<Match Review>
The Emperor's Cup Round 16 match against Roasso Kumamoto, which was the first official match after the break, was lost due to conceding an early goal and not being able to get into rhythm. The restart of the league match, which will be played in 3 days, is another away game that involves a long distance travel. The opponent, Cerezo Osaka, has not won a single game this season, including the Levain Cup. They were also defeated 1-3 by Kashima Antlers before the league break, making this a crucial match to stop their losing streak in the league and overall.
Tokyo, aiming for victory, has welcomed back reliable captain Masato MORISHIGE to the starting lineup. Kosuke SHIRAI, who joined the team during the summer transfer period, also made the starting lineup following his appearance in the Emperor's Cup. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who made his J1 league debut, was also selected for the starting lineup. Additionally, newly joined Jája Silva, who just joined the team, made the bench and became a member of the team.
This season, Cerezo Osaka has only managed to win one away game in the league, making Tokyo very weak in away games. In order to make a comeback in the second half of the season, they will need to overcome their weakness in away games. Cerezo Osaka, who has yet to win in three games this season, has become the perfect opponent to overcome this weakness.
1stHALF—Matsuki scores his first goal of the season with a strong start
The players' start was sharp and they entered the game in a highly concentrated state. The defense line maintained a high line that threatened the half line and executed a coordinated high press from the front line. They created several scenes where they stole the ball in the enemy's deep position and ended with a shot.
Taking the lead with momentum, they scored the first goal in the 8th minute of the first half. They earned a free kick in a left side position beyond the half line, and Yuto NAGATOMO timed it perfectly to kick it into the space behind the opponent's defensive formation. Diego OLIVEIRA, who understood the intention, broke through and received the ball in the penalty area while carrying an opponent defender on his back. As he tried to control the ball, the opponent defender poked it away, but Kuryu MATSUKI, who had entered the penalty area to support, picked it up. Wearing the number 7, he calmly controlled the ball, shook off the defender, and confidently swung his left foot to guide it into the bottom right corner of the goal.
Even after taking the lead, they continued to dominate for a while, ending their attacks with consecutive shots in the 17th minute of the first half. They regained the ball in a deep position on the left side of the opponent's field and Ryoma WATANABE took a shot that missed the timing of the opponent's goalkeeper, deflecting it to the right of the frame. The opponent's goal kick restarted with a short pass, and Diego TABA immediately chased and blocked the clearance ball. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who picked up the loose ball, cut in and took a shot with his right foot, but the opponent's goalkeeper reacted to it.
The accident happened in the 21st minute of the first half. During the aforementioned chance, Diego TABA injured his foot while blocking the opponent's clearance and was unable to continue playing, resulting in a substitution with PEROTTI.
After this substitution, the flow of the game gradually shifted towards Cerezo Osaka. They were unable to stop the breakthroughs of Jordy CROUX on the right side and CAPIXABA on the left side, and were pushed back as they repeatedly sent dangerous crosses into the box. However, the defenders threw their bodies in front of the most dangerous areas and blocked the shots, and even when they couldn't stop them, Taishi NOZAWA calmly dealt with the situation. There were also moments where they were saved by the opponent's missed shots, but they managed to end the first half without conceding any goals.
2ndHALF—3 points despite continued accidents
After the rain fell, the second half saw a continued period of attack from Cerezo Osaka, who were trailing by one point at home. In addition, in the 5th minute of the second half, midfielder Kei KOIZUMI sat down on the pitch and was subsequently substituted. This was another incident of a player being substituted due to injury, following the first half.
Before regaining composure with a player substitution, we were hit with a fierce attack from the opponent. In the 55th and 60th minutes, we faced consecutive decisive moments, with the former being a header shot from player Maikuma that was blocked by Taishi Brandon Nozawa's right foot, and the latter being a situation where player Watanabe was able to break free behind the high line, but was ultimately unable to score due to a well-aimed looping shot from a one-on-one situation with Taishi Brandon Nozawa.
The development of patience continues, but Tokyo on this day continues to fight without frustration. Even if they are broken down deep on the sides, and even if they cannot steal the ball in front of the midfield, the players are fully aware of the importance of putting their bodies on the line in front of the goal, and they maintain a formation that does not allow easy shots by always having players near, in front of the goal, and on the far side to defend against crosses.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, the system was changed by sending Yasuki KIMOTO, Shuhei TOKUMOTO, and Jája Silva, who made his J-League debut, onto the pitch. They added numbers to the side that was struggling and did not allow any freedom, while placing the speedy Jája Silva as the top striker in anticipation of a counterattack.
In the closing stages, we want to close the game with a one-point lead and show a determined fight. We will solidify the goal with five defenders and react quickly to second balls, thoroughly executing clear plays in dangerous areas.
In the final minutes of the 5-minute additional time, Jaja made a breakaway towards the opponent's goal and created a chance by inducing a clearance mistake, but was blocked by the desperate defending opponent and was unable to score an additional point. Immediately after, the final whistle blew and they were able to secure a valuable 3 points in the difficult away game, ending their losing streak in official matches.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kei KOIZUMI (5th minute of the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Keigo HIGASHI (33rd minute of the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego OLIVEIRA (21st minute of the first half: PEROTTI) (33rd minute of the second half: Jája Silva)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (33rd minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
FW Adailton
GOAL
8 minutes into the first half: Kuryu MATSUKI
＜Cerezo Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK YAN Hanbin
DF Ryosuke SHINDO/Seiya MAIKUMA/Koji TORIUMI/Kakeru FUNAKI
MF Hinata KIDA/Shinji KAGAWA/Jordy CROUX (22nd minute of the second half: Masaya SHIBAYAMA)/CAPIXABA
FW Satoki UEJO/Ryo WATANABE (22nd minute of the second half: Sota KITANO)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Matej JONJIC
MF Tokuma SUZUKI/Haruki ARAI/Reiya SAKATA
GOAL
ー
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Manager Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
It was a tough 90 minutes. We have prepared everything, but I think the players worked well and brought victory with a mentality and attitude of hard work. However, what is important is that we were able to take 3 points together with the fans and supporters who continued to support us during the 90 minutes and additional time. I am happy that we were able to send them home with smiles.
Q, please tell me about the timing of changing the system at the end of the game.
Unfortunately, in the middle of the first half, player Diego OLIVEIRA got injured, and then, at the beginning of the second half, player Kei KOIZUMI was substituted, leaving only one substitution remaining. At that point, we considered the timing and executed the final substitution. Being the last substitution, we were conscious of using it at the right moment, and we made the substitution with the aim of bringing in a fresh player while considering the energy of the players who were still playing, in order to firmly bring out the team's energy. We were able to respond to Cerezo Osaka's strength of crossing the ball while changing sides and I think we defended well until the end.
Q: Please evaluate Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who made his J1 League debut.
A, I am very proud. He gave a performance that deserved a clean sheet, and I think it was a good night for him. He showed a strong mentality and positive aspects. I think this is because the entire goalkeeper group is making daily efforts. Our team, the group, the players who played here, and the players who stayed in Tokyo are really doing a great job of improving the team every day. Now, we are working hard to build a strong team, step by step. In order to become the team we envision, we still need to continue growing. To create the team we aim for, we need the dedication like today.
Q, please evaluate the growth of player Kuryu MATSUKI.
A, he is doing very well. He has acquired the necessary information as an individual and is also doing very well as a member of the team. I am also inspired by his mental aspect and dedication. I think there is more room for improvement for him to become the player he envisions.
[Player Interview]
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, we wanted to control the ball ourselves, but considering the flow of the game, I think it was good that we were able to win in such a challenging match.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, the loose ball came to where I moved well and predicted, so all I had to do was put it in.
Q: The goal was scored from the flow of a quick start free kick, what was the reason that Kuryu MATSUKI was able to take that position?
A, Keigo HIGASHI was playing in an outside position, so I took up the position in the attacking midfield to support Diego OLIVEIRA. He rolled the ball well there.
Q: The partner for the double pivot changed between the first half and the second half. Please reflect on the differences in roles in the defensive aspect.
At the defensive midfield position, it would have been better if we could have defended and recovered second balls without facing our own goal, and also showed our faces well when building up attacks. However, both Kei KOIZUMI and Koki TSUKAGAWA, as well as the player from the East, communicated well and ran well, so I feel that we were able to play as a team.
Q: It seemed like the team shifted to a defensive formation by increasing the number of players in the defensive line after the 30th minute of the second half. What was the team's mindset during that time?
First of all, it is important not to concede. Since there were three tall players in front of the goal to defend against the cross balls from the side, we were aiming to repel them and if possible, add a goal with Jája Silva's counterattack.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q: please review the game.
A, today's match was my debut game in the J1 League. Although it was an away game, I am filled with gratitude for being able to play in such a wonderful atmosphere. There were not many periods in today's match where things went well for the team, but my teammates gave their all, especially in defense. I believe that their hard work led to the victory.
Q, today's match was your J1 League debut. What were you thinking about before the match?
As I approached my debut match in the J1 League, I was very excited. I am grateful to the people who always support me and send me encouragement for being able to deliver a victory to them. We won the game, but even if we had drawn or lost, it would have been a day without regrets.
Q, please reflect on your performance today.
A, although there were few good periods in terms of the game content, I think it is important for the team to win and take the next step. I think difficult matches will continue in the future, but I want the team to continue growing step by step.
Q, please tell us what you were conscious of as the last player in the defense line, given the high defensive line setting.
I approached the game with the consciousness of leaving the space behind the defense line to me, and we were able to communicate well. I think it was good that I was able to make aggressive plays. I was able to judge when to move forward and when to hold back, and it was good that we were able to finish the game without conceding any goals.
Q: If there are any points that have been consciously corrected since the Roasso Kumamoto match, please let me know.
I was conscious of increasing the tempo of play and creating a situation where the team can press the defense from the back. I think it is my future challenge to firmly take the initiative and dominate both in defense and attack from the back. In the Kumamoto match, we were always on the back foot, so I was conscious of taking the initiative.
<Jája Silva>
Congratulations on your Q, J-League debut.
A, thank you very much. I was eager to play in the game and it was great to be able to actually participate in the game and earn 3 points.
Q, although it was a short time, what kind of play did you imagine when you entered the game?
A, unfortunately the playing time was short, but I wanted to contribute to the team by following Coach CKLAMOVSKI's instructions and helping my teammates. It was a short time, but for me, this is the beginning in the J-League and I want to extend my playing time more and more. Anyway, I'm really happy that we were able to win today.
Q, we came within one step of scoring a goal just before the end of the match.
It is disappointing and frustrating that I couldn't score a goal, but I was able to show my skills from the midfield position and although the goalkeeper stopped me and the defender blocked me, I was able to demonstrate my strengths. I want to make sure to score in the next opportunity.
Q: It's your first game and your first victory. Please tell us your honest feelings.
It is very pleasing to have earned 3 points in the first match in the J-League. This week, the team has been working hard in training, so it's good to see the results.
Q: Next week will be Jája Silva's first home game, and it will also be the first time in about a month that our team returns to our "home". Please share your enthusiasm for the upcoming match.
A, I am really looking forward to playing at our "home" in Tokyo because I have heard that the atmosphere at the stadium is amazing. Today, even though we were playing away in a distant place, we had so many fans and supporters come to watch us. I can only imagine how incredible it will be for our home games.
