Match Review
Welcoming the debut match of "Rikizo Tokyo" at their home Ajinomoto Stadium.
On this day, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI sent out the same 11 players to start on the pitch as in the opening match. The substitute members saw 2 players change from the previous match. Kento HASHIMOTO and Yasuki KIMOTO, who returned after 4 and a half seasons, were newly added to the roster.
1st HALF - The mirror game remains scoreless
The match, where both teams adopted the same system, took on the appearance of a mirror game from the early stages, showcasing intense localized battles.
Among them, it was Tokyo that created the first scoring opportunity. In the 10th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA took a corner kick, and Masato MORISHIGE headed the ball. It hit the crossbar, and although Kei KOIZUMI pushed in the rebound, the shot could not find the target.
On the other hand, just before the end of the first half, they were caught off guard on the right side, but goalkeeper Taishi Brandon NOZAWA made a crucial block, and the match went into halftime at 0-0.
2nd HALF - The goal is far away, missing out on the opening two consecutive wins
As the second half began, the match gradually reached a stalemate. In an attempt to break this deadlock, the Tokyo side made the first move. In the 19th minute of the second half, Sato Eiin and Soma ANZAI were brought in to replace Marcelo RYAN and Kosuke SHIRAI. Furthermore, in the 28th minute of the second half, Kanta DOI was replaced by Kimoto.
Even so, neither side gives in, and the time passes as they compete for the initiative.
Then, in the 37th minute of the second half, when Tokyo was preparing to use their last substitution, the match changed. After being broken through on the right side, a low cross was pushed in by Nishimura, allowing the first goal to be conceded.
Before the match resumes, Ewerton GAUDINO and Hashimoto will be substituted for Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Koizumi. After that, the blue-red number 18, who returned to Ajinomoto Stadium, will organize the play, but the goal remains elusive until the end, and as Ewerton's mid-range shot is caught by the opposing goalkeeper, a long whistle is blown. They lost to Machida, whom they couldn't defeat in both matches last season, and were unable to achieve two consecutive wins to start the season.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yuto NAGATOMO/Teppei OKA/Kanta DOI (substituted in 28th minute: Yasuki KIMOTO)
MF Yu HIGHTOWER/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA/Kei KOIZUMI (substituted in 37th minute: Kento HASHIMOTO)/Kosuke SHIRAI (substituted in 19th minute: Soma ANZAI)
FW Marcelo HIAN (substituted in 19th minute: Eiin SATO)/Teruto NAKAGAWA (substituted in 37th minute: Ewerton GAUDINO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Henrique Trevisan
FW Keita YAMASHITA/Leon NOZAWA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
―
<FC Machida Zelvia>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Kosei TANI
DF Mochizuki Henry Kaito/Daihachi OKAMURA/Gen SHOJI/Nakayama Yuta
MF Dreshievich/Ryohei SHIRASAKI (substituted in 30 minutes: Hokuto SHIMODA)/Hiroyuki MAE
FW Takuma NISHIMURA (substituted in 41 minutes: Kanji KUWAYAMA)/Yuki SOUMA (substituted in 30 minutes: Na SANGHO)/Se Hun OH (substituted in 6 minutes: Shota FUJIO)
SUBS
GK Tatsuya MORITA
DF Kotaro HAYASHI
MF Vasquez Byron/Keiya SENTO
FW Mitchell Duke
MANAGER
Go KURODA
GOAL
37th minute of the second half: Takuma NISHIMURA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: please review the game.
A: As a result, it was a very disappointing game. However, it was also a game where we saw various trials and errors, and I think the team showed a stronger spirit of challenge compared to the previous match. It’s not just about connecting to the next game, but rather, we absolutely must connect to the next one.
Q: I felt that there were various improvements in the way you built up the play compared to the last match. What did you focus on the most?
A: During the preparation period, we emphasized our attacking play and worked on that. I believe that if this leads to winning games, it will be worthwhile, but I think one of the very commendable aspects is that we really tried hard in that area.
Q, you can carry the ball to a certain extent, but I think the coach feels that he wants to add another touch to go further beyond that.
A: I think it is a difficult part to play while skillfully moving within the opponent’s system, such as how much pressure to apply centrally towards the goal while leaving the sides less covered, or conversely, how to strengthen the sides while thinning out the center. The objective is not just to break down their defense, but ultimately to score goals, so taking shots must be an option first. I also think it is important to enter that area, so in that sense, we were unable to create enough depth and it felt a bit monotonous.
I think the reason it became monotonous was because we failed to properly connect the ball during loose ball situations and easily gave it away to the opponent, causing the direction to change and increasing the cases where we were pushed back into our own half. We were pushed back even to places where it wasn’t necessary to retreat immediately after losing the ball. And when we try to push forward again from there, physical fatigue becomes an issue. The longer the time passes, the harder it became to maintain that depth.
Q: In the scene of the conceded goal, there were plays that were not clearly cleared as I just mentioned, and we were caught off guard in an instant.
A: Indeed, matches are decided in an instant. Since it was just around the substitution timing, I didn’t see everything and will check it later, but I believe this is definitely an area where we need to be more thorough. The players are not completely unaware of this mindset, so I want to firmly demand how well they can demonstrate that precision.
[Player Interview]
Takahiro KO
Q: It seemed that the team's way of fighting was more organized compared to the last match.
A: First of all, the entire team was aware of the movement to break through the line by peeling off the opponent when they came, so I think that was better than last time. However, there are still some weak points, and today there were noticeable mistakes in casual passes and ball control, both personally and across the whole team, so I want to work on improving those areas.
Q: The balance between offense and defense with Kei KOIZUMI was good, and I think the wing-back positioning was also quite well organized.
A: With Koizumi, when one of us moved forward, the other would cover that position. Our job is to supply passes to the forwards from a good distance, so we want to be more particular about that. How well we can play facing forward also depends on individual quality, so I want to improve on that. As we continue playing, we will think about where to challenge as wing-backs and proceed accordingly.
Q: The next match will be against Nagoya Grampus in midweek, three days from now. What areas would you like to improve upon for this match?
A, since it's a series of consecutive matches, first I want to properly get my condition in order and prepare so that anyone who plays will be ready. There were many moments when we could endure defensively to some extent, and there were also times when things clicked. Above all, everyone wants to be conscious of entering dangerous areas to score goals. Although the time is short, I hope we can prepare thoroughly.
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q: How was Ajinomoto Stadium after four and a half seasons?
A, it was exhilarating. The moment I entered Ajinomoto Stadium was more moving than I had imagined, and when I went to greet the fans and supporters during warm-up, they called my name and sang chants, which really warmed my heart..
Q: Compared to the opening match, we were able to circulate the ball to some extent. I think the next challenge is how to break down the opponent in the attacking third.
A, since there was only one shot on target, we definitely need to take more shots to score, and we must create more shooting opportunities, including from mid-range.
Q: What kind of role do you want to play as an individual within that?
A, I think the coach expects me to get into advanced positions as much as possible. Also, to pick up second balls and launch secondary attacks. I believe chances can be created from there, so I see that as my role.
Q, it's a match against Nagoya Grampus in 3 days.
A: We need to improve our condition more quickly, so this applies not only during practice but also to how well we can perform when we are on the field. I want to be conscious of that and work on it.
