Match Review
Last season, the match that returned to the J1 League for the first time in 16 years ended in two draws, and the resolution has been carried over to this season. The battle between the two clubs, both based at Ajinomoto Stadium, will once again commence.
Tokyo made three changes to the starting lineup from the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale. Up front, Sato Keiun was placed as the lone striker with Ewerton GAUDINO positioned as a shadow. Additionally, the flanks of the back line were changed to Henrique TREVISAN and Yasuki KIMOTO as they awaited the starting whistle.
1st HALFA breakthrough by Ikekain leads to the equalizer
From before the match, the atmosphere created by the fans and supporters of both teams led to an intense local battle from the kickoff. The scene was quickly set with Tokyo holding the ball and Tokyo Verdy poised to launch short counterattacks.
The first goal was scored by Tokyo V. In the 20th minute of the first half, a right corner kick created space in the near zone, and player Hayashi headed the ball, putting them at a disadvantage.
It was three minutes later. Tokyo, wanting to counterattack, had a brilliant combination play, and in the end, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA slid it in, but the shot hit the feet of the opposing goalkeeper, Matheus, and struck the left post.
In the 43rd minute of the first half, Sato, who had honestly said he was "really looking forward to this match and fired up," made a run behind the defense to receive a lob pass from Takahiro KO and scored the equalizing goal, bringing the match back to square one.
The intense battle, where neither side backed down and maintained their own style, heads into the second half with a low-scoring draw.
2nd HALF - Henrique's late goal secures 1 point
Shortly after the start of the second half, the three forwards create a scoring opportunity again. Sato's floating ball behind the defense is collected by Tawaramizuta, who creates time, and Gaudino makes a run. The opponent's goalkeeper makes a great save, and although Sato tries to capitalize on the rebound, the shot goes over the goal.
However, in the 7th minute of the second half, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA seized the moment when the ball was loose in front of the goal, and player Someno from Tokyo V did not miss it. Due to a careless ball loss, they allowed a go-ahead goal.
Here, in the 15th minute of the second half, Marcelo RYAN, who returned to the lineup in place of Gaudino, is brought in to launch a counterattack. Furthermore, in the 26th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, Keigo HIGASHI, and Maki KITAHARA are sent onto the pitch in place of Sato, Tawaramizuki, and Kento HASHIMOTO, respectively.
Immediately after the substitution, player Higashi connects with a cross from the left side, but unfortunately, he fails to hit the target. Tokyo continues to strengthen their offensive, closing in on the Tokyo V goal one after another in the final stages of the match.
Then, just before entering additional time, in the 44th minute of the second half, they finally broke through. Soma ANZAI, who had opened up on the right side and was in a slightly deeper position, sent a cross ball towards the far side, where Henrique jumped higher than the opponent to head it in, leveling the score again by directing it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
After that, the game opened up and both teams began to attack in a counter-attacking manner. In that process, Tokyo utilized long balls to penetrate deep into the opponent's territory, but they could not secure the go-ahead goal.
The intense match saw both sides refusing to give in, resulting in another shared point.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Enrique TREVISAN/Seiji KIMURA/Kosuke SHIRAI (substituted in 45th minute: Leon NOZAWA)
MF Soma ANZAI/Takahiro UHIRO/Kento HASHIMOTO (substituted in 26th minute: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in 26th minute: Maki KITAHARA)
FW Megumi SATO (substituted in 26th minute: Teruto NAKAGAWA)/Ewerton GAUDINO (substituted in 15th minute: Marcelo HIAN)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Teppei OKA/Kanta DOI
MF Tokiwaki Kenta
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
43rd minute of the first half: Sato Kei-in / 44th minute of the second half: Henrique TREVISAN
<Tokyo Verdy>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Mateus
DF Yuto TSUNASHIMA/Hayashi Naoki/Hiroto TANIGUCHI
MF Okunaga Kiyoshi/Hirakawa Rei/Kosuke SAITO (substituted in 38th minute: Tetsuyuki INAMI)/Arai Yuta
FW Itsuki SOMENO (substituted in 14th minute: Yuan MATSUHASHI)/Kimura Yudai (substituted in 38th minute: Ryosuke SHIRAI)/Hiroto YAMAMI (substituted in 27th minute: Yuya FUKUDA)
SUBS
GK Yuya NAGASAWA
DF Kazuya MIYAHARA/Kaito SUZUKI
MF Soma SHIKINO/Takei YAMAMOTO
MANAGER
Hiroshi JOFUKU
GOAL
20th minute of the first half: Naoki HAYASHI / 7th minute of the second half: Itsuki SOMENO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: please review the game.
A, the result was that we were able to catch up at the end and secure one point. First of all, I think we need to savor this one point while preparing for the next match. For me, it was my first match against Tokyo Verdy in Tokyo, and both teams received boos for the draw, which made me realize that it was truly a fierce battle. Of course, I didn't feel that way from the beginning, so it's very disappointing that we couldn't deliver a victory. I want to make good preparations for the next match.
Q: I think we were able to recreate the scene where we aimed for the finish with the movement of the third person who had practiced in advance. What do you think?
A, I don't think the reproducibility was that high, but it's not something that comes up repeatedly in the game. Still, I believe that some of the chance creations were born out of fluidity, and while one was finished, the other was not. I think the challenge is how accurately we can finish in those situations. After all, we can't win just by breaking through, and there is no victory unless we shake the goal net, so I want to keep pursuing that.
Q: In the second half, you changed to a one-top two-shadow formation by bringing in Marcelo RYAN. What kind of picture were you trying to create?
I think that incorporating a slightly dynamic approach like that, while considering how to create a starting point at a high position, can be beneficial. Rather than relying solely on breakthrough power or speed in wide areas, it would be great to effectively use good judgment and utilize players well to create a starting point, thereby making better use of the advantage on the sides. I believe we were able to show a bit of that picture, but we still haven't reached the point of taking shots at the end, and while there were a few opportunities, it's a bit disappointing that they didn't lead to goals.
Q: I think the structure of Tokyo V aiming for a short counter-attack from the midfield right from the start of the match and Tokyo maintaining possession was clear. How did you want to move in that situation?
A, I thought that it is absolutely unacceptable to be afraid of counterattacks and not aim for the center; I must have the mindset to turn that around. As long as we have the ball, that is two sides of the same coin, and such scenes will always occur. Of course, if we can crush them there, it will be our pace, but when it is not our pace, there were several scenes where the opponent could catch a good rhythm. I am seeking to try in those situations, and there is no option to not try. In words, it means "do not take the easy path." We really have to see it through and turn it around. Based on that, the next scenes that emerge will definitely create an advantage on the sides, and there may have been parts where we could have brought out what we had prepared a bit more vividly, but I think the first half was a bit bland. In the second half, I wanted to change our character and aim to break through by making substitutions.
Q: It was the same with the scene where player Sato Kei-in scored, but instead of passes targeting from the back, there were noticeable passes targeting from the midfield today. What is your evaluation on that?
In the first half, I thought there was a bit of distance, so I pointed out that the distance was a bit long during the halftime instructions. Once we got close to the opponent's territory, long balls became effective. If we were deep in our own territory, of course, there was also the height of the opponent's line, so I thought there was a possibility to break through with quality there. I communicated a bit of methodology regarding that plan to the wing-backs and the wide players in the three center positions, and for the rest, I conveyed that we should aim for that area after entering the opponent's territory with a more compact formation overall. I believe we were able to show that part a little in the second half.
[Player Interview]
＜Henrique TREVISAN＞
Q: please review the game.
It was a very difficult match since both teams share the same stadium as their home ground. We were able to create chances as well, but the opponent was also creating opportunities, so it was a situation where it could have gone either way, and I think it turned out to be a very tough match.
Q: It has been a while since you were in the starting lineup for the league match. What aspects did you focus on as you approached the game?
I haven't had many opportunities to play until now, but I was always prepared to step in, so I'm happy to have been given a chance today. We still haven't been able to overcome the tough situation we're in, and I wanted to win today to get through it, but we couldn't secure the victory. Still, I want to continue doing what needs to be done, and after taking a proper rest, I will prepare for the next match.
Q: Please review the scoring scene.
A, today's goal was just like in practice, and Anzai made a very good kick, so I think it was great that I was able to score. We couldn't win a match that we wanted to win, but I believe it was a goal that can lead to the next one, and I am happy to have contributed to the team.
Q: How do you feel about the team's growth?
I think we are improving both as individuals and as a team. However, I believe that both I and the entire team still need to grow, and we can get better at things like build-up play.
<Player Kei Sato>
Q: please review the game.
A, even when the opponent took the ball away, we were able to immediately apply pressure and force them to kick the ball. Since there are many strong players in Tokyo's defense line who excel in duels, I thought we could recover the ball there, increase our possession time, and connect it to secondary and tertiary attacks. While conceding goals is sometimes unavoidable, I believe I need to become a player who can score 2 or 3 additional goals to secure victory.
Q: I received a vertical pass from Takahiro KO well and scored a goal. Please review the scoring scene.
I have been coordinating with player A during regular practice. We were in sync, which led to the goal. I want to increase the number of times we do this.
Q: There have been four consecutive matches without scoring. What preparations have you made for this match?
Personally, I was thinking about increasing my shots. I was considering what would be a threat as an attacking player. My movement behind the defense is my characteristic, and while showcasing that, I continued to play in a way that would frustrate the opponent. There was also scouting information that the opponent would bite, so I was able to effectively shake off their marking with my checking movements. As a team, I believe that quick vertical attacks are the form where our strengths are most evident. To increase those scenes, it is important to move the ball and exploit the opponent's gaps.
Q: The next match will be against Fagiano Okayama. It's a short period, but what kind of preparations will you make?
I think we have no choice but to switch gears and keep going. Today, I missed some crucial opportunities that I needed to convert, so even though we have back-to-back matches, I believe it's important to continue doing what we do without changing our approach. I hope we can share the points of reflection from today with the team and work together to improve.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, please review today's game.
A, just like in the match against Kawasaki Frontale, we were trying to connect well from the back and move the ball forward, but in the Kawasaki match, we were too conscious of that and sometimes struggled to advance the ball. So today, overall, we used a few more long balls and vertical passes. Within that, I think it would have been better if we could have interacted a bit more effectively. When it seemed like we might force our way forward, we couldn't receive the ball again from the back and calmly circulate it once more. I think there were times when we canceled plays when there was no movement from the front line after carrying the ball, and the positions we were looking at and where we were placing the ball might still be too narrow. I believe there are still areas we need to grow in as we continue to play matches.
Q: I think we can see Kimura's personal growth in various aspects, such as not being afraid to hold the ball and making plays diagonally forward. What are your thoughts on this?
A, any good player makes mistakes, and backward mistakes are not good, but Coach Matsuhashi never says not to attempt a challenging pass. I believe that the play is possible because there is an environment that allows for challenges, and we have done such plays both at Sagan Tosu and in the Paris Olympics. I think that experience and courage lead to a bit of composure.
Q: You were sharp in covering during today's match, but how do you feel about your one-on-one defense?
A, I was able to mark closely, and since it was a mirror game today, there were aspects that were easier to grasp. I didn't lose in power battles when clashing with the opponent, so I think that was a good point.
Q: We were unable to secure a victory in today's match, but how will you make adjustments and improvements for the next game?
A, we have conceded 3 goals in one match and 2 in another, so first and foremost, we need to reduce the number of goals conceded. Today, the front line has scored 2 goals, so I think there are good signs in our attack, and we are gradually becoming able to control the ball. However, if we continue to concede goals, we cannot win, so the priority is to not concede. Today, we were caught out by set pieces and our own mistakes, but we need to tighten up in those areas as a team and continue to maintain a challenging attitude together.
