＜Match Review＞
Just 3 days after the J1 League Kashima Antlers match last weekend, we entered the 5th round of the Levain Cup group stage. In Group E, 4 teams are tied with a 3-point difference, creating a fierce competition. The direct confrontation with the top-ranked Gamba Osaka has already ended, but in order to advance to the Prime Stage, Tokyo needs to win this match and accumulate points.
With the Vissel Kobe match in the J1 League just 3 days away, the lineup has been adjusted considering the tight schedule. The goal will be guarded by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has played in all Levain Cup matches so far. The center-back duo remains the same as in the Kashima match, with Soma ANZAI on the right side and Kashif BANGNAGANDE on the left side. The midfield consists of the same 3 players as in the Kashima match. PEROTTI has replaced Teruhito NAKAGAWA in the forward line.
1st HALF - Observe the opponent's pace while waiting for the right moment to counterattack
In the early stages, Cerezo Osaka dominated the game. When the ball was played vertically early on, Tokyo was unable to recover the ball and allowed the opponent to bring it to the finish. Although there were no opportunities for the opponent to score, the tables turned with a counterattack utilizing CAPIXABA's speed, causing difficulties for Tokyo's defense.
Tokyo, who wants to push back, had an accident where player Kashif BANGNAGANDE was substituted due to injury in the 24th minute of the first half. It became a situation where a substitution card was used early in the game.
Although they were unable to create decisive opportunities, in the 39th minute of the first half, they quickly carried the ball towards the opponent's penalty area in a counter-attacking manner. When Shuto ABE received a final pass from Diego OLIVEIRA in the vital area, he turned and took a shot, but unfortunately, it narrowly missed to the right of the goal.
2nd HALF - Earn 1 point with Nogawa's big save
Tokyo, who wants to take control of the game, substituted Takuya Aoki for Keigo Higashi and Kota Tawaratsumida for Diego. They brought fresh players into the midfield and forward line to break the situation.
This substitution changed the flow, and Tawaratsumida repeatedly broke through the left side, creating scenes where Cerezo Osaka approached the goal. In the 22nd minute of the second half, they launched a quick vertical attack, and Tawaratsumida broke free on a through pass from Watanabe, creating a one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper.
For a while, Tokyo continued to possess the ball and move it in the opponent's half, but in the 35th minute of the second half, Crooks was able to dribble the ball into the penalty area from a counterattack. He took a shot from a position just left of the goal, but Nogizawa reacted quickly and deflected the ball away from the bottom right corner of the goal.
Nozawa made a big save in the 41st minute of the second half. After being beaten on the right side and a cross ball being put in front of the goal, Leo Ceara headed the ball in front of him. It was a shot taken in a free state, but without adjusting his body to the trajectory of the cross ball, Nozawa managed to touch the ball and clear it at the last moment.
The team continued to aim for a goal by bringing in fresh players even in the late stages of the match, but they were unable to break the deadlock. The game ended in a scoreless draw.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (24th minute: Yuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Keigo HIGASHI (0th minute of the second half: Takuya AOKI)/Shuto ABE
FW Ryoma WATANABE (44th minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Perotti (29th minute of the second half: Takaki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (0th minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
Cerezo Osaka
STARTING XI
GK Han Been YANG
DF Riku MATSUDA (46': Leo CEARA)/Ryosuke SHINDO/Sho FUNAKI/Ryuya NISHIO
MF Yo KIDA (42': Riki HARAKAWA)/Tokuma SUZUKI/CAPIXABA (58': Reiya SAKATA)/Hikaru NAKAHARA (74': Jordy CROUX)
FW Satoki UEJO/Mutsuki KATO (46': Hayato OKUDA)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Tatsuya YAMASHITA
GOAL
―
[Coach Albert's Press Conference Comments]
Q: Please give us your overall review of today's match.
A, I think it was a very exciting game for those who watched it overall. Both teams played aggressively aiming for victory. Regarding the first half, I think the opponent created more chances than us, but I don't think they necessarily dominated the game. The way we pressed defensively became ambiguous, and that was the first half where it didn't work well. One of our characteristics is intense pressing and quick transition of offense and defense after winning the ball. However, it didn't work well in the first half. Also, I think the tempo of moving the ball was bad in the first half.
We were able to play well in the second half by bringing in Takuya Aoki and Kota Tawaratsumida from the start and making effective adjustments during halftime. We had a long period of time in the second half where we were able to dominate and play attacking football, aiming for the opponent's goal. However, Cerezo Osaka also has high-quality players, including foreign players, so they created several clear chances. It was also important for us to defend well and not concede goals.
And I am very satisfied with the performance of player Soma Anzai today. I think Kota Tawaratsumida has proven his growth with each game. I also think that player Perotti has been playing well as time goes by. Taishi Brandon Nozawa, who guarded the goal today, also played well. He showed us several decisive saves that saved the team. If we win the final match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., there is a high possibility of advancing to the group stage as the first place. In that sense, I also want to win the final match.
Q: Please tell us what you know about the injury of player Yoshifumi Kashiwagi at this point.
A, I am scheduled to undergo a detailed examination tomorrow, so I cannot say anything at this point. Of course, I hope it is a minor injury, but I cannot comment as I do not know the situation.
Q, today's lineup was the same as in the league match. Please explain the intention behind the composition of the team.
I have been telling everyone since the beginning of the season that I want to win in the Levain Cup as well. The fact that injured players are returning has also had an impact compared to when the cup tournament's qualifying league started. I think that in order for young players to continue to grow through gaining game experience, they must play well. However, in order to play well, it is important not only for young players but also for experienced players to join and support them. If there are only young players, the game becomes unstable. Therefore, as was the case in the home game against Kyoto, I expect that by skillfully integrating experienced players with young players, it will promote the growth of young players. In today's home game, I used young players while also integrating experienced players in order to both obtain 3 points and promote the growth of young players.
Q: How do you think about the reason why you couldn't apply pressure in the first half?
A, today we tried to start both PEROTTI and Diego OLIVEIRA. Diego is not used to playing on the right side, and PEROTTI is still not familiar with our defensive shape. As a result, we struggled to press effectively from the front line, allowing the opponent's defensive midfielder to have more freedom.
One of our weapons is high press. I hope that my team can apply high press and use it as a weapon to create chances by winning the ball. However, in the first half today, the pressing in the front line did not coordinate well, so it did not work effectively. Also, there were moments when the speed of play with the ball was slow. The players are gradually starting to play at a fast tempo with one-touch, two-touch, and so on, but it cannot be said that they are able to do it consistently throughout the 90 minutes. They are still in the process of growth. It is true that they are able to do it more often now, but they have not reached the level I expect yet. I can see that the players who are not accustomed to this playing tempo are making daily efforts in that aspect, and they are undoubtedly improving day by day.
[Player Interview]
PEROTTI
Q: please review the game.
A, I think it was not a bad game in terms of content, but I wanted to stay calm and take it to the finish line in the last part. After finishing today's game, we have an important match against Vissel Kobe this weekend. I want to recover well and welcome Saturday's game.
Q: The first half was tough, but which parts were not going well?
A, there were many mistakes and scenes where we couldn't coordinate well in the first half. After finishing a not-so-good first half, we made adjustments at halftime and I think we were able to dominate the game in the second half.
Q, it is a substitution during the attacking period.
A, of course, I want to play as long as possible, but it is the coach's decision to determine which players take the field, and there are times when I start and times when I come on as a substitute. Even when I am not in the lineup, I still want to support the team and encourage them to win. Whether it's just for one or two minutes, I will contribute with all my effort for the team.
＜Taishi Brandon NOZAWA＞
Q, the play that saved the team stood out.
It was good to finish the game without conceding any goals as a result of the match that led to advancing to the Prime Stage.
Q, how was it watching the team struggle throughout the first half?
A, I don't think the content was good. We made adjustments at halftime and in the second half, everyone played with the same awareness, such as pressing from the front. I think it was good that we were able to make solid adjustments to the issues in the first half during halftime.
Q: Apart from the awareness of the press, were there any improvements in the second half?
A, the most shared aspect of the team in recent matches is sticking to the team's style, not losing in the ball contest, and showing a strong "fighting spirit" by running until the end. Everyone feels that we need to show more in the "fighting" aspect of the game. Even from the back, everyone was working hard, and personally, I had many plays where I was helped.
Q, a one-handed reaction save saved the team.
A, in all aspects, it is not possible to defend in a perfectly set state, so I anticipated that such situations would increase after the 15th minute of the second half. It was a game with a lot of ups and downs in both offense and defense, so I could imagine that defensive gaps would occur, and I was able to play without any panic at all.
Q: Have you been playing in every match in the group stage so far? Does this also contribute to proving what you have built up until now?
A, although today's match ended in a draw, I believe being able to play with the tension of aiming for advancement to the Prime Stage until the next Sec. 6 will be an asset in my professional career. If we had won today's match, the tension might have been released. I want to take the ability to play with tension as a positive and approach the next match as a team.
Q: Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, what kind of feelings have you had while fighting in the Levain Cup up until now?
A, Tokyo is only thinking about winning the title. Personally, I approach the game with a mentality focused on winning, and I believe I can grow with each game.
Q: Depending on the result of the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in Sec. 6, the qualification for the Prime Stage will be determined. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
I want to play with the sole focus of winning and advancing.
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA Player
Q, have you been told anything by the other players since it's been a while since you last played?
A, I was asked to actively do what I wanted to do by giving me a voice to think about what I wanted to do, such as covering and supporting from the surrounding players. I was able to play by being conscious of attacking before my own characteristics.
Q, there were also scenes where you took shots. Please look back on the 45 minutes you played.
A, because I entered the game in the middle, I strongly felt that I had to do something myself. Therefore, I was very frustrated because I couldn't make a decisive move.
Q, with today's result, we have kept the possibility of advancing to the final stage.
It was good that it led to the next game. I want to win the next game and advance for sure.
Q, I have been playing a lot on the right side while making many appearances as a substitute.
A, it is only to fulfill what can be done in the role and position given by the coach.
Q, please tell us about the challenges for the next match.
There are many challenges such as the quality of the final pass, the quality of crosses, and the finishing ability. I want to overcome these challenges little by little and become a top-class player.
Q, if any results come out, I have a feeling that a new door will open.
A, now, I think the thing I lack the most is results. I want to produce results and become a better player.
