<Match Review>
After a defeat against Kawasaki Frontale in the "Tama River Clasico" three days ago, the stage moved to Japan National Stadium, where Tokyo welcomed Urawa Reds for a home game.
Considering the consecutive games, the starting members have changed six players from the previous round. In the goal, Go HATANO was suspended and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA took over, and Hotaka NAKAMURA returned to the starting lineup for the first time in about 11 months as the right back. The center back also formed a combination of Henrique TREVISAN and Kanta DOI, which was the first time since the opening game. And, fresh players were also used on both wings. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA was placed on the left and Soma ANZAI on the right. The average age of the starting members on this day was 22.73 years old, and "young 11 players" lined up on the pitch.
At the new Japan National Stadium, which is known as "our national stadium" with a good omen of never losing in 5 matches, losing streaks are not allowed. In order to achieve the first home victory of the season, the kickoff was greeted in the pouring rain.
1stHALF - Despite pushing, we fell just short
The blue and red players entered the game with high tension from the beginning. Just 30 seconds after kickoff, the first shot was created. Ryotaro ARAKI, who had the ball in the enemy's territory, took the shot. Futoshi NAKAMURA also reacted to the loose ball, but the shot missed the goal. Later, in the 5th minute of the first half, there was a close call, but Daishi NOZAWA timed his jump perfectly to block Thiago SANTANA's shot and avoid danger.
The moment of joy came in the 12th minute of the first half in Tokyo, as they pushed forward while connecting the ball on the left side and conquered the pockets (sides of the penalty area). Nakamura took a deep position, passed it to Tawara, and then Takahiro KO took a middle shot. It pierced the side net. However, with the support of VAR, a foul was judged to have occurred just before this play, and the goal was disallowed.
However, Tokyo continued to attack relentlessly, but in the 24th minute of the first half, they were sunk by an unreasonable blow. Thiago SANTANA, who picked up the ball in his own half, carried it and swung his left foot near the halfway line. The ball went over the head of Naoshi NOZAWA, who was in position in front, and was sucked into the goal.
Furthermore, the accidents continued and player Nakamura, who was showing great plays, was substituted due to injury. In his place, Kosuke SHIRAI was brought in to try and turn things around, but as a team, they were unable to capitalize on their chances and went into halftime trailing by one point.
2ndHALF—Taro's goal and Kryu's first home goal lead to a comeback
"At our National Stadium," Tokyo, which cannot end like this, will challenge the second half with a fresh start. The opportunity comes early. At about 45 seconds into the game, player Tawara Tsumeta cuts in and signals the start of the attack by swinging his right foot.
And in the 5th minute of the second half, the equalizing goal is scored. Araki, who received a cross from Kashif BANGNAGANDE on the left side, collected the ball at his feet and took a shot with his right foot from just outside the penalty area. The ball flew into the bottom left corner of the goal, shaking the net.
In the 13th minute of the second half, a comeback goal was born. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who had the ball on the left side, crossed it with his right foot and Kuryu MATSUKI, wearing the captain's armband, met it in front of the goal. His left-footed direct volley was deflected by Nishikawa and sucked into the goal.
In the 29th minute of the second half, which began to open up, both Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Keita ENDO, attackers, were simultaneously substituted. They increased the pressure from the front and maintained their energy. Although they were pushed back more often, they defended their one-point lead with persistent responses centered around both center backs. They patiently advanced the clock.
In the second half, at the 45th minute, the opponent's build-up turned the situation around and they quickly brought the ball to the front of the goal. However, player Takashi blocked the shot from player Watanabe by throwing his body. This was the biggest pinch of the game. In the additional time shown as 5 minutes, players Riki HARAKAWA and Jája SILVA were substituted. They made their final move and set up a defensive formation to hold on until the end.
The climax came in the 45+4 minute of the second half. Nishizawa Daishi made a big save to stop Ito's shot that flew to the right corner of the goal. Tokyo, who never lost focus until the end, secured their second win of the season at "Our National Stadium". After the game, the stadium was filled with the sound of "The City That Never Sleeps".
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA (32nd minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Kanta DOI/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (45+2nd minute: Jája Silva)/Takahiro KO (45+2nd minute: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (29th minute: Keita ENDO)/Soma ANZAI/Ryotaro ARAKI (29th minute: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Masato MORISHIGE
GOAL
5 minutes into the second half: Ryotaro ARAKI/13 minutes into the second half: Kuryu MATSUKI
Urawa Reds
STARTING XI
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hiroki SAKAI (Substitute: Yusuke MATSUO)/Yota SATO/Marius HOIBRATEN/Ayumu OHATA (Substitute: Hirokazu ISHIHARA)
MF Atsuki ITO/Samuel Gustafson/Ken IWAO (Substitute: Shoya NAKAJIMA)
FW Naoki YAMADA (Substitute: Tomoaki OKUBO)/Thiago SANTANA (Substitute: Shinzo KOROKI)/Ryoma WATANABE
SUBS
GK Ayumi NIEKAWA
MF Yoshio KOIZUMI
GOAL
24th minute of the first half: Thiago SANTANA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
I think it was an exciting football match. I think it was a game where two good teams gave it their all. We were able to perform well as a team. At halftime, the game was not going as we had hoped. In the first half, we were playing good football and had some good chances to score, but unfortunately, our goal was disallowed. However, the players believed in their football and fought hard, and as a result, we were able to turn the game around. I believe the key to our victory today was believing in our football, trusting our teammates, and sticking to our beliefs. And I am happy that we were able to stick to our game plan, score goals, and send our fans and supporters home with smiles on their faces.
Q, Have there been any modifications or changes since the Kawasaki Frontale match?
A, In the Kawasaki match, we lacked sharpness in front of goal. As a result, with one player sent off and chasing the game with 10 men, it became a difficult match. We analyzed our performance from the previous match and have been practicing to be more threatening and go for goal. We were able to show that in today's match. Without making any big changes, the fact that we were able to give our all and perform to our best led to the result. We are proud that every player is working hard every day to move our football forward. We still need to continue working hard and building on the areas that need improvement. We believe we are moving in the right direction and will continue to work hard with humility.
[Player Interview]
＜Kuryu MATSUKI＞
Q, please review the game.
A, the opponent's super shot was successful, and it became a difficult development, but I think it was a plus for the team to be able to reverse it. As for today's game, I think the press from the front line and the short counterattacks after taking the ball were also a threat to the opponent.
Q, Overall, there were few major pinches and we were able to defend tightly, but how did you feel about the defense?
A, the defensive part is also gradually improving, and today we were able to press from the front line in coordination, and on top of that, Henrique Trevisan and Kanta Doi were able to steal the ball up front, and I think we were able to smoothly attack from there. In the next game, I think we will be facing a team that will also use long balls, so I want to make sure we prepare for that as well.
Q, what was the factor that activated the attack after entering the second half?
A, I think the opponent also gave us some space, but today we were able to create a strong attack after receiving the ball with myself and player Araki. Today, we were able to receive the ball a lot, so I think we were able to connect well with our attack from there.
Q, it seems that the combination of players Matsuki and Araki has also improved.
A, Araki also understands his own strengths and always takes a position where he can see Araki at the timing of lifting his face, and I think it would be even better if I could get involved well when Araki has the ball.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, in the first half, we conceded a goal in an unlucky way, and as a team, we were challenged to turn this situation around. By organizing ourselves and expressing our own style of soccer in the second half, we were able to secure the victory, which was the biggest factor.
Q, including the equalizing goal, it seemed that the attacking side was organized and activated in the second half.
At half-time, Kuryu MATSUKI and I confirmed that we would lower our distance and play area from the first half and create a game by getting involved with the ball more. I think we were able to express what we shared on the pitch and had a good relationship in playing. It also gave us a sense of being able to activate the team's build-up.
Q, today's goal marked the 5th goal in the league. The sense of play and shooting towards the goal also seems to have been sharpened.
A, I always play with the awareness of staying calm in front of the goal. I think that awareness led to the goal today as well.
Q, He said he didn't have any good memories at the Japan National Stadium.
A, Today's goal, the team's victory allowed us to overcome those feelings.
Q, How will you improve from here, as you will not be able to participate in the next match against Kashima Antlers due to contractual reasons?
A, I think it is important to continue playing without losing our style. When I was selected for the U-23 Japan national team, I want to play with the awareness of contributing to the team.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: It was a game appearance in the starting lineup after a long time, but I think it was a 90-minute match where I was able to show the strengths and good plays of player Yasuaki. How was the game when you look back on it?
A, I was really frustrated that I couldn't contribute to the game in the last 5 matches and I saw other players who weren't able to play also performing well, so I thought I had to do the same. It was good to be able to release my frustration on the pitch in a situation where the team wasn't winning.
Q, please tell us about what you were conscious of on the attacking side when facing opponents who were quick to set up defensive blocks and were involved in many chances.
A, I was conscious of getting into the position of the far post when the cross was raised, which I had been working on since the camp. There were many chances, but I couldn't score and I'm reflecting on it. I want to work hard to be able to score in such opportunities and be able to do my job in important moments of the game.
Q, Have you been working towards playing in the game during the period when you couldn't play?
A, I have been working on maintaining my strength during practice so that there is no difference in intensity between the members playing in the game and myself. I also make sure to not let my physical condition drop, so that I am always ready to play in a game. I believe this has contributed to my performance in today's game and I want to continue working on it.
Q: There will be games such as Kashima Antlers this weekend and Verdy next week in April, but please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming games.
A, we were able to win today, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't continue winning, including the next Kashima game. It's important to celebrate today's victory, but we need to switch our mindset and prepare well for the next game, and do our best to help the team during this tough stretch of consecutive games.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, please review the game.
A, We were able to control the ball for a good amount of time in the first half, and even after conceding a goal in the first half, we immediately gathered as a team to discuss. There were also many conversations between players in the locker room during halftime. I can't explain it in words, but even after conceding, I believed we could win.
Q, Many attacks were seen from the left side in today's match.
A, Kashif BANGNAGANDE and Takahiro KO, we also communicated the day before and before the game. I was able to receive passes at the timing I wanted, so I think I was able to create many easy situations to attack. It was fun to play today, and there was a period when I couldn't play in the game, but I was able to release what I had accumulated during that period.
Q: Please review the scene of today's assist.
A, I also worked on practicing cut-ins like that. I think I was able to give good speed balls, but I wish I could have given higher quality balls. As a result, I think it was a scene where the results of the practice paid off.
Q, There will be a match against Kashima Antlers at the Japan National Stadium soon. Please give us your enthusiasm.
A, no matter where the opponent is, we believe that what we have to do will not change. We want to recover well and be prepared to play our own game, and in the next match, we want to score and lead the team to victory.
