One week after securing a victory in the previous match against Nagoya Grampus at the sacred Japan National Stadium, we aimed for our first consecutive win in three months as we headed to the Saitama Stadium 2002, dyed in bright red.
There is only one change in the starting lineup since the Nagoya match. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA will guard the goal, and the center backs will be Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, who returns to the starting lineup after seven matches. The two full-backs will be Kei KOIZUMI and Teppei OKA, while the holding midfielders will continue with the combination of Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI. Up front, Diego Oliveira will be at the top, with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left and Teruhito NAKAGAWA on the right.
Accelerating the momentum from the last match where he scored a season-high of 4 goals, can he achieve victory at this cursed ground for the first time in 4 seasons? A crucial match for the comeback in the latter part of the season kicked off with loud cheers from the packed blue-red supporters in the visitor area.
1st HALF - Controlled the match and took a 2-point lead
The first half showcased a performance close to perfect. The first chance was created by Urawa Reds, but Watanabe's shot in the area went wide. Shortly after, in the 8th minute of the first half, Tokyo approached the goal. Taba's cross from the left side was deflected by Diego at the near side, and Nakagawa took a shot at the far side. This went straight to the goalkeeper, but it created a chance from the intended play.
Then, in the 9th minute of the first half, they took the lead. Player Tawara Tsukita received a cross from player Higashi and chose to cut in, delivering an inswinging cross with his right foot. This induced a clearance mistake from the opposing defender, resulting in an own goal that went straight into the net. Furthermore, in the 17th minute of the first half, player Araki calmly converted a penalty kick awarded due to a handball by the opponent during a corner kick sequence, giving them a 2-goal lead.
Looking at the overall game flow, there was a good contrast between scenes where the ball was moved slowly and scenes where they quickly launched a counterattack. They created several opportunities to score the third goal, while in the 5 minutes of added time, they were pushed back by Urawa, but they managed to maintain a clean sheet by forming a solid block together.
2nd HALF - Recovered the second ball, dominated the match, and achieved a shutout victory
Tokyo, with a 2-point lead, proceeds with the game without rushing. They maintain possession of the ball without forcing an aggressive attack. At the final line, player Taishi Nozawa actively participates in the build-up, creating a numerical advantage to overcome Urawa's pressure, and when they see an opportunity, they show their intent to go for the third goal.
However, with Urawa, who cannot afford to lose at home, pushing forward more than in the first half, there were inevitably periods where they were pressed. However, Tokyo remained calm in their response. There were not many scenes leading to shots, and in the 16th minute of the second half, the few chances created were ultimately defended by a tremendous shot block from player Oka, keeping the goal safe. From that point on, players known for their hard work, such as Yuto NAGATOMO and Soma ANZAI, were brought in to close out the game.
In the 4 minutes of added time, player Taishi Nozawa fought hard. He made a careful save of a powerful shot that was on target, and without fear, he approached the ball in the chaotic situation inside the area. Tokyo, having endured strongly as a team, celebrated their first clean sheet victory in 8 matches, accumulating their points to 44.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Keisuke KOIZUMI/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Teppei OKA
MF Hiroshi TAKAUCHI/Kegoro HIGASHI (21 minutes into the second half: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Ryotaro ARAKI (31 minutes into the second half: Keita YAMASHITA)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA (31 minutes into the second half: Soma ANZAI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (21 minutes into the second half: Keita ENDO)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (45+4 minutes into the second half: Leon NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA
GOAL
9th minute of the first half: Own goal / 17th minute of the first half: Ryotaro ARAKI
<Urawa Reds>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shusaku NISHIKAWA
DF Hirokazu ISHIHARA (substituted at 0 minutes of the second half: Yusuke MATSUNO) / Rikito INOUE / Marius HOIBRAATEN / Ayumu OHATA
MF Samuel GUSTAFSON (substituted at 16 minutes of the second half: Genki HARAGUCHI) / Kaito YASUI / Tomoaki OKUBO (substituted at 16 minutes of the second half: Yoichi NAGANUMA) / Ryoma WATANABE / Takahiro SEKINE (substituted at 36 minutes of the second half: Yoshio KOIZUMI)
FW Brian LINDSEN (substituted at 27 minutes of the first half: Thiago SANTANA)
SUBS
GK Ayumi NIEKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
―
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q, please give us an overview of the match.
We were able to deliver a strong overall performance and I believe we deserved the victory. There were times when we could effectively control the game and exploit the opponent's weaknesses in our attacks. I think there were moments when we could have scored the third goal and pulled ahead. The important thing is that we executed our game plan thoroughly, which allowed us to translate that into our performance. All the players fought with strong energy and dedication. Additionally, a positive aspect was our solid defense; we were able to defend strongly in coordination, which helped us keep a clean sheet. Every player made a significant contribution to today's victory, and I am proud of them. I would also like to express my gratitude to the fans and supporters who came here. I believe their energy and passion pushed us forward for the entire 95 minutes.
Q: Please evaluate Yasuki KIMOTO, who made his starting lineup appearance after a long time.
A, he delivered a really good, strong performance. I think it was because he prepared well from daily training and followed through on the details. There may be times when he loses his rhythm during periods when he is not playing in matches, but he showed what he always does in today's game. I believe he fought strongly in every situation. And he was able to control the match well.
Q: What points did you pay attention to when the opposing team's coach was replaced?
A, Urawa Reds is a very good team, and I respect them. I think the coach is also very excellent, and as a club, they play very good football. However, what is important for us is to respect the opponent but fight without fear. In terms of defense, we were able to respond well to the opponent's attacks and were able to tighten up the middle effectively. Even when the play was spread to the sides, we had our own rules, so we were able to respond properly. Overall, the players fought selflessly to deliver a very good performance. We were also able to create good situations in attack and effectively use the spaces we wanted. However, I think it would have been better if we could have finished one or two more chances to end the match.
While continuing the process we aim for, we want to thoroughly analyze our performance. We will build on the areas where we did well, and we also want to address the improvement points that still need refinement. We will recover properly and prepare for the next match.
[Player Interview]
＜Ryotaro ARAKI＞
Q: please review the game.
In both matches, we were able to play our own style of football. I feel that we are winning while dominating the game.It's not just about fast attacks, but also about possessing the ball and advancing while observing the opponent, which is our current style.
Q: You took the lead early on, and there was a scene with a penalty kick for the second goal. In Tokyo, there is an image of Diego OLIVEIRA taking the kick. Can you tell us the background of why Ryotaro ARAKI took the kick?
A, there is no specific player designated to take the kick, but I was just talking with Diego TABA before the match, and since he let me take it last time, he said it would be fine if I took the next opportunity, so I took the kick.
Q: You were taking your time before kicking. Is there a reason for that?
A, I was organizing in my head how to calm myself down, how to start my run-up, and how to kick.As I was simulating that, it ended up being a bit of a pause.
Q: It seems that you kicked the ball while closely watching the opponent's goalkeeper.
I try to kick while watching the opposing goalkeeper. I always simulate quite a bit, thinking about what I would do for the first kick and where I would aim for the second kick. In the end, I kicked it down the middle while keeping an eye on the last step of my run-up. It was fortunate that it was slightly to the left. I felt like I was able to catch them off guard with my kick.
Q: After scoring a goal for the first time since May, you also showed a fist pump afterwards.
A, yes. I was really happy to score again after a long time.
Q: What instructions did the coach give at halftime after leading 2-0?
In the first half, we were able to fight well both offensively and defensively,so there was a directive to increase the tempo of our build-up in the second half.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next match.
I intend to win all the remaining matches without ending with just two consecutive victories, and first, I will do my best to achieve three consecutive wins in the match ahead of me.
Kota TAWARATSUMIDA player
Q: please review the game.
First of all, I am happy that the team was able to win consecutive matches, and I believe we have proven our strength, so I want to ride this momentum moving forward.
Q: It seemed that you were successfully breaking through vertically and engaging in tactics with your opponents.
Although there were situations where the cut-in route was blocked and the opponent's defense came with two players, the vertical route was open, and there were players like Diego OLIVEIRA who could connect, so I attempted to break through vertically with the intention of finishing with a cross.
Q: What did you think of the scene that led to the opponent's own goal?
I tried to make a cross, but the opposing player put their foot out and blocked the path. Still, there were players in the box, so I thought I would try to get it in, even if it meant hitting the opponent. In the end, it went in due to a mistake by the opponent, so I think I was lucky.
Q: It seemed that there was a strong awareness of the goal, and the players' sense of distance was also good.
I think it's important to maintain this sense of distance, and I want to keep a strong awareness of the goal and win the next match as well.
<Tetsuhiro OKA>
Q: Please reflect on this match where you significantly contributed to the consecutive wins as a left back.
As a defensive player, my responsibility is to finish the match without conceding any goals. I particularly focused on putting my body on the line to prevent goals. When facing an opponent near the sideline, if I could force them into my zone, I believe I could have avoided giving them a cross from a cut-in, and I think I was able to showcase my strengths in one-on-one situations. There were moments when I was caught out at the back, and I was saved by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA. There were many areas that needed improvement, so I want to grow without becoming complacent.
Q: During the first half, there were many movements where Kota TAWARATSUMIDA took the outside and Teppei OKA took the inside.
I focused on running inside to distribute the marking on Tawaramizuki player, and to get involved with the ball and the attack. I think I was able to activate things as planned to some extent after discussing it with Tawaramizuki player before the match.
Q: We were able to manage the game compactly throughout both halves.
A, Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO were controlling the ups and downs of the defense line. By raising the final line, the central position naturally became compact, and I believe that the recovery rate of second balls by Takahiro KO and Keigo HIGASHI was also very high. The movements of each player created compactness.
Q: I believe Teppei OKA's originality is reflected in his play. Please share your enthusiasm as you aim for a third consecutive victory.
I want to differentiate myself from the other full-backs in the team by my unique plays, height, and the fearlessness to enter the goal area. I also want to further enhance my play intensity and foundation from here through slides and running.
