Match Review
After Peter CKLAMOVSKI took over as coach, it will be the third time facing a situation of two consecutive losses in the last three games. This round, they will face Albirex Niigata, a "difficult place" where they have only won twice this season.
The focus will be on Kei Koizumi, who will return to his former team, and Ryoma Watanabe. The hard-working player wearing number 37 will play for the first time since his transfer in Niigata, where he spent 4 seasons since turning pro. The versatile attacker wearing number 11 will also play in Niigata for the first time on the J1 League stage.
This was a crucial match for these two players who were hungry for victory, as they aimed to end their losing streak and create a positive momentum for the final home game of the 2023 season in the next round.
1st HALF - Gradually Losing Momentum Despite Early Offensive Pressure
The start showed a lot of initiative. Teruhito NAKAGAWA's absence allowed Kuryu MATSUKI to slide into the attacking midfielder position, showing a dynamic movement to exploit space and activate the attack. Furthermore, there was a coordinated effort with Riki HARAKAWA and Kei KOIZUMI, who both took advantage of the open space and made runs towards goal, displaying a strong attacking mentality.
On the other hand, the first big chance was created by Niigata. In the 8th minute of the first half, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a strong shot, but it was saved by Insoo YU. It would have been good if they could have turned the game around from here, but instead they were gradually put under pressure by Niigata's passing game.
Tokyo tried to pressure the opponent's goalkeeper and join in the build-up, but they were unable to catch up and allowed the opponent to enter their own territory. There were moments where they were able to steal the ball in a high position, but they made mistakes in the following plays and were quickly taken back by the fast-switching Niigata. They were unable to settle the ball and launch a counterattack. Although they did not concede any goals, Tokyo ended the first half with only one shot.
2ndHALF—Increased chances with an open development
In the second half, the game became more open, which naturally brought out Tokyo's attacking power. Space began to open up in the midfield, allowing for quick attacks after winning the ball. Players like Diego OLIVEIRA and Adailton were able to move forward and threaten the goal.
And in the 16th minute of the second half, the first scoring opportunity of the match arrived. The ball was carried deep into the opponent's side on the left, and although it was initially taken away, it was immediately recovered. Finally, player Yasuki KIMOTO swung his right foot from near the left corner of the penalty area. The shot aimed for the goal, but was saved by the opponent's goalkeeper. Later, in the 18th minute of the second half, there was a dangerous situation where the defense line was caught off guard, but player Yasuki KIMOTO desperately returned and threw himself into a tackle during the shooting scene. He risked his body at the last moment, causing the opponent to miss their shot.
In the middle of the second half, Kashif BANGNAGANDE, who was injured, was replaced by Kosuke SHIRAI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA. In addition, Keigo HIGASHI and Naoki KUMATA were also sent onto the pitch towards the end, and the remaining 10 minutes saw intense attacks and defenses.
In the 38th minute of the second half, they applied coordinated pressure towards the opponent's goal and successfully managed to steal the ball. However, a bold shot by Koizumi missed the target. On the other hand, in the 45+1 minute, a cross ball was sent into the goal area from the right side, and although a header shot was taken in front of the goal, Nozawa used his right foot to clear it from the frame.
It was a game that both teams wanted to win, but there were no goals and the game ended 0-0. Tokyo was able to stop their losing streak, but they were unable to overtake Niigata, who are one place above them in the standings with a one point difference.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Yasuki KIMOTO/Masato MORISHIGE/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (Substituted in 26th minute: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Kei KOIZUMI (Substituted in 44th minute: Tsubasa TERAYAMA)/Riki HARAKAWA (Substituted in 36th minute: Keigo HIGASHI)/Kuryu MATSUKI
FW Ryoma WATANABE/Diego OLIVEIRA (Substituted in 36th minute: Naoki KUMATA)/Adailton (Substituted in 26th minute: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Seiji KIMURA
GOAL
―
＜Albirex Niigata＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ryosuke KOJIMA
DF Soya FUJIWARA/Michael James FITZGERALD (12 minutes into the second half: Thomas DEN)/Kazuhiko CHIBA/Naoto ARAI
MF Eitaro MATSUDA (23 minutes into the second half: Shunsuke MITO)/Takahiro KO/Yuji HOSHI (34 minutes into the second half: Hiroki AKIYAMA)/Shusuke OTA (23 minutes into the second half: Yota KOMI)
FW Kaito TANIGUCHI (34 minutes into the second half: Motoki NAGAKURA)/Koji SUZUKI
SUBS
GK Koto ABE
DF Taiki WATANABE
GOAL
―
[Comments from Head Coach Peter CKLAMOVSKI's Press Conference]
Q: please review the game.
A: I think it was a good football battle. The players delivered solid performances, defended aggressively, and it was good that we kept a clean sheet. We were able to successfully apply the pressing we aimed for and disrupt the opponent. I believe this was because the players worked hard. Albirex Niigata is a good team, but we defended in a way to make them play as far away from our goal as possible, outside the penalty area. Within that, there were parts of the attack that we were able to control, and we played with the intention of moving forward. However, I think it would have been better if we had thought more carefully about when to push forward and when to hold possession.
I think we were able to make a lot of passes in the attacking area while playing in the enemy's territory. As we approach the goal, we need to polish our ability to finish attacks and take shots. The players fought desperately for victory. We want to move forward with this one point. We also thank the fans and supporters. The push for the players to give their all came from the fans and supporters.
Q, please evaluate the performance of Kuryu MATSUKI, who was used as a top midfielder, and Yasuki KIMOTO, who made a rare start as a center back.
A, I cannot highlight and evaluate only the two players, but all the players worked hard and fought. I think both Matsuki and Kimoto did a wonderful job. We aimed to aggressively press, win the ball, and create good opportunities, and there were parts where we succeeded. What I am proud of is that we fought with hunger and kept a clean sheet. However, I think we could have been even hungrier in trying to score, and there were many good performances as well. We want to continue improving ourselves as we move forward.
Q, What preparations have you made for the Niigata match?
A, we have refined our defense and managed to finish without conceding a goal. We also practiced in the areas near the penalty box that we wanted to utilize. Niigata is a very good team, and we aimed to fight aggressively as well. We practiced with good communication to decide when to press and when not to, and I think we were able to bring out those positive aspects. We showed solidity in defense, and we worked on defending in a way that prevented the opponent from entering the penalty area during this week’s training, and the players demonstrated the results of that effort.
I think we were able to show good plays and good parts even in our attacks. Among them, we were able to show our intention to play forward. However, there were moments where we needed to keep the ball and moments where we needed to go forward, and we needed to have control in those situations. We need to improve in those areas. We were able to use the areas we wanted to use and create very dangerous situations, but we may need to improve in terms of taking shots or playing towards the goal. I think the players showed their spirit in both practice and on the pitch today. In order to show our strong performance, there are areas that we need to improve 100%, but we want to continue to progress towards becoming the team we dream of.
[Player Interview]
<Yasuki KIMOTO>
Q, please reflect on this round's full participation in the official game after a long time.
A, Since it had been a while, I focused on quickly getting my body used to the team's and the match's speed and intensity. I was able to play aggressively from the first half, but there were also periods when I couldn't express plays I was satisfied with. I want to connect the challenges I felt in today's match to my own future growth. As a team, we only achieved the minimum result, and personally, I want to make use of the challenges and discoveries gained in this round for the next. I believe it was a meaningful time.
Q, Until around 30 minutes into the first half, we struggled against the opponent's pressure, but as the game went on, it seemed to have improved.
A, I felt the challenges when facing an opponent who applies pressure from the front line. However, I believe it is necessary to improve the team's positioning, spacing, and quality of support beyond the current level. Otherwise, we will easily fall into the opponent's pressure and fail to create an attacking rhythm. Maintaining possession remains an ongoing issue that I want to continue working on and correcting.
Q, in the 18th minute of the second half, there was also a scene where player Kimoto saved the team by putting his body on the line.
A, It is best not to give the opponent such opportunities, but by defending aggressively from the front, space inevitably opens up behind us. As a result, finishing the game without conceding a goal gives confidence to both the team and the players individually. Although we could not completely suppress Albirex Niigata's attack, ending the match without conceding was, as a defensive player, the minimum acceptable outcome and I think it was good.
Q, we are now entering the break period and the next match will be our final home game. How do you plan to continue taking advantage of the opportunities you have gained?
A, First of all, I want to show plays that lead to the team's victory. Looking at the standings, we are in a disappointing and shameful position, but I want to show our pride in the final home game. I want to show football that will make the fans and supporters once again have expectations for Tokyo from here on.
<Taishi Brandon NOZAWA>
Q, a big save at the end saved the team. Please review the game again.
A, as a team aiming for victory, I played with the minimum goal of not conceding goals to support the offensive side. If we concede, the flow and plan collapse all at once. Although there were moments in the first half when we felt the opponent's pressure, I think the team was able to focus on playing carefully and maintaining concentration so that the momentum would come in the second half. There is the issue that we couldn't score, but considering the away game results this season, finishing the match without conceding was a minimum acceptable outcome and a good result.
Q, By successfully enduring the pressure we received from the beginning, it seemed like the momentum shifted towards Tokyo. How did you feel about the build-up from the back?
A, I had the image of skillfully alternating between short passes to engage the opponent and long balls sent into the spaces created by that engagement. Although there were moments of pressure in the first half, I felt that there were not many unstable plays.
Q, entering the second half, I think the team's position was set higher than in the first half.
A, as the match progressed, the play became more open, and the defensive burden gradually increased. Even when the fullbacks and defensive midfielders, centered around Masato MORISHIGE and Yasuki KIMOTO, were turned over, they diligently fell back and did not give the opponent any major chances. The reason we were not easily beaten in the final moments was thanks to the hard work in defense. I am grateful for my teammates' efforts.
Q, contributed to keeping a clean sheet, and now the activities of the U-22 Japan national team are coming up.
A, I want to make this a valuable time to further level up as a player. It’s not just a vague desire to improve, but I want to focus firmly on results and dedicate myself to each and every day.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, there were a few moments where we were caught out, but defensively, I feel we were able to improve compared to the previous two matches. That’s why today, if the forwards including myself had done our job, we could have won the game, so personally, I’m very frustrated.
Q, creating opportunities from the defense in front of player Matsuki.
A, the opponent is very good at circulating the ball, so even if I press individually, it’s difficult to take it away. However, today the players in the back also coordinated and pressed as a team, and there were many moments when that worked well, so I think that was good. That said, on the offensive side, if I had been able to receive the ball as an attacking midfielder and develop the play more, or if I had been able to take on opponents individually more, I think the match could have unfolded differently.
Q, What were you conscious of when playing in a position one ahead of usual?
A, I focused on playing with fluidity without being fixated on my position, and on receiving the ball effectively between the opponent's center backs and defensive midfielders.
Q, the last two games of this season have arrived.
A, we will enter a break period once again, and since I have national team duties, I will focus on delivering results there. Even after returning from the national team, I want to continue working on what is necessary for the team to win starting from practice.
