<Match Review>
The Levain Cup entered the second half of the group stage in Sec. 4. Gamba Osaka will be welcomed at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. In order to make up for the frustration of losing in the last match with consecutive goals in the final minutes, we want to receive the support of our home fans and gain 3 points at all costs.
Tokyo, with the newly announced signing of JFA/J.League designated player Soma ANZAI, started him in the starting lineup. ANZAI played as a right back, while Yuto NAGATOMO was placed on the left. The veteran duo of Keigo HIGASHI and Takuya AOKI formed the double pivot in midfield, while the team also utilized many young players in the front line to strengthen their center line.
1stHALF—Player Anzai Makes a Dynamic Debut
The start of the game saw the opponent holding onto the ball and chasing it from the front line. Even after gaining possession, the ball was difficult to control and we were unable to bring it under our own pace.
Still, after about 15 minutes, the flow starts to lean towards Tokyo. By thoroughly connecting the ball from the back line, they avoid the press from the opponent's front line, and players Higashi and Aoki slowly make their way into Gamba Osaka's territory.
Koki TSUKAGAWA and Ryoma WATANABE, who have moved to the top position, created time by receiving the ball near the opponent's penalty area, and multiple players supported the ball holder to activate the attack.
LORI, who made his official debut in the J League, actively took a high position and aggressively attacked behind the opponent's defense. Although he did not lead to a finish, he did not lose to a professional opponent in terms of intensity and reaction speed, and in one-on-one situations with opposing players, he attempted to dribble through the legs and also showed scenes of taking back the ball by putting his body in defense.
With the dynamic power of fresh players, Tokyo maintained control of the game and headed into halftime.
2ndHALF - Takagawa scores his first goal of the season to earn 3 points
Tokyo's attitude remains unchanged even in the second half. They continue to fight with strength in the ball battles, and even if they have to pass the ball back, they maintain possession and build their attacks.
During the build-up, there were moments where the ball was lost due to mistakes and the opponent was able to quickly carry the ball towards our goal. However, we applied pressure on the ball holder by sending multiple players from the front line, and even after regaining possession, we continued to move forward towards the opponent's goal while maintaining ball possession.
Despite holding onto the ball, the tide turned in the 26th minute of the second half as Tokyo took advantage of Gamba Osaka's player, Yamamoto, being sent off for a dangerous play and intensified their attack.
In the 29th minute of the second half, Adailton picked up the ball on the left side of their own half and started dribbling. He sped up and cut in, creating space before crossing the ball with his left foot. The ball, which was moving away from the goal, went over the head of Perotti, who had been marked near the goal, and Koki Tsukagawa, who had been running in from behind, volleyed it with his right foot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Tokyo, who doesn't let up on their attack even after taking the lead. They actively aim for the opponent's goal and compact their formation, pushing up from the back. This allows them to quickly recover the ball and launch a strong attack even if they lose possession.
In the final stages of the match, we were unable to maintain possession of the ball and were also vulnerable to the opponent's quick attacks. However, by fighting for the ball, we were able to maintain our focus and hold onto our one-point lead until the end of the game.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Seiji KIMURA/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keigo HIGASHI (36th minute: Leon NOZAWA)/Takuya AOKI/Koki TSUKAGAWA
FW Ryoma WATANABE (14th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Naoki KUMATA (14th minute: PEROTTI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (24th minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Junya SUZUKI/Renta HIGASHI
GOAL
29' Second Half: Koki TSUKAGAWA
＜Gamba Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Ryu TAKAO/Kyung Won KWON/Yusei EGAWA (36th minute: Hiroki FUJIHARU)
MF Hiroto YAMAMOTO/Ryotaro MESHINO (27th minute: Naohiro SUGIYAMA)/Shu KURATA (36th minute: Ko YANAGISAWA)/Jiro NAKAMURA (27th minute: Rihito YAMAMOTO)
FW Takashi USAMI (18th minute: Hideki ISHIGE)/Musashi SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
―
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, in the first half, there was a long period of time where we were able to dominate the game with the ball. Ryoma WATANABE and Koki TSUKAGAWA were able to construct good attacks in the attacking midfield position. With the two of them playing well between the lines, they were able to create a good distance, and Akira ANDO, the right fullback, was able to become free and create chances from there.
I think we were able to create the same flow at the start of the second half. There was a red card for the opponent player, and during that time Adailton was brought in and his performance led to a goal. In the final minutes of the game, Keigo Higashi had to be substituted due to cramping, and I think it was an area for improvement that we were not able to play well in the last 7-8 minutes. Our ideal is to defend by possessing the ball and end the game, but we were not able to do that. I hope young players will learn that possessing the ball is the best form of defense.
And today, I would like to praise the play of Lori player. Despite it being his debut game as a professional, he showed us a wonderful performance. He has shown that players with such quality can adapt and excel in a short amount of time with the team.
[Player Interview]
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA＞
Q, the play of running around the pitch was impressive.
A, I went back to the starting point and became aware of what I should originally do. I wanted to make it a game to express running for my teammates once again. I am not satisfied, but I am happy to have contributed to the team's victory.
Q, it was an impressive goal. How do you feel looking back on it?
A, Adailton sent me a good ball. I just had to hit it well, so I am grateful to Adailton.
Q, he ran through and scored a goal. It was a super play.
A, I think it was a well-executed shot.
Q: How do you look back on today's overall play?
It was a game where we focused on sending vertical passes as a team. In particular, we were able to play with a good relationship with Ryoma WATANABE. However, it left an impression that there were not enough plays where he turned forward or got involved in goal-scoring opportunities after receiving the ball. From here, I want to work together with my teammates more firmly.
Q, it was our first victory in an official match in April. It seems that a good momentum will be created for the league matches from here.
A, the team needed a victory. Yuto NAGATOMO has taken the lead and energized the team, instilling a mentality of winning at all costs. As for the game itself, there is still a need to further refine the gameplay, but I believe it was a match where we were able to demonstrate our determination to win.
Q, I think it was a game where young players and experienced players blended well and functioned effectively.
It was a game where the desire to win as a team came together. We have young players and experienced players, but today we were able to unite and demonstrate our strength in both offense and defense.
Q, I think Tsukagawa's strength is shown in his ability to make plays in those scoring opportunities.
A, this season I couldn't get involved in such chance scenes, so I want to work hard again to become a player who can run, play box-to-box, and show up in front of the goal.
Q, was the shooting course perfect?
A, it was perfect. I just let it meet without resisting against the cross. I was relieved that it went into the goal securely. As an individual, I also wanted results, so I want to work even harder for the team from here.
Q, the play that made the most impression was Tsuyoshi NAKAMA's ability to make the most of his teammates.
A, running for the sake of teammates, creating space, not losing in ball contests, running diagonally to create space on the opposite side, and being conscious of giving teammates many options. There is also a term called "useless running," but I personally think it is the most necessary play for the team's victory.
Q, I think the combination with Soma ANZAI, who made his debut in today's match, was also good.
A, it was a great play with full commitment, so I felt it was easy to adapt. It was a strong and impressive play that didn't seem like a debut match.
Q: Please share your thoughts on shouting "Sha!" with the fans and supporters.
A, it was a little embarrassing, but I want to cherish the moments where I can share joy with the fans and supporters from now on.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: How was it to look back on your professional debut match?
A, I challenged this match with a really strong feeling after the starting lineup was announced. Tokyo hasn't been winning, so I didn't want to be said that I lost when I played, so it was really good that the team won first.
Q, what did you focus on during the game?
Since it was my first appearance, I just played with all my might. I was conscious of not becoming timid and fighting aggressively even if I made mistakes.
Q, how did you feel about being the starting point of the attack?
A, there were still many ball losses, and the accuracy as a place kicker was also poor, so I think I can improve more. I think being able to play for 90 minutes here is a plus for me in the future, so I want to further improve the quality.
Q, I think it was a play in which I had cramps in my legs at the end, but I felt that the fighting spirit was fully expressed.
A, since I had already used up all the substitution slots and couldn't afford to be absent, I fought with the determination to run even if I had to collapse in the end.
Q, did Tsukagawa enter the inside and Anzai become free on the side, as we saw in the practice?
When creating on the left side, I think we were able to execute the formation as practiced, with players like Tsukagawa and Watanabe creating opportunities in the middle, and myself competing on the outside.
Q, what are the points that you were not satisfied with?
A, there was a player today who had a strong heading ability, but the kicks often drifted to the far side, so I apologize for that.
Q: How was the practice of adjusting in set plays? I think we haven't done enough, but what do you think?
A, I was conscious of kicking a ball that would allow me to compete because there are strong players in the center, but I couldn't kick it well because I was tense.
Q, the strength of the play was evident.
A, I believe that my strength is showing my fighting spirit, so I was able to challenge with a strong determination to win, even in a situation where Tokyo was not winning.
Q, were you nervous?
A, it was a complete mess (lol).
Q: How did you feel from the moment you found out the starting lineup until the game?
A, I found out after yesterday's practice at Kodaira Ground, but I had a sense of what was going on during yesterday's practice, so I spent the night organizing my thoughts and imagining how I would play in the game, and I prepared for it.
Q, How was it to play at Ajinomoto Stadium?
I have been watching the pitch from the stands since my academy days, so I was really happy to be able to stand here again. However, I think this is the real start, so I want to do my best to produce results and participate in the league matches.
Q: The victory was the first in five years, how was it?
A, it was hot. I was supported by the cheers even during the game, and seeing the fans and supporters made me feel motivated to fight again. It was truly reassuring.
