<Match Review>
In the fifth match of the season, Tokyo faced its first-ever away game at the Japan National Stadium. In the previous match against Shonan Bellmare, they lost with a score of 0-2, experiencing their first defeat in six matches and their first scoreless game in seven matches, which was frustrating. However, their position in the standings remains unchanged. They aimed to defeat their rival FC Machida Zelvia, who also has Tokyo as their hometown, at the sacred ground of the Japan National Stadium, where they boast an overwhelming winning rate with four victories out of four matches this season.
The starting lineup has seen several changes from the previous match. Goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and right-back Hotaka NAKAMURA remain unchanged, while the center-backs are Yasuki KIMOTO and Kanta DOI forming a partnership. In place of the suspended Yuto NAGATOMO at left-back, Tetsuhei OKA has been reappointed. In the holding midfield role, Kei KOIZUMI returns to the starting lineup for the first time in five matches alongside Keigo HIGASHI. Up front, Diego Oliveira leads the attack with Ryotaro ARAKI playing just behind him, Keita ENDO on the left, and Soma ANZAI returning from suspension on the right.
1st HALF - Started on the back foot, trailing by one goal into the second half
Machida started with a three-back formation, leading to mismatches in both side positions, particularly with many situations where they were slow to respond to the right side's Mochizuki. Furthermore, this created opportunities, making it difficult to deal with Erik, who was flowing to the right side.
In the 11th minute of the first half, a diagonal feed received by Mochizuki from the left side allowed him to cut in and take a dangerous shot that almost resulted in a goal. Then, in the 15th minute of the first half, unable to break the flow of being on the back foot, we conceded the opening goal. After losing a challenge, the ball was carried by Erik, who passed it in front of the goal, and finally, Shirazaki finished it off in front of the goal. We couldn't catch the opponent who had jumped in from the third line.
After allowing the opening goal, Tokyo finally switched on and was able to move the ball on the ground, creating chances when it reached Diego TABA. In the 21st minute of the first half, after the ball came to Diego TABA in front of the goal, Araki had a shot. Then, in the 27th minute of the first half, although he was a bit far from the goal, Endo unleashed a powerful long-range shot after exchanging passes with Diego TABA, threatening the goal.
Even so, although no equalizing goal was scored, they managed to create time to regain control, and there were moments when they were helped by a great save from goalkeeper Taishi Nozawa despite being countered. In the final moments, they defended tenaciously and went into halftime trailing by one goal.
2nd HALF - Although we launched a counterattack, we conceded 2 goals from counterattacks.
Tokyo could not end like this, but just like in the previous match against Shonan Bellmare, they conceded a goal early in the second half. In the 4th minute of the second half, Soma sent an inswing cross from the left side with his right foot, and while throwing his body out wide, Shirazaki returned the ball, which was then pushed into the goal by Se Hun OH in front of the goal.
Being two goals behind against Machida is heavy, and time passes without being able to create the desired attacking shape. Relying on Diego TABA's ball retention ability, we attempt to move forward, but we couldn't create the attacking shape we aimed for.
In the 29th minute of the second half, a decisive play was finally created. Koizumi received a pass from Taishi ENDO and dribbled into the opponent's territory, sending a through ball to ENDO, who was making a run up the left side. ENDO delivered a direct pass, but Anzai, coming in from the opposite side, was unable to take a shot.
After that, Takahiro KO and Ewerton Gaudino were brought in, and just as they were trying to score a point back, they conceded a goal from a corner kick. The ball kicked by Soma was not cleared by Taishi Nozawa and was sucked straight into the goal.
Tokyo, unexpectedly conceding 3 goals, tried to show some pride, but ultimately, no goals were scored, and the 5 minutes of additional time passed. After being unbeaten in 5 matches, they turned into consecutive losses, and their unbeaten record at the Japan National Stadium has also come to an end.
MATCH DETAILS<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Nakamura Hodaka (substituted at 32 minutes: Takahiro Takasu)/Yasuki KIMOTO/Kanta DOHI (substituted at 18 minutes: Kosuke SHIRAI)/Teppei OKA
MF Keigo HIGASHI (substituted at 42 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)/Kei KOIZUMI/Ryotaro ARAKI (substituted at 32 minutes: Ewerton Gaudino)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA (substituted at 42 minutes: Keita YAMASHITA)/Keita ENDO/Soma ANZAI
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Henrique TREVISAN
GOAL
―
<FC Machida Zelvia>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kosei TANI
DF Henry Mochizuki (substituted in 18th minute: Daiki SUGIOKA)/Chan Mingyu/Gen SHOJI/Kotaro HAYASHI
MF Dreshievich/Ryohei SHIRASAKI/Hokuto SHIMODA (substituted in 40th minute: Keiya SENTO)
FW Erik (substituted in 32nd minute: Yuki NAKASHIMA)/Yuki Soma (substituted in 40th minute: Kazuki FUJIMOTO)/O Sehun (substituted in 32nd minute: Mitchell Duke)
SUBS
GK Koki FUKUI
DF Akio ASHIBE
GOAL
15th minute of the first half: Ryohei SHIRASAKI/4th minute of the second half: Se Hun OH/34th minute of the second half: Yuki SAOMA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q, please give us an overview of the match.
A, I think our performance was not sufficient. In key areas of play, the opponent was superior. I feel regret about that. The players fought with everything they had. In the next match, we must show our performance firmly as we head towards the end of the season. I want to learn from this and finish the season with a strong mindset.
Q: What were the issues observed in the first half, and how did you address them during halftime?
A, the first 30 minutes were a waste for us. From the start of the match until the 30-minute mark, we played in a way that suited the opponent's style. Towards the end of the first half, we were able to play in a way that allowed us to control the match, but overall, I think we needed to be sharper and deliver a better performance. We need to ensure we can deliver that performance for the next match. Today, including some unfortunate goals conceded, we easily allowed goals. I believe we should have avoided giving those away to achieve a better result.
Q, I believe you have prepared countermeasures knowing how FC Machida Zelvia plays, but was the opponent able to surpass that?
I think it wasn't so much that the opponent was good, but rather that we needed to respond a bit better. There were elements and areas we should have addressed, and we couldn't perform as we should have. However, in other matches, we were able to handle those situations and achieve good results. Today was the opposite; we couldn't effectively utilize that area, while Machida was able to do so well. It wasn't that there was any surprise, but it's disappointing that we couldn't make good use of the key areas.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q: please review the game.
A, we couldn't suppress the opponent's characteristics and allowed them to do what they wanted. What the opponent did was as expected, but we were overpowered in that situation. If we lose in that situation, it's only natural that we would end up with this kind of result.
Q: Machida has approached the game from a different position than usual.
A, I learned about it in today's pre-match meeting. There were instructions on how to respond to it, but in the end, I think the players on the field have to solve it themselves. In particular, I think it would have been good if I, playing in the center of the pitch, had noticed it, communicated the response to the three-back, and resolved it.
Q: What were you conscious of while playing throughout the match?
I was playing with an awareness of my connection with Keigo HIGASHI, but as an individual, I need to pick up more second balls, pass them to the forwards, and make plays that become a greater threat to the opponent.
Q: You have suffered two consecutive losses. There will be a break, but what kind of preparations will you make?
I think we need to reassess fundamental aspects such as winning battles for the ball and properly picking up second balls. Today, we were a bit timid. When we are at our best, we can play freely and express what we want to do, and at those times, I believe we can deliver even better performances. Not only the players on the field but also those on the bench and those not in the squad should all take today's result seriously, as I believe there is still a lot we can do. There are two matches left. I want to show that this is not how it ends.
<Keigo HIGASHI>
Q: It was a match with a heavy defensive load for the team.
It was a match where we had to endure and be patient for a long time. We conceded a goal early on, but our aim was to equalize before conceding a second goal. Conceding a goal shortly after the start of the second half reflects our weakness and our current situation. I need to improve myself, and as a team, we need to continue leveling up.
Q, please tell us about your impressions and collaboration as a double pivot with Kei KOIZUMI.
We couldn't win the match, and I want to improve our coordination even further. This was the first time we played as a defensive midfielder in an official match this season, and there were many times we were pushed back by the opponent's attacks, so I felt we couldn't bring out each other's strengths.
Q: Following the match against Shonan Bellmare in the previous round, this game turned out to be one where we couldn't express our good attacking play.
When the opponent solidifies their defense with five players, the space inevitably disappears, and the number of chances decreases. This was also the case in the match against Shonan, and I want us to improve so that everyone can have a common understanding, including our approach to the game.
