Match Review
In the past two weeks, Tokyo Verdy, FC Machida Zelvia, and other teams based in Tokyo have been unable to secure a victory, resulting in a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses, placing them in 10th position as they enter the 10th round. With Albirex Niigata, who has the same number of points, as their opponent, this match holds great significance considering the current situation. In order to climb up the rankings, they are determined to secure 3 points in this crucial match.
The starting members have changed two players from the previous match. Soma ANZAI, who has returned from suspension, has returned to the right wing, and Tsubasa TERAYAMA, who started for the first time in the league this season, has been appointed as the top player. Diego OLIVEIRA has returned from injury and has been included in the substitute members, and Leon NOZAWA has also made his first appearance in the league. Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI, who will face their former team, have been placed as the axis in the defensive midfield, and the team has gathered all their strength for this kickoff.
1stHALF - Tergol from the lightning-fast counter
For a while after the start, we were constantly defending. Facing Niigata, who boasts one of the highest possession rates in the league, we tried to press but couldn't find a way to steal the ball. Even if we managed to steal the ball, the distance between players was too far and we couldn't increase our time with the ball.
In addition, an accident occurred in the 19th minute of the first half. Terayama, who was injured in a contact play, returned to the pitch once but was unable to continue playing, and was forced to be substituted early in the game.
Diego TABA, who came on as a substitute, restarts the game with a formation where Teruhito NAKAGAWA drops back one position and joins the front line. As the game progresses, Tokyo is able to gradually settle the ball. The double pivot starts to look forward and increases the number of times they enter the opponent's half, holding onto the ball.
And in the 39th minute of the first half, they take the lead with a brilliant short counter attack.
After Henrique TREVISAN received a cut from Eleke, he made a vertical pass and Diego TABA attracted the opponent's defense with a post-play, then passed it to Kosuke SHIRAI with one touch. Kosuke SHIRAI quickly accelerated and sprinted through the space on the right side.
After stopping the opponent's attack, Shiroi player passed an early cross between the opponent's goalkeeper and defender, and Nakagawa player jumped in without hesitation and scored with one touch.
After a difficult start and some accidents, we were able to turn the game around with our strength in the ball contest and take the lead. It was an ideal situation to go into halftime.
2ndHALF - Dynamo Shiroi's goal and Diego's comeback lead to a great victory
Maintaining the flow of the first half in the best way possible, we will continue to dominate the game in the second half. We will effectively block Niigata's build-up and aggressively press against the vertical balls that come in, and once we have successfully recovered the ball, we will smoothly transition into attacking using the sides.
Successfully scored an important additional point in the 4th minute of the second half.
When pushed in on the left side of the opponent's field, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's lateral pass was passed through by Takashi TAKA. The ball reached Kazuma NAKAGAWA, who was in the penalty area, and he attracted the opponent with a shooting motion. After stopping the shooting feint, Kazuma NAKAGAWA dropped the ball in the minus direction, and Shiroi SHIROI, who was running in, slid a direct shot with his right foot to the lower right corner of the goal.
Tokyo, who completely took the lead with this goal, did not let up and scored their third goal in the 17th minute of the second half. After recovering the second ball in the opponent's territory, Takashi Takashi passed to the right side pocket (the space on both sides of the penalty area). As the third player moved in unison, Koizumi player broke through to the pocket, calmly checked the position of his teammates, and put a looping cross ball in front of the goal, which Diego TABA won in the air and headed into the goal.
After expanding the lead to 3 points, we will tighten the game while using the substitution frame. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Ryunosuke SATO, who made his J1 league debut in the previous round, and the team's oldest player Yuto NAGATOMO were sent in. Furthermore, in the 36th minute of the second half, Riki HARAKAWA and Leon NOZAWA, who made their first appearance in the league this season, were sent out to control the game and advance the clock.
In the final stage, although it was a challenge to have a goal scored against us by Hayakawa player with a header from a cross from the left side in the second half of the 45 minutes, we were able to secure the victory with 3 goals, which is the second time this season, by firmly defending the 4 minutes of additional time. We were able to prevent a losing streak and accumulate 3 points for the first time in 3 games in the league.
The next match will be back at home at Ajinomoto Stadium, where we will face Kyoto Sanga F.C. With the momentum of our previous win and our tenacity to control the flow of the game, we will go for our first victory of the season at Ajinomoto Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
＜FC Tokyo＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Kosuke SHIRAI/Kanta DOI/Henrique TREVISAN/Kashif BANGNAGANDE (Substituted in 36th minute: Leon NOZAWA)
MF Takahiro KO (Substituted in 36th minute: Riki HARAKAWA)/Tsubasa TERAYAMA (Substituted in 19th minute: Diego OLIVEIRA)/Kei KOIZUMI
FW Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (Substituted in 23rd minute: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Soma ANZAI/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (Substituted in 23rd minute: Ryunosuke SATO)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Masato MORISHIGE
GOAL
First half 39 minutes: Teruhito NAKAGAWA / Second half 4 minutes: Kosuke SHIRAI / Second half 17 minutes: Diego OLIVEIRA
＜Albirex Niigata＞
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ryosuke KOJIMA
DF Soya FUJIWARA/Michael James FITZGERALD/Kazuhiko CHIBA (19th minute of the second half: Shusuke OTA)/Fumiya HAYAKAWA
MF Eitaro MATSUDA (28th minute of the second half: Motoki HASEGAWA)/Hiroki AKIYAMA/Eiji MIYAMOTO/Yota KOMI (19th minute of the second half: Hayato INAMURA)
FW Kaito TANIGUCHI (19th minute of the second half: Yuji ONO)/Yoshiaki TAKAGI (28th minute of the second half: Takumi HASEGAWA)
SUBS
GK Koto ABE
MF Yuzuru SHIMADA
GOAL
45' Second Half: Fumiya HAYAKAWA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A: Overall, I am pleased with our approach and performance. We delivered a very good performance and fought a battle worthy of victory. In the first half, we were able to move the ball well in attack. Our defense was solid as well. In the second half, we continued playing our football and I think we maintained a similar performance to the first half. We moved the ball skillfully while utilizing the spaces we wanted to use. Within that, we were able to score a good goal. I am proud of the players who did everything they were supposed to do.
During the preparation as a team, Tsubasa TERAYAMA player got injured in the first half and had to be substituted, but Diego OLIVEIRA player who came on as an emergency also showed a fantastic performance. I am proud that all players gave their all and fought until the end. However, the last goal was unnecessary and we should have closed the game with a 3-0 score.
The important thing is to thoroughly analyze our performance and prepare for recovery from here. I would like to express my gratitude to the fans and supporters who came to support us all the way to Niigata. They pushed the players forward and they are the best fans and supporters in Japan.
Q, Please evaluate Kosuke SHIRAI's performance involving multiple goals.
A: He delivered an outstanding performance. Kosuke SHIRAI played in three different positions today. This reflects the mentality that the team currently holds. Regardless of the position he plays, he understands what he needs to do and was able to deliver a team performance. It is important that all 11 players on the field play their style of football. I hope we can continue to grow and develop that. Shirai’s goal was truly wonderful. It came at a crucial moment early in the second half for us. He contributed to the team’s performance and also gave his best individual performance.
[Player Interview]
＜Kosuke SHIRAI＞
Q: please review the game.
A, I am happy to have achieved the result of 1 goal and 1 assist. It was a difficult away game, but above all, I am glad to have contributed to the victory.
Q, After the result of the previous match against FC Machida Zelvia, what points did you organize for today's game?
A, I feel that both as a team and individually, what we have been building up since last season is improving. Although I am frustrated that I couldn’t show my best in the match against Machida, my teammates understand my strengths. I feel that our coordination and mutual understanding of each other’s play have borne fruit as a result. I believe we are moving in a good direction.
Q: Please review the assist for the first point.
A, Soma ANZAI carried the ball inside instead of to the side, and thanks to Takahiro KO and Diego OLIVEIRA building up play in the central area, they drew in the opposing defense. The vertical lane on the right side completely entered my zone, so I sprinted forward with the intention of breaking through vertically. I was able to deliver a cross exactly into the area between the opposing goalkeeper and the defensive line as planned, and Teruhito NAKAGAWA also made a run with the same awareness, resulting in a well-formed goal. I believe this sequence reflected the shared understanding within the team and the accumulation of what we have built up so far.
Q, May 1st is my 30th birthday, and the match right after my birthday is against my former team, Kyoto Sanga F.C. The perfect conditions have come together.
A, Kyoto helped nurture me, but I am a Tokyo player, and I want to contribute with goals and assists for Tokyo. Even from the perspective of preparing for the Kyoto match, today's victory and goal have become truly special. I want to work hard to show many people that I am performing well.
<Diego OLIVEIRA player>
Q: This was a comeback game. Please review the game.
A, It was my first game in a while, and although I did not expect it, Tsubasa TERAYAMA got injured, which caused some trouble as the match began. Since we had built up well during regular practice, I was able to get into the game smoothly. The loud cheers from many fans and supporters pushed me forward, and the medical team did various things to help with recovery, so I want to express my gratitude to them. I was also able to score a goal, which was thanks to the support of many people.
Q, Goal Scene, and Tell Me the Factors That Led to the Goal.
A, For us forwards, scoring a goal is very important. Kei KOIZUMI delivered a great cross from the right side, and all I had to do was finish it. I’m happy to have scored, but above all, I’m most pleased that the team was able to win.
Q, I felt a hunger and passion for victory as it was our first game in a while.
A, I hadn’t played in a while, so all I could do was support from the sidelines. The players who had been playing up until now were all working hard. Although I played in a match for the first time in a while, above all, experienced and great players like Yuto NAGATOMO and Masato MORISHIGE, despite not being in the starting lineup, have consistently made significant contributions to the team, including today’s match. Following their example, everyone on the team relies on that and works together to fight, and I am truly grateful to those two.
Q, I think we need to continue the consecutive battles from here and overcome them with all our might.
A, From now on, the schedule will be very tight, so it is important for everyone to prepare to fight and for the players who enter the match to run for the team. Ultimately, we want to combine the strength of the entire team and fight to achieve victory.
<Teruhito NAKAGAWA>
Q: Please review today's score.
A, it was the scoring pattern we aimed for, a goal that connected what the team has been working on. The two goals by Diego OLIVEIRA and Kosuke SHIRAI were also exactly as planned.
Q, we were able to accumulate 3 points without losing consecutive games.
A, we made good preparations, so I am glad we were able to achieve a victory away from home. May will have many matches and consecutive games, but we want to fight by putting the full strength of the team into it.
Q, we want to continue scoring multiple points from here and improve our ranking.
A, it is a good sign that the team is able to score multiple goals. However, since we conceded a goal at the end, I think it is important for the team not to give such openings in order to improve our ranking.
Q, it seemed that Tsubasa TERAYAMA was also focusing on defense after being substituted.
A, Diego TABA also worked hard, and although there were moments when the opponent had possession of the ball, I believe that the team's overall defensive effort led to the victory.
Q, this season we are in a different situation from last season, where we were unable to win away and at Ajinomoto Stadium.
A, I also think so myself, and I will be more conscious about securing wins at Ajinomoto Stadium as well. By continuing this good momentum and keeping a clean sheet, I believe we can become a team that wins, so I want to make sure we don’t give any openings.
