<Match Review>
The final match of the three consecutive games, which included the Levain Cup match against Júbilo Iwata, was an away game against Kyoto Sanga F.C. after a three-day break. It was the first match for Tokyo at SANGA Stadium by KYOCERA. They headed to Kyoto aiming for their third consecutive league victory.
The starting lineup has changed slightly since the last J1 League match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Yuto Nagatomo, who was selected for the Japan national team, made his first start of the season as the right back, while Takuya Aoki, who was suspended for the Hiroshima match, returned as the anchor. On the bench, Rei Hirakawa and Yojiro Takahagi, who both came on as substitutes in the match against Iwata, made their first appearance in the J1 League squad.
From the start, Tokyo was pressured by Kyoto, unable to break the press and facing a prolonged period of being pushed back. Even when they regained possession, there were many cases of passing errors when trying to advance, making it difficult to find their rhythm. Around the 20th minute of the first half, with quick passing and a switch from Masato MORISHIGE, they managed to break the opponent's press and created opportunities to attack Kyoto's goal. In the 24th minute of the first half, Kazuya KONNO handled a wide pass with one touch, received the ball again through a one-two with Shuto ABE, and set up Yuto NAGATOMO to run into space on the right side for a cross. From this point, they began to break the opponent's press and maintain possession, gradually pushing Kyoto back into their own half. The big chance of the first half came in the 45+1 minute, when Kazuya KONNO brought the ball forward, and Diego OLIVEIRA picked it up, entering the penalty area while holding off an opponent defender. He sent a ground pass in front of the goal, but it just missed reaching Kuryu MATSUKI, who was diving in.
In the second half, the opponent with sharp footwork continued to push us back. In the 5th minute of the second half, they invaded deep into the right side and targeted a pass towards Peter UTAKA. It was a shot towards the top right corner, but Jakub SLOWIK made a super save and deflected it. Tokyo, searching for a way to counterattack, created chances through set pieces. In the 20th minute of the second half, Adailton jumped in from the right corner kick and took a header shot, but it went straight to the opponent's goalkeeper.
Despite not being able to hold onto the ball for long, Tokyo did not miss a moment. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Yasuki KIMOTO, who had the ball in his own half, sent a long pass towards the opponent's defensive line. Konno received the ball and controlled it near the goal line, then sent a final pass towards the goal. Diego, who had made a run towards the center of the goal, took a one-touch shot and the ball deflected off an opponent defender and rolled into the goal, marking Diego TABA's 50th goal for Tokyo and giving them the lead.
Immediately after, Kensuke NAGAI was substituted for Konno, taking control of the game with a fresh player. The team pushed forward with pressure from the front, leading to a late surge and dominating the opponent. In the final moments, they faced their biggest challenge as Peter UTAKA broke free and made a run towards the goal, but the shot missed the target and they were able to secure their third consecutive victory in the league.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: In the first 20 minutes from the start of the match, as expected, Kyoto applied intense pressure, and we struggled with building up play from the back. The team is still in a developmental stage. In that sense, struggling with build-up against a team that applies high pressing is unavoidable at this point and within our calculations.
After that, there was a period where we were able to control the game. We moved the ball with clear intent, created opportunities to break down the opponent’s defensive block, and had time to control the match.
We were able to create chances from many crosses and corner kicks. However, since we relied too much on crosses and had few central breakthroughs, we made improvements at halftime. As I also told the players at halftime, it was expected that Kyoto would apply intense pressing again in the second half, and indeed, we struggled with their press for about the first 10 minutes.
After withstanding the opponent's attacks, we regained control of the game and created more decisive chances. Then, with Kyoto's defensive line pushed high up, we successfully broke through the space behind them with long balls and managed to score the opening goal.
There was a clear period in today’s match that proved the team has grown further. It was in the last 10 to 15 minutes before the end of the game. Ending the match by controlling the ball—I often describe it as defending with the ball—and the fact that they were able to express that well on the pitch was a sign of growth. Although there was a mistake that led to conceding a counterattack at the very end, in the final 10 to 15 minutes of the match, the team’s ability to control the game while defending and simultaneously create multiple decisive chances to aim for additional goals was a sign of the team’s development.
It is gratifying to grow along with victory, reflect on the match, and connect it to the next one. Neither I nor the players are satisfied just because we secured a win today. I believe we can play even better, and while it is wonderful to celebrate this victory, we want to turn our focus inward and continue to grow further. This season, we will focus on the team’s daily growth and continue moving forward.
I am grateful to Ryoma and Yojiro, who were brought on late in the game, for providing the team with high quality and contributing to closing out the match by controlling the game.
Q, please tell us the intention behind starting player Yuto NAGATOMO.
A, he is an undeniably experienced and outstanding player. He fought alongside Kyoto’s left-back Ogihara during their time at Niigata, and since we recognized his attacks as dangerous, we deployed Nagatomo to suppress that area.
And having Nagatomo on the team is both a joy and a source of pride. He will soon join the Japan national team. We pray for the Japan national team’s victory and for his success.
Q: What was the best thing about the time you endured in defense?
A, I understand that there are two ways to defend. One is to narrow the space and strengthen the defense. The other is to defend while maintaining possession of the ball.
In today's match, we defended well by narrowing the space and keeping a compact shape. At the same time, in the final stages of the game, we also showed good defense by maintaining possession of the ball. In that sense, I am very satisfied with today's defense. There are very few players on this team who have defended by maintaining possession and closing out the game. I am pleased that those players were able to firmly finish the match today by maintaining possession in a 1-0 situation.
Q, please evaluate the performance of the center back players.
A, we have three excellent center backs. Furthermore, the younger center backs are growing day by day. I am pleased that we have players who currently carry Tokyo on their shoulders and represent the future of this club. First of all, our captain Morishige is very experienced, and at the same time, I am glad that he quickly adapted to the new playing style and is expressing his experience. Also, Kimoto and Henrique had not played much in this playing style before. In that context, I am happy that the three, including Morishige, have started to show wonderful performances, and I am also pleased that the younger center backs behind them are growing day by day, trying to catch up and surpass them.
[Player Interview]
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q, please look back on the goal scene.
A, the ball was passed from Kimoto to Konno, who carried and controlled it before sending a pass to the goal, allowing me to connect in the center. It wasn't the kind of goal scene I had hoped for, but scoring a goal is what matters, so I'm glad I was able to finish it properly.
Q, It looked like the shot was off target, but because of good performance in daily practice, it flew into the goal, right?
A, I think sometimes luck is necessary, but it comes from your daily conduct and consistently working hard in practice. Even during the match, giving your all with what you have. I believe such efforts lead to luck.
Q, the first goal of this season became the 50th goal in the league matches at FC Tokyo.
A, I am happy to have scored my first goal of the season. I have always played with the mindset of scoring goals, so I’m glad I was able to finish it properly. Also, reaching 50 league goals in total is very gratifying. I believe this record was made possible because my teammates trust me. Above all, since soccer is a team sport, I am pleased that my goal helped us win.
Q: The coach also mentioned that the defense has improved. Do you feel that the defense has also improved?
A, as a team, I feel that the level of defense is improving day by day no matter who plays. By maintaining compactness and properly positioning the defensive blocks, and by unifying that awareness, the forwards find it easier to defend and transition to attack. Last time, Henrique TREVISAN also contributed when he played, and I believe anyone who plays can perform at the same level.
Q: What kind of player is Konno?
A, Konno is young, but everyone knows he is an excellent player. He gives his all in daily practice, and when he scored his first goal, we celebrated and lifted him up. Today, he also provided an assist, so I lifted him up again to express my gratitude. Moving forward, we will deepen our coordination, increase good plays, and hope to show you more scenes of lifting him up.
Yuto NAGATOMO
Q: Please share your thoughts on winning the first game of the season as a starter.
A, I am relieved that we won. The team had secured a good momentum with two consecutive wins, so I worked desperately because I thought it would be my fault if we lost with me as a starter.
Q, I have a memory of playing as a right full-back when I had a practice match with FC Tokyo during my time at Meiji University. Do you have a feeling of returning to your roots?
A, I was playing while recalling my time at Meiji University. However, whether on the left or right, the demands as a full-back do not change, so I stayed calm and focused on expressing the tactics and plays the coach requested on the pitch.
Q, you are about to participate in the final qualifying round of the World Cup as a member of the Japan national team. However, you have not had much playing time in Tokyo so far, and there are differences between playing for your club and playing for the national team. Do you have any concerns about this?
A, I have absolutely no concerns. I have been through various tough situations. In fact, the last time at the end of January during the national team match, I only had a 45-minute practice game against Ryutsu Keizai University after the off-season before heading into the final qualifiers, so I did have some worries then.
This time, I played in the national team match at the end of January, and since returning to Tokyo, I have participated in about 80 minutes of practice matches, played part of league matches, and today I played the full 90 minutes, so there is absolutely no problem.
Australia will also come to win desperately, and we want to win and secure our qualification. I think it will be a very tough and interesting match, but we will do our best to definitely win and qualify for the World Cup.
Takuya AOKI
Q, How was the game overall, despite being pushed back at times in the first half?
A, We were a bit flustered in the first 20 minutes, but I think both teams were able to play the style of soccer they wanted. After losing possession of the second ball during the game, we were put in a tough situation. We want to work on whether to go for the ball as a team or set up a block in those situations during practice.
Q, there were also scenes where the ball holder was being tough in the ball contact.
A, I thought I had to be proactive in going for the ball. The coach also said this, so I played with the awareness of increasing our intensity compared to the opponent.
Q, I think there were more passes with fewer touches after the second half, which also became the starting point of the attack.
A, There were parts that we did well, but we want to improve further to get better.
Q, I think there has been an increase in long balls and runs behind the defense from the team as a whole since the middle of the game.
A, Shaking the sides, which is also our aim, is important, and I think we were able to attack by using the depth behind the opponent. I believe it will get even better if we increase the patterns of attack after shaking the opponent.
Q, How is the current situation regarding the team's desired soccer style?
A, I want to dominate more. I think there are aspects that can only be felt through growth during matches, not just in practice. There are still many things that need to be done, such as being able to adapt flexibly when the opponent's formation changes.
I want to thoroughly pursue a competitive spirit along with the team's growth.
<Yasuki KIMOTO Player>
Q: please review the game.
A, In the first half, we were passive against the opponent's momentum and intense defense. However, from the second half onwards, we were able to control the ball and manage the game well. It was a fulfilling 90 minutes.
Q: Did you feel like the opponent was aiming for a counterattack? What measures did you take?
A, I knew that once we took the ball, it would go to Peter UTAKA, but they created several chances. Since the players at the back managed the risks well, I believe that if we continue to play solidly, we will become a team without weaknesses.
Q: What did you focus on when transitioning to the attack?
A, our strength lies in quick vertical attacks after winning the ball, and if that’s not possible, I focused on maintaining possession at the back while effectively using both long and short passes to build the attack.
Q, how was the communication on the pitch in terms of improving during the game?
A, there were periods when the opponent had possession of the ball, but the style of soccer we want to play is to keep the ball ourselves. In the previous match against Hiroshima, we were overwhelmed by the opponent's pressure, but this time we focused on valuing the ball and communicated to adjust our positioning.
Q, the scoring scene started with a long pass from Kimoto player. Was it as you imagined?
A, there were moments in the match when I could have kicked a long ball, but I deliberately tried not to. During that time, Konno asked me to send in a long ball once. The moment I kicked it, I felt it went too long, but Konno skillfully controlled it, so it was good and went just as planned.
Q, the team has won 3 consecutive league matches.
A, the season has just started and we are not too concerned about points yet, but I believe we have been able to achieve three consecutive wins because the team is growing and playing with belief in our direction. From now on, I want to continue playing each match to seize victory.
