Match Review
The 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League will restart after the International Match Week. During this period, Tokyo lost to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the playoff round of the J.League YBC Levain Cup on aggregate score over two matches, and after a busy schedule, they faced Veertien Mie in the 2nd Round of the 104th Emperor's Cup All Japan Soccer Championship, achieving victory before resuming league matches.
In this match against Júbilo Iwata, Taishi Brandon NOZAWA, who returned from the U-23 Japan national team's tour in America, started in the lineup. The final line included Hotaka NAKAMURA as the right back, Masato MORISHIGE and Henrique TREVISAN as center backs, and Yuto NAGATOMO, who was selected for the Japan national team, as the left back. The midfield featured a combination of Takahiro KO and Kei KOIZUMI. Teruhito NAKAGAWA was placed as an attacking midfielder, with Soma ANZAI on the right, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA on the left, and Diego OLIVEIRA in the center as they kicked off. Additionally, on the bench were U-23 Japan national team members Kuki MATSUKI and Ryotaro ARAKI.
1stHALF - Heading into the second half with a one-point deficit despite taking control
Tokyo, who desperately wants to continue their winning streak against Tosu in order to chase the top, aggressively attacks from the beginning. They connect passes and build up while avoiding the opponent's press, and quickly retrieve the ball from high positions even when they lose it in the opponent's half. They continue to dominate and push forward.
In the 9th minute of the first half, Anzai scored a goal with his right foot from a free kick on the right side, and Nakagawa took a shot with his left foot from the loose ball in front of the goal. Although it missed to the left of the goal, they continued to create chances while dominating the game.
However, in the 21st minute of the first half, they were scored a goal from a set piece. From Iwata's right corner kick, Ricardo GRACA, who was raised in the Blue and Red Academy, allowed a perfect header from the right foot kick by Hirakawa, who ran in from behind. Iwata was able to score one chance and take the lead by one point.
Iwata, who took the lead, will have to shift their team's focus to the back. Tokyo will be forced to find a way to break down their defensively transitioning opponent.
In the 33rd minute of the first half, Tokyo, who were looking for attacking opportunities by passing the ball from the back, saw player Tawara Tsumita dribble on the left side and make a sharp cut-in with his right foot. However, player Yasuzaki's right foot shot from the far side missed the goal and the ball narrowly went outside the right post.
Tokyo struggled to attack while holding onto the ball. In the 41st minute of the first half, Lori player took a reverse shot from inside the penalty area after the opponent's right throw-in. This was saved by Grot player with a sharp reaction, and Nakamura player cleared it desperately to narrowly escape danger.
How will we break through Iwata's defensive wall, built to protect and defend? After two minutes of additional time, the challenge will carry over into the second half.
2ndHALF - First professional goal by Yasuzaki player, but frustrating draw
2 minutes into the second half, they create another chance from the left side. Player Insoo YU receives the ball along the touchline and moves it vertically, diagonally, and then towards the center before taking a right-footed shot. Unfortunately, it misses just to the right of the goal.
In the 10th minute of the second half, Diego TABA, who broke through on a through pass from Koizumi, dribbled past the opposing defender and took a controlled shot with his right foot, but it hit the right post and did not result in a goal.
Here, U-23 Japan national team players Matsuki and Araki were brought in. The two players were entrusted with creating a vertical relationship on the front line and breaking the situation.
After 26 minutes of struggling to find an attacking opportunity, a chance is created from the left side. Tawara Taketa, who received a vertical pass from Matsuki, dribbles past the defenders and sends a ground cross. The perfectly placed ball aims for the far side, where Araki makes a run, but is cleared by the opponent just before he can reach it.
After receiving the right corner kick, substitute player Riki HARAKAWA kicks it with his right foot. On the far side, Nakamura heads it back and Matsuki jumps to volley it. The shot is not controlled and the ball goes over the bar, but Tokyo continues to attack into the Iwata defense, chasing after a goal.
In the 33rd minute of the second half, Shuhei TOKUMOTO was substituted in as left back and Jája Silva as left wing. In order to further strengthen the attack, the substitution of players was made to revitalize the team, and TOKUMOTO made a great play.
36 minutes into the second half, a skillful cutback and cross from the left side. The ball was punched away by the opposing goalkeeper, but Takase managed to hit it directly and aim for the goal, only to narrowly miss to the right and unable to shake the net.
Tokyo, which has gradually given a sense of scoring, finally moves the game in the 38th minute of the second half.
When he got a chance for a free kick on the left side, the kicker was Tokumoto, who had created a chance just before. He put in a sharp ball with his strong left foot, and it was Anzai who jumped in here. He smashed a spirited header and returned the game to Tokyo with his first professional goal wearing the number 38.
In a sudden offensive surge, Tokyo, in the 43rd minute of the second half, saw player Anzai, who scored the equalizer, powerfully dribble up the right side. The opposing defender couldn't help but commit a foul. Although it was just outside the penalty area and did not result in a penalty kick, the stadium, energized for a comeback victory, supported a vigorous attack.
Tokyo's attack doesn't stop even during the additional 8 minutes of the second half, as shown. Jaja, who broke through the defense from Araki's through pass, takes a shot. Furthermore, Jael, who was supplied with a sharp left cross from Tokumoto during a corner kick, aims with his head.
After that, Tokyo continued to launch thick side attacks with Tokumoto's super long throw. In the end, they had a chance for a free kick on the left side, but Tokumoto's left kick was cleared by the opponent and the game ended. The early goal they conceded affected their attacking play and they struggled for a long time, eventually ending in a 1-1 draw after Anzai's goal equalized the score.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Masato MORISHIGE/Henrique TREVIZAN/Yuto NAGATOMO (33rd minute: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)
MF Kazuhiro TAKAU/Kei KOIZUMI (22nd minute: Riki HARAKAWA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (11th minute: Ryotaro ARAKI)
FW Diego OLIVEIRA (11th minute: Kuryu MATSUKI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (33rd minute: Jaja SILVA)/Soma ANZAI
SUBS
GK Tsuyoshi KODAMA
DF Teppei OKA
GOAL
39' Second Half: Soma ANZAI
<Júbilo Iwata>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Eiji KAWASHIMA
DF Mutsuki MATSUBARA/Kaito SUZUKI/Ricardo GRASSA
MF Rikiya UEHARA (substituted in 45+3 minutes: Shun NAKAMURA)/Hiroki YAMADA (substituted in 15 minutes: Ryo GERMAIN)/Masaya MATSUMOTO (substituted in 15 minutes: Shota KANEKO)/Leo GOMES/Rei HIRAKAWA (substituted in 45+3 minutes: Bruno JOSE)/Hiroto UEMURA (substituted in 45+10 minutes: Shunsuke NISHIKUBO)
FW Matheus PEIXOTO
SUBS
GK Yuya TSUBOI
DF Riku MORIOKA
GOAL
21st minute of the first half: Ricardo GRACA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q, please give us an overall review of today's match.
A, I am disappointed that we couldn't win. I think the first half was not our best. We lacked the tempo to move the ball, the dynamic forward movements, and the runs out front. In that situation, we allowed the opponent to take the lead, making it 0-1, and the match became one where pressure was on us. We discussed this at halftime, and from the start to the end of the second half, we were able to play our game, become more aggressive, and create good opportunities that could have led to victory. Júbilo Iwata fought compactly and had a solid defense that was difficult to break down, but even so, we showed that we deserved to win, and I believe this was a match where we lost 2 points.
Q, What was the intention behind the timing of the substitution?
A, I believed that the players who came on at the start of the second half could turn the game around, so I sent them out. I intended to further switch things up with the substitutes, and they fulfilled that role. I think we were able to fight while gaining control of the flow from the start of the second half. There was a shot by Kota TAWARATSUMIDA that just grazed the post early in the second half, and Diego OLIVEIRA also produced a magical play that hit the post. We were able to create momentum and chances, and we kept applying pressure on the opponent’s goal until the end of the match.
However, I think we need to fight more tenaciously so that we don't give the lead. It was a difficult game for the players because we were behind. The players fought hard and managed to equalize 1-1, but we had chances to score one more goal than the opponent today. Once again, it's a shame that we couldn't win, but I feel like it was a game where we could have taken 3 points.
Q, I think Hotaka NAKAMURA's ability to withstand the pinch at the end of the first half contributed to today's victory.
A, He did well in the moments when he had to respond desperately. We also created chances and had scenes where we approached the goal, but Iwata also created such situations several times. As a team, we will improve further, and we must respond to that while playing our own football. I think today's match was one we could have won. Since we created more chances, I am frustrated that we could not secure the victory.
[Player Interview]
Soma ANZAI
Q: please review the game.
A, in the first half, we focused on maintaining possession of the ball, but I think we could have been bolder as a team. Including set-piece defense, I believe that conceding the goal to make it 0-1 there made the game more difficult for us, so I think the team needs to be more particular about how we start the first half.
Q, please look back on the scoring scene.
A, I have been playing since the season opener, and although there were times when I couldn't play, recently I have been consistently selected. As a forward, not having scored a single goal was something I thought about deeply. Although it was from a set play, I was able to score a goal. While it is by no means something I am fully satisfied with, it did ease my mind and feel like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Next, I want to score goals that lead to victories and show results.
Q, What are the areas for improvement in today's match?
A, it's about the tempo of the attack. Right now, we tend to keep moving the ball slowly and then make a move, so the team needs to create moments where we move the ball slowly and also moments to switch up the attack. I think Kota TAWARATSUMIDA and I can be the triggers for that switch, so it would be good if the team could develop better ways to activate that switch.
<Shuhei TOKUMOTO>
Q, it was a 30-minute appearance including additional time.
A, I was thinking about at least catching up and doing what I could. Within that, it was good that the team was able to score.
Q, I think you were asked to bring an accent to the attack. How were you trying to overcome the opponent who was pulling back?
A, I was trying to make sure that Jája Silva could play comfortably. I think I was seen as a player who doesn't take the initiative, so I consciously tried to be more proactive.
Q, How did you see the attack from the bench during the first half, which seemed to be stagnant?
A, we were calmly circulating passes where needed, so I was watching thinking that one or two creative moves in front of the goal were necessary. I believed set pieces would become opportunities, and in the end, it was good that a set piece led to a goal.
Q, having the number of assists attached, I think it will lead to the next step. Please tell us your enthusiasm for the future.
A, I believe this has increased the trust and confidence from the team, so I want to take set pieces with confidence. The match against Shonan Bellmare will be the last game of the first half of the season, so finishing well will lead into the second half. For that reason, since we have had consecutive matches, first we will all take a proper rest, and then I want to work hard starting with practice at the Kodaira Ground.
<Kuryu MATSUKI>
Q, please review the game.
A, since I came on as a substitute while we were losing, I entered the pitch with the intention of making plays that would lead to an equalizer or a comeback. Personally, I was also aiming to score, so I am frustrated that I couldn't finish. Soma ANZAI's goal brought us back to a tie, and the team gained momentum toward the end of the match. Among that, although there were chances that could have led to a winning goal, the team’s inability to capitalize on them is a challenge we need to address going forward.
Q, immediately after joining the team activities from the U-23 Japan national team's trip to America, I played in the match.
A, my condition was absolutely fine. I was unable to play in the second international friendly match against the United States, so I was determined to give my all in today's match as well as in the J1 League matches. From here on, including the league matches, I want to become a player who can consistently deliver results for the team.
Q, the next match will be an away game against Shonan Bellmare.
A, regarding today's match, I believe that the style of play we showed in the first half is absolutely something the team must avoid if we aim to be among the top. I want to show a game focused on scoring, with fluid play like in the second half, where everyone takes action. Personally, I want to be mindful of playing aggressively and also focus on the numbers in goals and assists.
