<Match Review>
Tokyo faced a frustrating defeat in the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos, despite gaining momentum. After a week, they faced Vissel Kobe, who currently sits in second place, for the second time this season at the Japan National Stadium. Vissel Kobe is a strong team currently competing for the championship with Yokohama FM. In the first half of the season, they lost 2-3 in an away match against them.
A crucial match where we want to prevent a losing streak and seek victory, including revenge from the previous match. Kuryu MATSUKI, who missed the previous match due to injury, and Henrique TREVISAN, who was suspended, have returned to the lineup. Diego OLIVEIRA, who was substituted in the Yokohama FM match, also made it to the starting lineup as the lone striker.
After Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over as coach, the defense has been strengthened and the number of goals conceded has decreased, and the team has been able to create attacking opportunities. It is a perfect match to prove their growth and strength, as they stand on the pitch at the Japan National Stadium, where they have won all three matches since last season, to show their determination and pride.
1stHALF—National's Diego scores first in the midst of the heat
The atmosphere of the Japan National Stadium seemed to make it a high-tension game from the kick-off. In the 7th minute of the first half, Tokyo's Kuryu MATSUKI took the first shot with a middle shot, causing the stadium to erupt, against his former team Kobe's MUTO player.
As the first half progresses, the game enters a more open phase. In the 14th minute, Nakagawa Teruhito narrowly avoids a decisive shot from Kobe. Both teams create chances, but it is Tokyo who takes the lead. In the 18th minute, Morishige Masato's pass to Watanabe Ryoma is intercepted by Ueno Akito, who puts pressure on the opposing goalkeeper and causes a pass error. Nakagawa Teruhito then calmly passes to Taba Diego, who scores the goal.
Although we took the lead, we were hit by Kobe's counterattack. In the 20th minute of the first half, Mutoh's header hit the crossbar from a corner kick, and in the 29th minute of the first half, Taki was hit by a post shot from Osako's post play, although it was judged offside.
Tokyo, who raised their defensive awareness as a team and weathered the storm, continued to maintain their attacking stance without ever backing down. In the 30th minute of the first half, Cabore's cross found Nakagawa who took a direct volley, and in the 39th minute, Tawaratsumida himself dribbled in and unleashed a right-footed shot from a cut-in position.
Although the score remained 1-0, the game has been high-tension since the first half and the halftime was welcomed with excitement.
2ndHALF—The intense battle that moves the game towards the end ends in a tie.
After starting with the same 11 players, the second half also saw the first shot given to Kobe, but Tokyo's attitude of moving forward did not change. Although they were unable to score, they created multiple opportunities to quickly approach the goal after stealing the ball in the enemy's territory.
And in the 20th minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO created a chance. He aggressively closed in on the ball and stole it from Osako, then passed it to Nakagawa and sprinted up the right side with all his might. After receiving the return pass, NAGATOMO surprised the opponent with an outside-of-the-foot cross, which was then deemed a handball with the support of VAR, resulting in a penalty kick.
Immediately after, Diego TABA was substituted and Matsuki took over as the kicker. He confidently went to pick up the ball and aimed for the right side, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper and they were unable to score an additional point.
As Tokyo continued to lead by one point, in the 37th minute of the second half, Seiji KIMURA was substituted for Nakagawa and the formation was changed to a 5-back. They shifted to a winning pattern in the last few games and prepared to close out the game.
However, Kobe, who is also competing for the championship, does not easily let up on their attacks. In the 42nd minute of the second half, a penalty kick was awarded after VAR support determined that Jean PATRIC was fouled in the area. The penalty was calmly converted by Erik and the game was tied.
In the additional time displayed as 13 minutes, Kobe, who was aiming for a comeback, was pushed in, but Tokyo had "National Man". In the second half of 45+10 minutes, Adailton, who picked up the ball on the left side, started a powerful dribble towards the goal. Despite being outnumbered, he forcefully cut through the two defenders and swung his right foot, causing the ball to change course and be sucked into the right side of the goal.
However, the game is not over yet. In the 45+14th minute of the second half, Yamaguchi player scored a goal from Osako player's cross, and we were caught up in the last minute.
The intense battle ended dramatically, with the final whistle here. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with both teams earning 1 point.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kei KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Keigo HIGASHI (23rd minute of the second half: Riki HARAKAWA)/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (37th minute of the second half: Seiji KIMURA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (23rd minute of the second half: Adailton)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (23rd minute of the second half: Jája Silva)
SUBS
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Kosuke SHIRAI
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA
GOAL
First half 18 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA/Second half 45+10 minutes: Adailton
＜Vissel Kobe＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Daiya MAEKAWA
DF Gotoku SAKAI/Tetsushi YAMAKAWA/Yuki HONDA (30th minute of the second half: Matheus THULER)/Ryo HATSUSE (30th minute of the second half: Nanasei IINO)
MF Leo OSAKI (0th minute of the second half: Takahiro OHGIHARA)/Hotaru YAMAGUCHI/Daiju SASAKI (23rd minute of the second half: Jean PATRIC)/Koya YURUKI (13th minute of the second half: Mizuki ARAI)
FW Yoshinori MUTO/Yuya OSAKO
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
MF Haruya IDE
GOAL
45+2' Second Half: Yuya OSAKO/45+14' Second Half: Hotaru YAMAGUCHI
[Peter CKLAMOVSKI Manager Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A,It was a great game with high entertainment value, where both teams fought hard against each other. The result was unfortunate, but I believe it was a game that deserved a win. There were many positive aspects in it, but there were also areas that need improvement. The positive aspect was that we were able to create many chances. However, it was a game where we had to score goals and pull away from the opponent.
We gave a strong performance, but unfortunately we were unable to secure a victory. With this pain, we will organize the areas we can improve and strive to do better. I believe our fans and supporters were truly amazing. I am grateful for the fact that so many fans and supporters came to support us. It is very disappointing that we were unable to take 3 points.
Q: With more than 10 minutes remaining, Seiji KIMURA was substituted. And we switched to a 5-back formation. How do you evaluate the overall team performance?
A, We made substitutions considering the balance. Teruhito NAKAGAWA had been giving his all until the end, so we made the change at the right moment. It may be possible to focus only on that aspect, but it is necessary to analyze the overall performance while watching. We had chances to pull away from the opponent from the first half and we were able to create opportunities that could lead to multiple goals, which I think is a positive point. Among them, we were able to fight against Vissel Kobe, who is competing for the championship, firmly.
I think the team is moving in the right direction and there are still many areas where we can grow. I believe we can further develop our strengths from here. While we can focus on specific scenes, I want to review the entire game while capturing the positive aspects.
[Player Interview]
<Yuto NAGATOMO>
Q, it was a frustrating match at home. Please review the game.
As a team, I think we were able to show our strength and fighting spirit from the beginning of the game. I keenly felt our own vulnerability in turning a winnable game into a draw.In the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos and today's match against Vissel Kobe, we played against top teams, but we couldn't accumulate enough points due to our vulnerability in small details such as positioning, concentration, and how to close out the game. I realized that if we don't focus on improving these aspects, we won't be able to grow into a team that can compete at the top. It's as frustrating as a loss.
Q: In the pre-match interview, you expressed the difference you felt as "maturity". Is it safe to say that it was accurately portrayed?
A, yes. It is important for the team to unify their intentions on how to finish the game when they are winning, and how the players on the pitch will fight. I think it is necessary to improve each person's judgment and positioning.
Q, it seemed like you were able to make solid adjustments from the second half to address the challenges from the first half.
A, I think the support distance within the team improved even more in the second half. With the improved distance, we were able to recover second balls and connect them to our attacks. I believe that being able to play with a good distance was a major factor.
Q, there were plays throughout the game that added an accent to the attack. Please review the game.
A, I entered the pitch feeling the difficulty of participating in the game from the middle of a very intense match. There was an atmosphere of ending with a victory by scoring an additional goal in the additional time of the second half, but unfortunately it became a very frustrating match as we allowed a goal near the end under the opponent's pressure. I want to build on this experience and achieve victory in the next game.
Q, it seems that the number of times you have come on as a substitute in the one-top position has increased.
Even if I have to play in a position that is not my natural position, I will give my all if the team needs me there. In today's match, Jája Silva was also brought on at the same time, and we were able to be aware of each other and get involved with the ball effectively. Although I played in the striker position in terms of attack, the other players covered for me well.
Q, it seemed that the collaboration with Jája Silva also revitalized the attack.
A, including Jája Silva, there are many Brazilian players in Tokyo, and as fellow countrymen, we can combine the finer aspects of our play. By further deepening our collaboration with Jája Silva, I believe we can both improve even more.
Q, I think the goal in the second half additional time was a goal scored from a favorite zone.
I am happy that we were able to score a goal during a crucial time for the team when we wanted to score. I would like to express my gratitude to God. The league matches are still ongoing, so we will continue to put in more effort and strive for victory.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q, it was a frustrating match. Please reflect on the game.
A, it's just a waste. I think the current ranking is a result of not being able to win in such games. We need to accept reality and in order to win the league or consistently be at the top, I believe we need to become stronger as a team and win games like today.
Q: This time, you played as a side back again. There were many matchups with fast players. What were you conscious of?
A, without fear, I actively received the ball in order to connect the attack with a good rhythm as a team. On the defensive side, there were several crosses allowed among many players with distinctive characteristics, so I reflect on that point and want to connect it to the next. There are also many players with distinctive characteristics in Tokyo's front line, so I want to actively utilize them.
Q: Last match, you played in the midfield, but this match you played in a different position as a side back. What kind of preparations did you make during this week?
In midfield and full-back positions, the view is completely different, so I have organized my thoughts and prepared everything for today. I don't know where I will play in the next match, but daily training leads to the game, so I think it is important to concentrate on each play.
Q, we will face a three-game series against Avispa Fukuoka. Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, it will be a 3-game series against Fukuoka, but first, I would like to focus on the upcoming match and prepare for it. I think the first game of the 3-game series will be a very important match. Since we can play the first game at home, I want to take advantage of the home advantage. Today, many fans and supporters came, but we couldn't win, so we will prepare again this week to deliver a solid victory in the next game.
