Match Review
Sagan Tosu and Gamba Osaka both won at home against each other, and the team entered the break period with the goal of improving their ranking in the remaining 5 games by training.
In the first match after the restart, Kosuke SHIRAI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA returned to the starting lineup. Taishi Brandon NOZAWA and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who had just returned from the U-22 Japan national team's trip to the United States two days ago, also started on the pitch. In addition, Riki HARAKAWA and Kei KOIZUMI formed a new combination in the defensive midfield, welcoming the kickoff with a new lineup.
1stHALF—Goal conceded just as they were about to take control
The first half was a difficult development. The build-up from the back line was not stable and there was no rhythm in the attack. Pass mistakes were noticeable in the midfield and there were long periods without shots. Tokyo's first shot came in the 23rd minute of the first half, with Diego OLIVEIRA, Adailton, and Kashif BANGNAGANDE involved in a cross from the left side. Koizumi picked up the loose ball and aimed for a middle shot with his right foot, but it missed above the goal.
Tokyo conceded the opening goal in the 32nd minute of the first half, just as they were starting to take control of the game little by little. They were caught on the counterattack, as Inoue, who had pushed forward from his defensive midfield position, controlled the ball just outside the penalty area and took a left-footed shot. The ball deflected off the back of Henrique Trevisan, who had tried to block the shot, and changed direction, catching goalkeeper Nozawa off guard and finding its way into the goal.
Tokyo, who wants to counterattack, but cannot bring the ball to the opponent's goal effectively. Just before the end of the first half, they were finally able to connect the ball in the vital area, but Ryoma WATANABE's volley shot was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper.
2ndHALF - Missed Opportunities in the Beginning Affect the Outcome
In the second half, trailing by one point, it was Tokyo who had the first chance. In the 12th minute of the second half, right back Shirai sent a high pass from just before the half line to the front line with perfect timing, and Adailton broke through behind the opponent. However, in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, his shot was blocked, and he missed a crucial chance.
After that, Keigo HIGASHI and Kuryu MATSUKI were put in to add depth to the midfield, and the time spent moving the ball in the opponent's half increased. However, there were scenes where the intentions of the passer and receiver did not align, and the number of times they entered the dangerous area in front of the goal did not increase, only time passed.
Even if the game enters the final stage as it is, the attacking gear does not increase, and the game ends with a one-point deficit. It did not become the first three consecutive wins of the season.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kosuke SHIRAI (19th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI)/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (42nd minute of the second half: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kei KOIZUMI/Riki HARAKAWA/Ryoma WATANABE (42nd minute of the second half: Naoki KUMATA)
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (19th minute of the second half: Kuryu MATSUKI)/Diego OLIVEIRA/Adailton (34th minute of the second half: Koki TSUKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Yasuki KIMOTO
GOAL
―
＜Yokohama FC＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kengo NAGAI
DF Katsuya IWATAKE/Boniface NDUKA/Kyohei YOSHINO (44th minute: Mateus MORAES)
MF Towa YAMANE/Yurirara/Shion INOUE (44th minute: Tomoki KONDO)/Kotaro HAYASHI/CAPRINI (24th minute: Sho ITO)/Keijiro OGAWA (24th minute: Koki SAKAMOTO)
FW Marcelo RYAN (37th minute: Hirotaka MITA)
SUBS
GK Masaki ENDO
DF Kento HASHIMOTO
GOAL
First Half 32nd Minute: Shion INOUE
[Comments from Head Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's Press Conference]
Q: please review the game.
A, it was a very disappointing result. We need to learn harsh but valuable lessons from games like this. We strayed a bit from our style of play and foundation, and there were parts where we couldn’t show what we wanted to do. We also made the game harder for ourselves. We missed opportunities to get behind the defense, and I think we should have moved the ball with better tempo and used the space more effectively. However, the players fought desperately to catch up. That said, there were times when we overcomplicated the game by forgetting the simple things. To become a better and smarter team, although today’s result is disappointing, we want to learn from it, recover, and prepare for the next match.
Q, What were your thoughts on using the U-22 Japan national team members who joined the day before the match?
A, While preparing for this match over the course of a week, there were points we needed to consider carefully depending on the situation, but I believe we were well prepared. Among them, the players who returned responded well so that they could participate in the match.
Q, What are the reasons or causes for not being able to fully express what we want to do and what we value?
A, I think if we had been able to increase the tempo of moving the ball a little more, we could have created better timing to get behind the opponent. Getting behind the opponent is one of our strengths, but today we missed those opportunities. When good movement created good space, there was no forward burst. There were moments when we were in good positions, so sharing the timing and intent was necessary. This is an area we need to improve and continue learning from. Today, the final passes and the key passes around the 20-meter area from the goal lacked sharpness.
[Player Interview]
<Kosuke SHIRAI>
Q: It was my first start in a while. Please review the game.
A, From the start of the first half, we ended up under pressure from the opponent. We couldn’t target the space behind much and ended up making many short passes at our feet. We faced the opponent’s pressure head-on, lost the ball, and there were many scenes where we were caught by short counters. It was not a good flow.
Q, it looked like the opponent's defense was getting stuck when Tokyo had the ball.
A, the opponent formed a block and defended in a way that drew us in. As a result, we circulated the ball frequently in front of them, and there were moments when through passes were also targeted.
Q, there were no major crises, but on the other hand, there were also no big opportunities and it was difficult to grasp the flow of the game. What do you think was the reason for that?
A, There were many moments of playing neatly, but the point of reflection is that there were few actions aimed roughly at breaking through the opponent's block from behind.
Q, Many fans and supporters came to the away games in the last 5 matches of this season.
A, We played a disappointing match today, but there are still two home games left, so I want to fight to win firmly and finish the season well.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, This was your first appearance after returning from the activities of the Japan national team. Can you tell us what you were conscious of when you came on as a substitute?
A, Watching from the bench, especially in the first half, it felt like we got caught in their trap. The ball circulation became too wide, and our positioning allowed Yokohama FC to defend comfortably. When I came on, I focused on receiving the ball in a central position, expanding play to the sides, and sending vertical passes to the forwards, but the opponents set up a solid block and didn’t give us much freedom. Personally, I ended the match feeling unfulfilled, and it’s regrettable that I couldn’t fully execute my role before the game ended.
Q, it seemed like you played in the position just before the defensive midfielder more often.
A, as I mentioned earlier, I focused on fully expressing on the pitch the positioning that the opponent dislikes, which I noticed as an issue in the first half while watching from the bench. I believe that if we could have increased plays that more effectively use the spaces on both sides of the opponent's defensive midfielders, vertical passes, and combination plays to break through, the flow of the match would have changed.
Q, Achieved 50 appearances in the J1 League with today's match. As you reach this milestone, how do you want to evolve and grow from here?
A, I want to improve my individual ability to break through situations in matches like today and make decisive plays that determine the outcome. With the last four league matches remaining, I aim to grow into a player who can make a difference in the continuing season from here on.
Q, today's match was also supported by many fans who created a home-like atmosphere. Please continue to support us for the remaining matches.
A, despite the wonderful atmosphere created by everyone, I feel very sorry that today's match was extremely disappointing. The next match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima will be the last home game commemorating the 25th anniversary, so I want to focus solely on delivering a victory to our fans and supporters and approach the match with that mindset.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q, Please tell us what you were conscious of when you made your first appearance in a while and played in a situation where you were chasing one point.
A, I wanted to put up a lot of crosses, but when I saw my teammates in front of the goal, I stopped moving a little, so I chose to use more short passes. However, I think I also needed to be more proactive in putting up crosses and communicating with my teammates.CKLAMOVSKII felt that I needed to clear the coach's demands and also come up with my own ideas more.
Q, Regarding the part where you couldn't start in the starting lineup, I think there was frustration. How do you want to overcome this obstacle?
A, In order to play in the game, it is important to clear what Coach Klamovski is asking for from practice. And, without fear of making mistakes, I think it is important to aggressively compete and not lose to younger players.I don't want to hear people say "We lost because Yuto Nagatomo wasn't there" or "We lost because Teruhito Nakagawa wasn't there". I believe we have a strong team, so each and every one of us needs to play with more passion from practice, and I want to do my best to ignite that fire.
Q, I could hear loud cheers today as well.
A, I think it was a game where we had to respond to the passion of the fans and supporters.I believe that we need to show our best performance in order for the fans and supporters to want to cheer for us, and we want to create a good cycle where our performance improves with their support.We also want to finish the season in a higher position for the sake of the fans and supporters.
Q: The next match will be a home game. Please tell us your enthusiasm.
A, I haven't been able to play in a home game for a while, so I have a strong desire to participate. For that reason, I will give it my all starting from practice.
