.
I was able to kick the ball as I imagined. It was good that Watanabe player cut back nicely and scored.
Q: There were many improvements seen from the Shonan game. What were you conscious of?
Compared to the Shonan game, there was a higher level of aggressiveness towards the opponent's backline, and we were able to dominate the game throughout. I believe that it was because of this aggressiveness that we were able to have a good game like today.
Q, Nakamura player, Kashiho player's side back performance stood out in the game.
A, it was mentioned in the pre-match scouting that the opponent's full-back is the starting point of their attack. I talked to Nakamura before the game that if we can win the battle between the full-backs, we can control the pace of the game. It was good that we were able to surpass the opponent's full-back and maintain control throughout the match.
Q, I get the impression that there are more early crosses in the matches.
A, I have been told to actively encourage the players who enter from practice, and gradually I feel that I am getting along with the players inside. It was good to be able to demonstrate that in the game.
Q, do you feel that the variety of plays has been increasing?
A, every time I play in a match, my favorite play is being watched out for, but I feel that actively attacking from the left has led to good plays.
Q, how do you feel about winning big while also having vocal support at home games?
It was the first time we won a game with vocal support at home, so I'm really happy.
Q, did you communicate anything about positioning?
A, in the first half, Adailton opened up on the outside, creating space. I think there was a common understanding within the team about the combination between Morishige and Adailton, as they had discussed it before the game, such as who would open up and who would make runs behind the defense.
Q: Unlike the previous match, you were able to maintain possession of the ball for most of the time. As a side back, what kind of plays did you focus on and how did they affect the changes?
I thought that even if we kept possession of the ball, it would turn into a game like the Shonan match, so I thought that as a correction, even as a side back, it was necessary to actively break through to the back. In the Shonan match, there was not enough aggressiveness towards the front, so it became that kind of game. I think that the fact that there were many plays of jumping out to the front, in order to make use of that reflection, resulted in an increase in ball possession rate and allowed us to play our own soccer.
＜Hotaka NAKAMURA＞
Q, please look back on the match.
A, We lost the previous match that we had to win, so for today's match, we talked about fighting together with our hearts rather than focusing on the content. We couldn't score in the first half, but I think we were able to show our determination in the game.
Q: I think it was a very passionate match. How did you approach it?
A: It's the same for every match, but I wanted to protect the aspects of my game that involve winning the ball and the parts of build-up play and attacking involvement that the coach expects from me, while also being able to do them well.
Q, It was a goal from a cross from player Nakamura, did you see player Watanabe?
A, Of course, I myself need to do more in terms of the number and quality of crosses, but I wasn't specifically looking at player Watanabe in that scoring situation. I was hoping someone would be there to connect with my cross. The goal was thanks to player Watanabe's finish, not just my cross, so the quality may not have been that high. However, I'm glad it led to a goal. I want to improve the quality and number of crosses from here on out.
Q, I think the defense was quite good, and I think we were able to build up our attack well. Where do you think we improved?
A, various formations and defensive approaches are different for each team, and in the last match against Shonan, we had to respond within the excellent defense. This time, we carefully watched the opponent's footage and were able to confirm positions and circulate the ball well within the team, so I think we were able to improve from the last match against Shonan. In a team with intense pressure, it is important to figure out how to overcome it. We must not panic as a team, so I think we need to be able to calmly carry the ball like in the Shonan match.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: The game was completely different from the Shonan match the other day. What preparations did you make in these three days?
Regarding the Shonan match, we discussed improving the parts where we couldn't press from the beginning. We knew from the analysis that if we didn't go to crush the opponent's anchor in today's Cerezo match, they would develop from there, so we made sure to go there.
Q, how did you feel on the pitch, where it seemed like you were able to maintain compactness for 90 minutes and react quickly to the movement of the ball?
A, it was a very tough game, but even before the goal, and after it, everyone was moving fluidly, and I think the team as a whole became more solid when I was pressing from the front and Thales covered well.
Q, Wasn't it the best game of the season?
A, it was a victory with a certain point difference in the end, so I want to take that as a positive.
Q, I think the remaining games will change in various ways with today's victory.
A, as there will be a short break period, I would like to use this time to prepare thoroughly for the next Nagoya match and do my best to break into the top in the remaining two matches.
Q, I think the cooperation on the left side was smooth today.
When Adailton came on, I think he was able to use the space well, and Kashiho player is a player whose characteristics stand out more from the front, so I think I was able to handle the ball well while balancing there. I think we were able to play very smoothly today, and there were also many breakthrough moments, so I think this is a way of playing that will be effective in future matches.
Q: Do you feel that the team becomes more active when there is a high level of physical activity from the inside half, like today?
A, yes. I think if we can create the game from the back and also remember to jump into the goal area, we can become a better team.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, what were you careful about during the game?
In the part where we are committed to winning, last week's game was disappointing, and since we can only make up for it in the game, today we made corrections together and organized ourselves properly, and I think that led to this result.
Q, I think we were able to pass the ball quite well without fearing the opponent's press, but why do you think we were able to do it in today's match?
A, there are various elements, but first we organized the defense. In the previous match against Shonan, we couldn't get into a good rhythm and ended up dropping back. So this time, we were able to push forward positively, which improved our attacking rhythm. Tokyo is really good when we can play like that, and I think we were able to bring out that aspect well.
Q: Did the team have any discussions regarding today's match?
During the season, I think each player was able to play while thinking. It was good that we were able to improve on the points we reflected on from the Shonan match today. Even though we are winning, there are still areas for improvement, so I hope we can discuss it more as a team and continue to get better.
Q, what are the improvement points?
A, although we pressed in the first half, we couldn't penetrate into the goal area, so we talked about aiming for that more. It's good to cross simply from the side, but I think we should increase the offensive arrangements, such as penetrating into another dangerous area.
Q: How do you feel about the effectiveness of Player T's defense?
A, I read the course, read the opponent's aim, and coached the inside half well, so there were many players who could run well, so I processed it by using that while I was able to handle it well. I think I was able to do that well today.
Q, I think we were able to do it smoothly compared to the Shonan match, including coordination with the front line.
A, of course, there are times when the opponent is the focus, so there are matches like today where things don't go well, and the match against Shonan was not good in terms of both content and result. However, even in such situations, I think there are several matches like that throughout the season. In those situations, I think it is important to somehow earn points and it becomes important even within the season. I still think that is a challenge. When things are going well, we play good matches like this and score goals, but in matches where things don't go well, it is still a challenge to figure out how to build up and look up.
