Match Review
The battle to aim for the Asian stage resumes. The 105th Emperor's Cup JFA All Japan Soccer Championship, where the cup winner earns the right to participate in the AFC Champions League 2. Tokyo, who defeated Zweigen Kanazawa in the 2nd Round, will face Oita Trinita, ranked 12th in the Meiji Yasuda J2 League, in the 3rd Round. Although they have struggled with 2 draws and 4 losses in league matches since June, coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI is determined for the one-off knockout tournament, saying, "The Emperor's Cup is over if you lose."
In the away match at Crassus Dome Oita, goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu will guard the goal again following the match against Kashiwa Reysol before the break. The back line features Kosuke SHIRAI at right side back, making his first appearance since the June 22 match against Gamba Osaka, with Yasuki KIMOTO and Kanta DOI as center backs. Kashif BANGNAGANDE takes the left side back position. The defensive midfield consists of Kouta TOKIWA, making his professional starting debut, and Kei KOIZUMI, while the attacking midfielders are Soma ANZAI on the right and Reon NOZAWA on the left. Up front, Motoki NAGAKURA, who won the Meiji Yasuda J1 League Monthly Best Goal in June, teams up with Teruhito NAKAGAWA as the two forwards. On the bench, Tsubasa TERAYAMA has been included in the squad for the second time this season.
1st HALF—Take control and securely score 2 points
As Coach Matsuhashi predicted, "The battle for the ball and the transition between offense and defense will be the key points that determine the match," the Blue-Red team took the initiative with a brilliant transition.
Against Oita, who formed a block with five defenders and four midfielders, Tokyo, searching for attacking options, in the 18th minute of the first half, Shirai intercepted the opponent's ball with sharp pressing back on the right side. Nagakura quickly picked it up and played a vertical pass, allowing Nakagawa to break through sharply and carry the ball forward before being fouled and winning a penalty kick. Nagakura calmly converted it with his right foot, and Tokyo succeeded in scoring the opening goal early on, triggered by the quick transition between offense and defense they aimed for.
Tokyo continued to connect passes while probing for weaknesses, and even when they lost the ball, they immediately regained possession, hardly allowing Oita any chances. In the 32nd minute of the first half, with brilliant passing work, they connected from their own half and broke through the center. Nakagawa expanded the play widely to the right side. From here, Nagakura jumped to head Anzai's right cross, and after the opposing goalkeeper saved the ball, Yoshifu flicked it back to the center, where Koizumi pushed it into the unguarded goal, extending the lead to two goals.
In the 43rd minute of the first half, Nagakura made a long solo run on a counterattack. When he entered the penalty area, he passed to the right side, and Anzai took a direct left-footed shot on the far side, but it was blocked by the opposing defender.
Taking control by mixing quick attacks and slow plays, and greatly outperforming in battles for the ball, Tokyo entered halftime with a 2-goal advantage.
2nd HALF—Endure the time under attack and advance to the Round of 16
In the early stages of the second half, Oita continued to intensify their offensive pressure following halftime substitutions. Even so, they tightened key areas by preventing shots inside the penalty area and making superior interceptions with quick reactions, demonstrating high concentration in front of the goal and not allowing any goals.
An accident occurred for Tokyo, who were gradually trying to connect passes and gain momentum. Kimoto, who cleared the opponent's corner kick with a header, injured his left foot upon landing and was forced to be substituted. Coach Matsuhashi made changes in the 19th minute of the second half, bringing in Alexander SCHOLZ as center back in place of Kimoto, and Sei MUROYA as left side back in place of Yoshifu, aiming to rebuild the back line and tighten the defense.
Against Oita, who are coming forward with momentum, Tokyo also responds with sharp initial plays. Although the time continues without creating many chances, they try to prevent the opponent from having freedom by touching the ball first.
Tokyo wants to regain the momentum once again. The two forwards, Nakagawa and Nagakura, stand out for their strong press back and sharp anticipation, saving the team. In the 33rd minute of the second half, Oita launched a counterattack, and Satsukawa broke free one-on-one, but Kim Seung-gyu calmly stopped the shot with his whole body in a fine save. Tokyo heads into the final stages maintaining a two-goal lead.
At the 35th minute of the second half, Tokyo also made two substitutions. Tokiwa and Nakagawa were switched out for Takahiro KO and Marcelo RYAN, implementing a strategy that added attacking rhythm and threat to the team, which had been receiving pressure for a long time.
Although Tokyo was pressed in the second half, they were helped by the opponent's lack of finishing ability and excellent saves by player Kim Seung-gyu, securing a 2-0 victory. They firmly advanced past the 3rd Round against Oita, which was held away, and moved on to the Round of 16 against Cerezo Osaka scheduled for August 6.
MATCH DETAILS
<FC Tokyo>
STARTING XI
GK Kim Seung-gyu
DF Yasuki KIMOTO (19th minute second half: Alexander Scholz) / Kashif BANGNAGANDE (19th minute second half: Naruki Muroya) / Kanta DOI / Kosuke SHIRAI
MF Soma ANZAI / Kota TOKIWA (35th minute second half: Takahiro KO) / Leon NOZAWA / Kei KOIZUMI
FW Motoki NAGAKURA / Teruhito NAKAGAWA (35th minute second half: Marcelo Hyan)
SUBS
GK Masataka KOBAYASHI
DF Teppei OKA
MF Tsubasa TERAYAMA/Keita ENDO
FW Sato Yoshimasa
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
19th minute of the first half: Motoki NAGAKURA / 33rd minute of the first half: Kei KOIZUMI
<Oita Trinita>
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Mun Kyonggon
DF Delran/Atsuki SATSUKAWA/Pereira
MF Ren Ikeda (46': Naoki Nomura)/Mohei (71': Manato YOSHIDA)/Junya NODAKE (87': Yudai FUJIWARA)/Keigo SAKAKIBARA/Taiki AMAGASA (46': Kanto Nakagawa)
FW Kotaro ARIMA/Yusei YASHIKI (71': Kohei ISA)
SUBS
GK Hayato SATO
FW Shun AYUKAWA/Shinya UTSUMOTO/Yumeka UDOW
MANAGER
Tomohiro KATANOSAKA
GOAL
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[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q: please review the game.
A, I am happy that fans and supporters from Tokyo came all the way to a distant away ground, and among them, we were able to firmly advance to the next stage. Regarding the game, there were some differences between the first and second halves; the first half was very offensive, and the second half was more defensive, and each hadgood aspects that I believe led to this victory.
Q. We started Kyota Tokiwa in the starting lineup for the first time. Please give us your evaluation.
A, he is at a stage where he is eagerly absorbing various things, and regarding his goals, objectives, and sense of challenges for himself, both good and not-so-good aspects appeared in today’s match. I believe the physical aspect was also influenced by the fact that he has not had much experience in official matches. However, with the strong determination he possesses, I think he fulfilled his role properly.
Q. You were able to score the opening goal by switching between offense and defense, which was a point you emphasized before the match. Based on that, please evaluate the game.
A, there are parts that you can only understand once the match starts, but there were aspects close to what we had anticipated. Of course, within that, it’s about how we break down the opponent. Since it’s not 100% possible all the time, the moment the switch happens, the opponent pushes forward and space opens up. I think we were able to be fully aware of that and act accordingly.
Q. How was Teruhito NAKAGAWA's performance after he switched to defense?
A. This applies to Nakagawa as well, but it was more of a role where he would switch with Motoki NAGAKURA, since no one can chase endlessly alone. That balance was well maintained. Also, the pressing by the wing players, which made sure not to waste those moments, was very effective. Of course, there are times when the press is evaded, but if the surrounding players do not pick up on the pressing intent, then even if you press, it becomes meaningless. That coordination was solid.
Q, Before the break period, the next match will be against Urawa Reds.
A. Since they are the team we lost to in a frustrating way last time, rather than seeking revenge or payback, we want to focus solely on fully applying the strength we currently have and preparing to earn the 3 points.
[Player Interview]
Kota Tokiwa
Q. It was your first starting appearance since turning professional. How was it?
A. It was not something I was very satisfied with.
Q. What was the difference between what you were thinking before the match and what you actually did?
A. I think I was able to show my strengths in defense and anticipation during the first half, but in the second half, it was probably my first starting appearance in an official match in about seven months. That’s no excuse, but both the team and I experienced a drop in activity in the second half. When holding the ball for long periods from the first half, it’s important not only to avoid mistakes but also to deliver more vertical passes and to take on challenges and improve the quality in attacking areas. There was nothing I was fully satisfied with.
Q. In the first half, I had the impression that we were able to execute both quick attacks and calming down when needed.
A. My performance in the first half was only just passing, and I wasn’t able to fully demonstrate the reason for my presence on the field. I don’t think I showed a reason why it absolutely had to be me, so in that sense, I was able to meet the minimum expectations, but personally, I felt I couldn’t find any value beyond that.
Q. Based on these experiences, I think the desire to do this again next time will also arise.
A. As I mentioned earlier, I think the defensive aspect and the part where I aggressively use my anticipation, which are my strengths, were good. If I can improve on the areas that need work while using those weapons, I believe I will be able to see the path ahead. Even though I played in today’s match, I am not satisfied at all, and I will just keep striving every day to be involved in the league matches and lead the team to victory.
<Kanta DOI>
Q. Please tell us the factors that contributed to the victory with a clean sheet.
A. I feel that the preparation was done thoroughly. In the team meeting, we shared the need to be cautious of the opponent’s counterattacks, and while communicating with Yasuki KIMOTO, who was my partner, we managed risks and were able to firmly suppress the opponent’s attacks. I believe these two factors greatly contributed to keeping a clean sheet.
Q. The pressing from the front line was coordinated and I think it was especially effective in the first half.
A. I think the pressing was effective, but there were many situations where things didn’t go as we had worked on in practice. In the second half, there were also many scenes where we were pushed back, and if we had been able to proceed with the match as practiced, I believe we could have played a bit more smoothly.
Q. How did you approach playing during the periods when the opponent was pressing you?
A. It is indeed difficult to maintain possession of the ball for the full 90 minutes, so first and foremost, we focused on firmly repelling the opponent’s ball. I also feel confident that we handled the crosses, which we especially worked on in practice this week, very well.
Q. In terms of offense, you contributed to building up from the back with passes to the front line and diagonally.
A. Kim Seung-gyu at the very back provided support that made it easier to hold the ball. During practice, I closely observed Alexander SCHOLZ’s vertical passes and quick passes to the front line, and I feel there were many things I could learn from. I believe that awareness came alive in the match.
