<Match Review>
In the second round of the Levain Cup group stage, Tokyo welcomed Kyoto Sanga F.C. to Ajinomoto Stadium. The Levain Cup often has mid-week matches, but this round had a one-week interval before and after the match due to the international match week. As a result, Tokyo fielded a mixed team of starting players, young players, and players who have had few opportunities to play in the league.
Kuryu MATSUKI, who returned from the activities of the U-20 Japan national team, started in the match, and Naoki KUMATA, who also returned from the national team, made his first appearance in the starting lineup this season. In addition, Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who just had his second child, made his first start at home at Ajinomoto after transferring. Hisatoshi NISHIDO, who joined from Waseda University, also made his first appearance in the lineup this season.
1st HALF - PEROTTI & HENRIQUE's first goal in Tokyo
The match progresses at a Tokyo pace from the start. The team gradually pushes forward while maintaining possession of the ball and avoiding the opponent's press. In defense, the entire team quickly organizes their formation and relentlessly presses and presses back when the ball is taken, even sacrificing their bodies to block shots in crucial moments.
As Tokyo was increasing their pressure on Kyoto's goal, the game changed in the 15th minute of the first half. Adailton and Matsuki, with a quick one-two, were able to break through the defense of the opposing team, who had all their players back. Adailton then passed to Perotti on the left side of the penalty area, who was able to score the first goal of the game with a shot past the defender and goalkeeper, marking his first goal since joining Tokyo.
In the 19th and 24th minutes of the first half, both teams launched attacks with a short counter-attack style, and Adailton, with his powerful breakthrough ability, came close to Kyoto's goal. Both attempts were stopped by the opponent's goalkeeper, but Tokyo completely dominated the game.
And the corner kick obtained from Adailton's scoring opportunity leads to a goal. In the 25th minute of the first half, a corner kick from the left. Henrique TREVISAN headed the ball swung out by Matsumaki into the upper right corner of the goal, and Tokyo got an additional point.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Adailton's breakthrough pushed the opponent deep into their own territory, and Matsuki made a run down the left side towards the goal. Although the cross ball narrowly missed Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, Tokyo continued to dominate the game with attacks from the left side.
2nd HALF - Kumada's First Professional Goal & Nishido's First Professional Assist
Tokyo's momentum continues even in the second half. In the 3rd minute of the second half, Adailton dribbles to the left side of the penalty area and makes a strong pass in front of the goal. Matsuki tries to redirect it, but the ball narrowly misses the top of the goal.
In the 5th minute of the second half, player Tawarazumida was fouled in the right corner of the penalty area while dribbling, but it was judged as no foul. However, by activating the attack from the right side, they were able to push Kyoto back into their own half.
In the 10th minute of the second half, Enrique sent a pass to the deep left side, and Tokumoto broke free and put a ground cross ball near the goal line. Perotti, who was on the near side, slid the ball into the left corner of the goal with a technical shot, extending Tokyo's lead. In the 14th minute of the second half, after defending against the opponent's attack, they launched a counterattack. From a loose ball that Adailton initiated just before the halfway line, Adailton broke free again from Kei Koizumi's pass and entered the penalty area with speed. While the opponent defender closed the angle, he bypassed the near side and extended the lead to 4 points.
Expanding the lead creates more options for player selection for the team. From the middle of the second half, cards are continuously played, revitalizing the team with fresh strength. Then, in the 30th minute of the second half, two players who were substituted at the same time score the decisive goal.
Yuto Nagatomo player left the ball that broke through the deep position on the right side and returned it in the minus direction via Koki Tsukagawa player to Nishido player. Nishido player who received the ball put a sharp cross ball with his left foot in front of the goal, and Kumada player headed it with a high contact point on the far side and slid it into the left corner of the goal.
Including many players who had few opportunities to play so far, we used various combinations and surpassed the opponent in terms of content, achieving an unprecedented result. We want to carry the momentum of this victory into the away game against Sagan Tosu in the league match one week later.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (32nd minute: Junya SUZUKI)/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Keigo HIGASHI (0th minute: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (26th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/PEROTTI (16th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton (16th minute: Hisatoshi NISHIDO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Renata Higashi
GOAL
First half 15 minutes: PEROTTI/First half 25 minutes: Henrique TREVISAN/Second half 10 minutes: PEROTTI/Second half 14 minutes: Adailton/Second half 30 minutes: Naoki KUMATA
＜Kyoto SangaF.C.＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Varnelhan
DF Apiatawia Hisa/Mikasa Yuto (14th minute of the second half: Araki Daigo)/Fukuda Kokonosuke (14th minute of the second half: Shirai Kosuke)/Iyoha Henry
MF Matsuda Tenma/Kaneko Daiki (14th minute of the second half: Taniuchi Teppei)/Misawa Naoto
FW Yamasaki Ryo/Toyokawa Yuta (28th minute of the second half: Alan Karis)/Hiraga Daiku (0th minute of the second half: Kinoshita Kosuke)
SUBS
GK Gakuji OTA
DF Rikito INOUE
GOAL
―
[Coach Albert's Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, I think we were able to play a balanced game throughout the match. However, it was by no means an easy game. Kyoto Sanga F.C. puts intense pressure from the front, making it difficult to evade. This is because Kyoto knows how to value the ball. However, we have gradually gained confidence in connecting plays from the back. And the opening goal was fantastic. By securing the opening goal, it became easier to add more goals, and I think multiple goals were scored. Today, many goals were scored, and I hope the fans and supporters who came to the stadium were pleased. I am also very happy that players who have had few opportunities to play in the league performed well. I want to commend PEROTTI's first league goal, Naoki KUMATA's first professional goal, and Hisatoshi NISHIDO's first appearance and assist as a professional. I also want to commend Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who has just had his second child, for recording his first assist in Tokyo. Kyoto is a team led by a great coach. Although multiple goals were scored today, I think it was also a closely contested match. I would like to express my respect for Kyoto here.
Q, we saw a good balance between attacking with speed and building up attacks by connecting passes to create time. Is this the result of the progress made since last season?
A, the style we aim for is a style with various characteristics and weapons. I am not aiming for the same soccer style as Albirex Niigata in Tokyo because the players have different strengths. However, we cannot compromise on valuing the ball. We still need to improve the build-up from a low position and level up in dominating the ball and pushing the opponent. Tokyo has been using counterattacks after winning the ball from a low position. If they can do counterattacks using long balls from a low position, I acknowledge that. However, the play we aim for is to raise the defensive block a little higher, win the ball in the middle zone, and do short counterattacks. In my mind, counterattacks and attacks from quick transitions between offense and defense are clearly different. Another weapon is to win the ball with high press from a high position and create chances. I want to continue to work hard and improve the level of completion. There may be games that don't go well, even if there are times when it goes well like today, but I want us to continue step by step on the path we should aim for without wavering.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Perotti＞
Q, please look back on today's game.
I am very happy that I was able to score a goal in a game where goals were not being scored and that the team was able to win. For the first goal, Adailton entered the back position and the other players took the opponent to the near side, so I was able to become free on the far side. There was a similar play in the Cerezo Osaka game, but I knew that Adailton would make eye contact with me and pass the ball, so I was able to calmly score a good pass. For the second goal, I was able to score by entering near from a cross, which is a play that I am good at. I was able to score in that kind of scene in practice, but it is difficult to score in a game, so I am very happy that the goal came before the game started today.
Q, I was impressed by the improved movement after the goal was scored.
I was able to score the first goal early on, so I was able to calm myself down and the team gained momentum and improved their performance, and I think we were able to score the second goal as well. Coming from Brazil to Japan, I definitely feel the pressure. However, I believe that I have a responsibility to fulfill, so I am happy that I achieved results in today's match.
Q: What reasons can be given for being able to play well today?
Scoring goals or not is only secondary. It is important for us to fight our best on the pitch and contribute to the team in other aspects even if we cannot score goals. I think football is about minimizing mistakes and taking chances, but today we played our best as always and were able to score when we had the opportunity. Today, my Brazilian parents and relatives were watching the game even though it was late at night in Brazil, my wife came to Japan and supported me a lot. I am happy that I could share the joy with the fans and supporters.
Henrique TREVISAN
Q, please reflect on your own goal.
A, I am very happy. I want to thank my teammates. It was good that I scored a goal and the team was able to win, and it was also good that I was able to score my first goal after joining Tokyo.
Q, finally the goal was scored, right?
A, we couldn't score a goal even though we were close to scoring. It was good that we were able to score a goal today. It was also good that we ended the game without conceding any goals. I think the team will become even stronger by keeping a clean sheet at 0.
Q: Last season, I think it was difficult to perform well due to a long-term injury. Did it have any impact?
A, last season, unfortunately I got injured and had to return to Brazil. After getting injured, what I thought was to quickly recover from the injury and strengthen my abilities even more to rejoin the team. I wasn't able to show my play much last season, but I am grateful to have been offered a contract for this season and I believe that they trusted me. I wanted to repay that trust by contributing to the team in any way possible. I am truly happy today.
Q: Have you been progressing well from the preseason until now?
A, heading is also one of my strong points. I was able to score a goal today, but I want to continue aiming for more. My condition is gradually improving. However, I think I can still improve more and there are areas where I am lacking. I want to continue working on my daily practice while learning from my teammates.
Q, I heard that Perotti is good friends with the player.
A, when I came to Japan, I was confused about many things, but everyone helped me. Since I have some experience in Japan, I teach various things and go out to play together on days off. I think not only me but the whole team receives various support. I hope Perotti succeeds as a player and both I and all the team members want him to be a plus for the team.
＜Player Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q, it was your debut match at Ajinomoto Stadium. How do you look back on it?
A, it was fun. I always believed that enjoying is the most important thing, so I entered the game with the intention of letting the fans and supporters know about my play.
Q, Sec. 2, with the birth of the second child, didn't it become an unforgettable match?
I won the game even when my first child was born, and I was able to win even with my second child, so I hope that when my children grow up, they will be able to say that I am a good father. I also want to express my gratitude to my teammates.
Q, did you plan to do the cradle performance before the game?
A, I was happy to be able to perform the cradle performance because everyone said they wanted to do it before the game.
Q, please look back on the assist scene.
A, it wasn't the ball I expected, but thanks to PEROTTI's amazing goal, I was able to celebrate with my own assist.
How confident are you in being able to compete in the league through 2 appearances in the Levain Cup?
A, I think I was able to prove in these two matches that I can fight by enjoying myself with confidence and showing my own style. The desire to contribute to Tokyo has become even stronger, and I want to participate in the league matches as soon as possible, even in one match.
Q: Are you determined to take on many strong rival players?
A, there is no reason why there wouldn't be any passion with the presence of Japanese national team players, and since the Japanese national team is a place I also want to go, I want to fight passionately in my own way.
Q, I was impressed by the impression that Tokumoto player was able to demonstrate his own strengths while grasping what Coach Albert wants to do in the attacking part.
I thought that if I could demonstrate my strengths, it would lead to the style of football that the coach wants. In the second half, I was particularly conscious of creating scenes with vertical passes, and I want to have more ideas and do more.
Q, I think Kei KOIZUMI and Junya SUZUKI are on the same wavelength.
Kei KOIZUMI said that his goal for this season is to stand on the pitch together with three people. He wants the three of them to be able to stand on the pitch in the league matches, and he thinks that the midfielders need to liven up, so he wants to continue playing passionately with the three of them.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA＞
Q: How do you feel about the shutout victory?
A, it's a shutout victory, and I'm filled with gratitude that my teammates scored 5 goals. At the same time, I feel relieved. It's good that we were able to create a significant goal difference in the Levain Cup group stage.
Q, didn't you enjoy watching it from behind?
A, I was able to progress the game while holding the ball. I didn't have much time to let the opponent hold the ball, so I think I was able to prove the team's style. I think I was able to fulfill my role as a goalkeeper throughout the game, so it was good.
Q: In the first half, there was a scene where a fumble occurred. Did it have any impact on the mental aspect?
A, if that had gone in, it might have been difficult, but thankfully we didn't concede a goal, so it didn't have any impact at all. Of course, it's a fact that we gave away a corner with one mistake, but I'm grateful that everyone in the team helped me.
Q: Was it as intended to stop the scene of Kinoshita's shot?
A, I was able to handle it without any problems because the shot was straight ahead.
Q, How was the victory at Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, I'm glad. I think the fans and supporters also had a good time because we scored a lot of goals.
Q, there were also many goal scorers, so there were many "shah" as well, but next time, if we can keep a clean sheet, I would like the goalkeeper to also do the "shah" please.
A, certainly (laughs). I definitely want to experience it.
Hisatoshi NISHIDO
Q, it was your first professional appearance, how did you feel when you stepped onto the pitch?
A, it was also my first time to be on the bench, but I was conscious of approaching it with a calm mind without feeling overwhelmed. I was always thinking about playing as usual.
Q, were there also things that made you feel excited?
A, yes. I was really looking forward to playing since yesterday and I was able to greet today with a very positive feeling.
Q, I also made an assist to player Kumada, it was a good ball.
A, as a left-handed player, I am good at scoring goals and crossing from cut-ins, so it was great to be able to showcase my skills in my debut.
Q, did you practice that goal shape?
I haven't practiced much on the right side since coming to Tokyo, but I think the experience I have gained in high school and university has been useful.
Q: Have you exchanged words with player Kumada?
After the game, I thanked them for scoring.
Q, how do you feel about being able to play in Ajinomoto Stadium?
A, ever since I received a job offer in my third year of university, playing at Ajinomoto Stadium has been a dream for me. It was a long-awaited debut for me, so I am happy that I finally got to play. This season started with an injury, but thanks to the support of the trainers and staff, I was able to step onto this pitch, so I am filled with gratitude.
Q: Do you feel confident about the league matches?
A, there is still none. Since I only made one assist today, as an attacker, I think I have to aim for the goal. In order to secure a spot in the starting lineup, I hope to aim for a goal next.
Q: I think an inswing cross is a difficult ball to score a goal with. What were you thinking when you kicked it?
A, there was a little distance, and as soon as I looked up, I could see player Kumada. I thought if I could drop it there, Kumada would be able to score, so I boldly crossed it. That goal had an amazing impact point.
Q: How do you think the fans and supporters have come to know about the characteristics of player Seok Ho HWANG?
I think my strengths are creating chances and dribbling with my left foot, so I want to play more and more to be recognized by fans and supporters.
Naoki KUMATA (Player)
Q, how was your first goal?
A, I was happy to score a goal, but it was a goal in a situation where we were already winning 3-0, so it wasn't that significant. I want to score a goal in the next league match.
Q, please look back at that goal.
A, Hisatoshi NISHIDO cut in and as soon as I raised my head, our eyes met, so I was able to make a move to disappear from the defender's field of vision, believing that he would come. I couldn't finish it off, but we were able to score a good goal.
Q, when I was on the bench, PEROTTI scored 2 goals, and it was during his appearance.
A, it was good to be able to score a goal within that, as it contributes to the team's victory the most.
Q, I don't think that goal was easy.
A, I'm not good at crosses from the right side, but it was good that I was able to touch it firmly while twisting my body.
Q: How was Shah after the victory?
It was about three years since the last time I played. I was really happy that I was able to do it.
