<Match Review>
Tokyo, which boasts a high winning rate of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the league since the appointment of coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI, including two consecutive wins after the break. In the midst of relying on clean sheets and solid defense in the past 5 games, they faced a tough match against Yokohama F.Marinos, who have the most goals and are competing for the championship.
The goal was guarded by 20-year-old Taishi Brandon NOZAWA for the third consecutive game, and Seiji KIMURA was selected as the center back in place of Henrique TREVISAN, who was suspended, forming a partnership with Masato MORISHIGE. In addition, Keigo HIGASHI, who scored a goal in the league match for the first time in 1624 days in the previous match against Kyoto Sanga F.C., replaced Kuryu MATSUKI in the defensive midfield position, and Ryoma WATANABE was selected as the attacking midfielder.
And Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who returned to the starting lineup in the Kyoto match, made his comeback at Nissan Stadium with great anticipation. He returned to his old stomping grounds as the "Blue and Red Teru".
In the upcoming match against Yokohama FM and the following match against Vissel Kobe, we will face off against the top two teams in the standings. This will be a crucial game for Peter Tokyo, as they aim to climb up the rankings. They will approach this match with the desire to avenge their defeat at Ajinomoto Stadium in June.
1stHALF - Equalize with Diego's goal to bring back the flow
After the kick-off, the champion was pushed back by the passing work. The initiative was taken by Yokohama FM, who moved the ball fluidly while players took positions without being bound by the starting position. And in the 12th minute of the first half, they conceded the first goal. Anderson LOPES, the lone striker, created a 1-on-1 situation with Nozawa and Miyachi, who had broken through behind the defense. Nozawa made a save here, and from the quick second action, Nishimura was also not allowed to shoot, but the loose ball was put in by Nagato.
In the league match, Tokyo did not look down even after conceding a goal for the first time in three games. They thoroughly played their game in both attack and defense, regained their rhythm, and increased the scenes of quick transitions from defense to attack. In the flow of the game, they scored an equalizing goal in the 23rd minute of the first half. Teruhito NAKAGAWA, on the right side, dribbled past an opponent and moved towards the left side, where there was space. Kota TAWARATSUMIDA confidently made a vertical run and crossed the ball with his left foot, which was then put in by Diego OLIVEIRA, who had come in near the goal.
After the score returned to even, Tokyo started to increase the number of counterattacks from the midfield. Diego TABA's ball control and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's dribbling bewildered Yokohama FM. Although they were starting to gain momentum, they were unable to score a comeback goal and ended the first half with a 1-1 draw.
2nd HALF - Created two crossbar hits, but...
The second half saw a rapid increase in game tempo. It became a fierce 45 minutes with intense changes between offense and defense.
In the 5th minute of the second half, Yokohama FM creates a chance. In this match, both teams get their first corner kick, and from a set piece, player Matsubara takes a shot. However, the Tokyo defense blocks it with their bodies.
In the 19th minute of the second half, Tokyo made three substitutions at the same time. Adailton, Jája Silva, and Riki Harakawa, who made his Tokyo debut, were sent onto the pitch. Shortly after, a decisive chance came. Adailton, who received the ball on the left side, made a powerful dribble towards the goal and entered the penalty area to take a shot. Jája, who picked up the blocked rebound, also took a shot. Both were powerful shots, but they were unable to shake the net.
The battle in the hot and humid stadium is entering the final 15 minutes and becoming a war of attrition. Both teams' players are giving it their all to score a second goal.
And in the 39th to 40th minutes of the second half, Tokyo launches a fierce attack. Adailton player bagged the ball with a back head after Haragawa player put the corner kick for the first time in this game on the near side with his right foot, but the ball that flowed to the far side hit the crossbar. One minute later, Watanabe player shows off. He tries to put in a cross from the right side, but it is blocked once, picks up the second ball, cuts in from the center, and swings his left foot from a 45-degree angle to the right. It was a powerful shot that the opponent goalkeeper couldn't move a step, but it was also bounced off the crossbar and did not score.
Unexpected outcome awaited just after entering the 6-minute additional time.
In the second half, at 45+1 minutes, Nakamura scored a low trajectory middle shot into the right corner of the goal. Despite playing an evenly matched game in terms of chances and switching between offense and defense, they were unable to take any points back home against the strength of Yokohama FM.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Seiji KIMURA/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keigo HIGASHI (19th minute of the second half: Riki HARAKAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI/Ryoma WATANABE (45th minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (35th minute of the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (19th minute of the second half: Jája SILVA)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (19th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
23' First Half: Diego OLIVEIRA
Yokohama F.Marinos
STARTING XI
GK Hiroki Iikura
DF Ken Matsubara/Shinnosuke Hatanaka (19th minute of the second half: Takumi Kamijima)/Eduardo/Katsuya Nagato (36th minute of the second half: Ryotaro Tsunoda)
MF Kota Watanabe/Takuya Kida/Takuma Nishimura
FW Yan Matheus (0th minute of the second half: Kenta Inoue)/Anderson Lopes (28th minute of the second half: Nam Tae-hee)/Ryo Miyaichi (19th minute of the second half: Kota Mizunuma)
SUBS
GK Powell Obinna OBI
MF Riku YAMANE
GOAL
First Half 12th Minute: Katsuya NAGATO/Second Half 45+1 Minute: Kota WATANABE
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Manager Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A,Both teams played good football and it was a battle to showcase our strengths. It was truly an entertaining football match, and we had our chances and could have won the game. The players fought desperately and dedicatedly to deliver a strong performance. It is unfortunate that we couldn't produce the desired results, but I hope to become stronger and turn this pain into our own strength.
Q, how did you try to stop Yokohama F.Marinos' attack?
A, Overall, we were able to defend as planned. I think Yokohama FM had a good start and played well, moving the ball effectively from the first 20 to 25 minutes. We started to gain control of the game around the end of the first half. We were able to utilize the spaces we wanted and exploit the opponent's weaknesses, and we were able to show good aspects in the second half while confirming those points at halftime. However, our shots hit the post twice and we had a chance to score the second goal, but unfortunately, we lost the winning goal towards the end.
Q, what do you think about Keigo HIGASHI's positioning?
A, We were able to play well while looking at the available space, and I think we were also able to use good spaces. There were also many scenes that could have led to good attacks and goals. I think there were many good points in today's game, so I want to extend the positive aspects and improve the areas that need improvement and move forward.
[Player Interview]
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q, please review today's game.
A, I think it was a game development where it was uncertain which way it would go. In that, it was a game where I felt the difference in the power to decide and the power to attract luck that leads to goals. It was a close game, and in the end, we couldn't win, so I thought that we need to be more severe in order to produce results and show a more determined attitude to pursue results.
Q: How was your performance today, playing for about 80 minutes for the first time since your return?
A, it was 50-60 percent. I want to move more and create plays to make chances. Honestly, it was fun to be able to play from the start. It's really frustrating to lose and lose to the same opponent twice. As I mentioned earlier, I think we won't be able to reach our goal of "winning" unless we narrow the gap we felt in today's game.
Q, you said before the game that you didn't know what kind of emotions you would feel. Please tell us again what you felt playing at Nissan Stadium.
A, with the warm atmosphere of Yokohama F.Marinos' fans and supporters, I was able to play today, and the Tokyo fans and supporters also cheered me on and encouraged me in this match against my former team. To be honest, I wanted to win in order to respond to their support, and I apologize for not being able to do so. There are many challenges, but I believe there are still things we can do and room for improvement. I want to prepare for the next game so that we don't lose again.
Q, the next match against a strong opponent will be an important game to demonstrate progress in order to win. Once again, we ask for your enthusiasm.
A, if we don't defeat the top teams, we won't be able to move up, and we definitely don't want to lose at the Japan National Stadium, which has a good winning percentage. We want to turn today's defeat into strength and fight together as one, including all the fans and supporters. Please create the best atmosphere. Thank you.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q: please review the game.
A, of course, we knew it would be a difficult match as they are a strong contender for the championship, and the match turned out to be just as tough as expected. The performance during the match was not something to be pessimistic about, but it is really frustrating that we couldn't achieve the desired result in the end. Since it's already in the past, there's no point dwelling on it, and I believe we have no choice but to move forward. The next match will also be against a tough opponent, but I want to rest well and prepare thoroughly.
Q, I scored the equalizing goal from a short counterattack. Please reflect on the goal scene.
From a good counter, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA made a good cross ball and was able to score a goal. I am happy that I was able to score a goal, but I am sad that the team lost.
Q, the next game at the Japan National Stadium will be a very important match for Tokyo. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
The next match will also be a difficult one. Vissel Kobe, our next opponent, is a team competing for the championship, so we anticipate a tough match even though it is a home game. We want to correct the mistakes made in today's match and prepare ourselves to have a good game.
<Seiji KIMURA>
Q, it was my first full-time appearance in the league match in a while. Please give us a review of the game.
A, we conceded the first goal due to our own mistakes and miscommunication, but we were able to equalize before halftime and regain control of the game. However, in the final moments, we conceded a goal in additional time, which was a result of both Yokohama F.Marinos' resilience and our own vulnerabilities. It was a moment where we need to make adjustments and improvements.
Q, what did you particularly focus on in terms of defense against Yokohama FM, who puts pressure on the attack?
There was Anderson LOPES, a player with a strong physical presence at the top position, so it was not easy to score goals, even when we were under pressure. We didn't force ourselves to go after the opponent's ball holder during that time, but instead focused on holding the central position. We also had the awareness of not letting the opponent put their body on the line in the final moments. I think we did well in those aspects.
Q: Although we conceded a goal and lost in the final stages of the match, did you feel any sense of accomplishment in the overall performance throughout the 90 minutes?
A, now that the game has just ended and we lost, I can only think of the bad parts of the play. However, I was able to approach the game in a good condition myself. I think I was able to make the minimum plays, but the build-up passes were off, and there were parts where they were floating and the response to the opponent in defense was slightly delayed, as informed by the staff. I want to have a proper discussion about whether my position is correct or if it was just a delay in response, and make corrections. When I get the chance, I want to win next time.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q: This was your first official match after joining. In the difficult situation of a 1-1 score, what were you conscious of when approaching the game?
A, looking at the course of the game, I first focused on the defense. Both teams had an open style of play, skipping the midfield. The attackers also entered the pitch at the same time, making good contact with the ball, so I was conscious of launching counterattacks to take advantage of their strengths. There were opportunities, so if we could play while watching the opponent when launching a counterattack, I think even more chances would have been created.
Q: There were also plays that led to scoring opportunities from accurate kicks that you are good at. How would you rate today's performance?
A, I feel that I am able to play with good condition and rhythm, as I was able to play for 90 minutes in last week's practice match. I think I will continue to improve as I play more games. Since I had many opportunities to counterattack, I was always looking for chances such as receiving the ball in the opponent's territory after pressing and taking a shot from outside the box. I want to increase the plays where I receive and demand the ball.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, even when watching the game, I think that the strength of defense is required first. Personally, I am a player who can make a difference in attack, so I want to improve by practicing and playing games, including coordination aspects such as when I want the ball and showing the difference with other players when receiving the ball.
