＜Match Review＞
After reaching the halfway point of the J1 League season, we faced V-Varen Nagasaki in the third round of the Emperor's Cup just three days later. It was a rainy day with high humidity and temperature in Nagasaki as we took to the pitch, aiming to advance to the round of 16.
The goalkeeper position was filled by Go HATANO, and Yuto NAGATOMO returned from national team duties to play as the right fullback. Masato MORISHIGE partnered with Henrique TREVISAN in the center back position. Keigo HIGASHI took on the role of anchor, while Ryoma WATANABE and Shuto ABE were lined up as the inside halves, just like in the Shonan match. Adailton was positioned in the center of the forward line, Kazuya KONNO on the right wing, and Leandro on the left wing.
Tokyo pressed from the beginning and created opportunities to bring the ball to the opponent's goal. In the 3rd minute of the first half, using the space on the right side well, Watanabe broke through and crossed the ball. Leandro, who was waiting on the far side, spectacularly volleyed the ball into the left corner of the goal, giving Tokyo the lead. After that, Tokyo continued to create numerical advantages on the sides and threatened the opponent's goal, but they allowed a chance to be converted into a goal. In the 14th minute of the first half, the opponent broke through the left side and sent a sharp cross into the goal area. Although it was not combined in front of the goal, the ball flowed to the right side and was powerfully pushed in by player Ryohei Yamazaki, equalizing the score. After that, Tokyo maintained possession of the ball. They carried the ball to a deep position while changing sides, looking for an opportunity when the opponent's slide was delayed. They struggled against Nagasaki's quick counterattacks after losing the ball, but as time went on, their pressing in the midfield and quick approach to the ball worked effectively in crushing the counterattacks. Towards the end of the first half, when it seemed that Tokyo had taken control of the game, in the 31st minute, a pass was played behind the defense line, and Yamazaki's shot in front of the right side of the goal was blocked by player Hayato Hatano. However, when they cleared the resulting corner kick, player Daiki Abe struck a powerful long shot and scored, turning the game around.
Tokyo, who is behind, pushes the opponent after Konno's dribble breakthrough, but they are unable to create a decisive opportunity. Just when it seemed like they would end the first half like this, in the 45+1 minute, Konno's dribble breakthrough on the right side near the touchline entices the opponent's hand and earns a free kick. Leandro puts a sharp ball in front of the goal, and the ball that the opponent's goalkeeper parried goes to Adailton, who was on the far side. Adailton, who controlled the ball with one touch, spectacularly shoots a volley into the bottom right corner of the goal to equalize and turn the game around.
In the second half, both teams created scoring opportunities from the beginning. In the 4th minute of the second half, Tokyo created a chance when Adailton played a looping pass behind the opponent's defensive line, and Watanabe broke free to face the goalkeeper one-on-one. However, his looping shot went over the crossbar. In the 7th minute, Nagasaki had a good opportunity. Ibarbo broke free behind the defense and headed towards the goal. However, Hatano closed the gap with perfect timing and blocked the shot with his body. After creating chances for each other, Tokyo maintained possession of the ball and continued to attack in the opponent's half. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Watanabe received a pass from Leandro, dribbled past a defender, and took a shot, but the opponent's goalkeeper made a good save. While taking care of the opponent's counterattacks, Tokyo dominated possession and came close to the opponent's goal for most of the time. However, they couldn't break through the opponent's solid defense in front of the goal, and the game went into extra time.
In the 4th minute of the first half of extra time, Ogawa, who had moved to right back, put the ball behind the opponent, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had been entering since the beginning of extra time, broke free and scored with a one-touch shot, but it was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. As the game went into extra time, Tokyo had more time to play in the opponent's half. They tried to stop the opponent's attacks at an early stage and launch strong attacks, but they couldn't break through as in the second half. Then, in the additional time of the first half of extra time, Cristiano cut in from the left side just outside the penalty area, couldn't stop his dribble, and allowed a powerful shot to be scored into the bottom right corner of the goal, resulting in a lead for the opponent.
In the second half of extra time, they moved the ball wide while creating a starting point on the side to threaten the goal against the opponent who was solidifying the center. They invited danger on the counterattack by becoming too aggressive, but ultimately blocked it by putting their body on the line. In the final stages, they continuously put sharp balls into the opponent's goal area with early crosses, but narrowly missed. Just before the end of the match, they created several set-piece opportunities, but were unable to shake the net and lost 2-3.
[Interview with Coach Albert]
Q: please review the game.
A, I approached this tournament with a very high motivation. In today's match, we were able to dominate the game from start to finish. We created many chances, but that's football, sometimes you can't win. I think we were superior to the opponent not only in ball possession but also in the number of clear chances. In that sense, I can only be grateful for the players' performance today. However, in football, these things can happen. Two of Nagasaki's three goals were long shots from outside the penalty area. In that sense, I want to commend Nagasaki. I hope they continue to perform well in the Emperor's Cup. It is a blow to be eliminated, but what is even more painful is Henrique's injury. It is a very serious injury for us. I pray for his quick recovery.
Q: What were you conscious of in terms of strategy during the second half, considering the possibility of extra time?
A, we fought with the expectation of settling the game in 90 minutes until the end. If that was difficult, we hoped to decide the game while making multiple substitution cards in extra time. The team was functioning well, so there was no need to make more substitutions in the second half than necessary. The team was functioning well, so I think it was a situation where it wouldn't be strange even if we scored additional points. It was a strange development that they didn't go in. Since the team was functioning well, I thought we could decide the game in the remaining time of the second half. And in extra time, it became a situation where we made substitution cards according to fatigue.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryoma WATANABE Player＞
Q: Was the scene that led to the opening goal executed as planned?
Our team's aim was to lure the center back to the side. Even if the ball didn't come, I believe it was important to run into that space, and running there led to the goal.
Q: What was the reason for not being able to score one more point in the second half after the game was tied 2-2?
A, I myself had moments where I could face forward in the midfield, and I also took several shots, so it is necessary to firmly finish them.
Q, despite being eliminated from the Emperor's Cup, please tell us your enthusiasm for the future league.
A, since it's already over, I hope to switch gears and aim for a higher position in the league.
Shuto ABE player
Q, please reflect on the game despite the frustrating defeat.
In the beginning of the match, I think we started well and were able to score goals. However, as we tried to build on that, we conceded a goal due to a slight defensive mistake. This led to a turnaround in the game. I think it was good that we were able to equalize at one point, but I believe the outcome would have been different if we had been able to create more decisive chances in the second half.
We had more possession of the ball for a long time, but I think it was a difficult development to break through.
Q, I think the idea at the end has always been a challenging part.
I think we need to keep trying to create more opportunities and ideas in front of the goal. I believe that the tempo changed and the flow improved when player Tierney PAUL joined, but it is not enough to rely solely on players with ideas. I think we need to share the team's image and ideas as a whole and continue to improve through training.
Q, the next game is coming soon. Please let us know your enthusiasm.
A, we lost and the Emperor's Cup is over. I think we have no choice but to switch gears and focus on the first match of the second half of the league. I want to channel the frustration from today and fight with the desire to improve our position as much as possible, so I hope to express that feeling through our play.
Q, how did you feel about fighting in a situation where there were few chances towards the end?
In the second half, I played while thinking about how I could help the team in a situation where goals were not being scored easily. I had anticipated that the game would develop in this way to some extent, so I feel frustrated that I was not able to help the team in that situation.
Q, with the league match coming up in 3 days.
First, I want to return to Tokyo and organize today's events, and then I want to prepare well for the league match and get involved in the game.
Q, please tell us about the aspects that the coach expects from you, such as being the foundation of individual defense range and attack.
A, what is being demanded of the coach in terms of the attacking aspect is the ability to connect simply, and I think I have been able to do that to some extent. On the defensive side, I am being asked to make saves that can save the team. In that regard, I was not able to respond today, so I feel that I need to grow myself. I want to continue to improve.
