Match Review
The second leg of the playoff round was held, competing for advancement to the prime round of the J.League YBC Levain Cup. Although the first leg, held four days ago on the 5th (Wednesday) at Ajinomoto Stadium, ended with a one-goal deficit, we were able to gain confidence in our performance. The sequence leading up to the penalty kick awarded to Diego OLIVEIRA was brilliant, showcasing the attacking style we have built up this season.
This is the first match for the club at EDION PEACE WING HIROSHIMA. Tokyo has included Masato MORISHIGE and Hotaka NAKAMURA in the starting lineup based on the members from the first match. The double pivot consists of Kei KOIZUMI and Takahiro KO. On the wings, Soma ANZAI and Kota TAWARATSUMIDA are positioned, while Diego Oliveira and Teruhito NAKAGAWA are in the front line. With a comeback victory in enemy territory at stake, they welcomed the start of the '90th minute' of the second half.
1stHALF - Unable to score despite continuously threatening the goal towards the end of the first half.
Taking advantage of the reflection of the first game where they conceded goals in a short period of time, Tokyo showed a focused start to the match. In the 6th minute of the first half, they had their first chance. Shuhei TOKUMOTO, the left fullback, brought the ball to the cross after a fluid passing play.
However, Sanfrecce Hiroshima does not easily back down. In the 11th minute of the first half, Pieros SOTIRIOU took a decisive shot from Arai's cross ball, and in the 16th minute of the first half, they were threatened with a goal from a corner kick. However, midfielder Nakamura, who was covering the goal, narrowly cleared the ball off the goal line and escaped danger.
The game, which was marked by the high intensity and quick transition of offense and defense, was similar to the first match. The battle between the two teams intensified in front of the goal. In the 19th minute of the first half, Tokyo broke through the right side and Tsumari TAKUMI had a chance to shoot from Azusa's cross, but the ball was blocked and turned into a counterattack. Ohashi, who had moved to the right side, crossed the ball to Shunki HIGASHI, but it went over the goal.
In the 39th minute of the first half, Erik advanced the ball from the back line and passed it to LORI who broke through the penalty area and crossed the ball, while in the 45+3 minute, midfielder Nakamura made a powerful shot with his right foot after a coordinated play. Although they were unable to score, they created a threatening opportunity towards Hiroshima's goal towards the end of the first half, and the game went into halftime.
2ndHALF - 17-year-old Diva scores a goal but consecutive goals against take their toll
Tokyo needed one goal at all costs to advance to the knockout stage in a comeback, but they conceded the opening goal at the start of the second half. In the 8th minute of the second half, a cross ball was sent in by Koshimichi from the right side, and although it was cleared once, the ball fell to Lori in front of Kato and was kicked in.
Two minutes later, they allowed an additional point. Kato player's cross from the left side was met by Ohashi player's powerful right-footed shot. The ball deflected off of Hatano Go player's hand and was sucked into the goal.
Tokyo, who suffered consecutive goals just like in the first match, substituted Riki HARAKAWA and Leon NOZAWA for Nakamura and Yasuzaki in the 17th minute of the second half in hopes of a comeback. They sent fresh players onto the pitch in an attempt to score a goal.
However, in the 23rd minute of the second half, we lost our third goal. Saltani player's last pass was sent through to Kato player behind the front line and was scored into the goal.
Tokyo, wanting to show some determination, made three substitutions in the 29th minute of the second half. Teppei OKA came on for Henrique TREVISAN, Keigo HIGASHI replaced Taira SHIGE, and Divine OTANI, who was making his top team debut as a registered player, came on for Nakagawa.
And in the 32nd minute of the second half, a young player who carried high expectations stepped onto the pitch and opened the goal.
Keigo HIGASHI passed the ball to the left side after sticking in the midfield, and Nozawa received it. He sent a cross ball between the opponent's goalkeeper and defender with his left foot. Oya jumped in from the far side and finally opened the goal with his head.
Afterwards, Tokyo showed a strong attacking attitude with young players showing their aggressiveness towards the goal, and player Harakawa had a chance to score, but they were unable to score. The total score for the two games was 2-5, and they were unable to advance to the prime round.
The Tokyo team will continue their consecutive games, and on June 12th (Wed), just 2 days later, they will compete in the 2nd round of the Emperor's Cup, followed by the resumption of the league 4 days later. In order to chase the remaining titles until the end, the team will once again approach the games with all their might from here on.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA (substituted in 62nd minute: Riki HARAKAWA)/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVISAN (substituted in 74th minute: Tetsuhei OKA)/Shuhei TOKUMOTO
MF Yuhi TAKAU/Kei KOIZUMI/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 74th minute: Divine OTANI)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in 74th minute: Keisuke HIGASHI)/Soma ANZAI (substituted in 62nd minute: Leon NOZAWA)
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Shuto NAGANO
MF Yui NAKANO
FW Rui ASADA
GOAL
32' OTANI Divine
<Sanfrecce Hiroshima>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Goro KAWANAMI
DF Shuto NAKANO/Hayato ARAKI (34th minute: Sota KOSHIMICHI)/Sho SASAKI
MF Naoto ARAI/Taishi MATSUMOTO/Tsukasa SHIOTANI (42nd minute: Takaaki SHICHI)/Toshiki HIGASHI
FW Mutsuki KATO (42nd minute: Makoto MITSUDA)/Yuki OHASHI (26th minute: Ezequiel)/Pieros SOTIRIOU (26th minute: DOUGLAS VIEIRA)
SUBS
GK Yudai TANAKA
MF Yoshifumi KASHIWA/Hiroya MATSUMOTO/Gakuto NOTSUDA
GOAL
8th minute of the second half: Mutsuki KATO/10th minute of the second half: Yuki OHASHI/23rd minute of the second half: Mutsuki KATO
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q: please review the game.
A: First, I would like to congratulate Sanfrecce Hiroshima on advancing through the playoff round. It was a good football battle, just like in the first match. Until we conceded the goal, not much happened. This was true in both matches, but we gave the opponent a gift, and they took control of the momentum there. To become a special club, we must eliminate such mistakes. Even in tough situations, I am proud that the players fought together with dedication until the very end. The team gave their all in the battle, and I am disappointed that we could not advance further in the cup. We still have a lot to learn. Many fans and supporters came all the way to Hiroshima. I am grateful to them. I am sorry that we could not bring smiles to their faces.
Q, Has the situation where many players are called up to the Japan national team in each age group and there are many injured players affected the team, even though the coach does not want to make excuses?
A, It is true that many Tokyo players have been selected amid the scheduling of international matches. However, I do not want to make excuses about that. There are situations where national team players and injured players are absent, but I believe this is where the full strength of our team is being tested. I think the players who showed the mentality to face such difficulties and to overcome them on their own, and who fought even in tough circumstances, are wonderful.
This week, it was a tough battle, but four academy players were on the bench and one of them was able to score a goal as a result of their hard work. I am proud of that play. And the top team players were able to connect well with the academy players and fight while passing on their experiences to them. We have been able to grow even in a difficult week and I feel that exciting players are emerging.
Q, also in 2 days, we will be competing in the Emperor's Cup. How will we make adjustments and switch gears for that?
A, we are currently feeling very frustrated and disappointed, but we want to channel that into the next match. Even so, I believe football never sleeps, and we will make sure to recover properly and prepare ourselves so that by next Wednesday we can still perform our duties well.
Q, Please evaluate Divine OTANI, the player who scored a goal and was registered for two types.
A, he is an exciting player with great potential. The club is working on allowing him to train alongside the top team players during sessions led by the top team's coaching staff while maintaining connections with the academy. He has potential and is showing very good growth. From the perspective of such growth, there are many other very exciting players as well. He has made a good impact, and what we have worked on together over these past few months has now yielded results. I believe he has also been able to provide energy and power to the academy.
[Player Interview]
＜Kei KOIZUMI＞
Q, please tell us about your feelings about the disappointing result.
A, we have to accept the reality that we lost one title. The differences with Sanfrecce Hiroshima may be small one by one, but I believe that slight difference becomes a big difference between winning or not winning the title.
Q: What is your impression when you look back on the game?
A, there was no need to rush as part of the game plan, and since we were able to go into halftime at 0-0, I thought it would be fine to try to score one goal in the second half and then another in extra time. However, if we concede goals consecutively like last time at that moment, it puts us in a difficult situation. I believe we need to improve on conceding goals and want to make sure we do not give the opponent any openings.
Q, how will you take this defeat?
A, to repeat myself, we must firmly accept the reality that we have easily lost one of the three titles. Also, with the Emperor's Cup coming up in two days, we need to accept this reality and truly fight desperately to win, or else we risk being caught off guard again. The same applies to the league matches, so I want us to stay grounded and proceed steadily.
Q, The Emperor's Cup will be held in 2 days.
A, I think everyone is feeling quite frustrated after losing one of the titles, so I hope we can properly regroup and give it our all again for the Emperor's Cup.
<Leon NOZAWA>
Q, I came on as a substitute. How was it playing in a difficult situation?
A, both as a team and as an individual, what needed to be done was clear. For me, I focused on being involved in scoring and running to switch the momentum in both offense and defense. I was able to provide one assist after coming on as a substitute, but I still feel it’s not enough. When I was given the opportunity to play in that situation, I believed what I could do would have a significant impact going forward. Since I came on when we needed goals, I had to be involved in scoring, and we had to turn the match around to catch up. In that regard, I painfully realized that my ability was still lacking.
Q: please review the assist scene.
A, When I received the ball, I was free and there was some distance from the opponent, so I thought about breaking through. However, since there was still some distance to the goal, and Divine OTANI was further ahead and our eyes met, I simply decided to deliver a cross ball, thinking that if it reached OTANI, it would lead to a goal. As a team rule, delivering a quick cross ball is also part of my role, so I played with confidence. I'm glad it led to a positive result.
Q, We could see a good sense of boldness from today's play.
A, I was able to play with more confidence than in the previous match. After that game, I reflected and organized my thoughts, communicated with various players, staff, and the coach, and also received words from the fans and supporters. Through that process, I believe the current me is the result of breaking things down and organizing them in my own way. I still feel there is a lot I need to improve. I am filled with regret toward the fans and supporters who came all the way to Hiroshima today. We must connect this result to the next, and since the next match is coming up soon, I want to prepare well and deliver a victory.
Q, I think Leon NOZAWA is able to attract many opportunities. How do you approach the next game?
A, I believe I am able to attract opportunities. Today, I was actually able to record an assist. However, as a striker, I want to contribute even more to this team, so for the sake of those who support me, I want to first leave visible numbers. I will continue to work positively and proactively to demonstrate my value and significance within the team.
<Divine OTANI>
Q: How did you approach today's game? And please tell us about the actual feeling of playing.
A, personally, since this season, I have been getting more playing time in FC Tokyo U-18 matches, and within that, I have had more opportunities to participate in the top team's training sessions. Last week, I was registered as a Type 2 player, and at first, the biggest feeling was surprise. Since I was allowed to accompany the team as a Type 2 registered player, I absolutely wanted to deliver results. Around the 20th minute of the second half, while warming up, I heard the call "Divine, let's go," and although I felt excited about being able to play, since we were losing, I entered the pitch determined to give my best performance. In the end, I’m glad I was able to leave a mark in the form of a goal.
Q, The first official goal of the top team was a header goal. Please review the scoring scene.
A, When the ball flowed to a deep position on the left side, I focused on utilizing my strength, which is sprinting, getting in front of the opposing defense at speed, and having the awareness to dive in—something I was always told to do in practice. So, I charged into the area in full momentum. A good cross came from Leon NOZAWA, and I’m happy that I was able to finish it properly.
Q, please tell us about any challenges you felt while playing on the official pitch and any areas where you were successful.
A, I felt that my sprinting was effective. Although it resulted in a foul, I was able to close down the ball holder with speed, and physically, it wasn’t a situation where I was completely outmatched. However, in terms of communication and the mentality required for matches, I need to become a player who can offer more positive encouragement to the team.
Q, with only 2 days until the Emperor's Cup, do you think today's goal will bring you closer to a chance to play?
A, I played for 20 minutes in today's match, but I want to increase my playing time from here and grow into a player who can start in the starting lineup. Speaking of last season, Ryunosuke SATO secured his promotion to the top team in August. Seeing him myself was a great inspiration, and I want to aim to become a player who can succeed in the top team.
