<Match Review>
Tokyo welcomed their first home game in about a month in the J1 League. The previous match, which marked the start of the second half of the league, ended in a tough result against Sagan Tosu played away. In order to make a good restart at home, the team stuck to their own way and took to the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium.
1st HALF - Early Accident Strikes
At the start, an accident strikes. In the 10th minute of the first half, player Hotaka NAKAMURA, who was running up the right side, injures his leg and is unable to stand. NAKAMURA is unable to get up, so Kashif BANGNAGANDE is hastily substituted in and Yuto NAGATOMO is moved to right back. After that, in the 16th minute, the ball is held on the left side and pushed in, and a cross ball sent to the far side is returned and scored by player Lukian in front of the left goal, giving up the lead.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, increases the tempo of switching between offense and defense more than the opponent and attacks in a counter-like manner. Although they approached the goal, they were unable to reach a decisive scene, but in the 34th minute of the first half, a chance came. Masato MORISHIGE passed a wedge pass from the defense line to the front line, and Kuryu MATSUKI picked up the ball and swung his left foot in front of the penalty area. It was a well-measured shot, but the ball narrowly missed to the right of the goal. In the 37th minute of the first half, Diego OLIVEIRA, who received a pass in the vital area, took the ball to the shot with one touch, but was stopped by the opponent's goalkeeper's offense and defense.
As the first half comes to an end, Fukuoka struggles to find attacking opportunities against a compact defense with a high defensive line, resulting in a series of passes in the back. Attempts to break through the defense with mid-range passes are unsuccessful due to lack of space. The game goes into halftime with Fukuoka trailing by one point.
2nd HALF - Kazuya KONNO's powerful goal turns the game around, but equalized by a PK
Tokyo, who wants to change the momentum, substitutes Kensuke NAGAI for Leandro in the beginning of the second half. Then, in the 4th minute of the second half, Matsuki passes a looping ball backwards, and Kazuya KONNO breaks through the space behind the opponent. He controls the ball and takes a shot inside the penalty area, but it is saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. However, Leandro reacts to the loose ball in front of the goal and scores, equalizing the game.
In the midst of a development where both teams were speeding up vertically, in the 13th minute of the second half, they received a counter and connected the ball in front of the goal, but the slide did not reach in time and Takeshi KANAMORI took a sharp shot, but Jakub SLOWIK clung to the ball and saved it. In the 15th minute of the second half, they launched a counterattack. Diego TABA connected the ball in the vital area and the opponent's goalkeeper and Julian PEROTTI jumped in, and although Julian PEROTTI's shot was blocked, Leandro DAMIAO, who picked up the loose ball, pulled the defender and passed in the minus direction. Ryoma WATANABE made a one-touch shot, but it went over the frame.
Tokyo, where the rhythm of attack has been born, attacks at once. In the 18th minute of the second half, there is a chance for a corner kick from the left. The ball that entered the goal was cleared, but player Konno, who was in the place where the ball fell, touched it with a one-touch volley from outside the penalty area, and the sharp trajectory shot was sucked into the upper left corner of the goal, successfully reversing with a spectacular goal.
The flow seemed to have shifted to Tokyo, but in the 30th minute of the second half, player Kimoto was fouled near the penalty area and a penalty kick was awarded. Player Fanma scored the penalty kick and the game was tied.
Additional time was displayed as 10 minutes, and even after 90 minutes had passed, both teams continued to attack. In the 45+8th minute of the second half, Erik managed to get past his opponent's marker in the penalty area and take a shot, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Fukuoka continued to patiently build up their attack until the very end, but they were unable to score and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Hogao NAKAMURA (10th minute: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Keigo HIGASHI (41st minute: Takuya AOKI)/Ryo WATANABE
FW Kazuya KONNO (41st minute: Keiki MITA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (26th minute: Adailton)/Kensuke NAGAI (0th minute: Leandro)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Makoto OKAZAKI
GOAL
Second half 4 minutes: Leandro/Second half 18 minutes: Konno
<Avispa Fukuoka>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Tatsuki NARA/Daiki MIYA/Takaaki SHICHI
MF Yota MAEJIMA/Sotan TANABE (43rd minute: Shun NAKAMURA)/Hiroyuki MAE/Tatsuya TANAKA (21st minute: Juanma DELGADO)
FW Jordy CROUX (0th minute: Takeshi KANAMORI)/Yuya YAMAGISHI/Lukian (37th minute: Daiki WATARI)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Yuta KUMAMOTO/Masato YUZAWA
GOAL
First Half 16 Minutes: Lukian/Second Half 33 Minutes: Fanma
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: In the first half, the opponent's goal came from our tactical mistakes. Normally, we would properly box out and defend outside the penalty area, but we failed to do so in the situation where we conceded the goal. Hotaka NAKAMURA's injury also had an impact, resulting in a somewhat chaotic first half. After conceding the first goal, we were unable to effectively break through their defense, which was narrowing the spaces. When the space is closed down that much, it is not easy to break through successfully.
And in the second half, we were able to start by increasing our intensity. That naturally increased the risk of being counterattacked by the opponent, but we took the risk to attack and managed to turn the game around. From the 2-1 situation, we created multiple chances enough to score an additional goal and secure the match at 3-1. Unfortunately, there was a goal conceded from a penalty kick, but since the distance was far, from my perspective it was unclear whether it was a clear PK or not. After the match, we discussed that in such cases, an on-field review might make things clearer. Even now, I do not know whether it was a penalty or not.
Q: It was said that there were many tactical mistakes in the first half, but considering the result of the previous match, I think today's game was very important for FC Tokyo. In that regard, there were some frustrating moments, how do you feel about them?
A: The dangerous aspect of Fukuoka is the way the game unfolds after they score the first goal. It becomes very difficult at that point. This is because Fukuoka excels at defending by narrowing the space, and their counterattacks after regaining possession are a major weapon. Therefore, if we concede the first goal to them, the game develops in a way that suits their strengths. Facing such a Fukuoka with these weapons, our players played somewhat cautiously, fearing losing the ball after conceding the first goal. I analyze that this was the reason why we were unable to perform the play we expected in the first half.
Then at halftime, we talked about playing more boldly. We brought Leandro on and asked him to play between the central lines, which worked well. By having Leandro move inside, we allowed Kashiwa to take the width on the left side. Naturally, by taking such a risky attacking position, the possibility of facing their weapon—the counterattack—increased, but after going up 2-1, we actually had several chances to score additional goals using their own counterattack weapon. Indeed, it is easier to attack when there is a large space behind the opponent’s defensive line. From the 2-1 situation, we had the possibility to score again and decide the match at 3-1, but it was very disappointing that we couldn’t and were caught up by a penalty kick. While earning 1 point is important, honestly, we wanted to get all 3 points.
Q, in the first half, it seemed like there were many players complaining to each other on the same team.
A, it is very difficult to attack against an opponent who has narrowed the space that much. My players have never had experience attacking against an opponent who has extremely narrowed the space to that extent. Because it is difficult, I think they were communicating on the pitch, but I did not feel it was a bad atmosphere at all. We have faced Fukuoka many times, and they are good at retreating to defense and narrowing the space after scoring the first goal. Breaking through that is very difficult, and I think it can cause frustration.
[Player Interview]
＜Kazuya KONNO
Q: please review the game.
A, it was my first start in a league match in a while, so I really wanted to get a result, and I’m glad I was able to score a goal. However, it’s frustrating that we couldn’t win the match.
Q: I think the team's rhythm changed in the second half. What was able to be corrected?
A, the opponent's pressing eased in the second half, but I still think we are far from the style of football we aim for. While the opponent was playing long balls, we ended up playing along with them at times. We need to be a bit more careful in maintaining possession of the ball. Toward the end of the match, fatigue set in and there were moments when we had no good options to pass the ball, but I believe we can correct that.
Q, can you look back on the goal scene?
A, the ball spilled loose and I was free, so I just focused properly on the moment of impact and struck it, and the ball flew to a good spot, so that was good.
Q, at what stage did you decide to hit directly?
A, when the ball bounced once, the opponent was not there and I was free. I was on the right side of the goal and thought that if I struck it with the outside of my foot aiming for the far post, it would go to a good spot. I kicked it and it flew to a good place, so I’m glad.
Q, this is the first goal at Ajinomoto Stadium, right?
A, yes. It took quite some time, so from now on I want to practice to be able to score many goals.
Q, I think you were exploding with joy.
A, since it was the go-ahead goal, I went behind the goal to celebrate, hoping that by showing my joy, the atmosphere in the stadium would improve even more.
Q, I think he also made a significant contribution to the defense.
A, we had analyzed that the opposing fullback would take a high position and deliver crosses, so it was quite tough, but I thought I had to properly track back to our own half and defend. I believe I was able to do that well.
Q, I think shooting on the outside is difficult even in practice.
A, that shot was a type of kick I hadn't practiced. I really focused only on the point of impact while keeping my eyes firmly on the ball, and it worked out well.
Q, did you think it would go in the moment you hit it?
A, I thought it would go in. The moment I struck the ball, I saw its trajectory and felt it was going to a good spot.
<Leandro>
Q, what instructions did you receive from the coach?
A, I was asked to play in the center and create opportunities.
Q, what were your personal thoughts going into the game?
A, when I entered the match, we were losing 0-1, so I went in with the determination to run hard and contribute by being involved in scoring.
Q, it will be a form in which the losing streak stopped in the end.
A, it was good that we were able to stop the losing streak, but we want to start winning from here on, so we will prepare again for the next match.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: You suddenly found yourself on the pitch. What were you thinking about when you entered the game?
A, it was my first time entering a match in this way, but the coach told me to play my own game, so I thought I entered the match with a clear mind. However, once I stepped onto the pitch, my body didn’t move very well at first, and I gradually got used to it. It was a good experience.
Q, were you unable to play as you expected?
A, there were many situations where coordination with the midfield did not go well. We talked a lot during halftime and in the second half, and it improved compared to the first half, but I was not able to show much of my own play.
Q, I felt like we couldn't see how to break through as a team in the first half.
A, we discussed and made adjustments on the pitch, but there were many irregular situations such as substitutions, and especially in the first half, I think there were many moments where the team didn’t perform well.
Q: I think we improved in the second half, but what was the reason for that?
A, through individual positioning and frequent discussions among players during halftime, along with instructions from the coach, we made adjustments so that we wouldn't fall into the opponent's tactics. Each player was able to take positions that shifted the opponent. I believe that was the reason we improved compared to the first half.
Q, how do you feel about not being able to win at home?
A, I think there were many chances and it was a match we could have won, so I believe we lacked the winner's mentality to close it out. It was our first time back at Ajinomoto in a while, and we hadn't won in the last two league matches, so the team discussed changing the momentum before entering the game. It's truly frustrating.
Q: Do you think there are situations where you can take the initiative yourself? What do you prioritize when you have the ball?
A: My strength is my driving force, playing by dribbling forward and shaking off opponents, but I couldn't show that, so personally, this match was nothing but a point of reflection for me.
Q: How do you feel about the competition for the right-back position with Ryoya OGAWA's transfer?
A, the competition for the side-back position has been at a high level since Ryoya was here, and I think the rivalry will only get fiercer from now on. I believe my playing time will depend on how much I can deliver results when I get on the pitch. In that sense, today's match ended in a frustrating result for me. If I get another chance, I want to show a difference in attack and also improve on many defensive aspects that need correction, aiming to focus more on producing tangible results.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: How do you feel about the completely different expressions between the first half and the second half when looking back on the game?
A, I feel that I was able to play better than in the previous match. I want to move the ball with courage.
Q, in the first half, I felt like I was looking for opportunities to pass the ball.
A, I think it’s about moving the ball sideways and deciding where to switch the play. The players at the back want to carry the ball forward, but if everyone pushes forward at once, it becomes difficult, so I believe it’s fine to reset and rebuild from there. However, I feel we need to move the ball forward more boldly and keep advancing toward the goal without fear.
Q, was it also because Leandro came in that things went smoothly in the second half?
A, without a relay point in the midfield, the attack becomes lackluster. Of course, there is also the option of passing from the defenders to the front line, but if that’s all we do, the midfield becomes stretched out. I once again felt that it is necessary to use the midfield in our attacks.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on the home game at Ajinomoto Stadium after a long time.
A, I wanted to get 3 points, but we were caught up. We lost 1-5 in the away match, and we also lost to Tosu in the previous game, so I really wanted to win and regain a good atmosphere. However, the league matches continue, so I want to take a positive view and connect this to the next game.
Q, the first half ended with a score of 0-1, and it seems that the flow improved in the second half.
A, we talked about pushing more towards the goal. However, since the score was 0-1 at the start of the second half, conceding the second and third goals would have ended the match, so I think we were able to hold on there. In the midst of that, we managed to turn the game around once, so next time I want to work on turning that into a win.
Q, the next match will also be against Sapporo at home with a 3-day break.
A, the temperature has been rising recently, but I think we will gradually get used to it. Also, I believe the players who did not play today will get their chances. We need to enhance the team’s unity through competition. Personally, I have recently been able to participate in matches, and I truly feel the joy of playing. I was very frustrated in the first half of the season, so I want to keep improving and deliver even better performances.
