The 19th round of the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League, which marks the halfway point of the 2024 season. The crucial match that we want to end the first half with a victory will be against Shonan Bellmare at Lemon Gas Stadium Hiratsuka, our away game.
Enrique Trevizan was suspended for accumulated warnings, so Tokyo made three changes to the starting lineup from the previous match against Jubilo Iwata. Taishi Brandon Nozawa was placed in goal, Masato Morishige and Teppei Oka made their first league starts as center backs, Hotaka Nakamura was placed at right back, and Yuto Nagatomo at left back. In midfield, Takahiro Ko and Kei Koizumi formed a partnership for the sixth consecutive league match, with Kuryu Matsuki returning to the starting lineup as attacking midfielder. Teruhito Nakagawa was placed on the right wing, Kota Tawaratsumida on the left wing, and Ryotaro Araki as the lone striker for the kickoff.
1stHALF - Unable to capitalize on a big chance just before the end of the first half.
In the early stages, Shonan created chances. When Tokyo was pressed by counters and set plays, in the 2nd minute of the first half, a shot by player Yamada was saved by player Nozawa with a diving save, and in the 5th minute, a direct free kick from the left side of the penalty area was caught by player Nozawa. In the 7th minute, player Fukuda took a dribble shot from a long counter, but it missed to the right of the goal and escaped danger.
Tokyo, who wants to find an attacking player, has trouble creating opportunities due to scenes where passes are off after being taken. They are constantly struggling against Shonan's defensive network, which anticipates and reacts to second balls and tightens up passing options.
In the 10th minute of the first half, Araki had a chance for a direct free kick on the right side, but his sharp right foot shot was blocked by the opponent's wall and the ball caught the upper right corner of the goal was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper.
As the period of time where it is difficult to create a decisive opportunity continues, a big chance comes to Tokyo.
In the 44th minute of the first half, midfielder Nakagawa started a fierce dash towards the front line after taking the ball in their own half. Araki received the ball and dribbled up the field, perfectly timing a through pass. Nakagawa received the ball in the open space and attempted to score with his right foot while keeping an eye on the opponent's goalkeeper, but unfortunately missed slightly to the left of the goal, unable to break the deadlock.
Tokyo, who missed a close chance. Immediately after, they face the biggest pinch of the first half. Shonan expands from the center to the right, and crosses in the minus direction in the area. This is scored by Lukian, who ran in from the back, with a direct right foot. However, VAR's follow-up is made for this goal, and it is judged that the shot hit the opponent's hand and changed course, and the goal is canceled. The first half ends scoreless.
2ndHALF - Tenacious defense and Tokumoto's left foot lead to victory!
Tokyo, who wants to take the initiative, is attacked first in the second half and a big chance is created.
In the 5th minute of the second half, a left cross was crossed to the far side and passed to player Yamada in front of the goal. However, this was once again avoided due to an offside call. In the 8th minute of the second half, player Suzuki took a powerful middle shot with his right foot, but player Nozawa blocked it and made a save. In the 10th minute of the second half, player Yamada cut in and took a shot, but player Nozawa stretched out his right hand and made a save on the ball that was heading towards the left corner of the goal. He truly saved the team with a series of "guardian angel" big saves.
Tokyo, who continues to receive against Shonan who attacks with momentum. Player Nozawa's great save raises the team's overall defensive awareness.
In the 14th minute of the second half, a decisive scene is created inside the penalty area, but player Nozawa manages to clear the ball just before the goal line, and player Matsuki clears it with a bicycle kick. The loose ball is picked up and a shot is taken, but once again player Nozawa makes a fantastic save from close range.
In the 19th minute of the second half, once again, both Nakagawa and Araki players launched a sharp counterattack on the front line, creating a big chance. Araki player passed directly from the back to the space on the right front. Nakagawa player, who had broken through at top speed, timed it and turned back to the center, but it just missed Araki player who had run into the goal. The game continued with a sharp attack while everyone raised their defensive awareness.
In the second half of the 24th minute, Tokyo made a substitution, bringing on Soma ANZAI on the right wing and Diego OLIVEIRA as the lone striker, in an attempt to turn the tide of the game.
After that, Erik's stable save continues. In the 25th minute of the second half, he firmly caught a powerful middle shot allowed from near the penalty arc. In the 29th minute, he stretched out his left hand to deflect a powerful shot from near the penalty area to the upper near corner.
The defense showed persistent strength. It was in the 34th minute of the second half, after enduring and enduring with the entire team.
When Nakamura passed the ball in a deep position on the right side of the opponent's field, Shuhei TOKUMOTO ran into the area in front of the goal, where the opponent was weak. Just before that, number 43, who was substituted in as the first play, used his strong left foot to score a powerful middle shot into the bottom right corner of the goal, finally giving Tokyo the lead.
The hero of the game rushed straight to the away end and shared the joy with the fans and supporters who had come all the way. His teammates also ran over and a circle of jubilation was formed right in front of the blue and red away end. In the previous match against Iwata, the lefty who had assisted the equalizing goal in just 5 minutes after coming on as a substitute, this time pulled off a big play on his first touch after being brought on.
In the final stage, Kosuke SHIRAI, who returned from injury, was brought in. Tokumoto, who is a full-back, and SHIRAI, were both placed on the sides of the midfield, and the formation was changed to a 2-top with Diego TABA and Yasuaki ANZAI. They successfully defended with a 6-back formation depending on the situation, and were able to secure 3 points away from home.
A victory that was truly brought about by the defense's perseverance. The team showed a united front in this crucial match that marked the halfway point of the season. After the game, they responded to the banners held up by the fans and supporters in the stands, saying "Let's go higher! We can do it" and "We'll make a comeback in the second half", and they hope to use this win as a stepping stone to climb up the rankings in the upcoming second half of the season, which starts in three days.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Masato MORISHIGE/Teppei OKA/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (45+2nd half: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Takahiro KO (33rd half: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (33rd half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (23rd half: Soma ANZAI)/Ryotaro ARAKI (23rd half: Diego OLIVEIRA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
FW Jája Silva
GOAL
34' Shuhei TOKUMOTO
Shonan Bellmare
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Sonbomgun
DF Koki Tachi (41st minute of the second half: Takuya Okamoto)/Kazunari Ohno
MF Yuto Suzuki/Masaki Ikeda (28th minute of the second half: Akito Suzuki)/Satoshi Tanaka/Junnosuke Suzuki/Naoki Yamada (28th minute of the second half: Taiga Hata)/Kosuke Onose (41st minute of the second half: Hisatsugu Ishii)
FW Lukian/Sho Fukuda
SUBS
GK Hiroki MAWATARI
DF Kazuki OIWA
MF Kohei OKUNO
GOAL
―
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A, as expected, it was a very tough battle away from home. Shonan Bellmare played really good football. Within that, there were parts that we needed to test and challenge ourselves. I am proud that the players fought through a difficult game while maintaining their discipline.
We were able to see ourselves positively in the game. We want to continue building on that and there are still areas that we need to improve and grow. Before the game, we talked about how "this game is not something that someone will give us a victory, we have to win it ourselves." The players fought really well for the club and for the fans and supporters, and were able to take 3 points. Teppei OKA played as a starter for the first time in the league, and I think it was a performance that will stay in his memory forever. Also, it was Diego OLIVEIRA's birthday and we were able to give him the best celebration with 3 points.
Q, What was the reason it was difficult to go and take the ball from the opponent, even though we had a long time to receive their attack?
A, in situations where we were able to take the ball in second ball or loose ball situations, I think it led to positive outcomes. On the other hand, when the ball was taken by the opponent, we were pushed back and put in a difficult situation. This is one area where we could have played more efficiently. As a positive aspect, there were moments where we had to desperately defend. In those moments, executing our game plan resulted in us keeping a clean sheet. Another important aspect was being able to exploit the space behind the opponent's defense. However, there were also times where we needed to play more efficiently in those situations. We will thoroughly analyze our performance and take steps towards improvement.
Q, I think it was a clean sheet that couldn't have been achieved without Taishi Brandon NOZAWA's big save among the 20 or more shots taken. Please evaluate his performance.
A, he did a great job as a goalkeeper. It was the result of the hard work of the goalkeeper team. I am proud that he showed his strength in today's game and contributed to the team's success.
Q, Shuhei TOKUMOTO assisted in the previous round and scored the winning goal today.
First, let's talk about Tokumoto's goal. He made an impactful performance as a substitute player. Diego, Soma Anzai, and Kosuke Shirai all fought well when they were substituted onto the pitch. It is important for substituted players to make an impact and contribute during the game. This leads to our ability to fight strongly in the final stages of the game. I hope that the substituted players can make an impact and push the opponent back. Tokumoto made a great shot and scored a fantastic goal. The purpose of putting in substitute players is to keep each position fresh and continue our style of play on both offense and defense. They played according to that purpose.
[Player Interview]
＜Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q: It was a goal with a first touch after substitution. Please review the scoring scene.
A, we were breaking down the right side in a good shape, and when Yuto NAGATOMO was in a deep position and also in the penalty area, he was waiting behind. Then the ball came, so all I had to do was shake it off.
Q, Today I played in a higher position instead of as a side back. What was your mindset?
Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI was expecting plays that would lead to goals, such as the free kick in the previous match against Júbilo Iwata, and I myself knew that it was necessary to connect good attacks from solid defense. In that sense, I think we were able to respond to the coach's orders by scoring in the first play.
Q, I was able to leave results with assists in the previous section and goals in this section.
I think it's the result of not rotting. This season, there were many scenes where the side back players achieved results, so I think it was good that it paid off in these two games while secretly thinking "me too, me too" and working hard every day.
Q, we will have consecutive games from here. I think the overall strength of the team will be tested.
A, I do not think it is acceptable to be in this position. There are many strong players in Tokyo, so I believe that the fact that we are able to train and compete fiercely has led to our ability to defend in front of the goal until the end today. We will fight with the strength of the entire team, so let's fight together in the second half as well.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA＞
Q: Victory on the cleat sheet. Please review the game.
A, I am really glad that we were able to win 1-0 thanks to everyone's perseverance. I am most happy that I was able to contribute to the team's victory. I have always only wished for the team's victory, so I am happy to have been able to contribute through my play.
Q, What was the reason for finishing with a clean sheet?
A, I think the biggest factor in our victory was that we were able to maintain a 0-0 score despite feeling a bit anxious when the opponent kept attacking for a long time. We were able to stay positive and focused in the game, and didn't lose our concentration in front of the goal.
Q, there were also scenes where Taishi Brandon NOZAWA started quickly from the build-up part.
A, I was trying to make the opponent create a block quickly, so at the moment the situation changed, I thought that if I quickly put it out to the space before letting the opponent prepare, the opponent might also change, and I was aiming for a quick restart.
Q, the second round of the J1 League will start with the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo match.
We will have a two-game series at home at Ajinomoto Stadium, so we want to deliver a victory to our fans and supporters, and above all, we want to make it a fun game for them to come to the stadium. Winning is the most important thing, but even if we are pushed back like we were today, I want to win in the end and share the joy with our fans and supporters.
<Tetsuhiro OKA>
Q, it was a victory with no goals conceded in the first starting lineup in the league match.
A, throughout the 90 minutes we were in a difficult situation, but first and foremost we were conscious of keeping a clean sheet. As a result, with the support of VAR, the goal was not allowed, but there were also scenes where the goal net was shaken in the first half, and I think we need to make adjustments for not being able to push Yuto NAGATOMO out when we allowed the opponent to enter that far, and for not being able to put my body on the line at the end. It was my first start in a league game as an individual, but I wasn't too nervous. I felt that I needed to predict and prepare earlier in order to match up with Lukian and to respond to Fukuda's runs behind. However, I think that winning and being able to make adjustments will be a big step forward for both the individual and the team.
Q, We played until the end without losing focus. How did you approach the game, including your collaboration with Masato MORISHIGE?
A, I think the reason we were able to maintain our concentration was because everyone continued to encourage each other until the end. In terms of risk management when we were attacking, there were many scenes in the first half where our shots were picked up by the opposing players. In the second half, I talked with player Morishige about preparing earlier to pick up more second balls.
Q, as we reach the halfway point of the league, we will have back-to-back home games against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Avispa Fukuoka with only 3 days in between. Please share your thoughts on these upcoming games.
A, I want to prepare myself firmly without getting too excited or worried. I also want to make good preparations as an individual and as a team so that the team can win.
