Match Review
The first official match after the break was the Emperor's Cup Round of 16 match against Roasso Kumamoto, where we conceded an early goal and failed to find our rhythm, resulting in a loss. The league resumed after just three days, with another away game involving a long-distance trip. The opponent was Cerezo Osaka, against whom we have played three matches this season, including the Levain Cup, without a single win. Having lost 1-3 to Kashima Antlers before the league break, this match was one where we wanted to stop the consecutive losses in both the league and official competitions.
Determined to secure victory, Tokyo welcomed back their reliable captain Masato MORISHIGE in the starting lineup. Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined during the summer registration period, also started following his appearance in the Emperor's Cup. The goalkeeper position was given to Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, making his J1 League debut. Additionally, Jája Silva, who recently joined the team, was included on the bench.
This season, Cerezo Osaka has only managed to win one away game in the league, making Tokyo very weak in away games. In order to make a comeback in the second half of the season, they will need to overcome their weakness in away games. Cerezo Osaka, who has yet to win in three games this season, has become the perfect opponent to overcome this weakness.
1st HALF—Matsuki’s First League Goal of the Season in a Momentum-Building Start
At the start, the players showed sharp reactions and entered the match with intense focus. The defensive line maintained a high line, pushing up close to the halfway line, while executing coordinated high pressing from the front. They managed to regain possession deep in the opponent’s territory several times and created shooting opportunities.
Maintaining the momentum after taking control, they scored the opening goal in the 8th minute of the first half. After winning a free kick on the left side beyond the halfway line, Yuto NAGATOMO kicked the ball perfectly timed into the space behind the opponent’s defensive line. Diego OLIVEIRA, reading the intention, broke free and received the ball inside the penalty area, shielding it from the opposing defender. As he tried to control the ball, it was poked away by the defender, but Kuryu MATSUKI, who rushed into the penalty area to provide support, picked it up. Wearing number 7, he calmly controlled the ball to shake off the defender and struck it decisively with his left foot, slotting it into the right corner of the goal.
Even after taking the lead, Tokyo continued to control the game for a while, and in the 17th minute of the first half, they ended their attack with consecutive shots. They regained possession deep on the opponent's left side, and Ryoma WATANABE took a shot that mistimed the opposing goalkeeper, but it went wide to the right. When the opponent restarted with a short pass from a goal kick, Diego TABA immediately chased and blocked the clearance. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up the loose ball and cut inside to strike with his right foot, but the opposing goalkeeper reacted and saved it.
The accident occurred in the 21st minute of the first half. During the previously mentioned chance, Diego injured his leg while blocking the opponent's clearance and was unable to continue playing, leading to a substitution with PEROTTI.
Following this substitution, the momentum of the match gradually shifted towards Cerezo Osaka. Unable to stop breakthroughs by Jordy CROUX on the right side and CAPIXABA on the left, they were pushed back and faced frequent dangerous crosses into the penalty area. Even so, in the most critical areas, the defenders threw their bodies to block, and in scenes they couldn’t fully stop, Taishi NOZAWA responded calmly. There were also moments helped by the opponent’s shooting mistakes, and they went into halftime without conceding a goal.
2nd HALF—Despite continuous accidents, we accepted the situation and secured 3 points
In the rain-soaked second half, there was a period where Cerezo Osaka, trailing by one goal at home, pressed forward. Furthermore, at the 5th minute of the second half, defensive midfielder Kei KOIZUMI sat down on the pitch and was substituted. Following the first half, the team continued to face accidents with player substitutions due to injuries.
Before regaining composure through substitutions, the team faced a fierce attack from the opponent. At the 10th and 15th minutes of the second half, they encountered consecutive critical chances; in the former, Taishi Nozawa blocked Maeguma's header with just his right foot, and in the latter, although Watanabe was freely able to break behind the high defensive line, he took a well-aimed lob shot in a one-on-one situation with Taishi Nozawa, but it went wide of the goal, avoiding danger.
The game continued with a test of endurance, but Tokyo fought on without losing their composure. Even when broken down deep on the sides or unable to regain possession in the midfield and beyond for extended periods, everyone maintained a strong commitment to defending in front of the goal. They upheld a formation that ensured players were always positioned near, in front of, and far side of the goal against crosses, making it difficult for the opponent to create clear shooting opportunities.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Yasuki KIMOTO, Shuhei TOKUMOTO, and Jaja, who made his J.League debut, were brought onto the pitch, and the system was changed. They increased the number of players on the sides where they had been on the back foot to deny freedom, and placed the speedy Jaja as the lone forward up front, anticipating counterattacks.
In the final stages, wanting to close out the match with a one-goal lead, they showed a decisive approach to the game. While solidifying the area in front of the goal with five defenders, they also reacted promptly to second balls and thoroughly executed clearances in dangerous areas with clear, decisive plays.
In the final moments of the 5 minutes of added time, Jaja broke free and approached the opponent's goal, creating a chance by forcing a clearance mistake and pushing forward, but was blocked by a defender who desperately returned, preventing an additional goal. Immediately after, the final whistle blew, securing a valuable 3 points away from home—a ground where they usually struggle—and ending their losing streak in official matches.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique Trevisan/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kei KOIZUMI (5th minute second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Keigo HIGASHI (33rd minute second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego Oliveira (21st minute first half: Perotti) (33rd minute second half: Jaja Silva)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (33rd minute second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
FW Adailton
GOAL
8th minute of the first half: Kuryu MATSUKI
<Cerezo Osaka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yan Hanbin
DF Ryosuke SHINDO/Seiya MAIKUMA/Koji TORIUMI/Sho FUNAKI
MF Akira KIDA/Shinji KAGAWA/Jordi KROOKS (22nd minute 2nd half: Masaya SHIBAYAMA)/CAPIXABA
FW Satoki UEJO/Ryo WATANABE (22nd minute 2nd half: Sota KITANO)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Matej JONIC
MF Tokuma SUZUKI/Haruki ARAI/Reiya SAKATA
GOAL
ー
[Comments from Head Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's Press Conference]
Q: please review the game.
A: It was a tough 90 minutes. We had prepared everything, but I think the players worked hard and brought the victory with their hardworking mentality and spirit. However, the important thing is that we were able to secure 3 points together with the fans and supporters who kept cheering throughout the 90 minutes and the additional time. I am happy that we were able to send them home with smiles.
Q: Please tell us about the timing of the system change near the end of the match.
A: Unfortunately, Diego OLIVEIRA got injured around the middle of the first half, and then Kei KOIZUMI was substituted immediately after the start of the second half, leaving us with only one substitution remaining. At that point, we carefully considered the timing of when to make the final substitution and executed it accordingly. Since it was the last substitution, we were conscious of using it at the right moment, aiming to inject fresh energy into the team by bringing in a fresh player while considering the energy levels of those still playing. Cerezo Osaka’s strength lies in switching sides and delivering crosses, and we responded to that well, defending strongly until the very end.
Q: Please evaluate Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who made his J1 League debut.
A: I am very proud. He delivered a performance worthy of a clean sheet, and I think it was a good night for him. He showed a strong mentality and positive aspects to the fullest. I believe this is because the entire goalkeeper group works hard every day. Our team, the group, the players who played here, and those who stayed in Tokyo are all doing their best every day to improve the team. We are currently working step by step, building a strong team through hard work. To become the team we envision, we still have a lot of growth to achieve. To build the team we aim for, dedication like today’s is essential.
Q. Please evaluate Kuryu MATSUKI's growth.
A. He has been doing very well. He has acquired the necessary information as an individual and is also performing very well as a member of the team. I am also inspired by his mentality and dedication. I believe there are still areas he can further refine to become the player he envisions.
[Player Interview]
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, we wanted to control the ball ourselves, but given how the match unfolded, I think it was good that we were able to win such a difficult game.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, the loose ball came to the spot where I had predicted and moved well, so all I had to do was tap it in.
Q, the goal was scored following a quick-start free kick. What was the reason Kuryu MATSUKI was able to take that position?
A, since Keigo HIGASHI was positioned wide, I took up a position just behind the forwards to support Diego OLIVEIRA. The ball rolled perfectly to that spot.
Q: The partner in the double defensive midfield changed between the first and second halves. Please reflect on the differences in defensive roles.
A: In the defensive midfield, it would have been better if we had defended more to prevent opponents from facing forward and recovered more second balls, while also effectively showing ourselves during the build-up of attacks. However, Kei KOIZUMI, Koki TSUKAGAWA, and Keigo HIGASHI communicated well and ran hard, so I feel we were able to fight well as a team.
Q. From around the 30th minute of the second half, it seemed that the team shifted to a formation with more players in the defensive line to hold the lead. What was the team focusing on during that time?
A. First and foremost, not conceding a goal. We had three tall players in front of the goal to clear crosses coming from the sides, and if possible, we aimed to add one more goal through a counterattack by Jája Silva.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: please review the game.
A, today's match was my debut in the J1 League. Although it was an away game, I am filled with gratitude for being able to play in such a wonderful atmosphere. There were few periods when the team performed well as a whole, but my teammates gave their all, especially in defense. I believe their hard work led to our victory.
Q, Today’s match was your J1 League debut. What were you focusing on before the game?
A, I was very excited ahead of my J1 League debut. I am happy that I was able to deliver a victory to those who always support and encourage me. We won the match, but even if it had ended in a draw or loss, it would have been a day without regrets.
Q. Please reflect once again on your performance today.
A. There were few periods during the match when things went well, but I believe that winning and taking a step forward is important for the team. I think difficult matches will continue from now on as well, but I want us to grow step by step as a team.
Q. As the last defender with a high defensive line, what were you conscious of during the game?
I approached the game with the consciousness of leaving the space behind the defense line to me, and we were able to communicate well. I think it was good that I was able to make aggressive plays. I was able to judge when to move forward and when to hold back, and it was good that we were able to finish the game without conceding any goals.
Q, please tell us if there were any points you consciously corrected starting from the Roasso Kumamoto match.
A, I focused on increasing the tempo of play and creating situations where the team could push up from the back line to enable pressing from the front. I believe that my future challenge is to encourage the team more from the back to firmly take control and dominate both defensively and offensively. In the Kumamoto match, we were reactive in every aspect, so I consciously aimed to take the initiative.
<Jája Silva>
Q, congratulations on your J.League debut.
A, thank you very much. I was eager to get on the field soon, and I’m very glad that I was able to actually play in the match and also earn 3 points.
Q, although it was a short time, what kind of play did you imagine when you entered the game?
A, unfortunately my playing time was short, but I followed Coach CKLAMOVSKI's instructions carefully and wanted to contribute to the team by helping my teammates. Although it was a short time, this is the beginning of my journey in the J-League, and I want to steadily increase my playing time. Above all, I am very happy that we were able to secure the victory today.
Q, you came very close to scoring a goal near the end of the match.
A, it is disappointing and frustrating that I couldn't score, but I carried the ball forward from the midfield position, was stopped by the goalkeeper, and blocked by defenders, yet I was able to show my strong play. I want to make sure to score on the next opportunity.
Q, This was your first match and your first victory. Please tell us your honest feelings.
It is very pleasing to have earned 3 points in the first match in the J-League. This week, the team has been working hard in training, so it's good to see the results.
Q. Next week will be Jája Silva's first home game, and the team will also return to our “home” after about a month. Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A. I've heard that the atmosphere at the stadium is really great, and since so many fans and supporters came all the way to this distant away game today, I imagine the home games must be even more amazing. I am very much looking forward to playing at Tokyo’s “home.”
