Match Review
Tokyo, which has been distant from winning in the league matches, welcomed Sagan Tosu at home Ajinomoto Stadium this round. For Tokyo, Tosu is an opponent that they struggle against. In the recent results, they have been defeated in 8 consecutive matches, and the overall head-to-head record is 13 wins, 7 draws, and 14 losses. From this match, the club will play a commemorative match for their 25th anniversary, so they want to overcome their struggle at this milestone and celebrate their 25th anniversary with a victory.
Tokyo's first opponent when they entered the J-League in 1999 was particularly Tosu. The history of Tokyo, which began with the Tosu match, will continue to build anew on the occasion of the 25th anniversary.
Tokyo, Keigo HIGASHI and Kei KOIZUMI are suspended due to accumulated warnings. In their place, Kuryu MATSUKI, who returned from the U-22 Japan national team, and Diego OLIVEIRA were named in the starting lineup. Additionally, Yuto NAGATOMO moved to the right full-back position, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE started as the left full-back.
1st HALF - Despite attacking towards the end, they fall behind by two points.
Both teams entered each other's goal area while holding the ball from the start. The first chance for both teams was for Tosu. In the 4th minute of the first half, a cross from the right side was headed by player Tomogashi, but Jakub SLOWIK jumped in and hit it, hitting the right post.
Tokyo's counterattack came in the 8th minute of the first half, when Diego TABA, who had the ball outside the penalty area, dribbled and made a vertical pass into the penalty area. Although it did not connect with a teammate after hitting an opponent player, Diego TABA forcefully carried the ball out to the front of the goal while competing with the opponent. He then took a shot in a one-on-one situation with the opponent goalkeeper, but unfortunately, it narrowly missed to the left of the goal.
Although both teams brought the ball near the goal, they were unable to create a decisive opportunity. However, the balance was broken in the 18th minute of the first half. A looping pass was made from outside the penalty area to the front of the goal, and Lucas was pushed in by Nagasuma player near the goal, conceding the opening goal.
Furthermore, in the 30th minute of the first half, when a long ball was played near the penalty area, Henrique TREVISAN and Tomogashi competed and a foul was called on Henrique, giving away a penalty kick. In the 32nd minute of the first half, the penalty kick was scored by Tomogashi, widening the deficit to 2 points.
First, Tokyo, who wants to score a goal, connected the ball from their own half to the right side space in the 38th minute of the first half. Teruhito NAKAGAWA responded and broke free, then entered the penalty area and carried the ball all the way to the right side of the goal. He lured the goalkeeper out and crossed the ball into the goal area, but Diego TABA's shot was blocked by the opponent.
Tokyo, who is chasing behind, continues the game by holding the ball in the Tosu territory, but although they approach the goal, they fail to create a decisive opportunity.
2nd HALF - Tawara's first professional goal leads to a comeback
Tokyo quickly launches a counterattack at the beginning of the second half.
In the 9th minute of the second half, the ball was passed to player Yoshifu who was open on the left side, and he supplied a sharp cross ball to the near side. Adailton, who was waiting, headed it in and Tokyo scored a goal to reduce the deficit by one point.
Tokyo's momentum is unstoppable. In the 14th minute of the second half, once again utilizing the left side, player Yoshinori Kato puts in a sharp cross ball in front of the goal. Adailton heads the ball, which flows to player Ryoma WATANABE who was in front of the goal, and WATANABE traps the ball and pushes it in to reset the game.
Tokyo is stepping up its attack by making substitutions in order to turn the game around. Jája Silva, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, Kosuke SHIRAI, Yasuki KIMOTO, and Tsubasa TERAYAMA are being sent onto the pitch, closing in on the Tosu goal.
Tokyo, who wants to connect the momentum of holding the ball to a goal. The score was moved in the 42nd minute of the second half. When Watanabe player entered the penalty area and took a shot from the right front of the goal, the ball was initially blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, but Tawaratsumida player followed up and scored a comeback goal on the left side of the goal.
For player Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, it was a joyous moment as he scored his first professional goal, which became the winning goal to celebrate Tokyo's 25th anniversary in the Final Round.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING XI
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Masato MORISHIGE (40th minute of the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (33rd minute of the second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Riki HARAKAWA (40th minute of the second half: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA/Diego OLIVEIRA (28th minute of the second half: Jája Silva)/Adailton (33rd minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Koki TSUKAGAWA
GOAL
Second half 9 minutes: Adailton/Second half 14 minutes: Ryoma Watanabe/Second half 42 minutes: Kota Tawaratsumida
＜Sagan Tosu＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ilgyu PARK
DF Kosuke YAMAZAKI/Seok Ho HWANG/Wataru HARADA
MF So KAWAHARA/Kohei TEZUKA (43rd minute: Naoyuki FUJITA)/Taichi KIKUCHI/Yuki HORIGOME (40th minute: Ryonosuke KABAYAMA)
FW Yoichi NAGANUMA/Cayman TOGASHI (21st minute: Atsushi KAWATA)/Yuto IWASAKI (21st minute: Ayumu YOKOYAMA)
SUBS
GK Masahiro OKAMOTO
MF Kentaro MORIYA/Akito FUKUTA
GOAL
First half 18 minutes: Yoichi NAGANUMA/First half 32 minutes: Cayman TOGASHI
[Comments from Head Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's Press Conference]
Q: please review the game.
A: It was a battle between two exciting teams. I believe it was highly entertaining for the fans and supporters. Regarding the first half, we were unable to control the game until the latter part of the half. We went into halftime down 0-2, but there were also chances where scoring one or two goals would not have been surprising. In that context, after entering the second half, we were able to bring out our strengths. I think we were able to continue fighting with conviction. I am very happy that we were able to send the fans and supporters who cheered for us until the end home with smiles.
Q: What instructions did you give at halftime?
A: At halftime, we reviewed on video the points we need to improve. The solution was found in the scenes from the end of the first half. While holding onto our beliefs, the players continued to fight, and that is why we were able to deliver victory to our fans and supporters. Our style of play is developing step by step, and I believe today we were able to take a step forward. To continue improving, we want to focus on ourselves and steadily build up our strengths. By believing in our way of playing, we achieved the result we did today. We hope to keep refining ourselves daily and move closer to becoming the team we dream of. There is still much to do, and we want to grow steadily.
Q: Please tell us the reason for substituting Kashif BANGNAGANDE.
A: At the time of the substitution, he had started to cramp, so we made the change due to physical reasons. He had been out of the squad due to injury until recently, so he is currently in the process of rebuilding his physical condition. Today, he gave his all during the time he was on the field. After the substitution, the fresh player did his job perfectly.
[Player Interview]
Q, it was a dramatic come-from-behind victory. Please review the game.
A, we conceded two goals in the first half and the performance was very poor. We made adjustments going into the second half and were able to play with an attitude of never giving up until the end, which I believe led to the come-from-behind victory. Ultimately, we were able to win, and I think it turned out to be a good match.
Q: In the first half, there were scenes where we couldn't create attacking opportunities. What kind of adjustments did you make at halftime?
A, of course, I tried to make adjustments during the first half to create a good flow on the pitch, but it didn’t take shape well and I couldn’t express it through my play. At halftime, Coach CKLAMOVSKI gave instructions regarding the areas where the opponent’s space was opening up. I believe that being able to effectively express the coach’s instructions and advice on the pitch led to the come-from-behind victory.
Q, please reflect on the first goal that became the turning point for the come-from-behind victory.
A, a wonderful cross was sent to me from Kashif BANGNAGANDE, so I just had to connect it firmly with my head.
Q: We obtained a come-from-behind victory against Sagan Tosu, who had not been winning for a long time. How do you plan to sustain this momentum?
A, today was also a very difficult match, but I am truly happy that we were able to earn 3 points from Tosu, who had not been winning for a long time. I want to cherish today’s momentum and firmly apply it to the remaining league matches.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q: Please review the game, as this was my first official starting lineup appearance since May.
A: We did not start the match very well and were unable to build our attacks effectively in the first half. However, the team was able to make solid adjustments before the second half, and although I was happy to contribute to the team’s victory with an assist in my first start in a while, there were many issues and areas to correct regarding defensive intensity and the finer points of our attack. With the Gamba Osaka match coming up next week, I want to switch my focus and prepare thoroughly.
Q, contributed greatly to the victory with pinpoint crosses for the first goal and as the starting point for the second goal, utilizing his strengths in play.
A, I was able to deliver the form I am good at. Coach CKLAMOVSKI had asked me to supply crosses to that position starting from training. From this week’s training, I have been practicing crosses like the one in the scene of the first goal with Coach Yukihiko SATO. I was able to kick it well by relaxing my power in the “practice as usual” form. I am grateful to Coach SATO.
Q, the results of the practice were immediately effective in the game.
A: Coach Sato and I reviewed everything from scratch, including how to step into the kick. Since the match against Kawasaki Frontale, I have had in-depth discussions with Coach Sato, so I was able to feel the results of the practice.
Q, it was a special match to commemorate the 25th anniversary, and it became a match where players who were promoted from the academy, such as Koshiho and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, played an active role.
A, with our current position in the league and having been eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Levain Cup, our chances of winning a title have almost disappeared. I believe it is essential to win the matches in front of us and to build on them going forward. We young players are expected to push up from below, and those who have been promoted from the academy to the top team want to demonstrate even greater strength. I was truly happy about TAWARATSUMIDA’s winning goal.
Q: The next match will also be a home game. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming game.
A, both as a team and as an individual, we will give 100 percent to the upcoming match. We want to properly switch our mindset and face it, and since we lost to Gamba Osaka in the previous encounter, we aim to show Tokyo's good soccer and connect it to a victory.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q: Please review the scene of your first professional goal.
A: I thought about how many matches it took me to score since my professional debut, and while I am happy, I also feel that I still lack ability. I trusted that the cross would come in, so I’m glad I took that position.
Q, it was impressive to see them immediately head towards the fans and supporters after scoring.
A, I hadn’t planned a goal celebration, and I wasn’t thinking about anything right after scoring, but before I knew it, I was heading toward the fans and supporters. They have supported me since my academy days and continued to back me even during the times when I wasn’t producing results as a professional. Finally being able to repay them with a goal made my feet move on their own, I think.
Q, although you came on as a substitute, you displayed a high performance by creating close opportunities in addition to the goal-scoring scene.
A, I’m not sure if my condition was good or not, but I felt there were still many areas lacking in this match. I want to analyze and thoroughly address those shortcomings and grow so that I can continuously lead the team to victory.
Q: In the previous match against Kawasaki Frontale, you mentioned that you felt the difficulty of coming on as a substitute. What were you conscious of when you played in today's match?
A, the difficulty of coming on as a substitute remains the same, but by focusing more on what I need to do and consciously playing with that in mind, it led to a goal. I want to continue playing with an awareness of what I need to do first in any situation.
Q, please leave a message for the fans and supporters.
A, I am filled with gratitude to the fans and supporters who have always cheered for and supported us even during difficult times. From now on, I want to repay that by delivering victories. First, I will do my best to win against Gamba Osaka in the next match and achieve two consecutive wins.
