Match Review
Tokyo has entered the away ground. With 2 wins and 1 loss so far, they want to secure a solid victory here to gain momentum for a strong start.
Tokyo made 7 changes to the starting eleven from the previous match. Yasuki KIMOTO is named in the starting lineup for the first time this season as a center-back, and Kento HASHIMOTO has made his first start since returning. Additionally, attention is focused on whether Maki KITAHARA, who was on the bench again following the last match, can break the record for the youngest appearance in the J1 League.
On the other hand, during the pre-match player introduction, there was a big round of applause from the blue and red supporters for Ryotaro ARAKI of Kashima Antlers, who fought together last season.
1stHALF—Repeatedly creating chances from counterattacks but failing to finish
In the 2nd minute of the first half, Tokyo immediately created a chance. From a vertical pass by Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, Marcelo RYAN broke free and ran alone. Although this was blocked just before the finish, it showed the threat of the counterattack that scored 3 goals in the previous match.
Tokyo is trying to launch an attack while connecting the ball with simple decisions. Although they are struggling to create shooting opportunities, in the 17th minute of the first half, player Tawaramizuki received the ball on the left side and took a right-footed shot after cutting in towards the center, finding a good opportunity from a quick counterattack after drawing the opponent into their own territory.
In the 25th minute of the first half, starting from a throw-in on the right side, Marcelo RYAN's flick allowed Tawaratsukita to break free, and Yuto NAGATOMO, who ran in from the far side, took a powerful shot. This was blocked by a defender who desperately returned.
As the diagonal passes became effective, in the 35th minute of the first half, from another large development to the left side, the ball was connected to the center, where Teruhito NAKAGAWA received the ball near the penalty arc and executed a one-two with Takuya Tawara before taking a left-footed shot. He broke through the vital area and created a scoring opportunity, but unfortunately, it grazed the crossbar and went over the goal, failing to shake the net.
The first half ended scoreless. There were moments when it looked dangerous due to disorganization in the build-up, but the focused defense during the defensive phase prevented any goals. It was an impressive 45 minutes showcasing the individual efforts of the players.
2nd HALF—Missed Several Great Chances, Failing to Extend League Winning Streak
Tokyo entered the second half without any substitutions. Even here, they created chances early on. DF Teppei OKA fed the ball forward from the back line. Takuya TAWARATSUKITA received it with a skillful trap, cut in from the left side, and struck with his right foot, but this was blocked by the opponent.
From the start, Tokyo attacks the opponent's territory in their familiar style.
In the 5th minute of the second half, there was a big chance. After connecting the ball and pushing the opponent back, Hashimoto passed it to the right. From there, Anzai broke through vertically and delivered a cross, and in the center, Marcelo RYAN made a perfect header. Unfortunately, it hit the left post, and they were unable to score the opening goal once again.
In the 9th minute of the second half, Kimoto cut the ball in midfield, and Nakagawa initiated a counterattack. He deceived the opposing players with feints and brought the ball close to the penalty area, taking a right-footed shot, but it went over the goal. Furthermore, in the 11th minute of the second half, Marcelo RYAN applied intense pressure on the opponent's buildup, forcing a mistake from the opposing goalkeeper, and Tawaratsukita aimed for the empty goal with a one-touch shot from the left side, but it narrowly missed to the right, wasting a great opportunity.
Tokyo pushes forward with organizational strength and breaks through with individual skill. In the 18th minute of the second half, player Tawara Tsukita broke free from the opponent's mark and powerfully dribbled down the left side. Marcelo RYAN in the center aimed with his right foot at this cross, but unfortunately, it went straight to the goalkeeper.
In the 67th minute of the second half, a middle shot was taken from the opponent's corner kick flow, but Taishi Brandon NOZAWA stretched out his right arm and desperately saved it despite being caught off guard. Furthermore, it seemed that a header from the opponent's corner kick had pushed the ball in, but with the support of VAR, it was ruled offside, allowing them to escape danger.
As the momentum builds for Kashima, they continue to press, and in the 27th minute of the second half, a foul in the penalty area results in a penalty kick, which Suzuki converts, allowing them to take the lead.
Tokyo found themselves trailing by one goal despite creating many chances from the start. At this point, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI made a move. In the 38th minute of the second half, he brought on players Kitahara and Leon NOZAWA. The 15-year-old and 7-month-old young warrior became the youngest player to appear in the J1 League, while the player wearing number 28, who had been on the bench for every match this season, was entrusted with turning the tide.
Substituted for Takahiro KO, Kitahara's first touch came in the 43rd minute of the second half. He deceived the opponent with a feint on a horizontal pass from the left, turned to face forward, and then carried the ball up to deliver a through pass. Although it got caught in the opponent's defense, he showcased a play that immediately hinted at great potential.
Tokyo wanted to launch a quick counterattack, but just after entering the second half's additional time, in the 90+1 minute, they conceded a frustrating second goal from a set piece.
The game created many chances by mixing build-up play and quick counterattacks, and it felt like a new style was taking shape, but we lacked decisiveness and suffered a frustrating defeat away. This brings our league record this season to 2 wins and 2 losses, resulting in an even performance.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Yuto NAGATOMO (substituted in 38th minute: Leon NOZAWA)/Teppei OKA
MF Soma ANZAI/Hiroshi TAKAU (substituted in 38th minute: Maki KITAHARA)/Kento HASHIMOTO (substituted in 18th minute: Kei KOIZUMI)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
FW Marcelo HIAN (substituted in 24th minute: Keita YAMASHITA)/Teruhito NAKAGAWA (substituted in 24th minute: Eiin SATO)
SUBS
GK Go HATANO
DF Kanta DOI/Henrique TREVISAN/Kosuke SHIRAI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
–
<Kashima Antlers>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Tomoki HAYAKAWA
DF Kimino Kimito (45+6 minutes of the second half: Kim Tae-hyun)/Naomichi UEDA/Ikuma SEKIGAWA/Koki ANZAI
MF Yuta HIGUCHI/Yu Funahashi (13th minute of the second half: Homare Tokuda)/Ryuta KOIKE/Yuta MATSUMURA (1st minute of the second half: Shu MOROOKA)
FW Leo Ceara (13th minute of the second half: Kei Chinen)/Yuma SUZUKI (34th minute of the second half: Chavrich)
SUBS
GK Yuji KAJIKAWA
DF Keisuke TSUKUI
MF Gaku SHIBASAKI/Ryotaro ARAKI
MANAGER
Toru ONIKI
GOAL
29th minute of the second half: Yuma SUZUKI
Second half 45+1 minutes: Shu MOROOKA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: please review the game.
A, it was a very frustrating game. In the first half, both teams lacked the finishing touch, and although there were several decisive chances, we couldn't convert them. At the start of the second half, we were controlling the game. I wish we could have scored at least one of the critical chances we had, but in the end, it was Kashima Antlers' game as they broke that flow and scored. I am very frustrated.
Q: Maki KITAHARA made his youngest-ever J1 League debut.
A, I think there were several plays where you could feel his strengths, such as his excellent judgment at the last moment, passes that target the opponent's weak spots, and his perceptive vision. Although there were some challenges, I hope he can build confidence from this experience going forward.
Q: What kind of instructions did you give?
A: I told him to get involved with the ball more and to aim for passes that penetrate the areas the opponent dislikes. Compared to how he usually plays, I think he was also nervous.
Q: In a situation where you were behind, what was the intention behind choosing Kitahara instead of other players at that time?
A: We selected the members with that situation in mind. Regardless of whether we were behind or leading, I saw him as a piece to help us score goals, so I decided to use him.
[Player Interview]
＜Kento HASHIMOTO＞
Q: I think you were able to make your presence felt during the time you were on the field.
A, there were scenes where I was able to show my strengths, but there are still many areas that need improvement.
I believe there is still a lot to work on in terms of positioning to provide passing options for teammates during build-up play, positioning to smoothly deliver the ball to the front line, and coordination and movement with those around me. I want to improve even more.
Q: With Kento HASHIMOTO entering the midfield, there were many scenes where the ball moved smoothly.
A: I think it is far from enough. We have not yet fully expressed the style of soccer that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI demands. However, in the first half today, the team was able to create several good attacking opportunities. First, I want to increase the number of attacks. Creating plays that lead to attacks is also my personal strength, so I want to be involved with the ball more often going forward.
Q, it seemed that not only holding the ball, but also at times executing quick vertical attacks, was well balanced.
A, I think that is one of our strengths. Sometimes we launch quick vertical attacks, and other times we control the ball to take command of the game. By skillfully switching between these approaches, I believe we become a real threat to our opponents.
<Maki KITAHARA>
Q: You made your J-League debut, please share your thoughts.
A, I received words from my seniors like, "Enjoy yourself" and "Play your usual game," which helped ease my nerves a bit. Although I wasn't able to show all of my abilities, my honest feeling is that I genuinely enjoyed it the most.
Q, you have set the record for the youngest player in history, how do you feel about that?
A, I didn't really focus on the record itself, but being told by my seniors and friends, I feel honored. However, I don't think I should be satisfied with this, and I want to keep working hard from here on.
Q: You entered the match in a situation where you were behind. What was your mindset going into the game?
A: I think I was brought on with the role of changing the flow of the game, but I also feel that I could have shown more of my strengths. In the end, the team conceded another goal after I came on, so I feel that I still fell short.
Q: What kind of play did you want to showcase?
A, playing in a way that catches the opponent off guard is my strength, so I want to showcase that more. Also, since the team was in a losing position, it would have been better if I had been able to contribute to scoring.
Q: You have taken the stage as a professional, but what kind of career do you want to pursue from here?
A: I was only able to play for a short time today, so I have the desire to play longer, and I also want to start in the starting lineup. I was able to make my J.League debut today, but I won’t be satisfied with this and want to aim even higher.
