＜Match Review＞
In the midst of a series of consecutive matches that included the Levain Cup in the middle of the week, Tokyo faced an away game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. They had been distant from victory, but in the Levain Cup three days ago, they changed the tide by winning 1-0 against Gamba Osaka. In this match, they regained their style of ball possession, took control of the game, and won, regaining their confidence.
In this match, aiming for the first away victory in 5 league games and this season, we approached with the same starting members as the previous league match. Shuto ABE was appointed as the attacking midfielder, and Kyo BANGNAGANDE and Kuryu MATSUKI formed a double pivot. Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had been out due to injury, returned as a substitute member.
1st HALF - Nakamura's 1 goal and 1 assist, and Abe's first goal of the season
The game starts off immediately. In the 5th minute of the first half, we get a free kick from a position outside the penalty area on the left corner. Matsuki sends a sharp ball into the goal area, and Hotaka Nakamura jumps in to head it in as the ball drifts to the far side. Taking advantage of Nakamura's momentum as he jumps in from the blind spot of the opponent's defender, the header shot flows into the right corner of the goal, and Tokyo successfully takes the lead.
After that, the home team continued to receive the momentum of the counterattack. In the 14th minute of the first half, they were shaken wide and allowed Morishima to finish in a free state in front of the goal, but the shot deviated above the goal without any trouble. The time when they couldn't move the ball forward in front of the opponent's strong press continued, but Tokyo didn't miss their chance.
In the 28th minute of the first half, Diego OLIVEIRA created a situation where he took the ball deep into the opponent's half and dribbled into the penalty area, passing a through ball. Nakamura, who had run up the right side, broke free and played a pass in the negative direction in front of the goal. Abe, who was waiting, touched the ball with one touch and slotted it into the bottom left corner of the goal, extending Tokyo's lead.
It seemed like we had grasped the flow of the game, but in the 39th minute of the first half, we were caught off guard behind the defense line that had taken a high position and conceded a counterattack goal to player Morishima in the left corner of the goal, bringing the score to 1-1. We could have expected Hiroshima to push us back with their momentum, but from here Tokyo increased their intensity in the midfield battles, held onto their one-goal lead, and turned the game around.
2nd HALF - Unable to grasp the rhythm of the attack but successfully defend the lead
As the second half begins, the situation continues where we have to endure. We are unable to connect our passes due to the opponent's quickness and strength, and even when we enter the opponent's territory, our attacks end up being one-off.
We try to change the flow by making substitution cards, but we cannot change the flow of being pushed back to our own territory. In the final stage, we make adjustments to the defense line and deploy a battle with an eye on closing.
In the final stages, player Adailton put his body on the line to collect the ball up front, creating time for his teammates to push up the formation and keep the opponent away from their own goal as the game progressed. The game ended with the lead intact, and they achieved their first away victory of the season in the league.
Tokyo is working on a style of play that involves maintaining possession of the ball, but in this match they wanted to change the momentum of not winning in the league and focused on winning the game, earning 3 points. Player Kei Koizumi said, "We want to make adjustments while winning" as he looks ahead to the future. In the next match, they will return to their home stadium, Ajinomoto Stadium, and aim for victory by sticking to their own style.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA (31st minute of the second half: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Shuhei TOKUMOTO (37th minute of the second half: Henrique TREVISAN)
MF Shuto ABE/Kei KOIZUMI/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE (37th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI)/Diego OLIVEIRA (31st minute of the second half: Adailton)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (22nd minute of the second half: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
FW PEROTTI
GOAL
First half 5 minutes: Hotaka NAKAMURA/First half 28 minutes: Shuto ABE
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Keisuke OSAKO
DF Tsukasa SHIOTANI/Hayato ARAKI/Sho SASAKI
MF Sota KOSHIMICHI (17th minute of the second half: Shuto NAKANO)/Takumu KAWAMURA/Gakuto NOTSUDA (17th minute of the second half: Ezequiel)/Toshiki HIGASHI (33rd minute of the second half: Pieros SOTIRIOU)/Makoto MITSUDA/Tsukasa MORISHIMA
FW Nassim BEN KHALIFA (0th minute of the second half: Douglas VIEIRA)
SUBS
Goro KAWANAMI
DF Takaaki SHICHI/Taichi YAMASAKI
GOAL
First half 39 minutes: Tsukasa MORISHIMA
[Coach Albert's Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, I think we were able to prove once again that we can have a competitive match against strong opponents in J1 when all the players are present. When we reach that level, the course of the game will change depending on which team scores the first goal. Today, we were fortunate enough to score the opening goal early in the game. In the first half, I think we were able to play with a balance of targeting the space behind and playing calmly. And in the second half, Hiroshima, being the home team, came forward in an attempt to equalize or turn the game around. In order to respond to that, we made substitutions and were able to handle it well. In order to effectively respond to Hiroshima's more attacking approach at home, we made various decisions and substitutions, and it worked well. I am happy that we were able to prevent the opponent's attacks and win the game. I think Hiroshima is one of the strongest teams in J1. I also want to commend Coach Skibbe. I think he is an experienced and great coach, as well as a great person. I also want to commend the club and the supporters. I am happy that we were able to play in a wonderful atmosphere. I thought there were great supporters who continued to cheer from the beginning to the end here in Hiroshima. And I also want to commend the referees. I think refereeing today's match was very difficult.
Q: Do you feel that you have a good compatibility with Hiroshima, as you have won against them in every match since last season?
A, I don't care about that. Just like we don't care about our consecutive losses to Tosu. In football, there may be winning streaks or losing streaks, but I don't believe in those numbers. The league is a long battle. What matters is not each individual game, but where we stand at the end of the season.
Q: How is the team atmosphere after the victory in the fifth game?
A, we had a period where we couldn't win, but we were able to play well in the preseason match against Hiroshima and also had a good performance and feeling in the opening match against Urawa. However, after that, the players kept getting injured and had to withdraw from each game. However, behind the negative development, there are also positive developments. Because the injuries piled up, we were able to test how much potential the young players have and encourage their growth. With their growth, I think we are now prepared to aim high in all three tournaments. I came to this club to change the style, and I think we are progressing step by step. At the same time, I hope to promote the growth of young players. I think that is also being carried out in parallel.
Q, What was the intention of using Kashif BANGNAGANDE as a forward?
A, I was waiting for that question. Many people had doubts about having two side-back players, Yuto Nagatomo and Kashif Bangnagande, on the bench. Everyone learns from various experiences. For example, Hotaka Nakamura had difficulty regaining his game sense when he returned from injury. The same goes for Ryoma Watanabe and Shuto Abe. Kashif Bangnagande is an attacking side-back who can also play on the wing. If he makes a mistake in the forward position, it doesn't necessarily become a big mistake. I think Yuto Nagatomo is one of the most wonderful players in the history of Japanese soccer. He can play on both the right and left sides. He provides various solutions depending on the game situation. I believe Yuto Nagatomo is the soul of this team and Japan.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Hotaka NAKAMURA＞
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, I just believed and entered the goal because I had been practicing set plays from practice. I think it was all thanks to Matsuki's good ball. I think that goal was a goal that we obtained as a team formation. Recently, we haven't been able to score goals from set plays, so it was good. There are also times when the game is decided by goals from set plays like today, so I want to continue to do it firmly as a team from now on.
Q, after stealing the ball, he ran a very long distance in the assist scene.
In a game that we anticipated to be fast-paced, we had discussed as a team that we would target the space between the opponent's three-back line after winning the ball. The opponent players were also positioned high, so I believed that if I made a run, it would create a chance. Diego OLIVEIRA also provided a good ball, so I calmly assessed the situation and delivered a cross. It was something we had planned as a team, and I'm glad that Shuto ABE was able to score.
Q, I also scored a goal in the previous Sanfrecce Hiroshima match.
A, that was my first professional goal. However, I didn't think about it too much today.
Q, we continued to fight as a team.
A, in the first half both teams showed their strengths. We had discussed the importance of not stagnating defensively and pushing forward as a team, so I think it went well. However, in the second half, we had a long period of defending and it was a tough time. But because we had the attitude and determination to fight as a team, we were able to hold on and win 2-1. Realistically, both individually and as a team, we didn't have a clear advantage in the second half, so we want to analyze today's game thoroughly and work on improving for the future.
Q, please tell me the personal challenges for the next game.
Personally, there are many scenes where the space behind the challenging side-back player is used. In the Cerezo Osaka match, my judgment mistake led to a goal, so personally, I want to create less opportunities for that. However, I don't think it's something I can solve alone, so I want to talk to Yasuki KIMOTO and Masato MORISHIGE and first stabilize the defense in order to have a good attack.
Q, it was the first victory in the league in April. How do you want to continue from here?
Although we haven't been winning, when I look back on today's game, the performance wasn't good, but I think it's positive that we can reflect on our mistakes and learn from them. Today, both the players and the fans/supporters can be happy about the victory, but I believe that today's win doesn't matter for the next game, so I want to reflect on today's game and make sure we don't make any mistakes again.
Shuto ABE player
Q: please review the game.
A, we were able to score two goals in a good period of the first half and proceed with a good flow, but we regret conceding a goal towards the end of the first half. In the second half, we were under pressure for a longer period of time, but I think it was very significant that we fought patiently as a team and won.
Q, it was a game where a strong feeling of victory was conveyed.
In the league matches, we were far from victory. "Let's win today and go back," the players were talking to each other before the game. It's really big that we won.
Q: I felt the synchronized breathing between Shuto ABE's goal and Hotaka NAKAMURA's play.
A, Hotaka NAKAMURA was watching my movements closely. Instead of running forward, he stopped for a moment and passed the ball to me. It was an assist that showed Nakamura's composure.
Q: Is it also a split-second decision for player Abe himself to position himself before scoring?
A, yes. I stopped momentarily and switched to a movement to receive the ball because I saw the opponent running forward before me. Nakamura sent me a good ball, so I just focused on kicking it into the goal.
Q: You have been playing in the attacking midfielder position for two consecutive matches in the league. How do you feel about it?
First of all, I am conscious of aiming for the goal as the top priority, and since I am in the position of attacking midfielder, I think that scoring goals is required. I am also aware of utilizing my strengths, which is my physicality, in both offense and defense.
Q: What kind of discussions took place within the team in preparation for today's match?
In the Levain Cup on Wednesday, players who haven't been involved much in the league were able to show their determination and contribute to the victory. We discussed with today's team members about continuing this positive momentum in the league as well. It was really tough to endure during the time we were hungry for a win, but it feels great to come out on top.
Q, we achieved our first victory in the league in April.
A, we were finally able to achieve victory. We have a series of matches coming up during the Golden Week holiday period, so we hope to continue this momentum and aim for more victories.
Q, injured players are also returning, so it seems that the team's condition will improve from here.
A, as we have consecutive matches coming up, I think it will be a total battle. As a professional, I believe that if we don't produce results in the upcoming match, there won't be another chance. Tokyo has many wonderful players, so I want to always have a competitive spirit and strive to improve together.
Masato MORISHIGE
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, I don't think anyone is satisfied with today's game. However, I think it's good if we can make improvements while winning. Even in a game like this, I think we can calmly work on improvements by winning, and I think the perspective will also change, so I think it's good that we were able to win.
I think that everyone running and fighting for the full 90 minutes led to victory.
A, there were several good scenes in the first half, but it is important to figure out how to regain our time during the time we were being pushed in the second half. Today, we couldn't recover and switched to defense.
Q, was it also significant that players like Keigo HIGASHI and Yuto NAGATOMO came in during difficult times and helped bring the team together?
A, after all, I think the current state of Tokyo is that everyone is fighting for the team in a situation where it is not known who will participate. I hope that the veterans will do a good job of leading and that the young players will be given an environment to actively challenge.
Q, we achieved our first victory in the league in April.
I think we have no choice but to accumulate corrections, so today the content was not good and I feel that there are many challenges. It is gradually being organized, so I think we have no choice but to further organize it and increase the time to express it.
＜Player Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, please reflect on the opening goal that brought a significant victory closer.
A, the first goal and goals from set plays are said to change the game. If we kick the ball firmly, there are many players in Tokyo who can score, so I want to continue supplying balls that lead to goals through free kicks and corner kicks.
Q, was it the kick you were aiming for?
I aimed for a high ball so that the goalkeeper wouldn't touch it. The ball ended up flowing to the far side, but before the game, Nakamura told me that he wanted it on the far side, so we discussed it and I positioned myself on the far side. I'm glad he scored.
Q, it was an assist in the midst of seeking plays that contribute to scoring.
I was able to contribute to the goal in the form of an assist, but I am always aiming for goals. Players who can score as a defensive midfielder, such as making runs into the box, are highly valued, so I want to become that kind of player.
Q, I think the value of this one victory is significant.
First of all, it is important to earn 3 points.We couldn't express the football that Coach Albert was looking for in today's match, but I think it was good that we were able to secure 3 points away from home.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, I think Albirex Niigata is a team that actively involves the third player while passing the ball. I want to enhance the defensive intensity and thoroughly express soccer that controls the ball.
