<Match Review>
The game will be a test of the team's determination to win the league. In the previous match against Kashiwa Reysol, they conceded an early goal away from home but quickly equalized and managed to secure 1 point despite having a player sent off. However, the players' words after the match were mostly filled with regret.
"If you aim for victory, you have to win regardless of whether it's at home or away."
The next match, one week later, was an away game at SANGA STADIUM by KYOCERA. With many injured and suspended players, it was not easy to manage the lineup, but in this match, Captain Masato Morishige and the team's oldest player, Yuto Nagatomo, started in the lineup and the team fought together as one.
1st HALF - No goals conceded thanks to SLOWIK's good defense
The first half was a long 45 minutes of patience. In the 5th minute of the first half, the ball was lost on the left side and quickly carried to the goal, shaking the goal net. With the support of VAR, the play where player Yamada took the ball from Kashif BANGNAGANDE was judged as a foul and the goal was cancelled. However, it was a sudden start for Kyoto's pressure.
After that, Tokyo gradually grasped the rhythm and created scenes that threatened the goal. In the 15th minute of the first half, they pushed from the left side and Kei KOIZUMI, the inside half, invaded the pocket. From that second attack, Diego OLIVEIRA took the ball to the shot, but it was saved by the goalkeeper in front of the goal.
The first half did not continue this good flow. We couldn't connect the ball and move forward against Kyoto's quick transitions and pressure. Even when Morishige, who is our supply source, had the ball, he couldn't find a recipient and had to pass it back to Jakub Slowik many times. From there, we lost the second ball and the defensive time became longer.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, a decisive shot by PATRIC was saved by SLOWIK's big save. In other scenes as well, despite being brought to the goal, he did not allow any decisive plays and managed to hold on without conceding any goals, even though he was at a disadvantage.
2nd HALF - Unable to capitalize on opportunities and conceding goals repeatedly, the team suffers their first loss of the season
In the second half, Tokyo was the first to create a chance. In the 2nd minute of the second half, Adailton, who had broken through the left side, received a cross from player Yoshifumi and took a free shot. However, the right-footed shot went too high and missed the goal.
In the 17th minute of the second half, substitute player Kota TAWARATSUMIDA made a move on the right side. Adailton, who was waiting on the outside, tried to connect with a ground cross, but he couldn't make good contact with his left foot this time.
In the 24th minute of the second half, PEROTTI was substituted in and the formation was changed to a two-top with Diego TABA. They added depth to the front line and went for the opening goal.
However, in the 30th minute of the second half, they conceded the first goal. In the final attack from a set piece, the ball was headed in by player Kawazaki.
After conceding a goal, Tokyo brought on Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who made his first appearance in the league after signing a professional contract, and Yuta ARAI, who made his first appearance in the league. They will play an attacking game in order to catch up.
However, we were unable to create the chances we wanted and instead conceded a penalty kick in the 44th minute of the second half, resulting in the second goal scored by player Patrick. We came close to scoring a goal until the end, but the game ended without any further goals, and we suffered our first loss of the season in the away game. In the next match, we will face Yokohama FC in our first home game since the opening match.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (33rd minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/ Yasuki KIMOTO/ Masato MORISHIGE/ Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kei KOIZUMI/ Keigo HIGASHI/ Koki TSUKAGAWA (33rd minute of the second half: Yuta ARAI)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (12th minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)/ Diego OLIVEIRA/ Adailton (24th minute of the second half: PEROTTI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO/Henrique TREVISAN
GOAL
―
Kyoto Sanga F.C.
STARTING XI
GK Tomoya WAKAHARA
DF Shogo ASADA/Rikito INOUE/Kosuke SHIRAI
MF Sota KAWASAKI/Shimpei FUKUOKA (37th minute: Osamu Henry IYOHA)/Shohei TAKEDA (19th minute: Daiki KANEKO)/Fuki YAMADA (19th minute: Teppei YACHIDA)/Hibiki SATO
FW Patrick/Kosuke KINOSHITA (45+2nd minute: Ryogo YAMASAKI)
SUBS
GK Warner HAHN
MF Daigo ARAKI
FW Yudai KIMURA
GOAL
30' Sota KAWASAKI / 45+1' PATRIC
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A: Before the match, I anticipated that it would be a game with high intensity and many contested moments. That is why, although there would be some chaotic moments at the start, the plan was to calm down and control the game afterward. It was difficult to control the match for about the first 20 to 25 minutes of the first half, but after that, we were able to settle down well. However, we often struggled against Kyoto’s aggressive and high-intensity defense. Although there were times when we controlled the game, we couldn’t maintain it. I think neither we nor Kyoto controlled the game for long periods. In such cases, the team that scores the first goal tends to take all three points. Adailton also had a chance to score the opening goal, but Kyoto made better use of their opportunity and took the three points. In any case, it was a match where we needed to control the game more.
I couldn't play well in the center, and I couldn't play between the lines as usual. I think we were able to create chances when we were able to play like that, but it wasn't something we could do consistently. I think the team that scored the first goal won, and it was an unstable game.
Q: The goals we conceded came from set pieces and penalty kicks, and they were not related to tactics. How will you address and fix this for the future?
A: The major difference between the first two matches since the season opener and today’s game is that in the first two matches, we controlled the game for a longer time and created many chances, but today was definitely not like that. We were unable to create many chances in the way we had hoped. In the match against Urawa, both teams had a strong intention to play actively. I believe that Kashiwa and Kyoto are characterized by their aggressive defense. In the Kashiwa match, we played calmly and composedly, creating multiple chances, but today that remains an issue.
Currently, the team is missing several players who excel at playing in the center and between the lines. Additionally, Matsuki, who is with the U-20 Japan national team, is also absent. There are overlapping absences in specific positions, but we need to cover for that and play as a team. I anticipated that today's match would be difficult. Therefore, I aimed to employ an attack utilizing speedy wingers to create width. I expected that it would be challenging to play in the center against Kyoto, who are known for their aggressive defense, so the use of wide wingers was the strategy. When we managed to hold the ball while effectively evading their aggressive defense, I wanted us to play calmly and continue attacking in the opponent's territory. However, the match did not unfold as planned. Even if we aim for a specific style, it is inevitable that the absence of several suitable players will lead to a challenging situation. Within that context, I hoped to utilize the speed of both wingers, but we struggled to develop our play as expected, and since the match was not calm, I believe that the first goal carried significant weight in the outcome.
I don't think that conceding goals from set pieces is a major problem for the team in terms of answering questions. I think it is very commendable that multiple young players who made their debut as professionals played boldly.
[Player Interview]
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q: please review the game.
A, we were overwhelmed by the opponent's momentum from the first half and almost lost the battle for second balls to Kyoto. I believe that not being able to take the initiative there is an area we need to improve. It is something that can be improved, and if we can start winning those balls, I think the game will develop much better.
Q, I had the impression that I haven't been able to receive the ball in the desired position or timing yet.
A, I have the impression that in the first half we were hardly able to maintain possession in the opponent’s territory. We couldn’t develop an attack by moving the ball around, so I think we need to add more depth to our offense. Of course, quick vertical attacks are good, but I want us to value the ball more, carry it without losing it, and circulate it more in the opponent’s half. This relates to the players’ spacing; there was a lack of compactness, which I think led to us failing to win second balls and being unable to keep possession. When we had the ball, I think there were good attacks, and how well we can circulate the ball in the opponent’s territory while attacking will be very important.
Q, what do you think is important to be able to pass the ball and attack against strong opponents?
A, I think we must connect from the back without fear. Otherwise, neither the team nor the players can grow. Today, I felt there was a gap in awareness within the team about whether to build up from the back or attack with long balls, so I believe we need to deepen our shared understanding and improve that. Everyone has high technical skills, so if that improves, our approach will become more defined. If we align our awareness and make the best choices at those moments, it will lead to more substantial attacks and increase our possession rate. I think these things are important against such high-intensity opponents.
<Tsubasa TERAYAMA>
Q, what were you conscious of when you participated?
A, I wanted to hold the ball in the center and calm the game down. Since we had conceded a goal before I came on, I focused not only on calming the ball but also on scoring as I entered the match.
Q, what did you focus on in order to score while keeping the ball calm?
A, looking back on today's match, when I was watching from the bench, there were many long balls and the second balls were also being picked up by the opponents, so I felt that we were unable to establish our own rhythm. I thought it was important to progress the game while maintaining possession, advancing to higher positions closer to the goal. For that reason, I believed it was necessary to keep possession while also making plays that exploit the space behind the opponent's fullbacks and take their backs. As a result, I thought the team's spacing would improve and we would be able to win more second balls.
Q, I think it was expected of you to bring energy and momentum to the team by playing alongside Yuta ARAI. How do you look back on your performance?
A, it is unfortunate that we ended up losing. Since I haven't scored since coming on, I feel frustrated. Even in such a situation, I thought it was necessary to demonstrate my value, so I realized I need to get more involved with the ball and show an attitude of moving toward the goal.
Q, how did you feel after conceding a goal from a penalty kick and then encouraging your team?
A, I thought that if we gave up there, the match would be over. Recently, with VAR and such, additional time has often been extended, so I believed we could definitely make a comeback. I thought the fans and supporters wanted to see us face forward and fight, not hang our heads. I don’t think the fans and supporters come to see us downhearted, so I felt it was important to fight until the very end, and I encouraged the entire team.
Q: Araki, Tawaratsumida, and I often have opportunities to play together in matches. What are our future challenges?
A, With Kuryu MATSUKI and Naoki KUMATA away with the U-20 Japan national team and some injured players, us young players need to play aggressively and with the determination to surpass the veterans; otherwise, in situations like today, we won’t be able to do anything. Since the Levain Cup is also coming up, we want to make our presence felt.
Q, there is a next game soon.
A, the Levain Cup is also an important tournament, so first, I want to win the match on the 8th and carry that momentum into the league games.
Q, please tell us about the emotions you felt at the end of the game, as you seemed to be the most disappointed.
A, it was a match we had to win, so I was frustrated that we couldn’t. During opportunities like corner kicks, the fans and supporters were cheering loudly for us, so I felt a deep sense of disappointment that we ended up losing.
Yuta ARAI
Q, it was your league debut match. How was it?
A, I entered the pitch with the mindset of scoring within the time I was given.
Q: What instructions did the coach give?
A, I was called while the coach was communicating with the coaching staff, so there were no specific instructions from the coach. Although it was a sudden appearance, I had prepared well and intended to show my play from the start.
Q, were you able to showcase your play?
A, I still couldn't play to my satisfaction. I want to become a player who can deliver results in the time given.
Q, how did you feel watching the game from the bench?
A, I felt that we couldn’t get into our rhythm and weren’t able to play as usual. In the second half, the team’s momentum improved, and since I was brought on, I wanted to change the flow, but we ended up losing, so I want to deliver results in the time I’m given.
Q, there were also some close scenes.
A, I thought that if I swung through properly, it might hit the opponent and create a chance, so I swung through.
Q, how did you feel sitting on the bench since the previous match?
A, I was hoping to be put into the game as soon as possible.
Q, I think you are eager to extend the number of matches and playing time from here, but what kind of preparations will you make?
A, I believe that if I don't produce results, I won't even be able to make the bench for the next match. There are many great players and the squad is deep, so I want to learn from other players during practice, grow, and score more goals in matches.
Q, on the 8th, there will also be the Levain Cup, which I think will be a platform for showcasing.
A, the team has not won in two matches, so I want to win the match on the 8th and head into the next league game with good momentum.
