Match Review
In the previous match against Cerezo Osaka, we came close to a comeback but ended up with just 1 point. After the Emperor's Cup first round match against Zweigen Kanazawa, we are heading with high spirits to Panasonic Stadium Suita, aiming for our first league victory in 5 matches.
The four-back system introduced from the match against Cerezo Osaka is still in the process of improving its training and maturity. In the starting lineup, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA replaced Soma ANZAI from the previous match. Three members on the bench were changed. Kashif BANGNAGANDE returned to the J1 League bench for the first time in 387 days. Motoki NAGAKURA, who joined on loan from Urawa Reds during this month's special registration period, was on the bench for the league match for the first time. Another player, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, returned to the league match bench for the first time in two games.
1st HALF—Conceded a direct free kick, going into the break one goal behind
Kicking off at 18:30 while the heat still lingers, both teams aggressively pressed towards the goal, igniting a fierce, high-intensity local battle.
In the early moments of the first half, at 3 minutes, Kento HASHIMOTO received the ball in the center from left-side player Tawara Tsukida and took a mid-range shot. Tawara Tsukida then picked up the rebound and aimed with his left foot, but was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper.
At the 10th minute of the first half, although the defense line was broken through and faced a crisis, Go HATANO repeatedly threw his body to block the ball, and finally Sei MUROYA managed to avert the danger with a last-minute block near the water's edge.
At the 18th minute of the first half, Kosuke SHIRAI, who had been actively moving up and down the field, was injured in an accident, and Yoshifu made an emergency substitute appearance.
As Gamba Osaka gradually gained momentum backed by home support, the team was pressed for a period and conceded the opening goal in the 33rd minute. Usami scored directly from a free kick on the left side, giving the away team the lead.
At the 41st minute of the first half, Keita ENDO took a direct free kick near the opponent's goal, but it failed to hit the target. The match remained evenly contested as it moved into the decisive second half.
2nd HALF—Increased offensive pressure towards the end, but conceded a second goal just before the end and lost
Five minutes into the second half, a decisive chance was created from a strike by substitute player Yoshifu. From a direct free kick on the right side, the ball was sent in front of the goal with the left foot, and Yasuki KIMOTO reacted to the rebound and was fouled, earning a penalty kick. However, the penalty kick taken by Marcelo RYAN was stopped by G Osaka goalkeeper Ichimori's excellent save, missing a great opportunity to equalize.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Sei MUROYA broke through the right side and sent a fast cross ball, which reached RIAN in front of the goal, but the shot was not completed.
Two minutes later, from a through pass by G Osaka's Shuto ABE, Dennis Humet took a shot, but Go HATANO made a great save to stop it.
As the back-and-forth battle continued, in the 19th minute of the second half, players Kei Sato, Nagakura, and Anzai were brought onto the pitch as substitutes. Nagakura, making his league debut for the Blue-Red team that day, positioned himself between the lines and became the starting point of the attack, gradually increasing the time spent pressing into the opponent's territory.
At the 39th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA was brought on as the final substitution to further strengthen the attack. During the added time, NAKAGAWA broke free down the right side, but the grounded cross he sent in front of the goal was once again stopped by the opposing goalkeeper Ichimori.
And just before the end of the match, G Osaka scored a decisive second goal, sealing our fate. Having fought a close battle, it was a defeat that left us with lingering regret.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Naruki MUROYA/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Kosuke SHIRAI (18th minute 1st half: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)
MF Ko TAKAHIRO/Keigo AZUMA (19th minute 2nd half: Motoki NAGAKURA)/Kento HASHIMOTO/Keita ENDO (19th minute 2nd half: Soma ANZAI)
FW Marcelo Hian (39th minute 2nd half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (19th minute 2nd half: Yoshimasa SATO)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Kanta DOI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
―
<Gamba Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jun ICHIMORI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Riku HANDA/Keisuke KUROKAWA/Shinnosuke NAKATANI
MF Neta Ravi (Second half 19 min: Tokuma SUZUKI)/Shuto ABE (Second half 41 min: Aki KURATA)
FW Takashi USAMI (Second half 33 min: Makoto MITSUTA)/Ryoya YAMASHITA (Second half 19 min: Juan Arano)/Denis Humet/Welton (Second half 33 min: Takeru KISHIMOTO)
SUBS
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shinya NAKANO/Genta MIURA
FW Issam Jebali
MANAGER
Daniel POYATOS
GOAL
33rd minute of the first half: Takashi USAMI / 45+3rd minute of the second half: Takeru KISHIMOTO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, Please give us a review of today's match.
A, it turned out to be a truly frustrating game. While we had periods controlling our own pace, in the end we couldn't pose enough of a threat. Of course, there were chances to equalize, but we couldn't capitalize on them. We struggled to create real danger in front of the goal, which led to this defeat. However, everyone worked extremely hard, and there were moments when we successfully stopped the opponent's excellent attacks. Although conceding two goals is disappointing, I believe the players gave their very best.
Q. During the back-and-forth battle, it seemed like you were unable to take control of the game as you had hoped.
A, the opponent was not always applying high pressure, so from the start we wanted to take control and move the ball under those conditions. However, there were few such scenes in the first half, so in the second half we organized that aspect and discussed positioning and relationships when pressing, as well as where to break through. In the end, the ball rarely settled, and there were unfortunate moments when the ball rolled to the opponent, leading to counterattacks facing our goal.
Towards the end, the attempts to create opportunities near the penalty box around Marcelo RYAN were very well executed starting from Sei MUROYA. However, even there, the play couldn't fully settle down. The ball needed to be firmly controlled and followed by an action, but although actions were happening, the ball didn't connect to the next play. The opponent, facing forward, would take the ball and launch a counterattack. We are still conceding many counterattacks, and ultimately, goals have been conceded as well. This is something that truly needs improvement and continuous effort. We have no choice but to work hard enough to completely shut down those chances.
Q. It was a match that could have gone either way. What is necessary to turn this into a victory?
A, I think we just need to keep going. We have no choice but to believe in that and work together. However, you can't win football with just passion, so tactical aspects are of course necessary. In today's game, there were naturally parts that were somewhat organized, and we need to increase the threats in front of the goal even more. I personally think it might be better to consider that method more simply. Without those threats, even if we create good opportunities and execute as planned, it becomes a difficult game if we can't finish decisively. Even with the few chances we get, unless we can convert them, I believe it will be hard to earn points.
[Player Interview]
<Sei MUROYA>
Q: It was a match where it wouldn't have been strange to pick up points, but how do you look back on the game?
A, it was known in advance that Gamba Osaka's away games would be difficult. Conceding the first goal was a bit painful, but even so, we controlled the game well despite being under attack. Given the team's situation, I think we can't win unless we make the most of the few chances we get, so today we were a bit lacking in that area, and also a bit unlucky.
Q. In situations like this, the team tends to fall apart, but it seemed that player Muroya was encouraging from the back and successfully created a fighting spirit among everyone.
I was consciously trying to communicate, but in the end, we couldn't secure the 3 points. We have no choice but to look forward positively, and since there is little time until the next match, I want to prepare well.
Q. I think there were many effective moments when taking a wide position and then making a diagonal wedge pass from there.
A, well, there were several occasions where I could have passed to player Hian, but it would have been better if we had committed more players further up the field. Player Hian also created several chances, so we are generating opportunities; now it's just a matter of finishing them.
Q: From here, there will be two consecutive matches against teams close in the standings. How will you prepare for these 6-point matches?
A, our preparation for matches is always consistent, and what we do does not change, but now that the second half of the season has started, we must face the reality of our current standing. I believe this is a match where we absolutely must earn points, so I think we just need to prepare thoroughly.
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q, It seemed like you got a certain sense of confidence over the past few games, but how did you feel while playing today?
A, before the match, we organized our attacking positions and shared with everyone how to connect the ball and where to stand. I think we were able to do that especially well in the first half. However, since the results are not coming, we still have a long way to go.
Q. How has the progress been since the system switched to 4-4-2?
A: We can't say much unless we get results. We've been conceding multiple goals in a row, and I think we need to improve the part where the team seems to drop off a bit after conceding.
Q. I think there were parts where you connected the ball in coordination.
A, to some extent, there are parts of the attack that we can share, and I think we are gradually building on them. We are able to play while watching the opponent, so I believe the finishing is the main issue. It's not that we don't have chances, but I think the difference with the opponent came out in the ability to finish decisively.
Q, There is a match against Yokohama F.Marinos in just two days.
A, we really can't afford to lose, and I think we need to be more and more aggressive with both our offense and defense, putting our feelings front and center. I deeply felt again today that earning 3 points is not easy, so I want to make sure we do it properly.
Q: What will you focus on for the next match?
A, We are currently going through a truly difficult period, so I want to find some kind of opportunity. There's no point in looking down, so I want all of us to face forward and move ahead together.
