GAME RESULTGame Result

Sec. 3 2019/3/10 (Sun)
Audience 27,937 people 
Weather cloudy, weak temperature 18.8 degrees, humidity 39% 
Referee: Minoru TOJO Assistant Referee: Yuki TSUKAKOSHI / Toshiyuki TANAKA Fourth Official: Hayato SHIMIZU

J1 Sec. 3

Ajinomoto

HOME

FC Tokyo

2-0

Match Finished

First Half0-0

Second half2-0

AWAY

Sagan Tosu

FC Tokyo Sagan Tosu
88' Own goal
90'+3 Jael
Scorer
16' Kensuke NAGAI → Kyosuke TAGAWA
65' Kyosuke TAGAWA → Jael
81' Yojiro TAKAHAGI → Kotaro OMORI
Player Substitution 60' Mu KANAZAKI → Isaac Cuenca
67' Zhao Dongjian → Akito FUKUTA
90'+4 Genki Hara → Yohei TOYODA
13 Shoot 3
6 CK 5
14 FK 12
83' Sei MUROYA
Warning 57' Hideto TAKAHASHI
61' Hideto TAKAHASHI
67' Fernando Torres
Ejected 61' Hideto TAKAHASHI
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 33 Akihiro HAYASHI
DF 2 Sei MUROYA
DF 20 Hyun Soo JANG
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
DF 25 Ryoya OGAWA
MF 15 Takefusa KUBO
MF 8 Yojiro Takahagi
MF 18 Kento HASHIMOTO
MF 10 Keigo HIGASHI
FW 9 Diego OLIVEIRA
FW 11 Kensuke NAGAI
FC Tokyo Substitutes
GK 13 Go HATANO
DF 6 Kosuke OTA
DF 32 Tsuyoshi WATANABE
MF 17 Na SANGHO
MF 39 Kota MORI
FW 16 Jael
FW 27 Kyosuke TAGAWA
Sagan TosuStarting Lineup
GK 1 Yu OKUBO
DF 22 Hara Teruki
DF 35 Yu Fujita
DF 3 Yuji TAKAHASHI
DF 2 Hiromu MITSUMARU
MF 36 Hideto TAKAHASHI
MF 14 Yoshiaki TAKAHASHI
MF 41 Matsuoka Daiki
FW 44 Mu KANAZAKI
FW 9 FERNANDO TORRES
FW 19 Zhao Dongjian
Sagan TosuSubstitute
GK 18 Takao Yohhei
DF 20 Karuro Burushicchi
DF 8 Keisuke IWASHITA
MF 6 Akito FUKUTA
MF 25 Yasuhiro An
MF 7 Isaac Cuenca
FW 11 Yohei TOYODA

[Highlight Video]

【Player/Coach Comments】

"Ryoya OGAWA"
"We couldn't create our own time in the first half, but in the second half, we were able to bring the flow to our pace, which led to the last two goals. It's good that we were able to achieve victory."

(Throughout the game, we saw attacks from the sides. The first goal was also a result of Ogawa's shot that led to a goal)
"During that period, we felt that the momentum was on our side. Of course, we were conscious of finishing with a shot, but we were also prepared to hit the ball firmly within the frame."

(I was often blocked by Tokyo's chances by GK Takuo OKUBO, who was my teammate until last season)
"I think he is a player who understands our playing style and characteristics well. It is very pleasing for the team to have scored two goals against a talented player like him."

(He has been a starter for three consecutive matches since the opening. I think he is aware of Ota's presence, who is in the same position.)
"Of course, I am aware of it, but there is no negative aspect of becoming enemies just because we are rivals. Even when I am playing in a match, Ota gives me advice, so there is a lot to learn."

(After today's match, we are currently in 2nd place. Next week, we will be competing for the top spot against Nagoya.)
"Nagoya is a very strong team with a 3-game winning streak, but we want to do what we need to do and win."

(There were skilled attackers like Fernando Torres on the opposing team, but were there any difficult parts in terms of defense?)
"I felt their strength and technical ability very much during the game. However, we were able to defend as a team, so I didn't particularly feel any difficulty."

(Was there any instruction from Coach Hasegawa after the opponent's player was sent off in the 16th minute of the second half?)
"There were no specific instructions during the scene of the player's dismissal, but at halftime, we were reminded to be aware that it was our opening match and to challenge ourselves more. In fact, we were able to change the flow of the game in the second half, which led to a result of 3 points."

Jael
"I am very happy to have scored. I thought today's match was an important one as it was the home opener. I'm really glad we were able to win that match."

(I have been playing for a long time in the Levain Cup, but this is my first time playing in the league. I think my condition is gradually improving.)
"My condition is good because I have been training since Brazil. Coming to Japan, the soccer here is very different from Brazil, so I feel it is important to quickly adapt to Japanese soccer. In addition, I hope to contribute to the team by showcasing my strengths."

(Getting used to it)
"Little by little"

(Comment for next week)
"The next league match will be against Nagoya, who are currently in first place. If we don't win here, we won't be able to move up. Today's match was important, but the next one will be even more crucial. Starting tomorrow, we will resume training and I want to prepare thoroughly for the next match."

"Tokyo - Summary of Coach Kenta HASEGAWA's Press Conference"
"I'm glad we were able to win somehow. We had a lot of supporters come and we were able to give them a victory. However, the performance itself was not praiseworthy, and we should reflect on the fact that we couldn't effectively attack against Sagan Tosu, who were reduced to 10 men. But the desire of the whole team to win the home opener led to the own goal by the opponent, and the second goal was a fantastic goal. Still, it was a very big thing to score against Sagan Tosu, who we couldn't score against in two draws last season, and to grab 3 points at home. We have back-to-back matches coming up, so we want to switch our mindset and fight."

(It took more than 30 minutes to score a goal after the opponent was reduced to 10 players)
"(Tagawa) Kyosuke had concerns about his physical condition as he was recovering from an injury. In this case, (Nagai) Kensuke was substituted early, so that was about the limit of his playing time. We couldn't score against the opponent who defended well and couldn't break through Tosu's defensive block, so we brought in the new force, Jael. In the end, we put (Kubo) Takefusa in the attacking midfield position to receive the ball in a place where the opponent didn't like, and the game changed. We were able to create a cross and lead to an own goal by breaking down the opponent's defense."

(What is Kubo's evaluation?)
"The opponent was cautious in the first half, and both Matsuda on the left side and Takahashi in the midfield were also taking care, so I didn't have much freedom. The opponent's movements slowed down a bit, and I was able to play my usual game after moving to the attacking midfield position. There were also great shots and good assists. First of all, I was able to produce results in the form of assists, so I hope to expect goals next."

(The status of Nagai's injury and the impact it had on the team)
"I don't know the details yet, but I don't think it's a major injury. There was a sign from him that continuing would be impossible. Kyosuke Tagawa did well, but it was difficult for him to switch to defense."

"Sagan Tosu Lluis CARRERAS Press Conference Summary"
"It is very difficult to talk immediately after this defeat, but we respect Tokyo as a strong opponent. We believe that the impact of the expulsion on the team was significant. Everyone, including myself and the players, can make mistakes. There were many fans who came from far away, and we are sorry to have made them feel sad. However, if we continue like this, we believe that we will definitely achieve victory, so please wait for it."

(In a situation with one less player from the 15th minute of the second half. What instructions did you give?)
"The things we need to do remain the same, form a compact defense and attack. Of course, with one less player, the midfield needs to work even harder. There was a change there. Of course, losing is frustrating, but their fighting spirit was very good today. It is important to continue in the future. Tokyo is a strong team, and I don't think they had a comfortable play on the pitch. They had 1 win and 1 draw in the two matches. The result came out because they have the ability. However, I don't think they deserved to win today."