Match Review
Tokyo, who aimed for their first victory of the season, traveled to Fukuoka with a different formation than the previous three matches. In the center back position, Yasuki Kimoto, who is the partner of Masato Morishige due to Henrique Trevisan's suspension, made his first start of the season. In the defensive midfield, Takahiro Ko, who made his debut in blue and red, was selected. In addition, Kuryu Matsuki played as the attacking midfielder and Ryotaro Araki led the front line, adopting a "false nine" system.
Peter Tokyo kicked off in Fukuoka, which is also a difficult place where they have not won, with a record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 5 losses, in order to raise the signal fire of counterattack.
1stHALF - Perfect first half with Nagatomo and Taro's goals
Successfully grasped the ball from the start. The effect of having Takahashi in the position of a defensive midfielder is significant, showing an outstanding presence as a passing point in the midfield. In response to this, the surrounding players also coordinate and the ball moves with a good distance. The fluidity on the sides also shows a high level of cooperation in positions that were not seen in previous games, with the wingers and fullbacks using the space effectively, increasing the time spent pushing forward.
It took some time for the first shot, but in the 16th minute of the first half, Matsuki took a direct free kick with his left foot in front of the goal, but the low and fast shot was blocked by the opponent defender. Immediately after that, they created a chance in the flow of the game. In the 18th minute of the first half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA broke through the right side and put in a sharp cross. Matsuki, who was waiting on the far side, jumped in with his head, but unfortunately couldn't connect.
In the 28th minute of the first half, Tokyo, who had been dominating the game, finally scored the long-awaited opening goal. On the left side, Matsuki and Kashif BANGNAGANDE, with Keita ENDO as the starting point, dropped the ball and Kashif BANGNAGANDE reacted to it, sending a direct cross ball to the front of the goal. The ground ball landed perfectly at the feet of Yuto NAGATOMO, who recently returned to the Japan national team after a year and three months. The number 5, who scored a calm volley shot from a one-touch, scored his first goal since returning to Tokyo in 2010 in the J1 League.
After the opening goal, goalkeeper Go HATANO made a great save to prevent a pinch. Then, in the 32nd minute of the first half, they added another goal. Midfielder Matsuki received a long feed and skillfully collected the ball near the opponent's penalty area. He then sent a last pass to the space behind, where Ryo ENDO had escaped to the right side of the goal at a 45-degree angle and calmly slotted it in.
First point, additional point, no points lost. Despite the new lineup, the game was turned around with near-perfect performance.
2ndHALF - 24-year victory at the demon's gate with added points from Yoshifu
After entering the second half with a 2-point lead, Avispa Fukuoka, who changed to a 2-top system by bringing in Yuto IWASAKI, quickly approached the goal using long balls, but calmly responded. After enduring the first 5 minutes of the start, they increased the time spent in the enemy's territory by moving the ball as they did in the first half. In the 6th minute of the second half, while pushing on the right side, the ball was passed to midfielder Yu TOKISAKI in the center, who aimed for a middle shot with their favorite left foot.
In the meantime, in the 12th minute of the second half, a crucial third goal that will determine the outcome of the game is scored. The right side is conquered and Yuto Nagatomo sends a cross from a deep position. It goes to the far side, but Kashiho Senju rushes in and takes a powerful shot that pierces through the goal net with his left foot.
After expanding the lead to three points, we steadily advanced the clock and in the 26th minute of the second half, Nakamura Hotaka and Tawaratsumida Kota were substituted for Nagatomo and Endo. Both sides were replaced with one player each. Furthermore, in the 35th minute of the second half, Araki and Nakagawa were substituted for Higashi Keigo and Jája Silva to maintain the intensity and movement of the front line.
In the 37th minute of the second half, they conceded one goal from an attack led by former teammate Kazuya KONNO, but they held on for the remaining 7 minutes of additional time and the game ended. They secured their first victory in 24 years on Fukuoka's difficult ground and earned their first 3 points of the season.
After a one-week interval, the next match will be away as we face Kawasaki Frontale in the Tama River Clasico.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yuto NAGATOMO (26th minute of the second half: Hotaka NAKAMURA)/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Kashif BANGNAGANDE
MF Kuryu MATSUKI/Takahiro KO/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Keita ENDO (26th minute of the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (35th minute of the second half: Jája SILVA)/Ryotaro ARAKI (35th minute of the second half: Keigo HIGASHI) (45th minute of the second half: Soma ANZAI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI
GOAL
First half 28th minute: Yuto NAGATOMO / First half 32nd minute: Ryotaro ARAKI / Second half 12th minute: Kashif BANGNAGANDE
＜Avispa Fukuoka＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takumi NAGAISHI
DF Itsuki ODA (27th minute of the second half: Masashi KAMEKAWA)/Seiya INOUE (0 minutes of the second half: Yuto IWASAKI)/Tatsuki NARA/Masaya TASHIRO/Yota MAEJIMA
MF Hiroyuki MAE
FW Kazuya KONNO/Wellington (14th minute of the second half: Shahabzahedi)/Masato SHIGEMI (27th minute of the second half: Daichi MATSUOKA)/Takeshi KANAMORI (14th minute of the second half: Reiju TSURUNO)
SUBS
GK Masaaki MURAKAMI
DF Daiki MIYA
GOAL
37' Second Half: Daichi MATSUOKA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A, I think we were able to perform strongly and well. I am proud of the players who fought. In the first half, we were able to control the game and make dangerous plays by taking advantage of the space behind the opponent, which led to our goals. In the second half, we continued to fight and were able to aim for the third and fourth goals. However, there were also times when we lost control. This was because Avispa Fukuoka played long balls and made direct plays. We hope to learn from this and improve ourselves.
We were able to score a very good goal, create good chances, and play good football. The players fought very hard and played with conviction in their football. I am very moved. And I am very happy to be able to send the fans and supporters who cheered us on until the end of the game back home with a smile from the stadium. I think we were able to produce a performance worthy of 3 points, and we will analyze and build our football from here.
Q, It seemed like a tough battle for the first 20 minutes. How do you evaluate the players who brought the flow themselves?
A, I think it's a difference in how you watch the game. Depending on how you watch it, we were able to get off to a good start and move the ball ourselves. In the first 30 minutes, we were able to play while dominating and using the areas we wanted to use. Even in the first 20 minutes, we were moving the ball, but maybe we didn't have what it takes to break down the opponent's defense. However, we were able to show our intention and play well from there. As a result, we were rewarded with two goals.
Q, this is the first time Tokyo has won in 90 minutes at this stadium. Can you share your thoughts?
A, It is a reward for us to be able to achieve such results, because we performed well, the players fought while believing in each other, and the players fought with faith in our football. I think it was good to break such negative records. We were able to do that because of the passionate support of the fans and supporters. It was good to be able to send them back to Tokyo with a smile.
Q, please evaluate Nagatomo's performance in scoring the opening goal at the timing of his return to the national team.
A, I think he is a true legend of the club with a great performance. He is the leader of this team and a special player. The goal was fantastic and it was a moment when we scored while dominating the game in the first half. We were able to play aggressively and achieve our goal, and we need to confirm it again with the video, but the full-back probably came out aggressively into the area. I think it was a reward for the two players who played well, but it was something that everyone did as a team. I think everyone in Tokyo who loves him is proud that he has been selected for the Japan national team. It is a special thing for him and for Japan. I really think he is like a red wine player. He matures as he gets older.
[Player Interview]
＜Yuto NAGATOMO＞
Q, this season, we achieved our first victory.
A, We were frustrated not being able to win in three matches, and especially since I had heard that we had never won an away game in Fukuoka, I am just happy that today everyone worked hard and we were able to win.
Q, we scored the first goal. It's the first goal in 14 years in the J-League.
A, Is it really the first time in 14 years? That's embarrassing (laughs). My condition was good, and even in that kind of situation, I was able to keep moving into the area in front of the goal, so I was just waiting for a chance. I was able to trap and shoot with good timing.
Q, Yuto NAGATOMO has just announced his return to the Japan national team. Will this goal be a big boost for the national team's upcoming matches?
A, victory is truly special, and above all, being able to both score and assist to secure the win is what matters most. I believe this will also allow me to approach future matches with confidence.
Q, Today, both Nagatomo and Araki Ryotaro, who scored goals, are from East Fukuoka High School in Fukuoka. They both scored goals in their hometown.
A, When I was in high school, this stadium was the dream stage where I fought. I have a deep attachment to this pitch, and since I also love Fukuoka, my joy was doubled or even tripled.
Q, this is the first victory in 24 years in Fukuoka, which has been called a difficult place for Tokyo. Please give a message to the fans and supporters for the upcoming games.
A, thank you always for your support. Is it really the first time in 24 years? I’m glad we were finally able to give the fans and supporters a victory here in Fukuoka after 24 years. The season is still long, so I want to stay focused, not get carried away, and work hard in training.
<Ryotaro ARAKI>
Q: please review the game.
A, I played as a forward today, so I focused on getting into the goal area as quickly as possible. It was a goal born from a good opportunity. I think our defense worked well in coordination, and we were able to demonstrate a compact style of play. Since I have been scoring at a pace of one goal per game, I want to continue connecting my goals to victories.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, I focused on quickly following up and supporting the ball that went over my head. In that situation, Keita ENDO received the ball well and then played it out. He created a one-on-one situation for me, and I calmly focused solely on placing the ball into the left corner area while watching the position of the opposing goalkeeper.
Q, while maintaining a good performance since the start of the league, has also been selected for the U-23 Japan national team.
A, my playing style has not changed, and I am focused on maintaining good condition and playing with a commitment to results. Regarding national team activities, I don’t know which position I will play, but I will do my best to survive as a final member for the Paris Olympics in the time and position given to me.
Ryotaro ARAKI Sportsnavi Linked Interview "Thoughts, Growth, and Change" is here
<Takahiro KO>
Q, please look back on today's game.
A, first of all, I felt relieved. I myself have been feeling frustrated up until now, and I thought there would be no next chance if we didn’t win today, so I’m glad we were able to win.
Q, on the offensive side, it seemed like Takahiro KO and the team were able to calmly execute a restart if the attack from the center to the side was unsuccessful.
A, having watched the last three games from the sidelines, I thought the midfield players could have been more involved, so I wanted to prove that by coming in. Wherever the ball went, I constantly made myself available to receive and pass it on. I was conscious of the spacing with Kei KOIZUMI, Kuryu MATSUKI, and Ryotaro ARAKI, so I believe we were able to create very good tempo and build-up patterns in the first half.
Q, in the past, Diego OLIVEIRA was the target, but today that target was absent. How did you see the player's awareness?
A, I was always conscious of repeatedly passing and moving. Of course, Ryotaro ARAKI and Kuryu MATSUKI, but I also wanted to make Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Keita ENDO on the sides play more comfortably. I thought that if it became cramped there, the team wouldn't be able to play good soccer, so I wanted to make the most of the four players up front. To achieve that, I focused on supplying passes to the front line at a good tempo.
Q, On the defensive side, the press from the front line was also well organized, and it seemed that they were pressing with a clear purpose.
A, I was personally concerned about the defense in the middle block, so I think we were able to time well the pressing from the front line to push out the side players, which we had been working on in practice. However, I thought that if we did that in every situation, it would become tough for the team, so I instructed to hold the middle block and drop the wing players to respond. The balance between pressing from the front line and holding in the middle block worked well today. The scene where we conceded a goal at the end was unnecessary, so I want to thoroughly address that.
<Kashif BANGNAGANDE>
Q, it was an attacking force that cleared up all the frustration up until now.
A, We had been able to attack well until now, but we hadn’t been able to score goals or finish our chances as a team. This time, everyone scored, and I was also able to score, so I’m really glad.
Q, What is different today from before?
A, I think our awareness of moving forward was stronger. As a team, I believe the connection between the defensive line, the middle line, and the forward line was better coordinated compared to previous matches.
Q, Regarding the goal scene, did you have an image of Yuto NAGATOMO's cross coming through?
A, In the first half, NAGATOMO scored from my cross, and in the previous match, there was also a scene where I wished I had moved inside to meet NAGATOMO's cross ball. So, I had been conscious of the crosses coming from the right side before the match. When it actually came, I thought, "Here it is," and I’m glad I was able to connect with it.
Q, Ryotaro Araki, who has been selected for the U-23 Japan national team, also scored a goal. Do you think this will lead to a good flow for the national team's activities?
A, As a team, we hadn't had a victory, so everyone was determined to win this match no matter what and go to the national team. I'm really glad we achieved that. My strength lies in the attacking aspect, so of course, as a defender, it's important to keep a clean sheet defensively, and I hope to be able to push forward aggressively in attack like I did in today's match.
