Tokyo suffered a frustrating defeat despite gaining momentum in the previous match against Yokohama F.Marinos. After a week, they faced Vissel Kobe, who is currently in second place, for the second time this season at the Japan National Stadium. Vissel Kobe is a strong team that is competing for the championship with Yokohama FM. In the first half of the season, they were defeated 2-3 in an away match.
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.
Since Peter Klamovski took over as coach, the defense has been strengthened and the number of goals conceded has decreased, and they have also been able to create attacking opportunities. It was a perfect match to prove their growth and show their determination and pride on the pitch at the home Japan National Stadium, where they have won all three matches since last season.
1st HALF - Diego scores the opening goal amidst the fervor of the national team
The atmosphere of the Japan National Stadium seemed to make it so, and the game started with high tension from the kickoff. In the 7th minute of the first half, Tokyo's Mutoh player, who was facing his former team, took the first shot, and in the 8th minute of the first half, Matsuki Kuryu player from Tokyo excited the stadium with a middle shot.
As the game progresses, it enters a more open phase. In the 14th minute of the first half, Kobe broke through and had a decisive shot by Yamaguchi, but escaped danger. Both teams created chances, but it was Tokyo who took the lead. In the 18th minute of the first half, Mori Shuuto's feed didn't reach Watanabe Ryoma, but Watanabe put pressure on the opposing goalkeeper and caused a pass error. Nakagawa Teruhito intercepted and passed to Diego, who calmly scored a goal.
Although we got off to a good start, we faced a counterattack from Kobe. In the 20th minute of the first half, Mutoh had a header shot that hit the crossbar from a corner kick, and although it was ruled offside, in the 29th minute of the first half, Taki had a shot that hit the post from Osako's play.
Tokyo, which raised its defensive awareness as a team and overcame the pinch, also continued to maintain its attacking posture without retreating. In the 30th minute of the first half, Nakagawa scored a direct volley from Tawaratsumida's cross, and in the 39th minute of the first half, Tawaratsumida himself dribbled the ball and swung his right foot from a cut-in.
Although the score remained 1-0 at halftime, the high-intensity game from the first half continued with an intense atmosphere.
2nd HALF - The intense battle that moves the game in the final stage ends in a tie.
Even in the second half, which started with the same 11 players, the first shot was conceded to Kobe, but Tokyo's attitude of moving forward did not change. Although they couldn't score a goal, they created several opportunities where they quickly approached the goal after stealing the ball in the opponent's territory.
And in the 20th minute of the second half, Yuto Nagatomo creates an opportunity. He aggressively closes in on Takumi Minamino and steals the ball, then passes it to Nakagawa. Nagatomo receives the return pass and surprises the opponent with an outside-of-the-left-foot cross, which is blocked by the opponent's hand and confirmed as a handball with the support of VAR, resulting in a penalty kick.
Afterwards, player Diego was substituted, so it was player Matsuki who took the kick. He went to pick up the ball without hesitation and aimed for the right side, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, and we couldn't 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. Shifting to a winning pattern in the past few games, they 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, it was determined with the support of VAR that the player Patrick was fouled in the area and a penalty kick was awarded. It was calmly converted by player Osako and they caught up.
From the 13th minute of additional time, when Kobe was pushed to reverse, there was a "National Man" in Tokyo. In the 45+10th minute of the second half, player Adailton picked up the ball on the left side and started a powerful dribble towards the goal. Despite the numerical disadvantage, he forcefully cut through the two defenders and swung his right foot, hitting the opponent's leg and changing the course of the ball, which was 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 kicked in the cross from Osako, and we were caught up at the last minute.
The intense battle ended in a dramatic conclusion, with the score tied at 2-2 and 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 18th minute: Diego OLIVEIRA/Second half 45+10th minute: Adailton
Vissel Kobe
STARTING XI
GK Maekawa Maaya
DF Sakai Takahiro/Yamakawa Tetsufumi/Honda Yuki (30th minute of the second half: Matheus Thuler)/Hatsuse Ryo (30th minute of the second half: Iino Nanase)
MF Oosaki Reo (0th minute of the second half: Ogihara Takahiro)/Yamaguchi Hotaru/Sasaki Daiki (23rd minute of the second half: Jean Patric)/Taki Yasuya (13th minute of the second half: Arai Mizuki)
FW Mutoh Yoshinori/Osako Yuuya
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
MF Haruya IDE
GOAL
Second half 45+2 minutes: Yuya OSAKO/Second half 45+14 minutes: Hotaru YAMAGUCHI
[Peter Cklamovski Coach 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.
Although they gave a strong performance, it is unfortunate that they were unable to secure a victory. With this pain, I will organize the areas that can be improved and strive to make it better. I think the fans and supporters were truly amazing. I am truly grateful 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 it is possible to focus on specific scenes, I would like to reflect on 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 player＞
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.
