<Match Review>
The match against Júbilo Iwata, following consecutive losses to Shonan Bellmare and FC Machida Zelvia, will be the team's first official game in three weeks. During that time, various events have occurred within the team. The announcement of head coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's resignation at the end of this season and Diego OLIVEIRA's retirement from professional football has been made. While it is certain that they cannot compete for a higher ranking in the next two matches, there is now a very significant reason to win against the blue and red.
From the match at Japan National Stadium, three players have changed in the starting lineup. Henrique TREVISAN has moved to center back, Teruhito NAKAGAWA has returned from injury to take the right wing position, and Takahiro KO has also returned to the starting lineup as a defensive midfielder. Meanwhile, Diego TABA continues to reign in the front line as before. The blue and red fans and supporters gathered at Yamaha Stadium welcomed the ace wearing the number 9 jersey with enthusiastic chants, waiting for the kickoff whistle.
1st HALF - Although starting off on the back foot, we found our rhythm heading into the second half
If they do not win this match, it will be decided that Iwata will be relegated to J2 League, and they will be pushed back at the start. In scenes where the wings took high positions, there were continuous situations where cross balls were sent in, and in the 10th minute of the first half, a cross from the left side was directed to the right wing player Matsumoto, leading to a crisis in the 19th minute of the first half. Left back Matsubara sent in a grounded cross, and Ryo GERMAIN jumped in. The ball, skillfully directed with his right foot, passed just beside the goal post, narrowly missing the target.
Even so, Tokyo created a close chance when Diego TABA received a cross from Keita ENDO right after that, gradually pulling the flow in their favor and making the build-up from their own half smoother. In the 24th minute of the first half, during a corner kick, Yasuki KIMOTO's header did not hit the target and did not result in a first goal, but they increased the time they held the initiative.
Then, in the 39th minute of the first half, they created a chance from the flow of the game. Keigo HIGASHI picked up the second ball and passed it to Ryotaro ARAKI, while NAKAGAWA ran down the right side. NAKAGAWA's cross floated, and although Diego TABA, who jumped in front of the goal, couldn't connect, they finally showcased the attack they aimed for. Although the score didn't change, they turned around at halftime with a good rhythm.
2nd HALF - Anzai scores to take the lead but allows a comeback
Diego TABA, who was injured just before the end of the first half, will be substituted at the start of the second half, with Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA coming on. Continuing the rhythm established in the first half, Tokyo took control of the match from the beginning of the second half. In the 6th minute of the second half, they opened up the right side after a wide play. Although Nakagawa's near-post run allowed him to let the ball pass from Higashi's cross on the right side, there was no one else to follow up, and they missed the goal by just a step.
Still, just 2 minutes later, in the 8th minute of the second half, they finally shook the goal net from a short corner. Araki passed to Nakagawa in front, and then Nakagawa passed to Higashi, who sent in a cross that Soma ANZAI, waiting free, headed in successfully to score the opening goal.
It seemed that they were progressing through the game without any issues, but in the 32nd minute of the second half, they were hit by an accident. Yasuki KIMOTO fouled an opponent who had switched positions just outside the penalty area and received a red card, leading to a free kick from which they conceded an equalizing goal. They could not change the momentum that had turned against them, and just before the end, they conceded a penalty kick. This was converted by Yamada, turning the score around.
Unable to overcome a one-point deficit against an opponent where a win would keep the possibility of staying in the league, the match ended with a score of 1-2. The losing streak continues, and only the final match of the season remains for the 2024 season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hodaka NAKAMURA (substituted in 45+4 min: Leon NOZAWA)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Henrique TREVIZAN/Soma ANZAI
MF Yuhiro TAKAHASHI/Kegoto HIGASHI (substituted in 34 min: Kei KOIZUMI)/Ryotaro ARAKI (substituted in 21 min: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA (substituted in 0 min: Go KOBAYASHI)/Keita ENDO/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 34 min: Tetsuhei OKA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Kosuke SHIRAI
GOAL
8 minutes into the second half: Soma ANZAI
<Júbilo Iwata>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Eiji KAWASHIMA
DF Miki MATSUBARA/Makito ITO/Keita TAKAHATA (substituted in 18th minute: Kotaro FUJIKAWA)/Ricardo GRASSA
MF Masaya MATSUMOTO (substituted in 11th minute: Mateus PEIXOTO)/Jordi CLUCAS (substituted in 45+11th minute: Shunsuke NISHIKUBO)/Hayate NAKAMURA (substituted in 11th minute: Rikiya UEHARA)/Rei HIRAKAWA (substituted in 18th minute: Hiroki YAMADA)/Hiroto UEMURA
FW Ryo GERMAIN
SUBS
GK Ryuki MIURA
DF Kaito SUZUKI
GOAL
35th minute of the second half: Matheus Peixoto / 44th minute of the second half: Hiroki YAMADA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A, I am very sad that we made this match difficult for ourselves. We were able to perform well enough to deserve a 1-0 lead, but there were also situations where we could have scored a few more goals to pull away from the opponent. Given the current situation of Júbilo Iwata and the fact that it was an away game for us, I think various emotions were stirred up. We gave the opponent openings, which put pressure on ourselves. I am very disappointed that we lost in this manner.
Q: What was the pressure from the opponent like?
A, Iwata has been fighting with everything to achieve results. For much of the match, we were able to respond well to that. There were long balls that led to goals conceded, but we conceded from nothing due to our inability to respond. I believe we handled the opponent's high intensity well otherwise. However, we became outnumbered at times, which allowed the opponent to gain momentum and made it a match that they could get into emotionally. We were scored on from a free kick and a penalty kick, resulting in a difficult defeat. I believe the players fought hard to earn 3 points. I feel sad that we let go of 3 points in this manner.
I want to recover properly from the sadness of this defeat and fight hard in next week's match. Also, I want to deliver three points to our fans and supporters, as well as to our club legend, Diego OLIVEIRA, in the final match of the season.
[Player Interview]
Soma ANZAI
Q: please review the game.
We showed our weakness in allowing the comeback. I feel frustrated and disappointed in myself. We had decided as a team to win the last two matches, and although we couldn't win today, I believe that winning the last match of the season to send off Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI and Diego OLIVEIRA is the best way I can repay the support I've received. With another match coming up soon, I will prepare to the best of my ability for that.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
In the second half, there was a directive from Coach Yu TOKISAKI to take the first corner kick as a short corner, saying that the ball would come there. Since I was in that position, I received a good ball from Keigo HIGASHI, and although there was some distance, I think it flew into the goal well. The ball I had imagined came, so all I had to do was to guide it in.
Q: You played as a left back, but what were you conscious of during the match?
A, players like Keita ENDO, Henrique TREVISAN, and Ryotaro ARAKI were a great help. I think we had good connections, which allowed us to create good plays and build up effectively, so the relationships were very good. This season, there were many matches where we struggled with build-up play. I was always thinking about what kind of plays I could make when I played as a full-back. Today, I believe we saw the results of that in terms of build-up play.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: I assisted Soma ANZAI's goal from a short corner. Please reflect on that.
A, the kicked ball flew to a good spot. I am grateful to player Anzai for scoring. Coach Yu TOKISAKI prepared well for the short corner and communicated it to the players. We had several corner kicks in the first half, and I think they led to a good scoring opportunity. Regarding the opening goal, I believe we were able to take it at a good time.
Q: We suffered a comeback loss due to the opponent's pressure.
In the last 15 minutes, we had to endure firmly. When the opponent kicks rough balls, it often stretches the play, so we wanted to endure well, effectively use the space behind the opponent, and score an additional goal. At the timing of the conceded goal, I had already gone to the bench, but we still lack the ability to manage the game and determine who takes leadership on the pitch.
Q: The next match will be the last game of this season. Please share your enthusiasm.
I have a very strong desire to send Diego OLIVEIRA off with a victory, no matter what. I have learned a lot from him, not just as a player but as a person. I want to express my gratitude on the pitch, and I believe that victory is the greatest form of respect.
