<Match Review>
In the previous match, Tokyo achieved a brilliant come-from-behind victory against Urawa Reds with their overwhelming speed and hard work, using their average age of 22.73 years as their weapon. With this, they have now extended their undefeated record at the "new" Japan National Stadium to 5 wins and 1 draw, further solidifying their dominance at "our national stadium".
Kashima Antlers, who will face Urawa Reds just 3 days after their previous match, will once again play at the National Stadium. In this match, Ryotaro ARAKI will not be able to play due to his contract, so Teruhito NAKAGAWA will be starting as the lone striker. Kosuke SHIRAI will replace the injured Hotaka NAKAMURA at right back.
After the victory against Urawa, Tokyo has returned to a 2-2-2 record for this season. They want to secure a win at the National Stadium, where they have a good record, and use it as a stepping stone towards advancing to the top. The game they want to make a turning point for the future is this match, where they also started with a young starting eleven with an average age of 23.82 years old.
1st HALF - The game is turned over by the back and forth attack and defense.
Although Kashima came attacking from both sides in the early stages, they were unable to break through the center and create any chances.
Tokyo gradually took control of the pace and in the 8th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, on the left side, dribbled and made a chance. In the following 9th minute, Kuryu MATSUKI showed a dribble that crossed the pitch from the right side and expanded to the left side. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who received this, swung his right foot from a cut-in, but unfortunately it was blocked by the opponent's defender.
In the 15th minute of the first half, another opportunity was created from the left side. Player Kashif BANGNAGANDE received a pass from Tawarazumi Tada and made a vertical breakthrough along the sideline. He then passed it back to Nakagawa, who attempted a shot, but was once again blocked by the opposing player.
In the 25th minute of the first half, player Tawara Tsumeta takes an aggressive approach on the left side. He dodges the opponent's sliding tackle from a counter and breaks through with a dribble, then shoots with his right foot from a cut-in. Unfortunately, the shot hits the goalkeeper's face, but they continue to launch sharp attacks from the left side.
The match ended scoreless at halftime as both teams were unable to create clear scoring opportunities and the game was played with a back-and-forth flow.
2ndHALF - First goal of the season for Teru & Riki leads to first consecutive win of the season!
In the second half, Tokyo, who had more energy, gradually increased their pressure. In the 8th minute of the second half, player Tawara Takada picked up a loose ball in the penalty area and carried it up vertically to the center right before crossing it. He sent in a perfect ball, but no one in the center was able to connect with it.
And in the 10th minute of the second half, the game finally starts to move.
Player Matsuki, who will represent Japan as a member of the U-23 Japan national team, feeds a cross from the left back. Number 39, who was playing as the top striker, breaks through here. With his top speed, he jumps and skillfully changes the trajectory of the ball with a back header, scoring the long-awaited opening goal for Tokyo. This is also the first goal of the season for player Nakagawa, who has been eagerly waiting for it.
In the 22nd minute of the second half, Matsuki, who had been persistently pushing up, made a leftward development. At this point, Endo Keita, who had just been substituted as a left attacker, sharply crossed the ball and once again, Nakagawa made a run towards the center. He pushed it in at the perfect timing, but unfortunately hit the bar and was unable to score an additional point.
In the 37th minute of the second half, Matsuki made a run from a counter and passed to Jája Silva, who was running alongside him, with a dribble. Number 70, who had been subbed in as the lone striker, aimed and shot with his right foot, but it narrowly missed to the left of the goal.
In the final stage, Soma ANZAI, who had been fighting on the right side, was replaced by Shuhei TOKUMOTO, a side back by profession, in the 43rd minute of the second half. He was brought in as a right wing to increase defensive intensity from the front and aim for a win.
6 minutes of additional time, pushing the desire for victory to the forefront against the opponent's counterattack, and controlling the pitch with intensity and counterattacks.
The grand finale was waiting at the end.
From the left side, Matsuki makes a soft pass from the keep, and Riki HARAKAWA runs in and controls it before quickly striking with his left foot. The powerful trajectory floats into the upper left corner of the goal, securing an additional point and deciding the match.
It is truly the "ultimate football theater". The blue and red army defeated Kashima in their second act, played their first consecutive victory and first clean sheet of the season, and captivated the 52,772 large crowd that gathered at the Japan National Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Kanta DOI/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Takahiro KO (30th minute of the second half: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (18th minute of the second half: Keita ENDO)/Soma ANZAI (43rd minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (30th minute of the second half: Jája Silva)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Masato MORISHIGE
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
10 minutes into the second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA/45+7 minutes into the second half: Riki HARAKAWA
＜Kashima Antlers＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoki Hayakawa
DF Kouto Nonaka/Naomichi Ueda/Ikuma Sekigawa/Koki Anzai
MF Kei Chinen (35th minute of the second half: Shoma Doi)/Kaishu Sano (40th minute of the second half: Guilherme Parede)/Yuta Higuchi (35th minute of the second half: Yuta Matsumura)/Hayato Nakama (16th minute of the second half: Tomoya Fujii)
FW Everaldo (35th minute of the second half: Milosavljevic)/Yuma Suzuki
SUBS
GK Taiki YAMADA
DF Hidehiro SUGAI
GOAL
―
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A tough game against a good opponent, I think. We were able to play a good game from a football perspective. I think our players worked hard and deserved the win. In the first half, we lacked a bit of sharpness. In terms of performance, it was okay, but there were some areas where we could have done better. We didn't pose enough of a threat to the opponent in front of goal. We reviewed the details during halftime and I think the players expressed themselves well in the second half. It was good to end the game without conceding any goals, and we could have scored a few more. The important thing is to fight hard and enjoy the victory, recover tomorrow, and continue the process towards the next win.
Q, Are there any changes in the Kawasaki Frontale match from the previous match and the Urawa Reds match from the previous match, and the Kashima Antlers match this week?
A, first of all, we believe in continuing our football philosophy. When creating a team or something, we must move forward in a straight line. As we continue to build our football, our players have dedicated themselves while holding onto their beliefs in our football and their teammates.
Q, What do you think are the factors that led to the victory against Kashima?
We were able to show a very strong performance as a team against a strong opponent like Kashima. We respect our opponents and it was a tough game, but today we were able to put in a performance that deserved a clean sheet and a victory. It was also the result of our dedicated defensive work on the field. By implementing our defensive structure and following our game plan, we were able to limit our opponent's chances. Our players fought physically and selflessly for 96 minutes.
Q, Next week's match will be against Verdy. How does the coach perceive it and what preparations do you want to make?
A, The match against Verdy is one of the special matches. I think it's a special match for the players, the club, and the fans and supporters. There are various emotions and it creates a special atmosphere. I think anything can happen in a derby, so we will prepare for that. Right now, our good point is that we are building a foundation for football. We will prepare while following the discipline and our own process.
[Player Interview]
Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Q: This was a game where I played in a different position than usual. Please review the game.
A, I think being a soccer player means embodying what the team wants to do and what they should do, no matter what position they play in. I also focused on making use of my strengths, such as making runs behind the defense.
There were many defensive scenes that turned on the switch for the entire team.
A, Ryotaro ARAKI has always been playing in the same position, and while watching the previous games, I have been able to find ways to defend and chase the ball selflessly, and how to make it easier for my teammates. There were times when I was able to put pressure on the opponent and guide them to not pass freely, and times when I couldn't. In the first half, I shared the target location with Kuryu MATSUKI and worked on improving it.
Q, I think we have been able to play with momentum as a team in the last two games.
After losing to Kawasaki Frontale, we also had a meeting with only the players. I think this has had a positive effect and by continuing to have a common understanding of this style of soccer, we are gradually seeing results. It is important to continue doing this. However, just because we won doesn't mean everything is good. There are still many challenges during the game, so we want to make corrections while winning.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, Matsuki player carried the ball in a good way with Kashif BANGNAGANDE player, and since Matsuki player was looking at me, I believed that the pass would come out. I was conscious of touching the ball first when the pass came out. I just had to match Matsuki player's ball, so I want to thank him. I think heading is surprisingly my strong point, so I think that's why it resulted in a goal.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, By continuing to win and not breaking the momentum, we can also put pressure on the teams at the top. I think the match against Verdy will be an absolute must-win battle. We will review the areas we need to improve on from today's match and prepare to win.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q, What were you conscious of when you entered the pitch during the second half substitution?
A, since it was a bit of an open game, I first focused on defense. Even when we were pushed back, we were able to handle it well by staying composed, and I feel that we have been able to unify what we need to do in the past few games.
Q, nice shot. How do you look back on that scene?
A, After a long time, I passed the ball near the penalty area and it came back to me. I think that was the place to show my quality, and Kuryu MATSUKI dropped it nicely for me. I was hesitating whether to aim for the opponent's legs or near the goal, but because of the ball's position, the opponent's legs were not open enough, so I was able to aim for the near goal and score successfully.
Q, the next match will be against Verdy. Please give us a few words for the game.
A, I don't think the previous flow matters and the players have to enter with a different mindset. We want to win the next match and move forward. Fans and supporters also think of "FC Tokyo" when they think of Tokyo, so we want to prepare well as a team to show that in the results.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
I think it was thanks to my teammates, including the player who scored the goal, that I was able to make two assists. Although Ryotaro ARAKI was unable to play today, I believe that whoever plays for the team can contribute to our victory, and we are growing into a competitive and high-quality team. I think our ability to elevate each other as a team is leading to our victories.
Q, I left a result of 1 goal and 2 assists in the 2 consecutive games at the Japan National Stadium.
A, This season, I am more conscious of numbers. I have played in the position before last season, and I was able to confirm again that if I become the starting point of the attack in the front line, it will lead to goals in the two consecutive games held at the Japan National Stadium. I want to be greedy and aim for goals and assists in the future. I was also aiming for a goal in today's game, but first and foremost, I was conscious of playing for the team's victory. In that, I think it was good to be able to contribute to the team with 2 assists.
Q, starting from here, I will also start my activities as a member of the Japan national team for U-23. Please share your enthusiasm towards qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
A, in the recent league match, we were able to show it in numbers, and I want to continue to contribute to the team with goals and assists in representative activities. I also want to actively take on leadership roles.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: please review the game.
A, in the first half, it was a time of patience and a lack of aggressiveness in the game. During halftime, the coach and players talked to each other and shared the consciousness of trying to be more aggressive in both offense and defense, which I think led to the second half.
Q, we were able to finish the game with our first clean sheet of the season. What preparations did you make?
A, since the defenders were quite focused, I didn't have much work today. Even in those times when the ball didn't come, I was conscious of not losing my concentration. It led to a good result.
Q, Over 50,000 fans and supporters gathered at the Japan National Stadium, how was the game at the National Stadium again?
A, the 2 consecutive games at the Japan National Stadium were not only a way to boost our momentum in the league, but also a way for everyone to enjoy the atmosphere of the national stadium. It was great to win both games.
Q, Was there a part of the atmosphere at the National Stadium that excited you as a player?
A, when a goal is scored, the crowd cheers and gets excited, so much so that even on the pitch, I got goosebumps.
Q, How do you want to contribute to the important Asia Cup for the U-23 Japan national team towards the Paris Olympics?
A, I am prepared and I am also proud to be selected from Tokyo. I want to express myself as a representative player through my play.
