Tokyo will play three games in one week, including the Emperor's Cup third round on Wednesday. In the league match, they ended in a fierce 0-0 draw against Urawa Reds. In the Emperor's Cup, they played against Verdy and fought for 120 minutes in extra time, eventually winning 9-8 in a close match that went into a penalty shootout until the 9th player.
Since the appointment of Peter Cklamovski as the coach, Tokyo has not lost a game yet, with 3 wins and 1 draw, and they approached the third match of the three consecutive matches 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.
1st HALF - Concede a reversal despite taking the lead with a Diego goal
Both teams started by increasing the intensity of their challenges. They maintained a compact formation and applied strong pressure on the ball side. In the midst of that, it was Tokyo that managed to overcome the high defensive line.
In the 9th minute of the first half, Yakubu SLOWIK player sent a feed to the front line from his own zone. Kashima Antlers raised their defensive line, but Kuryu MATSUKI player broke free and brought the ball to the left side of the penalty area. When he turned back in the negative direction, Diego OLIVEIRA player received the ball in the center of the goal and scored a goal while turning around, giving Tokyo the lead.
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 giving a corner kick to Kashima, the ball entered from a position slightly closer to the far side of the goal and was headed by Suzuki, resulting in an equalizer.
After that, Kashima, who gained momentum, had more time to play in Tokyo's territory, but Tokyo did not allow scenes where they could freely bring the ball to the goal without losing the intensity of the ball.
However, in the 45th minute of the first half, when it seemed that the game would remain 1-1, the game was once again shaken. The ball that could not be cleared after being pushed into the goal area by a side attack was shot by Suzuki, almost like a shot. The ball that flew near the goal was pushed in by Kaita, and the score was reversed as the game reached halftime.
2nd HALF - No fruit from the spread counterattack behind
Tokyo strengthened their attacking posture while maintaining intensity on both sides at the start of the second half.
However, in the 9th minute of the second half, the ball was carried deep into the right side, and a cross ball in the negative direction was combined in front of the goal. Although Swobick reacted to this shot and deflected it, the ball spilled outside the penalty area and Diego PITUCA player scored a spectacular shot from a chest trap to the bottom right corner of the goal.
Tokyo, trailing by 2 points, attempted to break through by substituting Shuhei TOKUMOTO and Koki TSUKAGAWA in the 17th minute of the second half, and Adailton in the 25th minute of the second half. In the 41st minute of the second half, Naoki KUMATA was also brought in to bolster the attack.
In the 45th minute of the second half, Kumada was brought down by Anzai as he tried to break free, earning a free kick opportunity in front of the goal. Matsuki took a direct shot that hit the wall and changed direction, catching the goalkeeper off guard, but it narrowly missed the top of the goal.
Kashima, who entered a defensive posture to protect their lead in the late stages of the match, could not overcome them, resulting in the first defeat under the Klamovski regime.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Kei KOIZUMI/Kyosuke KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO (17th minute of the second half: Yuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kusei MATSUKI/Shuto ABE/Keigo HIGASHI (17th minute of the second half: Takaki TSUKAGAWA)
FW Ryo WATANABE (41st minute of the second half: Naoki KUMADA)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Akito TAWARAZUMI (25th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
FW Leon NOZAWA
GOAL
First half 9 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA
Kashima Antlers
STARTING XI
GK Tomoki Hayakawa
DF Rikuto Hirose/Naoto Ueda/Ikuman Sekikawa/Koki Anzai
MF Kaishu Sano/Diego PITUCA/Yuta Higuchi (Substituted in the 25th minute: Yuta Matsumura)/Hayato Nakama (Substituted in the 25th minute: Ryotaro Araki)
FW Hiroki Kadota (Substituted in the 30th minute: Shuhei Shioka) (Substituted in the 45+4th minute: Yu Funahashi)/Yuma Suzuki (Substituted in the 45+4th minute: Seishin 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 Coach 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 player
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.
