<Match Review>
In the previous match, Tokyo won against Sanfrecce Hiroshima with a dramatic last-minute comeback goal in an away game. After a break due to national team activities, they continued their winning streak and faced Shimizu S-Pulse at home at Ajinomoto Stadium, which was designated as a "voice support operation verification match".
For Tokyo, it will be the first "voice support operation verification target game" in about a month since the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on July 6. In the previous match, the voices of the fans and supporters turned into a great strength and led to victory. In this match, we will also face it with the power of those voices.
1st HALF - Unable to get into rhythm due to frequent ball losses
The start of the game saw both teams with a strong focus on vertical play, with scenes of the ball being carried towards the goal. Tokyo started from the sides and carried the ball up to a high position, aiming for gaps in the opponent's defensive line, but were unable to take a shot. On the other hand, Shimizu threatened Tokyo's goal in a counter-attack in the 20th minute of the first half, but Yagopikachu's shot missed to the left of the goal.
Tokyo, who is having a hard time keeping possession of the ball, is gradually pushed back to their own half, increasing the time to set up their defense. In the 28th minute of the first half, after their formation was pushed back, they were able to bring the ball down and Matsoka took a powerful middle shot. The shot narrowly missed to the right of the goal, but the pressure on the ball side was delayed, allowing for a well-aimed shot.
Tokyo, who wants to take control of ball possession, gets a chance for a corner kick in the 39th minute of the first half. Masato MORISHIGE takes a header shot from the far side after a corner kick from the left side, which was initially blocked by a defender, but Adailton scores by following up on the loose ball and sliding it into the goal. It seemed like a big opening goal was created in a slightly pressured situation, but Keigo HIGASHI was deemed offside for being involved in the play, resulting in a no-goal decision.
After that, there were many scenes where we easily lost the ball and couldn't get into a rhythm, and the game was turned around.
2nd HALF - Tokyo tries to equalize after conceding, but gives up an additional goal in the end
As the second half begins, Tokyo increases the tempo of their build-up play and starts to penetrate deep into the Shizuoka defense with fewer touches. They were able to create opportunities for a finish, but in the 13th minute of the second half, their momentum is disrupted. Carlinhos Junior, who was brought on the left side and carried the ball deep into Tokyo's defense, heads in a cross from the far side, shaking Tokyo's goal net.
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow of the game, made a substitution in the 15th minute of the second half. They sent Koki TSUKAGAWA onto the pitch, replacing Higashi, and also brought Leandro onto the field, replacing Hirotaka MITA.
Tokyo wants to build up without getting impatient and enter the opponent's territory, but in the 20th minute of the second half, they lost the ball when they wanted to break the opponent's press by connecting short passes from the defense line. They were shot in the penalty area, but it went wide to the left of the goal and they escaped unscathed.
Shimizu chose to play a defensive battle in their own territory, while Tokyo kept possession of the ball and pushed the game forward in the opponent's half. Despite struggling to break through the opponent's defensive block, in the 32nd minute of the second half, player Luiz Phellype threatened Shimizu's goal with a powerful mid-range shot. In the 36th minute of the second half, player Kazuya Konno received the ball in the penalty area's right corner and passed it to the far side of the goal, where Kashif Bangnagande made a one-touch attempt but was unable to score.
It was the timing when Tokyo's attacking rhythm came out, but in the 40th minute of the second half, they were broken through on the right side and a cross ball was put in front of the goal, and Thiago SANTANA scored an additional point with his head.
In the final stage, we actively put the ball in front of the goal, targeting Luiz PHELLYPE on the front line and using early crosses, but we were unable to bring it to a shot. Although we were unable to extend our winning streak at Ajinomoto Stadium, we are fortunate to be able to play at home again in the next match. We will start over in the match against Cerezo Osaka on Saturday, August 13th.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub Slowik
DF Yuto Nagatomo/Yasuki Kimoto/Masato Morishige/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (substituted in the 41st minute: Junya Suzuki)
MF Kuryu Matsuki/Keigo Higashi (substituted in the 15th minute: Koki Tsukagawa)/Shuto Abe (substituted in the 32nd minute: Kazuya Konno)
FW Keiki Mita (substituted in the 15th minute: Leandro)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Adailton (substituted in the 32nd minute: Luiz PHELLYPE)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
<Shimizu S-Pulse>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shuichi GONDA
DF Teruki HARA (39th minute: Eiichi KATAYAMA)/Yugo TATSUTA/Yoshinori SUZUKI/Reon YAMAHARA
MF Ryohei SHIRASAKI (18th minute: Ronaldo)/Daiki MATSUOKA/Yago Pikachu (29th minute: Benjamin KORORI)/Takashi INUI (29th minute: Yusuke GOTO)
FW Carlinhos JUNIOR (18th minute: Koya KITAGAWA)/Thiago SANTANA
SUBS
GK Takuo OKUBO
MF Kota MIYAMOTO
GOAL
Second half 13 minutes: CARLINHOS JUNIOR/Second half 40 minutes: Thiago SANTANA
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: Shimizu is a team that makes dangerous plays if you give them even a little room, which made the first half difficult to unfold. They launch dangerous attacks when we concede the ball, and at the same time, their side attacks are one of the dangerous plays we were also cautious about.
In the first half, I think our play improved as time went on. We were able to create some chances, and unfortunately, there were also goals that were not allowed.
In the second half, I think we had a good start. We were able to play better and dominate the game. However, during that time, we conceded a goal from Shimizu's counter-attack and I think that goal had a big impact on the flow of the game.
In the first half, Tama (Mita) played well by entering the opponent's defensive line, and in the second half, Leandro, who was substituted in, also played well. I think the J1 League is a very competitive league. In that sense, regardless of the ranking, every match against any opponent becomes a very difficult match. Depending on who scores the first goal, it will have a significant impact on the flow of the game afterwards.
I highly appreciate the players' dedicated play and effort. They also played carefully, valuing possession of the ball. As an area for improvement, I think we could have attacked more from the sides. I would like to commend today's opponent and their coach. Although we couldn't win the match today, we will firmly reset our mindset and proceed with preparations for the difficult upcoming match against Cerezo Osaka.
Q, there were several plays that lacked technical accuracy, how were you coaching?
A, regarding that aspect, I believe there were more mistakes before, and recently the number of mistakes has decreased. Comparing the start of the season to now, I think it is clear that the technical aspects have also improved.
However, most players have not experienced this playing style before. Thales is one of them, and Abe is also one of them. Kuse was a high school student until last year. I am satisfied that such players have continued to grow steadily over the past six months.
Kashif BANGNAGANDE is also growing well, but there is still room for improvement. Our completion rate has not reached 100 percent. Therefore, there is an unstable element that can collapse from one mistake. In a closely contested match like today, the opening goal still had a significant impact on the result. For example, if the disallowed goal had been allowed, the outcome would have been different. If we had taken the lead, Shimizu would have had to play for a goal in the second half, which would have created space behind their defensive line. We could have potentially capitalized on that space and had better attacks through quick transitions. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal on a counterattack during a period when we were dominating the game and getting closer to scoring. That goal had a big impact on this match.
Of course, there are still mistakes. However, they have decreased compared to before, and the players are growing. Throughout this year, I want to build the foundation of this team, and I hope that each player will continue to grow day by day.
[Player Interview]
＜Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, I think we had a lot of time to control the ball in the first half.
A, we were able to maintain possession of the ball, but I think it is important to play calmly when entering the opponent's territory. If we come up with more ideas and take the initiative to challenge the opponent, I believe we can become an even better team.
Q, what do you think was the factor that led to the defeat in the match?
A, there are various factors, but the opponent was also fighting to avoid relegation and played with a lot of passion. I think we needed to show more spirit ourselves, and since the match just ended, I haven't been able to analyze it calmly yet. I want to thoroughly review it, reflect on what needs improvement, and build on the good points to connect to the next match against FC Osaka.
Q, what parts went well?
A, there were also scenes where we entered the opponent's attacking area, so from here on, it's about creativity in front of the goal. I think the opponents will increasingly defend their goal tightly, so I hope we can play in a way that breaks down such teams.
Q: How do you want to connect to the next game?
A, it is important not to have consecutive losses. I believe the results would have been different if we had been able to correct the small details, so I hope to have thorough discussions with the players and work on improving those areas.
<Hirotaka MITA>
Q: please review the game.
A, we were able to control the game with a good rhythm in the first half, and I think the flow of the match would have changed if we had scored one goal. When you have a good rhythm but fail to score, it ends up like today's game.
Q, I think you were very conscious of breaking down the opponent's defense while receiving the ball.
A, the coach told me to take on that role, so I worked hard to play in that capacity.
Q, what kind of image did you have before the game?
A, I focused on not staying wide on the sides but moving into the center to play, coordinating with those around me to break down the midfield.
Q: What were the things that the team was able to do and unable to do?
A, we were able to control the ball in the first half, but the issue was that we couldn't convert that into goals. Even after entering the second half, I think the team needs to improve our ability to break down the opponent’s defense, even when they sit back defensively.
Q: What preparations will you make for the next game?
A, based on today's reflections, since the next game is also at home, I want to prepare thoroughly to secure a win.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, how do you feel about your performance today?
A: I missed a middle-distance shot that I really had to score, so I think that had a big impact on the team.
Q, around the 44th minute, there was a good chance created from Matsuki's successful ball recovery. Do you remember that situation?
A, pressing is also one of my characteristics, so I wanted to connect it to a goal, but I hope to increase more situations like that.
Q: There were scenes where the defense on the side was bypassed compared to the opening. Can it be said that today's goals were also lost in the competitive aspect?
A, I think it is my responsibility.
Q, I think we were creating chances from Matsumaki's ball recovery in the duel, but it seemed that the challenge today was to finish them off.
A, I don't see it as a problem, but rather as a matter of luck. I want to approach it positively, thinking that today the luck went to the opponent.
Q: What are the points for improvement in the future based on the results of today's match?
A, Even after the match ended, the players were talking among themselves, so we want to make improvements moving forward.
Q: In the 19th minute of the second half, there was a scene where Adailton received a through pass on the left side. What are your thoughts on the probability of scoring increasing if you continue to show such combinations?
A, as a team, if there are players with forward momentum, it is best to make use of them, so I want to provide positioning and passes that can utilize such players.
Q: There was a player substitution and a change to a 4-4-2 formation during the match. What was your strategy to break through from that point?
A: We accept a certain level of risk and see it as a way to add depth to our attack.
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q, please review today's match.
A, I think the opponent was able to firmly convert their chances, whereas we were unable to finish our own opportunities.
Q, it seemed that there were differences in the movement of the ball between the Hiroshima match and this round throughout the game.
A, in the Hiroshima match, the opponent kept pushing forward, allowing us to skillfully create space with one touch and use flicks with one touch to advance to the front of the goal. Today, the opponent started off firmly set up, so I think that was the difference.
Q, is it a challenge to dismantle and transport it when it is set up?
A, I feel that it is important to make the opponent commit and draw them out, while taking more control, moving the ball, and making the opponent move or change their positioning. This is something we must continue to work on. I think it is difficult unless there is unified intent across the whole team, but I believe we are gradually improving, so I want to keep going.
Q: What instructions and roles were you given when you entered the pitch this time?
A, since it was after conceding a goal, I was always told to go for scoring, to firmly establish the rhythm, and to value possession of the ball, so I entered the game with those things in mind.
Q, how would you rate yourself?
A, I still have a long way to go. As the results show, the team conceded goals even after I came on, and I haven't scored either, so I will be more committed and work to produce results.
Q, I played in the away game last week, but today was my home debut match.
A, Since I am a new member, I am currently being given a chance, but I believe it depends on whether I can seize this opportunity. I will work hard to produce solid results and earn the trust of the coach and my teammates. Playing at home at Ajinomoto, I felt that each team has its own unique atmosphere. I once again felt glad to be part of the Tokyo team. From now on, I will do my best to repay the fans and supporters with results.
I want to become a presence that makes people think, 'If he plays, the team can win,' so I want to focus on producing visible results.
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, it seemed like there were many times when the ball didn't move as you wanted it to, but how did it look from the back?
A, in the previous match against Hiroshima, the opponent came forward, so there was space, but today, on the contrary, we faced a more set defensive stance, and it is true that we couldn't circulate the ball well in good positions.
Q, is it the biggest factor that we couldn't shift the four defensive lines against each other?
A, there was no shaking up of the defense, and we also couldn't circulate the ball in a way that bothered the opponent. It became a bit too close to our feet, making it very easy for the opponent to respond.
Q: Is it still difficult to open that part if it doesn't come out?
A, there were difficult matches early in the season even when opponents pressed from the front, but in the previous match against Hiroshima, we were able to create a very good flow. As the next step, we need to find ways to break through even when we are somewhat defended against, and I think there will still be times when we fall behind, but it becomes important to be creative in those moments.
Q: How do you perceive the situation where there are fluctuations in the content this season, while coach Albert emphasizes growth and building a base, at the point when one-third of the season remains?
A: I have been saying this all along, but since we are professionals, we have to deliver results. It is extremely difficult to produce results while building a foundation, but we all have to take on that challenge. Two-thirds of the season has already passed, so I believe the fans and supporters will not wait any longer. There will be difficult periods and matches, but having the ability to solve problems on our own is also important. Regarding our defense in the first half, after the match we all talked about how there were areas we could have discussed more among ourselves and changed. If we had been able to make those changes during the game, I think the flow might have been different.
