Match Review
Tokyo traveled to the away ground of Fukuoka. In the last two matches, they have been unable to secure victory due to a lack of finishing ability, but their performance has definitely improved. In this match against Avispa Fukuoka, they want to take control of the game with flexible decisions and positioning, and capitalize on the chances they need to convert to secure a win and boost the team's momentum.
Tokyo aims for victory after three matches, sticking to the traditional 3-4-2-1 system. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA will guard the goal, with a three-man defense consisting of Kanta DOHI, Masato MORISHIGE, and Teppei OKA from right to left. The wingers are Kosuke SHIRAI on the right and Yuto NAGATOMO on the left, while the holding midfielders are Kento HASHIMOTO and Takahiro KO. The inside midfielders are Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, with Keita YAMASHITA positioned at the top of the attack. Additionally, Keigo HIGASHI has made the bench for the first time this season. He is recognized for his soccer IQ by coach Rikuzo MATSUBASHI, and attention is drawn to the veteran's contributions that supported the team last season.
A light rain and chilly weather at BEST DENKI STADIUM. The match started with Fukuoka's kickoff.
1st HALF - Returning to the second half with focused defense
Right from the start, they faced a major crisis with a long ball, but Konno's shot narrowly went over the crossbar, allowing them to escape danger. In the following 10 minutes of the first half, they were pushed back and faced a series of shots from the opponent, but the defense held strong with consecutive blocks, preventing any goals.
The first shot for Tokyo came in the 18th minute of the first half. From the right side, Shirai attempted to send in a cross, which Nakagawa skillfully tried to redirect with his body, but it was caught by the opposing goalkeeper. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Yamashita received the ball in midfield and flicked it forward while being challenged. Tawara made a run, carried the ball up to the goal line, and crossed it back. Nakagawa let it pass in the center, and Shirai, who had come in from the opposite side, took a shot. They created a chance with a brilliant play, but it was blocked by the opponent, preventing them from taking the lead.
In the 24th minute right after, Konno's powerful shot was taken, but the ball aimed at the near post from close range was sharply reacted to and saved by Daishi Nozawa. The defense is also working to create flow by locking down the goal.
Fukuoka is aiming for a long counterattack. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Zahedi broke free from a through pass from Konno and slotted it into the goal, but the assistant referee ruled it offside. The decision did not change with VAR support, and the goal was not recognized.
In the 44th minute of the first half, we were almost pushed back in a scramble in front of the goal from the opponent's set piece, but Hashimoto managed to clear it just in time. We are showing our desperate defense.
Both teams created chances, but the score remained unchanged even after 4 minutes of added time in the first half. Tokyo struggled defensively and could not create a consistent breakthrough against Fukuoka's four-man defense as they headed into halftime.
2nd HALF - Always one step behind. Conceded a goal just before the end of the match and lost.
Neither team made any substitutions at halftime. The second half has started with the ends switched. Tokyo, which only managed two shots in the first half, is looking to break the deadlock. However, it was Fukuoka that created the first opportunity.
In the 12th minute of the second half, a decisive sliding shot was taken in a scramble in front of the goal from the opponent's right corner kick, but Hashimoto cleared it just at the line. A fine play continuing from the first half saves the team.
In the 15th minute of the second half, Tokyo, wanting to change the flow, substituted Kei KOIZUMI for Shirai on the right side and Sato Eiin for Yamashita in the inside half. They changed the system to push Nakagawa to the front line.
Immediately after the substitution, Tawara Sekita created a chance with a dribbling breakthrough, and Koizumi received a through pass from Doi while holding the ball in a high position, returning it from the right side pocket, gradually creating good opportunities. In the 27th minute of the second half, after connecting the ball on the right side, the moment it was passed from Doi to Hashimoto, Nagatomo made a furious dash into the penalty area from the left side. Hashimoto sent a pinpoint floating pass here, but it was just slightly off target.
On the left side, NAGATOMO was strengthening his presence in both offense and defense, and was substituted by Soma ANZAI in the 29th minute of the second half. At the same time, Keigo HIGASHI, who was making his first appearance of the season, was sent onto the pitch in place of Takahiro KO. Immediately, HIGASHI created a chance.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Koizumi provided a soft lob pass with one touch to Anzai on the far side. Creating a close chance.
Tokyo, gaining momentum from the player substitutions, showed aggressive play from the front line and intensified their offensive. Defensively, player Morishige made crucial blocks, preventing any goals. On the attack, they displayed a forward-focused approach, while their concentrated defense conveyed a strong determination to not allow any opening goals. The tense moments continue.
In the final stages of the match, the players fought hard in harsh conditions with low temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain. In the 43rd minute of the second half, Henrique TREVISAN was brought on to replace Okada. In response to Fukuoka's attack using the tall Wellington, who came on as a substitute, Henrique was utilized to provide strength in height and man-to-man defense.
Tokyo had been able to hold off Fukuoka with concentrated defense from the entire team despite facing many shots, but they conceded a painful goal during the 6 minutes of added time in the second half. A cross that they allowed while being pushed back was headed in by player Ando, giving up the opening goal in the final moments.
Chasing a one-point deficit, we attempted long throws and crosses to counterattack, but to no avail. While everyone endured and aimed for the goal, we ultimately conceded a goal at the very end, resulting in a frustrating defeat away in Fukuoka.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO (29th min: Soma ANZAI)/Teppei OKA (43rd min: Henrique TREVISAN)/Kanta DOI
MF Hiroshi TAKAU (29th min: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kento HASHIMOTO/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA/Kosuke SHIRAI (15th min: Kei KOIZUMI)
FW Keita YAMASHITA (15th min: Eiin SATO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Seiji KIMURA
MF Kenta TOKIWAN
FW Leon NOZAWA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
ー
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Yota MAEJIMA (41st minute: Haruto HASHIMOTO)/Masaya TASHIRO/Tomoya ANDO/Takaaki SHICHI
MF Daiki MATSUOKA/Tomoya MIKI/Kazuya KONO (41st minute: Kenji KANAMORI)/Yuji KITAJIMA (11th minute: Shintaro NAGO)/Kazuki FUJIMOTO (11th minute: Yuto IWASAKI)
FW Shahab ZAHEDI (29th minute: Wellington)
SUBS
GK Yuma OBATA
DF Takumi KAMIJIMA
MF Hiroki AKINO/Masato SHIGEMI
MANAGER
Myung Hwi KIM
GOAL
5 minutes into the second half: Tomoya ANDO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, please provide an overall assessment for today.
Many fans and supporters came to the away venue, but I think it was a disappointing game as we couldn't earn any points. The game itself was poorly executed, and we were always on the back foot.
Q: Especially in the second half, the opponent had possession of the ball for a long time. How did you analyze that situation?
A, regardless of the second half, it was a situation where the opponent had possession of the ball, so first and foremost, each individual needed to not just fall back and defend, but to press effectively where necessary. Creating an organized structure was a prerequisite, but I believe it was important for each person to perform well in one-on-one situations. When that shape started to fade, we made some adjustments to our pressing shape, but we struggled to deliver a good performance. I think there was also a need to boldly change the system or formation.
Q, please tell us the intention behind the mid-game substitution of Henrique TREVISAN.
Regarding the use of player Henrique, he is originally a player who plays as a center-back, but one reason is that he is left-footed, which increases the likelihood of him being able to deliver simple, long vertical balls effectively when receiving the ball. Another reason is his strength in set pieces, so when the opportunity arises, we decided to utilize him as he can demonstrate his abilities.
[Player Interview]
＜Kento HASHIMOTO＞
Q: It was a difficult match. What were you thinking on the pitch?
As the coach mentioned, it was a tough match. We couldn't really play at our own pace, and we conceded a goal by being caught off guard at the last moment. It was a frustrating game.
Q: What do you feel made the match difficult?
A, it was difficult to deliver the ball forward in a good state. There were few scenes where someone was facing forward and making a move in a good state, and I think there are various factors for that. We need to improve in that area. If we don't create more frightening attacks for the opponent, I don't think we can get closer to scoring. There were also few shots, so we need to increase those kinds of scenes.
Q, I felt that the flow of the game was different from the previous matches, as we have been struggling to score in recent games.
As we play more matches, our opponents will come up with strategies, and we will also prepare for their strategies, but there are times when things don't go as expected. In that context, it's about how the players on the pitch will figure out how to break through during the match. Regarding today's game, we struggled to simply get behind the defense, and I think it was a game that really highlighted the challenges we face in figuring out how to create more threatening attacks.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, for Keigo HIGASHI, it was his first appearance in the J League for the 2025 season.
A, it’s frustrating. It was a very difficult match. Throughout the game, it was mostly a time of enduring the opponent's attacks. I think this reflects the current strength of the team. Although my playing time was short, I tried to aim for a goal or a final pass that would lead to a goal. It didn’t go well, and I’m very frustrated.
Q: It felt like our defensive line was pushed back by the opponent's attack.
In the first half, we became passive, and that continued into the second half. Considering the long season, I think there will be matches where we have to play defensively. However, we need to fight for 90 minutes to ensure we don't let the opponent score in the end, and whether we can bring home one point makes a big difference, so I believe that aspect is a challenge for us.
Q: It seems that the content of the matches so far is different from today's match.
A, since it is a sport with opponents, they will analyze us as well. There is still a lot of room for improvement in how we can break through when faced with high pressing, how we transport the ball into the opponent's territory, and how we aim for the goal, so I believe we need to work on this with a shared understanding within the team.
