<Match Review>
The J1 League resumed after a two-week break, with Tokyo facing an away game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Both teams have welcomed new managers this season and are only separated by three points in the standings. The match was a showdown between Hiroshima's aggressive press and Tokyo's ability to maintain possession and build attacks.
In Tokyo, Go HATANO made his first appearance in the league, while Hirotaka MITA, who has been mainly used as an inside half, was selected as a starter in the wing position. New signings Luiz PHELLYPE, Koki TSUKAGAWA, and Seiji KIMURA were all included in the match squad.
1st HALF - Tokyo creates many chances but concedes first goal
First chance goes to Tokyo. In the 5th minute of the first half, Mita receives the ball in a vital area and is brought down, earning a free kick. Mita takes the free kick directly, but the ball narrowly misses the top right corner of the goal. In the early stages, Hiroshima presses from the front, but Tokyo moves the ball with precise positioning and distance, breaking through the press and entering Hiroshima's half. The wingers also join in the build-up, preventing the opponent's press in the midfield area.
Although we were unable to create many opportunities to finish, we broke through the opponent in the 21st minute of the first half. Kuryu MATSUKI player broke through the space in front of the penalty area and became the starting point, and Mita player entered the area in front of the left goal of the penalty area with a one-two touch with Kashif BANGNAGANDE player who took a high position. Mita player, who pulled the opponent's goalkeeper, chose a cross and sent a pass across the goal, but Shuto ABE player, who had jumped into the far side, could not meet and the shot missed above the goal.
In the 34th minute of the first half, they faced a pinch due to a build-up mistake. After losing the ball and receiving a short counter, they were pressed in front of the goal, but Go HATANO saved Nassim BEN KHALIFA's close-range shot. The opponent's player rushed to the loose ball, but Go HATANO also protected the goal by touching the ball with his body.
In the 39th minute of the first half, Masato MORISHIGE received a corner kick from Mita and passed it back, but Diego OLIVEIRA was unable to score as the goalkeeper blocked his shot.
Tokyo has been controlling the rhythm of the game, but they were caught off guard for a moment. In the 40th minute of the first half, they lost the ball while trying to build up from their own half, and Mori Island player was left free in the midfield. They tried to close in on Mori Island player who was facing towards the goal, but he scored a spectacular goal from the middle range, placing the ball in the bottom right corner of the goal.
Tokyo had many chances while holding the ball, but Hiroshima took advantage of one chance.
2nd HALF - Tokyo grabs consecutive wins with 2 goals in the second half to reverse the game
Tokyo wants to make a comeback, but in the 3rd minute of the second half, they couldn't clear Hiroshima's corner kick and allowed Kawamura to score a header in front of the goal. However, it narrowly missed the goal. In the 7th minute of the second half, there was another defensive situation from a corner kick on the same side, and a header from the near side flew towards the left corner of the goal, but this time Go HATANO made a fine save with a sharp reaction.
Tokyo, who wants to change the flow, made a move in the 15th minute of the second half. They substituted Mita for debutant J-League player Luiz Phellype, and Konno Kazuya for Adailton.
Tokyo, who struggled to create shooting opportunities, finally gets a chance. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Diego TABA steals the opponent's pass in their own half and sends Adailton running into the space in the front line. Adailton gains momentum and enters Hiroshima's penalty area. His shot is blocked by a defender, but Matsuki picks up the loose ball and passes it back in the opposite direction. Diego TABA receives the ball outside the penalty area and strikes a controlled shot with his left foot into the bottom left corner of the goal, equalizing for Tokyo with a spectacular goal.
Adailton's performance brings chances to Tokyo even after that. In the 28th minute of the second half, he took the ball on the left side and dribbled it to the penalty area, evading the defender and taking a shot. It narrowly missed to the right of the goal, but the substitute's performance revitalized Tokyo's attack.
After that, Tokyo aimed to break the deadlock by bringing in new signings Tsukagawa and Kimura. Tsukagawa made simple passes and created a rhythm by winning the ball. Then, the game went into additional time. In the 45+2 minute of the second half, Tsukagawa stopped Santos' breakthrough with a brave tackle and passed the ball to Adailton, who was waiting on the left side. Adailton made a vertical run and crossed the ball towards the goal area, but it turned into a looping shot and went directly into the bottom right corner of the goal, leading to Tokyo's successful comeback in the final minutes.
Tokyo, who seized the momentum with great plays from the substitute players, achieved back-to-back wins following their previous match against Júbilo Iwata. They will have two consecutive home games starting from the next match. They will continue to evolve their style of playing while maintaining possession of the ball, and aim to grab joy at home with this momentum.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Keigo HIGASHI (42nd minute: Seiji KIMURA)/Shuto ABE (27th minute: Takaki TSUKAGAWA)
FW Keiki MITA (15th minute: Luiz PHELLYPE)/Diego OLIVEIRA (27th minute: Keita YAMASHITA)/Kazuya KONNO (15th minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Junya SUZUKI
GOAL
22' Second half: Diego OLIVEIRA/45+2' Second half: Adailton
＜Sanfrecce Hiroshima＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Keisuke OSAKO
DF Tsukasa SHIOTANI/Sho ARAKI/Wataru SASAKI
MF Tomoya FUJII/Taishi MATSUMOTO/Takumu KAWAMURA (Sub 40': Yuta IMAZU)/Shunki HIGASHI (Sub 40': Yusuke CHAJIMA)/Tsukasa MORISHIMA (Sub 32': Kosei SHIBASAKI)/Makoto MITSUTA (Sub 32': Ezequiel)
FW Nassim BEN KHALIFA (Sub 23': Junior Santos)
SUBS
GK Goro KAWANAMI
MF Yuya ASANO
GOAL
First half 40 minutes: Morishima
[Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Interview]
Q: please review the game.
A: First, regarding the first half, it was proven that we are growing as a team and moving in a positive direction. I believe our desire to maintain possession of the ball was clearly conveyed. Especially, Hiroshima is a good team that applies intense pressing. Maintaining possession against them is by no means an easy task.
And in the first half, there were two clear-cut chances. However, we struggled in defense when we didn't have the ball. It was a difficult first half in terms of our defensive shape, and we conceded the opening goal from a fantastic long-range shot by the opponent.
And the start of the second half was a difficult period. It seemed we struggled when we lost the ball. However, there were several players on the bench who could change the flow of the game. I believe the flow of the match changed significantly when we brought them on through substitutions. From there, the comeback began.
Not only did the team express the ability to hold the ball, but also the ability to score goals. This became a factor that intimidated the opposing players. When Tsukagawa and Keita YAMASHITA were brought in, they also brought a good flow to the team. They were able to create multiple decisive chances. On the other hand, it remains a challenge that we allowed the opponents to create several decisive chances as well.
Football is not a sport that competes in the number of decisive chances. It is a sport that competes in goals, and today, we were fortunate enough to score more goals than our opponents. Above the result of today's match, what remains in my heart is that the players always had the intention to connect from the back and move forward throughout the 90 minutes. It is not like Guardiola's (Manchester City manager) team, where they can immediately produce amazing plays. We still have a process of growth ahead of us. However, I am proud that the players always played with the intention of keeping possession of the ball and moving forward with the ball.
Today, I would like to praise the three new players who made their debut. It was only 5 days since they joined the team, but they adapted well. Despite the absence of important players due to the impact of the new coronavirus infection, they provided us with something wonderful. I also want to praise Go HATANO. The team must continue to grow, but having a tailwind of victory makes it easier to progress in the process of growth. Finally, I would like to praise today's opponent, Hiroshima. They are playing well with a good style under the new coach. It was an honor to compete against them.
Q, please tell me specifically about the parts of Hatano's positive evaluation that you can make.
A. I believe the media who have been following Tokyo over the past few years can fully understand. Until now, Go has had some unstable moments. Even within a single match, there were times when he played wonderfully and times when his performance was unstable. I think it is important for a goalkeeper to provide stability to the team. I have been emphasizing this to him since the start of the season. And today, he maintained great concentration and continued to play excellently, including his footwork. What I expect from a goalkeeper is both contribution to the attack with their feet and stopping what needs to be stopped. While I am pleased when he makes fantastic saves, what I prioritize is stopping what must be stopped. I believe Go is moving into the next phase of his growth.
[Player Interview]
＜Adailton
Q: please review the game.
A. It was a very difficult match, but I think it was good that we managed to come from behind and win in the end.
Q: How did you feel about the team's play before participating?
A, from the outside, I thought it wasn't bad, and we were able to keep possession of the ball with a good rhythm. However, honestly, it looked bad because we conceded a goal. I was focused on continuing to play while maintaining possession and scoring goals.
Q, was the scene of the goal as you imagined it?
A, when I looked inside, there were three players, so I consciously aimed to cross the ball, but honestly, it just happened to go straight toward the goal.
Q, I think I was able to make a lot of plays that changed the flow of the team after coming on as a substitute.
A, not only myself but each player on the field was playing with the desire to contribute to the victory by showing their strengths, and regarding that point, it was more of a team-wide awareness rather than just because I came on.
<Go HATANO>
Q, it was my first appearance in the league match.
A, I felt a few days ago that this chance would come, so I prepared thoroughly and faced the match. I had strong feelings invested in this game, so although we conceded a goal, I’m glad we won.
Q: What kind of thoughts did you have as you prepared for this?
A, I am still young, so without getting discouraged, I have always been practicing while waiting for my chance to play in matches, and I have been working by also referring to Jakub SLOWIK's play. Recently, Hayashi has also returned from injury, and since I have been working with Hayashi since my first year as a professional, I have learned various things from him. I think I was able to show that kind of play.
Q: I think we were able to show stable play today. What aspects have you improved?
A, I was given the opportunity to play in matches during the 2021 season, so I focused on my own play with the mindset that I had to do something to help the team. However, this year, I have been working on taking on the role of brightening the atmosphere in a positive way. As a result, I was able to approach today's match without being too tense, staying relaxed and maintaining a good tempo. No matter what position I am in next time, I want to keep working so that I can deliver good performances whenever I get the chance.
<Koki TSUKAGAWA>
Q, please reflect on your first appearance in Tokyo.
A, I am grateful to my teammates. They made it the best debut match, so I want to work hard from here on to give back more to the team.
Q, I think there was a high awareness of actively receiving the ball.
A, after all, the style of play the coach demands is exactly that, and especially during tough periods, the players who come on from the bench help the team by showing themselves and actively receiving the ball. I was conscious of that in my play. I believe there were other things I could have done, such as getting more involved in the attack, so I want to pursue that further.
Q: What are the parts that went well in terms of team coordination?
A, I myself still have many parts to adjust, and there were also moments when I thought I wanted the ball at a different timing. I believe this is something I need to request myself, and everyone else probably has things they want to ask for as well, so I hope we can coordinate with each other.
Q, the next game will be at home at Ajinomoto Stadium.
A, I believe I have not yet earned everyone's trust, so I want to deliver better results and contribute more to the team. I am looking forward to fighting together at Ajinomoto Stadium.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: How do you value the victory in a tough game?
A, in the end, it comes down to individual ability, but I think we caught a glimpse of the style the team wants to play. If we can continue that and connect it to goals, I believe it will be even better.
Q, I think we were struggling at the start of the second half, what was the intention to defend?
A: Ideally, we want to keep possession of the ball at all times, but when that’s not possible, if we can hold firm without conceding, our time will come again. Fighting patiently through difficult periods is what led to today’s result.
Q: How was the growth of player Go HATANO when you played with him today after a long time?
A, he was good at handling the ball, and at Go's position, he was able to create time without rushing and make the opponent commit. I think he showed his strengths there.
Q, I think it is ideal for the team to continue growing while winning. Please tell us about your determination to win and carry it over to the next home game.
A, I want us to keep working so that we can win matches like this, where the outcome could have gone either way. I still don’t fully understand what makes the difference, but I think we just have to keep focusing on what we need to do and be decisive where we need to be.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, how do you feel looking back on the victory in a difficult match?
A, it was a very good match because we were able to take home 3 points in such a difficult game, and moreover, in the challenging environment of an away game.
Q, I think we were able to execute our planned plays well from the start of the first half, but it was difficult to handle the situation of conceding a goal.
A, there were parts where the opponent controlled the game from the start, so that is a point we need to correct. Also, regarding the conceded goal, it was difficult for the center back to come out there, so I believe it was a goal that could have been prevented if I had been able to slide over.
Q, when the second half started, it felt like a different team had emerged and we were pushed back in the beginning.
A, the substitute players performed well, and being able to secure the win thanks to that was an important factor.
Q, isn't it a big deal to win the first game after the league resumes?
A, Winning the first match after the break is significant, and since the next game is at home, we want to continue this momentum.
Q: Have you had a good impression of Taku SHIMIZU, who won in the first half?
A, it doesn't change regardless of which team we play against. First, I want to contribute to the team's victory by maintaining our own pace without wavering.
