<Match Review>
Tokyo, who aimed for their first victory of the season, traveled to Fukuoka with a different formation than the previous three matches. In the center back position, Yasuki Kimoto, who is the partner of Masato Morishige due to Henrique Trevisan's suspension, made his first start of the season. In the defensive midfield, Takahiro Ko, who made his debut in blue and red, was selected. In addition, Kuryu Matsuki played as the attacking midfielder and Ryotaro Araki led the front line, adopting a "false nine" system.
Peter Tokyo kicked off in Fukuoka, which is also a difficult place where they have not won, with a record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 5 losses, in order to raise the signal fire of counterattack.
1stHALF - Perfect first half with Nagatomo and Taro's goals
Successfully grasped the ball from the start. The effect of having Takahashi in the position of a defensive midfielder is significant, showing an outstanding presence as a passing point in the midfield. In response to this, the surrounding players also coordinate and the ball moves with a good distance. The fluidity on the sides also shows a high level of cooperation in positions that were not seen in previous games, with the wingers and fullbacks using the space effectively, increasing the time spent pushing forward.
It took some time for the first shot, but in the 16th minute of the first half, Matsuki took a direct free kick with his left foot in front of the goal, but the low and fast shot was blocked by the opponent defender. Immediately after that, they created a chance in the flow of the game. In the 18th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA broke through the right side and put in a sharp cross. Matsuki, who was waiting on the far side, jumped in with his head, but unfortunately couldn't connect.
In the 28th minute of the first half, Tokyo, who had been dominating the game, finally scored the long-awaited opening goal. On the left side, Matsuki and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, with Keita ENDO as the starting point, dropped the ball and Kashif BANGNAGANDE reacted to it, sending a direct cross ball to the front of the goal. The ground ball landed perfectly at the feet of Yuto NAGATOMO, who recently returned to the Japan national team after a year and three months. The number 5, who scored a calm volley shot from a one-touch, scored his first goal since returning to Tokyo in 2010 in the J1 League.
After the opening goal, goalkeeper Go HATANO made a great save to prevent a pinch. Then, in the 32nd minute of the first half, they added another goal. Midfielder Matsuki received a long feed and skillfully collected the ball near the opponent's penalty area. He then sent a last pass to the space behind, where Ryo ENDO had escaped to the right side of the goal at a 45-degree angle and calmly slotted it in.
First point, additional point, no points lost. Despite the new lineup, the game was turned around with near-perfect performance.
2ndHALF - 24-year victory at the demon's gate with added points from Yoshifu
After entering the second half with a 2-point lead, Avispa Fukuoka, who changed to a 2-top system by bringing in Yuto IWASAKI, quickly approached the goal using long balls, but calmly responded. After enduring the first 5 minutes of the start, they increased the time spent in the enemy's territory by moving the ball as they did in the first half. In the 6th minute of the second half, while pushing on the right side, the ball was passed to midfielder Yu TOKISAKI in the center, who aimed for a middle shot with their favorite left foot.
In the meantime, in the 12th minute of the second half, a crucial third goal that will determine the outcome of the game is scored. The right side is conquered and Yuto Nagatomo sends a cross from a deep position. It goes to the far side, but Kashiho Senju rushes in and takes a powerful shot that pierces through the goal net with his left foot.
After expanding the lead to three points, we steadily advanced the clock and in the 26th minute of the second half, Nakamura Hotaka and Tawaratsumida Kota were substituted for Nagatomo and Endo. Both sides were replaced with one player each. Furthermore, in the 35th minute of the second half, Araki and Nakagawa were substituted for Higashi Keigo and Jája Silva to maintain the intensity and movement of the front line.
In the 37th minute of the second half, they conceded one goal from an attack led by former teammate Kazuya KONNO, but they held on for the remaining 7 minutes of additional time and the game ended. They secured their first victory in 24 years on Fukuoka's difficult ground and earned their first 3 points of the season.
After a one-week interval, the next match will be away as we face Kawasaki Frontale in the Tama River Clasico.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (26th minute of the second half: Hotaka NAKAMURA)/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Takahiro KO/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Keita ENDO (26th minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (35th minute of the second half: Jája SILVA)/Ryotaro ARAKI (35th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI) (45th minute of the second half: Soma ANZAI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
First half 28th minute: Yuto NAGATOMO / First half 32nd minute: Ryotaro ARAKI / Second half 12th minute: Kashif BANGNAGANDE
＜Avispa Fukuoka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Itsuki ODA (27th minute of the second half: Masashi KAMEKAWA)/Seiya INOUE (0 minutes of the second half: Yuto IWASAKI)/Tatsuki NARA/Masaya TASHIRO/Yota MAEJIMA
MF Hiroyuki MAE
FW Kazuya KONNO/Wellington (14th minute of the second half: Shahabzahedi)/Masato SHIGEMI (27th minute of the second half: Daichi MATSUOKA)/Takeshi KANAMORI (14th minute of the second half: Reiju TSURUNO)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Daiki MIYA
GOAL
37' Second Half: Daichi MATSUOKA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A, I think we were able to perform strongly and well. I am proud of the players who fought. In the first half, we were able to control the game and make dangerous plays by taking advantage of the space behind the opponent, which led to our goals. In the second half, we continued to fight and were able to aim for the third and fourth goals. However, there were also times when we lost control. This was because Avispa Fukuoka played long balls and made direct plays. We hope to learn from this and improve ourselves.
We were able to score a very good goal, create good chances, and play good football. The players fought very hard and played with conviction in their football. I am very moved. And I am very happy to be able to send the fans and supporters who cheered us on until the end of the game back home with a smile from the stadium. I think we were able to produce a performance worthy of 3 points, and we will analyze and build our football from here.
Q, It seemed like a tough battle for the first 20 minutes. How do you evaluate the players who brought the flow themselves?
A, I think it's a difference in how you watch the game. Depending on how you watch it, we were able to get off to a good start and move the ball ourselves. In the first 30 minutes, we were able to play while dominating and using the areas we wanted to use. Even in the first 20 minutes, we were moving the ball, but maybe we didn't have what it takes to break down the opponent's defense. However, we were able to show our intention and play well from there. As a result, we were rewarded with two goals.
Q, this is the first time Tokyo has won in 90 minutes at this stadium. Can you share your thoughts?
A, It is a reward for us to be able to achieve such results, because we performed well, the players fought while believing in each other, and the players fought with faith in our football. I think it was good to break such negative records. We were able to do that because of the passionate support of the fans and supporters. It was good to be able to send them back to Tokyo with a smile.
Q, please evaluate Nagatomo's performance in scoring the opening goal at the timing of his return to the national team.
A, I think he is a true legend of the club with a great performance. He is the leader of this team and a special player. The goal was fantastic and it was a moment when we scored while dominating the game in the first half. We were able to play aggressively and achieve our goal, and we need to confirm it again with the video, but the full-back probably came out aggressively into the area. I think it was a reward for the two players who played well, but it was something that everyone did as a team. I think everyone in Tokyo who loves him is proud that he has been selected for the Japan national team. It is a special thing for him and for Japan. I really think he is like a red wine player. He matures as he gets older.
[Player Interview]
＜Yuto NAGATOMO＞
Q, this season, we achieved our first victory.
I was feeling frustrated for not being able to win three games, and especially because I heard that we haven't been able to win at Fukuoka's away games. So, I'm really happy that we were able to work hard together and win today.
Q, we scored the first goal. It's the first goal in 14 years in the J-League.
A, Is it the first time in 14 years? It's embarrassing (laughs). My condition was good, so I was able to keep going forward and get into the goal area even in those situations. I was able to trap and shoot at the right timing.
Q, Yuto NAGATOMO has just announced his return to the Japan national team. Will this goal be a big boost for the national team's upcoming matches?
A, winning is special and it's even better to be able to score and assist and win. I think I can approach it with confidence.
Q, Today, both Nagatomo and Araki Ryotaro, who scored goals, are from East Fukuoka High School in Fukuoka. They both scored goals in their hometown.
When I was in high school, I fought on this stadium as a dream stage. I have a lot of attachment to this pitch, and since Fukuoka is also a place I love, my joy has doubled or even tripled.
Q, this is the first victory in 24 years in Fukuoka, which has been called a difficult place for Tokyo. Please give a message to the fans and supporters for the upcoming games.
A, thank you for your support as always. Is it the first time in 24 years? It's been 24 years since we were able to win in this Fukuoka area, so I'm glad we could finally give our fans and supporters a victory. The season is still long, so I want to stay focused and work hard in practice without getting too excited.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, since I played in the forward position today, I was conscious of showing my face in front of the goal as soon as possible. It was a goal that was born in a good shape. I think we were able to express a compact way of fighting by linking defense firmly. I want to continue scoring at a pace of one goal per game and connect my goals to victory.
Q: Please review the scoring scene.
I was conscious of quickly following and supporting the ball that went beyond my head. In that situation, Keita ENDO received the ball in a good position and dealt with it. He created a 1-on-1 situation and calmly placed the ball in the left corner, taking into account the position of the opponent's goalkeeper.
Q, while maintaining a good performance since the start of the league, has also been selected for the U-23 Japan national team.
A, My playing style itself does not change, and I am focused on maintaining a good condition and playing with a focus on results. In national team activities, I do not know which position I will play, but I will do my best to survive as a final member of the Paris Olympics in the given time and position.
Ryotaro ARAKI Sportsnavi Linked Interview "Thoughts, Growth, and Change" is here
<Takahiro KO>
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, first of all, I was relieved. Personally, I have been feeling frustrated up until now, and I thought that if we didn't win today, there would be no next time, so it was good that we were able to win.
Q, on the offensive side, it seemed like Takahiro KO and the team were able to calmly execute a restart if the attack from the center to the side was unsuccessful.
During the three games I watched from the outside, I thought it would be better for the midfield players to be more involved, so I wanted to prove that by entering the game. No matter where the ball was, I always showed my face and received and passed it. I was conscious of the distance between players like Kei Koizumi, Kuryu Matsuki, and Ryotaro Araki, so I think we were able to create a very good shape in the first half with the tempo and build-up there.
Q, in the past, Diego OLIVEIRA was the target, but today that target was absent. How did you see the player's awareness?
I was always conscious of constantly passing and moving. Not only Ryotaro ARAKI and Kuryu MATSUKI, but also the side players Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Keita ENDO, I wanted to make them play more comfortably. I thought that if it became cramped, the team would not be able to play good soccer, so I wanted to make use of the four players in the front line and supply passes to them at a good tempo, so I was conscious of doing that.
Q, On the defensive side, the press from the front line was also well organized, and it seemed that they were pressing with a clear purpose.
A, I was personally concerned about the defense of the middle block, so I worked on it from practice and was able to time it well by pushing out the side player and fitting in from the front line. However, I thought that if we did it in every scene, it would become difficult for the team, so I told them to set up in the middle block and drop the wing player to respond, so the use of defense from the front line and receiving scenes in the middle block went well today. I want to focus on the scene where we conceded at the end, so I want to work on that more.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q, it was an attacking force that cleared up all the frustration up until now.
A, We have been able to attack in a good shape so far, but we haven't been able to score goals and we haven't been able to finish our chances as a team. This time, everyone was able to score goals and I was able to score as well, which was really great.
Q, What is different today from before?
A, I think our awareness of moving forward was stronger. As a team, I think we were able to have better coordination between the defensive line, midfield line, and forward line compared to previous games.
Q, Regarding the goal scene, did you have an image of Yuto NAGATOMO's cross coming through?
A, In the first half, Nagatomo scored a goal from my cross, and in the previous game, there was a scene where I could have scored from Nagatomo's cross if I had been in the middle, so I was aware of the cross from the right side before the game. In fact, I thought "here it comes" and was able to score, which was great.
Q, Ryotaro Araki, who has been selected for the U-23 Japan national team, also scored a goal. Do you think this will lead to a good flow for the national team's activities?
In the midst of not having any victories as a team, we all talked about wanting to win this game and go to represent, so it was really good. My strength is in the attacking part, so it's important to also keep a clean sheet as a defender, and I hope to go all out in the attacking part like in today's game.
