＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, who finished the first 5 matches with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, ranking 7th, faced their first match after a 2-week interval in Tosu. In terms of league performance, they are currently on a 7-match losing streak, and this place is notoriously difficult for them, often referred to as a cursed place.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had been playing as an anchor since the opening, and Kuryu MATSUKI, who is a key player in the midfield, were absent, as well as Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who was selected for the Japanese national team. On the bench were Takuya AOKI, who returned from a long-term absence, and Naoki KUMATA, an 18-year-old player who scored his first professional goal in last week's Levain Cup second round match against Kyoto Sanga F.C.
1st HALF - Create attacking opportunities but lack a decisive finish
It was a first half with time to attack from the side while holding the ball and time to defend patiently.
Tokyo returned to the traditional 4-3-3 system from the previous league match against Nagoya Grampus two weeks ago, where they adopted a 3-back system. In the midfield, Kei Koizumi played as an anchor, with Koki Tsukagawa and Tsubasa Terayama as the inside halves.
While it formed a shape that matched with Tosu, there was a sense of opportunity when Adailton and Teruhito NAKAGAWA entered on both sides, but they couldn't create a clear chance until now.
In the 11th minute of the first half, Adailton headed a free kick from Shuhei Tokumoto, who made his J1 League debut, but the shot did not meet the target. In the 21st minute of the first half, Terayama showed persistence in the midfield, and Nakagawa brought the ball to a shot, but the left-footed kick missed the frame.
As the first half passed the halfway point, Sagan Tosu started to have more possession of the ball. However, in the 23rd minute of the first half, Yasuki Kimoto cleared a dangerous situation from a corner kick, and in the 30th minute, Jakub Slowik saved a shot from Iwasaki.
Just before the end of the first half, they continued to threaten the goal. However, the shot from Adailton's cut-in went over the goal, and they couldn't finish the counterattack in additional time with a shot.
2nd HALF - An open development leads to an unexpected outcome
Tokyo, who wanted to score the opening goal, made a change in the system by substituting Terayama for Tawaratsumida from the start of the second half. Tawaratsumida played on the right, Adailton on the left, and Nakagawa and Diego Oliveira lined up in the front.
However, it did not lead to effective attacks. Player Tawaratsumida made a couple of vertical moves and broke through the right side, but it did not result in a goal, and the second half continued with a back-and-forth development.
Tokyo, who wants to change the balanced situation, substituted Diego and Tsukagawa in the 27th minute of the second half, and Perotti and Takuya Aoki, who made his first appearance this season, appeared. Furthermore, in the 37th minute of the second half, Kumada took the field, forming a twin tower with Perotti in the front line.
However, the effect was not seen much, and in the end, it entered an open development. Both teams took advantage of the vast space and exchanged counterattacks, but no goals were scored, and it became clear that the match would end in a scoreless draw.
Just then, in the 45+5th minute of the second half, an unexpected conclusion awaited. Swobiiik player attempted a restart but had his short pass intercepted by Kawada player, who had just transferred to the team. The ball was then kicked into the goal, becoming the winning point as the time was up. The streak of consecutive losses against Tosu seemed to be coming to an end, but they were unable to bring back any points.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO / Yasuki KIMOTO / Henrique TREVISAN / Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Kei KOIZUMI / Tsubasa TERAYAMA (46': Kota TAWARATSUMIDA) / Koki TSUKAGAWA (73': Takuya AOKI)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (82': Naoki KUMATA) / Diego OLIVEIRA (73': PEROTTI) / Adailton (82': Junya SUZUKI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE
GOAL
―
Sagan Tosu
STARTING XI
GK Park Il-Kyu
DF Kosuke Yamazaki/Masaya Tashiro/Kiriya Sakamoto (39th minute: Ryonosuke Kabayama)
MF Akito Fukuta/So Kawahara/Yoshiki Narahara (22nd minute: Jun Nishikawa)/Yuki Horigome (13th minute: Taichi Kikuchi)
FW Yoichi Naganuma/Yuji Ono (13th minute: Atsushi Kawata)/Yuto Iwasaki (13th minute: Ayumu Yokoyama)
SUBS
GK Kei UCHIYAMA
MF Toshio SHIMAKAWA
GOAL
Second half 45+5 minutes: Atsushi KAWATA
[Coach Albert's Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
Among many players who are absent from the front line, we played with various formations throughout the 90 minutes, aiming for victory along with the current squad. In the first half, we played in a 4-3-3 formation, but there were still parts that didn't function well, partly because Tsubasa TERAYAMA is young. In the second half, we changed to a 4-2-3-1 formation, and since then, I think we were able to create several decisive chances multiple times. However, I am very disappointed that we couldn't convert those chances into goals. And finally, we played in a 4-4-2 formation.
Among the many players who are currently out of the front line, we continued to fight for 90 minutes aiming for victory in various ways along with the existing forces. And towards the end of the game, as human beings, we make mistakes. And I am sorry that we conceded and lost due to such a mistake. However, as the head coach, who is responsible for the team as a whole, I feel responsible for that mistake. Of course, the fans and supporters may be disappointed that the team did not win. I feel that I want to take responsibility for this defeat as the head coach. What we can do is to stand up firmly from this defeat and prepare well for the next one.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q, it seemed like you were playing very calmly in your J1 League debut match.
I knew that if I could play like I did in the Levain Cup without feeling nervous, I would be fine, so I was able to smoothly get into the game and I think it was good that I was able to play for 90 minutes.
Q, there was an impression that Adailton was playing well, switching between the inside and outside.
I knew the strengths of player Adailton, so I talked to him firmly and understood that if there were times when he could break through, the opponent would collapse. I also asked interpreter Mr. Iino about things I didn't understand from practice. I also conveyed my own thoughts of "I want to do this", so it was unfortunate that we lost, but it was good that we were able to create combinations.
Q: Do you have any deep feelings about being able to step on the pitch of the J1 League in your 6th year as a professional after graduating from university?
I think I was able to show in my play that I didn't lie about what I've done so far, and I think the viewers could feel that too. I want to continue to persevere with a strong spirit, whether I'm playing or not.
Q, so it was a game we wanted to win.
I think the debut match in the J1 league will remain in my memory forever, so I wanted to win. However, since we are entering a series of consecutive matches, I want to make good preparations for Tokyo to win.
Q: With injured players coming out and the team struggling to gather members, how do you plan to overcome this current situation?
A, I think that if you don't play this game with the feeling that it's the last chance, you won't be able to win even the games you can win. I don't think there are always players who can play, so I approached the game with the feeling that there is no chance anymore. If there are more players like that, when injured players come back, they will not be guaranteed a starting position, which I think will also give them a sense of tension. I want to show it with a stronger feeling, play, and my back.
Q: In April, there will be many consecutive matches. How will you adjust for this?
A, I think it is a happy thing to be able to have many matches. It is best to improve in the matches, so I want to enjoy consecutive battles.
Q, there were also decisive moments in the second half, but it would have been good if you could have taken a shot.
A, I think there was a lack of ideas or it was a scene where I should have taken more initiative, so I think it would have been good to occasionally show an attitude of "doing it myself!"
＜Kei Koizumi player＞
Q: please review the game.
A, I wanted to get 3 points. We were unable to hold the ball and take the initiative as we wanted, and instead, the opponent held the ball and took the initiative for a long time. I think we also lost in that aspect because we were unable to pick up the second ball. I think we need to be able to evade the opponent after receiving the ball. Even in the scene of the last goal conceded, I think the situation would have changed if I had been able to show my face. We have consecutive matches, so I want to switch and keep going.
Q, applause echoed during the player introduction before the match.
Although I was only with the team for a short period of one and a half seasons, I am grateful that I was welcomed with applause instead of boos. I will continue to do my best to be able to greet everyone properly when we compete against each other in the future.
Q, the situation continues where there are many injured players and the team members are not able to gather.
A lot of things are overlapping, but I think we have to fight among them. I think it's up to me, including myself, whether I can seize this opportunity. Since the result didn't come out today, I think I have to step onto the pitch with even more sense of crisis and responsibility.
Q, I think it was a game where we had to at least get 1 point.
We were in a situation where we had to get 1 point, but since there are continuous matches in April, I don't think there is time to look down. I think the next match after this kind of match becomes even more important. There is no good in getting too depressed, so I think we need to improve the areas that need improvement and switch gears and keep going, so I want to do what needs to be done properly.
＜Player Takuya Aoki＞
Q, how does it feel to be back on the pitch after a long time?
It was great to be able to play in a match after a long time. I hope to improve even more from now on.
Q, I think there were some tough physical aspects as well.
A, there was absolutely no game sense. However, I think that game sense will not return unless you participate in the game. I think it will gradually improve.
Q, the game ended in a disappointing result.
A, Tokyo hasn't been able to win against this opponent for a while, so I really wanted to win.
Q, the situation continues where players are unable to gather due to injuries and other factors.
I think players who step onto the pitch must take responsibility and play. Even in the current situation, I believe we must achieve results. I want to continue making efforts every day so that the players who participate can achieve results.
Q, do you want to participate in the Levain Cup even with consecutive matches?
A, I think if I don't participate in the game, I won't be able to regain my game sense, so I want to participate.
Q: You mentioned in a recent interview that you wanted to enjoy the game. Did you have fun?
A, I thought it was very grateful that I was able to stand on the pitch today. If I can participate in the next Levain Cup, I want to contribute to the team's strength.
Q, please say a word to the fans and supporters.
A, it is regrettable that we were not able to produce results. However, I believe that it is good to continue from here, so I hope that we can improve as a team and as individuals.
