GAME RESULTGame Result

Sec. 4 May 03, 2017 (Wed)
Audience 19,123 people 
Weather: Clear, with a low temperature of 21.4 degrees and humidity at 41%. 
Referee: Ryuji SATO Assistant Referee: Toru SAGARA / Hiroshi YAMAUCHI Fourth Official: Shu KAWAMATA

YLC Group Stage Group A Sec. 4

Ajinomoto

HOME

FC Tokyo

1-0

Match Finished

First half1-0

Second half0-0

AWAY

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

FC Tokyo Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
31' Kensuke NAGAI
Scorer
66' Kensuke NAGAI → Takefusa KUBO
75' Shoya NAKAJIMA → Keigo HIGASHI
90'+1 Takuma ABE → Nathan BURNS
Player Substitution 61' Daiki SUGA → Akito FUKUMORI
61' Ren FUJIMURA → Min Tae KIM
75' Yuto NAGASAKA → Takuma ARANO
14 Shoot 0
3 CK 0
13 FK 10
Warning 71' Min Tae KIM
84' Ryosuke SHINDO
Ejected
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 33 Akihiro HAYASHI
DF 2 Sei MUROYA
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
DF 5 Yuichi MARUYAMA
DF 25 Ryoya OGAWA
MF 8 Yojiro Takahagi
MF 27 Sotan TANABE
MF 15 Kensuke NAGAI
MF 44 Takuma ABE
MF 23 Shoya NAKAJIMA
FW 9 Peter UTAKA
FC Tokyo Substitutes
GK 50 Go HATANO
DF 4 Kazunori YOSHIMOTO
MF 10 Yohei KAJIYAMA
MF 21 Insoo YU
MF 38 Keigo HIGASHI
MF 41 Takefusa KUBO
FW 16 Nathan BURNS
Hokkaido Consadole SapporoStarting Lineup
GK 1 Junki KANAYAMA
DF 35 Ryosuke SHINDO
DF 15 Naoya Kikuchi
DF 29 Nagasaki Hayato
MF 19 Kenji ISHII
MF 16 Hiroyuki MAE
MF 2 Rui YOKOYAMA
MF 38 Daiki SUGA
MF 44 Shinji ONO
FW 14 Shinya Uehara
FW 40 Ren Fujimura
Hokkaido Consadole SapporoSubstitute
GK 25 Kwon Yoon
DF 24 Akito FUKUMORI
DF 37 Hamada Taiyo
MF 20 Kim Min-te
MF 27 Takuma ARANO
MF 41 Sora IGAWA

[Highlight Video]

【Player/Coach Comments】

Kensuke NAGAI
"Honestly, I feel relieved to have scored my first goal."
 I was originally slow to score my first goal after transferring. Even when I moved to Nagoya, it was finally scored around August (laughs).
 However, since the game continues, I want to do my best to continue scoring goals and be able to score in the league matches as well, taking advantage of this first goal.

 I think I have been too focused on defense and have had difficulty transitioning to attack in the previous matches.
 Today, we discussed with Naru and were conscious of defending while blurring to some extent (the mark), and moving forward.
 I think we were able to create a form where Utaka and Takuma work well together, and Shoya and I get involved in it.
 Especially when Utaka creates time in the front line, we were able to make a second or third move beyond that, and if I could break free, Utaka or Takuma would fill that space for me.
 There was fluidity, and there were also scenes where Shoya aimed from there.
 The goal scene, thanks to Utaka and Takuma pulling the opposing defenders, left the area in front open.
 I think we were able to create an attacking shape from good movements.

Takefusa KUBO
"I felt the level was high again after participating in a J1 match."
 My honest impression is that I was finally able to take a step forward there.

 When I came to the stadium, there was a sense of tension, but once I stepped onto the pitch, it was beyond just being nervous.
 I thought that the competition for the ball was tougher in J3, but the ball speed and one-touch play are definitely more impressive in J1.
 Even when I pressed and went to get the ball, I was often avoided, and when I repeatedly tried to get it, I got out of breath and it was difficult.

(Before the match)
From Coach Shinoda, I received instructions to "inform the players about the change in marking (in Sapporo's player substitution)" and to "do their best in the final part of the attack".
 I also thought that since both the opponent and the teammate were tired at that time, there was no point in participating if I didn't run.

(About FK)
It was a chance that had to be decided.
 I aimed for the top of the near side, but it was just one step away, so I'm really frustrated.

(Regarding the series of plays that led to the FK)
If you don't make a move there, you're not a FW.
 I could see that the opponent was coming, so I made a move.
 I fell down in the end, but I thought I might as well try to take a shot, so I did, but the play right before that became a foul by the opponent.

(What did you feel about your performance in today's match in terms of being able to compete in J1 or still having a long way to go?)
I don't think I was able to fully demonstrate my abilities, so I'm not sure about that.

(Regarding the stand call)
I could hear it a little (laughs).
 At first, I was a little worried if I could concentrate on my play because the cheering voices from the stands were loud... But they entered my ears in a good way, and I think I was able to play comfortably with the support.

("About "Sha")
Nagai player was asked "teach me" because it was his first time.
 I have done it several times, so I conveyed it.

(About Sapporo MF Ono)
I had seen his play on video before, and his volley in the recent Levain Cup was amazing.
 He was a player who participated in the World Cup, had charisma, and had a high quality of play.
 Each play was precise, and the ball seemed to stick to the foot during trapping.

(Based on today's game appearance, about the future)
It's not over with just one game, and as a football player, I want to aim higher and higher.
 I want to reach an even higher level in J1.
 I have a sense of being one step ahead of players of the same generation.
 "However, even if the start is fast, I want to continue growing without losing momentum and without stopping the speed."

"Summary of Yoshiyuki SHINODA's press conference"
It was good to earn 3 points. I am a little relieved, but I think it was a situation where I didn't know what would happen if we didn't score additional points.
There were some positive aspects, but I want to improve the part of showing selfishness to score goals, and the part of using selfishness to manipulate people and get in a little better.
If we could have scored the second goal in the first half, we could have pressed more and shown more good scenes where we had control of the ball. As expected, we hold the ball to score goals, so I want the whole team to continue to look at the challenges a little more.
However, I was able to see many positive aspects and I think I was able to run more than the opponent today, so I want to keep looking forward and moving forward.

《Q&A》
Q=Regarding the timing and evaluation of player Kubo's substitution

It was a game development of 1-0, so I think the timing of the substitution was a little delayed, but I feel that he has the technical skills and tactical vision to play from the second half start or even from the starting lineup.
However, he had little time to accompany the team and also played in J3, so I think that amount of playing time was good for both the team and him.
As you can see from the technical aspect, don't be afraid and face forward.
After the match, I talked to him and he said that there were times when he could have made a through pass and that he was frustrated because he couldn't find his distance for free kicks. I think we will see him in many high-level matches from now on, so I hope he will do his best in the U-20 Japan national team first.

Q=What is the evaluation of Takuma ABE and Shoya NAKAJIMA in terms of surpassing Sapporo in the front line?

ABE received the ball and controlled the game while moving between opposing players, so he received a very good evaluation. Even when the ball went to the side, he ran back to defend.
However, there were chances to score. I think that is his current challenge. However, I think the attitude and play he showed today were very good.
Regarding Nakashima, he is excellent up to one-on-one situations. The challenge for him lies in how to utilize his teammates from that point.
I want him to continue taking shots actively. However, if he doesn't improve on how to use and involve others, other players may knock on the door. I wanted to use him for a longer time today, but I substituted him because he started losing the ball more frequently.
However, both of them are valuable assets, so I hope they will continue to train.

"Sapporo - Coach Shuhei Yoneda's Press Conference Summary"
Throughout the match, the defense was able to hold on. At first, we fell behind, but I think we stabilized after switching to a 3-man midfield and a 2-man forward line. However, in terms of attack, we were unable to create opportunities and struggled to find our attacking rhythm, which led to repeatedly putting ourselves in difficult situations.
The final lineup changed and there were more opportunities to carry the ball, but we couldn't create shooting chances. The players worked hard throughout the consecutive matches to earn points until the end, so we want to switch gears and prepare for the league matches.

《Q&A》
Q=It appeared that there were more passes to the feet in the build-up phase, what was the reason for that?

FC Tokyo's pressure was also quick, and I think we didn't have enough time to respond with our own judgment speed and preparation.

Q=Please tell us the intention and evaluation of appointing Ren Fujimura as the starting player for the first time.

There were many injured players, and there was a desire to give young players a chance during consecutive matches. Regarding Fujimura, there were positive aspects in terms of breakthrough during the camp before the opening, so there was expectation there.
As for the time he played, he ran well and worked hard, but due to the flow of the game, he couldn't show his strengths, so I think that is his own challenge.
I want you to think about what is missing from now on, and do your best in the subcategories.