The start of the second half of the season has been smooth for the Tokyo-based team led by Peter CKLAMOVSKI. They have won consecutive games against Nagoya Grampus and Kashiwa Reysol at home. They have also kept clean sheets in both games, with scores of 2-0 and 1-0, highlighting their strong defense. The players have also mentioned feeling the effects of the "promises" that Coach CKLAMOVSKI emphasizes, and it is clear that this has translated to their defensive performance.
The stage for the first away game under the Klamovski regime will be the daunting Saitama Stadium 2002. With key players such as Teruhito Nakagawa and captain Masato Morishige absent, it will be a test of the team's overall strength. We can expect a strong performance from players like Yasuki Kimoto in the center back position and Keigo Higashi in the attacking midfield. In order to secure their first three consecutive wins of the season, they will face a tough opponent whom they had a great victory against in the opening game.
1st HALF - A thrilling back-and-forth battle
Urawa Reds, who have been using their strong defense as a weapon throughout the season, and Tokyo, who have kept two consecutive clean sheets since the new system was introduced. It was a first half where both teams showed high levels of concentration.
Tokyo maintained a compact formation from the final line to the front line, and defensively focused on shutting down vertical passes rather than aggressively pressing the opponent's final line.
However, in the 14th minute of the first half, Urawa's Keisuke KORIYAMA, who played his 500th J1 game, was able to break away. However, in the end, right-back Kei KOIZUMI did not neglect his work of narrowing the center and persistently responded. The shot was saved by the post.
On the contrary, immediately after that, a big chance comes to Tokyo. In the 20th minute of the first half, we pushed the opponent into their own territory and Matsuki Kuryu picked up the loose ball and made a vertical pass. He received a return pass from Kota Tawaratsumida inside the area and aimed directly with his left foot. The shot hit the target, but was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper's fine save.
The game continues with a back-and-forth struggle, but both teams are playing solid defense and the score remains unchanged. Tokyo had some opportunities to counterattack from midfield by intercepting passes, but they were unable to connect on the final pass and create shooting chances.
And in additional time, the biggest pinch of the first half comes. However, here Jakub SLOWIK stretches out his long arm and makes a save. Without conceding a goal from a shot by Sekine in front of the goal, the first half ends scoreless.
2nd HALF - Unable to convert the scoring opportunity at the beginning
The second half also progresses with a tense development. Both teams try to find a way to attack by carefully moving the ball when they possess it, but the defense's concentration surpasses that. As the remaining time decreases, the weight of the first goal increases in the game.
Among them, it was Tokyo that approached the goal. In the 2nd minute of the second half, Ryoma WATANABE took the first shot of the second half, and in the 11th minute, he created a scoring opportunity from a brilliant pass work. Koizumi carried the ball up, WATANABE expanded to the right. He ran through the penalty area, received a return pass from Higashi, and dribbled past the defender with a body feint to take the shot. However, the shot aimed at the near side hit the opponent's goalkeeper straight on.
Both teams have been actively making player substitutions since the second half passed the 20-minute mark, trying to decide the game. However, due to the hot and humid weather, the tempo of the attacks has not increased and the goal remains far away as time passes.
In the 39th minute of the second half, they faced a close call. Kozumi allowed a keep in front of the goal and allowed an expansion to the right side, but the ball passed through Jose KANTE and was aimed at Ogihara, but the powerful shot shook the outside of the side net and escaped danger.
In the final stage, Seiji Kimura was substituted as the last substitution and the formation was changed to a 5-back. They showed an attitude of taking back points in an away game against a strong opponent. The game ended 0-0. Although they missed out on a third consecutive victory under the Klamovski regime, they proved their defensive solidity with three consecutive clean sheets even away from home. After the Emperor's Cup third round match against Verdy next Wednesday, they will return to Ajinomoto Stadium for the last game before the league break to face Kashima Antlers.
MATCH DETAILS
＜F.C.Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Keigo KOIZUMI/Kyosuke KIMOTO/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Shuto ABE/Keigo HIGASHI (24th minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (41st minute of the second half: Seiji KIMURA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (24th minute of the second half: Perotti)/Kota TAWARAZUMI (31st minute of the second half: Reion NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Shuhei TOKUMOTO
FW Naoki KUMATA
GOAL
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Urawa Reds
Starting XI
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hiroki SAKAI (6th minute of first half: Takuya OGIWARA)/Alexander SCHOLZ/Marius HOIBRATEN/Ayumu OHATA
MF Atsuki ITO (32nd minute of second half: Yuichi HIRANO)/Ken IWAO (21st minute of second half: Toshiki TAKAHASHI)/Tomoaki OKUBO/Kaito YASUI/Takahiro SEKINE (32nd minute of second half: Yoshio KOIZUMI)
FW Shinzo KOROKI (21st minute of second half: Jose KANTE)
SUBS
GK Zion SUZUKI
DF Takuya IWANAMI
GOAL
―
[Peter Cklamovski Coach Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
First of all, I think it was an important point to win with a hard effort. I really thought it was a game where we needed to give everything we had and overcome it. I think the overall performance of the players was satisfactory. The players were very dedicated and strongly showed their way of fighting, and they kept a clean sheet in defense.
I think we are gradually able to show what we have been building up through practice even when we have the ball. If we can continue to show our intentions in both attack and defense, we will be able to express our aggressive play and take three points in difficult matches like today's.
Q: The game turned out to be one where neither team could enter the opponent's penalty area. Did you anticipate such a game scenario in advance?
I expected it to be a tight game. We needed to defend well and keep a clean sheet. From around the 65th to 70th minute, both teams had approximately 11 box entries (penetration into the penalty area) each.
When I had the ball, I was able to gradually show the accumulation of trying to play positively as a team, and I think there were also parts where I was able to create chances. Urawa Reds is a very good team, and I think they played at a very high quality level. I am very proud of the players and they gave their all. I think we were able to show good football.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, please review today's game.
I thought it would not be easy to take points against the strong Urawa Reds at the unique atmosphere of Saitama Stadium 2002, and it turned out to be a difficult match. I want to take a positive view of being able to take 1 point in that difficult away game.
Q, please tell us what you have been conscious of in the attacking midfielder position.
A, no matter which position I play, I don't think there is a big difference. With the premise of contributing to the team's victory, I was conscious of moving to draw out the ball in the midfield position. I think I could have expressed more about how to pass and get involved with the ball. Of course, soccer is a sport that requires opponents, and the course of the game also became difficult. We all worked hard and there were times when we had to endure, but we were conscious of converting the few chances we had into goals.
Q: Did you have a specific defensive position in mind to prevent the opponent's midfielder from receiving the ball?
A, I was conscious of not giving the opponent's midfielder freedom and not allowing them to put the ball in. The opponent's goalkeeper and center back are skilled players in build-up, so I felt the difficulty in determining the position to steal the ball, but I think we were able to show compact defense.
Q, on the 12th we have a match against Verdy in the Emperor's Cup, and on the 16th we have a match against Kashima Antlers. How will the team approach these consecutive matches?
There are many areas for improvement, but I think we had a good game today. We haven't lost in our recent matches, so I believe that if we continue to play with determination, the results will naturally follow. I want to build on each step.
＜Yasuki KIMOTO player＞
Q, it was your first start in a while. Please reflect on the game.
A, it was a very tough match, but it was good that the players on the pitch were able to maintain their concentration for 90 minutes without conceding any goals, and we were able to achieve at least a minimum result in the away game.
Q, I think the main focus in the first half was on dealing with Kojiro KURIYAMA, and in the second half it was on dealing with Jose KANTE. Please tell us what you were conscious of in suppressing the opponent's attacking lineup.
Both players were high-quality players. Not only in today's game, but also in every game, we are always conscious of not giving the opposing forwards freedom and being strong when the ball goes in. Personally, when I was out of the starting lineup for a while, I felt that I had to emphasize that aspect. I think I was able to approach the game with a strong awareness of not allowing the opponent's key player to have freedom in their attacks.
Q, We were attacked in the second half, but we were able to close the game without conceding any goals. Please tell us about the defensive response.
A, when we were put under pressure by the opponent's attack, I felt that our defensive strength to push back was still lacking. However, I think it was good that we were able to finish the game without conceding any goals. If it was us from before, there was a possibility that our concentration would have wavered towards the end of the game and we would have conceded goals and returned without earning any points. I believe we were able to show a little bit of growth.
Q, Did you originally plan to change the formation and bring in Seiji KIMURA player in the final stages of the game?
A, I didn't make any preparations in advance, but it was a time when we were starting to be pushed back a little, so I think our defense became stronger. In that situation, everyone was conscious of defending well and going for one goal, so I think it will continue to be necessary as an option depending on the content of the game in the future.
＜Ryoma WATANABE player＞
Q, please review today's game.
A, if we could have defended a little earlier, I think it would have led to smoother attacks. I think Urawa Reds also had the intention of making it difficult for Tokyo to launch a defensive attack from the front, and it is a point of reflection that we had few scenes of breaking through in our attacks. Our attacks after winning the ball also became too monotonous, and we aimed to break through individually, but the opponent took care of the spaces firmly. I want to watch the footage of today's match and reflect on it.
Q: What kind of attacking strategy did you have in mind against Urawa, who had a high defensive line and compact defense?
A, we were able to score goals in a good way against Nagoya Grampus and Kashiwa Reysol. While building up our attacking style, I think there were particularly many situations where we had to break through individually in today's match. It seemed like we couldn't transition from individual plays to group attacks, where teammates would get involved and initiate attacks, in those situations.
Q, we created big chances in both the first and second halves.
I want to increase the number of plays that directly lead to goals. I don't just want close calls, I want to go for goals.
Q, It seems that the attacking style is starting to penetrate, but please tell me what is necessary to grow from here.
A, I think there will be more games like today where there is a lot of defensive time, but no matter what the situation is, I think it is necessary for everyone to share how to attack and score. By doing so, I think more goals will be created. Instead of fighting individually in attacking situations, I would like to share the form of attack as a team.
＜Tsubasa TERAYAMA player＞
Q, I think it was a difficult match, what mindset did you enter the game with?
A, it was a game where the opponent had the ball for a long time, so we entered the game with the awareness of the coach's instructions to bring the team's consciousness forward and recover second balls. Personally, I am not satisfied with that aspect, and it was good that we were able to keep the goals conceded to zero, but I think it is important to score one goal and win in this kind of game, so I think we still need to build up in practice.
Q, I think it's difficult to participate in a game like this halfway through, but how do you feel about your individual performance?
A, still a long way to go. However, there were some parts where I was able to defend, so I think that was good. I value how I can play in the first play, and I think I was able to do that well. However, I don't think I was able to do anything in the 20 minutes I played, so I want to push myself further and keep going.
Q, I also felt a sense that Tsubasa TERAYAMA's strengths in playing aggressively from defense to offense have returned.
I often talk with Coach Minoru KOBAYASHI and we discussed about "regaining the aggressiveness that we had during the camp". I felt like I was able to do it, but at the same time, I felt like I couldn't. So, it is important to practice and be more conscious of that aspect and challenge ourselves. Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI also often says "play bravely", so by always being aware of that and playing, I was able to feel that I can play in my own way.However, the level of the foundation is higher for players like Shuto ABE and Kuryu MATSUKI, so I want to follow them first and then surpass them without losing to them.
Q, the next game is against Verdy. Please tell us about the enthusiasm of Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who is also an academy graduate player.
A, I think it's a really important match that we can't afford to lose and we can only win. The fans and supporters always sing for us after the game, but the players and staff also have the feeling that we can't lose to Verdy. I don't know if I will be playing, but I want to fight passionately and prove that we are 'Tokyo'.
