2018 MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE 23rd Sec - Tokyo Verdy vs Renofa Yamaguchi FC

Match Report

After consecutive league losses, Verdy competed in the Emperor’s Cup in mid-week, earning a victory against Kwansei Gakuin University that improved the mood before this day’s encounter. That it was a rematch against an opponent who had previously overcome a 2-goal lead to defeat Verdy in their previous match also provided an extra dash of motivation.

In terms of the squad, there was little change to the back line and midfield, but some revisions were seen up top. It was Douglas who took the center forward spot, with Shogo Hayashi on the right wing and Alan on the left. The pairing of the two internationals in the starting lineup was seen for the first time in recent weeks, after both had been assigned roles on the bench.

Verdy began the match by retaining possession and establishing a positive rhythm in attack. In the third minute, Alan received the ball in a high position on the left side and played a cross to the near post, where Douglas saw his header saved by the keeper. However, that early momentum would soon lead to a goal. In the 6th minute, Tatsuya Uchida closed down an opposition throw-in from deep in their own territory on the right. After winning the ball, Uchida played a simple pass behind the defense and Kouta Watanabe was first to respond, moving into the space before playing a lateral first-time pass. The pass was received by Douglas in the penalty area and, despite seemingly having no angle for a shot, the forward showed amazing technique to place a right-footed shot past the goalkeeper’s near post and into the net. Verdy continued to control the pace after the goal and were able to overcome the opposition’s high press and strengthen their attack. In the 35th minute, Verdy retrieved the ball after the opposition failed to clear a corner kick and Ryota Kajikawa was able to fire a powerful mid-range shot, but the keeper kept it from the net with a desperate save. As the half neared its close, the opposition were able to reclaim some of their momentum and after being pushed into their own half in the 40th minute, the Verdy defense failed to deal with a cross from the right side, allowing Kiyonaga to put in a shot unmarked, but his effort flew over the bar. Thus, Verdy were somehow able to endure the pressure and end the first half without conceding a goal.

In their previous encounter with Yamaguchi, Verdy saw the match turned upside down immediately after the half-time break. This time, however, manager Lotina was careful not to let the players grow too conscious of this and provided them with fine tactical adjustments that pushed the team toward victory.

Verdy emerged from the break by once again controlling the pace. Carefully maintaining possession with short passes, they kept constant pressure on the defense and bore down on the Yamaguchi goal. However, a series of substitutions by the opposition would breathe new life into their play and gradually, Verdy found themselves pinned back in their own half more and more. As the players maintained their concentration and shifted the defensive shape to deal with their opponents’ fluid attacking play, they would soon receive an opportunity of their own. It was the 68th minute and Watanabe was able to push high up the field before playing a reverse ball into the penalty area that found substitute Yong-jik Ri. Ri tried an audacious effort from a near 45-degree angle right of goal, but the keeper pushed the on-target shot away as it was inches from the line. On the subsequent corner kick, Kajikawa played a curving, dipping cross to the far side and Tomohiro Taira fought off his marker to head the ball at the peak of its flight. Taira’s header flew straight down and bounded off the pitch, fooling the keeper who had expected a flighted effort and finding the net. The second goal would initially turn the momentum entirely in Verdy’s favor. With the ball at their feet, the players pushed forward in an attempt to seal the result, but in the 74th minute, a long ball from the opposition would breach the Verdy line and allow Kishida in on goal unmarked. Naoto Kamifukumoto was quick off his line in response to the one v one situation, but Kishida kept his head and pulled a goal back for Yamaguchi. In the previous encounter, Verdy had been unable to withstand the opposition attack after giving up the first goal and conceded again and again. A feeling of deja-vu seemed to set over the squad but the mood was soon cleared by a combination of the team’s tiniest storm trooper and its unparalleled motivator. It was the 78th minute and Douglas initiated a counter attack from the right side. Tatsuya Tamura came forward in support and played a simple ball to Watanabe as he broke free into space on the right touchline. Watanabe continued his run and then played a reverse cross to the far side. The pinpoint pass found its way to the charging Ri and his powerful first-time volley flew into the top right corner.

From that point, Verdy were content to take the practical approach and tightened up in defense. When they did win possession, the players relied on simple balls to Douglas to carve out opportunities for a fourth goal. The opposition attack would gradually lose its venom as the final whistle approached and Verdy were able to hold them off and secure the victory.

With the day’s win, Verdy succeeded in changing the momentum after their recent run of losses. In addition to their goals, they created further chances in attack and were able to play the game at their pace. Now, the next phase is to not allow the momentum to stop here and carry on with a winning streak. The crest of that wave will carry them into a packed schedule of summer matches against Avispa Fukuoka, Albirex Niigata, and Kyoto Sanga FC.

Manager Miguel Ángel Lotina

Your thoughts on the match?
I think we started well. We got the first goal and we had opportunities to get a second or third. In the first half, we created several chances after the goal, but then our opponents had more of the ball and made chances of their own. It became a more even match. In the second half, they increased their pressure and dominated possession, making things difficult for us. I addressed that by making a system change. We then got a goal from a corner kick and were able to play more relaxed. However, the opposition then got a goal. They are truly a team that can create chances from nothing. We expected the match to be very difficult from that point, but Kouta (Watanabe) worked hard to win the ball and Yong-jik did brilliantly to get on the end of his cross. In all, I feel like we got a good win against a very strong team.

Tell us what elements led you to make the change in system.
As they gradually saw more and more of the ball, they changed to two at the front and started building numbers in the penalty area. I wanted to increase the number of center backs we had in the box and try to fend them off.

After inserting Tamura into the match, you changed to what seemed like five at the back. Was this in response to the way the opponents began aiming at Akira Ibayashi’s side of the defense or was it an attempt to deal with their two strikers up front?
It is true that they built numbers on their left wing in the first half and tried to play a lot of one-twos or other passes to break down our back line. Their style is to put in crosses from the right and play one-twos on the left. With that said, the biggest element of the system change was to deal with their crosses. On top of that, I wanted us to do a better job of retrieving the second ball. They then changed positions and tried to break us down from out wide, but they didn’t seem as threatening in the second half as they were in the first.

Tell us why, in the second half, you instructed the keeper to play long balls from goal kicks, rather than the usual quick restart.
Our problems in the first half all stemmed from our attempts to play short passes. Whenever we did play a long ball, there was no one there to retrieve the second ball. For that reason, I told the players at half time that when playing long balls, they should first form a block on the front line and try to win the second ball. They have a very effective high press and if we failed to do this, it would make it easier for them to employ it. I emphasized that we needed to balance between our two approaches.

MF 33Kota Watanabe

Your thoughts on the match?
Last time, they came back to beat us after we took the lead, so this time, we were determined not to let that happen.

Tell us about the opening goal.
Douglas was clear in his movement, so all I had to was play the ball into the space. I really think the goal was down to his clever run.

Your dynamism in attack and defense today was reminiscent of the best moments of the season so far.
I was determined to keep running until the very end. However, I have to improve my mid-range passing. Whether it’s the final ball or others, my precision in those elements is somewhere I can still grow.

You assisted on the third goal and Yong-jik Ri told us you deserve most of the credit.
I’m not sure about that. I don’t think his volley was an easy one to pull off. In my mind, it was all about finding him with my pass, so I think he deserves the credit for his skill.

You were able to get high up the pitch on the right side several times, today.
Lately, I’ve had the feeling that our opponents were concentrating on shutting down the right side, but today I saw space in front of me and I think I was able to make a lot of good runs.

Given the strength of Yamaguchi’s attack, it seemed like you had to work pretty hard to hold them to a single goal.
To be honest, I wanted us to defend by retaining possession more, but we just weren’t able to do it. That’s an area where we have to grow as a team.

You passed the ball well in the first half but seemed to struggle a bit in the second. What do you think was the reason?
We were relying too much on Douglas to do everything. Had we supported him more and created more passing routes, I think we could have moved the ball better.

The team were booed after the Okayama match, so I imagine there was some pressure to get a win at home today.
“The result is always important, but today, I was just as determined that we be competitive and run hard. I’m happy that by doing that, we were able to gain a result in the process.

DF 17Lee Yong Jick

That was a fine goal.
Kouta deserves all the credit. The second I made eye contact with him and let him know where I was, the ball came. All I had to do was follow the course I was already on. It was a soft pass and I really think it was 95% his goal. After it went in, I thanked him several times.

It looked as if you could have taken a touch before putting in the shot.
It was my belief in myself that created the opportunity in the first place. I saw the course open up and so when the ball came, I just decided to shoot. I think that lack of hesitation was what enabled me to score. I knew their weaknesses after the last time we played them and was certain there would be chances to get behind them. The opportunity came exactly as I imagined, so I’m just glad I didn’t sky it.

Considering how you gave up a 2-0 lead to them, last time, getting that third goal after conceding was a big moment.
They started to open up after they got the goal and I felt that if we didn’t score during that period, we were going to be in trouble once they regained composure. It was very important that when the chance came, we were able to take it. I already had one chance turned away for a corner kick. I started to feel a bit worried, then, but I had a sense that another chance would come and I focused on putting that one in. I always have that sense when I’m about to get a goal. The instant I scored, I felt like were going to win. I knew that if it was us who had a third goal go in like that, after we’d just pulled one back, it would be a big blow. We still have a long way to go, but the fact that we could do that today suggests we’ve become the kind of team that is capable of killing off games like these.

After being booed at the end of the Okayama match and the supporters refraining from line dancing after the Emperor’s cup win, I’m sure there was some pressure to win at home today.
Personally, I didn’t feel it that much. I’m sure that some of the players did, but the only thing we have to do is go out and get a win. In terms of the Emperor’s Cup, winning and getting to the next round is more important than the content of the match. Since we were playing with the reserve team, I knew there was a chance something like that could happen. I imagine there were a lot of people, all across Japan, that wanted Kangakudai (Kansai Gakuin Daigaku) to win and to be honest, it was very important for us to get a victory in that match. We’ll have plenty of time to look back on what we could have done better. I can understand why the supporters chose not to line dance and for ourselves, we got the win today, so I hope everyone will just concentrate on the match at hand. If we can do that, I think the road to J1 will open up, so I didn’t feel a lot of pressure from that aspect, myself.

Getting a win, today, against a team that were above you in the table, should mean a lot.
When you win against a team above you, the gap immediately closes so it means a lot. I think it’s important for us, right now, that we don’t think too match about getting a winning streak and just concentrate on winning the match at hand. We’ll continue to have matches coming up against the upper-table teams and we’re actually not that far from the top, so a win today brings us that much closer. I hope we can overtake the top teams during July and August.

DF 5Tomohiro Taira

This is your second match in a row that you’ve scored the winning goal.
I’m happy about that. It was a perfect corner, so I’m just really impressed with Kaji(kawa)’s ability.

It seems like you’ve been able to escape your marker frequently and get on the end of the cross during set pieces.
The opposition was very tight today and they wouldn’t allow anyone to approach the near post, so I made a run to the far post and was able to escape them. We like to aim near or in the center, but I thought I could maybe make something happen if I alone went to the far post. I exercised my own judgment there.

You also made a good block on a clear chance for the opposition.
“It was actually pretty painful (laugh). At that point, we had no choice but to be physical. They’re very good at stretching the defense and were aiming for the rebound, so it was important that I slide in there. We had a number of dangerous situations, but I think we defended well.

Looking back on the goal you conceded, what do you think can be improved?
We absolutely had to prevent them from scoring during that period. It was a good ball that led to the assist, but as defenders, we have to deal with situations like that. At that moment, I was leaning the wrong way for a split-second and was slow to respond as a result. I also think the back line should have dropped back before the pass was made.

DF 3Akira Ibayashi

This is your second match in a row that you’ve scored the winning goal.
I’m happy about that. It was a perfect corner, so I’m just really impressed with Kaji(kawa)’s ability.

You also made a good block on a clear chance for the opposition.
It was actually pretty painful (laugh). At that point, we had no choice but to be physical. They’re very good at stretching the defense and were aiming for the rebound, so it was important that I slide in there. We had a number of dangerous situations, but I think we defended well.

MF 24Yuta Narawa

Your thoughts on the match?
In the first half, we did a good job of not playing to their strengths and being the aggressor. I think that, overall, we had a good game.

The opposition switched their wing players to opposite sides, in response to the Verdy side backs. How do you feel you dealt with that?
To be honest, I felt more threatened by their individual skill during our away match against them. However, it’s also true that they didn’t change their squad after their Emperor’s Cup match and, overall, their players seemed a bit tired, so they weren’t that big a threat.

You seemed to do a good job of avoiding their press when you had the ball in the first half.
Their front press would come strong when we made our first move, but after passing around the initial charge, they didn’t keep coming and they didn’t seem to react well to the second ball. In attack, they have a lot of individually skilled players, but in defense, they didn’t seem that strong. I think we were able to exploit that.

In the second half, you absorbed their initial push and then got a second goal from a set piece.
There was a period where we just couldn’t win the second ball and were made to suffer. However, with regard to the first goal, it was completely our own mistake. I don’t think we can ignore the fact that we gave up that kind of goal just because we won.

What do you think went wrong on the goal you conceded?
I don’t think it was so much that they outran us. It was more a problem with the space between our keeper and the back line. We should never have let that ball bounce in that area and they took advantage of our mistake, so it wasn’t really that we were broken down. With that said, if you concede like that against a truly strong opponent, they will build on that and overtake the lead. We can’t be satisfied with the fact that we won and need to reflect on what went wrong. If we don’t do that, we won’t be able to win as the season continues.

You conceded a similar goal in the match against Sanuki. Do you think even more reflection is required, there?
I did feel like it was the same situation as the Sanuki match and in the away match against Yamaguchi, we collapsed after conceding from a set piece, so it really did feel like a bad omen. In the end, we made it through, but that first goal was our own fault and we need to make adjustments there.

Do you feel like the third goal from Yong-jik Ri dampened any hope they had for getting back into the match?
Considering the amount of time left after the third goal, it was easy for us to switch into a defensive mode and it never felt like we would be undone from that point. However, the way the match was going, if we hadn’t gotten that third goal, I don’t know how the result would have turned out.

With several matches coming up against upper-table opponents, it means a lot that you were able to win the first, today.
It was our second match this week after the Emperor’s Cup match and we won that one using players who haven’t gotten regular match time. That momentum allowed us to win today, so I do think the team is moving in a positive direction. However, I think we have to reflect on the goal we conceded. I don’t think we can be satisfied with just one win today and must work to connect our momentum to the next match.

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