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MATCH
Match Report
【Match Report】
Last week, Verdy suffered their first defeat in eight matches. This week, the team hoped to turn the tide in an away match against Mito Hollyhock. The squad were without Kanya Fujimoto, who was away with the U-19 Japanese National Team, and Kouta Watanabe, who was facing a match ban. As a result, there were slight adjustments made to the team shape with Yuta Narawa slotting in at right back and Yuki Kagawa lining up on the left. At inside half, Yuhei Sato paired with Ryota Kajikawa, while Lee Yong Jick and Jin Izumisawa filled out the front line at right and left wing respectively.
Verdy began the match on the attack. In the first minute, the players pushed into the final third and Tatsuya Uchida tested the goal keeper with a mid-range effort that was duly kept out by a fine save. From that point, the team continued to build up patiently from the back and stretch the opposition shape as they carved out avenues toward goal. Sato and Izumisawa, in particular, served as outlets on the left side, initiating the play. In the 21st minute, Lee won the ball on the wide right and played a pass into space for the running Douglas. The forward’s cross was met by Sato with a first-time volley but the effort lacked power and proved easy for the keeper to catch. In the 32nd minute, Verdy were put in danger themselves when a corner kick fell loose in front of goal. An opposition player got a strong foot to the ball, but Naoto Kamifukumoto showed sharp reflexes to bat the shot away. After the midpoint of the first half, Verdy had total domination of the ball but were unable to make headway as their opponents defended with five at the back, preventing any opportunities for a shot. However, a momentary lapse in the defense’s concentration would occur in the 42nd minute with Verdy poised to take advantage. The move began with Tomohiro Taira playing a forward pass to Douglas from the half way line. Douglas let the pass run behind for Lee, who fought off a challenge from the defense to get a touch, sending the loose ball into the final third where Douglas retrieved it once again and played a lateral return pass back. Lee pulled markers away with his run and then played a back-heel pass to Sato in space. The latter also struck the ball first time, sending a powerfully curling shot that snuck past the inside of the right post and into the back of the net, breaking the deadlock in the most stylish of fashions.
As the second half began, Verdy found themselves pinned back as the opposition strengthened their pressure up front and pushed forward in search of the equalizer. The players did find opportunities to break forward quickly on the counter after winning possession, but their final ball was lacking in quality and moves consistently ended before a finish could be applied. On the other end, the Verdy defense remained organized as they resigned themselves to spending time in defense, shifting from side to side and forcing their opponents into the wide areas with aggressive ball side pressure. In the 81st minute, Narawa lost out in a physical battle near the goal line, sending the opposition unmarked into the area, but Kagawa threw himself at the resulting cross and managed to block the shot from the attacker who had made the run. His touch was just enough to send it wide of the post. As the match drew to a close, both teams began to settle for a basic approach by fighting for long balls in the box and the Verdy defense kept its cool, relying on the goal keeper and center backs to lock down the middle. They were thus able to see out the match without allowing a clear chance on goal and secured the win.
The style with which the team played today after taking the lead was by no means ideal. For Verdy, the objective will always be to dominate possession, force the opposition to run, and carry the game out at their pace. However, in a period where they were struggling to hold the ball, and with so few matches left in the season, the decision to minimize risks and shore up the defense was a major one that will have to be forgiven. As the many teams at the top of the table continue to pile up wins this season, the importance of getting the full three points cannot be understated. The work does not end here. The players must share the mindset of “Partido a Partido”, one game at a time, and concentrate on winning the contest at hand.
Post-match comments
Manager Miguel Ángel Lotina
Your thoughts on the match?
I think we played well in the first half. We had plenty of the ball and moved it well. We may not have created many chances, but it felt like we were on the verge of doing so. After the goal, we went into half time with the lead. The second half was the opposite, as we gave up the ball on too many occasions. Mito also played better themselves. They got closer to our area and we did well to win with the score at 1-0. It ended up being a very difficult match against an opponent who played with high intensity. Getting the three points was extremely important for us.
Towards the end of the first half, you called Kajikawa and Kagawa over to the sideline and issued instructions. What did you tell them?
It was about set plays. I wanted Kaji(kawa) and Yuki (Kagawa) to play as they had in training with (the left-footed) Shogo (Hayashi) and Kanya (Fujimoto). However, it didn’t come off as planned.
You fielded a lineup that you hadn’t used much recently, today. What was your strategy for dealing with Mito?
Of course, we always do research on our opponents before each match, but even when we choose the system to match our opponent, we always do so while thinking about how we want to play and what combinations we need to field. It’s difficult for me to say which one I prioritize on a particular day. I always think about both. One of the most important aspects of football is to think of ideas that will help you win and prepare to carry them out. That’s important for winning but it can also include ideas for how not to lose.
Was the selection of three at the back due to Mito playing with two strikers?
Yes. Mito were missing some important players due to injury today, but they are a fascinating team and I personally like the way they play. They defend with a well-organized 4-4-2 and can attack from the outside or inside. For us, in defense, I wanted the players to maintain concentration and be conscious of dealing with their attack. We also discussed not making things easier for them.
Did you feel any stress from their defending with five at the back?
It was something we were prepared for. We knew that if we dominated the ball, they would respond with that tactic.
MF 16Yuhei Sato
You got your sixth goal of the season, today.
I’ve been getting play time pretty consistently lately and many times, I’m in a position in front of goal, so that has enabled me to score more. Since I’m not involved in the playmaking from midfield at those times, I have more energy and I try to concentrate on contributing as a forward player with goals and assists. Of course, everyone on the team is welcome to score but those playing in front of goal have a greater responsibility, so I’m glad I’m fulfilling that.
Do you feel like you’ve awakened some latent abilities as a goal scorer?
Not really (laugh). Even today, the only feeling I have is that I hit the ball and it went in. I’m conscious of trying to get into the box, but good passes have been arriving for me naturally from the other players, so I feel like I owe the success to my teammates.
What was the game plan for the second half, when you were pinned back?
That’s something that’s been an issue for us, lately. Once we get a goal, we cease being a possession-based team or at least, our decision making when we’re on the ball drops considerably. In the first half, I think we achieved control of the game after winning the ball. In the second half, the manager told us to be aggressive from the start, but we made one mistake and that ended up immediately handing the momentum to them. The important thing is that we not mistakes. That was true in the last match as well. When we make mistakes, it emboldens the other side. When they’re behind, they can afford to take make more risks and it will make things difficult for us if we don’t develop tactics to deal with teams that are determined to attack. I just feel we’ve been making too many easy mistakes. It might be that we succumb to greater pressure when we know we have a chance to win. That comes from wanting to get the victory and I understand if players don’t want to take as many risks. With that said it’s important that, at some point, we support each other and keep the ball moving as a team. When you think about what frustrates our opponents the most, the biggest thing is having possession of the ball. As long as we’re playing with this style, that’s an area where we have to be more disciplined.
Do you think experience is necessary to play with that kind of discipline?
Experience is important, but it’s also necessary for us to think about what kind of play will frustrate our opponents. In terms of controlling the play, yes, I think experience is important. When we’re under this kind of pressure, I think we have to treat each match individually as a must win. In doing so, I think we can actually learn to enjoy the pressure and since it’s not going to let up for the next five matches, we have to concentrate more on our mental approach.
MF 6Jin Izumisawa
Your thoughts on the match?
In attack, I was able to secure width on the pitch as a wing-back. However, there were many instances where our build up from the back let us down and I think it will be difficult for us if we don’t address that. Personally, I thought the first half went fairly well, but without better passing from the wide areas or switching of the play from side to side, it’s difficult for me to receive the ball with freedom, even when I do secure a wide position. For that reason, I ended up in the first half as more of a wide target man then an attacking wing back.
Was there a clear shift to four at the back in the second half?
Basically, I think that was the case. However, we were pushed back a lot and at times, it even felt like we were playing with five defenders.
On the left side, you seemed to switch positions with Sato and Kagawa quite a bit.
It’s something we’ve worked on in training. There were some points where Kagawa and I were not coordinating well, so that’s something we need to practice more.
I’m sure you would have liked to have created more chances on the counter in the second half.
When we’re pushed back that much, it’s best if we can get a goal from a single break, but we weren’t even able to put in a shot… I think that shows where we are as a team at the moment.
DF 17Lee Yong Jick
You played on the front line today. What image did you have going into the match?
I knew they would press us, so I wanted to take advantage of that and support Doug(las) by taking up positions close to him.
Tell us about your assist for the opening goal.
The thing I was most aware of, throughout the match, was staying close to Doug so I’m glad that worked out. With Yuhei, I always keep an eye on where he is and so when I received the ball, I knew he was behind me. My plan was to play it off him and try to get a shot of my own, but he ended up scoring a great goal so I’m glad. It was a heel flick, but I know that if I can get the ball to his feet, he won’t lose it, so I made sure to hit it lightly and he was able to get a good touch.
Your positioning next to Douglas seemed to work particularly well in the first half.
This season, in the instances when we’ve played badly, Doug has had a tendency to be isolated up front. I knew that if I could stay close to him that he would keep the ball and hold up play. I stayed aware of that and finally, he played the ball back to me well in that moment. Doug gives me a lot of trust too, so he and I have a good relationship.
In the second half, you had opportunities on the counter but were unable to carry it far enough to create a clear shot.
That is definitely true. However, last week we didn’t even have the opportunity to get forward, so I feel like we did make some improvements. Improvements aren’t going to happen over night, so I hope that we can gain confidence from that. Still, as well as we played in the first half, we were pushed back like that in the second, so there is still work to do.
In the second half, their constant pressure prevented you from having a lot of time on the ball.
In the first half, I felt like we built up our attack from solid defense but in the second half, Mito moved the ball more patiently and that made it difficult for us to defend. When I made a go for it, I was able to win the ball but in the second half, we drifted further and further back. In the first half, we felt like we could win it by pressing high and used that to mount counter attacks. Even the goal we got came by winning the ball back quickly after conceding it, so I’m glad we were able to express that advantage.
Was the way you defended in the second half part of the plan or do you feel like the opposition let you off the hook with their mistakes?
Honestly, I think it was half and half. If you look only at the result, we kept a clean sheet. With that said, if you ask whether they really had a clear chance to score or not, I’d say no. We’ve defended well all year and we don’t allow many goals. In that sense, I personally felt like we expressed our strength in defense, today. Even when they got high up the pitch, we didn’t allow them into the middle and it never felt like we were in danger of something happening. In those situations, I think what is most important is for us to defend solidly.
What do you think was necessary to earn a second or third goal?
That’s our biggest issue as a team right now. When we try to get forward for a second or third goal, we often fail to do so and then end up suffering as a result. I do think we had a chance to get a second today, so that is something we have to reflect on, myself included. I think I had as many as three opportunities to score, so I have to shoot in those situations. Even though I had those chances, the match sheet shows me having zero shots on goal, so I have to do more and earn actual numbers.
DF 4Yuki Kagawa
This was your first time to play in this system.
It was my first time to play in that position, so I think I was still a little confused. However, I have to get used to it quickly. To that end, I tried to keep things fairly simple today.
In terms of build-up and positioning, it looked like you and Izumisawa were not quite on the same page, despite playing on the same side of the pitch.
In the first half, I had it in mind to take positions out wide, but the angle where I stood tended to overlap with his. We talked to each other about that and after half time, I tried to take up position a little more on the inside so that he could have a wider area to play in.
In the second half, you used your physicality well to block and clear their crosses.
We had the lead, so they were pushing forward pretty hard, but as a team we always stay aware of the need to have numbers back in front of goal. That’s usually four, but today, when they were pushing, I think we were all on the same page about the need to track their runners and defend.
With so many left-footed players lining up, were you careful about finding balance with Taira?
There were times when Taira would drift to the left. We had to keep talking to each other and be careful not to use up all the play space in that area. However, he can play passes forward with his left foot and it’s easy to put in long balls from that position, so I tried to support him and also take positions where I could create space with my own passing.
How do you feel about being used as a starter in such an important match?
We can’t afford to let any of our remaining matches slide and it’s important that we get results. For today, I consider it a positive that we got the result, no matter what the content of the match.