<Match Review>
After returning to the team, Yuto NAGATOMO and Kuryu MATSUKI, who were active in the national team, played their first league match in a while, sandwiched between the third group stage match of the Levain Cup. In April, Tokyo will have a tight schedule of 7 matches in just 2-3 days, including postponed matches. The start of this schedule was a series of matches against three clubs, Yokohama F.Marinos, Vissel Kobe, and Urawa Reds, who are participating in the AFC Champions League (ACL).
The first match is against Yokohama FM at their home ground. The opponent has positioned this match as a commemorative game for their 30th anniversary and has approached it with great determination as a club. Despite having a high number of matches due to the concentrated schedule of the ACL, they are currently ranked higher than Tokyo in the standings. It is also a match to repay the debt from the tough defeat in the previous season.
Only one position change in the Tokyo lineup from the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. Henrique TREVISAN was used as the left full-back, replacing Ryoya OGAWA.
Both teams, with similar styles of high pressing, short counters, and ball possession, were able to fully display their strengths. At the start, it seemed like Yokohama FM was dominating, but Tokyo was able to shake them up with their precise passing and wide attacks. Right winger Kazuya KONNO, who was the starting point, frequently switched sides and used left winger Adailton to threaten Yokohama FM's goal. However, while both teams were able to bring the ball into the penalty area, it was Tokyo who conceded the first goal. In the 8th minute of the first half, a cross from the deep right side was unable to be marked and was headed in by Takuma NISHIMURA.
However, Tokyo quickly counterattacks. In the 12th minute of the first half, just 4 minutes after conceding a goal, they pressed high as the opponent moved the ball in their defense line, and Diego OLIVEIRA took the ball. He then launched a short counterattack, passing to the space on the right side with a numerical advantage. Shuto ABE, who had run up to the front, controlled the ball and calmly scored a goal against the goalkeeper, equalizing the score. In the 18th minute of the first half, Yasuki KIMOTO passed the ball through to the space on the right side, where Yuto NAGATOMO ran through and headed towards the goal. Despite having teammates in front of the goal, NAGATOMO aimed for a shot but narrowly missed the target.
In the middle of the first half, Tokyo continued to create chances without loosening their high press, as the opponent held onto the ball. In the 21st minute, Konno made a fierce press on the opponent's pass between defenders, cutting off the ball. The goalkeeper stopped the 1-on-1 shot, and the second and third shots were blocked by the resilient Yokohama FM defense, with Diego and Adailton also pressing. In the 33rd minute, Abe stole the ball near the halfway line on the left side, and Diego carried it to the front line. The ball was moved to Konno on the opposite side, and he took a left-footed shot from his favorite area, but it went just above the left corner of the goal. Matsuki quickly stole the ball from the goal kick and immediately took a shot, but it missed to the right of the goal.
Both teams made substitution cards at halftime. Tokyo replaced Adailton with Kensuke Nagai. It was predicted that there would be intense battles in the midfield from the start, but they were caught off guard for a moment. In the 1st minute of the second half, the space behind Enrique was targeted, and the ball was crossed deep into the left side, where it was met by Anderson LOPES and scored. Tokyo, who wanted to counterattack, intensified their pressing from the front line, but they were unable to break through the opponent's passing play. As the scenes of Tokyo entering deep into the opponent's territory increased gradually, Tokyo made substitution cards to seize the momentum. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Hirotaka Mita was substituted for Konno, and Ryoma Watanabe was substituted for Takuya Aoki.
As they move the ball with few touches and increase the tempo of their passing, right winger Mita and left winger Nagai are able to create opportunities to threaten the opponent's goal. However, in the 30th minute of the second half, Matsuki receives his second warning and is sent off. This disrupts the beginning of their offensive and in a numerical disadvantage, they attempt to turn the situation around by substituting Keita YAMASHITA for Abe towards the end. However, they are unable to calm the ball and launch an attack, and the game ends with a one-point difference.
Although we missed the victory, in the first half we created more chances than our opponents and showed our growth as a team on the pitch. We have back-to-back games in just 3 days. We will switch our focus to the next match at home in Ajinomoto Stadium and continue to prepare for the battle against Vissel Kobe.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: We started a bit nervously for about 5 to 10 minutes and conceded a goal during that period. Also, an inappropriate yellow card was issued immediately after the match began. However, the team reacted well afterward. Even in the first half alone, we took seven shots and created many chances.
I think the opponent intended to take a central position with the side back and create a numerical advantage in the center. In that situation, we were able to create many chances by quickly transitioning between offense and defense to the space behind the side back. That was the development of the first half, I think.
And immediately after the start of the second half, we made a mistake and allowed the opponent's wing to be free, resulting in a goal against us. However, the team reacted well afterwards, recovered, and was able to create chances. The 10 players left on the pitch fought until the end, aiming for a draw and a victory. I am truly proud of their attitude.
Soccer always comes with results. I naturally accept that. Regardless of today's match result, I want the players to always show the fighting spirit they demonstrated on the pitch from now on, and I believe that is the path we should continue to pursue. This season, I want us to keep growing even more.
Q: There was a discussion about the pace of play in yesterday's press conference, but I believe that Yokohama FM was faster in terms of pace of play compared to their opponents in today's match. Is it safe to say that Tokyo wants to match the pace of play they showed against this opponent?
A: Regarding today's match, I don't think so. I believe today's game developed with the wings playing the leading role. Marinos also deployed wide wings to create chances from there. And we also made good use of our wings, especially in the first half, creating many chances.
In today's match, I think ball possession rate and pace of play were of low importance. I believe Marinos is a team characterized by speedy attacks utilizing their wingers, and they demonstrated that.
[Player Interview]
<Shuto ABE>
Q, what do you think about the parts where you were able to do well against Yokohama FM, how do you reflect on them?
A, in the first half, we were in good shape, winning the ball up front and executing short counters effectively. At halftime, I was told that the stats showed we had 7 shots while the opponent had only 1, so I thought we could continue like that in the second half. However, at the start of the second half, I made a passing mistake which was intercepted, leading to a counterattack goal against us, and I feel that the momentum broke there.
Q: In the second half, why did we become unable to advance as much as in the first half or unable to possess the ball?
A, we talked about pressing from the front even at halftime, but Marinos changed their positioning and such, so we struggled with that.
Q: Is the part where Abe player was overturned when he aimed for a pass in the scene of the second goal conceded a point of reflection, which is the goal for this season?
A, I was aiming for Nagai, but considering Nagai's characteristics, I think I should have played the ball behind him rather than at his feet. If I had made the right decision, I don't think the ball would have been taken away there, so I need to reflect on my judgment mistake. Also, if I am going to play it at his feet, I need to be more precise in delivering the pass.
Q: Did you score your first goal of the season as planned?
A: The short counterattack is Tokyo's style, and the fact that the inside half can move out there is also a strength of this team. We had a similar situation in the Hiroshima match but missed it, so this was a good improvement.
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q, please reflect on the entire game, including the parts where we were able to compete against the strong Marinos and the parts where we conceded goals.
A, we conceded early in the first half, which made the match difficult. Also, despite having many chances ourselves, we couldn't finish them off. I feel that is where the cause of the defeat lies. I also feel responsible.
Q: As a style to aim for, do you think high-tempo soccer like today's will be a benchmark for the future?
A, there were parts that went well with the high-tempo, speedy attacks and short counters, but I also think we needed time to hold onto the ball and calm things down. From the first half, we rushed forward too much, lost the ball, and faced counterattacks. I hope that as a team, each player can make clearer decisions on when to go for short counters and when to maintain possession.
Q, do you feel like you have adapted to Marinos' style of play?
A, there were some aspects like that. Our team also has speedy wingers, and I think the part about aiming behind the defense was good. Marinos is also a team skilled at targeting behind the defense, and I felt that their ability to break down opponents using the midfield makes them one of the top teams in the J.League. That’s why I think if we had more time to maintain possession today, the game might have unfolded differently.
Q, how do you feel about the group stage draw for the World Cup?
A: We can play against the best opponents on the greatest stage, the World Cup. Of course, it will be tough, but the qualifiers are challenging no matter which country you face.
I have also played in 134 matches for the national team and have competed against most of the top countries. Spain and Germany are two countries that I have never played against in the 134 matches, and I truly believe that they are strong contenders to win the World Cup. Being able to compete against such teams in a serious match is an experience that not many soccer players can have, and I feel that it holds great significance for the Japanese soccer world to be able to show the fans and supporters an intense match.
If we aim for the best 8, we have to face strong teams in the best 16 or the group stage, and if we can't win there, we won't achieve our goal, so I believe we are being tested.
<Hirotaka MITA>
Q, please tell us what you felt during the match.
A, Yokohama FM is a team that has been playing in this style for a long time. We have been working on it since this year, but I think that difference allowed them to take control of the match.
Q: I think we were able to launch a good attack after taking the ball, but do you also feel a sense of accomplishment?
A, watching from the bench in the first half, I felt there were many scenes where the ball we took was easily taken back by the opponent. When I came on, I tried to manage the time well and take care of the ball, but I feel there were both successful and unsuccessful moments. I think this is also a challenge for the team as a whole.
Q, what did you try to change when you came on as a substitute?
A, I played on the right side until we were down to ten men, and I think I was able to enter the match with good momentum, creating an atmosphere where the flow seemed to be shifting in our favor.
However, the expulsion of Kuryu Matsuki is the responsibility of everyone, and I believe that even after becoming 10 people, the attitude of going to steal from the front line together with everyone did not change.
That is something the coach constantly emphasizes, and it is also the style of play the team is aiming for this year, so it was good that we were able to show that even with 10 players.
Q, in April we have back-to-back matches, with only 3 days of rest before facing Kobe at Ajinomoto Stadium. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, I truly believe this April will be an all-out battle. Everyone will prepare well and fight together, facing the same direction. We will definitely win at home.
Kensuke NAGAI
Q, how did you watch the matches until you participated?
A, the defensive line was a bit low, and we were not able to press from the front. I think the time we held onto the ball after taking it from the opponent was short.
Q: What instructions did you receive from the coach when you played?
A, I was told to defend from the front line. I thought that unless we pressed twice, we wouldn’t be able to take the ball from the opponent, and if we defended too deep in our own half, the ball would often be taken away immediately after we won it, like in the first half, so I made an effort to defend from the front line.
We need to reflect on the fact that we conceded a goal early in the match, but I also want to improve my accuracy individually to be able to score the second goal.
Q: You were able to carry the ball to a deep position, but what was missing to score a goal?
A, there is also an issue with individual accuracy, and I think it is necessary to increase the number of attempts. It is important to be particular about it from practice, and if I can connect one pass, I believe a change will occur within myself. I want to increase the number of times I enter the penalty area heading toward the goal and pose a threat to the opponent.
Q, what kind of unity did you have on the pitch after being one player down?
A, I told them to press from the front so that the defensive line wouldn't drop back. There were several dangerous moments, but they defended without conceding until the end, so I want to build up our strength to be able to equalize next time.
