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MATCH

2019 MEIJI YASUDA J2 LEAGUE 2nd Sec - Ehime FC vs Tokyo Verdy

Match Report

Last week, Verdy were defeated 1-0 away in the Tokyo Classic against FC Machida Zelvia. Despite attempting to shift their style to match the play of Machida, the changes were ineffective and left the team unable to secure a goal. This week, Verdy faced their second consecutive match on the road and were determined to express more of their attacking style.

 

The team began with a single change to their starting members, as Junki Koike began the match on the left wing and Yuhei Sato slid over to the number 10 slot.

 

Verdy began the match by passing the ball well and pushing past the opposition press into the final third. In the first minute, Tatsuya Uchida retrieved a forward pass into a tight space and threatened the goal with a mid-range shot. The team then created their first clear chance in the fifth minute when Koike broke into space on the left side after a one-two. The winger drilled a cross in front of goal that found Leandro unmarked and though his header was on target, it was kept out by a fine save from the opposition goal keeper. Verdy continued to attack from the wide areas with Koike, especially, expressing himself with dynamic play. Yuta Narawa took advantage of the space opened by Koike in the 12th minute, making a run on goal to create a clear chance and sustain the rhythm built on the left side. After the 15th minute, however, the opposition began to grasp more of the pace. Though Verdy had pressed from high positions in the opening minutes, Ehime began threading mid-range passes and the team found themselves unable to commit numbers and win the ball, dropping further and further back in front of their own goal. In the 20th minute, Verdy allowed Kamiya to burst forward on the counter and gave up a shot on goal that was only kept out by an excellent save from Naoto Kamifukumoto. Though the players attempted to push back, they lacked numbers in attack and gaps began to widen in their defense with each opposition counter. In the 38th minute, Lee Yong Jick went strong to clear a pass played in front of goal but the ball was deflected off his leg and changed direction to make its way into the back of the net. As the first half came to a close, Verdy created a chance from a corner kick, but Naoya Tamura’s unmarked shot on the far side flew over the bar.

 

At half time, the speech from Manager WHITE emphasized the chances the team had missed in attack. With the encouragement to continue creating opportunities, the players were then sent onto the pitch looking for the win.

 

The second half began at the opposition’s pace but after pressing to win the ball high up the pitch and evading the first challenge, Sato flashed a diagonal shot just wide of the right post in the 55th minute. The manager then moved quickly to ride the momentum with a series of substitutions. Jin Hanato was brought on for Leandro, while Hiroki Kawano took the place of Kanya Fujimoto. The changes led to tighter positioning on the front line and Verdy were able to combine short passes and improve their rhythm. In the 82nd minute, Sato emerged from among a crowd of defenders to play a cross from the left wing which Ryota Kajikawa met on the far side with a clever half volley. However, his effort rebounded off the post. In the 86th minute Ryohei Hayashi also took the pitch and Verdy were given an even greater chance. It was the first minute of additional time and Sato played a sharp free kick in front of goal for Hayashi to head home. His powerful shot left the keeper rooted to the spot, only to cannon off the cross bar with a resounding thud. Kawano then had an opportunity just before the final whistle, evading the outstretched keeper to retrieve the ball on the byline and play a cross past the face of goal. However, his teammates came just short of meeting the pass and the referee whistled for time up.

 

This was Verdy’s second consecutive loss to start the season. Worse, the team remain goalless, a somewhat shocking result for a club that has made attacking football one of its objectives for the season. With that said, the team clearly created a greater number of opportunities to finish than the previous week, including two shots off the post and bar. This was thus the first match of the season in which Verdy achieved the type of attacking football they seek to play and the squad can take some satisfaction at their progress. From their front-line press to their combination play in the final third, there remains a need for refinement but the potential is clear. Next week, Verdy finally return home, seeking their first win in four months at Ajinomoto Stadium. With no time to hang their heads, the players must prepare as best they can.

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Post-match comments

Manager Gary John WHITE

Your thoughts on the match?
It was a difficult one for us. I feel like we dominated the majority of the play. It’s also a fact that we created a fair number of chances. We had shots come of the post and off the bar. Somehow, the ball just didn’t hit the net. The mentality of the players was excellent, including their tactical approach. All I can say is “that’s football”.

The team’s qualities showed through more than the opener, but there were moments when their pressing seemed to slacken. Were you intentionally retreating into a defensive stance or were you simply unable to push up?
Part of it is that we were able to produce good possession play in the first 10 to 16 minutes. After that, we had a period where things just seemed not to go right. I don’t know whether it was because the ball didn’t hit the net or we just lacked the confidence necessary to keep pressing. At half time, I stressed to the players that they needed to finish when they have the chance. As a result, they continued to create scoring opportunities.

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Post-match comments

MF33Hiroki Kawano

This was your first appearance since returning to the team. It must have been difficult with so little time on the pitch.
It was my first match back with Verdy and while I wasn’t given many minutes in front of the supporters or opportunities to show what I can do, I felt it was more important to do what was required of me in the little time I had. I wasn’t able to score but I did return to the pitch and I was happy to play in front of everyone.

Your cross in the last play seemed just one step away from being put in for a goal.
I didn’t put enough power in. The flight of the ball was how I imagined and if I had hit it a little bit stronger, it would have been set up perfectly for a goal.

You combined well with Hanato and Sato in attack.
There were no problems, there. I’ve played with Jin (Hanato) before and I’d like to have a bit more time together on the pitch. We lost today, but I’m confident we’ll be a fun team to watch in the near future.

Unlike the opener, you played your style of football today.
Given our team approach, the opener was a difficult result to take. We’ll show a lot of different approaches from here on, so I hope the supporters will come to cheer us on in the next match at home.

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MF23Naoya Tamura

You had a big chance after the opening whistle and it ended up being a frustrating start to the match.
Yes. We played well in the first 10-15 minutes and with Jun Koike in, we were able to run at the defense. That created time for us in possession, as well. I wanted us to score in those moments and we needed to hold the other side goalless. It’s always going to be difficult for us if the other side score first, so we need to grow tougher in that sense.

As it did last year, the passing style of your opponents seemed to create difficulties for you.
Last year, we played with a strong defensive block, rather than defend from the front. This year, we’re trying to press more, so there will be times when we face a numerical disadvantage. In the second half, Kaji(kawa) won the ball in good positions high up the pitch and that made it easier for us to attack. It’s difficult to say that one style is better than the other, but right now we’re challenging ourselves to play in this way, so we have to learn to be ruthless.

So, you’re still building combinations in attack and defense.
We’ve had changes to the squad members and are trying out different systems. Of course, we want to get results but it’s also important that we continue to play in search of a goal like we did today. Our next match is at home, so we’ll be looking for good play and a good result to go with it.

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FW18Jin Hanato

What did you have in mind when you took the pitch?
I’ve played in a lot of different positions in training, so I didn’t know where I would be used. Last week, I played on the left side and today, I was a lone striker. Our rhythm was not bad at all. With that said, while it’s true that we were able to play with more attacking intent after I came on, it’s meaningless if we can’t find the net. With so many shots hitting the post and bar, I thought that I could generate an attacking rhythm when I came on and I suppose I accomplished that, but playing up front, I have to create a goal. We haven’t scored a goal in league play yet, this season, and it doesn’t matter who does it. Everyone has to play with the strong intent that they’re going to be the one. I feel bad for the supporters who came all the way to Ehime to cheer us on and since we have our home opener next week, we have to shift gears and prepare to win.

You did create a lot of chances, though.
It’s hard to say this after a loss, but compared to the opening match of the season, I personally didn’t feel any discomfort with the play. I hope to continue that and contribute to a goal on top of it in the future. The opposition is always going to show greater concentration before we apply the finish but even so, we had chances to score. Kaji(kawa) hit the bar and Ryohei (Hayashi) hit the post. It’s a case of would have, could have, should have, but if I could have been just a bit more aggressive or someone could have gotten on the end of a pass… it’s those final details, I think, that are the difference between getting a goal or not, so we just have to work on that more.

After the match, you looked very frustrated.
I feel like I personally could have done more. My last shot was deflected by a defender and it’s the ability to score or not score in those moments that determine your level as a player. I came to this match believing that we were not second best and that even a single point would not be enough. That left me very frustrated.

Next up is your first home match of the season.
I don’t know whether I’ll make an appearance or not, but it will be my first time to play at Ajinomoto Stadium as a member of the Verdy squad and I feel the best possible scenario would be to get the result we need while playing football the fans will enjoy. As a professional, it’s natural that we should want a result, but I also want to make sure we entertain doing it.

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