<Match Review>
On the day of the club's establishment, October 1st, they were blessed with the opportunity to play a home game on their 25th anniversary. Tokyo, who designated the previous match against Sagan Tosu and the next three home games as their 25th anniversary commemorative matches, started off with a good omen as they came back from being 2 points behind in the second half to win with 3 points in celebration of their 25th anniversary.
On the day of the anniversary of its establishment, Gamba Osaka welcomed the match and faced the game with the same starting lineup as the Tosu match.
1st HALF - Harakawa's first goal and Diego's goal give us a 2-point lead
The match started with both teams aggressively competing for the ball. Tokyo gradually began to control possession.
While connecting short passes, we carry the ball to the vital area of the opponent's field and search for a way to score. The first chance came in the 15th minute of the first half, when Diego Oliveira made a through pass and Teruhito Nakagawa broke through into the penalty area. He had a chance to shoot near the goal, but the finish was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper. Ryoma Watanabe and Adailton both reacted to the loose ball, but their shots were also blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper.
In the 20th minute of the first half, they faced a dangerous situation in front of the goal. Player Kurata passed a through pass and player Usami broke through, but the shot taken from the right side of the goal narrowly missed the left side of the goal and they escaped unscathed.
In the latter part of the first half, which has become a somewhat open development, Tokyo creates a chance. In the 34th minute of the first half, there was a chance from a corner kick from the left side. Riki HARAKAWA sent a fast ball to the near side, and Watanabe, who ran to the near side after shaking off his mark, made a heading shot that seemed to even go behind. The ball caught the left corner of the goal, but it was unable to shake the net in front of the sharp reaction of the opposing goalkeeper.
Although we created good opportunities, it was a difficult game to score. However, the game changed in the 37th minute of the first half.
When Yuto NAGATOMO holds the ball on the right side, he passes it sideways to the center. Diego TABA, who was approaching to receive the ball, lets it go through and it is received by Nakagawa. As Haragawa times his run and makes a run into the penalty area, Nakagawa drops the ball at his feet. Haragawa evades the approaching defender with quick touches and finally scores a goal by slipping it under the opponent's goalkeeper.
The flow remained in Tokyo's hands. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Adailton, who was open on the left side, sent a looping pass behind the opponent's last line. Diego TABA broke through and calmly evaded the opponent's goalkeeper in the penalty area, scoring a goal. Tokyo did not let go of the lead they had gained and quickly extended their lead.
2ndHALF - Complete victory on the 25th anniversary with 2 consecutive Tawara goals
Tokyo's momentum remains strong even in the second half.
In the 6th minute of the second half, Adailton, who picked up the opponent's pass mistake, invaded the left area of the penalty area. He sent a cross ball with a negative angle, and Watanabe tried to hit it directly, but it bounced off the left post.
Afterwards, Tokyo continued to dominate the game. They had more attempts on goal and possession time than Gamba Osaka, and even after losing the ball, they quickly switched between offense and defense, preventing any gaps in their defense.
The game was unable to produce a deciding goal, but a man who was subbed in at the 22nd minute of the second half was able to produce results in two consecutive games.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up the ball that bounced off the opponent's long ball near the half line and started dribbling. He once took it out to the left side goal line and brought it deep into the opponent's territory. He was carrying two defenders on his back, but he forcefully turned around and shook off the mark, then entered the penalty area. As he approached the goal, with limited shooting options due to the angle, he curved the ball with his right foot and placed it into the upper right corner of the goal.
The game was safely carried out with a 3-point lead. With a clean sheet for the first time in 6 games, we celebrated the 25th anniversary with a complete victory.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Masato MORISHIGE (44th minute of the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (32nd minute of the second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (32nd minute of the second half: Kei KOIZUMI)/Riki HARAKAWA/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (32nd minute of the second half: Jája Silva)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Adailton (22nd minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
First half 37 minutes: Riki HARAKAWA/First half 43 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA/Second half 33 minutes: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
＜Gamba Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Ryu TAKAO/Yota SATO (20 minutes into the second half: Shota FUKUOKA)/Kyung Won KWON/Keisuke KUROKAWA
MF Ryotaro MESHINO (27 minutes into the second half: Yuya FUKUDA)/Shu KURATA (10 minutes into the second half: Issam JEBALI)/Neteravi/Dawhan (20 minutes into the second half: Hideki ISHIGE)/Yuki YAMAMOTO
FW Takashi USAMI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Genta MIURA
FW Hiroto YAMAMI
GOAL
ー
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Manager Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, we were able to show our good parts with a strong performance. I think the players were able to express their play throughout the game. In that, the players worked hard and showed a dedicated fight and a good performance. There were also some scenes where we could have scored a few more points, and we were able to create chances while playing our football. In terms of defense, we were able to keep a clean sheet. Today is a special day for the club, and I am proud of being able to achieve victory and all the people involved with the club.
Q, It was a tough time until we scored the first goal. What were you thinking?
A, Gamba Osaka is a very good team. We thought it was important to control our performance, fight with composure, and fight with dedication. We were able to play good football and it is also important to continue to grow. Today was a tough game. We had a good start and were able to control the flow of the game in the first half. We are proud that we were able to create chances with what we designed in practice. If we could have scored more goals in the second half, the players could have gone home with more smiles.
Q, Following the match against Sagan Tosu, Kuryu Matsuki and Riki Harakawa both started and played. Can you give us your evaluation of them?
A, we are able to create a very good combination. It is proof that we have shown good performances in both games. It is important not only for them, but also for the team to continue to improve. It is important to work hard and practice in all aspects, and to improve as individuals and grow as a team. If we can continue to grow every day, I believe we can get closer to the team we have dreamed of.
[Player Interview]
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q: It was a very intense game. Please review the game.
A, it was a strong and very tough team. It was a difficult game, but with the support of our home fans, we were able to show good soccer from the start. We hope to continue this positive momentum.
Q, from start to finish, it was impressive to see the team playing at a high level.
A, in the first half of the previous match against Sagan Tosu, there were mismatches in defense and gaps in the defense. In today's match, our defense was able to work well and we were able to put pressure on the front line. We were also able to create good attacks from good defense, resulting in 3 goals and a very good match overall.
Q: Please review the scoring scene where the second goal was born at the timing when the team wanted an additional point.
It was an additional point that brought calmness and momentum to the team towards the end of the first half. It was a situation where all I had to do was score, as a good ball from Adailton was sent to the opponent's defender, making it difficult for them to handle. I think today, including the players who started and those who came on as substitutes, the power of everyone came together and we were able to win.
Q, We won the game with Diego's goal, who is also the symbol of the team, in the match commemorating the 25th anniversary.
A, Today's match was a special day for everyone involved in Tokyo. It was a important match and I am honestly happy that I was able to score and contribute to the victory. Once again, many fans and supporters came to the stadium. I think we were able to have a match that everyone could enjoy. It was a 3-point victory that we all grabbed together as a club.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q, In the first half, it was very impressive how we were able to fight in a very compact manner from the start.
A, I think it was good that we were able to concentrate and fight without falling apart like we did in the previous match against Sagan Tosu, even during difficult times, and I think it led to our victory.
Q, I think playing in a high position led to the opening goal.
A, there were few plays where Gamba Osaka's midfield players followed the forward runs, so there were several plays where they were able to join the attack. The opponent's defensive line was also open, so they were able to use that space effectively and penetrate. There were also moments where they were caught out while attacking due to playing in a high position, but the goal-scoring scene was a well-executed play where they were able to break through by building up from the sides and using numbers. Personally, there were many plays where mistakes were noticeable, so I would like to improve on that.
Q, once again, please review the scoring scene.
Player Yuto NAGATOMO sent a pass from the right high position to the center, Diego OLIVEIRA made a run, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA sent a pass. The way many players were involved with the ball and found space to break through was something we focused on in this week's practice, and it resulted in a goal. I made a mistake in trapping the ball received from Nakagawa, but I was able to place the ball in a position where I could easily shoot with two touches. It was just a matter of finishing it off.
Q, How will the team spend this break period?
A, we were able to approach today's match with a common understanding to play aggressively like the previous match against Tosu. In the midst of that, we were able to secure victory with the performance we showed today. I think it is important for the team to continue to improve and polish. As there will be a few weeks break until the next match against Yokohama FC, I would like to make good use of this period.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, in the second half, it became the deciding goal in a situation where we were unable to score.
A, in the previous match, I was in the opposite position, but in the midst of a dangerous score of 2-0, I was able to score an additional point and play the game with the determination to decide the match. In that regard, I am glad that I was able to achieve a good result.
Q: Please review the dribble scene of the goal.
A, I knew there was space, so I carried the ball. I was pushed to the side, but I was able to break through with a nutmeg as I intended, and I was able to shoot where I aimed, so it was good.
Q, What was your mindset when you entered the game as a substitute?
A, I was able to enter the game in a "state of nothingness" in a good way, and I was able to play with a focus on what I needed to do. Before the game started, the whole team talked about pressing, so we were able to express what we needed to do.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next match.
We have a good momentum with two consecutive wins, so I hope both the team and individuals will continue to strive for results and not break this streak on away games. We also want to prepare to face Yokohama FC and aim for a third consecutive win in the final match of our 25th anniversary game.
