<Match Review>
After playing the 3rd round of the Emperor's Cup on Wednesday, Tokyo will have to play 3 games in one week. In the league game, they ended with a fierce 0-0 draw against Urawa Reds in an away game. In the Emperor's Cup, they played against Verdy for 120 minutes in an intense match that went into a penalty shootout, eventually winning 9-8 after 9 rounds of close competition.
After Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over as coach, Tokyo has yet to lose with 3 wins and 1 draw, and is heading into the third game of a 3-game streak with momentum.
The starting lineup is based on the lineup for the Urawa game, and Henrique TREVISAN, who was substituted in the late stages of the Emperor's Cup, avoided this match, and Masato MORISHIGE, who had avoided the Urawa game and the Emperor's Cup, returned to center back.
1stHALF—Diego's goal puts us ahead, but we end up conceding the lead
Both teams started off by increasing the intensity of their challenges and colliding with each other. They maintained a compact formation and put strong pressure on the ball side. In the midst of that, it was Tokyo who managed to break through the high defensive line.
In the 9th minute of the first half, Yakubu SLOWIK sent a feed to the front line from his own zone. Kashima Antlers raised their defensive line, but Kuryu MATSUKI broke through and brought the ball to the left side of the penalty area. Turning towards the negative direction, Diego OLIVEIRA received the ball in the center of the goal and scored the first goal for Tokyo with a shot while turning.
The balance of the game remains unchanged even after the score changes. Both teams continue to play with high intensity and refuse to give in. Then, in the 23rd minute of the first half, when a corner kick is given to Kashima, the ball is headed by Suzuki and equalized from a position slightly further from the center of the goal.
Afterwards, Kashima gained momentum and the time for playing in Tokyo's territory increased. However, Tokyo did not allow any scenes where they could freely bring the ball to the goal without losing their intensity in the ball's vicinity.
However, in the 45th minute of the first half, just when it seemed like the game would go into halftime tied at 1-1, the game was once again shaken up. The ball was pushed into the goal area with a side attack, and Suzuki took a shot at the ball that couldn't be cleared. The ball flew towards the goal and was pushed in by Kaito, turning the score around and going into halftime.
2ndHALF—Behind, no comeback despite spreading
Both teams maintained their intensity in the second half, but Tokyo strengthened their attacking posture towards the goal.
However, in the 9th minute of the second half, the ball was carried deep on the right side and a cross ball was combined in front of the goal in the negative direction. This shot was reacted by player Slowik, but player Pituca was able to trap the ball with his chest outside the penalty area and score a powerful shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Tokyo, trailing by two points, attempted to break through by bringing in Shuhei TOKUMOTO and Koki TSUKAGAWA in the 17th minute of the second half, and Adailton in the 25th minute. In the 41st minute of the second half, Naoki KUMATA was also brought in to boost the attack.
In the second half, at the 45th minute, Kumada was fouled by Anzai while trying to break through, giving the team a chance for a free kick in front of the goal. Matsuki took a direct shot, but it hit the wall and changed direction, catching the goalkeeper off guard and narrowly missing the top of the goal.
Unable to break through Kashima's defensive stance as they tried to protect their lead in the final stages of the match, it was the first defeat under the CKLAMOVSKI regime.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Kei KOIZUMI/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO (Sub 17': Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Shuto ABE/Keigo HIGASHI (Sub 17': Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (Sub 41': Naoki KUMATA)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (Sub 25': Adailton)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
FW Leon NOZAWA
GOAL
9 minutes into the first half: Diego OLIVEIRA
＜Kashima Antlers＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoki Hayakawa
DF Rikuto Hirose/Naomichi Ueda/Ikuma Sekigawa/Koki Anzai
MF Kaishu Sano/Diego Pituca/Yuta Higuchi (25th minute of the second half: Yuta Matsumura)/Hayato Nakama (25th minute of the second half: Ryotaro Araki)
FW Yuki Kakita (30th minute of the second half: Shu Morooka) (45th minute + 4 minutes: Yu Funahashi)/Yuma Suzuki (45th minute + 4 minutes: Shoma Doi)
SUBS
GK Yuya OKI
DF Gen SHOJI
GOAL
First half 23 minutes: Yuma SUZUKI/First half 45 minutes: Yuki KAKITA/Second half 9 minutes: Diego PITUCA
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Manager Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, there were also parts where our performance was lacking. We were unable to achieve the desired result. We must learn from today's game and apply it to the next. We were unable to capitalize on our chances against Kashima Antlers and open up their goal. I believe the players gave their all and fought hard. It was a tough night, but they never gave up and fought until the end to turn the game around. It's disappointing that we couldn't get the result we wanted and couldn't send off Shuto ABE with a victory. I will continue to support him even when he goes abroad.
Q: You mentioned that you learned a lesson from today's match. Can you please elaborate on which points specifically?
A, I think we had a good start as we were aiming for a perfect performance. We were able to take a 1-0 lead in a good way. It was unfortunate that we conceded a goal from a set piece. Also, there are still areas where we need to improve in every situation, including the defensive aspect of the game and the moments where we could have scored. In order to deliver a perfect performance in those situations, we need to improve in all aspects.
[Player Interview]
<Shuto ABE>
Q, it was a match with many fans and supporters holding up Shuto ABE's jersey. Please reflect on the match.
A, it was visible that many fans and supporters were holding up their own uniforms from before the game, so I wanted to win the last game and go to Belgium no matter what. It was good until we could take the lead in the first half, but we conceded a goal from a set play and the momentum changed. I wanted to lead the team with more mobility and strength. I was trying to play as usual, but Kashima Antlers were also very strong and came aggressively, so I think the reason for the loss was that we couldn't surpass them.
Q: Today, the "Aveshu" call echoed.
A, I thought that people were cheering for me and I was honestly happy. I thought I could have done better and I wanted to respond to that support. I want to take this frustration and unleash it in Belgium.
Q: Did you have a message prepared for the ceremony?
A, not only the color of the hair, but also in order to make the fans and supporters happy, I prepared a script and other things from the day before and approached it. However, I was nervous when I stood in that place, so I decided to give a greeting in my own words.
Q, what kind of presence do you want to deliver to fans and supporters in distant places in the future?
In Belgium, there is no guarantee of being able to play, so it starts with a position battle. I hope to make a good report by playing in the game and achieving results such as goals and assists. I want to show my active presence as a member of the Japan national team in Japan. I wanted to show that I have "Tokyo love" not only in the color of my hair, so it became just a form, but I will always have such feelings.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q: Please review the scoring scene.
A, Jakub SLOWIK's long feed escaped to the left side, and Kuryu MATSUKI jumped out in a good shape. He put in a good ball from a deep position, so I was able to turn around from the trap and bring it to a shot. I think it was a goal that was born from a good flow.
Q: Please tell us the factors behind the good form of accumulating points.
A, last season, I was in a state where my condition did not improve due to injuries, but now the pain from those injuries has disappeared and I am able to train in good condition. I think that result is reflected in the game.
Q, please leave a message for Shuto ABE, who has made a significant contribution to the team.
I was able to play with player A for 3 seasons. He made a significant contribution to the team with plays like playing for Tokyo, and I myself was greatly helped by player A's plays. Please let me express my gratitude first and foremost. I think this will be a new start towards his dreams and goals for player A, so we will support his success from Tokyo, hoping for good results.
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q: please review the game.
A, we conceded a goal when we disrupted our rhythm. Overall, I felt that our physical limits were reached early. We also lacked the energy to come back and turn the game around as a team.
Q, today's game will be the last for player Shuto ABE. Please give us a message.
A, if you can show your mentality and your own strengths, you can be successful in Belgium because you have the ability. I am used to sending out many players, but I think it will be tough for the team. I want to see Abe, who is performing well and leaving results, so that he doesn't come back immediately.
Q: How would you like to spend this time as an individual and as a team until the next game?
A, we have no choice but to level up, so we want to have a good break and spend it by practicing hard to be able to move more and fight.
