GAME RESULTMatch Results

Sec. 7 2019/4/14 (Sun)
Attendance 38,414 people 
Weather: Cloudy, weak temperature 20.0 degrees, humidity 34% 
Referee: Ryuji SATO Assistant Referee: Takumi TAKAGI / Masashi YAMAGIWA Fourth Official: Takuto OKABE

J1 Sec. 7

Ajinomoto

HOME

FC Tokyo

3-1

Match ended

First Half3-0

Second half0-1

AWAY

Kashima Antlers

FC Tokyo Kashima Antlers
05' Kensuke NAGAI
16' Diego OLIVEIRA
29' Diego OLIVEIRA
Scorer 55' Leo Silva
59' Kensuke NAGAI → Jael
68' Takefusa KUBO → Kotaro OMORI
90'+4 Diego OLIVEIRA → Makoto OKAZAKI
Player substitution 45'+1 Itsuki ODA → Kentaro MITSUYA
46' Leandro → Yuki ABE
71' Serginho → Kazuma YAMAGUCHI
7 Shoot 8
6 CK 12
11 FK 13
Warning
Expulsion
FC Tokyo Starting
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 Substitute
GK 1 Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF 6 Kosuke OTA
DF 32 Tsuyoshi WATANABE
MF 17 Na SANGHO
MF 29 Makoto OKAZAKI
MF 39 Kotaro OMORI
FW 16 Jael
Kashima Antlers starting lineup
GK 21 Sogahata Jun
DF 23 Itsuki ODA
DF 39 Tomoya INUKAI
DF 28 Machida Hiroki
DF 22 Koki ANZAI
MF 6 Ryota NAGAKI
MF 4 Leo SILVA
MF 11 Leandro
MF 8 Shoma DOI
FW 15 Sho ITO
FW 18 SERGINHO
Kashima Antlers substitute
GK 29 Shinichiro Kawamata
DF 27 BUENO
MF 20 Kenji Mitsukuri
MF 41 Ryohei SHIRASAKI
MF 10 Yuki Abe
FW 19 Kazuma YAMAGUCHI
FW 14 Takeshi KANAMORI

[Highlight Video]

[Player and Coach Comments]

Kensuke NAGAI
(The opening goal was a goal that greatly pulled the win)
"The start of the game was very good, and it was good that I was able to score in the first chance."

(I think it was a battle according to our plan)
"Since it was a home game, we talked about going forward no matter what kind of ball comes from Diego OLIVEIRA. After taking the lead, we were able to go forward, so I think we were able to play according to our plan."

(It was a goal from a flowing counterattack for Diego OLIVEIRA's second goal)
"I was able to make a good through pass considering the timing, strength, and course. Diego OLIVEIRA was able to break free and score from the switch, but he was just really skilled in the final moment."

(There was also a wonderful pass from Kubo)
I was expecting a pass from Kubo, so I checked the position of the opponent's center back. Since there was no one around me, all I had to do was watch Diego OLIVEIRA's movement.
I think there were coordinated plays from the attacking team throughout.

(Today, I was able to score my 50th goal in J1)
"The ball from Ogawa was very good. As East player closed in near me, I was able to connect well. This is my first heading goal since coming to Tokyo."

(Today, two starting FWs were able to score goals)
"Before the game started, we talked about how it would be great if Diego OLIVEIRA and I could score goals together. In the end, we were both able to score goals and I'm really happy about it."


Akihiro HAYASHI
(He showed a very frustrated expression in the scene of conceding a goal)
"We conceded a goal because we couldn't react to the situation. By creating that situation early in the game, we left the possibility of putting ourselves at a disadvantage, so I think it was a waste."

(After that, he was defending the goal with passionate plays. In the scene where he made a save with his face, it seemed like he had already moved one step towards the near side)
"I felt the possibility of the opposing forward touching the ball first, so my body reacted. I'm glad I was able to stop it."

(Is it something that can be stopped without touching it?)
"I made sure to move my body properly, paying attention only to not reflexively avoid it. I'm relieved that I was able to defend the goal with my whole body."

(It became a difficult score of 3-1. It was impressive to see the players being actively encouraged)
"Since there was a lot of time to endure, the challenge was how to continue that time. I think the second half was a situation where we had to endure for a long time, so I frequently talked to the defense about adjusting their positions in order to defend until the end."
We were able to continue playing without losing concentration even after conceding a goal. We wanted to effectively maintain the score of 3-0 a little longer. There were also times when we were pushed back by Kashima's momentum. We want to use the attacks we received in the second half as nourishment and make use of them in the next game."

(In terms of calling out, I also frequently called out to players on the opposite side)
"There are agreements in defense with the DF line, and from my position where I can see from the back, I try to communicate."
Towards the end of the match, when the FW player cannot come back, it is necessary to clarify who will replace them and how to prevent it. We want to be able to respond flexibly depending on the situation.
Anyone can praise, but we need to create a relationship where we can deliberately say tough things during the game. I think that kind of stance tightens the team, and I want to maintain this tension and prepare for the next.


"Masato MORISHIGE Player"
(The key to the second half battle)
"First of all, don't panic. We were able to score 3 goals in the first half, so we expected the second half to unfold like that."
We cannot play the same way as in the first half for the entire 90 minutes, so if I were to be greedy, I was thinking it would be nice to let them attack in that way and be able to make a few counterattacks.
"We wanted to secure 3 points no matter what, so we ended up adopting a defensive approach with all 11 players, but it wasn't necessarily a bad way to play."

(There was no anxiety in terms of defending. I felt the team's tenacity)
"In the future, there may be situations where we play like we did in the second half today when it gets hot, so we were all talking about the importance of staying calm and defending together once we decide to defend. There was no sign of panic on the pitch."

(This season, we are undefeated at home at Ajinomoto Stadium)
"What's important is that, at this point, we haven't achieved anything yet and that we are always challengers."
I don't want to repeat the same thing as last season, so when we are winning, I want everyone to gradually exert their Prifoods.S power.
If everyone tries to do their best after the team falls apart, it will require many times more power. In order to continue winning, it is necessary for the entire team to come together, share their opinions, and fight in unity."

"Tokyo - Summary of Coach Kenta HASEGAWA's Press Conference"
"It was great to win in front of many fans and supporters at home."
In the first half, we were very good, but I think Kashima also had fatigue from the ACL. Among that, being able to score three goals became a big point that allowed us to hold on until the end.
At halftime, I told the players that Kashima is not like this. It is not easy to regroup and restart the game even after conceding three goals. I witnessed firsthand that they are truly a club that won the ACL last year and has won numerous titles in the past.
Although we conceded one goal in the second half, I believe that our efforts and determination prevented us from conceding a second goal. If we had conceded a second goal, it would have potentially led to a third goal and possibly even a comeback from Kashima, which I felt their strength.
I wanted to bring in Jael and push back the game, thinking that I couldn't just defend. There were some parts that didn't go as planned, but I think the players who won did a good job, and we have a match against Hiroshima, who are in good shape, in four days. I want to prepare well again."

(The second half was all about defense. However, around the 80th minute, player Higashi made an impressive scene by aggressively stealing the ball)
"Higashi, Takahagi, and Omori worked hard in the midfield to push back. Higashi's captaincy, his determination for this game, and his willingness to fight dirty before the match were all greatly felt. His presence was quite significant."

(Okubo was substituted in the middle of the game)
"Maybe he hit his head during the contact. After that, the intensity dropped, so I wanted to push back by putting Omori in, and Okubo gave me a sign to substitute himself. I haven't heard the details yet, so I can't say anything, but for now, I think he's fine."

(Kubo player also contributed to the starting point of two long counters)
"In the first half, he showed impeccable play. In defense, he played without hesitation even when matched up against national team players. Despite the schedule of playing in the Levain Cup and then having only three days of rest, he played solidly and also made plays that led to goals. I think he had a great performance today as well."

"Kashima - Coach Go OIWA Press Conference Summary"
"As you all saw, the first half was the whole game. The first goal conceded. In the past few games, we have been conceding goals at the start of the game and in the second half. There is a balance between making the players aware and overthinking it, and I think our approach may have been too aggressive."
This is only hindsight, but I think we were a little lacking in being careful and taking positions to counter the opponent's momentum. I regret that it led to conceding a goal and that the first half was everything.

(Is it because we were overwhelmed by the opponent's momentum until the scene of conceding a goal?)
"We were aware that the opponent would come out with great momentum. We were lacking in positioning to turn that around, as well as in our response in certain situations. Our response to cross balls was also lacking, I think we were a bit careless."

(Kashima was unable to break the space, but was Tokyo's defense strong, or was Kashima tired?)
"Condition will be my own management, so I feel that I need to reflect on it firmly. However, I attached great importance to this match and discussed the way Tokyo's defense plays, including analysis, and how to firmly attack their weak points."
However, it felt like our attacks became biased towards the center due to conceding goals. To neutralize their pressure, it is necessary to naturally run into spaces, but our inability to do so is our own problem.
First, we need to take positioning to create running space. There was little coordination and movement. If the cause is that the body is heavy, it may be a failure of my management, or if the players are confused, we need to reorganize how to create and enter the space."