<Match Review>
After the J1 League Kashima Antlers match last weekend, we welcomed the 5th round of the Levain Cup group stage with only 3 days of rest. In Group E, the top 4 teams are tied with a difference of 3 points, making it a close battle. The direct confrontation with the top-ranked Gamba Osaka has already ended, but for Tokyo, it is crucial to accumulate points with a must-win attitude in order to advance to the Prime Stage.
With the J1 League match against Vissel Kobe just 3 days away, the team has been formed with consideration for a tight schedule. The goal will be guarded by Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who has played in all Levain Cup matches so far. The center back duo remains the same as the Kashima match, with Soma ANZAI on the right side and Kashif BANGNAGANDE on the left. The midfield consists of the same 3 players as the Kashima match. In the front line, PEROTTI has replaced Teruhito NAKAGAWA.
1stHALF - Wait for the timing of the counterattack while enduring the opponent's pace
In the early stages, Cerezo Osaka set the pace. If they can quickly put the ball in the vertical direction, they can't recover the ball and are brought to the finish. Although there are no scenes where they can catch the goal, the tables are turned from Tokyo's set play chance, and they are troubled by the opponent's driving force towards the vertical, such as Capixaba's speed on the counter leading to the finish.
Tokyo, who wants to push back, but an accident occurred in the 24th minute of the first half when player Yoshifu was substituted due to injury. It became a situation where a substitution card was used early in the game.
Although we couldn't create decisive moments, in the 39th minute of the first half, we quickly carried the ball to the opponent's penalty area in a counter-attacking manner. Shuto ABE's last pass was received by Diego OLIVEIRA in the vital area, and he turned and took a shot, but unfortunately it went wide to the right of the goal.
2ndHALF - Earn 1 point with Nogawa's big save
Tokyo, who wants to take control of the game, made substitutions from the start of the second half, replacing Keigo HIGASHI with Takuya AOKI and Diego TABA with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. They are looking to break the situation by bringing in fresh players in the midfield and forward positions.
With this substitution, the flow changed and Ryoma WATANABE created scenes where Tawara Tsumita repeatedly broke through the left side and approached the Cerezo Osaka goal. In the 22nd minute of the second half, they launched a quick attack vertically and Tawara Tsumita broke through on a through pass from Ryoma WATANABE, creating a one-on-one situation with the opposing goalkeeper.
Tokyo held onto the ball for a while and continued to move the ball in the opponent's half, but in the 35th minute of the second half, Croux was able to dribble the ball from a counter and bring it into the penalty area. He took a shot from the left side of the goal, but Nozawa reacted quickly and deflected the ball out of the goal's right corner.
Nozawa made a big save in the 41st minute of the second half. The ball was crossed into the box from the right side and Leo CEARA headed it in front of Nozawa. It was a free shot, but Nozawa managed to get a touch on the ball at the last minute without adjusting his body to the trajectory of the cross.
The team continued to aim for a goal by bringing in fresh players even in the late stages of the match, but they were unable to break the deadlock. The game ended in a scoreless draw.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Soma ANZAI/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (24th minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Keigo HIGASHI (0th minute: Takuya AOKI)/Shuto ABE
FW Ryoma WATANABE (44th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/PEROTTI (29th minute: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA (0th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
＜Cerezo Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Yan Hanbin
DF Riku Matsuda (46': Leo Ceara)/ Ryosuke Shindo/ Kakeru Funaki/ Ryuya Nishio
MF Hinata Kida (42': Riki Harakawa)/ Tokuma Suzuki/ CAPIXABA (58': Reiya Sakata)/ Hikaru Nakahara (74': Jordy Croux)
FW Satoki Uejo/ Mutsuki Kato (46': Hayato Okuda)
SUBS
GK Keisuke SHIMIZU
DF Tatsuya YAMASHITA
GOAL
―
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q: Please give us your overall review of today's match.
A: I think it was a very exciting match for those who watched the entire game. This is because both teams played aggressively aiming for victory. In the first half, the opponent created more chances than us, but I don't think they completely dominated the match. Our defensive pressing was unclear and did not work well in the first half. One of our characteristics is intense pressing and quick transitions between offense and defense after winning the ball. However, that did not function well in the first half. Also, I think the tempo of ball movement was poor in the first half.
In the second half, Takuya AOKI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA were substituted in and the halftime adjustments worked well, allowing us to play better. We were able to dominate for a longer period of time in the second half and play a more attacking style of soccer. However, Cerezo Osaka also has high-quality players, including foreign players, so they were able to create some decisive chances. It was also important for us to defend well and not concede any goals.
And I am very satisfied with the performance of Soma ANZAI today. I think Tawarazumida player has proven his growth with each game. PEROTTI also played well as time passed. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who defended the goal today, also played well. He showed us some decisive saves that saved the team. In the final match, if we win against Kyoto Sanga F.C., there is a high possibility of advancing to the top of the group stage. In that sense, I want to win the final match.
Q: Please tell us what you know about the injury of player Yoshifumi Kashiwagi at this point.
A: He is scheduled to undergo a detailed examination tomorrow, so I cannot say anything at this point. Of course, I hope it is a minor injury, but since we do not know the situation, I cannot comment.
Q, today's lineup was the same as in the league match. Please explain the intention behind the composition of the team.
A: From the beginning of the season, I have told everyone that I want to win in the Levain Cup as well. Also, the fact that injured players have returned compared to when the cup preliminary league started has had an impact. I believe that for young players to gain match experience and grow further, they need to play good matches. However, to play good matches, it is important not only to have young players but also to include experienced players who can support them. If the team consists only of young players, the matches tend to become unstable. Therefore, as was the case in the home match against Kyoto, I expect that blending experienced players well with young players will promote the growth of the young players. In today's home game, while deploying young players, we also included experienced players to both secure 3 points and encourage the growth of the young players.
Q: How do you think about the reason why you couldn't apply pressure in the first half?
A, today we tried using PEROTTI and Diego OLIVEIRA simultaneously. Diego OLIVEIRA is not accustomed to playing on the right side, and PEROTTI also still has some parts where he is not yet familiar with our defensive shape. Because of that, the way we applied pressure from the front line did not work well, and we often allowed the opposing defensive midfielders to be free.
One of our weapons is the high press. I hope that my team can use the high press to create chances by taking the ball from the opponent. However, in the first half today, the pressing from the front line did not work well because it was not coordinated. Also, there were times when the pace of play with the ball was slow. The players are gradually starting to play at a fast tempo with one-touch and two-touch passes, but it cannot be said that they are doing it consistently for the full 90 minutes. It is still a stage of growth. It is true that the time when they can do it is increasing, but they have not yet reached the level I expect. I can see that the players who are not used to this playing tempo are working hard every day, and they are definitely improving day by day.
[Player Interview]
PEROTTI
Q: please review the game.
A: I think it was not a bad game in terms of content, but I wanted to be more composed and carry it through to the finish in the final moments. After today's match, we have an important game against Vissel Kobe this weekend. We want to recover well and be ready for the match on Saturday.
Q: The first half was tough, but which parts were not going well?
A: There were many mistakes in the first half, and there were moments when our coordination was lacking. After finishing a not-so-good first half, we made adjustments during halftime, and I believe we were able to control the game in the second half.
Q, it is a substitution during the attacking period.
A, of course, I want to play as long as possible, but it is the coach who decides which players take the pitch. Sometimes I start the match, and other times I come on as a substitute. Even when I am not in the squad, I try to encourage the team and support them to win. Whether I play for one or two minutes, I will give my all to contribute to the team.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, the play that saved the team was shining.
A, I’m glad that we were able to finish the match without conceding a goal in a game that leads to advancing to the prime stage.
Q, how was it watching the team struggle throughout the first half?
A, I think the content was not good. We made adjustments at halftime, and in the second half, everyone played with the same awareness, including pressing from the front. I think it was good that we were able to properly correct the issues from the first half during halftime.
Q: Apart from the awareness of the press, were there any improvements in the second half?
A, what the team has most shared in recent matches is sticking to the team’s style, not losing in one-on-one battles, and firmly showing the “fighting spirit” of running through to the end. Everyone feels the need to demonstrate this “fighting” aspect more through their play. Even watching from the back, everyone was working hard, and there were many plays where I myself was helped.
Q, a one-handed reaction save saved the team.
A, since it is impossible to defend in a perfectly set state in every situation, I anticipated that such scenes would increase after the 15th minute of the second half. Because this match involved a lot of up-and-down movement in both offense and defense, I could imagine that defensive misalignments would occur, so I was able to play without any panic at all.
Q: Have you been playing in every match in the group stage so far? Does this also contribute to proving what you have built up until now?
A: Although we ended today's match in a draw, being able to play under the tension of fighting for advancement to the Prime Stage until Sec. 6 will be an asset in my professional career. If we had won today's match, the tension might have eased. I want to view playing with this tension as a positive and approach the next match as a team with that mindset.
Q: Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, what kind of feelings have you had while fighting in the Levain Cup up until now?
A, I am only thinking about Tokyo winning the title. I myself approach each match with a mentality focused on winning, and I believe I am able to grow with each game I play.
Q: Depending on the result of the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in Sec. 6, the qualification for the Prime Stage will be determined. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A: I want to play with only the thought of winning and advancing.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, have you been told anything by the other players since it's been a while since you last played?
A, the other players encouraged me to actively do what I wanted to do, assuring me they would provide support such as covering. I was able to play with a focus on my strength of initiating attacks going forward.
Q, there were also scenes where you took shots. Please look back on the 45 minutes you played.
A, since I came on as a substitute, I felt a strong sense of responsibility that I had to do something to help the team. Therefore, I was very frustrated that I couldn't finish and score.
Q, with today's result, we have kept the possibility of advancing to the final stage.
A, it was good that this led to the next match. I definitely want to win the next game and advance.
Q, I have been playing a lot on the right side while making many appearances as a substitute.
A, I just do what I can in the role and position given to me by the coach.
Q, please tell us about the challenges for the next match.
A, there are many challenges such as the quality of the final pass, the quality of crosses, and finishing ability. I want to gradually overcome these challenges and become a top-class player.
Q, if any results come out, I have a feeling that a new door will open.
A, I believe what I lack most right now is results. I want to achieve results and become a better player.
