GAME RESULTGame Result

Semifinal Game 2 2021/10/10 (Sun)
Audience 9,910 people 
Weather: sunny, with a low temperature of 26.4 degrees and humidity of 62%. 
Referee: Hajime MATSUO Assistant Referee: Naoya OKAWA / Koji MORIKAWA Fourth Official: Akihiko IKEUCHI

YLC Prime Stage Semifinal Round Sec. 2

Ajinomoto

HOME

FC Tokyo

2-1

Match Finished

First half1-0

Second half1-1

AWAY

Nagoya Grampus

FC Tokyo Nagoya Grampus
15' Adailton
55' Yojiro TAKAHAGI
Scorer 80' Sho INAGAKI
66' Adailton → Keigo Higashi
75' Tsuyoshi Watanabe → Bruno Uvini
83' Yojiro Takahagi → Hirotaka Mita
83' Takuya Aoki → Kazuya Konno
Player Substitution 51' Naoki MAEDA → Shviltzok
69' Matheus → Gabriel Xavier
89' Yoichiro KAKITANI → Yuki SOMA
12 Shoot 12
6 CK 3
9 FK 13
Warning
Ejected
FC Tokyo Starting Lineup
GK 13 Go HATANO
DF 22 Takumi NAKAMURA
DF 4 Tsuyoshi WATANABE
DF 3 Masato MORISHIGE
DF 23 Ryoma WATANABE
MF 8 Yojiro Takahagi
MF 21 Takuya AOKI
MF 31 Shuto ABE
FW 15 Adailton
FW 11 Kensuke NAGAI
FW 9 Diego OLIVEIRA
FC Tokyo Substitutes
GK 1 Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF 5 Bruno UVINI
DF 34 Rio OMORI
MF 7 Hirotaka MITA
MF 10 Keigo HIGASHI
MF 18 Manato SHINADA
FW 38 Kazuya KONNO
Nagoya GrampusStarting Lineup
GK 1 LANGERAK
DF 4 Shinnosuke Nakatani
DF 14 Yasuki KIMOTO
DF 17 Ryoya MORISHITA
DF 20 Kim Min-te
DF 23 Yutaka YOSHIDA
MF 5 Kazuki NAGASAWA
MF 15 Sho INAGAKI
FW 8 Yoiro Kakitani
FW 16 Matheus
FW 25 Naoki MAEDA
Nagoya GrampusSubstitute
GK 21 Yohei TAKEDA
DF 13 Haruya FUJII
DF 26 Shumpei NARUSE
FW 10 Gabriel Xavier
FW 11 Jo Yuki
FW 40 Schwarzock
FW 44 Mu KANAZAKI

[Highlight Video]

【Player/Coach Comments】

"Ryoma WATANABE"
(I had to play in a different position than usual in both matches, but I was conscious of what I needed to do)
I was conscious of playing in a way that wouldn't diminish my strengths.
One area of concern is the opponent's long ball. We need to analyze this thoroughly and keep in mind when to drop back and fight.

(Although I worked hard on offense and defense, the feeling was)
"I was thinking about how much I could make use of Adailton's dribbling in front of me."
I had thought it would be fine whether I overlapped or not. The most important thing was to consider how to make the most of his characteristics."

(Regarding the first short corner goal)
"I thought the opponent would dislike the short corner."
There was no marking on Takahagi, and there was no sign of caution, so I took the challenge. It was the second attempt, so I thought I would give it a try. It turned out to be good as it led to a goal."

(How to make use of today's battle in the future)
"There are still 6 games left, so I don't know in which position I will play, but based on today's hard work, I think we can't lose to any opponent."
In terms of being obsessed with results, today was a situation where we had to score points. However, I believe that if we always fight with this mentality, our ranking will naturally improve, and I hope to continue playing Tokyo's soccer based on this kind of battle."

(The scene of conceding in the second half was only that scene)
"I knew that the forward players would be tired and pushed back, considering the number of injured players."
Since Tsuyoshi WATANABE was substituted due to injury, there have been changes in the defensive coordination, and we conceded a goal by taking advantage of a momentary gap. I still think that this is a part where we are lacking. As a defender, I felt a different sensation than before, so I want to build on this for the next game."

(Is it the first time playing as a full-back?)
"It was my first time, but there is no difference in soccer. I think I can play any position as long as I can utilize my strengths to maintain a high level of play. I was able to showcase that aspect."

(Played with a sense of dynamism, but what were the thoughts behind the play)
"I played with the single-minded desire to win, and with the mindset of playing in any position for the team, but I have to accept the result of not being able to win. I want to become a player who can fight even more for the team."

"Yojiro TAKAHAGI"
(Reflecting on the result of a total of 2 matches with a score of 3-4)
"I think the 3 goals conceded in the first match were crucial."

(What kind of battle plan for today?)
"Instead of changing something, we entered the game with a plan to win 2-0 by playing as usual."

(It was a goal from a set play, but it went as planned)
"It wasn't something we had decided in advance, but we made a judgment based on the situation and it led to a goal. I didn't expect player Ryoma WATANABE to take a short corner."

(Looking back at the second goal)
"Diego OLIVEIRA player connected the ball from behind and carried it to the front of the goal, so I had time to touch the ball once myself and then re-enter the front of the goal."
"I think it was good that I was able to carry the ball from behind firmly, although Diego OLIVEIRA and Ryo NAGAI took a shot and collapsed, and as a result, I scored a goal."

(I think it was difficult to play after it became 2-0, but there were places where I think I could have done better)
"I think the team had a clear idea of what we needed to do, and I think we were able to go for another goal as a team and defend from the front, so it's disappointing that we conceded a goal, but I believe we did what we needed to do."

(Although they did not advance to the final round, it was a promising battle)
"I realized the importance of continuing this kind of game in the league matches."

"Shuto ABE"
(Looking back on this tournament)
"A tournament we approached with the goal of winning back-to-back championships.
I am really frustrated that we made it through the qualifiers all the way to the semifinals, but were eliminated just one step away from the final round.
I am disappointed in myself and it is frustrating that the team cannot make it to the final round, but we must take a step forward from this defeat to the next.
Indeed, the third goal conceded in the final moments of the away game in Sec. 1 is truly regrettable.
"In the end, it became a form of lamenting a single point, but it truly left a deep impression and became a tournament where the weight of a single point was felt."

(What kind of presence do you want to show to the fans and supporters in the last 6 league matches?)
"Today, although it was in the form of applause at home, I received wonderful support and encouragement, which truly became a source of strength."
I couldn't advance to the final round, but I have to switch gears and continue fighting in the future league matches.
"I want to finish the season by raising the ranking even by one place from now on."

"Tokyo - Summary of Coach Kenta HASEGAWA's Press Conference"
"I'm really frustrated."
Once it becomes a 2-0 score, I think it will be about how we fight in the last 20 minutes.
Although there was a simulation before the game considering a 3-back formation, it did not develop into a situation where we were pushed back. However, as time passed and we conceded a goal, we had to go for the third goal, so we were observing the situation. Unfortunately, we ended up conceding a goal.
I am really frustrated with myself, and while watching the game unfold again, I want to think about whether there was something else I could have done.
We truly appreciate the support from all the fans and supporters until the very end.
I feel sorry as a coach for not being able to meet those expectations. However, the players fought really well.
I think their feelings and play reached us despite many injuries.
"We hope that Nagoya, who won, will fight together with us and win the championship."

(The intention of using Ryoma WATANABE as the left SB)
was to lay the groundwork for the second match by playing as a wingback in the first match.
I had been considering using Ryouma as a right back before the semifinal round if it became a situation where we had to win the second match.
I watched the performance of the wing back in the first match and thought that he could play well as a left SB, so I decided to use him.
Of course, I did some basic training as it is slightly different from being a wing back, but I couldn't convey everything. Players like Morishige supported me and I really appreciate what they did.
He was delivering good crosses and hardly let Atsushi Maeda do any work in the one-on-one situation. I think that's the result of today and I think he played very well."

(When looking back at the total of 2 matches, where do you think the turning point was?)
I think it was the 3rd goal in the Sec. 1 match.
It was a goal conceded in the additional time immediately after scoring a goal, so I think that had an impact until the end. We had Adailton's goal in the first match, and we could have brought the game to a good situation even with a 2-0 score, so I think the third goal conceded was painful.

(After the match, what kind of words did you say to the players?)
"We couldn't make it to the final this time, but I think there was growth in both the team and individuals."
I think the parts where we fought with our feelings will definitely be conveyed to the fans and supporters, and playing games like this will lead to further growth, so I told the players, "We lost today, but let's show our soccer in the last 6 league matches."

"Nagoya - Massimo FICCADENTI Coach Press Conference Summary"
"The first match was in a sense, an emotional game, and this second match was also a tremendously emotional game that included elements of fighting for 90 minutes and fighting for 180 minutes."
There were various emotions and joys and sorrows in the game at different times. The reason why such a game was possible was because Tokyo is an amazing team. First of all, I want to praise the opponent.
As for the flow of the match, it was very open from the beginning. Both teams had the opportunity to score the first goal and further aim for the second goal, which could change the course of the game. Therefore, I believed that there would be a strong psychological impact depending on which team scored.
The second match started in such a situation, so both teams seemed to be actively trying to score. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal in the process, and although we wanted to change the flow by making player substitutions in the second half, we ended up giving away an additional goal.
After that, the opponent started to defend, so Gabriel Xavier was substituted. From there, the strong determination of the players was reflected in their play and it resulted in a goal. I want to convey to the players that they have accomplished something amazing."

(Sho INAGAKI showed a strong presence on both offense and defense)
"I think his strong desire to contribute to the team is what makes him always there in every scene. Even if you have the right mindset, it doesn't mean anything if it's not reflected in your play."
"He is a really reliable player because he expresses that by running for the team."