The 6th match out of 8 official matches scheduled in May will be a clash between Sagan Tosu and Levain Cup, moving the stage of battle to the Levain Cup. It will be a one-game showdown where a win will lead to advancing to the playoff stage.
In the previous round of the league, only 2 days after the Yokohama F.Marinos match, and with only 3 days until the league match against Gamba Osaka, about half of the starting members were changed. Center-back Masato MORISHIGE and Teppei OKA started for the first time in an official match, while the double pivot consisted of former teammates Kei KOIZUMI and Riki HARAKAWA. In the front line, Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Kuryu MATSUKI lined up, and Jája Silva, who scored his first goal since joining in the 2nd round against Y.S.C.C. Yokohama, started on the right wing.
1stHALF—Continued pressure leads to a short counterattack
It was a game against Tosu, who has been struggling with 5 consecutive losses in the league, but from the kick-off, they were able to hold onto the ball and run for a long time, making it a difficult situation.
Especially on the left side of Sagan Tosu, there were many instances where they were on the defensive on their own right side, allowing easy access to their own territory and allowing scenes where crosses were made. However, in front of the goal, they were able to repel the ball with Morishige as the center, and they were also helped by the opponent's missed shots from corner kicks, managing to hold out without conceding any goals.
Tokyo, who couldn't settle their defense and couldn't find a rhythm in their attack, occasionally brought the ball up from a short counter. In the 19th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA made a breakthrough and passed it to Nakagawa, who took a shot with his left foot but missed the goal. In the 22nd minute of the first half, Matsuki aimed with his left foot but the goalkeeper saved it. Furthermore, in the 37th minute of the first half, Kosuke SHIRAI took the ball behind the opponent's last line and crossed it, but Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's shot only hit the outside of the side net.
The game was turned around with a tense development where the opponent was pushed to the goal but held on, and then looked for a chance with a counter attack.
2ndHALF - Morishige scores first but is caught up at the end
First, in the second half where we want to change the flow, Tokyo improved their defense by substituting Nakagawa for Ryotaro ARAKI. Then, in the 11th minute of the second half, they succeeded in taking the lead from a corner kick. Morishige, who jumped into the near side from Harakawa's right corner kick, headed the ball into the goal.
Tokyo, who completely took control with this opening goal, went for a second goal. In the 17th minute of the second half, player Morishige aimed for a free kick from a corner once again, but unfortunately missed.
In addition, there was a big chance in the 30th minute of the second half. Whitei's midfielder shot, which was squeezed inside, was saved by the goalkeeper, but Matsuki was free to pack the loose ball. However, he couldn't push it into the open goal and it didn't become the second goal.
As a result, Tosu gradually recovered and allowed an unexpected equalizing goal in the second half additional time. Marcelo RYAN was successfully replaced by the defense line and Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who had jumped out, was also passed and the goal was scored.
EXTRA TIME - The intense battle with both teams having players sent off ends in a scoreless draw.
The extended game, which started with a change of mind, saw Tae Hyeon KIM from Tosu being sent off with a second yellow card in the 7th minute of the first half. This put the team in a numerical advantage situation. However, as they struggled to attack against 10 players, Harakawa also received a second yellow card and was sent off in the additional time of the first half. The game became a 10 vs 10 battle.
Both teams pushed their physical limits in the extended second half, with Tosu being pushed back. However, they held on at the brink and defended the 1-1 score. The match was decided in a penalty shootout.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT - All Tokyo players succeed and Daishi saves the 5th player from Tosu!
Penalty kick battle for advancing to the playoff round.
Tokyo, the first to attack, successfully scored with player Morishige. Then, players Araki, Endo, Tokumoto, and Koizumi also scored, leading to the fifth kicker for Tosu, player Nagasuma's kick being stopped by player Taishi NOZAWA. They won the fierce battle and advanced to the playoff stage to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI (12th minute of extra time: Leon NOZAWA)/Masato MORISHIGE/Teppei OKA/Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (42nd minute of second half: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kei KOIZUMI/Riki HARAKAWA
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (15th minute of second half: Keita ENDO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (0 minutes of second half: Ryotaro ARAKI)/Jája Silva (15th minute of second half: Soma ANZAI) (17th minute of extra time: Takahiro KO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Henrique TREVISAN
MF Ryunosuke SATO
GOAL
11 minutes into the second half: Masato MORISHIGE
＜Sagan Tosu＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ilgyu PARK
DF Kosuke YAMAZAKI/Katsunori UEEBISU/Wataru HARADA/Ikuya KITAJIMA (46': TEHUN KIM)
MF So KAWAHARA/Ayapei WATANABE (46': Kohei TEZUKA)/Shota HINO (67': Ayumu YOKOYAMA)
FW Cayman TOGASHI (83': Atsushi KAWATA) (94': Taichi KIKUCHI)/Yoichi NAGANUMA/Marcus VINICIUS ARAUJO (57': Marcelo RYAN)
SUBS
GK Arnau
DF Yusuke Maruhashi
MF Kentaro MORIYA
GOAL
45+1' Second Half: Marcelo RYAN
PENALTY SHOOTOUT
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A, It was a good football match. Both teams played in an entertaining way. There may not have been many things happening in the tight game. Nevertheless, our players fought to the end and won a tough away game. It was a game with one less day of rest than the opponent, but the players showed the performance they wanted to show. They showed their strengths and fought until the end with their belief in their football. I think that was the factor that led to the victory. Also, I would like to thank the fans and supporters who came to support us all the way to the away game on a weekday. Their support gave strength to the players.
Q: Please tell us about the defense that held up against the opponent's attack in the final penalty kick battle, even though it may have been a game with many things that didn't go well.
A: Looking back at the game, I think there were still areas that we need to improve on. The first half was an even battle, and in the second half, we were able to use the areas we wanted to use. That's why I think we were able to take a 1-0 lead and put in a performance that was worthy of the lead, even in the midst of this consecutive games. However, it's disappointing that we couldn't close out the game in the full 90 minutes. The way we closed out the game in the final minutes is something we need to improve on. And we need to learn from this moving forward.
There were many things packed into the extra time. There were situations where we could fight with an advantage because the opponent player was sent off. However, in the end, the number of players became the same. We were in a situation where we had to finish the game with ten players, but that was also a part where we were becoming capable. The players fought until the penalty shootout with their own strengths, individuality, and beliefs.
We are proud of our players. It is difficult for players who have had few opportunities to play to enter such games, but they fought hard. All players, individually and as a team, were connected and played together. It is not possible to play perfect football at all times. However, there were elements that allowed us to grow. We were able to show our special mentality in our daily practices, and I believe that is the mentality of a winner. Our players gave their all.
Q, What kind of encouragement did you give to the players before entering extra time?
We discussed the summary of places that seem usable in the following time zone. It's about what will be important in the next 15 minutes. We were thinking of giving them strength, including the details. The players showed us what kind of men they are and I am proud of them. We want to recover properly and prepare for the next game in Tokyo.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q: please review the game.
It was a tough game, but I think our desire to win was stronger than the opponent's, which led to the result. It was good that we were able to fight tough in a difficult away game. In various situations, if we don't have the same understanding on the pitch, it can lead to situations like conceding a goal. It's something we need to reflect on.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, when a good ball came, I had a good feeling and confidence to score from set pieces. I also thought that there would always be gaps in the opponent's defense. I was relieved when it went into the goal. I think that in the future, it will be necessary for the team to score goals in situations where we can finish the game firmly.
Q, there was a consistent focus on building up behind the opponent throughout the entire match.
A, we distributed the ball with the image of dropping it behind the opponent's high line. It was a part that the opponent didn't like and also a team's aim. Personally, I was conscious of actively aiming for a chance after receiving the ball.
＜Player Shuhei TOKUMOTO＞
Q: please review the game.
I didn't have the opportunity to start in the league games, but I always kept in mind that I could play in the game like today and prepared for it through daily training. It would have been the best if I could decide the game with my own assist or goal, but I'm glad I was able to firmly score as the penalty kick taker in the penalty kick shootout.
Q, throughout the 120 minutes, the strengths of Shuhei TOKUMOTO were evident.
Both Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and Teppei OKA have been demanding the ball to be sent to them more and more, and I have confidence in my play after receiving the ball. I think being able to play with the belief that bringing out our strengths will lead to victory has been a positive factor in our progress.
Q, however, the late goal made the game difficult.
It was a goal that could have been prevented. I think we can fix it and move on to the next game. We will be playing against Gamba Osaka in the league in 3 days, and then we will face Sagan Tosu in the league next Friday. I want to share the challenges with the whole team. We just need to trust our attacking players and the defenders need to defend tenaciously.
Q, it seems that the team has gained the ability to score even in a disadvantageous game situation.
There were many chances to score additional points in today's match. It is important to pay attention to details from practice, and to take advantage of winning and making corrections in difficult matches like today's. I hope to build on this for the next match.
<Tetsuhiro OKA>
Q: please review the game.
A,There was certainly tension, but my job was to contribute to the team's victory. In defense, it was about challenging and covering with Masato MORISHIGE, coaching the surrounding players, and being aware of the opponent's attempts to attack from behind. On the offensive side, I played with the mindset of "it's okay to make mistakes, let's be aggressive and challenge." I deliberately made cuts and showed confidence by saying "I can see it" and tried to play aggressively. It was a huge victory in the end, and with the experience of winning, I want to use it to improve in the future.
Q, Wasn't the support from your seniors also significant?
A, Kei KOIZUMI and Riki HARAKAWA, who were playing as defensive midfielders, showed up at the perfect timing and made it really easy for us to build up the play. I think it was thanks to the support from our teammates that we were able to win.
Q, I think it's a new start. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the future.
A, I want to seize the chance from here and contribute to the victory with no goals conceded in the games I play. As I felt today, everything we do in the training at the Kodaira Ground is important, so I want to continue growing without wasting a single day.
＜Player Keigo HIGASHI＞
Q, it was my first official game after returning from injury.
A, winning was an absolute condition before the content. It would have been good if we could have finished the game firmly in 90 minutes, but we allowed the opponent to score due to their momentum. Although it was a penalty kick battle, it was good to win.
Q: Please tell us what you were conscious of during the unsettled time from the end of the second half to the end of the game.
Both teams had players sent off and irregular things happened on the pitch, so we were conscious of not giving the opponent any more points and taking advantage of opportunities to score ourselves. I think the hard work of everyone led to the victory.
Q, I played in the position of a defensive midfielder during the extra time.
A, receiving the ball and moving it, creating rhythm, and since the opponent was playing a high line, I had the intention of sending the ball behind them and building up our attack, but overall we were fatigued, so I prioritized maintaining balance. Considering Kei KOIZUMI's consecutive appearances, I was also conscious of how I could support the team and work hard, as I came on as a substitute.
Q, reducing goals conceded continues to be a challenge for the team, what approach is necessary?
A, we needed to finish the last part firmly. We want to organize how to defend and finish the game as a team throughout the 90 minutes.
