Tokyo, who advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in two years and approached the second game with a one-win advantage towards their first championship in three years. In the midst of consecutive matches including league games, four starting members were replaced from the first game, and Yasuki KIMOTO, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, Ryoma WATANABE, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA took the pitch from the start. The Levain Cup Prime Stage quarter-finals kicked off the "second half of 90 minutes".
1st HALF - Despite enduring, 2 goals were conceded towards the end.
The system chosen by coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI was the same 3-back as in the first match four days ago. They created a game plan that matched Avispa Fukuoka's system and faced Fukuoka in the Miller game.
The time continues when Fukuoka, who receives a great cheer from the home team from the start, is influenced by their momentum. They struggled to push the line forward and spent time in their own half without being able to pick up the second ball. However, when right wing back Kosuke SHIRAI and left wing back Kashif BANGNAGANDE stripped the opponent near the touchline, they carried the ball deep into the opponent's territory and created a scene where they threatened the goal from a cross.
Tokyo had gradually started to find their pace, but just before the end of the first half, they suddenly lost their rhythm. In the 38th minute of the first half, Fukuoka's Inoue player kicked a sharp feed from the right side to the opposite corner, which was then dropped by Odas player with his chest inside the penalty area, and Yamagishi player jumped in to score the equalizing goal in the two-game total.
In additional time, they gave consecutive corner kicks, and conceded a second goal in the 45+3 minute. The former player headed the ball into the near side, and Odaplayer headed it in. Jakub SLOWIK made a sharp reaction and initially cleared the ball, but it was determined to have crossed the goal line with the support of VAR.
2nd HALF - The power play at the end did not bear fruit
Tokyo, who wanted to turn the score of the two games in the first half, couldn't build up their attack as they did in the first half. In the 11th minute of the second half, they brought in their trump card, Adailton, but there was no space to unleash his dribbling skills, and they struggled to find a way to attack. In the 20th minute of the second half, they simultaneously sent in Tsukagawa Koki, Higashi Keigo, and Tokumoto Shuhei, but it didn't prove to be an effective breakthrough strategy, and only time passed.
In the 30th minute of the second half, Konno was able to get behind the defense line from a counterattack and shake the goal net, but the offside decision was made with the support of VAR. This kept a glimmer of hope alive until the end of the game.
In the final stage, Tokyo tried to send the ball quickly to the front line and open up the goal with a power play, but their accuracy was not enough to break through Fukuoka's defense, which has height and strength. As a result, they entered additional time without being able to break through. In the end, even strengthening the power play by placing center back Henrique TREVISAN in the front line did not lead to a goal. The total score of the two matches ended in 1-2, resulting in elimination in the quarterfinals.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yasuki KIMOTO / Henrique TREVISAN / Yuto NAGATOMO (20th minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kosuke SHIRAI / Kei KOIZUMI / Riki HARAKAWA / Ryoma WATANABE (20th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI) / Kashif BANGNAGANDE (35th minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (20th minute of the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA) / Naoki KUMATA (11th minute of the second half: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
―
＜Avispa Fukuoka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi Nagai
DF Seiya Inoue (46th minute: Kennedyegbus Mikuni)/Ryuki Nara/Douglas GROLLI
MF Yota Maeshima/Hironori Mae/Yuya Yamagishi/Koya Moriya (0th minute: Kenji Kanamori)/Itsuki Oda
FW Kazuya Konno (49th minute: Wellington)/Lucian (17th minute: Yosuke Ideguchi)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Masato YUZAWA
FW Reiju TSURUNO
GOAL
First half 38th minute: Yuya YAMAGISHI/First half 45+3 minute: Itsuki ODA
[Peter Cklamovski Coach Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A, unfortunately it was a disappointing result. I think we were able to control and balance the game well in the first half. However, the opponent created a chance just before the end of the first half and they were able to score. In the second half, I think the players gave their all and fought with everything they had. They fought desperately to score goals. I am proud of the efforts and attitude of these players. However, it turned out to be a tough challenge and unfortunately, it resulted in a disappointing outcome.
Q: Please tell us the intention and aim of playing with a 3-back formation today, following the first match.
There were elements that were good in the battle on Wednesday. We fought considering how to use that goodness. As I mentioned before, we considered our current situation and decided how to fight, taking into account the situation of the players we can use. It was a series of three games in eight days, so we made those choices considering the team's situation. Among them, I think we were able to grasp what is necessary for us to evolve and develop, so I hope we can continue to become a strong team.
Q, how did you plan to break through in the second half when a goal became necessary?
A, both as an individual and as a team, we had the attitude of going for the next goal from the first half. Even when the score became 0-2, that didn't change, and we had to fight to deliver a strong performance. I think there were parts in the first half where we were able to control the game. However, the time just before halftime was effectively used by the opponent. It was a big concession in an away game, but in order for us to become a team that wins trophies, I believe we need to make the most of such situations.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, what kind of mindset did you have when entering the game knowing that you had to score?
A, we only had the consciousness of seizing a few chances and taking one point. We conceded 2 goals in the first half and made the game difficult.
Q, I think the start of the game was offensive rather than defensive.
A, I think the start was very good, but we got caught up in the opponent's pace and atmosphere after conceding a goal. The set plays we gave away in quick succession also became "if only" moments, but I think we needed to defend them properly. By creating a 0-2 situation, the opponent's play and style of play became very clear. We couldn't manage the game as well as we did in the first home game.
Q: There was also the difficulty of bringing it to the final stage due to the opponent's very strong defense.
A, it was a situation where we matched up with a similar formation, and towards the end of the game, it was like a power play. The fact that we couldn't decide the game in the first half was the factor. As a team, we need to become better at playing games and we need to fix our weaknesses and challenges. I strongly felt that if we don't do that, we won't be able to go further from here. I came on as a substitute, but even from the bench, I felt that way and it's very frustrating.
Q, Avispa Fukuoka played three consecutive matches in a short period of time. Looking back at the overall experience, what challenges and responses did you feel?
A, such a three-game series is not something that can be experienced easily, and there was always a back-and-forth. I especially think there was a tactical back-and-forth between both teams, and I really wanted to win and move on to the next stage. I want to switch gears and move forward.
Q, only the league matches remain. How will you proceed from here?
I want to show my strong determination and play my best in each game so that I can achieve a higher position in the A League.
＜Kashif BANGNAGANDE player＞
Q, it was a frustrating game.
A, I raised several cross balls in the attacking area, but they did not lead to goals. The fundamental issue is that the number of cross balls and the number of times involved in the attack are low, which is frustrating.
Q, it was my first start since May. Please tell me about your intention to use me as a wing back.
A, it was my first start in a while and I was playing as a wing back, so I was conscious of playing aggressively, but I couldn't make plays that led to goals. I am reflecting on my own performance.
Q: What did the team discuss in the locker room when entering the second half after conceding two points?
It was a wasteful goal, but we had confidence that we could do better and Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI also encouraged us, saying "We are not like this!" So we approached the game with a determination to turn things around. It's really frustrating that we didn't get a good result.
Q, there was a unique atmosphere in the stadium. How did you feel on the pitch?
A, on the pitch, especially in the first half, I had a sense of being able to do well, but the way we conceded goals and the timing were not good, and we let the opponent take advantage of that. I think we need to make corrections as a team.
Q: As Kashif BANGNAGANDE, after returning from injury, you played in a match for a long time. How do you plan to approach the future?
A, if you play in a game, you have to produce results. I think results are the most important. We couldn't achieve that this time, so the next time we play, I want to focus on the results. Today, I felt really frustrated, so I don't want to feel like this anymore in the future. Now, only the league matches are left, so I want to switch gears and concentrate on the league matches.
＜Tsubasa TERAYAMA player＞
Q: What were you conscious of when entering the game in a behind situation?
Although we were in a losing situation, we were also in a situation where we could catch up if we scored one point in the total of two matches, so we entered the game with the awareness of scoring one point first. I also received instructions from the coach to play in the wing-back position and make movements to score, so I was always conscious of that.
Q, it was a participation in the midst of improving the condition, including practice. How do you feel about your individual performance?
A, I feel a sense of improvement in terms of my physical agility. However, it doesn't mean anything if I can't produce results or leave an impression in official matches like this. Nevertheless, I can't just let it end by saying it's meaningless. I have to reflect on it and continue to do my best. I want to approach it with the mindset of producing better results when I get the chance to keep going.
Q: How do you feel about participating in the Levain Cup quarterfinals through two matches?
I am particularly conscious of winning in battles on the field, which I believe is my own strength. Although it may be just a little, I think I was able to demonstrate it in these two matches. I also feel that a rhythm is born within me because there are scenes where I can showcase my own strengths, so I want to further pursue that aspect.
Q: Based on today's result, what kind of play do you want to show from here?
A, I'm really frustrated that it ended in an incomplete combustion, and I'm also frustrated that I had little playing time. I think that's my current ability, so I want to focus on what I can express in the short time given to me and strive for higher quality in training. And I want to be more conscious of always producing results.
