<Match Review>
FC Tokyo faced Urawa Reds in their third consecutive match against AFC Champions League qualifying clubs. In the previous match, they faced Vissel Kobe and despite conceding the first goal in the first half, they managed to turn things around in the second half and score 3 goals for a comeback victory. They gained a lot of confidence from their performance and approached this home series with determination.
There were some changes in the lineup due to the consecutive matches in 3 days. Henrique TREVISAN was used as a center back instead of Yasuki KIMOTO, who has been playing in all league matches so far. Kazuya KONNO was placed on the left wing instead of Adailton. Kensuke NAGAI, who set up the equalizing goal in the previous match against Kobe, entered as the right winger.
Tokyo, showing high intensity from the start, maintained possession of the ball and pressed towards the Urawa goal. Although they struggled to create finishing opportunities, they moved the ball quickly and pushed the opponent back. Even when Urawa applied strict pressure from the front line, Tokyo maintained positional superiority and moved the ball with few touches, carefully breaking the press. As they struggled to get to the finish, Urawa gradually had more time with the ball. In the 22nd minute of the first half, they were pushed back in front of the goal, and David MOBERG scored, but it was ruled offside, resulting in no goal. In the 33rd minute of the first half, a cross from the right side was headed by Hiroki SAKAI at the far side. Jakub SLOWIK could not react, but Morishige, who was covering the goal, cleared it away. The closest they came to the Urawa goal in the first half was in the 40th minute. Nagai broke through on the right side with speed. Before the opponent could recover, he dribbled close to the goal line and delivered a ground pass in front of the goal. Diego OLIVEIRA made a one-touch attempt, but was blocked by a defender, preventing a goal. In the latter stages, they had more opportunities to maintain possession and took control, but they could not shake the opponent to create a breakthrough and went into halftime.
Even in the second half, both teams share possession of the ball. Tokyo manages to carry the ball close to the opponent's penalty area, but they fail to take a shot due to miscommunication in the plays leading up to the finish. On the defensive side, they face some close calls, including a counterattack in the 66th minute that leads to a shot on goal. In the 71st minute, they concede a free kick in front of the goal, but Takahiro AKIMOTO's shot aimed at the top left corner is met with a big save from Swoboda. Tokyo, looking to make changes through substitutions, brings on Hotaka NAKAMURA for Kuryu MATSUKI in the 64th minute, Hirotaka MITA for Ryoma WATANABE in the 74th minute, and Keita YAMASHITA for Nagai in the 81st minute. Struggling to create chances, in the 83rd minute, Adailton takes a shot from mid-range, but the curving shot is blocked by the opposing goalkeeper. In the 85th minute, Adailton sends in a cross from the left side, and as they contest for the ball in the penalty area, the loose ball is targeted by YAMASHITA for a jumping volley, but it goes over the goal.
In the latter half, we were pushed back and had to endure, but the team as a whole persevered and slid to respond to the movement of the ball, locking the game at 0-0. The three consecutive games against ACL teams resulted in 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, providing a 9-day period for growth and improvement. The consecutive games continue, with a Levain Cup match against Shonan Bellmare on the 13th and an away game against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the league on the 16th.
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: I think there were several phases in today’s match. It wasn’t that the flow was different between the first and second halves; rather, the game alternated between periods dominated by Tokyo and periods dominated by Urawa throughout the full 90 minutes. I believe it was a more tactical, more European-style match today. It was an exciting game with chances for both sides. Both teams’ goalkeepers did an excellent job. Both sides played aiming for victory, and it was a very closely contested match. In that sense, a result where one side scored and won would not have reflected the flow of the game, so I think a draw was a fair outcome.
From the start of the second half, we brought Adailton onto the side, aiming to utilize the space behind the flank. Midway through the second half, we substituted Kuryu MATSUKI for Ryoma WATANABE in the attacking midfield position with the intention of better controlling the game, but WATANABE got injured, which slightly disrupted our game plan. In any case, the players gave their all on the pitch. I especially want to comment on Yuto NAGATOMO’s outstanding performance. He was very focused and delivered excellent defense.
I also told the players directly that being frustrated by not being able to win is, in a way, a positive thing. Regardless of the match content, always having a hunger for victory is wonderful. Our project has only been underway for three months. Nevertheless, I am proud of the team for being able to hold a closely contested match against Urawa, a team that has been working on positional play for over a year. Urawa is one of the teams representing Japan in the ACL. As a Japanese team, I wish them success in Asia.
Q, it seemed like the midfield formation had changed, what kind of strategy was it?
A, I felt that Urawa was making dangerous plays through the center. In the match against Kobe, there were also periods when we struggled as they broke through the central midfield in a similar way. Taking that into account, we decided to defend with a tendency toward a double pivot. Today as well, Urawa’s forwards and attacking midfielders dropped back to play on the opposite side, and their wingers moved inside aiming to create a numerical advantage in central midfield. To respond effectively to that, we defended with a double pivot approach. To maintain defensive stability in central midfield, we couldn’t press as high as usual. Because of that, there were times when we conceded possession to the opponent. In attack, we played with a 4-3-3 formation.
[Player Interview]
＜Adailton
Q, I entered the game in the second half, what instructions did you receive and what did you focus on during the play?
A, in the first half, we were under pressure from the opponent starting from the front line, making it a difficult situation. I was instructed to use the space and regain our rhythm, so I focused on that. Although we were able to regain our rhythm, it is very frustrating that it did not lead to earning the three points.
Q, I think there were many occasions when the play was initiated from Adailton.
A, Urawa is a team that attacks using the central space, and there were many periods when they exploited that space. However, after gaining possession, I focused on attacking the space behind the opponents who came out and the side spaces, so the ball often gathered on my side. Next time, I want to connect that to scoring.
Q: How would you evaluate the team's growth up to this point?
A, the area where I feel the team has grown the most is possession. There are still some challenging aspects, but I believe we are improving day by day, and I think we will continue to get even better from here.
Q, what part do you feel is different from before?
A, I feel that positioning is the biggest difference compared to before. Since we have longer possession of the ball, it has become easier to understand where my teammates are and from where the passes will come, so it has also become easier to know where I should position myself. I hope to improve match by match and continue to grow further.
Henrique TREVISAN
Q: Please tell us about the competition between players Morishige and Kimoto for the center back position.
A, I believe there should be competition within the team, and that competition will lead the team in a positive direction. Looking back on the entire match, I feel positive about having kept a clean sheet in the game when I was given the chance today.
Q, do you feel that Henrique is able to make use of his characteristics in his current role, where he is expected to make use of his dominant foot?
A: My current answer to that question is "No." I believe my build-up play using my left foot can still improve, and I feel that I have not yet reached the level to effectively break down opponents through build-up play. Considering that I will get better from now on, please allow me to answer "No" for the time being.
Q: It has been 3 months since the start, but have you felt any signs of growth during this period?
A: Regarding the team's growth, the build-up play has improved, and we have become able to properly execute what the coach demands in each match. Also, the transitions. These two areas are where we feel we have grown the most, and at the same time, by raising the quality of these two aspects in every game and being able to play well, we sense the team's growth.
Q: What was the most cautious thing about Urawa's attack today?
A, Urawa's attack was dangerous because they effectively used the central space and leveraged the speed of their center forward. Regarding the ball in the center, we focused on firmly intercepting and closing down the middle, as well as maintaining concentration for the full 90 minutes to avoid giving them any chance to break through the space behind.
Q, when watching Henrique's defense, there is an impression that his legs stretch out and his body comes out to block at the very last moment.
A: As a defender, the team's goal is to avoid conceding goals, so one of my characteristics is to never give up until the very end and throw my body out to block.
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q, please reflect on the tough match.
A, given the temperature during this series of consecutive matches, it was a tough game, but everyone defended solidly, and there were parts where we were able to launch good attacks. However, I also felt many issues once again, so we will work hard to correct them properly. We are still a developing team, so I want all of us to improve even more together.
Q: How was the matchup with Hiroki SAKAI, who plays together in the Japan national team?
A, Hiroki SAKAI returned, and I myself was fired up thinking, 'It's a matchup,' which also boosted my motivation. It was truly a tough match, but I enjoyed the 90 minutes today competing against him.
Q, please teach the children watching about the charm of the side back.
A, I once again felt that Hiroki SAKAI is an outstanding player. The side back position involves a lot of work, including many tasks that are not visible. By running for the team in those unseen areas, it is a wonderful position that can lead to the team’s victory. So, I definitely want children to try playing as side backs.
Q, it was tough for both players in the match-up with Takumi SAKAI in terms of ball control.
A, he came at me aggressively. He really is a great player. He is strong in one-on-one situations, has good positioning, and was very troublesome to face. I didn’t want to lose, so I played while keeping an eye on Hiroki SAKAI. However, midfield players also came in between us, and there were several difficult moments, but in the end, I think we were able to defend well as a team.
Q, I think the team as a whole was quite tired after the three consecutive matches. How was the team overall?
A, the three consecutive matches plus today's heat were extraordinary and surprising. However, I think the team was able to do what it could even under these conditions. That said, if we can increase the time we hold the ball and extend our own time, improving our possession further, I believe we could have created more chances, so I want to work on that aspect.
Q, How is the atmosphere of the team?
A, We have been able to practice very well, and the atmosphere is good. I think the situation is extremely positive. If we continue like this, it will surely lead to the team's growth, so we just have to keep believing and working hard.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next Levain Cup and league matches.
A, I want to work hard to correct the issues that came up today, execute good attacks, and connect them to earning 3 points.
Kensuke NAGAI
Q, please reflect on the 90 minutes of the last match of the 3 consecutive matches.
A, it was hot. It was a closely contested match where either team could have won by scoring one goal, and if we can score from set plays in games like this, I believe the team will improve even more. We managed to secure 1 point, so I want to take that positively.
Q, I think we were able to attack effectively by using the sides while holding the ball.
A, we had some issues as we couldn't press forward much in the second half, but I want to make adjustments so that we can attack more from the sides like we did in the first half, and improve overall.
Q, in the latter part of the first half, broke through the right side vertically and led to a chance.
A, it was good to connect with Diego, but since we couldn't get through often, I want to increase the number of attempts, and I think the whole team needs to create more time to press forward.
Q: Was there any progress that leads to the next game?
A, we were also using a different defensive approach than usual, so I want to get better at that. As we play through a long season, I think various defensive methods will emerge, so I want to master each one and continue to grow while winning.
Q, many fans and supporters came to Ajinomoto Stadium.
A, it was the best. It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a while. I want to make sure we finish with a solid win, and I was thinking during the match today that it would be even more enjoyable if the fans and supporters could cheer out loud.
