<Match Review>
After completing the first half of the J1 League season, we faced Shonan Bellmare in the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup just 3 days later. Our opponent was V-Varen Nagasaki. In the rainy and humid weather of Nagasaki, we took to the pitch with the goal of advancing to the round of 16.
The goalkeeper position was filled by Go HATANO, and Yuto NAGATOMO returned from national team duties to play as the right fullback. Masato MORISHIGE partnered with Henrique TREVISAN in the center back position. Keigo HIGASHI took on the role of anchor, while Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE were lined up as the inside halves, just like in the Shonan match. Adailton was positioned in the center of the forward line, Kazuya KONNO on the right wing, and Leandro on the left wing.
From the beginning, Tokyo pushed forward. After creating a situation to finish in front of the opponent's goal, they effectively utilized the space on the right side, and in the 3rd minute of the first half, Watanabe broke free and delivered a cross. Leandro, who was waiting on the far side, unleashed a powerful volley, sending the ball into the left corner of the goal, successfully giving Tokyo the lead. After that, they created numerical superiority on the sides and pressed towards the opponent's goal, but in the midst of that, they were caught off guard by a single chance. In the 14th minute of the first half, after being broken through on the left side and receiving a sharp cross in front of the goal, the ball was not met directly, but the ball that flowed to the right side was powerfully pushed in by Ryohei YAMAZAKI, equalizing the score. After that, Tokyo maintained possession of the ball. They switched sides while advancing the ball deep into the opponent's territory, looking for an opportunity as the opponent's slide was delayed. They struggled against Nagasaki's quick counterattacks after losing the ball, but as time went on, their pressing back in midfield and quicker approaches to the ball effectively stifled any counterattacks. Towards the end of the first half, when it seemed they had begun to control the game, in the 31st minute, a pass was sent behind the defensive line, and a shot taken by YAMAZAKI in front of the right side of the goal was blocked by Go HATANO. However, when they cleared the resulting corner kick, Taisei ABE struck a powerful long shot, allowing the opponent to take the lead.
Tokyo, who is behind, pushes the opponent with Konno's dribble breakthrough, but they cannot create a decisive situation. Just when it seemed that the first half would end, in the 45+1 minute, Konno's dribble breakthrough on the right side caused the opponent to commit a handball and won a free kick. Leandro's player put a sharp ball in front of the goal, and the ball that the opponent's goalkeeper bounced off went to Adailton, who was on the far side. Adailton, who took one touch, powerfully shot the ball into the right corner of the goal and equalized the game.
In the second half, both teams created good opportunities from the early stages. In the 4th minute of the second half, Tokyo's Adailton made a looping pass behind the opponent's defense line, allowing Watanabe to break free and face the goalkeeper one-on-one. However, although he managed to lift the ball over the goalkeeper, it went over the goal. In the 7th minute of the second half, they gave Nagasaki a good chance. Ibarbo broke free behind the defense and headed towards the goal unmarked. However, in perfect timing, Go Hatano closed the distance and blocked the shot with his body. After both teams created chances, Tokyo maintained possession and continued to attack in the opponent's half. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Watanabe received a pass from Leandro, dribbled past one defender, and took a shot, but it was thwarted by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper. While taking care of the opponent's counterattacks, Tokyo held most of the possession and pressed towards the opponent's goal, but they couldn't break through the well-organized defense in front of the goal, leading the match into extra time.
In the 4th minute of the first half of extra time, Ogawa, who had moved to right back, put the ball behind the opponent and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had entered the game at the beginning of extra time, broke through and scored with a one-touch shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. As the game went into extra time, Tokyo had even more time to play in the opponent's half. They stopped the opponent's attacks at an early stage and launched thick attacks, but they couldn't break through as easily as in the second half. Then, in the additional time of the first half of extra time, Cristiano, who had cut in from the left side just outside the penalty area, couldn't stop his dribble and allowed a powerful shot to be scored in the top right corner, giving the opponent the lead.
In the second half of extra time, we moved the ball wide and created opportunities on the side to attack the opponent who was holding the center. We were vulnerable to counterattacks due to our aggressive play, but we managed to block them with our bodies. In the final minutes, we continuously put sharp crosses into the opponent's goal area, but unfortunately, we couldn't convert them. In the closing moments of the game, we created several chances from set pieces, but we were unable to score and lost 2-3.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: We approached this tournament with very high motivation. In today’s match, we were able to dominate the game from start to finish. We created many chances, but in football, there are times when you still can’t win. I believe we significantly outnumbered the opponent not only in ball possession but also in clear chances. In that sense, I can only be grateful for the players’ performance today. However, things like this can happen in football. Of Nagasaki’s three goals, two were long-range shots from outside the penalty area. In that regard, I want to commend Nagasaki. I wish them further success in the Emperor’s Cup. While our elimination is a blow, what hurts even more is Henrique’s injury. It is a very serious injury for us. We pray for his speedy recovery.
Q: What were you conscious of in terms of strategy during the second half, considering the possibility of extra time?
A: First, we fought with the hope of deciding the match within the 90 minutes until the very end. If that proved difficult, we aimed to settle the game during extra time by making multiple substitutions. Since the team was functioning well, there was no need to make more substitutions than necessary in the second half. Given how well the team was performing, it wouldn’t have been surprising if we had scored an additional goal. It was actually a strange development that we didn’t. Because the team was working effectively, I believed we could decide the match in the remaining time of the second half. Then, during extra time, we made substitutions according to the players’ fatigue levels.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoma WATANABE Player＞
Q: Was the scene that led to the opening goal executed as planned?
A: The team's aim was to lure the center backs out to the sides. Even if the ball doesn't come to you, I think it's important to run into that space, and I believe that my running there led to the goal.
Q: What was the reason for not being able to score one more point in the second half after the game was tied 2-2?
A: I had more opportunities to face forward in the midfield, and I took several shots as well. It is necessary to finish those chances properly.
Q, despite being eliminated from the Emperor's Cup, please tell us your enthusiasm for the future league.
A: It's already over, so I want to switch my focus and aim to achieve a higher position in the league.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, please reflect on the game despite the frustrating defeat.
A, I think we started the game well and were able to score. As we tried to press on from there, we conceded a goal due to light defending and careless mistakes, which led to us being overturned. It was good that we managed to equalize once, but I think the outcome might have been different if we had created a few more decisive chances in the second half.
We held possession of the ball longer, but I think it was a match where we struggled to break down their defense.
Q, I think the idea at the end has always been a challenging part.
A, I think we need to repeatedly initiate plays in front of the goal and increase the number of opportunities ourselves. I believe the tempo picked up and the flow changed when Takahagi came on, but we must not rely solely on players with ideas; the entire team needs to share the vision and ideas, and steadily improve through training.
Q, the next game is coming soon. Please let us know your enthusiasm.
A, we lost, and the Emperor's Cup is over. I think we have no choice but to switch our mindset now, and since the next match will be the first game of the second half of the league, I want to channel today's frustration and aim for a higher position, so I want to fight to express that feeling through my play.
<Go HATANO>
Q, how did you feel about fighting in a situation where there were few chances towards the end?
A, in the second half, with goals hard to come by, I was playing while thinking about how I could help the team. I had somewhat anticipated this kind of match development, so I feel frustrated that I couldn’t help the team in that situation.
Q, with the league match coming up in 3 days.
A, first I will return to Tokyo and take some time to reflect on today, then prepare thoroughly for the league match and get involved in the game.
Q, please tell us about the aspects that the coach expects from you, such as being the foundation of individual defense range and attack.
A, what the coach expects from me offensively is simply to connect the play, and I think I have been able to do that to some extent. Defensively, I am asked to make saves that can rescue the team. In that regard, I was not able to respond today, so I feel that this is an area where I need to grow personally. I want to improve further.
