Match Review
The last game of the first half of the Meiji Yasuda J1 League is an away match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. After this match, the International Match Week begins, leading to a short break. Tokyo’s Sec. 15 match against Yokohama F. Marinos has been rescheduled, so they haven’t strictly completed half of the matches yet, but this can be considered a milestone game for now.
Currently in 17th place. The reality is that the results have not matched the content so far. However, we want to fully accept that, express on the pitch what we have built up since the team started, and achieve good results to welcome the break period with a positive feeling.
We cannot end like this. After the disappointing defeat in the previous match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, we must show a rebound mentality and demonstrate a strong desire for goals and victory. For such a game, head coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI selected an all-Japanese lineup, including the bench members.
Goalkeeper Go HATANO returns to the starting lineup for the first time in two league matches. The defensive midfield duo consists of Keigo HIGASHI and Takahiro KO. With these players, known for their excellent ball control, playing together, build-up play leading to chance creation is expected. The wing backs are Kei KOIZUMI on the right and Keita ENDO on the left. KOIZUMI starts for the first time since Sec. 14 against Albirex Niigata, where he added an attacking accent by cutting inside from the right side to create overlaps for Doi and by breaking through in front of goal to score.
How the right side with player Doi functions in this match will likely be a key point. The shadow positions are occupied by Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who is set to join the Japan national team from the next day on the left, and Soma ANZAI, who continues to demonstrate versatility on the right. At the lone forward position, Keito Sato, who is eager to deliver goals, has been placed.
1st HALF—Continued to fight on the opponent’s turf and conceded the first goal
Before the match, Seiji KIMURA, who has experience on loan to Kyoto, Kosuke SHIRAI, facing his former club, and Coach Matsuhashi, who was a player during his active career, received applause from Kyoto fans and supporters. Meanwhile, during the introduction of Kyoto players, Takuji YONEMOTO, who has experience playing for the Blue-Red team, was given a big round of applause from behind the Tokyo goal.
The blue-red eleven, welcomed by the loud chorus of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the blue-red family who came all the way to away Kyoto, showed passionate play from the start. They aggressively pressed from the front line, fiercely contested every ball, firmly recovered second balls, and advanced the match by using long balls to push into the opponent’s territory.
Tokyo sticks to simple soccer in the early stages. They compete without losing in key moments, but there are few scenes where they build attacks by connecting from the back line, and they struggle to show consistent attacking play. Gradually, second balls are also picked up by the opponent, and the time spent playing in their own half increases.
In the 32nd minute of the first half, during a period where we were fighting on the opponent’s turf, Kyoto used the pitch widely from a throw-in return, delivered a cross ball while free, and scored by kicking the rebound in the center. Once again, we conceded a goal from a play originating from the side.
Tokyo, chasing a goal, connected one-touch plays from the center to the left side in the 40th minute of the first half while pressing forward. Finally, player Endo cut inside and took a right-footed shot. Although it did not hit the target, they approached the goal with sharp attacks and combinations.
In the first half, they couldn’t shake the goal net even during the 2 minutes of additional time. Although they were able to press with long balls and high pressing in the early stages, the build-up from the back line was unstable, and the players’ spacing and repositioning didn’t click, resulting in 45 minutes without showing the true character of “Rikura Tokyo.” However, the teammates behind the goal loudly cheered on the players returning to the locker room. Facing the second half where they must meet these expectations, they entered halftime to regroup.
2nd HALF—Unable to find a foothold for counterattack
No player substitutions at halftime. Before the second half begins, the players spread out on the pitch and actively communicate in their positions until just before kickoff, confirming their adjustments to regroup.
The effect quickly appeared on the pitch. In the 4th minute of the second half, the ball was passed from the left side to the center and entered the penalty area, then from player Higashi to player Takashi, and Koizumi took a right-footed shot on the rebound. Many players were involved, creating a strong and layered attack.
In the second half, Tokyo wants to attack while connecting passes, and Kyoto aims to intercept high up the field and launch quick counterattacks.
In the 13th minute of the second half, after multiple players got involved with the ball, Tokyo launched a brilliant attack from the left side. Player Tawara Tsukida passed the ball, Keita ENDO broke free and crossed it back, and player Koizumi took a shot from the center. It seemed that Keita ENDO had kicked in the rebound to equalize, but with VAR support, Keita ENDO was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.
Kyoto extends their lead and takes the initiative with substitutions. In the 25th minute of the second half, while trying to build up from the back using the goalkeeper, they lost the ball under high pressure. The ball was then connected at a high position, and from Nagasawa’s hold-up play, Takeda scored a half-volley, resulting in conceding the second goal.
Tokyo, chasing two goals, made substitutions in the 27th minute of the second half, replacing Tawara Tsukida and Anzai with Teruhito NAKAGAWA and Leon NOZAWA. They simultaneously changed both shadow players to revitalize the team.
However, Kyoto was the next to shake the net. At the 30th minute of the second half, after pushing forward from a long feed, Okugawa received a pass from Kawasaki and struck a goal with his right foot. With consecutive strikes from the substituted players, the lead was extended to three goals.
Tokyo, on the defensive and enduring, faced Kyoto who continued to play freely and created multiple scoring opportunities. In the 39th minute of the second half, Sato leapt to meet Endo’s sharp left cross, but the opposing goalkeeper caught the ball just before it reached him.
At the 42nd minute of the second half, Yuto NAGATOMO was brought in to replace Kimoto. The formation was changed to a back four as they launched their final counterattack.
Tokyo wants to approach the opponent’s goal by mixing in long balls, but the attack becomes monotonous due to their inability to attack effectively, creating a vicious cycle. Despite earning many free kicks and corner kicks, they could not create any highlights, and the away match against Kyoto ended in a frustrating 0-3 defeat, following the match in August last year.
MATCH DETAILS
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Go HATANO
DF Masato MORISHIGE/Yasuki KIMOTO (42nd min 2nd half: Yuto NAGATOMO)/Kanta DOI/Kei KOIZUMI (33rd min 2nd half: Kosuke SHIRAI)
MF Soma ANZAI (27th min 2nd half: Leon NOZAWA)/Yu TAKAO/Keigo HIGASHI (33rd min 2nd half: Kento HASHIMOTO)/Keita ENDO
FW Megumu SATO/Kota TAWARATSUMIDA (27th min 2nd half: Teruhito NAKAGAWA)
SUBS
GK Taishi Brandon NOZAWA
DF Teppei OKA/Seiji KIMURA
MF Kouta TOKIWA
MANAGER
Rikizo MATSUHASHI
GOAL
ー
STARTING Ⅺ
GK Takeshi OTA
DF Shinnosuke FUKUDA/Hidehiro SUGAI/Yuta MIYAMOTO/Yoshinori SUZUKI
MF Sota KAWASAKI/Takuji YONEMOTO (2nd half 21 min: Shohei TAKEDA)/Shinpei FUKUOKA (2nd half 40 min: PATRIC William)
FW Sora HIRAGA (2nd half 12 min: Temma MATSUDA)/Murilo COSTA (2nd half 21 min: Masaya OKUGAWA)/Shun NAGASAWA (2nd half 40 min: Shogo ASADA)
SUBS
GK Kentaro KAKOI
DF Hisashi APPIAH TAWIAH
MF Kyo SATO/Ryuma NAKANO
MANAGER
CHO Kwi Jae
GOAL
32nd minute of the first half: Sota KAWASAKI / 25th minute of the second half: Shohei TAKEDA / 30th minute of the second half: Masaya OKUGAWA
[Interview with Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI]
Q, Please give us a review of today’s match.
A, It was a frustrating match. Even though we showed this kind of performance at the end, I truly feel sorry to the fans and supporters who came all the way here and gave us passionate cheers. However, we cannot give up here, so I want to say again and again, “We will definitely win next time.” Next time, we want to win firmly and send the fans and supporters home from the stadium with smiles. We must continue to make steady efforts to achieve that.
Q, It seemed that too many long balls were used in the first half of the game.
A, exactly. Of course, during our preparations, we didn’t explicitly emphasize that approach, but I think such decisions increased as the match progressed. However, since it happened occasionally, we communicated that at halftime, which I believe led to a good flow in the early part of the second half. The opponent also applied pressure, so we didn’t outright ignore the situation at all costs; sometimes the opponent’s pressure was more advantageous, and in those moments, that kind of judgment was one option. However, in terms of quality, including second balls, we started losing control, and when that coordination faltered, the game developed with us falling behind.
Q. When looking at the entire match, I think the difference in team strength is reflected in the result, but in the details of the game, there were noticeable areas where the reactions were slow or the challenges for the ball were delayed, falling behind the opponent.
A, especially in the first half, I think there were moments when the opponent’s strengths were brought out due to the increase in long balls. However, in the early part of the second half, by building up properly, I feel we connected to several faster attacks. Also, I don’t think there is a difference in team strength as was mentioned at the beginning.
Q. The three players at the front—one striker and two shadows—have driving power when the attack is switched on, but how did you plan to utilize the strengths of these three during the build-up phase of the attack?
A, while having several objectives, when the defensive midfielder is involved in building up play, there is a tendency to be pulled along with that. Since the opponent applies very high pressure, if we can act while properly managing space and timing, using the space behind them as a starting point can become one option. However, I think it’s also no good if the forward players drop back too much there. The aim was not for the players to drop down just to receive the ball while involved, but to pick up the ball, face forward, and accelerate directly into good spaces.
However, unfortunately, it might have been a bit too low. It’s fine when it comes to the build-up, but whether it’s because they are too close to the inside or dropping too deep. The role of creating an advantage for the wing-back by moving to the side is assigned not only today but generally. There are times when the condition is very good, but with the opponent’s pressing being quick like today, it might be necessary to drop to a slightly lower position to create passing angles. If a third player gets involved there, passing lanes can be created without having to drop that deep. Considering the players’ characteristics in attack, I think it was a bit too low.
Q. After the match, there was a moment when the players also paused to listen for a while in front of the fans and supporters who continued chanting.
A, given the current results, I think it’s natural for people to think, “That coach is no good. It can’t continue like this.” Even if it’s not said directly, I feel it myself. However, I have no intention of giving up or surrendering here. It’s up to the club to decide, but I believe I must build a team that can earn the trust of the fans and supporters, and I must become that kind of coach.
I sincerely accept this. What the fans and supporters are saying is completely understandable. Drawing energy from that, with a little time to spare, I want to prepare thoroughly and definitely show a team that can earn 3 points, and move forward together with the fans and supporters.
[Player Interview]
Q. This was your first start in a league match in a while. Where do you think the factors that made the match difficult lie?
A, we simply conceded goals too easily and lost in the battles for the ball. We were unable to show any attacking threat. There was a brief good flow in the early part of the second half, but throughout the match, we had very little time in control. Overall, I feel we were unable to effectively bring the momentum to our side or manage the game well.
Q, you were able to create good moments at the start of the second half.
A, in the first half, even though the three center backs were circulating the ball, nothing seemed likely to happen, so in the second half, we slightly changed our build-up and tried to break down from the left side. We were able to seize the momentum temporarily there, but the opponent made substitutions to shut that down, and after that, we couldn’t regain the flow in our favor.
Q, There have also been many goals conceded from crosses.
A, that can only be addressed through practice. It’s about each individual, and I believe it’s a matter of awareness.
Q, from here we enter the suspension period.
A, we believe there are parts within our team that need to be changed, so I think we will try to address those areas. First, we have to start by not conceding goals in defense. Looking at the standings, the reality is that we must work towards staying in the league, so rebuilding and stabilizing our defense is the first thing we should focus on.
Q. How did you perceive the final support from the fans and supporters?
A, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Even in difficult times, they cheer us on like that and give us strength, so they are truly a reliable presence. We must desperately aim for victory together with our fans and supporters, and for their sake, we must work even harder to deliver victory. Today, I felt that very strongly once again. I can only be grateful for that power.
Q. It was a frustrating result, but how do you feel looking back on the match?
A,I felt that we need to start the match with more momentum from the very beginning.
Q, I think the first half was about wanting to create attacking shapes while moving the ball more.
A,The distance between each player was too far, and the ball was taken at every stop like a local train. The players on the sides were also too crowded, so I feel we need to be more creative.
Q. Was the opponent’s strong pressing also a factor in why things didn’t go well?
A,I believe we can fix everything with our own skills, and I also think the mental aspect plays a role.Although I won’t be with the team during the break, I think I can gain experience through national team activities, so I want to do my best with what I can do.
Q. How do you feel about the national team activities?
A,I think this is a chance to learn from various players, so I want to do my best with all my might.
Q: There will be a short break, but please tell us your enthusiasm for the upcoming league matches.
A, I think we need to fix what needs to be fixed and be ready for the match.
I believe we have to win for the fans and supporters, so we must win next time.
AloJapan.com