Match Review
On the day of the club's establishment, October 1st, they were blessed with the opportunity to play a home game on their 25th anniversary. Tokyo, who designated the previous match against Sagan Tosu and the next three home games as their 25th anniversary commemorative matches, started off with a good omen as they came back from being 2 points behind in the second half to win with 3 points in celebration of their 25th anniversary.
On the day of the anniversary of its establishment, Gamba Osaka welcomed the match and faced the game with the same starting lineup as the Tosu match.
1st HALF - Harakawa's first goal and Diego's goal give us a 2-point lead
The match started with both teams aggressively competing for the ball. Tokyo gradually began to control possession.
While connecting short passes, we carry the ball to the vital area of the opponent's field and search for a way to score. The first chance came in the 15th minute of the first half, when Diego Oliveira made a through pass and Teruhito Nakagawa broke through into the penalty area. He had a chance to shoot near the goal, but the finish was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper. Ryoma Watanabe and Adailton both reacted to the loose ball, but their shots were also blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper.
In the 20th minute of the first half, they faced a dangerous situation in front of the goal. Player Kurata passed a through pass and player Usami broke through, but the shot taken from the right side of the goal narrowly missed the left side of the goal and they escaped unscathed.
In the latter part of the first half, which has become a somewhat open development, Tokyo creates a chance. In the 34th minute of the first half, there was a chance from a corner kick from the left side. Riki HARAKAWA sent a fast ball to the near side, and Watanabe, who ran to the near side after shaking off his mark, made a heading shot that seemed to even go behind. The ball caught the left corner of the goal, but it was unable to shake the net in front of the sharp reaction of the opposing goalkeeper.
Although we created good opportunities, it was a difficult game to score. However, the game changed in the 37th minute of the first half.
When Yuto NAGATOMO holds the ball on the right side, he passes it sideways to the center. Diego TABA, who was approaching to receive the ball, lets it go through and it is received by Nakagawa. As Haragawa times his run and makes a run into the penalty area, Nakagawa drops the ball at his feet. Haragawa evades the approaching defender with quick touches and finally scores a goal by slipping it under the opponent's goalkeeper.
The flow remained in Tokyo's hands. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Adailton, who was open on the left side, sent a looping pass behind the opponent's last line. Diego TABA broke through and calmly evaded the opponent's goalkeeper in the penalty area, scoring a goal. Tokyo did not let go of the lead they had gained and quickly extended their lead.
2ndHALF - Complete victory on the 25th anniversary with 2 consecutive Tawara goals
Tokyo's momentum remains strong even in the second half.
In the 6th minute of the second half, Adailton, who picked up the opponent's pass mistake, invaded the left area of the penalty area. He sent a cross ball with a negative angle, and Watanabe tried to hit it directly, but it bounced off the left post.
Afterwards, Tokyo continued to dominate the game. They had more attempts on goal and possession time than Gamba Osaka, and even after losing the ball, they quickly switched between offense and defense, preventing any gaps in their defense.
The game was unable to produce a deciding goal, but a man who was subbed in at the 22nd minute of the second half was able to produce results in two consecutive games.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA picked up the ball that bounced off the opponent's long ball near the half line and started dribbling. He once took it out to the left side goal line and brought it deep into the opponent's territory. He was carrying two defenders on his back, but he forcefully turned around and shook off the mark, then entered the penalty area. As he approached the goal, with limited shooting options due to the angle, he curved the ball with his right foot and placed it into the upper right corner of the goal.
The game was safely carried out with a 3-point lead. With a clean sheet for the first time in 6 games, we celebrated the 25th anniversary with a complete victory.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Jakub SLOWIK
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Masato MORISHIGE (44th minute of the second half: Yasuki KIMOTO)/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (32nd minute of the second half: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kuryu MATSUKI (32nd minute of the second half: Kei KOIZUMI)/Riki HARAKAWA/Ryoma WATANABE
FW Teruhito NAKAGAWA (32nd minute of the second half: Jája Silva)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Adailton (22nd minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA
GOAL
First half 37 minutes: Riki HARAKAWA/First half 43 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA/Second half 33 minutes: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
＜Gamba Osaka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Ryu TAKAO/Yota SATO (20 minutes into the second half: Shota FUKUOKA)/Kyung Won KWON/Keisuke KUROKAWA
MF Ryotaro MESHINO (27 minutes into the second half: Yuya FUKUDA)/Shu KURATA (10 minutes into the second half: Issam JEBALI)/Neteravi/Dawhan (20 minutes into the second half: Hideki ISHIGE)/Yuki YAMAMOTO
FW Takashi USAMI
SUBS
GK Kei ISHIKAWA
DF Genta MIURA
FW Hiroto YAMAMI
GOAL
ー
[Comments from Head Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's Press Conference]
Q: please review the game.
A, We were able to bring out the best in ourselves with a powerful performance. I believe the players were able to express their play throughout the entire match. In doing so, the players worked hard, fought with dedication, and delivered a good performance. There were also several moments where we could have scored more goals, and we were able to create chances while playing our style of football. Defensively, we managed to keep a clean sheet. Today was a special day for the club, and I am proud of the victory we achieved and everyone involved with the club.
Q, It was a tough time until we scored the first goal. What were you thinking?
A, Gamba Osaka is a very good team. I thought it was important to control and deliver our performance, to play with composure, and to fight with dedication. We were able to play good football, and it is also important to continue growing. Today was a tough game. We got off to a good start and were able to seize the momentum and play well during the first half. The chances we created were based on what we designed in training, and I think that was wonderful. If we had been able to score more goals in the second half, the players could have gone home with even bigger smiles.
Q, Following the match against Sagan Tosu, Kuryu Matsuki and Riki Harakawa both started and played. Can you give us your evaluation of them?
A, They have built a very good combination. The fact that they have shown good performances in both matches is proof of that. It is important not only for them but also for the team as a whole to continue improving. It is essential to work hard and practice in every aspect, and we want to develop individual skills while also growing as a team. If we can keep growing day by day, I believe we can get closer to the team we have dreamed of.
[Player Interview]
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q: It was a very intense game. Please review the game.
A, it was a high-intensity and very tough team. It was a difficult match, but backed by the home crowd's support, we were able to show good soccer from the start. We want to continue this positive momentum.
Q, from start to finish, it was impressive to see the team playing at a high level.
A: In the first half of the previous match against Sagan Tosu, there were mismatches in defense, causing defensive misalignments. In today's game, the defense worked well, allowing us to apply aggressive pressure from the front line. Thanks to good defense leading to good offense, we scored three goals and I believe we had a very good match.
Q: Please review the scoring scene where the second goal was born at the timing when the team wanted an additional point.
A: The additional goal near the end of the first half brought calm and momentum to the team. Adailton delivered a good ball that was difficult for the opposing defender to handle, so it was just a matter of finishing. Today, including both the starting players and those who came on later, I believe everyone's power came together as one to secure the victory.
Q, We won the game with Diego's goal, who is also the symbol of the team, in the match commemorating the 25th anniversary.
A, today’s match was a special day for everyone involved with Tokyo. I am honestly happy to have scored a goal and contributed to the victory in such an important game. Many fans and supporters came rushing to the stadium again today. I believe we were able to put on a match that everyone could enjoy. It was a hard-earned 3 points captured by everyone connected to the club.
<Riki HARAKAWA>
Q, In the first half, it was very impressive how we were able to fight in a very compact manner from the start.
A, I think it was good that even during the difficult periods, like in the previous match against Sagan Tosu, the whole team stayed focused and didn’t fall apart, and I believe that led to our victory.
Q, I think playing in a high position led to the opening goal.
A, there were few occasions where Gamba Osaka's midfielders followed my forward runs, so even before the goal, I was able to make several attacking runs to join the offense. The opponent's defensive line also had gaps, and I was able to skillfully exploit those spaces to penetrate. Although there were moments when we were left exposed due to playing in advanced positions continuously, the goal scene was a good example of building up from the sides and breaking down the defense with numbers. Personally, I made quite a few noticeable mistakes in my play, so I want to work on improving them.
Q, once again, please review the scoring scene.
A, Yuto NAGATOMO passed the ball from a high position on the right to the center, Diego OLIVEIRA made a through pass, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA then passed the ball. The way many players got involved with the ball and found space to break down the defense was a part we especially worked on in practice this week, and this goal showed the results of that training. Although I made a trapping mistake on the ball received from NAKAGAWA, on the second touch I was able to place the ball in a position that made it easy to shoot. I just had to smoothly finish it.
Q, How will the team spend this break period?
A, we were able to approach today's match with a shared mindset to fight aggressively, just like in the previous match against Tosu. Within that, we managed to secure a victory with the kind of performance we showed today. I believe it is important for the team to further refine and continue this effort. Since there will be a break of several weeks until the next match against Yokohama FC, we want to make good use of this period.
<Kota TAWARATSUMIDA>
Q, in the second half, it became the deciding goal in a situation where we were unable to score.
A, In the previous match, the situation was reversed, but with the score at the most dangerous 2-0, I entered the game with the mindset to score an additional goal and decide the match. I’m glad I was able to deliver a result in that situation.
Q: Please review the dribble scene of the goal.
A, I knew there was space, so I carried the ball. Although I was pushed to the side, I was able to break through with a nutmeg as planned, and I was also able to shoot where I aimed, so it was good.
Q, What was your mindset when you entered the game as a substitute?
A, in a good way, I was able to enter the game in a “blank state” and focus on playing with awareness of what I needed to do. Since the whole team had agreed before the match to apply pressure, I was able to properly express what needed to be done.
Q, please tell us your enthusiasm for the next match.
A, We have a good momentum with two consecutive wins, so both the team and I want to keep pursuing results to ensure this streak doesn’t end on away ground. We aim to beat Yokohama FC as well and prepare to enter the final match of the 25th anniversary commemorative game with a three-game winning streak.
