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MATCH
Match Report
Last week, Verdy traveled to Okayama aiming to snap their four-match losing streak, only to have the match suspended due to rain as they were leading in the 62nd minute. Continuing with the theme of recovery, they returned this week to their home ground for the first time since the Golden Week home stand and prepared to face FC Ehime, a team playing only their second match under new management. The starting lineup for Verdy featured changes from their encounter with Fagiano Okayama. Shinnosuke Hatanaka, Akira Ibayashi, and Masashi Wakasa lined up as a back three, while Naoto Sawai was brought in at left midfield. Rounding out the squad at forward was the striking partnership of Kanya Fujimoto and Douglas.
The match began with Verdy carrying the ball high up the pitch, but Ehime gained a greater share of possession as the game settled. Moving the ball out wide to avoid the Verdy high press, the opposition were soon in full control of the play, while Verdy contented themselves by making quick and simple passes after winning the ball, probing the Ehime gaps on the counter. Although both teams relied mostly on their short passing game, it was a long ball that would change the rhythm and produce the first clear chance. That play took place in the 37th minute, when Ibayashi played a long feed in behind the shallow Ehime back line. Fujimoto would respond first, beating his marker to the ball and bearing in on goal, but he was brought down from behind just in front of the area and denied the chance to apply the finish. Fujimoto played the subsequent free-kick direct and his shot looked to have been deflected clear by the wall, but Kajikawa kept his composure and tamed the rebound with his first touch before a firing a well-placed effort on goal that went just wide of the left post.
After moving the ball well but not having many opportunities to finish in the first half, Verdy attempted to change the momentum at the break by bringing in Carlos for Naoto Sawai and making slight adjustments to the formation. The move would prove a positive one, as the Verdy players kept a compact shape and passed the ball rhythmically in all areas of the pitch, whether the center, opposition territory, or the wide areas. The team made especially good use of their space out wide as they began to dominate their opponents. Several times, clear chances were made, as players got on the end of shallow crosses in the area. However, the as the team pushed up the pitch, they also left themselves vulnerable on the counter. In the 59th minute, an Ehime attacker was able to break free out wide for an unmarked shot on goal, but Naoto Kamifukumoto reacted well to make the save. Two minutes later, Verdy were once again broken down on the left by the counter and an unmarked attacker looked poised to run onto a cross into the box. However, Kamifukumoto left his line with perfect timing and managed to cut off the angle for the shot. In the 69th minute, the opposition broke down the right and once again, the Verdy defense were unable to keep their attackers from getting on the end of the cross into the box. This time it was Arita who was gifted an unmarked header, but the fine reflexes of Kamifukumoto shone for a third time, as he was able to beat the shot away. The biggest chance for Verdy came in the 74th minute. Fujimoto beat his marker on the dribble and continued with a powerful run on goal, but he attempted to place his shot and the effort was deflected by the defense. The Verdy players were attacking in waves now and the loose ball was played into the box for Douglas to knock down, as Tatsuya Uchida made a run and got his right foot to the ball, but the effort flew over the post. From there, Verdy were able to tighten up and control the ball in opposition territory, shutting down opportunities for the counter, but their attacks were limited to crosses in front of goal and lacking in the precision needed to break the dead lock. The referee thus brought the match to a close as a scoreless draw. In the end, Verdy were unable to shake impression that they lacked precision in attack and finishing. However, the team did manage to put a stop to their recent slide and it is now up to them to plot their comeback. Next week, they travel to Yokohama for a match against Yokohama FC. It’s a great opportunity to claim points from an opponent in the upper reaches of the table and turn momentum in a positive direction.
Post-match comments
Manager Miguel Ángel Lotina
Your thoughts on the match?
In the first half, we defended well. We had very few problems on that end of the pitch. However, we weren’t creating chances in attack and we weren’t troubling the opposition with our style of play. In the second half, we made subtle changes to our system and personnel, with the intention of creating chances. That allowed us to have more of the ball and to play more in the opposition area. However, that also allowed the opposition to create clear chances on the counter attack. We had chances to get a goal and they also had them on the counter.
Tell us why you decided to give Naoto Sawai his first start of the season.
I put Naoto in the squad because I wanted more of a natural wingback. This was meant to free to Kanya (Fujimoto), who was also playing out wide, from some of his defensive duties.
Yuta Narawa started on right the side and was then moved to the left side in the second half. Can you tell us why?
In the second half, we made minor changes to the system and inserted Carlos into the match. Since Carlos would be occupying a position in the middle, I figured that would open up space on the left side for Nara(wa) to use. In the beginning, Nara(wa) was used as a wing back so that Kanya could get further up the pitch. That’s because Kanya is very good at cutting inside from the wide areas and I wanted to make the most of his abilities.
The team hasn’t won in five matches. What do you think is lacking?
There are many elements and they differ in each match. It’s impossible to cite one single reason for all of them. With that said, our last two matches at home were poor. It was important that we reclaim our identity. In defense, that means having all the players work hard to stifle opposition chances. I don’t think we can attempt to keep the ball and play with freedom unless that foundation is already established. Today’s match resulted in a draw, but in terms of positives, we were able to increase our combination play around the opposition area in the last 20 minutes. In defense, as well, it’s a positive that we rarely allowed them to create any chances.
MF 35Kanya Fujimoto
This was your first time to play the full 90 minutes.
“I felt that I could do it. I had a leg cramp in the second half, but we had already used all our substitutes, so I just tried to stretch it out and concentrate on playing to the end.
The game seemed a bit sluggish in the first half. Did the team make a decision to challenge for the win in the second half?
We wanted to build numbers in the wide areas and then attack, but they just made it difficult. We did have chances in the first half and I don’t think that as a team, we were that focused on only challenging in the second.
After changing players and system at halftime, you were able to break them down through the center on a number of occasions.
We did make a sudden switch, but we’ve been playing with that style since the team was formed, so it felt comfortable for me. With a 4-3-3, we can build numerical advantages somewhere and that will lead to shots, as we saw at the beginning of the half.
Last week, you claimed your first goal as a pro. Has it made a difference for you, mentally?
The Yamaguchi match did change things for me, mentally. I now feel more and more that I can be a match winner on my own or help someone else make the difference.
You also seem to be showing a bit more toughness in defense.
I think I had some moments like that today. It’s actually something that I’ve always liked to do. My style has always been to win the ball myself and carry it forward until I can set up a pass or shot. I had trouble pulling it off at the beginning of the season, but now that I’ve gotten used to playing at this level, I think we’re starting to see me make the kind of ball-winning plays that I’m known for. With that said, it’s something that I want to do more and more.
You also seemed to adapt well to your defensive duties, despite all the variations in system.
I feel really comfortable right now. It feels like my approach to the game and the team’s style are really coming together.
Do you feel the team needs to get more numbers in the box to connect with crosses?
I did feel that after Yong-jik (Ri) was taken out. But we still had a front two of Carlos and Douglas in the box and I think they’re more than capable of winning those battles. I felt like if I could get the right cross in, there was potential for a goal. However, once the ball got to the far side, we didn’t have a third player making a late run. We need more numbers in that area.
Still, as the team pressed forward, it seemed like you settled a lot for crosses from the wide areas.
More than just putting in crosses from out wide, we can break them down through combinations by the side attackers, the inside halves, and the side backs. I myself got in a good shot after a one-two with Kaji(hara). We have players who possess a lot of experience playing that way. But to do that, we need numbers. If three or four people move with fluidity, we can create more of those opportunities. We have to improve our quality when it comes to getting men into the area in attack.
Given that the team is so conscious of positioning in attack and in their style of buildup, do you think it is important for individual players to upset that balance in a positive way when it comes to breaking down the opposition defense?
The manager does stress the importance of positioning, but he also tells us that it’s important for players to exercise their own judgment and move into open spaces. He doesn’t actually define individual responsibilities that much, so by my understanding, I am allowed to do that according to my own judgment. It is especially important for the wide players and the inside halves to make decisions individually.
GK 21Naoto Kamifukumoto
Keeping a clean sheet today was one positive.
Last week, against Okayama, we were leading 1-0 at the time the match was suspended. In those circumstances, and those like today, it’s becoming clearer what we have to do in defense. That we hadn’t conceded in that match or today is evidence that we are starting to organize ourselves better for the way we want to defend.
The two big saves you made in the second half seemed to indicate that you were trying to tough it out.
I think the stops I made came from analyzing the mistakes we’d made in our goals so far. I also think that by trying to be a little stronger in the way I closed them down, I was able to alter the angle of their shots. That I was able to do that is a result of our training and match-experiences to this date.
You stayed strong despite a number of near-misses.
Looking back on my own play during the goals we conceded, I think there were times when I could have been stronger in leaving my line, so I’m glad that I was able to apply those lessons today. We ended the match without conceding, so I do think it is a step forward. Of course, it’s best if we don’t allow them any shots at all, but I think there will always be points in the game where accidents occur or where the quality of their attack is better than our defending, so how much I can do individually in those moments is an important point. I hope that I can grow as a player at the same time we grow as a team.
You seemed to change how you lined up in defense in the second half and maintained that through the rest of the match.
We had been making mistakes in our build up play, or when we were pressing forward, and that led to opportunities for our opponents on the short counter, which wore everyone down. If we can raise our quality in that area, I think we can avoid wearing ourselves down unnecessarily and dominate the match better. I think we still have a lot of room to improve, but in terms of defense, we made the right adjustments mid-game and I think that will be important for us in the future.
FW 9Douglas Vieira
Your thoughts on the match?
We knew that it was going to be a difficult match. We prepared well, but unfortunately, it didn’t lead to a result.
There were many points where you initiated the attack by drifting out wide and receive feeds from the backline.
That was something the manager has demanded from us. However, because they were playing with five at the back, there was very little space and it made it difficult to accomplish. Still, it’s important to try to meet the manager’s demands and making those runs will help the team by opening up space. I tried to continue doing that for the full 90 minutes, but I regret that it didn’t lead to a better result.
Well, even if I stay in the middle, I’m not always going to be able to create chances. To create opportunities, I sometimes need to go wide and try to upset the opponents’ balance in defense. It can’t be helped.
You had more chances to break them down through the center with combination play in the second half.
You had more chances to break them down through the center with combination play in the second half.
We had more time on the ball in the second half and I think the players, including the subs, created more chances.
The team hasn’t won in five matches. What do you think needs to change?
No matter what team you’re on, there are going to be moments like this. In those periods, it’s important to pull together and continue doing things the right way. What is important for us is to prepare for the next match and focus only on ourselves, while continuing with what we have always done in training. I believe that we have the strength to overcome the difficult spell we we are in now.
MF 16Yuhei Sato
The team was being pushed back until you entered the match.
Kouta (Watanabe) and Yong-Jik worked hard to slide in defense, but I think they had grown pretty tired. In comparison, myself and Kaji(hara) were fresh physically and had been paired together a lot in training, so it was very easy for me.
You were able to combine well around the box, but it didn’t lead to a goal. What do you think is the reason why?
Individually, it was the first time that I had carried the ball that far and made passes in that area. It’s great that we were able to do that, regardless of where our important is in the table, but I feel like everyone else was not yet on the same page with what I was trying to do. As a result, it may have looked like the combination play got bogged down when I had the ball. I also think our moves were not intricate enough. Both Douglas and Carlos had been running hard from the start of the match, so I think they were tired at the end. When I had the ball, there were times when they escaped out wide and then played it back to me.
It seemed like the team, as a whole, did not know how to break them down.
Our team is particularly guilty of letting moves end with a simple cross from out wide and it’s rare that we get players in the final zone to play passes off of. We began to accomplish that today, but the fact that we still didn’t get the result reflects the current weakness of myself and the team. All we can do is work on that in training. We just need to go over it again and again.
Do you feel you have to spend more time pushing them back if you want to get goals?
f we had just five more minutes, I think we could have created more chances. That’s something I talked about with Kaji(hara) after the match. The team were pushed back in the first half and before I entered the pitch, they were moving the ball at a pace that was comfortable for the opposition. With that said, we didn’t concede a goal and we stayed tough, even when we seemed on the verge of being broken down. Given that we had given up a lot of goals lately, I think that we cleared the first hurdle, which was to stop conceding. Still, we can’t win if we don’t get goals. In order to move up the table, we have to work one more time on how we move the ball and how we find balance between attack and defense.