<Match Review>
Tokyo, which has been distant from winning in the league matches, welcomed Sagan Tosu at home Ajinomoto Stadium this round. For Tokyo, Tosu is an opponent that they struggle against. In the recent results, they have been defeated in 8 consecutive matches, and the overall head-to-head record is 13 wins, 7 draws, and 14 losses. From this match, the club will play a commemorative match for their 25th anniversary, so they want to overcome their struggle at this milestone and celebrate their 25th anniversary with a victory.
Tokyo's first opponent when they entered the J-League in 1999 was particularly Tosu. The history of Tokyo, which began with the Tosu match, will continue to build anew on the occasion of the 25th anniversary.
Tokyo, Keigo HIGASHI and Kei KOIZUMI are suspended due to accumulated warnings. In their place, Kuryu MATSUKI, who returned from the U-22 Japan national team, and Diego OLIVEIRA were named in the starting lineup. Additionally, Yuto NAGATOMO moved to the right full-back position, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE started as the left full-back.
1st HALF - Despite attacking towards the end, they fall behind by two points.
Both teams entered each other's goal area while holding the ball from the start. The first chance for both teams was for Tosu. In the 4th minute of the first half, a cross from the right side was headed by player Tomogashi, but Jakub SLOWIK jumped in and hit it, hitting the right post.
Tokyo's counterattack came in the 8th minute of the first half, when Diego TABA, who had the ball outside the penalty area, dribbled and made a vertical pass into the penalty area. Although it did not connect with a teammate after hitting an opponent player, Diego TABA forcefully carried the ball out to the front of the goal while competing with the opponent. He then took a shot in a one-on-one situation with the opponent goalkeeper, but unfortunately, it narrowly missed to the left of the goal.
Although both teams brought the ball near the goal, they were unable to create a decisive opportunity. However, the balance was broken in the 18th minute of the first half. A looping pass was made from outside the penalty area to the front of the goal, and Lucas was pushed in by Nagasuma player near the goal, conceding the opening goal.
Furthermore, in the 30th minute of the first half, when a long ball was played near the penalty area, Henrique TREVISAN and Tomogashi competed and a foul was called on Henrique, giving away a penalty kick. In the 32nd minute of the first half, the penalty kick was scored by Tomogashi, widening the deficit to 2 points.
First, Tokyo, who wants to score a goal, connected the ball from their own half to the right side space in the 38th minute of the first half. Teruhito NAKAGAWA responded and broke free, then entered the penalty area and carried the ball all the way to the right side of the goal. He lured the goalkeeper out and crossed the ball into the goal area, but Diego TABA's shot was blocked by the opponent.
Tokyo, who is chasing behind, continues the game by holding the ball in the Tosu territory, but although they approach the goal, they fail to create a decisive opportunity.
2nd HALF - Tawara's first professional goal leads to a comeback
Tokyo quickly launches a counterattack at the beginning of the second half.
In the 9th minute of the second half, the ball was passed to player Yoshifu who was open on the left side, and he supplied a sharp cross ball to the near side. Adailton, who was waiting, headed it in and Tokyo scored a goal to reduce the deficit by one point.
Tokyo's momentum is unstoppable. In the 14th minute of the second half, once again utilizing the left side, player Yoshinori Kato puts in a sharp cross ball in front of the goal. Adailton heads the ball, which flows to player Ryoma WATANABE who was in front of the goal, and WATANABE traps the ball and pushes it in to reset the game.
Tokyo is stepping up its attack by making substitutions in order to turn the game around. Jája Silva, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, Kosuke SHIRAI, Yasuki KIMOTO, and Tsubasa TERAYAMA are being sent onto the pitch, closing in on the Tosu goal.
Tokyo, who wants to connect the momentum of holding the ball to a goal. The score was moved in the 42nd minute of the second half. When Watanabe player entered the penalty area and took a shot from the right front of the goal, the ball was initially blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, but Tawaratsumida player followed up and scored a comeback goal on the left side of the goal.
For player Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, it was a joyous moment as he scored his first professional goal, which became the winning goal to celebrate Tokyo's 25th anniversary in the Final Round.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Masato MORISHIGE (40th minute of the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (33rd minute of the second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Riki HARAKAWA (40th minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Diego OLIVEIRA (28th minute of the second half: Jája Silva)/Adailton (33rd minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA
GOAL
Second half 9 minutes: Adailton/Second half 14 minutes: Ryoma Watanabe/Second half 42 minutes: Kota Tawaratsumida
＜Sagan Tosu＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ilgyu PARK
DF Kosuke YAMAZAKI/Seok Ho HWANG/Wataru HARADA
MF So KAWAHARA/Kohei TEZUKA (43rd minute: Naoyuki FUJITA)/Taichi KIKUCHI/Yuki HORIGOME (40th minute: Ryonosuke KABAYAMA)
FW Yoichi NAGANUMA/Cayman TOGASHI (21st minute: Atsushi KAWATA)/Yuto IWASAKI (21st minute: Ayumu YOKOYAMA)
SUBS
GK Masahiro OKAMOTO
MF Kentaro MORIYA/Akito FUKUTA
GOAL
First half 18 minutes: Yoichi NAGANUMA/First half 32 minutes: Cayman TOGASHI
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Manager Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
It was an exciting battle between two teams. I think it was a highly entertaining match for the fans and supporters. In the first half, we couldn't dominate the game until the end of the first half. We turned the first half around with a score of 0-2, but there were also opportunities to score 1 or 2 goals. However, in the second half, we were able to showcase our strengths. I believe we were able to continue fighting with conviction. I'm very happy that we were able to send the fans and supporters who cheered us on until the end home with smiles on their faces.
Q: What instructions did you give at halftime?
At halftime, we confirmed the points we need to improve on through video footage. The solution was found in the scenes towards the end of the first half. The players continued to fight with conviction, and that's why we were able to deliver victory to the fans and supporters. As a way of playing, we are progressing step by step, and I think we were able to take a step forward today. In order to further improve ourselves, we want to focus on ourselves and build solidly. The results today were achieved by believing in our way of playing. I hope we can get closer to becoming a team that dreams while polishing ourselves day by day. There is still a lot more to do. We want to steadily grow.
Q: Please tell us the reason for substituting Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
A, he was substituted due to cramping in the substituted period, which was caused by physical factors. He had been out of the squad due to injury until recently, so he is currently in the process of building up his physical condition. Today, he gave his all during the playing time. After the substitution, the fresh player performed their duties diligently.
[Player Interview]
Q, it was a dramatic come-from-behind victory. Please review the game.
A, in the first half we conceded 2 goals, it was a very poor performance. We made adjustments going into the second half and I think our never-give-up attitude allowed us to come back and win. In the end, we were able to secure the victory and I believe it was a good game.
Q: In the first half, there were scenes where we couldn't create attacking opportunities. What kind of adjustments did you make at halftime?
A, of course, in the first half, we tried to make adjustments to create a good flow on the pitch, but it didn't work out well and we couldn't express ourselves in our play. At halftime, Coach Klamskovski gave us instructions about the areas where the opponent's space was being created. I think being able to express the coach's instructions and advice on the pitch led to a come-from-behind victory.
Q, please reflect on the first goal that became the turning point for the come-from-behind victory.
A, it was just a matter of firmly heading the ball into the net as a wonderful cross from Kashif BANGNAGANDE came to me.
Q: We obtained a come-from-behind victory against Sagan Tosu, who had not been winning for a long time. How do you plan to sustain this momentum?
A, today was also a very difficult match, but I am really happy to be able to earn 3 points from Tosu, who had not been winning for a long time. I want to cherish today's momentum and make good use of it in the remaining league matches.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: Please review the game, as this was my first official starting lineup appearance since May.
A, we couldn't start the game well and couldn't build our attacks effectively in the first half. However, we were able to make proper adjustments as a team before entering the second half. I'm glad that I was able to contribute to the team's victory with an assist in my first start in a while. However, there were many areas in defense and fine details of our attacks that need improvement and adjustments. We have a match against Gamba Osaka next week, so I want to switch gears and approach it with determination.
Q, contributed greatly to the victory with pinpoint crosses for the first goal and as the starting point for the second goal, utilizing his strengths in play.
A, I was able to show my favorite form. Coach Klamovski asked me to supply crosses from that position since training. From this week's training, I have been practicing crosses like the first scene with Coach Yukihiko Sato. I was able to kick the ball with the right amount of power in the "practice-like" form. I am grateful to Coach Sato.
Q, the results of the practice were immediately effective in the game.
A, I reviewed everything from scratch, such as how to step into the kicking style, with Coach Sato. Since the Kawasaki Frontale game, I have had a thorough discussion with Coach Sato, so I was able to feel the results of the practice.
Q, it was a special match to commemorate the 25th anniversary, and it became a match where players who were promoted from the academy, such as Koshiho and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, played an active role.
In the league, we are currently in this position, and we were also eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Levain Cup, so our chances of winning the title have almost disappeared. It is essential for us to win the upcoming match and build on it. Young players like us are expected to push up from the bottom, and players who have been promoted from the academy to the first team want to demonstrate their strength even more. I was really happy with Tawaratsumida's winning goal.
Q: The next match will also be a home game. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming game.
Both as a team and as individuals, we just focus 100% on the upcoming match. We want to switch gears and approach it with determination. We lost to Gamba Osaka in the previous match, so we want to show good football in Tokyo and turn it into a victory.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: Please review the scene of your first professional goal.
A, I am happy to think about what game I scored from my professional debut, but at the same time, I feel my own lack of ability. I'm glad I took that position because I believed the cross would come up.
Q, it was impressive to see them immediately head towards the fans and supporters after scoring.
A, I didn't have a goal performance in mind, and I wasn't thinking about anything after scoring, but before I knew it, I was heading towards the fans and supporters. They have been supporting me since my academy days, and even during the period when I wasn't getting results as a professional, they supported me and stood by me. So, I think my feet naturally took me towards them as a way to repay them with the result of a goal.
Q, although you came on as a substitute, you displayed a high performance by creating close opportunities in addition to the goal-scoring scene.
A, I don't know if the condition is good, but it was a game where I felt there were still many areas that were lacking, so I want to analyze those areas that are lacking and continue to grow in order to lead the team to victory.
Q: In the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale, you mentioned that you felt the difficulty of coming on as a substitute. What were you conscious of when you played in today's match?
A, the difficulty of coming on as a substitute does not change, but by focusing more on what I should do and being conscious of what I need to do, I was able to contribute to a goal. So, no matter what the situation, I want to continue to play while being conscious of what I should do first.
Q, please leave a message for the fans and supporters.
I am filled with gratitude to the fans and supporters who have always supported and supported me even during difficult times, and I want to repay them by delivering victories from now on. First of all, I will do my best to win against Gamba Osaka in the next match and achieve two consecutive victories.
