<Match Review>
With only 3 matches left in the first half of the league, the second match of the consecutive games was played away against Shimizu S-Pulse with only 3 days of rest. Tokyo, who has been struggling to win in May, aims for a victory in this match, which is their first since the match against Gamba Osaka on Apr 29 (Sat, Holiday). Considering the consecutive games, coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA made some changes to the lineup from the previous match.
Keigo HIGASHI, who showed a great play in the Levain Cup match against Avispa Fukuoka, started as an anchor. Hotaka NAKAMURA was appointed as the right back. In the front line, Ryoma WATANABE played as the right wing, and Kensuke NAGAI played as the left wing.
At the start, Tokyo tries to put pressure on the opponent from the front towards the ball side. They move the ball to the side and put numbers on it, aiming for the timing when the opponent's defensive line is in a high position, and attempt to attack by putting the ball behind them. When the ball is pulled out by the player in the deep position of their own team and moved with few touches to create a rhythm, the surrounding players enter to support at an exquisite distance and peel off the opponent's press. In the 8th minute of the first half, Kuryu MATSUKI receives the ball in the gap in Shizuoka's midfield and dribbles forward. When the opponent's final line drops and responds, MATSUKI takes a bold shot at the middle. The shot, which was deflected by Diego OLIVEIRA, hit the left post.
After that, the scene continues where the opponent's fast-paced attack is pushed into their own territory, and in the 20th minute of the first half, a cross ball from the right side is touched by Thiago SANTANA with one touch in front of the goal, but the shot hits the right post. A good opportunity just after avoiding a pinch. In the 22nd minute of the first half, the defense line of the opponent is not organized, and a through pass is sent from Inagaki to Diego in the center. This is cut off by the opponent's defender, but Shuto ABE, who was closing in, collects the second ball and passes it to Matsuki, who has come into the left side of the penalty area, and Matsuki takes a shot with his left foot, but it is blocked by the opponent's defender.
As the first half drew to a close, the opponent's coordinated pressing and elimination of passing lanes made it difficult for us to smoothly build up our attacks, resulting in missed passes and turnovers in the midfield. With little success in creating passing opportunities, we spent much of the first 45 minutes passing the ball around in our own half. However, towards the end of the half, Masato MORISHIGE made a pass to Ryoya OGAWA on the left side, who was able to shake off the opponent's press and carry the ball into their half. He then passed it to Diego TABA, who had dropped back to receive the ball. Diego was able to slip the ball through the legs of the opponent's defender behind him, and Watanabe, who had made a run towards goal, took a powerful shot. Although it was initially saved by the opponent's goalkeeper, Ryoya OGAWA was there to tap in the rebound, giving Tokyo the lead with their first goal of the season.
In the second half, Tokyo's positioning and passing tempo increased, bypassing Shimizu's press and building up to smoothly enter the opponent's half. By using both the center and sides, they did not allow the opponent to focus on a specific target and continued to push them into the goal area with a thick attack. Then, in the 16th minute of the second half, Ogawa intercepted the opponent's pass while they were moving the ball in their defensive line. He passed it to Diego TABA, who had come into the center of the penalty area, and Diego TABA used Abe, who had jumped into the space on the right side of the penalty area from behind. Although the timing was off and Abe was unable to take a shot, he recovered and sent a cross ball in the negative direction. Ogawa, who had jumped into the far side, intercepted it and entered the goal area with momentum. He jumped from behind the opponent's defender and headed the ball into the goal with a high point, extending Tokyo's lead.
After widening the lead, the tempo of the passes increased, continuously pushing the opponent into their own half. Even if the ball was once taken away, they kept the distance close and immediately regained possession by putting pressure on the ball holder one after another, continuing to aim for a goal with a short counterattack. Then, in the 31st minute of the second half, when Diego player pushed deep into the opponent's half on the right side and returned the ball in the negative direction near the goal line, Nakamura player, who was near the right corner of the penalty area, sent a looping pass with one touch. As the opponent raised the defensive line, Abe player switched and took the back, heading the ball into the goal to score a significant third goal.
Tokyo continued to hold onto the ball even in the late stages of the game. In the 45th minute of the second half, Hirotaka Mita sent a pass behind the opponent's defense from a post play, and Adailton, who had broken free, sped towards the opponent's goal. He approached the left side of the goal and took a shot, but it was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper, Albert Puig Ortoneda. Even in additional time, Tokyo's pressing and passing game maintained its intensity and speed, achieving a clean sheet in the form of "defending with the ball" that coach Albert had aimed for. This resulted in their first victory in 5 league matches.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: We were able to start the match well in the first half. However, around the middle of the first half, for about 15 minutes, there was some hesitation in how we applied our press, and during that time we gave the ball away to the opponent. We wanted to defend at a higher position, but we couldn’t quite reach a common understanding, and our defensive block gradually dropped back. Shimizu is a team that plays dangerously when they have the ball. In that sense, there was a difficult period for us in the first half. However, towards the end of the first half, we resolved that issue, and until the end of the first half, and throughout the 45 minutes of the second half, we were able to firmly control the flow of the match.
In the last few matches, we have been able to play well. After the start of this season, we have been winning points with a more direct style of play towards the goal in several matches. Since then, the team has grown and gradually understood the playing style. The ball possession rate has also increased, but we continued to have matches where the results did not follow. The team has further developed and was able to achieve victory by firmly expressing "football that loves the ball" on the pitch for the first time this season. At the beginning of the season, the team was afraid to hold onto the ball. This was because many players had not played in a style like the current one before. After that, we grew to hold onto the ball, but I don't think we were necessarily able to play in a way that loves the ball. In the last few matches before the previous round, we did not achieve good results, but we were able to play well enough. And today, the players expressed our playing style with confidence and in a way that loves the ball, and we achieved victory. Of course, our playing style is not only when we have the ball. Aggressive defense when we do not have the ball is also important.
I directly conveyed to the players, but today was the start of a day when FC Tokyo's playing style began to change. However, it is not easy to win every game with multiple goals in soccer. However, I think it was a big step forward. Moreover, not only did we win today, but I think the players had a sense of accomplishment that they played well. It was also a big step in the sense that we were able to firmly realize what kind of soccer we love. The players all had happy expressions. Among them, I would like to mention Keigo HIGASHI, who I think played a great game today. He played as a one-man anchor for 90 minutes, which he had never done before. Diego also did not score a goal, but he contributed to the team in a great way throughout the game. And (Yasuda) Toru, who came on as a substitute in the final stages of the game, is gradually getting involved in the first team. I would like to re-evaluate the growth of young players like him.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoya OGAWA Player＞
Q: please review the game.
A, I scored today as a result, but the team's flow was also good, and considering the somewhat frustrating developments in the past few matches, I felt this game really clicked well.
Q, there were also times in the middle of the first half when the opponent's pace took over, and I think that opening goal was a very important point.
A, at the beginning of the first half, the opponents were energetic and applied pressure, making it difficult for us to break free at times. We kept doing what we needed to do, and when their legs started to slow down, I think we scored at a really good moment. First, there was a pass from Morishige that allowed us to shake off one of their markers, Diego received a solid diagonal wedge pass, and Ryoma WATANABE took a shot toward the far side that the goalkeeper had to parry — all of these elements connected to create the goal. It was a match with good connections throughout the full 90 minutes.
Q, the second point was when Ogawa stole the ball in a high position and jumped into the goal to score.
A, this is a theme that Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA emphasizes: immediate recovery, meaning that when we lose the ball we had possession of, we immediately try to take it back. In that situation, Kuryu MATSUKI pressed the opponent so closely that they couldn’t make a pass behind, which allowed me to push forward strongly. From there, Diego was positioned diagonally, and Shuto ABE also played calmly. There were moments when we rushed and forced shots that hit the opponent, so I think everyone made the best decisions in front of the goal in today’s match.
Q, do you think the team was able to express the style they are aiming for this season?
A, just because things went well today doesn't mean they will go well in future matches, but the style of soccer we played today is also the style we are aiming for, and we want to increase the number of goals scored from such flows.
<Shuto ABE>
Q, I think we were able to defend as a team throughout the game.
A, from the warm-up before the match to the locker room, everyone was really motivated and vocal, and I believe that spirit was fully expressed on the pitch throughout the entire 90 minutes.
Q, in the past, there have been situations where we have brought the ball to a good position but the final last pass did not connect. However, in today's match, there were many instances where we were able to go all the way to the shot.
A, from the analysis, we saw that the goalkeeper slightly parried the ball, so we decided to take shots more aggressively. Also, since we discussed in the meeting that crossing would be effective, everyone consciously played with that in mind, which I believe led to the three goals. I once again realized that if we don't increase our shots, we won't be able to score.
Q, I think we were able to create opportunities from vertical passes by entering the opponent's gap.
A, Watanabe often found good opportunities to enter the opponent's gaps and face forward, which was exactly what the team aimed for. Center backs Morishige and Kimoto delivered well-timed wedge passes into those spaces. After receiving the ball there, applying more pressure on the opponent and pushing the attack was exactly as planned in the meetings and practiced in training, so I think it went well.
Q, what was your goal when entering the game as a team?
A, we played with a strong awareness within the team of not losing in the fundamental aspects. In soccer, if you lose there, nothing else matters, so entering the match with the determination to firmly do that as a team is what I believe led to the result.
Q, was it a matter of believing that the ball would come to you when you scored your second goal in the league?
A, in the previous two matches, I had one-on-one opportunities but couldn't score, so I felt responsible and frustrated. I’m glad I was able to finish and score this time. In the scoring situation, I was able to make the run into the opponent’s penalty area, and all that was left was to finish. I want to express my gratitude to Nakamura for delivering a good cross.
Q, I also recorded an assist.
A, at first, I was thinking of shooting if the ball came to my feet from Diego, but since the ball drifted a little, I changed my option and looked inside, where Ogawa was running in. I thought if I sent a soft ball, he could strike it, so I’m glad I was able to deliver a perfect cross.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, Recently, we had a series of matches where we couldn't win, so today's game was very important and also a difficult match, but I think it was really good that we were able to win.
Q, what do you think was the factor that led to victory?
A, I believe that being able to express the style of soccer we have been working on and making fine adjustments to successfully move the ball forward led to scoring goals and gave the team momentum.
Q, achieved 200 appearances in the J1 League in today's match.
A, reaching this 200th match has been a long journey, and I have put in a lot of effort. In that sense, I am very happy to have achieved 200 matches. However, I do not want to be satisfied with this result and aim to extend my record even further.
Q, what are the major differences from last season now that the coach has changed this season?
A, just as each player has a different personality, each coach also has their own way of thinking and style, but in terms of the team coming together and aiming for victory, I don't think there is a significant difference.
Q, please say a few words about the upcoming Kashima match.
A, Kashima is a top-ranked team with high quality, so I think it will be a difficult match, but I want to carry the momentum from today’s away victory into another win. Also, the support from our fans and supporters is always a great source of strength, so I want to deliver a victory while receiving even louder support at home.
Kensuke NAGAI
Q, we had been having a series of matches where we couldn't score goals, but we were able to win with multiple goals after a long time.
A, I’m glad we were able to win. Reflecting on the past few matches, we decided to unify our team’s intentions once again, and I had a thorough discussion with Diego. As a result, we won 3-0 like this, created many chances, and I think the team also felt its growth. In the next match against Kashima, I want to challenge ourselves to see how much we can do.
Q: What is the reason for being able to create many scenes where you can bring the ball to the shot while holding it?
A, until now, there were many back passes, and it’s not that we were avoiding the situation, but there were few risks or challenges taken to score goals. As a team, we believe that positive mistakes lead to growth, so we talked before the match about continuing to take on challenges. I think the fact that this connected well to the result and that everyone fought hard was the key factor.
Q, as a player, Nagai had a lot of plays where he quickly passed the ball and then moved into space.
A, because we aimed for the space behind, the area near our feet opened up, and everyone continued doing that without slacking off. Without that, today's result wouldn't have been possible. I think the rotation where someone breaks behind and another player fills that space was really good.
Q: We will be playing against Kashima in 3 days. What kind of preparations do you want to make?
A: The foundation is to have both the players and the ball moving, and to fight hard where it matters. I want to make good preparations so that we can continue playing like this.
＜Kojiro YASUDA＞
Q, it was your first appearance in the J1 League. Please reflect on today's match.
A: Since we were leading 3-0, I thought there might be a chance for me to play, so I prepared myself. I was a bit nervous when I stepped onto the pitch, but I think I was able to show my own play.
Q, have you participated in cup matches before? Was the league different?
A, both are important matches, but the league is a battle throughout the entire season, with each match being crucial. I felt that without the right fighting spirit, I wouldn't be able to participate, so I approached it with full determination.
Q: At the 93rd minute, there was a scene where you attracted the opponent and had a shooting opportunity. What kind of play were you planning to show?
A, I hadn’t been able to make any memorable plays until now, so in the situation of being 3-0 up, I approached it with the mindset of showing my own play as well. Looking back at that moment, I think I could have cut back and penetrated deeper for a shot, but I’m glad I was able to finish with a shot in the end.
Q, PITA was also active on the pitch with players of the same generation like Matsuki. Did you also feel motivated?
A, Matsuki has continued to play in matches up until now, so it's not exactly about chasing him, but I do have that kind of feeling to some extent. Today is the first step, so I hope to build on this moving forward.
Q, what kind of play do you want to show to the fans and supporters in the long league season ahead?
A: I believe my strength lies in creating opportunities, so I want to continue delivering results through those plays, whether by scoring goals or providing assists. From here on, I plan to ride the momentum, keep moving forward, and accumulate three points, so I appreciate your support.
