Match Report

The long-awaited 2016 Meiji Yasuda J3 League has finally begun.
The first official match for FC Tokyo U-23 was against S.C. Sagamihara.
Tokyo's starting lineup consists of GK Wei, DF line from right to left Yanagi, Yoshimoto, Okazaki, and Namachi. Nozawa and Kono at the bottom of the midfield. Hiraoka on the right, Nakajima on the left. The two top players are Insoo YU and Yajima, forming a 4-4-2 formation.
The match, which was attended by approximately 1,600 FC Tokyo fans and supporters, started at 13:00 with the kickoff of FC Tokyo U-23 at the away Sagamihara Gion Stadium.
 

【First Half】
Tokyo, which had a slightly sluggish start, had the opponent take consecutive shots in the 1st and 2nd minutes, and ended up losing control of the game.
The one who created the first chance for Tokyo in this match was Kono, who wore the captain's armband, from his free kick.
At the 6th minute, gaining a free kick in the opponent's central area, a soft middle pass is made to the right side of the penalty area. Yoshimoto jumps in but narrowly misses it.
Furthermore, in the 13th minute, Okazaki failed to hit the target with a header after Yukino's right corner kick.
Tokyo sets up a compact formation and tries to steal the opponent's ball to launch a counterattack, but they are unable to execute effective attacks.
Still, Tokyo takes 23 minutes, Insoo YU shoots with his left foot, but it's not a goal.
Immediately after that, in the 24th minute, S.C.Sagamihara's left free kick was headed and shook the goal net, but it was ruled offside.
Although they continue to be dominated, the defensive line led by Yoshimoto remains focused and puts their bodies on the line to protect the goal.
Tokyo, who wants to create a chance for a counterattack, has Tasuku Hiraoka creating an opportunity from the right side in the 41st minute.
Furthermore, in the 44th minute, YANAGI intercepts with a sliding tackle near the right side halfway line, and HIRAOKA picks up the loose ball.
Tasuku Hiraoka dribbles the ball and goes for a shot, but it is saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
The first half ends in a 0-0 draw.

【Halftime】
Coach Yasuma's comment
"Let's make sure to pick up the second ball from the opponent's long balls. Press from the front line and don't let the opponent kick freely. Let's bring our emotions to the forefront."

【Second half】
Tokyo, who had been dominated in the first half, allowed shots in the 47th and 48th minutes, but the goalkeeper made a save.
Although the time spent surpassing this period increases the time of ball possession from around 50 minutes, it is difficult to create scoring opportunities.
In the 56th minute, Nakajima ran outside of the field with the ball on the left side, but his low cross was blocked by the opponent's defender.
Then, in the 63rd minute, Sagamihara conceded the first goal.
Pressuring in front of the Tokyo goal, forcing the opponent's defense to pass the ball back, and then a long ball is kicked behind the Tokyo defense line.
When this is headed, the DF who approached is momentarily taken out and the goal is scored in the lower right corner with the left foot.
Tokyo, aiming for an equalizing goal, swapped positions between Insoo and Hiraoka, and further substituted Suzuki for Yajima in the 70th minute.
Move Kono up one row, and have Suzuki and Nozawa as a double defensive midfield. Change the system to a 4-5-1 to strengthen the midfield and take control of the game.
As a result, Hiraoka and Nakajima continuously threaten the opponent's goal.
80 minutes, Nakajima dribbles past the left touchline and crosses the ball, Hiraoka tries to score while competing with the opponent's defender near the goal, but the goalkeeper catches it.
In the following 81st minute, Nakajima and HIRAOKA attempt to break through the left side with a one-two, but are prevented by the opposing goalkeeper's dive.
In the 84th minute, Matsuo was substituted for Ikeda.
Placing Nozawa on the left side and switching to a two-top formation with Matsuoka and Hiraoka increased the pressure, but they were limited to a total of 3 shots and FC Tokyo U-23 lost their first match 0-1.

Thank you very much for your passionate support for FC Tokyo U-23.
Thank you for your continued warm support.

[Summary of Coach Takayoshi AMMA's Press Conference]
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who came to the venue to support the young players.
The game itself showed a more daring attitude compared to our usual training games, but today we were swallowed up by the reality of having many fans, supporters, and an official match, which was really disappointing. However, this is the same even when playing in J1. I think we had a really good experience. It's good that we were able to turn this experience into a solid experience for not only playing but also how to approach and prepare for a match, so I want to change and improve in those aspects as well.
Players who can continue playing for a long time are not only skilled, strong, and fast, but also players who can adapt to any coach. I believe in the potential of the players and expect their growth, so I want to support them until the end and believe in them completely.

【Player Comments】
《Yukino》
"The content and results were disappointing, and it was not good for me personally, considering that many supporters came."
I couldn't play as a captain as I should have, and it was a really disappointing result.
I simply made a lot of mistakes as an individual and couldn't catch the wave, that's the strong impression.
I think the opponent had a plan to attack mainly with long balls, and I expect such developments to continue in the future. I also had expectations for today's match, but we were unable to effectively pick up second balls.
We were building up, but the opponent did not press from the front. It would have been better if I could have taken more control and controlled the game in such situations.
(We have to continue to appeal in order to participate in the next match with the TOP team.)
As a team, the most important thing is the result, but I think we need to play in a way that is appropriate for that, and we need to play with more responsibility."