＜Match Review＞
In the previous match, which was played with the aim of achieving a third consecutive victory, FC Tokyo was defeated by Avispa Fukuoka, being limited to only two shots throughout the 90 minutes. In particular, the second half, where they were unable to take any shots, left a stern expression on the face of Coach Albert. From there, after a two-day break, as the final match of the three consecutive games during the Golden Week, they traveled to the northern land to face Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
As a member change from the previous match, Masato MORISHIGE, Henrique TREVISAN, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, Kei KOIZUMI, and Adailton returned to the starting lineup. In addition, Soma ANZAI, a special designated player from Waseda University, made his league debut, and PEROTTI was used as a starter for the first time in a league match. This match is a away game with a long-distance travel and a tight schedule, but the team is united and ready to prevent consecutive losses and aim for 3 points.
1st HALF - Struggling with man-to-man defense and allowing the lead
Tokyo wanted to score the opening goal for victory, but they conceded the first goal in the 8th minute of the first half before the direction of the game was determined. They lost the ball just before the halfway line and it was carried by Kobayashi, who allowed the final pass. Asano, who received the ball just outside the penalty area, swung his left foot after trapping it with his right foot, and his shot took advantage of the opposite direction of Jakub Slowik and was sucked into the goal.
The first chance came to Tokyo in the 16th minute of the first half. Matsuki Kuryu took a corner kick and Morishige headed it. Unfortunately, it missed the goal, but it was a threatening scene for the Sapporo goal. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Adailton, who received a long ball, also created a scene where he dribbled alone and took a shot.
After that, they continued to struggle in a difficult period where they couldn't break through Sapporo's man-to-man defense even after regaining possession of the ball. In that situation, they created opportunities to bring the ball to Adailton's dribbling and power to take a shot. However, they couldn't create depth in their attacks and all of them ended up as isolated attempts.
On the defensive side, in the 28th minute of the first half, when the third player made a move, Kobashi was able to get behind the defense line, and Sugane was able to kick it back to extend the lead.
The bad flow continues. In the 37th minute of the first half, it was determined by VAR support that player Kashif BANGNAGANDE fouled player Fukumori inside the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick. This was converted by player Kaneko, widening the lead to 3 points.
Tokyo, who wants to return one goal in the first half somehow, approached the goal again in the 42nd minute of the first half from Adailton's physical play, and Matsuki aimed with his right foot at the loose ball. The shot that hit the course was rejected by the crossbar, and Adailton's shot in response to the second ball also failed to hit the target. They couldn't close the gap and ended the first half without catching up.
2nd HALF - Nakagawa player changes the flow with a substitution and scores a counterattack goal
Tokyo, who was trailing by 3 points, made three substitutions from the start of the second half. They brought in players Diego OLIVEIRA, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, and Takuya AOKI, changed the system, and tried to break the bad flow and attract a good flow.
However, the game situation remains unchanged even in the second half.
In the 4th minute of the second half, they invited danger from a set piece, but it was saved by player SLOWIK's fine save. However, in the immediate 5th minute of the second half, they were broken down by a series of intricate passes in front of the goal, and in the end, it was conceded by player SUGA, resulting in the 4th goal.
The game finally settled down here, but Sapporo still maintained control. However, Tokyo managed to find a glimmer of hope for a counterattack and persisted in their attitude of trying to score a goal. In the 28th minute of the second half, Nakagawa scored a goal by pushing in a cross from Adailton, who had broken through on the right side, and the counterattack finally resulted in a goal.
After returning one point, Tokyo's gear increased and created opportunities for additional points. However, they hit the crossbar or were blocked by the opponent, falling just short. On the contrary, in additional time, Kaua scored his second goal of the day from a counterattack, and the game ended.
After winning three consecutive official matches and entering a series of back-to-back games, we have now experienced our first consecutive loss in the league this season. Next week, we will return home to the Japan National Stadium to face Kawasaki Frontale in the Tamagawa Clasico. We vow to make a comeback in the league against Kawasaki in this important match.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Soma ANZAI/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (46th minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Shuto ABE (46th minute: Takuya AOKI)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE (46th minute: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Perotti (46th minute: Diego OLIVEIRA)/Adailton (78th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
28 minutes into the second half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
STARTING XI
GK Takanori SUGENO
DF Shunta TANAKA/Daihachi OKAMURA/Akito FUKUMORI (38th minute: Kiruya NAKAMURA)
MF Takuro KANEKO/Takuma ARANO/Hiroki MIYAZAWA (28th minute: Seiya BABA)/Daiki SUGA/Yuya ASANO (38th minute: Milan TUCIC)/Yoshiaki KOMAI (28th minute: Yuki KOBAYASHI)
FW Tsuyoshi KOGA (19th minute: Lucas FERNANDES)
SUBS
GK Sung Yun GU
MF Supachok/Lucas FERNANDES
GOAL
First half 8 minutes: Yuya ASANO/First half 18 minutes: Daiki SUGA/First half 38 minutes: Takuro KANEKO/Second half 5 minutes: Daiki SUGA/Second half 45+3 minutes: Takuro KANEKO
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A: I think the flow of the game was decided within the first few minutes. There were also moments when we did not enter the game with full concentration. We lost possession many times in midfield, and Sapporo took advantage of that well to intercept the ball. Especially in the first 15 minutes or so, we had planned a game strategy to exploit the space behind, but we were not able to do that much, receiving the ball mostly at our feet, which led to repeated ball losses and resulted in Sapporo’s opening and additional goals.
I think the tight schedule and the long distance travel for two consecutive away games also had an impact on fatigue. In the midst of a two-day break, the long trips to Kyushu and Hokkaido made it difficult for us to recover from fatigue. As I have mentioned many times before, the J1 League is a highly competitive league. Therefore, any team can win and there is also a possibility of losing. That's why the team that scores the first goal has an influence on the result of the game. Today, because we conceded the first goal and additional goals, we had to aim for more goals and it turned into a back-and-forth battle for goals.
In the first half, we were not able to play well, but we were able to create some chances. In the second half, the players who came on as substitutes gave their all and fought well as a team. I think it was a completely different 45 minutes from the first half. We were able to create decisive chances, and if some of them had gone in, the game would have had a different outcome.
I think we shouldn't allow the first goal in the early stages of the game. The fact that we conceded the first goal there had a big impact on the subsequent game. I want to fix it firmly from today's mistake and move on to the next one.
In the world of soccer, there are also games like this. It is a game where not everything goes well and the opposing team's every move goes well. We were able to create several decisive chances. However, unfortunately, some shots hit the post and there were also situations where a penalty kick was not given.
Q: What adjustments did you make at halftime?
A: We tried to reduce ball losses. Then, we aimed to move the ball at a good tempo and confirmed once again to attack behind the opponent’s defense. This was also part of the pre-prepared game plan. However, I believe that a single conceded goal should never have such a large impact.
Q, I think the fourth goal was a goal where many players gathered around the opponent's throw-in.
A, I think that in soccer, just like in life, the state of one's mentality greatly influences actions. When things are going well, appropriate decisions and actions can be made. On the other hand, when things are not going well, especially if it continues, a negative cycle can occur where mistakes in actions and decisions increase. I think today’s game unfolded in such a way.
I think the opening goal and the additional goal in the first 15 minutes of today's first half had a significant impact on our play and the course of the game. I don't think we should have been so affected by the opening goal. The first half play was very poor. There are games where the opponent doesn't take their chances even if we play poorly. However, in regards to today, not only was our play poor, but every action by Sapporo went well and every chance ended in a goal.
Sometimes, even if we cannot create many chances, those few chances can lead to goals and victories. There are also games where we lose despite playing well. That's the world of soccer. Today, our performance was terrible and we were unlucky, while the opposing team's performance went smoothly.
I don't know if the fatigue from the away games affected us, but it might have had an impact. The J-League decided on this schedule, but there are some parts that are difficult to understand. We have a home game next, but after that, we have another away game in an irregular schedule, which is hard to comprehend. However, as a team aiming for the top, we have to overcome such obstacles. In that sense, I believe we need to firmly overcome this barrier.
[Player Interview]
<Masato MORISHIGE>
Q, it was a tough result. Please tell us your honest feelings right now.
A, we caused dangerous situations due to our own mistakes. We conceded three goals in the first half, putting ourselves in a very difficult position. This is a major point for reflection.
Q, how do you organize what you want to do on the defensive side within the team?
A, I take this 1-5 result as a consequence of not having things organized. We need to clarify what kind of soccer we want to show. If we continue playing vaguely, it will lead to a situation like today’s. Both offensively and defensively, it ended up being a half-hearted match.
Q: Next week, there will be a Tama River Clasico against Kawasaki Frontale. What are the team's challenges and where will you start?
A, first is defense. Without stable defense, we cannot develop good soccer. Of course, we will play attacking soccer, but a sense of balance between offense and defense is important. You cannot win by only attacking, so if the team seeks stable results, I think correcting the defensive aspect is essential.
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q, it was a tough game result. Please tell us how you feel right now.
A, it was a match where we were defeated by the opponent's fighting spirit, and this is the area we are currently most lacking. Regardless of long-distance travel or consecutive matches, our fighting attitude did not surpass that of the opponent. I believe this is what Tokyo needs most right now. This is not a matter of soccer tactics. There were also scenes leading to goals from one-on-one situations with the opponent. Like the fourth goal conceded, even though Tokyo players were gathered in front of the goal, there were moments when we couldn’t fully take the ball away. We lost in every one-on-one situation. I think Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo was also actively targeting the ball battles. Against an opponent defending in a man-to-man style, we lacked movements such as overturning plays, smoothly passing the ball to teammates, drawing the ball side to create space, and using that space.
Q, we also saw Nakagawa encouraging his teammates.
A, since we were in a losing situation. When the defense is numerically equal, we cannot take the ball, so I was calling out to my teammates in those situations.
Q, please reflect on the scoring scene.
A, I was able to score myself, but there were also moments when I missed. I believe that finishing decisively would have changed the flow of the game. First, we need to improve on not conceding the opening goal to the opponent.
Q: What preparations are you making for the upcoming Tama River Clasico next week?
A, we felt frustrated in the two consecutive matches against Avispa Fukuoka and Sapporo. I believe the only way to overcome this frustration is on the pitch. With many fans filling the stadium, the question is how well we can perform. It's not about going back to basics, but to regain our strength in one-on-one situations before the match, we need to train intensely and rigorously; otherwise, we won't be able to compete against Kawasaki Frontale, who have high individual abilities.
Q, it seemed that changing some members in consecutive matches had an impact on the game.
A, I think it depends on everyone's mindset. The players given a chance must deliver results in the match. Since no player has a fixed position, expressing yourself in each game benefits the team and leads to victory. The players who participated in the match should reflect on their individual performances, and we want to overcome this as a team. To aim for the top and break the negative streak, we must approach the Kawasaki match with the spirit of a challenger; otherwise, we won't be able to bring joy to our fans and supporters.
<Kei KOIZUMI>
Q, did allowing the opening goal affect the outcome?
A, first of all, we knew that Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo is a team that can score from the very start of the first half, so we were careful, but they scored the opening goal at 8 minutes, less than 15 minutes in. I thought the initial start was very important, but conceding a goal there led to a situation where we allowed Sapporo to score multiple goals. For us, we wanted the game to be decided by just one goal. Today, more than in any other match against any team, the start was crucial, and conceding first gave the opponent rhythm and momentum. I think we need to reflect on that.
Q, in a similar flow to the previous match, we were unable to establish our rhythm in the early stages.
A, since the opponent is different, the defensive approach changes each time, as does the method of build-up play, but today, if we had been able to secure more second balls as our own at the start, the game might have unfolded differently. There are tactical differences and characteristics of the opponent, but I think fundamentally we were losing at the basic level.
Q, it was a tough match with a demanding schedule of consecutive away games involving long-distance travel.
A, Sapporo had consecutive home games while we had consecutive away games, and on top of that, only two days between matches. However, once we step onto the pitch, the schedule shouldn't matter, and we still have to win. Simply put, the realistic difference between us and the current Sapporo team is our lack of strength. I don't want to use the schedule as an excuse, and I don't believe that is the reason we lost today.
Q, I want to bounce back in the next game using this losing streak as a springboard.
A, since the match is held at the Japan National Stadium and Kawasaki Frontale is the opponent, I believe many fans will come to watch, so we cannot afford to play such a pathetic game. Continuing to have matches like this, I think the team needs to change something if we want to aim for a higher position, so we will discuss together and get things organized before the Kawasaki match.
<Soma ANZAI>
Q, it was my first appearance in the league match and my first start.
A, the team suffered a heavy defeat, so I honestly feel very frustrated. Since the fans and supporters came all this way, I feel sorry about the result of this match.
Q, when were you told that you would be playing today?
A, I have been participating in practice since Thursday this week, and I was informed of my starting lineup spot just before the match. However, since I had been included in the starting lineup group during practice, I was mentally prepared to play. I didn’t sleep well last night.
Q, what feelings did you have when you stepped onto the pitch?
A, since the team was losing in the match against Avispa Fukuoka, I thought I would come on and try to build momentum, but the results didn’t follow, and I was personally involved in conceding a goal, so I am filled with a very strong sense of frustration.
Q, there were also plays where the opponent was left behind with dribbling all over the place.
A, my strength lies in adding an accent to the team’s attack, but today I couldn’t show my true performance, and I still had many passive plays, so I need to do more.
Q, how do you feel about playing as a side back?
A, my strength is that I can play anywhere, and I also find playing as a side back interesting, so I don’t feel any discomfort playing in that position.
Q, it looked like you got into the game smoothly. Did your teammates say anything to you?
A, everyone spoke to me before the match and created an environment that made it easier for me. Kei KOIZUMI told me, "Go for it boldly," and on the nearby side, Masato MORISHIGE and Ryoma WATANABE also encouraged me. Everyone helped me, so I wanted to repay them with my performance, but I ended up playing poorly.
Q: Did you feel that you were able to perform well on the professional stage?
A, I believe my strengths lie in the fighting spirit and one-on-one battles, and I felt I could perform those aspects here as well. Although I still feel there is a long way to go today, I want to start over from scratch and practice hard so that I can return to this pitch.
Q, what kind of player do you want to become starting from today's league debut?
A, I believe I must become a player who can energize the team and, as a side back, help the team win both offensively and defensively.
