Match Review
This season's J.League YBC Levain Cup opening match was held at Rohto Field Nara, facing Nara Club from the J3 League. The starting lineup saw nine changes from the match against Avispa Fukuoka on the 15th. Goalkeeper Go HATANO and forward Koki TSUKAGAWA made their official match debuts this season. The final line also featured Seiji KIMURA, who stepped onto the pitch for the first time since returning to Tokyo, showcasing a fresh lineup.
The players entered to the chant 'Take the Cup!' as the cup competition began, vying for the top spot among all 60 clubs in the J-League.
1st HALF - Searching for attacking options from the left side but unable to convert it into a chance
The match sees Tokyo create the first scoring opportunity. In the 5th minute of the first half, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA breaks through on the left side and delivers a low cross. Soma ANZAI attempts to connect with it using his left foot, but the ball is blocked right in front of the opposing goalkeeper.
Nara maintains a high line with a compact formation, connecting the ball firmly. Tokyo attempts to break through with Keigo HIGASHI, who has moved into the defensive midfield, but cannot break through Nara's defense, which is solid in the center with aggressive pressing and quick recoveries.
While searching for attacking options mainly on the left side, dangerous situations also arose from the opponent's counterattacks, resulting in a back-and-forth battle. The match went into halftime scoreless.
2nd HALF - Anzai calmly converts a penalty kick to win the fierce battle.
After a first half where they were unable to play the soccer they wanted, Leon NOZAWA was brought on at the start of the second half, replacing Kimura. As coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI mentioned before the match, "It is necessary to make bolder and clearer changes," the system was switched to a four-back formation for the first time this season in an attempt to break the deadlock.
Whether this was effective or not, they created chances centered around Nozawa's runs behind the right-side attacker, getting closer to the goal.
However, Nara's aggressive soccer remained unchanged, and from the 10th minute of the second half, they were pushed back into their own territory. They struggled against the opponent who attacked by committing more players to the ball side, creating dangerous situations multiple times, but the Tokyo defense also maintained focused defense and did not allow any goals.
Once again, the bench makes a move here. In the 20th minute of the second half, Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA and Maki KITAHARA are brought in to replace Tsumura Tsukita and Higashi.
15-year-old player Kitahara, who played as a defensive midfielder, added variation to the attack with low trajectory switches and large developments, while player Kobayashi activated the pitch with his presence in build-up play, proactive pressing, and runs into the box. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Go HATANO made a save from a close-range shot, trying to shift the momentum with focused play on both offense and defense.
In the 34th minute of the second half, Kei KOIZUMI was replaced by Kouta TOKIWAKI on the pitch. Then, in the 40th minute, as the final substitution, Teppei OKA was sent in to replace Taira SHIGE.
Just when it seemed like we were heading into extra time during the second half's added time, Tokyo's determination, which absolutely cannot afford to lose, finally changes the course of the match.
In the 45+3 minutes of the second half, Sato received the ball in the penalty area and was fouled from behind, earning a crucial penalty kick at the last moment. The player who took the ball was Anzai. The number 7, who had been entrusted with the captain's armband by Koizumi, powerfully kicked the ball with his right foot, successfully scoring a priceless opening goal for Tokyo just before the end of the match.
After that, while continuing to press, we had a decisive chance, and Nozawa's kick hit the right post, leading to a counterattack from Nara. However, the opponent's shot went over the bar, allowing us to escape danger, and the time was up.
With a victory that felt like walking on thin ice, Tokyo secured a ticket to the 2nd Round of the 1st Round.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Yasuki KIMOTO/Soma ANZAI/Henrique Trevisan/Seiji KIMURA (substituted in at 0 minutes: Leon NOZAWA)
MF Keigo HIGASHI (substituted in at 20 minutes: Maki KITAHARA)/Koki TSUKAGAWA (substituted in at 40 minutes: Tetsuhira OKA)/Kei KOIZUMI (substituted in at 34 minutes: Kota TOKIWAKO)/Kosuke SHIRAI
FW Keiun SATO/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (substituted in at 20 minutes: Go KOBAYASHI)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Kanta DOI
MF Hisatoshi NISHIDO
FW Ewerton GAUDINO
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
45+5 minutes into the second half: Soma ANZAI
<Nara Club>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Shinji OKADA
DF Daisei SUZUKI/Kisho IKOMA/Daisho SATO (45+7 minutes into the second half: Rin MORITA)/Yuta TSUNAMI (24 minutes into the second half: Nagi KAWATANI)
MF Yuki OKADA/Kensei NAKASHIMA (38 minutes into the second half: Yuto KUNIKU)/Hayato HORIUCHI/Riku KAMIGAKI/Ryosuke TAMURA (38 minutes into the second half: Yuto KUNIKU)
FW Tatsuma SAKAI (24 minutes into the second half: Shota TAMURA)
SUBS
GK Marc Vito
DF Yudai YAMAMOTO
MF Sotaro YAMAMOTO
FW Manto Momota
MANAGER
Ichizo NAKATA
GOAL
–
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, Please provide an overview of today.
A, I am very relieved that we were able to achieve a victory with over 1,000 fans and supporters from Tokyo attending the venue.
Q, What made the match difficult?
A, There are various factors, but I believe it mainly comes down to the quality in the attacking aspect. I don't think the players intended this at all, but there were parts that seemed like they were relying on others. I think a bit more of secondary and tertiary decision-making to create chances, as well as such challenges, were needed.
We fell behind in responding to the opponent's momentum, so we discussed clarifying that a bit more as we entered the second half. While we were able to somewhat outmatch the opponent in terms of strength and speed, one of the factors that made the match difficult was that we couldn't create a difference in the final moments.
Q, Please tell us the intention behind using Koki TSUKAGAWA in a lone forward position.
A, He is a player who can firmly control the ball and is good at creating differences according to the situation. The intention was that if a relationship could be established in the center of the opponent's territory through plays that break the opponent's flow, catch them off guard, or surprise them, we could further leverage our strengths. Although we had that intention this time, there was little support, and we were unable to reach that point.
When the ball is played into an advanced position with a single pass, there is inevitably little time for the second-line players to take up supporting positions, so I think it is important to move and control the ball, and I believe there were too few challenges in that regard.
Q, Maki KITAHARA played for a longer time than last time; how was it?
A, I think he performed well by smoothly moving forward in key moments and receiving the ball multiple times, but he still has many good qualities. I believe he has shown glimpses of his game sense and strengths as he gains more match experience. However, when it comes to truly decisive plays or finishing touches, that is still ahead of him. In that sense, I have high expectations for his future.
[Player Interview]
<Sato Eiin Player>
Q, how do you look back on the game?
A, it was a difficult match. However, I think it was good that we were able to win. I believe everyone on the team understands this, but we struggled to show what we were trying to do, and it became a very challenging game. We won, but I think it is important to reflect on it.
Q: I believe that Sato Kei-in's vertical breakthrough was a lifeline for the team in a difficult match.
A, I was thinking of trying to take on opponents in one-on-one situations. I believe I was able to at least show my strengths there, but as a team, the way we moved the ball and advanced was not going well, and we gradually fell into the opponent's pace.
Of course, my strength is my ability to drive forward, but if I rely solely on that, the opponent won't break down. I need to move the ball well and embody the style of football that the coach is asking for. That's a challenge. While showcasing my strengths, I believe the team could have fought better as well.
<Maki KITAHARA>
Q: You showed a typical play, but have you felt anything after playing for a long time?
A: I believe I was able to receive the ball more often and become a starting point for attacks compared to the previous match. However, I don't think that led to the team's victory, and personally, I feel I couldn't do anything. I want to review things again starting from practice, continue to make my presence known, and aim for the next opportunity to play.
Q: What instructions did you receive from the coach?
A: Since Keito Sato entered on the side, there was a plan to get behind the opponent. Keeping that as the top priority, I thought that if someone broke through behind, space would naturally open up, and the opposite side would also become available, so I think we managed that well.
Q: What have you been working on since your last appearance?
A: I was included in the squad for two consecutive matches and made my debut, but I was not satisfied with that alone. I felt that being selected and able to play in matches so far meant that the coach and players had started to recognize me to some extent. However, when I was dropped from the squad, I felt very frustrated. I have been working hard in training to change that situation, focusing especially on scoring goals, which is one of my personal challenges.
Q: What kind of initiatives do you want to pursue from here?
A: I believe that being involved in results such as goals and assists is my strength, and it is what I am seeking the most right now. To achieve that, it is necessary to be included in the squad, so I want to continue making my case from practice.
