Match Review
Having secured a 3-0 victory in the away game four days earlier, FC Tokyo once again faced FC Machida Zelvia at home in Ajinomoto Stadium. For the rematch just three days later, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI made five changes to the starting lineup.
At the back, Kim Seung-gyu, returning from duties with the South Korea national team, was selected. The defensive line from right to left consisted of Sei MUROYA, Alexander Scholz, Hayato INAMURA, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who made his first start of the season. The central midfield duo was Kouta TOKIWA and Kei KOIZUMI, with Keita ENDO on the left and Megumu SATO on the right in midfield. Up front, Marcelo and Ryunosuke SATO, returning from the Japan national team, formed the two-striker partnership at kickoff.
1st―Creating Chances Through Tactical Play Without Losing Intensity in Offense and Defense
Once again, the blue and red took control of the match. Showing neither complacency nor carelessness from their victory four days earlier, they threatened Machida’s goal with a seamless battle of attack and defense, circulating ball possession and recovery.
In the 5th minute of the first half, Endo aimed for a return pass from Muroya, who received the ball deep on the right side, but it hit an opposing defender and did not lead to a goal. Then, in the 14th minute of the first half, a sharp attack gained momentum with passes connecting between Tokiwara, Ryunosuke Sato, and Megumu Sato, and finally Endo aimed for the goal, but the shot was off target.
In the 22nd minute of the first half, Scholz advanced with the ball and made a vertical pass, allowing RIAN to face forward. After exchanging passes with Keito Sato, he aimed with the tip of his right foot, but the shot went straight to the goalkeeper.
As the tactical battle with the opponent prolonged, the goal remained elusive, and the match went into halftime at 0-0.
2nd―Continued intense battle but lost in the penalty shootout, earning only 1 point
In the second half, Tokyo switched the positions of Keigo Sato and Ryu Sato to make a strategic move. However, Machida, eager to avoid consecutive losses, increased the pressure and attacked Tokyo’s goal. In the 9th minute of the second half, after conceding an interception, Soma took a shot. Sungyu made a great save here to prevent a goal.
In the 16th minute of the second half, KASHIWASU sent in a cross from the left side, and SATO Kei connected with a header, but it hit the crossbar.
One minute later, Na SANGHO broke behind the last line and penetrated into the penalty area. The two center backs were drawn out by a kick feint, creating a desperate situation, but Sungyu stood firm again to protect the goal.
At the 18th minute of the second half, with the back-and-forth battle continuing, the Tokyo bench made a move. Replacing Fukasaku, Tokiwa, and Endo, they sent Kento HASHIMOTO, Takahiro KO, and Divine OTANI onto the pitch.
Furthermore, at the 25th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA was brought on to replace Hian. At the 44th minute of the second half, Fuki YAMADA was used as the final substitution, replacing Megumi Sato.
In the final stages of the match, despite facing a fierce attack from Machida, Tokyo repelled it and the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Tokyo's first shooter, Scholz, and third shooter, Takao, missed, while Machida succeeded with four consecutive shots. As a result, Tokyo only managed to earn 1 point from this match and could not close the gap in points with the top-ranked Kashima Antlers.
MATCH DETAILS
Detailed match data is available here
Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q, please give us an overall review of today's match.
A, I think the players gave their best effort until the very end. However, it is very frustrating that we only managed to earn 1 point instead of 3. There is no time to be downhearted, so we must prepare for the next match. This was a very important game in terms of closing the gap with the top team, but the fact that we couldn’t secure the win shows that we still lack some toughness and strength. The season continues, so we want to make good preparations moving forward.
Q, please tell us the intention and evaluation behind deploying Ryunosuke SATO in the forward line.
A, we somewhat anticipated the opponent's pressing from the front line. Within that context, we expected him to advance the ball forward and, by timing it well, to draw the ball out between the lines. Including Marcelo RYAN, if he could play a role as a starting point, we believed the movements of the wide players would become clearer, so we positioned him centrally.
Player Interview
Kashif BANGNAGANDE
Q. It was your first start in a while, so please tell us what you felt you did well and what didn’t go so well personally.
A. It was really my first start in a long time, and it was an important match to see if I could ride a good momentum. Both as a team and individually, we were aiming for the full 3 points, so not being able to get them is frustrating for both the team and myself.
Q, although Kento HASHIMOTO, who competes for the same position, has different characteristics, what mindset did you have going into the match to make the most of your own strengths?
A, based on the result of the previous match, I think I was positioned this time because we expected the opponent to play more long balls. The coach told me, "I want you to actively show your aggressive forward runs in attack; if you can do that, you can push the opponent back." I learn a lot about build-up play from Kento HASHIMOTO and continue to learn daily, but the driving force to aggressively push forward, get involved in the attack, take on opponents myself, and deliver crosses are things I possess that neither Yuto NAGATOMO nor Kento HASHIMOTO have. I tried to bring that out in my play, but it is very frustrating that it did not lead to results.
Q, defensively, it seemed like there were many scenes where the opposite side was being targeted.
A, I reviewed the footage many times before the match, and although the period was short, we prepared in practice by reflecting on the previous game, and I knew it would definitely come. There were moments when a foul saved us, but in the end, I think it was good that we were not scored on. However, I believe there were areas that could have been pursued further.
Q、The result was a loss on penalties, but what aspects do you feel positive about as a team?
A、The day before, Kashima Antlers lost in a penalty shootout, and today was a chance for us to close the points gap if we won, so there is frustration in not being able to win. Earning 1 point instead of 0 in a match like this is something we can build on. The next match after a game like this becomes very important. The consecutive matches have ended, and we have a full week to prepare, so as a team, we want to face the next match without looking down and give it our all.
Q. How do you feel about being in the starting lineup for the first time in a while?
A. It was fun. That’s all there is to it. Now, we need results. I will keep working hard from here on.
Hayato Inamura
Q. I think the match gradually became more difficult, but how did you feel while playing on the pitch?
A. Playing the same opponent within such a short period was challenging for both sides, I believe.The opponent varied the intensity of their pressure, so we couldn’t clearly decide how to attack, which I see as a point for reflection.
Q. It felt like the opponent had prepared quite a bit against us.
A. I felt that my side was being shut down, so I tried to have Alexander SCHOLZ carry the ball. I also communicated this to SCHOLZ, and we were able to create some good opportunities from the right side, so I think that was good. However, the accuracy of the distribution from my side dropped, so that is a personal point for reflection.
Q, Because we couldn’t win this match, the next game becomes even more important.
A, We also watched the Kashima Antlers’ match yesterday, and we knew we absolutely had to earn 3 points today. It’s truly frustrating. However, there are still matches left to play, and I don’t think the content of the game was something to be too discouraged about, so I definitely want to secure 3 points in the next match.
Q. Although the defeat came in the penalty shootout, I think the fact that we were able to earn points was precisely because we kept a clean sheet.
A. Personally, I believe defense is an area I need to work on, and keeping a clean sheet is something I always aim for. So, I think it was good that we managed to keep a clean sheet for two consecutive matches. If you don’t concede, you can’t lose,and right now we are embodying that, so I want to continue doing so.
Divine OTANI
Q. After your promotion,you were given a long playing opportunity for the first time. What did you focus on as you entered the match?
A. First, I focused on not holding the team back defensively, and in attack, I aimed to make the most of my strengths.As I entered the match, I was constantly reminded to target the space behind and to make use of physical duels, so I was especially conscious of those points as I stepped onto the pitch.
Q, You came on during a period when Tokyo was somewhat under pressure, but I think you were able to use your body to hold up play and create space.
A, It was a tough period,and it lasted quite long. At that time, I think if I had acted more as a defensive switch, it might have eased things for the other players around me. Even so, I was able to show my strength in driving the play forward, which is my characteristic, so I believe that will connect to the next opportunity and has given me a bit of confidence.
Q、球際のところでは相手の厳しい寄せに踏ん張り切れなかった場面、逆に踏ん張って前に向けてボールを進められたシーンの両方がありました。
A、自分の特長がそういったプレーで、FC東京U-18の時はそこが全部できていたのですが、トップチームに上がって3か月、練習でもなかなかボールキープのところがうまくいっていませんでした。それでも自分を信じて使ってくれている松橋力蔵監督や仲間たちの期待に応えるためにも、プロとしてやらないといけないですし、自分がメンバーに入ることによってメンバーに入れない選手も出てくるので、もっと責任を持ってプレーしないといけないなと思いました。
Q. In the 43rd minute of the second half, there was a moment when you carried the ball forward yourself and struck it with your left foot. Wasn't that a scene where you really wanted to score, especially since it was difficult to create chances in the second half?
A. That scene truly showcased my strengths.My forward momentum and strong shots with both feet are my greatest weapons. I saw that my teammates were around me, but I felt I could take it myself and decided to shoot. I definitely want to become a player who can finish with a single decisive strike in such moments. Since the goalkeeper was Kosei TANI, I thought I had to aim for a corner to score, but I ended up aiming a bit too much. In academy matches, I could score even without aiming that precisely, but in the professional world, the sense is different. I realized I need to be more conscious in practice and start aligning myself with the standards of a professional player soon.
Q. How will you build on today’s match moving forward?
A. This was the first time since turning professional that I was allowed to play for such a long time, so I was able to get a good sense of it. I still make a lot of mistakes even during practice, so I want to reduce those and contribute more to the team.
