Match Review
In the previous match against Cerezo Osaka, we came close to a comeback but ended up with just 1 point. After the Emperor's Cup first round match against Zweigen Kanazawa, we are heading with high spirits to Panasonic Stadium Suita, aiming for our first league victory in 5 matches.
The four-back system introduced from the match against Cerezo Osaka is still in the process of improving its training and maturity. In the starting lineup, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA replaced Soma ANZAI from the previous match. Three members on the bench were changed. Kashif BANGNAGANDE returned to the J1 League bench for the first time in 387 days. Motoki NAGAKURA, who joined on loan from Urawa Reds during this month's special registration period, was on the bench for the league match for the first time. Another player, Teruhito NAKAGAWA, returned to the league match bench for the first time in two games.
1st HALF—Conceded a direct free kick, going into the break one goal behind
Kicking off at 18:30 while the heat still lingers, both teams aggressively pressed towards the goal, igniting a fierce, high-intensity local battle.
In the early moments of the first half, at 3 minutes, Kento HASHIMOTO received the ball in the center from left-side player Tawara Tsukida and took a mid-range shot. Tawara Tsukida then picked up the rebound and aimed with his left foot, but was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper.
At the 10th minute of the first half, although the defense line was broken through and faced a crisis, Go HATANO repeatedly threw his body to block the ball, and finally Sei MUROYA managed to avert the danger with a last-minute block near the water's edge.
At the 18th minute of the first half, Kosuke SHIRAI, who had been actively moving up and down the field, was injured in an accident, and Yoshifu made an emergency substitute appearance.
As Gamba Osaka gradually gained momentum backed by home support, the team was pressed for a period and conceded the opening goal in the 33rd minute. Usami scored directly from a free kick on the left side, giving the away team the lead.
At the 41st minute of the first half, Keita ENDO took a direct free kick near the opponent's goal, but it failed to hit the target. The match remained evenly contested as it moved into the decisive second half.
2nd HALF—Increased offensive pressure towards the end, but conceded a second goal just before the end and lost
Five minutes into the second half, a decisive chance was created from a strike by substitute player Yoshifu. From a direct free kick on the right side, the ball was sent in front of the goal with the left foot, and Yasuki KIMOTO reacted to the rebound and was fouled, earning a penalty kick. However, the penalty kick taken by Marcelo RYAN was stopped by G Osaka goalkeeper Ichimori's excellent save, missing a great opportunity to equalize.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Sei MUROYA broke through the right side and sent a fast cross ball, which reached RIAN in front of the goal, but the shot was not completed.
Two minutes later, from a through pass by G Osaka's Shuto ABE, Dennis Humet took a shot, but Go HATANO made a great save to stop it.
As the back-and-forth battle continued, in the 19th minute of the second half, players Kei Sato, Nagakura, and Anzai were brought onto the pitch as substitutes. Nagakura, making his league debut for the Blue-Red team that day, positioned himself between the lines and became the starting point of the attack, gradually increasing the time spent pressing into the opponent's territory.
At the 39th minute of the second half, Teruhito NAKAGAWA was brought on as the final substitution to further strengthen the attack. During the added time, NAKAGAWA broke free down the right side, but the grounded cross he sent in front of the goal was once again stopped by the opposing goalkeeper Ichimori.
And just before the end of the match, G Osaka scored a decisive second goal, sealing our fate. Having fought a close battle, it was a defeat that left us with lingering regret.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Naruki MUROYA/Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO/Kosuke SHIRAI (18th minute 1st half: Kashif BANGNAGANDE)
MF Ko TAKAHIRO/Keigo AZUMA (19th minute 2nd half: Motoki NAGAKURA)/Kento HASHIMOTO/Keita ENDO (19th minute 2nd half: Soma ANZAI)
FW Marcelo Hian (39th minute 2nd half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (19th minute 2nd half: Yoshimasa SATO)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Yuto NAGATOMO/Kanta DOI
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
―
<Gamba Osaka>
STARTING XI
GK Jun ICHIMORI
DF Shota FUKUOKA/Riku HANDA/Keisuke KUROKAWA/Shinnosuke NAKATANI
MF Neta Ravi (Second half 19 min: Tokuma SUZUKI)/Shuto ABE (Second half 41 min: Aki KURATA)
FW Takashi USAMI (Second half 33 min: Makoto MITSUTA)/Ryoya YAMASHITA (Second half 19 min: Juan Arano)/Denis Humet/Welton (Second half 33 min: Takeru KISHIMOTO)
SUBS
GK Masaaki HIGASHIGUCHI
DF Shinya NAKANO/Genta MIURA
FW Issam Jebali
MANAGER
Daniel POYATOS
GOAL
33rd minute of the first half: Takashi USAMI / 45+3rd minute of the second half: Takeru KISHIMOTO
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, Please give us a review of today's match.
A, It was truly a frustrating game. While we had periods where we controlled the pace, we ultimately failed to pose a real threat at the crucial moments. Of course, there were chances to equalize, but we couldn’t convert them properly. Because we couldn’t fully exert our threat in front of the goal, this is the kind of defeat we ended up with. However, everyone worked extremely hard, and there were moments when we stopped the opponent’s excellent attacks. Naturally, conceding two goals is disappointing, but I think the players really gave their best.
Q. During the back-and-forth battle, it seemed like you were unable to take control of the game as you had hoped.
A. The opponent was not always applying a high press, so from the start, we wanted to take control and move the ball under those conditions. However, there were few such scenes in the first half, so in the second half, we organized that aspect and discussed positioning and relationships when pressing forward, as well as where to break through. Ultimately, the ball didn’t settle well, and there were moments when it rolled directly to the opponent, who then launched a forward counterattack. I think that was a missed opportunity.
Towards the end, the attempts to create opportunities near the penalty box around Marcelo RYAN were very well executed starting from Sei MUROYA. However, even there, the play couldn't fully settle down. The ball needed to be firmly controlled and followed by an action, but although actions were happening, the ball didn't connect to the next play. The opponent, facing forward, would take the ball and launch a counterattack. We are still conceding many counterattacks, and ultimately, goals have been conceded as well. This is something that truly needs improvement and continuous effort. We have no choice but to work hard enough to completely shut down those chances.
Q. It was a match that could have gone either way. What is necessary to turn this into a victory?
A. I think we just have to keep going. We have no choice but to believe in that and work together. However, you can't win soccer matches with just spirit; tactical aspects are, of course, also necessary. Even in today's game, there were parts that were somewhat organized, and we need to increase the threats in front of the goal much more. I personally think it might be better to consider those methods more simply. Without those threats, even if we create good opportunities and execute as planned, it becomes a difficult game if we ultimately can't finish. Even with the few chances we get, unless we can convert them, I believe it will be hard to earn points.
[Player Interview]
<Sei MUROYA>
Q: It was a match where it wouldn't have been strange to pick up points, but how do you look back on the game?
A. We knew in advance that the away game against Gamba Osaka would be difficult. Conceding the first goal was a bit painful, but even so, we maintained good control of the game despite being under pressure. Given the team's situation, I believe we have to capitalize on the few chances we get to win, so today we were a little lacking in that area, and luck was also not on our side.
Q. In situations like this, the team tends to fall apart, but it seemed that player Muroya was encouraging from the back and successfully created a fighting spirit among everyone.
A: I was consciously trying to communicate, but in the end, we couldn’t secure the 3 points. We have no choice but to look forward positively, and since there isn’t much time until the next match, I want to prepare well.
Q. I think there were many effective moments when taking a wide position and then making a diagonal wedge pass from there.
A: Yes, there were several occasions when I was able to pass to player Hwang, but it would have been better if we had committed more players further up the field. Hwang also created chances several times, so we are generating opportunities; now it’s just a matter of finishing them.
Q: From here, there will be two consecutive matches against teams close in the standings. How will you prepare for these 6-point matches?
A. Our preparation for matches never changes, and what we need to do remains the same. However, now that the second half of the season has started, we must face the reality of our current standing. I believe these are matches where we absolutely must earn points, so I think we just need to prepare thoroughly.
<Kento HASHIMOTO>
Q, It seemed like you got a certain sense of confidence over the past few games, but how did you feel while playing today?
A, Before the match, we organized our attacking approach, shared with everyone about positioning and how to connect the passes, and I think especially in the first half, we were able to execute that. However, since the results haven't come, it's still not good enough.
Q. How has the progress been since the system switched to 4-4-2?
A. It's hard to say anything without results. We've been conceding multiple goals in a row, and I think we need to improve the part where we seem to drop off a bit after conceding.
Q. I think there were parts where you connected the ball in coordination.
A, To some extent, there are parts of the attack that we have shared and understood, and I think we are gradually building on that. There are also parts where we are able to play while watching the opponent, so I believe the finishing is the main issue. It's not that we don't have chances, but I think the difference against the opponent showed in our inability to finish decisively.
Q, There is a match against Yokohama F.Marinos in just two days.
A. We really cannot afford to lose, and I think we need to be more aggressive with both our attack and defense, putting our feelings fully out there. I was reminded again today that earning 3 points is not easy, so I want us to do it properly.
Q: What will you focus on for the next match?
A. We are currently going through a really difficult period, so I want to find some kind of breakthrough. There's no point in looking down, so I want everyone to face forward and move ahead together.
