Match Review
The first match of the Levain Cup, aiming for the first championship in three seasons, was approached with a significantly changed lineup from the league matches.
Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who made his official debut in Tokyo, guarded the goal, and Shuhei TOKUMOTO, who made his first appearance after joining, played as left back. In the midfield, veteran Keigo HIGASHI was joined by rookie Tsubasa TERAYAMA, and 16-year-old Ryunosuke SATO, who was registered as a type 2 player. In the front line, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who has already made his league debut, started for the first time, and Leandro took his position on the right side.
The blue and red team, Gamba Osaka, arrived in Osaka with a fresh lineup and faced an important first match of the tournament.
1st HALF－Young players are active and creating opportunities
As soon as the kickoff, the two young players run around the pitch. Terayama and Sato, who entered as inside halves, switched on and seized the flow, and in the 9th minute of the first half, they had their first chance. Leandro, who took a free kick in front of the goal, hit the wall directly.
In addition, Leandro made a shot in the 15th minute of the first half. He connected from a pass cut in the enemy's territory to the finish.
The flow went back and forth between the two teams. In the 17th minute of the first half, there was a decisive pinch, but Kato's header shot missed the frame and escaped danger. In the 22nd minute of the first half, Tawarazumiya Tada player gouged the left side and crossed minus. However, the ball that Perotti, who was free, put together with his left foot could not catch the goal.
In the 25th minute of the first half, player Tawarazumida takes a close shot. He picks up a loose ball in front of the area and aims with his right foot, but it is blocked by a super save from player Kim.
Both teams continued to show attacking attitudes even in the final stages, but were unable to score. As the scheduled 2 minutes of additional time passed, the first half ended with a set piece being defended just before the whistle blew.
2nd HALF－Despite creating many chances, they couldn't finish them off.
Tokyo was the first to create a scoring opportunity in the beginning of the second half. In the 7th minute of the second half, PEROTTI and Terayama, starting from Seiji KIMURA's direct pass, showed a skillful cutback in the area, but unfortunately, Leandro's shot missed the target by a large margin.
After that, we were dominated by C Osaka, who attacked using the width of the pitch. In the 15th minute of the second half, Yasuki KIMOTO, Adailton, and Yuta ARAI were substituted in and the system was changed, but we couldn't change the flow of the game.
Nevertheless, without allowing any goals, the second half also entered the final stage. In the 35th minute of the second half, Leon NOZAWA was brought to the forefront as the last card. That player, Leon NOZAWA, impressed in the 39th minute of the second half. He turned forward inside the box and took a shot. In the following 40th minute of the second half, Leandro player headed the cross put in by Arai player. Unfortunately, it was caught by the goalkeeper, but they created scenes that threatened the goal one after another.
However, immediately after that, they were caught off guard for a moment. Unable to clear the long ball and facing a second attack, they were slow to react in the area and conceded a goal in the 41st minute of the second half. They conceded the opening goal at a difficult time.
In additional time, Adailton and Henrique TREVISAN had consecutive big chances from corner kicks, but they couldn't score, and the game ended 0-1. Despite having more chances than the opponent, they couldn't convert them and suffered a frustrating defeat by the opponent's one chance.
The team is currently in a situation of 2 consecutive losses without a win in 3 official matches. Four days later, they will aim for a victory in the Sec. 4 match against Yokohama FC at Ajinomoto Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hodaka NAKAMURA/Seiji KIMURA/Henrique TREVISAN/Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Keigo AZUMA (0' second half: Kei KOIZUMI)/Tsubasa TERAYAMA (35' second half: Leon NOZAWA)/Ryunosuke SATO (15' second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)
FW Leandro/Perotti (15' second half: Adailton)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (15' second half: Yuta ARAI)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Junya SUZUKI
GOAL
―
＜Cerezo Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jin Hyeon KIM
DF Riku MATSUDA/Ryosuke SHINDO/Kakeru FUNAKI/Ryuya NISHIO
MF Riki HARAKAWA/Hinata KIDA/Shinji KAGAWA (18th minute of the second half: Hiroaki OKUNO)/Hikaru NAKAHARA (23rd minute of the second half: Seiya MAIKUMA)
FW Satoki UEJO (35th minute of the second half: CAPIXABA)/Mutsuki KATO (18th minute of the second half: Leo CEARA)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Matej JONJIC
MF Reiya SAKATA
GOAL
41' Second Half: CAPIXABA
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A: It is natural to feel upset after losing a match, especially when conceding a goal near the end and losing. I also conveyed this to the players, but today we lost 3 points in the Levain Cup. However, although we lost points, I believe we gained many other things. It was significant that players who rarely get playing opportunities in the league proved that they possess a high level of ability. Furthermore, the young players demonstrated on the pitch that they are trustworthy players. That is why, although we feel disappointed after losing the match, positive emotions are also rising. I want a team that fights like today. Especially, I want young players who aim for further growth and want to prove themselves on the pitch, and I think they showed that by dominating the game in the second half. On another day, with some luck, the ball will hit the back of the net and we will earn 3 points.
The first half was a close match. We had multiple chances, as did our opponent. There were some difficult situations when our opponent advanced well and lowered their defensive block. However, I think we were able to play better in the second half. We created multiple chances, but unfortunately we were not able to score. That's just how soccer is. We may have had more chances, but Cerezo, who scored with fewer chances, won and earned 3 points.
I am proud of the players who played today. In this difficult match against Cerezo, where there were many great players, I am proud that a 16-year-old youth showed a great performance. I am truly proud that a young player showed a great performance in a great stadium, under difficult pressure. I am also proud that 18-year-old Tawarazumiya player made a last pass that led to Perotti's decisive chance by digging the side in the first half. In the second half, 18-year-old Arai player also created chances in a good shape from the side, and I am proud of his play as well. And Terayama player also played well as a starter and proved that he is a player who can compete well in the league.
It is also good news that players such as Tokumoto, Kimura, Leandro, and others who have not had many opportunities to play in the league have proven that they can perform well. I also think that Nozawa Leon, who played in the last game, made a good play that was involved in a decisive chance. I think it was a game that deserved to win, but we lost. In that sense, I am disappointed. However, we lost three points, but I also feel that we have won many other things.
Q: Please provide a detailed evaluation of player Ryunosuke SATO, who made his debut.
A: I think Sato has many characteristics that remind me of players at FC Barcelona. Specifically, he has the talent to play as if the ball is always glued to his feet. I believe he is a player who can demonstrate high-quality technique even in tight spaces. He has been participating in training since the preseason, and we have been asking him to improve his defensive aggressiveness. Now, we can see clear improvements in that regard. I am truly proud that a player belonging to the U-18 team, who is accustomed to playing on artificial turf, performed wonderfully in a match with such professional pressure. I believe the supporters of Tokyo are proud of the young players’ achievements and growth. They must be proud of the performances of Matsuki, Kumada, Tawarazumida, and Sato, who made his debut today.
[Player Interview]
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: please review the game.
A, the team has been facing disappointing results consecutively. Since we are challenging what the team is trying to do, we wanted to achieve a good result.
Q: What kind of discussions were there before the game, considering that many players who haven't had many opportunities to play were participating?
A, we talked about fighting with confidence and courage. Since many players who have had few opportunities to play appeared today, we were determined to win at all costs and give the team momentum.
Q, the game continued with a back-and-forth battle, and we managed to keep a clean sheet, but we conceded a goal in the end.
A, in a team that plays a style focused on maintaining possession and attacking, what is required of the goalkeeper is to concentrate and successfully defend the few critical moments that arise during the 90 minutes. I was unable to fulfill that role today, so I feel very sorry to the team.
Q, throughout the match, his height and other strengths were evident.
A, I will continue to work on that aspect.
Q, please review the scene of conceding a goal.
A, I wish I could have stopped it. Since I came out, the Tokyo players expected me to use my body to deflect the ball out, so I think the goal cover was delayed. That scene was a moment where I could have stopped and calmly dealt with it, so if I had made that decision, the situation would have been different.
Q, I think I can participate in the league matches if we look at the personal technical aspects.
A, I believe in what I have. I think what is required is to make each decision with high quality. From now on, how much I can bring out what I have will be important. I will always continue to prepare to participate in matches.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q, this was my first appearance after transferring.
A, it was fun. I also enjoyed playing with my positioning more inside, and through the actual match, I once again realized that this is how I should play. I want to continue making appeals that will lead to league matches in the future.
Q, there were also situations where it was possible to throw a long throw-in.
A, Tawara Tsukida also stopped. By running there, the opposing center-back moved outside, resulting in a corner kick and leading to the next chance. I think Tawara Tsukida will trust and run next time as well, so I believe it was good.
Q, I felt that I was able to do the parts such as the standing position that I was struggling with during the camp without any problems today. How do you feel about the response to that?
A, the opponent's intensity dropped more in the second half than in the first half, so I made two or three runs at the right timing, and one of them resulted in a pass. From there, it led to a shot by Leon NOZAWA, so I think that was good.
I also communicated to Adailton that I was making runs into space, so I believe this will be useful going forward. Even if the pass doesn't come, I think continuing to do so is one of my strengths, so I want to keep it up.
Q, the team lost the game with a disappointing goal conceded at the end. Please share your enthusiasm for the future.
There were parts where we couldn't defend properly, but we can't win the game without scoring. It's not just the responsibility of the forward players, but everyone needs to play with more tension. I think if each player has a strong awareness of winning this game and grabbing a regular position for Tokyo, we can score.I think I could have played better to score more goals, so I want to focus on myself and move in that direction.
Q, do you think you took a step forward towards playing in the league match?
A, I think so, but I see it as a milestone.For me, I approached it with the mindset of starting with the Levain Cup without rushing, and as a result of continuing to practice patiently, I was able to be included in the squad for the league match against Kyoto.
Since that kind of attitude connects everything, I hope I can set a good example for the younger players. I also believe it’s not enough to be a good player only when you’re on the field. At this good age, I want to focus solely on contributing positively to the team.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
Q: please review the game.
A, I am very happy to have made my debut, but since we were aiming for a win and couldn’t achieve the desired result, the word that comes to mind is "frustrating."
Q: You seemed nervous, but how was the start of the game?
A: I wasn’t that nervous. It’s not that I wasn’t nervous at all, but since many fans and supporters came, the excitement was greater. Being able to play in a match in such an environment also boosted my confidence.
Q, I gradually started to show my play from the camp, which led to my starting appearance today.
A, I have wanted to participate in the first match of the Levain Cup since the camp, so although there were factors like injured players, I am genuinely happy to have been able to play in the match I was aiming for.
Q: Have you contacted the coaches and parents you have been involved with so far?
A, my mother and younger brother came to watch the match. I also received many encouraging words from the coaches, such as "Go for it with confidence," so I was able to play with full effort.
Q: How do you plan to build on today's game and continue moving forward?
A, the 60 minutes I played were the most intense time in my soccer life so far. I believe I must connect this experience to the next step, so whether I continue with FC Tokyo U-18 or join the top team, I want to work on being able to do what I couldn’t do before.
Q, I think you showed your strengths in shooting and final passes.
A, I thought I could have taken the shot myself in the scene where I passed to Leandro. I'm very frustrated that I couldn't make a decisive pass or shot.
Q: Shinji Kagawa was also on the same pitch. I feel that his playing style is similar to that of Sato, but what kind of presence does he have?
A: I had always watched him on TV and admired him, so being able to stand on the same pitch was an unparalleled happiness. There were also moments when we matched up against each other, which was really enjoyable.
Q, it was my official game debut, but I was playing in tight spaces like the center.
A, since this is my specialty, I focused on calmly facing forward and dribbling ahead. I'm glad I was able to play as usual in this match as well.
Q, the coach said that he is a type of player who is at FC Barcelona.
A, the coach also appreciated my ball control, so I want to make sure I don't lose that trust. I believe I could have expressed more of what the coach expects from me on the pitch.
Q: I am still a high school student, but do you do any physical training?
A, during the camp, I felt that with my current physical condition, I couldn't compete at all. From there, I started seriously strengthening my physical aspect and continue to do so even now. When I played with top-level players once, I developed the feeling that I have to reach that level myself. Technical skills alone are not enough, so I am consciously working on improving my physical condition and intensity immediately.
Q, have you felt anything different from before?
A, I feel it is easier to play, with faster passes coming than before and teammates running to the spots where I want to pass the ball.
Q, are there any places where you can play relying on the surroundings more than in academy matches?
A, there are some. There are parts where I feel they will be able to control the ball even if I make a difficult pass.
Q: Last season and when you were a member of FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, there were consecutive matches without spectators. Today, you were surrounded by many spectators. How was it?
A, it felt absolutely amazing. Until now, I had only experienced matches with up to about 4,000 spectators, so I heard that today there were over 10,000. I believe I was able to play in an unparalleled venue.
Q, Ryunosuke YADA call was echoing.
A, I could hear it very well. I will continue to work hard in practice after returning so that I can also play in matches at Ajinomoto Stadium.
<Leon NOZAWA>
Q, there were some close scenes, right?
A, I thought it was a goal, and the feeling was really good, so I’m frustrated.
Q, did you think about aiming for the goal the moment you had the ball?
A, I hesitated a little, but since the defender in front of me was leaning to the left, I decided to take the shot. The moment I took the shot, I thought it went in, but it was too weak.
Q: How was it to make your first appearance in an official match after returning from a loan?
A, since I hadn’t been able to participate much in practice matches even from the camp after returning, I was surprised to be selected for the squad this time. However, I felt that through daily practice and extra training after practice, I had been steadily building up my skills, so it’s disappointing and frustrating that it didn’t lead to results. I believe it’s because I still haven’t accumulated enough.
Q: Did you have the desire to be substituted in quickly while sitting on the bench?
A, yes. The remaining time when I was substituted in might have been short, but for me, it was significant that I got 15 minutes of playing time in an official match instead of zero. I was excited and really enjoyed the game. However, since I played as a forward, I wanted to score a goal.
Q, were you able to demonstrate your strengths in defense?
A: Regarding defense, I didn't feel very confident. There were moments when I could have pressed earlier, and I also made some careless mistakes. Considering the reasons why the team needs me, I believe I have to showcase my strengths more in order to survive.
