＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, who won against Kawasaki Frontale in the Tama River Clasico at the Japan National Stadium and brought back 1 point from the away game against Kashima Antlers. Tokyo approached the away game against the top-ranked Vissel Kobe while wanting to maintain this momentum.
In this match, Masato MORISHIGE, who will make his 450th appearance in the J1 League, and Henrique TREVISAN, formed a center-back partnership for the first time in three matches. Yuto NAGATOMO and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who did not make the squad in the Levain Cup three days ago, were named in the starting lineup.
Facing the top team in the last match of May. Tokyo, who had been playing against strong teams consecutively and gaining momentum, welcomed a match in which they wanted to bring back both confidence and results.
1st HALF - Unable to convert opportunities and consecutive goals conceded towards the end
Half of the members who played in the Levain Cup three days ago played in this consecutive match, but the start of the game was not bad. They moved the ball well and were superior to Kobe in winning second balls. In the 5th minute of the first half, they quickly threatened the Kobe goal. They pushed from the left side and Teruhito Nakagawa crossed the ball from the far side after Ryoma Watanabe's in-swinging cross. It didn't connect with any players in front of the goal, but it created a good opportunity to get closer to scoring.
As time passes, Kobe's pressure gradually increases. Their strength and driving force in the duels become prominent, and Tokyo loses control of the pace of the game. In the 20th minute of the first half, the ball is crossed into the far side after being penetrated by Takagi on the right side, and Muto scores with a one-touch volley, allowing Kobe to take the lead.
Despite facing consecutive threats immediately after conceding a goal, the team was saved by an outstanding save from Jakub SLOWIK.
In the 36th minute of the first half, after a one-two between Abe and Nakagawa, they entered the penalty area. Abe followed up on a loose ball from a cross, but his shot hit the right post.
If you miss a great opportunity, you will concede goals just before the end of the first half.
In the 41st minute of the first half, when trying to connect the ball in their own half, the ball was taken away by player Uchise, and a fast cross ball was put in front of the goal. They couldn't catch player Osako, who jumped in front of the goal, and calmly let the ball in. Furthermore, in the 44th minute of the first half, they conceded the third goal to player Muto, who broke through with a through pass from player Osako.
2nd HALF - Unable to close the gap despite scoring two penalties
FC Tokyo, who was trailing by 3 points, made substitutions from the start of the second half. They replaced players Keigo Higashi and Ryoma Watanabe with Takuya Aoki and Takaki Tsukagawa in an attempt to change the flow of the game.
The signal for the counterattack was raised in the 14th minute of the second half. Kei Koizumi was fouled and won a free kick, and Shuhei Tokumoto aimed directly for the goal. The shot hit the wall, but there was a handball by Kobe in the contest for the ball that went up high, resulting in a penalty kick. Diego Oliveira calmly converted this chance and scored a goal to bring the score to 1-1.
After this goal, Tokyo's start became sharp, and they extended the time to push in. They simply send it to the front line and connect it to a thick attack by picking up the second ball. In the 26th minute of the second half, Henrique TREVISAN player made a close heading shot from a corner kick.
After the last 15 minutes, a large space began to open up on the pitch, and the game entered an open phase. Tokyo, with Kota Tawaratsumida, who can change the situation on his own, tried to find a breakthrough from the sides. However, they were unable to show effective attacks against Kobe, who were trying to close the game.
As time passed by, in the 39th minute of the second half, they once again earned a penalty kick from a set piece. This time, Perotti, who was brought on in the late stages of the second half, calmly converted it, bringing the score to a one-goal difference.
Even after entering the 5 minutes of additional time, Tokyo did not lose their attitude of moving forward in an attempt to score an equalizing goal, but they were unable to reach the additional point and the time was up. They were unable to take points away from the top team.
1 week later, we will return to our home stadium, Ajinomoto Stadium, and play against Yokohama F.Marinos. We want to win the last home game of the first half and regain our momentum.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Keigo HIGASHI (46th min: Takuya AOKI)/Shuto ABE (81st min: PEROTTI)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (46th min: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (76th min: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
Second half 14th minute: Diego OLIVEIRA/Second half 40th minute: PEROTTI
＜Vissel Kobe＞
STARTING XI
GK Maekawa Maaya
DF Uchise Ryo/Yamakawa Tetsufumi (25th minute of the second half: Ozaki Yuusei)/Matheus THULER/Yuki HONDA
MF Saito Mitsuki/Yamaguchi Hotaru/Sasaki Daiki (33rd minute of the second half: Ide Haruya)/Taki Yasuya (45+2 minutes of the second half: Lincoln)
FW Muto Yoshinori/Osako Yuuya (33rd minute of the second half: Jean PATRIC)
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Andres INIESTA
GOAL
First half 20 minutes: Yoshinori MUTO/First half 41 minutes: Yuya OSAKO/First half 44 minutes: Yoshinori MUTO
[Coach Albert's Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, I think we lost the game because of our mistakes. I want the players to understand it thoroughly once again. Of course, I respect Kobe, but I want them to understand that if we play well, we can surpass any opponent.
I also conveyed to the players, but in today's match, the first 10 minutes, 15 minutes were good. We were able to start with concentration, but then we gave the opponent a chance from a simple mistake that followed. We lost the ball in the center of the pitch and Kobe scored the opening goal from that flow, and our second goal was also a result of our mistake. We must have suffered mental damage in the situation of 0-2. It was also disappointing to concede 3 goals at the end of the first half.
However, regarding the last 45 minutes of the second half, they showed that they are a team that can switch their mindset and fight, and that they have the mental strength to do so. However, that is not enough for just 45 minutes. They must continue to prove it throughout the entire 90 minutes. I think we were able to clearly surpass the opponent in the second half. The opponent must have felt our momentum to equalize. That's why Kobe played in a way that used up time. Once again, I think we lost today's match due to our own mistakes.
Q: Was the main reason for the first half not going well due to the intensity?
A, I think it is exactly the part that was pointed out. The attitude to fight one-on-one and its intensity was not enough in the first half. I think we need to continue expressing the attitude to fight for 90 minutes in order to achieve victory in every match. We are working hard to improve and make that possible.
I believe that the playing style we are aiming for is very challenging, and it is true that some players are struggling to adapt to that style. I understand and acknowledge that. In the process of changing the style, mistakes naturally occur. To cover up those mistakes effectively, I think a fighting spirit and strong individuality are necessary. I also want to leave clear improvements in this club in that aspect.
This season, we continue to fight with the mentality of pursuing victory. We must express the fighting spirit, like in the second half today, for the entire 90 minutes in every match. I think the players fought desperately and ran towards victory in the second half. It is not a matter of physical fitness, but a mental issue. The mentality of pursuing victory and the speed of play tempo are what we are currently seeking.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q: please review the game.
A, the judgment of play, the tempo of passing the ball was slow, and the overall pace of the game became slow. I think our weakness was exposed.
Q, I don't think I can make excuses, but did the schedule of the match in two days affect it?
A, if you are tired and unable to play well, it would be enough to avoid playing in this round. I remember talking about something similar before, that it is necessary to decide not to make excuses about the schedule and play. All players understood this and approached the game, and if we are defeated by our own weaknesses, we cannot win against the opponent. I think the performance in the first half can be summed up by that point.
Q, I think we showed the team's determination by scoring two goals in the second half.
A, there were parts where the pace slowed down because the opponent scored 3 goals in the first half. In the second half, we were able to show our strength in the ball contests, but there are also moments where we wonder why we couldn't do it from the first half. I think there are issues with ourselves in not being able to fully express good plays, and I've said it many times, but unless we can improve on that point, I don't think we can move forward.
Q, Did the short preparation and confirmation time before the Vissel Kobe match also have an impact?
A, I don't think it was a matter of insufficient confirmation. As a tactic, we didn't press high from the front line, but prioritized Diego OLIVEIRA's ability to block the opponent's pass route to the defensive midfielder. However, when the game actually started, they simply kicked long balls, so we should have been tougher on the source of the ball. I think it is important to both prepare in advance and be flexible and make adjustments during the game when approaching a match.
＜Player Takuya Aoki＞
Q: It was your first appearance as an anchor. Did you feel any sense of accomplishment?
A, I think we have a good flow, but I believe that continuity is the most difficult thing, so I want to continue firmly.
Q, I think Ryo AOKI's movements have been a catalyst for the other players to move as well.
A, it happened. I hope I can show it through my play.
Q: What are the future challenges for the team?
A, regarding today's match, I think we were able to score with our determination in the second half. However, in the future, we want to be able to score goals with our own will.
Q: We fell behind by 3 points in the first half, and it became difficult to calm down and carry on with the game due to its impact.
A, in the first half, I was watching from the bench and I felt a little bit like that on the pitch. I thought it would be good if I could organize that and get into the game.
Q: Do you need a sense of rhythm in order to move forward?
I think it is important to differentiate between when to value the ball and when to go with momentum. Today, we were not able to do that, so there were scenes where we brought the ball up to the front but ended up passing it back to the goalkeeper, and overall, I think there were many half-hearted plays.
Q, in the first half, the pace was not grasped, and it has become a game development with more good times coming out in the second half.
A, I definitely think there will be ups and downs. This will be my second appearance from the second half, but just like the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, it's not good to concede goals continuously during a bad flow. Even during a bad flow, I think we need to keep it to a minimum of one goal conceded. If we concede three goals like today, it will be difficult to bring it to a draw. If it's a bad flow, I think it's necessary to accept it as it is.
Q, what are the reasons why it cannot be done like that?
A, I think there was an impact due to the limited time for preparation for today's match.
Q, does it also contribute to the factors that cannot change the flow until halftime?
A, I think it would be best if only the players standing on the pitch during the game can make changes. I think we cannot reach the top unless we become a team where players can change themselves while talking.
Q, congratulations on your first goal in J1. Did you receive any advice from Diego OLIVEIRA during your regular training regarding penalty kicks?
A, thank you very much. Regarding penalty kicks, I don't ask him to teach me how to kick, but we always practice penalty kicks after training. Since coming to Japan, Diego TABA has taught me both on and off the pitch. I am filled with gratitude towards him.
Q, what have you learned from Diego TABA, who has achieved success in Japan?
Player Diego TABA has had various experiences in Japan. I always receive advice from him, saying "You have to be patient and persevere."
Q: What kind of conversation did you have when taking a penalty kick?
I was asked by player Diego TABA, "Do you want to kick?" and I told him that I also wanted to kick honestly. I felt that he trusted me and it gave me confidence to be able to make a firm decision. I am grateful to Diego TABA for giving me the opportunity to score a goal in that regard.
Q, wasn't there a lot of pressure when you took the penalty kick, as you were two points behind and there were Kobe fans and supporters behind the goal?
A, I always practice and I was thinking of kicking as usual. To be honest, I was focused so I didn't care about the opponent's fans and supporters, and I was trying to kick the same as always.
