＜Match Review＞
Tokyo has experienced a turbulent week. On the 14th, Coach Albert resigned, and on the 16th, it was announced that Coach Peter Cklamovski would take over. However, the new coach will join the team after the 20th, so Takayoshi Amma, the head coach, will temporarily take charge of the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., the final match of the Levain Cup group stage.
Although it is a very difficult situation to advance to the prime stage, Tokyo will not change its attitude of winning each game in front of it. The day before the match, Captain Masato Morishige said, "We must show our fighting spirit for the fans and supporters who come all the way to the away game and deliver a victory."
Victory is the minimum requirement to advance to the next stage. In this season, they have only won one game in official matches, so they showed their determination in the away game and faced a crucial match in their quest to reclaim the title after three seasons.
Tokyo started with a formation that included Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI as a double pivot in midfield, with Ryoma WATANABE playing as an attacking midfielder. Kei KOIZUMI played as a right full-back, and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has been a starter in all Levain Cup matches so far, was entrusted with the goalkeeping duties.
1stHALF—One strike of Morishige's spirit and one skillful strike of Nakagawa
Under the guidance of Head Coach Takayoshi Amma, Tokyo has reviewed the part of their game that forms the foundation of soccer, their fighting spirit. They have shown a high level of concentration from the start. In just over 5 minutes into the first half, they earned three consecutive corner kicks. On the third one, Mori Shige player connected with a ball from Matsuki player. He shook the net with a powerful header. After the goal, as teammates rushed over in joy, number 3 headed straight towards the bench to share the joy with Coach Amma, and also celebrated with the bench members.
However, after taking the lead, they struggled against Kyoto's press. The contact play in the midfield increased, they couldn't hold onto the ball, and there were scenes where they were caught on the counterattack after losing possession. And in the 18th minute of the first half, when they were invaded deep into the left side, they couldn't clear the cross ball and allowed an equalizing goal by Hirado player.
The tension of the game has not settled down even after the game returned to the starting point. The aggressive attitude of both teams stands out in a good way, and they collide with each other, presenting the appearance of a good game. In the midst of that, Tokyo created a chance in the 28th minute of the first half. From the development of pushing the opponent into the penalty area, they calmly moved the ball and searched for space. Matsuki made a vertical run into the space on the right side of the penalty area and crossed it in front of the goal. Teruhito Nakagawa scored on the opposite side of the net, taking the lead again.
After that, both teams had attacks and defenses in front of the goal, but the score did not change, and Tokyo maintained a one-point lead as the game reached halftime.
2nd HALF - Defending the lead and advancing to the prime stage
Kyoto replaced two players in the defense line in the second half, while Tokyo started without making any player substitutions.
After a first half that was evenly matched, the battle for control in the second half is being watched closely, with Tokyo stepping up their intensity to surpass their opponents.
In the 4th minute of the second half, Diego OLIVEIRA, Koki TSUKAGAWA, and Ryoma WATANABE pressed one after another from the front line. Watanabe took the ball all the way to the goal and made the final pass to Diego, who was free. With the goalkeeper also drawn towards Watanabe, Diego calmly slotted the ball in to extend the lead.
After gaining a two-goal lead, Tokyo proceeded with the game with some margin and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a fine save to protect the goal in critical situations.
As the game entered the final stage, Kyoto, who launched a counterattack, pushed us back. However, players Morishige and Henrique TREVISAN held the center and continued to repel with high concentration.
Even in the additional 7 minutes, they maintain their sharpness from the start, and if they lose the ball, everyone rushes back to defend, quickly pressing back and preventing Kyoto from creating opportunities.
They maintained their concentration until the end and secured a victory, stopping their losing streak in official matches at 3. It was also their first away game victory since the league match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on April 22 in the 9th round.
Despite finishing second in the group stage of the Levain Cup, they advanced to the Prime Stage as one of the top three teams among the second-place finishers in all five groups. After the match, the chant of "The City That Never Sleeps" echoed throughout the stadium as players and staff shared their joy with the fans and supporters.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kei Koizumi/Masato Morishige/Henrique TREVISAN (45+5 minutes: Kanta Doi)/Yuto Nagatomo
MF Shuto Abe/Kuryu Matsuki/Ryoma Watanabe (19 minutes: Keigo Higashi)
FW Takaki Tsukakawa (19 minutes: Koki Tawara)/Diego OLIVEIRA (25 minutes: Perotti)/Teruhito Nakagawa (25 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO
GOAL
First half 8 minutes: Masato MORISHIGE/First half 27 minutes: Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Second half 4 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA
＜Kyoto Sanga F.C.＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoya Wakahara
DF Shogo Asada/Rikito Inoue (46': Hisashi Appiah Tawiah)/Kosuke Shirai
MF Daiki Kaneko/Teppei Yachida (65': Shimpachi Fukuoka)/Fuyuki Yamada (70': Takumi Miyayoshi)/Taiki Hirato/Hibiki Sato (46': Shinnosuke Fukuda)
FW Patrick (65': Kosuke Kinoshita)/Yudai Kimura
SUBS
GK Gakuji OTA
MF Temma MATSUDA
GOAL
First half 18 minutes: Taiki HIRATO
[Coach Takayoshi Amma Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, I am truly grateful to all the fans and supporters who came here to support me. It was a very difficult week, but I am grateful to the players who were able to move forward and play with courage in the game that we must move forward from more than anything else.
Please tell us the reason for adopting the 4-2-3-1 formation and how you decided on the game plan of quickly putting the ball forward and moving it.
A, when it became necessary to advance with the current players, I thought this formation was the best. By placing Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI close to each other, I think everyone was able to flow in and out of the spaces without separating. Furthermore, I think we were able to have stable ball control by combining the center backs, which led to the creation of spectacular goals like the second one. In terms of risk management, we were constantly being countered, so the intention was to try to handle it with an additional plus one. Of course, we cannot prevent all counters, but the scene where everyone came back and defended like at the end of the first half was a play that we haven't seen recently. It's been a while since we were able to show such attacking force, but also such defensive force, and it's a part that we are focusing on, so it was good.
Q, it looked like the players were playing as if they were liberated. What was emphasized?
A, this week, we also had intense training and did a lot of cramming. The players responded very well and when asked, "How is it?" they replied, "I'm looking forward to playing the game." They showed that attitude even before the game.
Q, among many key players, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA was appointed as the goalkeeper.
A, because the Levain Cup has been played with Taishi Brandon NOZAWA in all matches so far, instead of running away from this match, let's have Taishi Brandon NOZAWA challenge again. As for the substitution in the second half, there were many offensive intentions, so that choice is unchanged from before.
[Player Interview]
Masato MORISHIGE
Q, please review the game.
It was a game where I felt the feelings of all the players. I think that facing it with a strong determination for the full 90 minutes led to this result. Regardless of the form, it was a match that we approached with the intention of winning, so I wanted to score a goal no matter what, and I think that feeling was carried by the ball (the opening goal). I want to continue the attitude of scoring goals and protecting goals together like today.
Q, we were caught up once, but it was impressive to see the team continue to fight without looking down. I think there was a different atmosphere on the pitch than before.
A, everyone worked hard on both offense and defense without stopping their feet. It was good that we were able to chase after one ball desperately, aim for the opponent's goal, and fight for 90 minutes for victory, regardless of the result.
Q: In the post-match interview, you mentioned "for Coach Yasuma." Please share your thoughts on Coach Yasuma once again.
A, Anma Head Coach and I have discussed many things and fought together in difficult times. I think that the strong desire to win for Anma Head Coach, who has supported not only me but also everyone else, was reflected in our play during the game.
Q: It was a game where we were able to take a new step as a team. How will we continue to improve as a team from here on in?
A, I would like to continue and further enhance the sense of unity like today. With the appointment of a new coach, I would like to show more of a fighting spirit as a team, just like today. For the fans and supporters, I want to demonstrate our passion and fighting spirit.
＜Teruhito NAKAGAWA player＞
Q, we broke through in a fantastic way and scored a goal. Please reflect on it.
We are grateful to player Kuryu MATSUKI. We were able to express the way we connect and break the ball as a team in the game. That led to the result. Everyone was committed, so we finally scored and it was good to win.
Q, in the previous match against Gamba Osaka, he was quite frustrated, saying "It's my fault."
A, I wasn't aware of it to that extent, but I think this victory is the result of various emotions and thoughts from everyone in the team coming out, and I think it's a strong team that can overcome difficult times together no matter what the situation. We were able to win with the soccer that the team is trying to play, overcoming such a challenging wall. It wasn't throughout the 90 minutes, but I think the first half was particularly good, and we were able to score with momentum in the second half. I think it was a victory that clearly expressed what the team is trying to do at the minimum.
Q, how do you want to build on this victory?
A, rather than momentum, we need to remember this game where we fought with our hearts and not forget it on the away ground. We have a game at home next, and in order to turn things around as a strong Tokyo team, we need to intend to win every game. If we don't achieve our goals and satisfy the fans and supporters, I don't think they will be pleased, so I want to fight to win every game. Especially this season, we were only able to win one game away, so I finally feel like I can repay the support of the fans and supporters.
＜Player Leon NOZAWA＞
Q, what were you conscious of when entering the game in a winning situation?
A, we were winning and it was a time when the team's stamina was dropping, so I decided to step up my game, start the engine, and approach it with the mindset of "let's go further".
Q, I think you have been quite critical of yourself in the matches you have played so far. How do you evaluate today's performance?
I played as a winger and was used in the front line, so naturally I wanted to score goals, but I feel like I was able to contribute by pressing and passing the ball. I couldn't achieve personal results, but in terms of contributing to the team's victory, I feel like I was able to do more than in previous matches and I think I am growing.
Q, I was called by the fans and supporters during halftime. I think it was a sign of expectation.
When I am called by that name, I feel that people have high expectations of me, and as a player, it also motivates me to bring more joy to the fans and supporters. I want to continue to work hard and respond to the support of everyone who always supports me with results.I want to push myself even further and continue to do my best to meet those expectations.
Q, doesn't Leon NOZAWA have feelings about the game where he played and the team won under the command of Takayoshi AMMA Head Coach?
A, Coach Yasuma taught me various things, believed in me and allowed me to join the team, and also let me play in the game. I think I was able to meet expectations in that regard because I was able to achieve victory while being trusted. However, there are still many things that I need to work on personally, so I want to continue to grow and repay not only Coach Yasuma but also the staff, fans, and supporters who support me.
