GAME RESULTGame Result

Sec. 2 2021/3/28 (Sun)
Audience 6,512 people 
Weather cloudy, weak temperature 20.0 degrees humidity 64% 
Referee: Hajime MATSUO Assistant Referees: Toshiyuki TANAKA / Kenta TSUKADA Fourth Official: Takayuki SATO

YLC Group Stage Group B Sec. 2

Ajinomoto

HOME

FC Tokyo

2-0

Match Finished

First Half2-0

Second half0-0

AWAY

Vissel Kobe

FC Tokyo Vissel Kobe
11' Diego OLIVEIRA
14' Hirotaka MITA
Scorer
46' Hirotaka MITA → Arthur SILVA
62' Yojiro TAKAHAGI → Kensuke NAGAI
69' Adailton → Takuya UCHIDA
69' Diego OLIVEIRA → Leandro
88' Takumi NAKAMURA → Takuya AOKI
Player Substitution 59' Tatsunori SAKURAI → Hotaru YAMAGUCHI
59' Yutaro ODA → Noriaki FUJIMOTO
59' Takuya YASUI → Sergi SAMPER
72' Asahi MASUYAMA → Ryuho KIKUCHI
72' Yuya NAKASAKA → Gotoku SAKAI
90'+4 Yuki KOBAYASHI → Tetsushi YAMAKAWA
6 Shoot 6
0 CK 7
16 FK 11
42' Hirotaka MITA
84' Joan OUMARI
Warning 02' Yutaro ODATARO
Ejected
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 1 Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF 22 Takumi NAKAMURA
DF 29 Makoto OKAZAKI
DF 32 Joan OUMARI
DF 37 Hotaka NAKAMURA
MF 7 Hirotaka MITA
MF 8 Yojiro Takahagi
MF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
MF 10 Keigo HIGASHI
FW 9 Diego OLIVEIRA
FW 15 Adailton
FC Tokyo Substitutes
GK 41 Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF 25 Sodai HASUKAWA
MF 2 Arthur SILVA
MF 14 Takuya UCHIDA
MF 21 Takuya AOKI
FW 11 Kensuke NAGAI
FW 20 Leandro
Vissel Kobe Starting Lineup
GK 32 Hiroe RyoTaro
DF 26 Nagisa SAKURAUCHI
DF 25 Leo OSAKI
DF 3 Yuki KOBAYASHI
DF 19 Ryo HATSUSE
MF 14 Takuya YASUI
MF 22 Daiki SASAKI
MF 27 Tatsunori SAKURAI
MF 31 Yuya NAKASAKA
FW 37 Asahi MASUYAMA
FW 41 Yutaro ODATA
Vissel Kobe Substitute
GK 30 Genta ITO
DF 17 Ryuho KIKUCHI
DF 23 Tetsushi YAMAKAWA
DF 24 Gotoku SAKAI
MF 5 Hotaru YAMAGUCHI
MF 6 Sergi SAMPER
FW 9 Noriaki FUJIMOTO

[Highlight Video]

【Player/Coach Comments】

Diego OLIVEIRA
"I thought it would be a difficult match as we had already lost to the opponent in the league."
"It was good that we were able to enter the game in a good shape and take the lead with two goals in the first half, and we were able to win convincingly."

(The opening goal was a fantastic goal from a great position in response to Okazaki's long feed)
"It was a very fast flow, but a great ball came to me from Okazaki."
I was able to strip the opponent and score a goal at my own speed, so it was good.
Today, I think both the starting players and the players who came on later fought really well.
It was a wonderful victory.

(I have scored in three consecutive matches)
"I am very happy."
I feel that we are in a good flow, and this is the result of everyone working hard and fighting.
"I want to continue to do my best in order to contribute to the team's victory."


"Hirotaka MITA"
(Looking back at the goal scene)
"It was a mistake by the opponent, but I hesitated whether to shoot directly there."
"However, without panicking, we were able to aim for the course firmly, lure the far side, and kick into the near side to score a goal."

(The control of the game for the full 90 minutes has been improving.)
"It's good that we were able to finish the game without conceding a goal recently, as we had been conceding goals continuously."
Today, I think Jun Kodama made a big save and kept us from conceding any goals, which allowed us to finish the game on a positive note as a team."

(It feels like the Tokyo-like atmosphere has returned.)
"The opening goal was also a Tokyo-like goal."
I think we were able to create scenes like that many times today in that aspect, and I think the Tokyo-like essence has returned.

(Is the team gaining momentum?)
"The coach also mentioned that a victory is necessary today for the team to ride on the momentum."
It's good that we were able to win, but we still need to delve deeper into the content.
"From now on, we will have consecutive matches against strong teams, but we absolutely want to win."

"Makoto OKAZAKI"
"Recently, my condition has finally improved and I have been able to contribute as a member of the team, such as in the previous match against Shonan."
Now, Tsuyoshi WATANABE and Tagawa are in the same age group and have been selected for the U-24 national team. They will be back soon.
I approached this match with the feeling that if I don't perform well, I won't have another chance to express my strengths.
I think it was good that we were able to finish the game today without conceding any goals.

(Also recorded a valuable assist for the opening goal)
"Diego OLIVEIRA player was always visible, but I didn't think he could send the ball so beautifully, so there was a lucky aspect in a sense."
However, from the perspective of the defense line, players like Adailton and Diego OLIVEIRA actively break through, and Mita has the characteristic of being able to control the ball at his feet, so it is very easy to play with him, and the forward line also believes in that and starts running.
I had the desire to somehow deliver the ball because he had been moving many times. However, regarding the scoring scene, Diego OLIVEIRA managed to score by surpassing the goalkeeper, so I think this goal is thanks to Diego OLIVEIRA.

(In terms of build-up, there were also many instances of playing long balls with a wide view)
"To be honest, I was talking about wanting to connect more with Takumi NAKAMURA on the same side. I knew that the opposite side was open, but it was a play that I chose because I couldn't connect on the same side. So, I want to aim for plays like going through the midfield or playing the ball at the feet of the forward."
This time, there was also the speed of Kobe's press, which we couldn't do. I think there are areas that need more improvement."

(After the assist, he ran towards Diego)
"I didn't think that would result in a goal, so I just thought 'thank you'."
"I couldn't help but run towards Diego OLIVEIRA, who connected to the goal."

(How do you perceive not conceding any goals as a defensive unit?)
"There have been few zeros since the start of this season, and as a member of the defense, it has not been a good trend."
Although there were not many scenes that were broken in the previous match against Shonan, I felt that the momentum was not good.
I was conscious from practice that if I could somehow keep the players Kodama and Kodama from participating together and keep the score at zero, my own evaluation would also rise, and above all, the team would improve. Today, I was able to actually finish with a score of zero.
Not only the defenders but also the players in the front line were actively defending from the front with that awareness. That led to a clean sheet and ultimately allowed us to secure the victory."

(The team has won three consecutive official matches)
"It's not bad because we're winning, but it's not extremely good either."
I don't think they are members who become conceited after winning, but rather teammates who can say to each other, "We have to do more here" precisely because they won.
I think a team that can make improvements and corrections while winning can become stronger, so I think we can continue to improve in the future."

"Tokyo - Summary of Coach Kenta HASEGAWA's Press Conference"
"Considering that today is the Levain Group Stage, we have gradually been able to win matches with improved performance in the league. So, today's game was important for us and we fought with that in mind."
Today, it will take time to bring the flow if it becomes bad both in terms of content and results. I think we had a good game in terms of continuity.
I think being able to score 2 goals especially at the beginning expresses the way Tokyo plays.
After that, there were some scenes where we were pushed back a little and got tired, but in the second half, we were able to raise the defensive line and create a chance to score the third goal, so it was good for the whole team.
The next league match is away to Nagoya. The Levain Cup will be against Oita. As important matches continue, we want to continue this momentum and prepare for the next match.

(After taking two points in the early stages, we are getting used to the way of playing the game)
"At the beginning of the season, the team's condition was not good, so I think the overall condition has gradually improved."
"By winning, we gain confidence again, and the players are working hard to improve their quality in a very positive manner. I think the results and content reflect that."

(CB player Okazaki showed good plays both in offense and defense. About the young players' performance)
"He is a player who should already have experience playing as the center of Tokyo. He has rich experience as an Olympic player and in international tournaments."
After returning from SHIMIZU, there was discomfort in the knee, and it was said that if the condition is adjusted during the camp after surgery, but recently, the condition has finally improved.
He played well in the Shonan match and is a player who can handle the ball well. I hope he becomes a player who contributes to the team this season.

"Kobe - Atsuhiro MIURA Coach Press Conference Summary"
"It was a shame to concede a goal."
We have to reflect on the fact that our mistakes led to the goals against us, even though we were able to predict both goals. We tried to catch up in the second half from 0-2, but we also need to reflect on the fact that we couldn't score a single goal because Tokyo's defense was solid.

(The first goal was a long ball, but even that required anticipation)
"The front line was pressing from the front, and I think Tokyo felt some pressure from that press and kicked the ball into the space behind. I think it was a scene that could be prevented by making a solid prediction about both CBs."

(The second goal should have been connected more carefully)
"Although the pass was a little off, I think it was a good experience that it ultimately led to a goal."

(Changed the starting lineup from the league match. There were also many young players, but regarding their evaluation)
"I think each player feels the parts they were able to do and the parts they were unable to do."
I talked in the locker room at halftime and after the game.
Of course, there are challenges in every game, but how we face and overcome those challenges will definitely contribute to each individual's growth. I hope to see improvements made today and expect individual growth.