GAME RESULTGame Result

Sec. 32 2017/11/18 (Sat)
Audience 19,476 people 
Weather: Cloudy, weak temperature 15.0 degrees, humidity 56% 
Referee: Itaru HIROSE Assistant Referee: Seiichi KANAI / Tadashi BABA Fourth Official: Takao NISHIYAMA

J1 Sec. 32

BEAR.S

HOME

Sagan Tosu

2-1

Match Finished

First Half2-0

Second half0-1

AWAY

FC Tokyo

Sagan Tosu FC Tokyo
17' Riki HARAKAWA
34' Akito FUKUTA
Scorer 90'+4 Yoshito OKUBO
60' Akito FUKUTA → Tsuyoshi AOKI
73' Kyosuke TAGAWA → Kei IKEDA
88' Yuji ONO → Yu HIKIDA
Player Substitution 62' Yohei KAJIYAMA → Yoshito OKUBO
72' Peter UTAKA → Rei HIRAKAWA
78' Kensuke NAGAI → Ryoichi MAEDA
6 Shoot 11
4 CK 8
16 FK 16
63' Yuji ONO
Warning
Ejected
Sagan TosuStarting Lineup
GK 33 Shuichi GONDA
DF 13 Yuzo KOBAYASHI
DF 5 Kim Min Hyuk
DF 15 Chung Sung-Hyun
DF 23 Yutaka YOSHIDA
MF 6 Akito FUKUTA
MF 14 Yoshiaki TAKAHASHI
MF 4 Riki HARAKAWA
FW 40 Yuji ONO
FW 27 Kyosuke TAGAWA
FW 32 Victor Ibarbo
Sagan TosuSubstitute
GK 12 Shugo TSUJI
DF 8 Yu Fujita
DF 35 Takeshi AOKI
MF 25 Yasuhiro An
MF 50 Koki MIZUNO
FW 11 Yohei TOYODA
FW 22 Kei IKEDA
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 1 Yu OKUBO
DF 22 Yuhei TOKUNAGA
DF 14 Hyun Soo JANG
DF 5 Yuichi MARUYAMA
MF 2 Sei MUROYA
MF 37 Kento HASHIMOTO
MF 38 Keigo HIGASHI
MF 6 Kosuke OTA
FW 10 Yohei KAJIYAMA
FW 15 Kensuke NAGAI
FW 9 Peter UTAKA
FC Tokyo Substitutes
GK 33 Akihiro HAYASHI
DF 4 Kazunori YOSHIMOTO
DF 36 Masayuki YAMADA
MF 21 Insoo YU
MF 40 Rei HIRAKAWA
FW 13 Yu KAJIN
FW 20 Ryoichi MAEDA

[Highlight Video]

【Player/Coach Comments】

"Sei MUROYA"
(Looking back on the match)
"I think it was not good for the team that we were able to score during that time when the opponent was coming forward firmly, even though we had chances ourselves. However, I think we can look ahead because we were able to create many chances throughout the game and we were able to create the attacking style we wanted."

(I think there were particularly opportunities in the second half)
"We were able to create several chances from both sides. However, we couldn't score, so I think we need to improve that as a team."

(What about the shot aimed with the left foot?)
"I have a good feeling with my left foot and I can make crosses and shots. I need to make sure to score in those situations."

(There was also a good collaboration with player Rei HIRAKAWA)
"I understand Rei's strengths. I believed that good passes would come out, so I was able to play boldly there."

"Hirakawa Rei Player"
(It was a tough match against Tosu, what are your thoughts on the game?)
"Tosu was in a defensive state, so I knew exactly what I had to do. There were hardly any moments where they put pressure on me, so I was able to have the ball. It would have been best if we could win. Next, I want to play in a way that contributes to the victory."

(What was it like when your name was called for a substitution?)
"I felt determined. We were in a losing position, so I played with a greater attacking mindset."

(What kind of words did your teammates say to you?)
"After the game, everyone said 'congratulations' to me. I felt the start of something with those words."

(Did you gain confidence by playing today, or did you feel that you need to level up in various aspects?)
"I didn't feel confused about what the team is doing because I'm playing in J3. Personally, I felt that there are still things I need to do, and I want to keep doing enough to produce results when I get the chance."

(There was a scene where Silva collided with Ibarbo)
"I got blown away... I felt the physicality at a world-class level."

(There are only 2 games left this season, but it would be great to be able to play at Ajinomoto Stadium in the final match)
"I want to make sure it doesn't end today. If I can appeal from practice, I still think there is a chance, so I want to make an effort to seize that chance."

"Tokyo - Takayoshi Amma Coach's Press Conference Summary"
"I am truly grateful that many fans and supporters came all the way to the away game and supported the team."
The game started with the instruction to "be careful with Ibarbo's set plays." I think we were able to handle the set plays well, but I have to praise Harakawa for the first goal from a free kick. After conceding a goal, we switched gears and continued the game, but unfortunately, the cleared second ball fell to the opponent's side and we conceded the second goal. Even in a behind situation, we were able to play aggressively in both attack and defense, and we were able to respond to the opponent's counterattacks.
The attack is able to create opportunities by moving the ball firmly without becoming disorganized and repeatedly entering behind Tosu to create shooting opportunities. In order to score, it is necessary to increase the number of chances.
We must win in order to respond to the support of the people who cheer for us.
"I want the team to continue to challenge without losing focus until the very end, just like Okubo (Yoshito) who scored a goal without giving up."

"Q&A"
Q=Did the team's game plan change after conceding the first goal?
"Rather than focusing on the game plan, we first entered the match by confirming where the opponent's spaces were available. I think we were able to enter dangerous positions while maintaining positions between players. The outcome of the game can change depending on whether or not we score the first goal, so I feel that we should pay even more attention to the first goal, which can greatly influence the flow of the game."
However, I felt that Tosu's defense always had a defensive consciousness, as they put their bodies on the line and closed the gaps, especially at the very end. I think that in order to win, it is not only about technique, but also about playing with dedication, so I would like to work on that in training."

Q=Evaluation of Hirakawa player
"I think he did well for (Hirakawa). First, (Hashimoto) Kento was put in the front line, and the player was placed to jump into Hirokazu's cross. Through practice matches and red and white games, it was known that Kento is a player who can score goals in the area, so he was used there."
Even if you attack recklessly from behind, you will end up receiving a counter. I believe in Hirakawa's quality to distribute the ball firmly in the narrow space of the high-density front line. As for the part where he fought for the ball, he said at the U-17 World Cup that he couldn't handle the fast and strong press, so I think he is trying to overcome that challenge in order to move on to the next stage."

"Summary of Tosu Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference"
"When you divide it into the first and second halves, in the first half, both the score and the number of chances created were good. I think that overall, the level of technique and tactics in the game was very high."
The players were told that no matter how much risk FC Tokyo takes in the second half, they should keep moving forward. They executed the tasks given to them during halftime.
Especially Yuji ONO, Akito FUKUTA, and Victor Ivancevic Radmilo, I think they were not in perfect condition from the beginning to the end in terms of their physical condition, but even so, they played really well while on the pitch.
However, if I were to be greedy, I think it would have been better for the team if we could have taken advantage of a few more chances in the second half and widened the goal difference. Personally, I am still bothered by conceding a goal at the end.