Match Review
The start of the second half of the season has been smooth for the Tokyo-based team led by Peter CKLAMOVSKI. They have won consecutive games against Nagoya Grampus and Kashiwa Reysol at home. They have also kept clean sheets in both games, with scores of 2-0 and 1-0, highlighting their strong defense. The players have also mentioned feeling the effects of the "promises" that Coach CKLAMOVSKI emphasizes, and it is clear that this has translated to their defensive performance.
The stage for the first away game under the Klamovski regime will be the daunting Saitama Stadium 2002. With key players such as Teruhito Nakagawa and captain Masato Morishige absent, it will be a test of the team's overall strength. We can expect a strong performance from players like Yasuki Kimoto in the center back position and Keigo Higashi in the attacking midfield. In order to secure their first three consecutive wins of the season, they will face a tough opponent whom they had a great victory against in the opening game.
1st HALF - A thrilling back-and-forth battle
Urawa Reds, who have been using their strong defense as a weapon throughout the season, and Tokyo, who have kept two consecutive clean sheets since the new system was introduced. It was a first half where both teams showed high levels of concentration.
Tokyo maintained a compact formation from the final line to the front line, and defensively focused on shutting down vertical passes rather than aggressively pressing the opponent's final line.
However, in the 14th minute of the first half, Urawa's Keisuke KORIYAMA, who played his 500th J1 game, was able to break away. However, in the end, right-back Kei KOIZUMI did not neglect his work of narrowing the center and persistently responded. The shot was saved by the post.
On the contrary, immediately after that, a big chance comes to Tokyo. In the 20th minute of the first half, we pushed the opponent into their own territory and Matsuki Kuryu picked up the loose ball and made a vertical pass. He received a return pass from Kota Tawaratsumida inside the area and aimed directly with his left foot. The shot hit the target, but was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper's fine save.
The game continues with a back-and-forth struggle, but both teams are playing solid defense and the score remains unchanged. Tokyo had some opportunities to counterattack from midfield by intercepting passes, but they were unable to connect on the final pass and create shooting chances.
And in additional time, the biggest pinch of the first half comes. However, here Jakub SLOWIK stretches out his long arm and makes a save. Without conceding a goal from a shot by Sekine in front of the goal, the first half ends scoreless.
2nd HALF - Unable to convert the scoring opportunity at the beginning
The second half also progresses with a tense development. Both teams try to find a way to attack by carefully moving the ball when they possess it, but the defense's concentration surpasses that. As the remaining time decreases, the weight of the first goal increases in the game.
Among them, it was Tokyo that approached the goal. In the 2nd minute of the second half, Ryoma WATANABE took the first shot of the second half, and in the 11th minute, he created a scoring opportunity from a brilliant pass work. Koizumi carried the ball up, WATANABE expanded to the right. He ran through the penalty area, received a return pass from Higashi, and dribbled past the defender with a body feint to take the shot. However, the shot aimed at the near side hit the opponent's goalkeeper straight on.
Both teams have been actively making player substitutions since the second half passed the 20-minute mark, trying to decide the game. However, due to the hot and humid weather, the tempo of the attacks has not increased and the goal remains far away as time passes.
In the 39th minute of the second half, they faced a close call. Kozumi allowed a keep in front of the goal and allowed an expansion to the right side, but the ball passed through Jose KANTE and was aimed at Ogihara, but the powerful shot shook the outside of the side net and escaped danger.
In the final stage, Seiji Kimura was substituted as the last substitution and the formation was changed to a 5-back. They showed an attitude of taking back points in an away game against a strong opponent. The game ended 0-0. Although they missed out on a third consecutive victory under the Klamovski regime, they proved their defensive solidity with three consecutive clean sheets even away from home. After the Emperor's Cup third round match against Verdy next Wednesday, they will return to Ajinomoto Stadium for the last game before the league break to face Kashima Antlers.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Keigo KOIZUMI/Kyosuke KIMOTO/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Shuto ABE/Keigo HIGASHI (24th minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (41st minute of the second half: Seiji KIMURA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (24th minute of the second half: Perotti)/Kota TAWARAZUMI (31st minute of the second half: Reion NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO
FW Naoki KUMATA
GOAL
―
Urawa Reds
Starting XI
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hiroki SAKAI (6th minute of first half: Takuya OGIWARA)/Alexander SCHOLZ/Marius HOIBRATEN/Ayumu OHATA
MF Atsuki ITO (32nd minute of second half: Yuichi HIRANO)/Ken IWAO (21st minute of second half: Toshiki TAKAHASHI)/Tomoaki OKUBO/Kaito YASUI/Takahiro SEKINE (32nd minute of second half: Yoshio KOIZUMI)
FW Shinzo KOROKI (21st minute of second half: Jose KANTE)
SUBS
GK Zion SUZUKI
DF Takuya IWANAMI
GOAL
―
[Comments from Head Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's Press Conference]
Q: please review the game.
A: First of all, I think it was a hard-fought and important point. I believed it was a match where we truly needed to give everything we had to get through the game. I think the overall performance of the players was worthy of satisfaction. The players were very dedicated, strongly showing their style of play, and kept a clean sheet in defense.
I think we are gradually able to show what we have been building up through practice even when we have the ball. If we can continue to show our intentions in both attack and defense, we will be able to express our aggressive play and take three points in difficult matches like today's.
Q: The game turned out to be one where neither team could enter the opponent's penalty area. Did you anticipate such a game scenario in advance?
A: I expected it to be a tight match. Within that, it was necessary for us to firmly show our defense and keep a clean sheet. According to the stats from around the 65th to 70th minute, both teams had approximately 11 box entries (entries into the penalty area) each.
When I had the ball, I was able to gradually show the accumulation of trying to play positively as a team, and I think there were also parts where I was able to create chances. Urawa Reds is a very good team, and I think they played at a very high quality level. I am very proud of the players and they gave their all. I think we were able to show good football.
[Player Interview]
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q, please review today's game.
A, I thought it would not be easy to take points against the Urawa Reds, who were in good form, in the unique atmosphere of Saitama Stadium 2002, and indeed it was a difficult match. I want to take a positive view of having earned 1 point in that tough away game.
Q, please tell us what you have been conscious of in the attacking midfielder position.
A, I believe there is not much difference regardless of the position I play. With the premise of contributing to the team's victory, I focused on movements to receive the ball in the intermediate position. I think I could have expressed myself more in how I handled and interacted with the ball. Of course, soccer involves the opponent, and the flow of the match became difficult. Everyone worked hard, and there were times when we had to endure, but I focused on turning the few chances we had into goals.
Q: Did you have a specific defensive position in mind to prevent the opponent's midfielder from receiving the ball?
A, I was conscious of not giving the opponent's defensive midfielder freedom and not allowing them to receive the ball. Since the opponent's goalkeeper and center backs are skilled at building up play, I found it difficult to determine the best position to win the ball, but I think we were able to show compact defending.
Q, on the 12th we have a match against Verdy in the Emperor's Cup, and on the 16th we have a match against Kashima Antlers. How will the team approach these consecutive matches?
A, there are many areas for improvement, but I think we were able to play a good match today as well. Since we haven't lost in recent games, I believe that if we continue to play with passion, the results will naturally follow. I want to keep building on this step by step.
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, it was your first start in a while. Please reflect on the game.
A, it was a very tough match, but I think it was good that the players on the pitch maintained their concentration for the full 90 minutes, finished without conceding any goals, and were able to achieve the minimum result in an away game.
Q, I think the main focus in the first half was on dealing with Kojiro KURIYAMA, and in the second half it was on dealing with Jose KANTE. Please tell us what you were conscious of in suppressing the opponent's attacking lineup.
A, both players were of high quality. Not only in today's match but always, I am conscious of not giving the opposing forwards freedom and being aggressive when the ball comes to them. Personally, when I was out of the starting lineup for a while, I felt I needed to particularly emphasize that aspect. I believe I was able to approach the match with a strong awareness of not allowing the key players in the opponent's attack to have freedom.
Q, We were attacked in the second half, but we were able to close the game without conceding any goals. Please tell us about the defensive response.
A, I felt that our defensive strength to push back when under attacking pressure from the opponent was still insufficient. However, I think it was good that we were able to finish without conceding any goals. In the past, we might have lost concentration towards the end of the match, conceded a goal, and returned without earning any points. I believe we were able to show that we are gradually improving.
Q, Did you originally plan to change the formation and bring in Seiji KIMURA player in the final stages of the game?
A, We had not prepared in advance, but since it was a period when we were starting to be pushed back a bit, I think it added solidity to our defense. In that situation, everyone was focused on defending firmly and going for a goal, so I believe this will continue to be a necessary option depending on the match situation in the future.
<Ryoma WATANABE>
Q, please review today's game.
A, I think if we had been able to apply defensive pressure a little earlier, it would have led to smoother attacks. I believe the Urawa Reds also aimed to make it difficult for Tokyo to initiate defense from the front, and we reflect on the fact that there were few scenes where we broke through their defense in attack. Our attacks after winning the ball became too monotonous, and although I tried to break through individually, the opponent was carefully covering the spaces. I plan to review today's match footage and reflect on it.
Q: What kind of attacking strategy did you have in mind against Urawa, who had a high defensive line and compact defense?
A, we were able to score in good form against Nagoya Grampus and Kashiwa Reysol. While we have been building up our attacking style, I think there were particularly many situations in today’s match where we tried to break through individually. My impression is that teammates committed numbers to those plays but we couldn’t switch from individual situations to group-based attacking moves.
Q, we created big chances in both the first and second halves.
A, I want to increase plays that directly lead to goals even more. I want to aim not just for close calls, but for scoring.
Q, It seems that the attacking style is starting to penetrate, but please tell me what is necessary to grow from here.
A, I think there will be more matches in the future where we spend a lot of time defending, like today, but regardless of the situation, I believe it is necessary for everyone to share how we launch attacks and connect them to scoring. By doing so, I think more goals will be created. Rather than fighting individually in attacking situations, I want us to share the attacking style as a team.
<Tsubasa TERAYAMA>
Q, I think it was a difficult match, what mindset did you enter the game with?
A, since it was a match where the opponent had possession of the ball for a long time, I entered the game with a focus on plays that push the team's mindset forward and on recovering second balls, as these were points the coach emphasized. Personally, I am not satisfied with that aspect, and while it was good that we kept a clean sheet, I believe that in matches like this, scoring one goal to win is crucial. Therefore, I think this is an area we still need to build up through practice.
Q, I think it's difficult to participate in a game like this halfway through, but how do you feel about your individual performance?
A, I still have a long way to go. However, there were parts I was able to contribute defensively, so I think that was good. I also place great importance on what kind of play I can make on the first touch, and I believe I was able to do that well. Even so, when I think about what I was able to accomplish in the 20 minutes I played, I feel like I didn’t do anything. I want to dig deeper and improve further.
Q, I also felt a sense that Tsubasa TERAYAMA's strengths in playing aggressively from defense to offense have returned.
I often talk with Coach Minoru KOBAYASHI and we discussed about "regaining the aggressiveness that we had during the camp". I felt like I was able to do it, but at the same time, I felt like I couldn't. So, it is important to practice and be more conscious of that aspect and challenge ourselves. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI also often says "play bravely", so by always being aware of that and playing, I was able to feel that I can play in my own way.However, the level of the foundation is higher for players like Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI, so I want to follow them first and then surpass them without losing to them.
Q, the next game is against Verdy. Please tell us about the enthusiasm of Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who is also an academy graduate player.
A, this is truly a match we cannot afford to lose, and winning is the only option allowed. Our fans and supporters always sing after the game, and both the players and staff share the feeling that "we must not lose to Verdy." I don’t know if I will get to play, but I want to fight passionately and prove that we are "Tokyo."
