<Match Review>
After a 3-week interval, the previous match against Yokohama FC aimed for the first 3 consecutive wins of the season, but ended in a tough loss against the last place team. After the match, the players all had serious expressions and coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI pointed out the challenges in the attacking aspect. This match, back at home, will be a test of rebound mentality.
How will we find the thread of attack and approach the goal against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who also plays a 3-4-2-1 system? Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who promises to "reach the supporters with an aggressive and attacking play" after his suspension is lifted, faced the final match of the 25th anniversary game to grab 3 points and change the flow at home.
1stHALF—Yoshifu's shot hits the crossbar
Taking advantage of the reflection on the lack of attacking power in the previous match, this game showed a positive attitude from the start. The return of Teruhito NAKAGAWA had a big impact, creating opportunities on the right side and increasing the time of attack. On the other hand, there were also scenes where the aggressive attitude left the back line vulnerable, resulting in quick counterattacks from Hiroshima.
Among them, the first team to create a scoring opportunity was Hiroshima. In the 26th minute of the first half, Kawamura made a quick restart on the right side and moved the ball to the left side. Kato was able to connect with a diving header from East's early cross, but it was saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's superb save.
In the 37th minute of the first half, they launched a counterattack. Kei Koizumi, Ryoma Watanabe, and Diego Oliveira worked together to break through the right side, and it was left back Kashif BANGNAGANDE who jumped on Diego's cross ball in the opposite direction. His right-footed shot hit the crossbar, but their attack, which utilized the width of the pitch, threatened the goal.
However, neither team was able to score the first goal, and the first half ended in a 0-0 tie.
2ndHALF - Although they equalized once,
In the second half, which became a development with a big value for the first point, the valuable goal was allowed to the opponent. In the third minute of the second half, the ball that was roughly put in front of the goal was bounced back, but Nakano picked it up and sent a looping pass to the front line, and Kato shook the goal net.
Tokyo, who cannot afford to lose at home, equalizes early on. In the 17th minute of the second half, Riki HARAKAWA carries the ball and makes a through pass. Adailton, who had gotten behind the opponent's defense, runs up the left side and crosses, causing an own goal by the opponent's defender.
After the score returned to a tie, space began to open up on the pitch and both teams created chances to score a second goal. However, missed shots and good defense from the opponent prevented the next goal from being scored for a period of time.
In the midst of a stalemate, the score changed again in the 30th minute of the second half. After picking up the ball in their own half, Harakawa attempted to connect with a pass but was intercepted by the opponent, leading to a counterattack. They were unable to catch Manda, who entered the area with a one-two with Douglas VIEIRA, and ended up conceding the winning goal.
After that, players Naoki Kumata and Keigo Higashi were put in to aim for an equalizing goal, but Hiroshima also maintained their defensive focus and were unable to create the desired chances. In additional time, player Nakagawa was sent off, but the flow of the game could not be changed and the final whistle was blown.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kei KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (43rd minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Riki HARAKAWA (34th minute: Keigo HIGASHI)/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Diego OLIVEIRA (34th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton (27th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
17 minutes into the second half: Own goal
<Sanfrecce Hiroshima>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Keisuke OSAKO
DF Tsukasa SHIOTANI/Hayato ARAKI/Sho SASAKI
MF Shuto NAKANO/Makoto MITSUTA/Takumu KAWAMURA/Shunki HIGASHI/Ezequiel (43rd minute of the second half: Takaaki SHICHI)
FW Mutsuki KATO/Douglas VIEIRA (43rd minute of the second half: Nassim BEN KHALIFA)
SUBS
GK Goro KAWANAMI
DF Taichi YAMASAKI
MF Taishi MATSUMOTO/Yotaro NAKAJIMA/Gakuto NOTSUDA
GOAL
3 minutes into the second half: Mutsuki KATO / 30 minutes into the second half: Makoto MITSUTA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Manager Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
It was an exciting football match. Apart from the result, I think there were many even moments. In terms of performance, we were able to play the good football we wanted. However, we lacked sharpness and speed in front of goal and in the attacking third. We need to improve on converting chances into goals and creating more opportunities from good situations. We were able to play aggressively and bravely, using the spaces we wanted to use. The players gave their all to try and deliver 3 points for the fans and supporters, playing in the style we have been practicing.
Q, An aggressive attitude was seen for 90 minutes, but it felt like the final accuracy was lacking. What kind of training do you think is necessary in the future?
A, I believe that we need to polish what we have been doing rather than trying new things. Scoring goals is the most important thing. What was important to us was that we were able to contribute to the development of football that we are trying to create. In that sense, we were able to play positively and aggressively. We were not able to score enough goals today, but we were able to utilize the space we wanted and put the ball in at a good tempo. On a different day, in a different game, we may have been able to score a few more points. I think that was the small difference. Hiroshima was a very good opponent, and it was a good fight where both teams gave their all.
Q, Is the quality in the attacking third still incomplete due to the stage of team building, or was it lacking in this game?
A, if you can't create such a situation, you need to take a different approach, but I think we were able to create a good situation. We talked about polishing the last part, but we need to polish it in various elements. Of course, if we had scored 2 or 3 points in today's game, no one would say such a thing. We were able to create scenes where we could receive such rewards with the plays we made and the football we tried to play. We played well, we showed what we have created, and this week, the players have done what they have tried to do. We should continue to do what we are doing without overthinking or complicating things. If we do that, I believe we will be rewarded.
If it were a different day, we might have been able to score a few points in this kind of game. The players gave us something we deserved. However, football always teaches us a lesson. Everyone is disappointed and the players are also disappointed that they couldn't win for the fans and supporters. The players will continue to work on improving their play. We hope to develop into the team we want to be.
[Player Interview]
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q, the content of the game changed in the first and second half. How did it look from Riki HARAKAWA's position?
A, Sanfrecce Hiroshima was more aggressive in pressing from the front in the second half than in the first half. On the other hand, Tokyo lost their overall awareness of receiving the ball in the first half, and there was a period of time when they couldn't find a place to pass and ended up kicking long balls.
Q, the opponent's pressing position became higher in the second half.
A, we started pressing more from the first half. It would have been good if we could have played while watching the opponent's movements, but we couldn't do that.
Q, the goal was connected from Harakawa's pass. What were you conscious of?
After taking the ball, Henrique TREVISAN immediately passed it to me. This week, we practiced attacking by having the side players make runs behind the defense. I saw that I was free and Adailton was in position on the side, so I turned and passed. That scene was the result of our training this week.
Q, with only one home game remaining, we are approaching the end of the season. How will you approach the remaining games?
From the match against Yokohama FC, we were able to bring the ball into the opponent's box, so I think it's important to continue doing that. However, our next opponent, Albirex Niigata, is a team with a different style, so we want to prepare for a different way of breaking them down through training.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: Sanfrecce Hiroshima's way of fighting was different in the first and second half, and I think there was also difficulty in doing it. How was the game when you look back on it?
A, In the first half, we were able to avoid the opponent's pressure with our build-up play from the back and had some good moments of flow, but we couldn't convert our chances. If we had scored there, I think the second half would have been a different story. It's very frustrating.
Q, In the time immediately after the start of the second half, the positioning of the opponent's wing backs was high, and there were many opportunities to receive attacks from the side. How did you respond on the pitch?
A, as it was also a weak point for the opponent, we expected them to come at us with a high position in the second half. However, we were unable to respond effectively early on and ended up conceding a goal.
Q, there were some close shots in the first half. I felt like we were more aggressive in attacking compared to the previous match against Yokohama FC. How did you approach the game in terms of involvement in the attack?
A, Hiroshima also assumed the same formation as Yokohama FC, so we studied the footage of the Yokohama FC match from the previous round. Even in the scene where we hit the bar with a shot, we knew that space would open up, so all we had to do was score. If we had scored there, we could have completely changed the flow of the game, so not being able to score was a big point of reflection. We were able to increase the number of times we were involved in the attack, but it didn't result in anything, so we want to fix that as a challenge.
Q, there were many scenes where Yoshifumi Kato was involved in breaking down the defense, how did you feel about the attack?
A, I thought we could attack from the first half. It was an own goal, but it was good that we were able to break through with the play we envisioned. However, we conceded a goal in the part where we were trying to score another point, so we want to improve for the next time.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, there was also a big save to save the team in the first half. Please review the 90 minutes.
A, I understand that this is an important time for me personally, and it is very frustrating that we were not able to secure a victory. We were able to fight as a team in the first half, so it is regrettable that we conceded in the second half. The team is also trying to change, and in order to walk together as one of the players towards that change, I think there are still many things that are lacking in today's play. In order for myself to continue to grow, I will reflect on how to make changes and work towards improvement for the next game.
Q, following the Yokohama FC match in the previous round, what progress did you feel in terms of how to play against opponents using a 3-back system from the back line?
To make the Yokohama FC game a good lesson, the team confirmed and organized themselves for the Hiroshima game. In the first half, we were not able to respond well to our ball movement. If we had been able to create our own pace during that time and create a flow that would lead to a goal, it would have been a perfect development. However, in the second half, it seemed that we were falling behind in the defensive aspect.
Q, it seemed like Hiroshima had made adjustments to their fighting style since the start of the second half.
A, Personally, when the opponent attacked, they came at us with five players. As for us, there were scenes where we had to defend with four defenders, especially in the second half, and there were mismatches happening in those situations. We understood that there would be gaps, and we fought with that in mind. We conceded a goal early in the second half, but we were able to hold on without falling apart. As the last line of defense, it's frustrating that I couldn't do my job.
Q, As you continue to play in games, many people are feeling the growth of player Nozawa. With only 3 league games remaining, how will you finish this season?
I don't want to lose my attitude to challenge. I think it is most important to play with responsibility when I think about the team that trusts and uses players like me, the fans and supporters who always give me strong support, and the people who support me closely. I want to grow to be able to express my gratitude through my play in as many games as possible. I want to grow more and become a deeper player, and I want to express it not only in this season but throughout my career as a player.
