Match Review
This season's J.League YBC Levain Cup opening match was held at Rohto Field Nara, facing Nara Club from the J3 League. The starting lineup saw nine changes from the match against Avispa Fukuoka on the 15th. Goalkeeper Go HATANO and forward Koki TSUKAGAWA made their official match debuts this season. The final line also featured Seiji KIMURA, who stepped onto the pitch for the first time since returning to Tokyo, showcasing a fresh lineup.
The players entered to the chant 'Take the Cup!' as the cup competition began, vying for the top spot among all 60 clubs in the J-League.
1st HALF - Searching for attacking options from the left side but unable to convert it into a chance
The match sees Tokyo create the first scoring opportunity. In the 5th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA breaks through on the left side and delivers a low cross. Soma ANZAI attempts to connect with it using his left foot, but the ball is blocked right in front of the opposing goalkeeper.
Nara maintains a high line with a compact formation, connecting the ball firmly. Tokyo attempts to break through with Keigo HIGASHI, who has moved into the defensive midfield, but cannot break through Nara's defense, which is solid in the center with aggressive pressing and quick recoveries.
While searching for attacking options mainly on the left side, the team also faced dangerous situations from counterattacks by the opponent, resulting in a back-and-forth development. The match went into the second half still scoreless.
2nd HALF - Anzai calmly converted a penalty kick, securing victory in a fierce battle
After a first half where the team struggled to play as desired, Leon NOZAWA was brought on to replace Kimura at the start of the second half. As head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI mentioned before the match, "It is necessary to change more boldly and clearly," the system was changed to a four-back formation for the first time this season in an attempt to break the deadlock.
Whether this was effective or not, they created chances centered around Nozawa's runs behind the right-side attacker, getting closer to the goal.
However, Nara's aggressive soccer remained unchanged, and from the 10th minute of the second half, they were pushed back into their own territory. They struggled against the opponent who attacked by committing more players to the ball side, creating dangerous situations multiple times, but the Tokyo defense also maintained focused defense and did not allow any goals.
Once again, the bench makes a move here. In the 20th minute of the second half, Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA and Maki KITAHARA are brought in to replace Tsumura Tsukita and Higashi.
15-year-old player Kitahara, who played as a defensive midfielder, added variation to the attack with low trajectory switches and large developments, while player Kobayashi activated the pitch with his presence in build-up play, proactive pressing, and runs into the box. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Go HATANO made a save from a close-range shot, trying to shift the momentum with focused play on both offense and defense.
In the 34th minute of the second half, Kei KOIZUMI was replaced by Kouta TOKIWAKI on the pitch. Then, in the 40th minute, as the final substitution, Teppei OKA was sent in to replace Taira SHIGE.
Just when it seemed like we were heading into extra time during the second half's added time, Tokyo's determination, which absolutely cannot afford to lose, finally changes the course of the match.
In the 45+3 minutes of the second half, Sato received the ball in the penalty area and was fouled from behind, earning a crucial penalty kick at the last moment. The player who took the ball was Anzai. The number 7, who had been entrusted with the captain's armband by Koizumi, powerfully kicked the ball with his right foot, successfully scoring a priceless opening goal for Tokyo just before the end of the match.
After that, while continuing to press, we had a decisive chance, and Nozawa's kick hit the right post, leading to a counterattack from Nara. However, the opponent's shot went over the bar, allowing us to escape danger, and the time was up.
With a victory that felt like walking on thin ice, Tokyo secured a ticket to the 2nd Round of the 1st Round.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Soma ANZAI/Henrique Trevisan/Seiji KIMURA (substituted in at 0 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
MF Keigo HIGASHI (substituted in at 20 minutes: Maki KITAHARA)/Koki TSUKAGAWA (substituted in at 40 minutes: Tetsuhira OKA)/Kei KOIZUMI (substituted in at 34 minutes: Kota TOKIWAKO)/Kosuke SHIRAI
FW Keiun SATO/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in at 20 minutes: Go KOBAYASHI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI
MF Hisatoshi NISHIDO
FW Ewerton Gaudino
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
Second half 45+5 minutes: Soma ANZAI
＜Nara Club＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shinji OKADA
DF Daisei SUZUKI/Kei IKOMA/Hayato HORIUCHI (substituted in 45+7 minutes: Rin MORITA)/Yuta TSUNAMI (substituted in 24 minutes: Nagi KAWATANI)
MF Yuki OKADA/Kensei NAKASHIMA (substituted in 38 minutes: Yuto KUNIMUNE)/Hayato HORIUCHI/Riku KAMIGAKI/Ryosuke TAMURA (substituted in 38 minutes: Yuto KUNIMUNE)
FW Tatsuma SAKAI (substituted in 24 minutes: Shota TAMURA)
SUBS
GK Marc Vito
DF Yudai YAMAMOTO
MF Sotaro YAMAMOTO
FW Manto Momota
MANAGER
Ichizo NAKATA
GOAL
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[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, Please provide an overview of today.
A, I am very relieved that we were able to achieve a victory with over 1,000 fans and supporters from Tokyo attending the venue.
Q: What was the reason for making the match difficult?
There are various elements, but I believe the quality in the attacking aspect is the most important. The players probably don't intend to, but there were parts where it seemed like they were relying on others. I think a bit more of those secondary and tertiary judgments that create chances, and such challenges, were needed.
We fell behind in responding to the opponent's momentum, so we discussed clarifying that a bit more as we entered the second half. While we were able to somewhat outmatch the opponent in terms of strength and speed, one of the factors that made the match difficult was that we couldn't create a difference in the final moments.
Q, please tell us the intention behind using Koki TSUKAGAWA in a one-top position.
He is a player who can firmly control the ball and is skilled at creating differences according to the situation. By breaking the opponent's arrows, striking from the opposite side, and executing unexpected plays, if a relationship is established in the center of the opponent's territory, we aimed to further leverage our strengths. However, this time, despite having such an aim, there was little support, and we could not reach that point.
When a pass enters a high position with one ball, it becomes difficult for the second line players to take a supportive position, so I think it's important to move the ball and hold onto it, and I believe there was a lack of challenge in that regard.
Q: Maki KITAHARA played for a longer time than last time, how was it?
I think he had a good performance by stepping forward in certain situations and receiving the ball multiple times, but he still has many good aspects. As he continues to play more matches, I believe he is showing glimpses of his game sense and strengths. However, in terms of making decisive plays or impactful contributions, he still has a way to go. In that sense, I have high hopes for his future.
[Player Interview]
<Sato Eiin Player>
Q, how do you look back on the game?
It was a difficult match. However, I think it was good that we won. I believe everyone on the team understands that we struggled to execute what we were trying to do, and it became a very challenging situation. We won, but I think it's important to reflect on our performance.
Q: I believe that Sato Kei-in's vertical breakthrough was a lifeline for the team in a difficult match.
I was thinking of making a move if there was a one-on-one situation. I believe I was able to show my strengths there, but as a team, we struggled with how to move the ball and advance, and we ended up falling into the opponent's pace.
Of course, my strength is my ability to drive forward, but if I rely solely on that, the opponent won't break down. I need to move the ball well and embody the style of football that the coach is asking for. That's a challenge. While showcasing my strengths, I believe the team could have fought better as well.
<Maki KITAHARA>
Q: You showed a typical play, but have you felt anything after playing for a long time?
I think I was able to receive the ball more often and become a starting point for attacks compared to the last match. However, I don't think that led to the team's victory, and personally, I feel like I didn't do anything. I want to review my performance from practice again and continue to appeal for the next opportunity to play.
Q: What instructions did you receive from the coach?
A, since player Sato Kei-in entered the side, there was a discussion about trying to get behind the opponent. I think that if someone breaks through behind, space will naturally open up, and I believed that the opposite side would also become available, so I think we managed that well.
Q: What have you been working on since your last appearance?
I wasn't completely satisfied just to be included in the squad for two consecutive matches and to have made my debut, but I felt that being part of the squad and being able to play in matches meant that I was starting to be recognized by the coach and my teammates. However, being left out of the squad was very frustrating for me. I have been working hard in practice to change that situation, focusing on my challenge of scoring goals.
Q: What kind of initiatives do you want to pursue from here?
I believe that my strength lies in being involved in results, such as goals and assists, and that is what I am currently seeking the most. To achieve that, it is necessary for me to be part of the team, so I want to continue to make an impression from practice.
