＜Match Review＞
Tokyo, who won against Kawasaki Frontale in the Tama River Clasico at the Japan National Stadium and brought back 1 point from the away game against Kashima Antlers. Tokyo approached the away game against the top-ranked Vissel Kobe while wanting to maintain this momentum.
In this match, Masato MORISHIGE, who will make his 450th appearance in the J1 League, and Henrique TREVISAN, formed a center-back partnership for the first time in three matches. Yuto NAGATOMO and Teruhito NAKAGAWA, who did not make the squad in the Levain Cup three days ago, were named in the starting lineup.
Match against the top team in the last game of May. Tokyo, who has been facing strong opponents and gaining momentum, is looking to bring back both confidence and results in this important match.
1stHALF—Unable to capitalize on opportunities, consecutive goals conceded at the end
Half of the members who played in the Levain Cup three days ago played in this consecutive match, but the start of the game was not bad. They moved the ball well and were superior to Kobe in winning second balls. In the 5th minute of the first half, they quickly threatened the Kobe goal. They pushed from the left side and Teruhito Nakagawa crossed the ball from the far side after Ryoma Watanabe's in-swinging cross. It didn't connect with any players in front of the goal, but it created a good opportunity to get closer to scoring.
As time passes, Kobe's pressure gradually increases. Their strength and driving force in the duels become prominent, and Tokyo loses control of the pace of the game. In the 20th minute of the first half, the ball is crossed into the far side after being penetrated by Takagi on the right side, and Muto scores with a one-touch volley, allowing Kobe to take the lead.
After conceding a goal, we continued to face a series of dangerous situations, but were saved by Jakub SLOWIK's superb save.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Lori and Nakagawa made a one-two play to enter the penalty area. Lori followed up on a loose cross ball, but her shot hit the right post.
If you miss a great opportunity, you will concede a goal just before the end of the first half.
In the 41st minute of the first half, the ball that was trying to be connected in their own half was taken away by player Uchise, and a fast cross ball was put in front of the goal. Player Osako, who had jumped into the center of the goal, was unable to catch it and calmly let it in. In addition, in the 44th minute of the first half, player Muto, who had escaped from Osako's through pass, gave up the third goal.
2ndHALF - Unable to close the gap despite scoring 2 PKs
FC Tokyo, who was trailing by 3 points, made substitutions from the start of the second half. They replaced players Keigo Higashi and Ryoma Watanabe with Takuya Aoki and Takaki Tsukagawa in an attempt to change the flow of the game.
The signal fire of counterattack was raised in the 14th minute of the second half. Kei KOIZUMI received a foul and earned a free kick, and Shuhei TOKUMOTO aimed directly for the goal. The shot hit the wall, but in the midst of the competition for the high ball, there was a handball by Kobe and they were awarded a penalty kick. Diego OLIVEIRA calmly converted this chance and scored one point.
After this goal, Tokyo's start became sharp, and they extended the time to push in. They simply send it to the front line and connect it to a thick attack by picking up the second ball. In the 26th minute of the second half, Henrique TREVISAN player made a close heading shot from a corner kick.
After the last 15 minutes, a large space begins to open up on the pitch and the game enters an open phase. Tokyo, with Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who can change the situation on his own, tried to find a breakthrough from the sides. However, they were unable to show effective attacks against Kobe, who were trying to close the game.
As time passed by, in the 39th minute of the second half, they once again earned a penalty kick from a set piece. This time, Perotti, who was subbed in towards the end of the second half, calmly scored and closed the gap to one point.
Even after entering the 5 minutes of additional time, Tokyo did not lose their attitude of moving forward in search of an equalizing goal, but they were unable to reach one more point before time was up. They were unable to take points from the top team.
1 week later, we will return to our home stadium, Ajinomoto Stadium, and play against Yokohama F.Marinos. We want to win the last home game of the first half and regain our momentum.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Keigo HIGASHI (46th min: Takuya AOKI)/Shuto ABE (81st min: PEROTTI)
FW Ryoma WATANABE (46th min: Koki TSUKAGAWA)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (76th min: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
Second half 14 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA/Second half 40 minutes: PEROTTI
＜Vissel Kobe＞
STARTING XI
GK Maekawa Maaya
DF Uchise Ryo/Yamakawa Tetsufumi (25th minute of the second half: Ozaki Yuusei)/Matheus THULER/Yuki HONDA
MF Saito Mitsuki/Yamaguchi Hotaru/Sasaki Daiki (33rd minute of the second half: Ide Haruya)/Taki Yasuya (45+2 minutes of the second half: Lincoln)
FW Muto Yoshinori/Osako Yuuya (33rd minute of the second half: Jean PATRIC)
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
MF Takahiro OHGIHARA/Andres INIESTA
GOAL
First Half 20th Minute: Yoshinori MUTO/First Half 41st Minute: Yuya OSAKO/First Half 44th Minute: Yoshinori MUTO
[Coach Albert PUIG ORTONEDA Press Conference Comments]
Q: please review the game.
A: I believe we lost the match due to our own mistakes. I want the players to fully understand this once again. Of course, we respect Kobe, but I want them to understand that if we play well and properly, we can outperform any opponent.
The players were also told, but in today's match, the first 10 minutes, 15 minutes were good. We were able to start with concentration, but then we gave the opponent a chance due to a simple mistake. The first goal for Kobe was born from a ball loss in the center of the pitch, and the second goal was also due to our mistake. We must have suffered mental damage in the situation of 0-2. It was also regrettable that we conceded 3 goals towards the end of the first half.
However, in the second half of the game, we were able to show that we are a team that can switch our mindset and fight until the end. We proved that we have the mental strength to do so. However, 45 minutes is not enough. We need to continue proving ourselves throughout the entire 90 minutes. I believe we were clearly superior to our opponents in the second half. They must have felt our determination to equalize the score. That's why Kobe played in a way that wasted time. Once again, I believe we lost this game due to our own mistakes.
Q: Was the main reason for the first half not going well due to the intensity?
A: I believe that is exactly the point you mentioned. Our attitude and intensity in one-on-one battles were lacking in the first half. We must continue to demonstrate the fighting spirit to compete for 90 minutes in every match to achieve victory. We are making continuous improvements and efforts to be able to do that.
I believe that the playing style we are aiming for is very challenging, and it is true that some players are struggling to adapt to that style. I understand and acknowledge that. In the process of changing the style, mistakes naturally occur. To cover up those mistakes effectively, I think a fighting spirit and strong individuality are necessary. I also want to leave clear improvements in this club in that aspect.
This season, we continue to fight with a strong mentality focused on victory. We must show this fighting spirit for the entire 90 minutes in every match, just like we did in the second half today. The players fought desperately and ran towards victory in the second half. This is not a matter of physical strength, but a mental issue. The mentality to strive for victory and the speed of play are what we are currently seeking.
[Player Interview]
＜Masato MORISHIGE＞
Q: please review the game.
A, the decision-making in play and the tempo of ball circulation were slow, resulting in an overall slow pace of the game. I think our weaknesses were exposed.
Q, I don't think I can make excuses, but did the schedule of the match in two days affect it?
A, If we are simply too tired to play well, then it would be a matter of avoiding participation in this match. I recall having said something similar before—that we need to decide not to use the schedule as an excuse and play accordingly. All players understood this going into the match, and if each of us succumbs to our own weaknesses, we cannot defeat the opponent. I believe the way we fought in the first half boils down to this point.
Q, I think we showed the team's determination by scoring two goals in the second half.
A, there were parts where we slowed down the pace because the opponent scored three goals in the first half. In the second half, we were able to show strength in one-on-one situations, but I wonder why we couldn't do that from the first half. Regarding our inability to fully express good play, I believe the problem lies with us, and as I have said many times, unless we can improve on that point, we cannot move forward.
Q, Did the short preparation and confirmation time before the Vissel Kobe match also have an impact?
A, I don't think the confirmation was insufficient. Tactically, we did not apply high pressure from the front line; our top priority was to have Diego OLIVEIRA cut off the passing lanes to the opponent's defensive midfielders. However, once the match actually started, they simply played long balls, so we should have been more aggressive in pressuring the source of the ball. When approaching a match, I believe it is important to balance thorough preparation beforehand with the ability to respond flexibly and make adjustments during the game.
<Takuya AOKI>
Q: It was your first appearance as an anchor. Did you feel any sense of accomplishment?
A, I think we have created a good flow, but continuing it is the most difficult thing, so I want to make sure we keep it going.
Q, I think Ryo AOKI's movements have been a catalyst for the other players to move as well.
A, that was the case. I hope I can demonstrate it through my play.
Q: What are the future challenges for the team?
A: Regarding today, I think we were able to score in the second half through determination. However, moving forward, we want to be able to score goals by our own will.
Q: We fell behind by 3 points in the first half, and it became difficult to calm down and carry on with the game due to its impact.
A, I was watching from the bench in the first half and thought that the players on the pitch might have felt that way a little. I hoped they could organize themselves and get into the game.
Q: Do you need a sense of rhythm in order to move forward?
A: I think it is important to distinguish between when to value possession of the ball and when to push forward with momentum. Today, we were unable to do that, so there were scenes where we advanced the ball up to the front but then passed it back to the goalkeeper. Overall, I think there were many half-hearted plays throughout the match.
Q, in the first half, the pace was not grasped, and it has become a game development with more good times coming out in the second half.
A, I definitely think there are ups and downs. This is my second time entering the game in the second half, and it was the same in the match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, but conceding consecutive goals during a bad flow is not good. Even during a bad flow, I think we must at least limit it to conceding only one goal. If we concede three goals like today, it becomes difficult to bring the game back to a tie. If the flow is bad, I think it is necessary to accept it as it is in a composed manner.
Q, what are the reasons why it cannot be done like that?
A, I think the limited time for adjustments also had an impact on today's match.
Q, does it also contribute to the factors that cannot change the flow until halftime?
A, I believe the best thing is if the players on the pitch during the match can change things by themselves. Unless the team becomes one where the players can talk and make changes on their own, I don't think we can reach the top ranks.
Q, congratulations on your first goal in J1. Did you receive any advice from Diego OLIVEIRA during your regular training regarding penalty kicks?
A, thank you very much. Regarding penalty kicks, I haven't been taught how to kick them, but after practice, I always practice penalty kicks with him. Since coming to Japan, Diego TABA has taught me both on and off the pitch. I am full of gratitude towards him.
Q, what have you learned from Diego TABA, who has achieved success in Japan?
A, Diego TABA has had various experiences in Japan. He always gives me advice like, "You have to be patient and persistent."
Q: What kind of conversation did you have when taking a penalty kick?
A, Diego asked me, "Will you take it?" and I honestly told him that I wanted to take the kick. I felt that he trusted me, and being able to score gave me confidence. I am also grateful to Diego for giving me the opportunity to take the goal.
Q, wasn't there a lot of pressure when you took the penalty kick, as you were two points behind and there were Kobe fans and supporters behind the goal?
A, I always practice, and I was thinking about kicking it as usual. To be honest, I was focused, so I didn’t pay attention to the opposing fans and supporters, and I made sure to take the same kick as always.
