<Match Review>
The Levain Cup entered the second half of the group stage in Sec. 4. Gamba Osaka will be welcomed at home at Ajinomoto Stadium. In order to make up for the frustration of losing in the last match with consecutive goals in the final minutes, we want to receive the support of our home fans and gain 3 points at all costs.
Tokyo, with the newly announced signing of JFA/J.League designated player Soma ANZAI, started him in the starting lineup. ANZAI played as a right back, while Yuto NAGATOMO was placed on the left. The veteran duo of Keigo HIGASHI and Takuya AOKI formed the double pivot in midfield, while the team also utilized many young players in the front line to strengthen their center line.
1stHALF—Player Anzai Makes a Dynamic Debut
The start of the game saw the opponent holding onto the ball and chasing it from the front line. Even after gaining possession, the ball was difficult to control and we were unable to bring it under our own pace.
Still, after about 15 minutes, the flow starts to lean towards Tokyo. By thoroughly connecting the ball from the back line, they avoid the press from the opponent's front line, and players Higashi and Aoki slowly make their way into Gamba Osaka's territory.
Koki TSUKAGAWA and Ryoma WATANABE, who have moved to the top position, created time by receiving the ball near the opponent's penalty area, and multiple players supported the ball holder to activate the attack.
LORI, who made his official debut in the J League, actively took a high position and aggressively attacked behind the opponent's defense. Although he did not lead to a finish, he did not lose to a professional opponent in terms of intensity and reaction speed, and in one-on-one situations with opposing players, he attempted to dribble through the legs and also showed scenes of taking back the ball by putting his body in defense.
With the dynamic power of fresh players, Tokyo maintained control of the game and headed into halftime.
2ndHALF - Takagawa scores his first goal of the season to earn 3 points
Tokyo's attitude remains unchanged even in the second half. They continue to fight with strength in the ball battles, and even if they have to pass the ball back, they maintain possession and build their attacks.
During the build-up, there were moments where the ball was lost due to mistakes and the opponent was able to quickly carry the ball towards our goal. However, we applied pressure on the ball holder by sending multiple players from the front line, and even after regaining possession, we continued to move forward towards the opponent's goal while maintaining ball possession.
Despite holding onto the ball, the tide turned in the 26th minute of the second half as Tokyo took advantage of Gamba Osaka's player, Yamamoto, being sent off for a dangerous play and intensified their attack.
In the 29th minute of the second half, Adailton picked up the ball on the left side of their own half and started dribbling. He sped up and cut in, creating space before crossing the ball with his left foot. The ball, which was moving away from the goal, went over the head of Perotti, who had been marked near the goal, and Koki Tsukagawa, who had been running in from behind, volleyed it with his right foot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Tokyo, who doesn't let up on their attack even after taking the lead. They actively aim for the opponent's goal and compact their formation, pushing up from the back. This allows them to quickly recover the ball and launch a strong attack even if they lose possession.
In the final stages of the match, we were unable to maintain possession of the ball and were also vulnerable to the opponent's quick attacks. However, by fighting for the ball, we were able to maintain our focus and hold onto our one-point lead until the end of the game.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Seiji KIMURA/Henrique TREVISAN/Yuto NAGATOMO
MF Keigo HIGASHI (36th minute: Leon NOZAWA)/Takuya AOKI/Koki TSUKAGAWA
FW Ryoma WATANABE (14th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Naoki KUMATA (14th minute: PEROTTI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (24th minute: Adailton)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Junya SUZUKI/Renta HIGASHI
GOAL
29' Second Half: Koki TSUKAGAWA
＜Gamba Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Ryu TAKAO/Kyung Won KWON/Yusei EGAWA (36th minute: Hiroki FUJIHARU)
MF Hiroto YAMAMOTO/Ryotaro MESHINO (27th minute: Naohiro SUGIYAMA)/Shu KURATA (36th minute: Ko YANAGISAWA)/Jiro NAKAMURA (27th minute: Rihito YAMAMOTO)
FW Takashi USAMI (18th minute: Hideki ISHIGE)/Musashi SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Yota SATO
GOAL
―
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A: In the first half, there was a long period where we firmly controlled the game along with the ball. Ryoma WATANABE and Koki TSUKAGAWA built good attacks from the attacking midfielder positions. By playing well between the lines, the two of them created good spacing, which allowed right-back Anzai to become free and create chances from there.
I think we were able to create the same flow at the start of the second half. There was a red card for the opponent player, and during that time Adailton was brought in and his performance led to a goal. In the final minutes of the game, Keigo Higashi had to be substituted due to cramping, and I think it was an area for improvement that we were not able to play well in the last 7-8 minutes. Our ideal is to defend by possessing the ball and end the game, but we were not able to do that. I hope young players will learn that possessing the ball is the best form of defense.
And today, I would like to praise the play of Lori player. Despite it being his debut game as a professional, he showed us a wonderful performance. He has shown that players with such quality can adapt and excel in a short amount of time with the team.
[Player Interview]
＜Koki TSUKAGAWA＞
Q, the play of running around the pitch was impressive.
A, I returned to the basics and focused on what I should originally do. I wanted this match to be one where I could once again show running for my teammates. Although I am not satisfied, I am happy to have contributed to the team's victory.
Q, it was an impressive goal. How do you feel looking back on it?
A, Adailton sent a good ball. I just had to connect with the ball well, so I am grateful to Adailton.
Q, he ran through and scored a goal. It was a super play.
A, I think it was a shot where I was able to relax my power well.
Q: How do you look back on today's overall play?
A, it was a match where we focused on vertical passes as a team. I was especially able to play with a good connection with Ryoma WATANABE. However, I feel that the number of plays where I faced forward after receiving the ball and got involved in goal-scoring opportunities was insufficient. From here, I want to coordinate properly with my teammates.
Q, it was our first victory in an official match in April. It seems that a good momentum will be created for the league matches from here.
A, the current team needed a victory. Yuto NAGATOMO has taken the lead and energized the team, instilling a mentality of winning at all costs. While there is still room to refine our match performance, I believe this was a game where we showed our determination to win.
Q, I think it was a game where young players and experienced players blended well and functioned effectively.
A, it was a match where the desire to win as a team came together as one. There are various players, both young and experienced, but today I think we had a sense of unity and were able to demonstrate our strength in both offense and defense.
Q, I think Tsukagawa's strength is shown in his ability to make plays in those scoring opportunities.
A, I wasn’t able to be fully involved in those kinds of scoring opportunities this season, so I want to work hard once again to become a player who runs, plays box-to-box, and can appear in front of the goal.
Q, was the shooting course perfect?
A, it was perfect. I just had to connect with the cross without resisting it. I was relieved that it went firmly into the goal. I also wanted a result personally, so from here on, I want to work even harder for the team.
Q, the play that made the most impression was Tsuyoshi NAKAMA's ability to make the most of his teammates.
A, I ran for my teammates, created space, made sure not to lose in one-on-one battles, and by running diagonally, I created space on the opposite side so that my teammates would have many options. There is a phrase called "wasteful running," but I personally believe this is the most necessary play for the team's victory.
Q, I think the combination with Soma ANZAI, who made his debut in today's match, was also good.
A, it was a bold play, so I felt it was easy to coordinate with him. It was a strong and good performance that you wouldn’t expect from a debut match.
Q: Please share your thoughts on shouting "Sha!" with the fans and supporters.
A, I was a little embarrassed, but I want to continue cherishing the moments where I can share joy with the fans and supporters.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q: How was it to look back on your professional debut match?
A, from the moment the starting lineup was announced, I approached this match with a truly strong determination. Since Tokyo had not been winning, I didn’t want it to be said that we lost with me on the field, so first and foremost, I’m really glad the team was able to win.
Q, what did you focus on during the game?
A, since it was my first appearance, I just played boldly. I was conscious of never being timid and fighting with confidence even if I made mistakes.
Q, how did you feel about being the starting point of the attack?
A, I still lost the ball quite a bit, and since I was entrusted with set pieces, my accuracy was also poor, so I think there is room for improvement. Being able to play for 90 minutes here is a plus for me going forward, so I want to further raise the quality of my play.
Q, I think it was a play in which I had cramps in my legs at the end, but I felt that the fighting spirit was fully expressed.
A, since all substitution slots had already been used, I couldn't leave the field, so in the end, I fought with the determination to run even if I collapsed.
Q, did Tsukagawa enter the inside and Anzai become free on the side, as we saw in the practice?
A, when we were building up on the left side, Tsukagawa and Watanabe created opportunities inside, and I took on the challenge on the outside, which I think we were able to execute as practiced.
Q, what are the points that you were not satisfied with?
A, there was a player strong in heading today, but many of my kicks drifted to the far side, so I feel sorry about that.
Q: How was the practice of adjusting in set plays? I think we haven't done enough, but what do you think?
A, since there is a strong player in the center, I was conscious of trying to kick the ball in a way that would allow him to challenge, but I was tense and couldn't kick it well.
Q, the strength of the play was evident.
A, I believe my strength lies in showing my fighting spirit, so I was able to take on the challenge with a strong determination to secure a victory while Tokyo has not been winning.
Q, were you nervous?
A, I was extremely nervous (laughs).
Q: How did you feel from the moment you found out the starting lineup until the game?
A, I found out after practice at the Kodaira Ground yesterday, but I had already anticipated it during practice, so I spent the night organizing my feelings and imagining how I would play in the match to prepare myself.
Q, How was it to play at Ajinomoto Stadium?
I have been watching the pitch from the stands since my academy days, so I was really happy to be able to stand here again. However, I think this is the real start, so I want to do my best to produce results and participate in the league matches.
Q: The victory was the first in five years, how was it?
A: It was passionate. The cheers helped me during the match, and seeing the fans and supporters made me want to fight even more, so it was truly encouraging.
