Match Review
In the busy schedule of league matches, the 3rd Round of the Emperor's Cup was played at Fukuda Denshi Arena against JEF United Chiba, which belongs to the J2 League.
The starting members were all changed except for center back Teppei OKA, who played in the league match against Kashiwa Reysol. Go HATANO guarded the goal, Hotaka NAKAMURA was the right side back, Yuto NAGATOMO was the left side back, and Masato MORISHIGE served as the other center back. In midfield, Riki HARAKAWA and Keigo HIGASHI formed a double pivot, with Kuryu MATSUKI positioned as the attacking midfielder. Up front, Ryotaro ARAKI was at the top, with Keita ENDO on the right wing and Jaja SILVA on the left wing.
1st HALF - A back-and-forth battle of creating chances
It was a long 45 minutes in the first half, with Chiba setting the pace.
Tokyo showed a strong start, taking control of the ball, but gradually struggled against Chiba's pressing and gave up the lead. In the 10th minute of the first half, they suffered a counterattack from a pass mistake in the enemy's territory, leading to a decisive chance. When a cross was sent in from the right side and Dudu was about to score with a header on the far side, Hotaka NAKAMURA, who had desperately returned, threw his body to block it.
Tokyo finally approaches the goal in the 22nd minute of the first half. Pressing from the front line, Jean player expands the ball that Jaja player took to the right side. Endo player swings his right foot from a calm trap, but it is also blocked by the defender.
After that, the game was a back and forth battle. In the 39th minute of the first half, there was a miscommunication in their own half and Lins was able to take a shot, but it was saved by Go HATANO. Then, in the 43rd minute of the first half, they created their biggest chance. Starting with a long pass from Harakawa, they broke through the left side and connected with Endo and Nagatomo, and finally Harakawa took a strong shot with his right foot in the box. The shot was on target, but it was also saved by the goalkeeper, and the score remained unchanged as the game reached halftime.
2ndHALF - Matsumaki's brilliant goal leads to a tie and goes into extra time
Tokyo started the second half with a sharp start and threatened the goal. In the 4th minute of the second half, they scored the first goal in a brilliant fashion.
Jean, who received a vertical pass from Okamoto, turned forward and made a through pass. Matsuki, who received the ball between defenders, made a brilliant turn using the sole of his foot and broke through, calmly slotting the ball into the goal.
Tokyo, who completely grasped the rhythm with this one point, further attacks to take the second goal to decide the match. However, in the 14th minute of the second half, Endo was unable to shoot on target, and in the 26th minute of the second half, substitute player Leon NOZAWA broke through the right side and took a shot, but it flew straight to the goalkeeper and they were unable to score an additional point.
In the 28th minute of the second half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA made a cross and Matsuki took a left-footed shot, but it went outside of the goal.
As a result, Chiba gradually regained their breath and created a scoring opportunity in the 29th minute of the second half. Hidaka player's shot, after breaking through on Takahashi player's feed, hit the post and escaped danger, but in the 34th minute of the second half, Hayashi player scored with his right foot, bringing the score back to a tie.
5 minutes of additional time, Tokyo extended the time to push for a winning goal, but in the end, they were unable to score a second goal and the game went into extra time with a score of 1-1.
EXTRA TIME—Defended against the early goal...
Tokyo, who aimed for a comeback, conceded a goal within the first minute of the match. They were pushed back on the right side and although player Sho SASAKI's shot was saved by player Go HATANO, the ball fell to player Wataru KUREYA who kicked it in, leading to a turnaround and the start of extra time.
The bench quickly moves. Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Shuhei TOKUMOTO are brought in to aim for an equalizer and reset the game. However, time passes without being able to regain the rhythm. In the 15th minute of extra time, Harukawa takes a direct free kick from the right side, but the ball falls short and misses the goal.
Tokyo, who must catch up at all costs in the remaining 15 minutes, will bring in player Yasuki Kimoto in the 6th minute of extra time and push tall player Oka to the front line for a power play.
In the 9th minute of extra time, a header shot was taken from a counter attack in front of the goal, but Go HATANO made a fine save to protect the goal. However, the overall situation became sluggish and they were unable to create attacking opportunities, and time passed by quickly. In the end, they were unable to catch up and the Emperor's Cup battle ended with a reversal after taking the lead.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Hotaka NAKAMURA/Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO (6 minutes into extra time: Shuhei TOKUMOTO)/Teppei OKA
MF Kuu Matsuki/Keigo HIGASHI (23 minutes into the second half: Kei KOIZUMI)/Chikara HARAGAWA (6 minutes into extra time: Yasuki KIMOTO)
FW Keita ENDO (23 minutes into the second half: Leon NOZAWA)/Jaja Silva (23 minutes into the second half: Kota TAWARATSUMIDA)/Ryotaro ARAKI (6 minutes into extra time: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
GOAL
4 minutes into the second half: Kuryu MATSUKI
<JEF United Chiba>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Ryota SUZUKI
DF Issei TAKAHASHI/Masuda Riku/Mendes/Hidaka Dai (37th minute of the second half: Shogo SASAKI)
MF Kobayashi Yusuke/Koya KAZAMA (18th minute of the second half: Toshiyuki TAKAGI)/Akiyuki YOKOYAMA (0 minutes of extra time: Taishi TAGUCHI)
FW Hayashi Seido (37th minute of the second half: Hiroto GOYA)/Taichi SAKUMA (8th minute of the first half: Kazuki TANAKA)/Dudu (18th minute of the second half: Hiiro KOMORI)
SUBS
GK Toru TAKAGIWA
GOAL
34' Second Half: Masamichi HAYASHI / 1' First Half Extra Time: Hiroto GOYA
[Interview with Peter CKLAMOVSKI, Manager]
Q, please review the game.
A, I am deeply saddened by the disappointing result. We approached the match with a strong desire to win, so it is very regrettable that we could not secure the victory. We want to bounce back from here. I would like to congratulate JEF United Chiba. It was truly a tough match. I feel it turned into a very challenging battle.
Q, entering extra time, there were times when the ball couldn't be controlled or it was difficult to move forward while retrieving the ball. What do you think was the cause?
A, I think it became that kind of period because the opposing team responded well to the second balls. Even so, the players gave their all and fought hard. It is very frustrating, but how we respond from here, and since we have time before the next match, we want to unite as a team and prepare thoroughly.
[Player Interview]
＜Player Tokyokeigo＞
Q: please review the game.
A, I think we disrupted our own game. When we were leading 1-0, we needed to stay calm instead of panicking, and take advantage of the opponent pushing forward to score by launching counterattacks.
Q, it was my first appearance in a while. What were you conscious of when you entered the game?
A, I thought it was my role to control the game well. There were times when I was able to do it and times when I wasn’t, but after scoring, I should have managed the game more calmly. There were also other chances to score, so I wanted to make sure to convert them properly.
Q, in the first half, the team was unable to ride the momentum.
A, our defensive approach was not clearly defined, so I think switching to a more man-to-man style from the start of the second half worked well. While it would have been better if we had done this from the first half, balance is also important, and we need to consider it over the full 90 minutes. Since we were able to score in good form in the second half, we must improve how we manage the game thereafter.
<Keita ENDO player>
Q, it was my first start in a while. What were you thinking about when you entered the game?
A, the Albirex Niigata match is just three days away, and I thought the result of this game would also connect to the Niigata match. Since it’s a single-elimination tournament, we all talked about making sure to play properly from the start. Personally, I wasn’t able to show my best in important moments during the first half. If you can’t finish in scenes where you really have to, I think it will affect the team’s results as well. We can no longer say things like "to get used to it" or "trial run," and I believe everyone, including myself, must take responsibility for the results.
Q, I felt like there was momentum in the second half.
A, we stopped pressing the center backs and putting pressure on the fullbacks. As a result, I think things started to flow better. Ideally, we should have made this adjustment during the first half. On a personal note, I regret that I failed to finish the chances I had in my area.
Q: Please share your enthusiasm for the next game.
A, I think not only ourselves but also the fans and supporters are disappointed with today’s result. Even so, the next match will come, and for the sake of those who cheer for us there, we must play aiming for victory. Of course, we can’t feel good right now, but we want to turn our focus toward the next game.
