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MATCH
Match Report
【Match Report】
Last week, Tokyo Verdy earned a draw against Ehime FC, bringing the month of May to a close without a single victory. With the season now near its midpoint, Verdy would make another attempt to change the momentum this week by traveling to face Yokohama FC, a team currently above them in the table. In their last fixture, Verdy lined up with three at the back, but this time they would choose a system with a back four, like that used in their match against Fagiano Okayama. The manager also chose Kanya Fujimoto and Yuhei Sato, two players capable of playmaking, at right and left wing respectively.
As the opening whistle sounded, both teams seemed concerned about the rough pitch condition and made a conservative start to the match. However, it was Verdy who began to build rhythm by moving the ball with simple one and two-touch passing. In the second minute, Fujimoto threatened the opposition goal, showing the team’s attacking intent early on. Even in instances when they lost the ball, the players were effective in marking Ibba Laajab and Leandro, preventing the opposition from building their attack. Upon winning the ball back, Verdy were careful to retain possession and were able to effectively stretch the defense by using the entire width of the pitch. The attack kicked into full gear in the 14th minute, when the players won the ball and immediately pushed forward in response. After deflecting a long feed from the opposition, Kota Watanabe received the ball between the gaps in the aggressive Yokohama midfield and faced forward to immediately run at the defense. Watanabe made a bee-line for goal, feinting to evade his marker and drawing a second defender. This created space on the left side of the penalty area and Watanabe took advantage of a split-second lapse in concentration by the defense to connect with a through-pass. It was Sato who made a well-timed run onto the ball and he succeeded in volleying the ball into the back of the net with his first touch. After the opening goal, Verdy would continue to maintain possession, attacking in waves in the 23rd minute but failing to take advantage of two shots on goal. Ryota Kajikawa then threatened the goal with a mid-range shot in the 27th minute, after winning the ball high up the pitch. In defense, Verdy’s two center backs maintained their tight marking of Ibba and repelled any attempt at an attack. The half then closed with Verdy having coordinated effectively in attack and defenseS while playing excellent football.
Throughout the period in which they have failed to win, the common element in Verdy’s performances has been an inability to maintain momentum for the full 90 minutes. In fact, they have often appeared like completely different teams. On this day, as well, the confidence the team displayed in the first half would be cast into shadow in the second. In the 49th minute, opposition play out wide would lead to an unmarked header on goal for Leandro. Yokohama would then continue to build pressure up front, electing to play long balls to the forward line rather than build patiently from the back. This led to an unfortunate cycle where Verdy would give up the ball and be immediately pinned back in their own area. While the team were not broken down from open play, their conceding of the rhythm would send the pendulum swinging in the opposition’s direction. In the 57th minute, a set piece was met on the far side and redirected to the near post. The Verdy defense failed to react, allowing Sato to tap home after finding himself in just the right position. In the 62 minute, Ibba received the ball facing forward and unleashed a powerful shot. Subsequently, after a collision forced Watanabe off the pitch with a shoulder injury, the Verdy defense failed to deal with a low cross across the face of goal, despite having numbers in the penalty area, and Toshima was there to apply the finish and put Verdy a goal down. From that point, Yokohama seemed to retreat and try to preserve the win, allowing Verdy to move forward with the ball. However, despite achieving good positions out wide, the team were unable to cut through to the goal. Both crosses into the box and attempts at combination play failed to generate the breakthrough and time continued to drift away. Then, in the 88th minute, Manager Lotina could no longer hide his fury at the referees for their inconsistent decisions and was ordered to the locker room, stunning both those on the pitch and in the stands. With the match waning, the fourth official indicated six minutes of additional time. Even as they successfully threaded their passes, Verdy were unable to build clear chances against the tight defense. It was then that one man, desperate for results after losing his place in the starting lineup, would step up and make the difference. Tatsuya Uchida received the ball in a shallow position in the opposition area and played a long ball toward Yong-Jik Ri. Spotting the keeper slightly off his line, Ri elected to head the ball back across goal, rather than trap it with his feet. The ball looped over the keeper’s head and into the goal, granting Verdy the equalizer in the 95th minute. With just one minute left, the opposition pushed forward again, but the defense held strong and the match came to an end.
Verdy’s run of matches without a victory has now extended to six. Both in terms of table position and general direction, the team have found themselves unable to move their trajectory in an upward direction. On top of that, the Jeckyl and Hyde complex the team has shown since their match against Omiya Ardija would appear once again. Even so, nothing positive will happen unless the team continue to challenge for goals and after experiencing that for themselves at the end of this match, one can hope that will be a catalyst for change. “We’re not done yet.” Those were the words of Yong-Jik Ri just before his interview on the DAZN network. This was true as he addressed the fans behind the goal as well. Turning to his teammates, Ri gestured that the true season begins now, hoping to inspire them and himself. It remains true that the team’s dramatic victory does not erase the inconsistency of their performance and it is exactly at times like these that the players must remain calm and directly confront their problems. However, they must also not erase the passion that Ri showed in the process. It is time for everyone to hold that flame in their hearts and head toward Niigata as a unit with the passion and poise to fight on.
Post-match comments
coach Ivan Palanco Santiago
Your thoughts on the match?
It was a game with two drastically different parts in the first half and second halves. In the first half, we had possession and were full of ideas. From that, we played with energy and created chances. In the second half, it became more difficult for us to retain possession. Our opponents used their quality to push into our half and the game was played there for long spells. We then suffered for long periods of the half. However, the team did not give up and played until the end. We are satisfied that we earned a point in the process.
Do you think the opponents’ change of system influenced the momentum of the match?
Football is a sport that is influenced by many elements. We had a plan to deal with their change in system and that information was shared with the players. I did not have the impression that there was any big surprise in that regard. The players understood that the opponents played with two systems. They were aware of the potential for change. I do think it is possible that the change in system made it easier for them to play. The balance between us and them tipped in their favor in the second half. We couldn’t retain the ball and we allowed them to play with energy.
What do you think is the reason for the shift in momentum?
I think they played well. In particular, they were able to avoid losing the ball and maintain possession while we pressed. On the other hand, we couldn’t play the way we wanted. Our opponents do damage to us when they have the ball. The reverse is also true, in that we can do damage to them when we have the ball. They had it longer. They showed quality in their finishing and made it clear that they were a strong team.
When the team was playing well in the first half, the off-the-ball movements of the midfield seemed effective. Was there a special focus on that for today’s match?
Their job is to create outlets for the center backs and the midfield anchor. We use the space that they create. We know that is a difficult thing to ask sometimes, but they maintained a good balance between attack and defense. I am satisfied with the way the players continued until the end.
DF 17Lee Yong Jick
Tell us what sort of instructions that you were given about your role when you entered the match.
I was told that I would be entering on the wing, but that I could also push up and form a front two with Ryohei. I kept it simple and played at the front, but I also had to be flexible enough to drop back in defense. I tried to be conscious of that switch.
The team’s inability to manage time well seemed to stand out in the second half.
The grass was really in bad condition and I myself made a lot of mistakes. We had been passing the ball well before I entered the match and I didn’t think it would be a problem, so I want to confirm the film to see what happened.
Your equalizer came off a feed from Uchida.
They were playing with an extremely high line, so there was plenty of space up front and I told my teammates that I wanted the ball. After that, the first ball came right my way and I think Uchi(da)’s pass deserves equal credit for the goal. It’s half his.
Please recount the goal in detail.
Before the ball came in, I checked to confirm where Ryohei was and I saw that the keeper was coming off his line. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I just swung my head at it, thinking it was this chance or nothing. I thought he was going to make the save, but I saw from everyone’s reaction that it went in. I was happy to get the goal.
I imagine it was an important goal for the team.
I was dropped from the starting lineup this week and I had understood the explanation I was given, so I knew that my future here would be determined by whether I could make an impact or not in today’s match. In that sense, I’m glad I scored. With that said, I felt I would be able to get a goal from the moment I took the pitch today. I was winning my battles with their center backs and felt there would be a chance from a header. In the end, that became a reality.
What are your thoughts on why the team struggled in the second half, despite playing so well in the first?
In all the matches we’ve had recently, we’ve suffered in the second half and that was the case again today. Everyone was aware of that, but we lost our courage and that allowed them to not only equalize but take the lead as well. After I entered the match, you could say that everyone seemed to switch on. At the very least, I noticed that they were down, so I thought I would play with three times the energy of everyone else and raise the team’s spirits, overall.
The match seemed especially difficult in the second half, after Watanabe’s substation.
There’s no doubt that Kota has been in supreme form this season and is playing in the perfect position within our team. However, we have played matches without him before and we have many players who can be strong in the shadow striker position, so I don’t think it will be a problem for us going forward.
How do you feel about earning a draw today?
There’s a big difference in meaning between handing your opponent three points and the match settling at one. Right now, the league table is still fairly tight and we can move up by earning a point. We also have the Okayama game in hand. For that reason, I think we can go into next week’s match against Niigata in a positive mood and I hope that later on, we can say it was because we earned that one point today.
MF 16Yuhei Sato
Tell us about your first goal since joining the club.
Kota (Watanabe) carried it forward on a short counter and I was unmarked, so I just tried to open up a lane for him to pass into. To be honest, I didn’t think it was going in, so I was pleasantly surprised.
The team had an excellent shape in the first half.
Especially on the side where I played, myself, Kaji(hara) and Narawa formed a good line between midfield and the front. We controlled the match in the first half, which has been rare for us this season, and I think we remained in control after the goal. Unfortunately, the momentum swung their way in the second half. I think that was because the players reverted to the way we’ve been playing in the past by being too hurried and kicking long balls up to the front. Especially on the right side, the players were trying to play quick, direct football, so there was a difference in approach between left and right.
It also seemed like the opposition had more of the ball in the second half.
Once they took the lead, we became more defensive and that lasted for too long. I think it would been better if we had been more dynamic from that point, but we didn’t have enough power. At the same time, they got their fans into the game and I think that gave them energy, even when they weren’t playing well.
You moved the ball well in the first half, despite the rough condition of the pitch.
“Before the match began, we talked about the fact that the grass wasn’t cut and we were unsure whether we could play our type of football. However, I think we moved the ball well with one touch and two-touch passing.
MF 8Tatsuya Uchida
It seemed like the team accomplished their game plan in the first half.
We felt like we had been making progress, lately. Once we heard how the front line would line up today, and who would be in those positions, I think we all had an idea of how we wanted to play. In that sense, our performance in the first half will help us, moving forward.
You got the first goal after a particularly positive period of play.
“We hit the ground running on a short counter and I thought it was a great move that led to the goal.
Was the shape you had in midfield so effective because of the particular elements in today’s match?
Part of it was the feel we had in-game and I think there was also some influence from how Yokohama FC line up in defense. With that said, we had a lot of players on the pitch who want to receive the ball and we felt from training that if this was how we took the pitch, we could play the kind of football we showed today. By using a lot of different players in training, we learn the qualities each person possesses, and I think we had the right members to play this way today. Especially in the first half, we accomplished the kind of football we aim for.
What do you think is the reason for the team’s struggles in the second half?
The fact that we were in the lead and the fact that they began the second half very aggressively. With that said, we knew that they would come out fired up after the break and the lineup we had today was chosen with the intention of passing around their pressure. However, they made things difficult enough to grab an equalizer and at the point, when we should have pushed back, they also got a second.
What do you think needs to be improved in response to the second goal.
We had two defenders pressing the ball holder and enough numbers in the box. I think we can prevent that kind of goal in the future by improving how the players in the box respond and how we clear crosses like that.
Did the opponents’ change of system in the second half have an effect?
More than what Yokohama FC were doing, I think the problem was with us and the fact that we couldn’t continue our good play in the second half. I want us to play with more confidence. But at least we equalized, and I think it’s important that we avoided the common mistake of playing good football and losing the match. In terms of getting a draw today, I would like to see it as a positive.
Tell us about your assist on the equalizer.
With Yong-Jik entering the match at that point, it solidified our desire to get the ball forward and he was active in demanding the ball. It also looked like he was winning the physical battle, so I was concentrating on his position. I kicked it toward him, but I kept the crosses a bit rough. We didn’t have a lot of time and we had two aggressive players on the front line, so I tried to play a ball that would be easy for them to run onto. However, I didn’t overthink it and it didn’t bother me if the pass was a bit rough.
How do you feel about earning a draw today?
I believe it was different from the draw against Ehime and I do feel that our football is improving. I just want us to continue our work without getting too down on ourselves.
MF 38Ryota Kajikawa
It seemed like the team was playing with a lot of confidence in the first half.
It seemed like the team was playing with a lot of confidence in the first half.
Do you think the team was able to improve on their mistakes from the match against Ehime?
Kanya (Fujimoto) and Kota (Watanabe) combined well on the right and on the other side, myself and Yuhei (Sato) were complementing each other well. Those relationships were effective in training as well, so I’m glad we were able to put that into practice on the match pitch.
Partly due to their change in system, you handed the momentum to your opponents in the second half.
Since the pitch wasn’t in great condition, we were all a bit nervous and there was a tendency to huff the ball clear, even when we could have played a short pass. We were in too much of a hurry. We’ve been making a lot of mental mistakes, lately, and though we were communicating, we still conceded goals. In the end, we were able to equalize, so we avoided the worst-case scenario, but I think we need enough strength to make revisions in real time when things progress like that in the second half.
Lately, there have been a number of occasions in which the team showed different sides in the first and second halves.
Your opponents are always going to make changes at half time and that might make things difficult for our approach, but I think the biggest obstacles are mental in nature. That includes how we play after conceding a goal. Compared to how strong we were at absorbing pressure during our run of unbeaten matches, there’s some small things that aren’t going right for us, mentally, at this point.
Should we view the fact that you equalized at the end as a sign of the team’s growth?
I wouldn’t go that far. All we did was avoid the worst possible result. Of course, that is a plus and it’s great that we didn’t lose, but there are a lot of things about our second half performance that we have to improve on and I hope we do.
In the first half, you bypassed your teammates to put in a strong mid-range shot.
I hadn’t been taking a lot of shots on my own, so I felt that I had to do something more to make things happen. The defense were tracking Kanya (Fujimoto) and Doug(las), which opened up space for me to shoot. It was on target, but I wanted to bend it a bit more left or right.
In order to get a win, do you feel the team needed a second goal from their positive play in the first half?
That’s part of it, but more important, I think we needed to move the ball in the second half without fear of the opposition pressure.
MF 33Kota Watanabe
Tell us about what led to your assist on the opening goal.
My intention was to carry it forward for a shot of my own. I realized that my shots are often deflected when I take them with my left foot, so today, I was able to look up and pick out the pass.
Your agility and ability to run at the defense really stood out, today.
I tried to dribble at them when I had the ball on the right and I think I was able to finish with a cross in most cases. That much was a positive. In the second half, I wasn’t able to get on the ball. I was reminded that when those of us in the midfield get involved, it improves the rhythm of our attack and I hope to do that more in the future.
Did you feel a lot of pressure from the opposition in the second half?
Yes. But we have to be able to fend off our opponents, even when they shift gears. When we have the lead and the other side push forward, we tend to take less risks and play a lot of long balls. I think it would be better if we continued playing as we had been and tried to get a second goal.
There have been a lot of matches, recently, where the team has shown different sides in the first and second halves.
If we’re good in one, we’re bad in the other. We need to continue playing well for a full match. I don’t know if it’s just that we’re physically tired. In terms of our mental approach, we’re too afraid of making mistakes. That has to change.
How do you feel about earning a draw today?
We really needed to win this match, so I’m not satisfied.
Do you feel the next match will be important, to make full use of the point you earned today?
A win or a loss in the next match will determine the value of both these past two draws. I absolutely want us to win.