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MATCH
Match Report
Beginning with today’s match, Verdy will enter a period of three consecutive games with only three days in-between each. While the matches on the 21st and 25th will each take place at home, it was important for the team to cut a good start with a win on the road. As with the previous three ties, the starting lineup was unchanged, while Naoto Sawai earned a seat on the substitute’s bench.
The match began with both teams probing for weaknesses. However, a series of mistakes in
Verdy’s buildup play and combinations up front allowed Oita to gradually gain control. Towards the midpoint of the half, the team were spending much of their time in their own area, pushed back by the opposition press or losing possession on the first play, even when they did win the ball. Though Verdy struggled to change gears from defense to offense, the players showed quick reactions when tracking back after losing the ball and were smooth in their ball-side pressure and marking; as such, their opponents never managed to break them down, even as their aggression lead to shooting opportunities. Meanwhile, in attack, Verdy managed only one shot, in the form of a Douglas header from a Kajikawa cross, and ended the first half having been forced to spend their energy keeping Oita away from goal.
As the team took the field for the second half, Naoya Fujimoto was substituted for Shion Inoue in the first of a series of tactical changes. The players seemed to struggle with the new strategy at first, dropping back deep into their own half, but before long, Inoue’s ability to get on the ball brought stability to the team’s build-up and they began to push forward with a momentum that belied their play in the opening period. Despite having more of the possession, however, Verdy found themselves unable to carve clear opportunities for a finish, as Oita began to retreat into a defensive wall. It was not until 20 minutes had passed inthe second half that their attacking play slowly began to bear fruit. Several times, the players carried the ball into the vital area, after one-touch passing in wide positions, creating a pathway to goal. This passage of play would finally lead to the first, and biggest, clear opportunity of the match in the 74th minute. After finding space on the left side, Kota Watanabe received the ball and played a first-time pass to Carlos, who shed his marker and entered into the penalty area. His powerful shot was low to the ground and seemed difficult to reach, but the keeper left his line with perfect timing and somehow managed to make a dramatic save that kept the ball from reaching the back of the net. From there, the match became a slightly more open affair and Verdy were pushed back once again, but they showed their toughness to endure the pressure and hold out until the final whistle, securing a goalless draw. While they were unable to earn the full three points, the team still managed to complete their first four matches of the season without a single loss and are now well poised to hold two consecutive matches at home.
Overall, this match was one where the coaching staff showed the sound tactical judgment necessary to change the momentum, while the players demonstrated an understanding that enabled them to carry out their instructions in real time. Thus, despite their disappointment at dropping points, the team can feel confident that they have the tactical backbone to overcome adversity. Now they must further demonstrate their credentials by achieving positive results in the consecutive home games and achieve a truly impressive start to their campaign. The first test will be against Avispa Shizuoka, a team whom it would be no exaggeration to say gave Verdy the most trouble of any opponent last season. To continue building momentum, the players must give their all and succeed in gaining a win against a marquee opponent.
Read moreAs the team took the field for the second half, Naoya Fujimoto was substituted for Shion Inoue in the first of a series of tactical changes. The players seemed to struggle with the new strategy at first, dropping back deep into their own half, but before long, Inoue’s ability to get on the ball brought stability to the team’s build-up and they began to push forward with a momentum that belied their play in the opening period. Despite having more of the possession, however, Verdy found themselves unable to carve clear opportunities for a finish, as Oita began to retreat into a defensive wall. It was not until 20 minutes had passed inthe second half that their attacking play slowly began to bear fruit. Several times, the players carried the ball into the vital area, after one-touch passing in wide positions, creating a pathway to goal. This passage of play would finally lead to the first, and biggest, clear opportunity of the match in the 74th minute. After finding space on the left side, Kota Watanabe received the ball and played a first-time pass to Carlos, who shed his marker and entered into the penalty area. His powerful shot was low to the ground and seemed difficult to reach, but the keeper left his line with perfect timing and somehow managed to make a dramatic save that kept the ball from reaching the back of the net. From there, the match became a slightly more open affair and Verdy were pushed back once again, but they showed their toughness to endure the pressure and hold out until the final whistle, securing a goalless draw. While they were unable to earn the full three points, the team still managed to complete their first four matches of the season without a single loss and are now well poised to hold two consecutive matches at home.
Overall, this match was one where the coaching staff showed the sound tactical judgment necessary to change the momentum, while the players demonstrated an understanding that enabled them to carry out their instructions in real time. Thus, despite their disappointment at dropping points, the team can feel confident that they have the tactical backbone to overcome adversity. Now they must further demonstrate their credentials by achieving positive results in the consecutive home games and achieve a truly impressive start to their campaign. The first test will be against Avispa Shizuoka, a team whom it would be no exaggeration to say gave Verdy the most trouble of any opponent last season. To continue building momentum, the players must give their all and succeed in gaining a win against a marquee opponent.
Post-match comments
Manager Miguel Ángel Lotina
Your thoughts on the match?
Oita were clearly dominant in the first half. We were not able to play our best game and we gave up the ball too cheaply. On the other hand, they moved the ball well and controlled
the flow of the match. The second half was much more even and there were periods where we were in control. We even had opportunities to put the game away. However, it’s true that they also had similar chances and both goal keepers made excellent saves. I think that 0-0 is a decent result in this case.
The team’s struggles in the first half seemed to stem, in part, from the opposition having a numerical advantage after changes in possession. Was that because the Verdy players were late in making supporting runs, or was there a tactical problem that gave them better numbers in certain areas?
I think you got it exactly right. They were able to win the ball back very quickly and impose their game plan. There were two reasons that can be cited for why this happened. One is that the opposition played very well. The other is that we gave away the ball too cheaply.
You changed the system in the second half. What was your intent, there?
I didn’t like the way we played in the first and felt we had to change something, so I chose to
change the system. More than that, I also changed personnel. It was an attempt to alter the flow of the match.
What was the biggest difference you wanted to see?
I wanted to see a difference in attack and in defense. I think we were lucky to finish the first half at 0-0. They had a lot of the ball, but we were able to defend without major problems. In attack, I wanted us to have more of the ball and increase our time in possession. That is why I changed the system.
MF 24Yuta Narawa
It seemed like the team played into their game plan in the first half.
I think there are always cases where one team has a certain amount of players in certain areas, or where we have a certain amount, and as a result, the game becomes difficult. It happens all the time, but since we are a team that values tactics, it is something we need to be more aware of. For me, personally, I am focused on not losing one v one battles and getting back on defense, when needed. From that perspective, there is a lot we could have done better in the first half.
Was it simply a case of losing the ball too much?
Both ourselves and our opponents today are teams that like to keep possession. I think the reason they had a better time in the first half was simply that they took care of the ball, while we were losing it right away after winning it. That is something we have to be more careful about.
What enabled you to carry the ball higher up the pitch in the second half?
Well, we’re back to what I said in my first answer. There might be some tactical element to it, but I think it’s more about putting pressure on the player you’re matched up against and keeping the ball when you have it –- pretty basic stuff. Personally, I think we did a better job of that in the second half and that’s why we had the advantage.
Was this the sort of match where you were came in thinking you’d be satisfied with a draw or do you feel like you could have gotten a better result?
We always want to get the thee points and I believe we have to carry the match with that Intent; but in my play, I tend to focus on securing at least one point, rather than trying to forcibly get all three. We have good players up front who are capable of winning matches, so if I can do my job and keep us at 0-0 like today, I think there’s bound to be a goal eventually. So, for me, individually, today’s match was not cause for pessimism.
MF 20Shion Inoue
You didn’t appear in the match against Kofu, but you’ve appeared in the two matches since.
I had a lot more playing time today than in other recent matches and we didn’t play well in the first half, so my goal in taking the pitch was to be the difference that would lead the team to victory. I regret that I wasn’t able to succeed.
Was the plan for you to help settle things down and build rhythm in the passing game?
After watching the first half, I felt that it was important for us to be more careful with the ball and earn the lion’s share of possession, after which we could push forward and try to get a goal. We accomplished the first part of that equation, but in terms of trying to get a goal and being dangerous in our play, we didn’t have many shots. That is an area where we must improve.
Did you want to push up a bit closer to goal?
In the beginning, I was happy just to keep possession, but as time went on, I needed to occupy higher positions and feel that I should have gotten on the ball more in those areas.
As an observer, it felt like the players, as a team, should have had opportunities to break them down, ever after they began retreating in defense.
We were playing in a different style from usual and that cut down on the number of our attacks. We did have enough ideas to approach their goal, on more than one occasion, and I just wish we had scored.
Do you feel that you, individually, could have been more of a threat?
I had a lot of freedom today and I received a lot of the ball, but I wasn’t able to create a goal. That is an area where I need to improve.
You’ve now entered a series of consecutive matches, so there will likely be more chances for you.
I will do my best in training and try to clear my head, so I can contribute what the team needs. I would like to get closer to the ideal player I would like to be.
GK 21Naoto Kamifukumoto
That was a very difficult first half. Was it tough playing against your former team?
It really was tough in the first half. We ran so much in defense, that we had no power left in the second, so that’s something we have to work on. Before the match began, I was determined not to let my feelings about the occasion show, as this would be bad for the team, so I just concentrated on doing what we needed to win. This is a joke, but before the match began, I was concentrating so much, that I even began repeating to myself not to pass to the blue team (laugh). Even when it comes to silly mistakes, that was the one thing I couldn’t do (laugh).
How did it feel to actually be on the pitch against them？
I just concentrated on the match and doing what the team needed me to do. There are still things we need to work on, but we were able to concentrate and withstand their attacks and keep a clean sheet. We have to build on that for the future. Anyway, now that it’s over, I can say that today was a very special day for me and a moment of happiness for me as a soccer player. We will have one more match against Oita in the second half of the season and I hope that we can show them we deserve to win, then. Of course, I am still rooting for them as a team, too.
You made a good save on your near post at the end of the first half.
At that time, I was expecting them to try to shoot more from distance. I had the feeling that after last year, there would be awareness among the Oita players and staff that they had given up goals from mid-range to Verdy last year, so I had prepared for them to focus on that today. They still got off a lot of shots, and I think there was a subconscious desire on their part to put one past me, but that also became a form of pressure on their end, or at least that’s how it appeared to me. There was some uncertainty over whether he was going to shoot or cross in the moment you mentioned, but at the very least, I think I was ready for him to shoot. The player in question (Yusuke Goto) was someone who I played together with for a long time, so I guess I should thank him (laugh).