Match Review
Tokyo has entered the away ground. With 2 wins and 1 loss so far, they want to secure a solid victory here to gain momentum for a strong start.
Tokyo made 7 changes to the starting eleven from the previous match. Yasuki KIMOTO is named in the starting lineup for the first time this season as a center-back, and Kento HASHIMOTO has made his first start since returning. Additionally, attention is focused on whether Maki KITAHARA, who was on the bench again following the last match, can break the record for the youngest appearance in the J1 League.
On the other hand, during the pre-match player introduction, there was a big round of applause from the blue and red supporters for Ryotaro ARAKI of Kashima Antlers, who fought together last season.
1st HALF—Creating chances repeatedly from counterattacks but unable to finish
The match is in the 2nd minute of the first half, and Tokyo creates a chance right away. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's vertical pass allows Marcelo RYAN to break free and go on a solo run. This was blocked just before the finish, but it shows the threat of the counterattack that scored 3 goals in the previous match.
Tokyo is trying to launch an attack while connecting the ball with simple decisions. Although they are struggling to create shooting opportunities, in the 17th minute of the first half, player Tawaramizuki received the ball on the left side and took a right-footed shot after cutting in towards the center, finding a good opportunity from a quick counterattack after drawing the opponent into their own territory.
In the 25th minute of the first half, starting from a throw-in on the right side, Marcelo RYAN's flick allowed Tawaratsukita to break free, and Yuto NAGATOMO, who ran in from the far side, took a powerful shot. This was blocked by a defender who desperately returned.
As the diagonal passes became effective, in the 35th minute of the first half, from another large development to the left side, the ball was connected to the center, where Teruhito NAKAGAWA received the ball near the penalty arc and executed a one-two with Takuya Tawara before taking a left-footed shot. He broke through the vital area and created a scoring opportunity, but unfortunately, it grazed the crossbar and went over the goal, failing to shake the net.
The first half ended scoreless. There were moments when it looked dangerous due to disorganization in the build-up, but the focused defense during the defensive phase prevented any goals. It was an impressive 45 minutes showcasing the individual efforts of the players.
2nd HALF—Failed to secure consecutive league wins after missing multiple great opportunities
Tokyo entered the second half without any substitutions. They created chances early on again. Teppei OKA from the back line fed the ball forward. Taira SHIGE received it with a skillful trap, cut in from the left side, and struck with his right foot, but it was blocked by the opponent.
From the start, Tokyo attacks the opponent's territory in their familiar style.
In the 5th minute of the second half, there was a big chance. After connecting the ball and pushing the opponent back, Hashimoto passed it to the right. From there, Anzai broke through vertically and delivered a cross, and in the center, Marcelo RYAN made a perfect header. Unfortunately, it hit the left post, and they were unable to score the opening goal once again.
In the 9th minute of the second half, Kimoto cut the ball in midfield, and Nakagawa initiated a counterattack. He deceived the opposing players with feints and brought the ball close to the penalty area, taking a right-footed shot, but it went over the goal. Furthermore, in the 11th minute of the second half, Marcelo RYAN applied intense pressure on the opponent's buildup, forcing a mistake from the opposing goalkeeper, and Tawaratsukita aimed for the empty goal with a one-touch shot from the left side, but it narrowly missed to the right, wasting a great opportunity.
Tokyo pushes forward with organizational strength and breaks through with individual skill. In the 18th minute of the second half, player Tawara Tsukita broke free from the opponent's mark and powerfully dribbled down the left side. Marcelo RYAN in the center aimed with his right foot at this cross, but unfortunately, it went straight to the goalkeeper.
In the 67th minute of the second half, a middle shot was taken from the opponent's corner kick flow, but Taishi Brandon NOZAWA stretched out his right arm and desperately saved it despite being caught off guard. Furthermore, it seemed that a header from the opponent's corner kick had pushed the ball in, but with the support of VAR, it was ruled offside, allowing them to escape danger.
As the momentum builds for Kashima, they continue to press, and in the 27th minute of the second half, a foul in the penalty area results in a penalty kick, which Suzuki converts, allowing them to take the lead.
Tokyo found themselves trailing by one goal despite creating many chances from the start. At this point, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI made a move. In the 38th minute of the second half, he brought on players Kitahara and Leon NOZAWA. The 15-year-old and 7-month-old young warrior became the youngest player to appear in the J1 League, while the player wearing number 28, who had been on the bench for every match this season, was entrusted with turning the tide.
Substituted for Takahiro KO, Kitahara's first touch came in the 43rd minute of the second half. He deceived the opponent with a feint on a horizontal pass from the left, turned to face forward, and then carried the ball up to deliver a through pass. Although it got caught in the opponent's defense, he showcased a play that immediately hinted at great potential.
Tokyo wanted to launch a quick counterattack, but just after entering the second half's additional time, in the 90+1 minute, they conceded a frustrating second goal from a set piece.
The game created many chances by mixing build-up play and quick counterattacks, and it felt like a new style was taking shape, but we lacked decisiveness and suffered a frustrating defeat away. This brings our league record this season to 2 wins and 2 losses, resulting in an even performance.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Yuto NAGATOMO (substituted in 38th minute: Leon NOZAWA)/Teppei OKA
MF Soma ANZAI/Hiroshi TAKAU (substituted in 38th minute: Maki KITAHARA)/Kento HASHIMOTO (substituted in 18th minute: Kei KOIZUMI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
FW Marcelo HIAN (substituted in 24th minute: Keita YAMASHITA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 24th minute: Eiin SATO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Kanta DOI/Henrique TREVISAN/Kosuke SHIRAI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
-
<Kashima Antlers>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoki HAYAKAWA
DF Kaito NOBUNO (substituted in 45+6 minutes: Kim Tae-hyun)/Naomichi UEDA/Ikuma SEKIGAWA/Koki ANZAI
MF Yuta HIGUCHI/Yuta MATSUMURA (substituted in 13 minutes: Takeda Takumi)/Ryuta KOIKE/Shu MOROOKA (substituted in 1 minute)
FW Leo Ceara (substituted in 13 minutes: Chinen Kei)/Yuma SUZUKI (substituted in 34 minutes: Chavrich)
SUBS
GK Yuji KAJIKAWA
DF Keisuke TSUKUI
MF Gaku SHIBASAKI/Ryotaro ARAKI
MANAGER
Toru ONIKI
GOAL
29th minute of the second half: Yuma SUZUKI
Second half 45+1 minutes: Shu MOROOKA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: please review the game.
A, it was a very frustrating game. In the first half, both teams lacked the finishing touch, and although there were several decisive chances, we couldn't convert them. At the start of the second half, we were controlling the game. I wish we could have scored at least one of the critical chances we had, but in the end, it was Kashima Antlers' game as they broke that flow and scored. I am very frustrated.
Q, Maki KITAHARA made his J1 League debut as the youngest player.
I think there were several plays where you could feel his ability to make good judgments under pressure and his vision to deliver feeds that target the opponent's weak points. There were challenges, but I hope this leads to confidence in the future.
Q: What kind of instructions did you give?
I conveyed to him to get involved with the ball more and to aim for passes that would annoy the opponent. I think he was also nervous compared to how he usually plays.
Q: In a situation where you were behind, what was the intention behind using Kitahara instead of other players at that time?
A, we are selecting the members with that situation in mind. I believe that even in a situation where we are leading, it is important to have pieces to go for the score, so I decided to use them.
[Player Interview]
＜Kento HASHIMOTO＞
Q: I think you were able to make your presence felt during the time you were on the field.
There were scenes where we were able to showcase our strengths, but there are still areas that need improvement.
I believe that taking positions that create escape routes for teammates during build-up, as well as positioning to smoothly send the ball to the front line, and the coordination and interplay with those around me still have a long way to go. I want to improve even more.
Q: With Kento HASHIMOTO entering the midfield, there were many scenes where the ball moved smoothly.
A, I think we are completely lacking. We are not fully expressing the style of football that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI is seeking. However, in the first half today, the team was able to create some good opportunities in attack several times. First, I want to increase the number of attacks. Since playing that leads to attacks is one of my strengths, I want to increase my involvement with the ball in the future.
Q, it seemed that not only holding the ball, but also at times executing quick vertical attacks, was well balanced.
A, I think that is our strength. There are times when we launch quick vertical attacks, and there are times when we control the ball to take charge of the game. I believe that by effectively utilizing both approaches, we can become a threat to our opponents.
<Maki KITAHARA>
Q: You made your J-League debut, please share your thoughts.
I received words from my seniors like, "Have fun out there" and "Just play like you always do," which helped ease my nerves a bit. I can't say I was able to show everything in my play, but my honest feeling is that I had a lot of fun.
Q, you have set the record for the youngest player in history, how do you feel about that?
I didn't really pay much attention to records, but I feel honored to be told so by my seniors and friends. However, I believe I shouldn't be satisfied with this, and I want to work hard from here.
Q: You entered the match in a situation where you were behind. What was your mindset going into the game?
I think I was brought in to change the flow of the match, but I also feel that I could have showcased my characteristics a bit more. In the end, we conceded another goal after I came on, so I believe I fell short.
Q: What kind of play did you want to showcase?
A, playing against the opponent's expectations is my strength, so I want to showcase it more. Since the team was in a losing situation, it would have been better if I could have contributed to scoring.
Q: You have taken the stage as a professional, but what kind of career do you want to pursue from here?
A, I was only able to play for a short time today, so I have a desire to play for a longer period and also a desire to start as a regular. I was able to make my J-League debut today, but I do not want to be satisfied with this and want to aim for higher goals.
