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MATCH
Match Report
【Match Report】
Last week, Verdy ended their streak of two matches away with a winless record of one draw and one loss. This week, they returned to Tokyo for their final home match of the season. The matchup was against bottom of the table Kamatamare Sanuki and with Verdy’s rivals at the top all winning and point difference remaining tight, this was an encounter that the team could not afford to lose if they hoped to maintain a qualifying position for the promotional playoff. The squad that took the pitch featured several changes from the previous week. Naoya Tamura began the match at right back, while Shion Inoue started in midfield, lining up nearly shoulder to shoulder with Tatsuya Uchida behind Kota Watanabe. Rounding out the squad were Douglas at lone striker, Shogo Hayashi at right wing and Yong-jick Lee at left wing.
It was Verdy who began the match on the ball. Inoue made himself the primary focus in midfield, evading the opposition press, carrying the ball up the pitch, and building rhythm by spraying passes out in all four directions. The opposition responded by attempting to play a high line and the result was that both teams maintained a compact shape, leaving space behind for Verdy to exploit. In the 17th minute, Uchida played a looping cross into the box as Lee made a run from the right side, playing it back across the face of goal and setting up Douglas for an unmarked header that was unfortunately off target. In the 19th minute, the biggest opportunity of the match would emerge. Tomohiro Taira took the ball in his own half and played a long forward pass for Douglas to head down. The running Watanabe was able to control the second ball with his chest and switch positions with his marker, enabling him to break free into space. Though Watanabe was left 1 v 1 with the goal keeper, his counterpart made a good save to keep the ball from the net. A similar chance would occur in the 21st minute. Lee won the ball on the counter press and played a sharp through ball past the defense. Douglas looked to have space unmarked, but his first touch was heavy and the keeper was able to deal with the danger by leaving his line. As Verdy failed to capitalize on their chances, the rhythm would shift to Sanuki. The home team showed patience by retreating into their half to defend, but Sanuki would keep them pinned back by creating positive chances, such as a mid-range shot that clattered the post in the 26th minute. Though they struggled to move up the pitch, Verdy did win a free kick after creating a chance on the counter and the result would prove pivotal to breaking the dead lock. It was the 38th minute and though Inoue’s direct free kick was initially beaten away by the keeper, Uchida retrieved the second ball on the left side and played a long pass into the box. Taira made a run on the far side of goal and pulled away two defenders before fighting to head the ball down for Akira Ibayashi standing opposite him. Ibayashi then hit the ball with a sweet volley that found the right corner of the net and gave Verdy the lead.
Verdy began the second half with the intent to build on their advantage by pressing from the front. However, they were unable to set up the finish and gradually found themselves pushed back. The players still found occasions to break into the final third, but both their wide play and attempts to push through the middle were lacking in precision, ultimately handing the opposition an opportunity to counter. As time passed, the intensity of the Sanuki attack would only grow. Unable to push back, the Verdy players settled in to weather the storm. This basic framework would go unchanged until the final minutes. The Verdy defense slid from side to side and pushed their opponents wide, after which they were well prepared to repel crosses into the box and prevent clear scoring chances. Although their shape grew heavy at the back, restricting numbers as they tried to move forward and stifling their own attempts at a counter attack, the entire squad pulled together to protect the goal provided by their captain and the team succeeded in progressing to the final week of league play while remaining in playoff contention.
After the previous week’s loss had all but ended their chances at automatic promotion, some may have expected the Verdy players to show some lingering effects today, but to a man, they held their heads up and fought with positive intent. While the long periods spent under pressure from the opposition will certainly leave the impression that they were largely on the back foot, the team’s compact shape in the first half provided a strong foundation for a series of sharp attacking play that resembled the squad at their peak. More than anything else, the return of their competitive focus and ability to see out the win is a welcome sight.
There is now only one week remaining of league play. The players still hold in their hands an opportunity to forge their own destiny. Next week, they will head across town for the annual TOKYO CLASSIC against Derby rivals FC Machida Zelvia. To ensure victory in this must-win match, supporters must fill the away stand with green jerseys and lend their strength to the team. The pride of the entire Verdy family is at stake and now is the time to cheer on the team until the very end.
Post-match comments
Manager Miguel Ángel Lotina
Your thoughts on the match?
It was a difficult one for us. First of all, it was difficult for us to control our emotions. Last week’s loss did a lot of damage to us, to the players individually and to the team as a whole. It was a difficult week and I think that showed in this match. After losing to Matsumoto, the prospects of automatic promotion became difficult and we were forced to change our goals. For us, qualifying for the playoff remains an important objective, a premium even. It’s not only important for us, but I think for the club and for the fans as well. Today’s match will connect to the next one, the one that will determine our playoff qualification, and I wanted us to have confidence as we entered that match. In terms of today’s game, there were periods when we played well but also times when we lost the ball too easily and grew nervous in defense. The positive aspects of the match are that we took the full three points and I think that put us in a position for our next match, which will be very important. More than any analysis of the match from a tactical or technical perspective, I think the mental influence on today’s match had a major impact.
Was there a conscious decision to retreat and defend from a deeper position in the second half or was that also a mental effect?
I wanted us to defend more by pressing from high up the pitch, but that didn’t go well. We gave up the ball too easily after winning it. We couldn’t complete simple passes and that led to us being pushed back. After getting the first goal, we had chances to get a second or third and if we had done so, I think we could have played with more composure in the second half. We didn’t do that, however, and I think that made the match more difficult.
The pressure is even higher for the final match against Machida. What sort of game do you want to play against them?
I think today was the most difficult week for us. Now we’ve overcome that. Next week, we will play with high motivation as we try to earn a playoff spot. It’s important for our staff and for the players to compete in the playoff and I think it’s important for the fans as well.
What elements do you think will be important for the next match?
Emotionally, this week was the most difficult, but we got past it. Now I think the players are excited about the prospect of entering the playoff. I also think their ambition is growing. So next week will not be as difficult for us on an emotional level. In footballing terms, I think it’s important to demand the highest level of play we are capable of. We must play the way we seek to and aim to win. I believe our current position in the table shows that we are capable of producing that kind of play.
DF 3Akira Ibayashi
Tell us about your goal.
The opposition keeper deflected the first set piece. I was on the far side, opposite from where Taira was fighting for the ball. I hoped that he would play a good ball across the face of goal and I positioned myself in anticipation of that. Then the ball came and all I had to do was get on the end of it. I actually didn’t make good contact, but the ball was played into the perfect spot. I just tried to keep it down and make sure it was on target. Individually, I score a lot from volleys, but I don’t really know why. I guess it’s because I like to be direct. That applies when I make an interception, as well. I try to connect them directly as passes. In that sense, my shot today was a direct one performed with the same instinct as an interception. I think that’s why I succeeded.
Your first goal of the season came during the final home match.
The team president and everyone else have been on me about it, so I’m relieved I was finally able to get one.
How did the team recover from the difficult result against Matsumoto?
That was a turning point for us, so it was very difficult, but we only lost the opportunity for automatic promotion and we’re still in position for the playoff. We simply had to change our goals and prepare for this week. In terms of motivation, I think that is something that each of us will have to address individually.
Tell us about how what happened in the second half, when you were pushed back on defense.
When we tried to raise our line, they just started playing long balls behind us, so in some ways, we had no choice. I think the match against Machida will also end up looking that way. They’ll kick a lot of speculative balls and even if they don’t connect with their passes, they’ll have the chance to create opportunities from defense on throw-ins near the corner flag. Machida press very hard and if we don’t raise our intensity in the one v one duels, I think we’re going to have trouble. That’s something we have to work on in training this week. We also have to improve the quality of our clearances. We can’t just huff the ball away. We have to clear it in to space on the opposite side and try to catch them off balance. That’s something I want us to work on.
Tell us about your objectives for the final week.
Winning is the only path we have left to reach J1, so I think we just have to put the result above all else and not let the win we earned today at home go to waste.
MF 33Kota Watanabe
You had a big opportunity to score in the first half.
My second touch was poor and I thought I had more space between myself and the defense. The keeper closed me down quicker than I expected and I rushed things. I was aiming to play it left of him, but I put too much of my foot into it and it went to the inside. When I first broke free, it happened pretty quickly and it’s rare for me to have that much space, so I was actually surprised. To be honest, when the keeper stopped my shot, all I could think about was how I would explain myself if we ended up losing. I’m glad that we were still somehow able to get the win.
Your combination play with Shogo Hayashi on the right wing stood out and you were able to get free high up the pitch.
They weren’t paying much attention to me, so I was able to get free several times. Once I did, however, my precision was lacking and I need to work on getting my touch back as we try to improve.
Still, you showed plenty of dynamism in attack and defense.
As a team, I felt like we had been lacking an urge to get forward lately, so I just tried to keep us moving up the pitch. I didn’t think much about pacing myself and gave 100% in all aspects.
Were you able to recover mentally after the tough loss to Matsumoto?
I didn’t know if I would be given the chance, but I was determined to perform well if I did. It didn’t go smoothly at first, but in the end, we reorganized and I tried to spot opportunities when I could commit to going forward and have a positive impact.
Between you, Shion Inoue and Shogo Hayashi, there were three players hailing from the youth team who started today. Did the three of you try to make an impact together?
That’s not really something we talk about… However, I’m sure that each of us was thinking about it in his own way.
As the season draws to a close, how do you feel about where the team is at now and how you have fit in individually?
We still have a long way to go. We haven’t been able to dominate matches and lately, we’ve conceded control to the opposition for long periods. That’s something we have to improve.
When things got rough today, it looked like you and Inoue were trying to make things happen individually, even to the point of forcing things.
If we don’t do that, we won’t give the opposition anything to fear. I think that’s something we should continue.
DF 4Yuki Kagawa
Your thoughts on the match?
In terms of connecting our passes from the opening whistle, evading them as they pressed from the front, and pursuing the match at our pace, I think it went okay. We were able to get a goal at a good point in the match. That all went as planned.
Last week, you played at right side back from the half way point, but I believe this was your first start at right wing since joining the team.
It’s not something I’ve done a lot, but we had made a point of working on it in training. I anticipated that I might play in that position in matches like this or maybe even expected it. In attack, I think the manager wants me to play in-swinging crosses and get into the box, so I just tried to get involved in creating goals. In defense, I maintained my position. No matter who is on the pitch, we have a responsibility to defend, so I was always aware of that.
You dribbled from the right wing a lot in the first half, but in the second, you and Lee were beginning moves on the left.
Either way, the goal was to get deep into opposition territory. My strong point is my crossing ability and I think I was able to put in crosses from open play, but they didn’t meet with my teammates. I want to work on making sure they always meet with someone.
What are your thoughts on the way the team was forced to defend in the second half?
As the second half progressed, we were pushed back and they started winning more of the second ball and dominating possession. We had the lead, so as a team, we decided to concentrate on defense and I think our shape was able to fend off their attack pretty well.
Was the fact that you were unable to build on your lead due to mental damage from the previous week?
It is important to build on our lead, but with time running out, I think the decision to change our approach and protect our goal was a natural one for us as a team.
Lately, you’ve had several matches where it’s been difficult to protect your lead. How did it feel today?
From the mid-point of the match, the opposition started putting in more early crosses and we were able to fend them off by playing with something like five at the back. Once we were in our shape, I think we did a good job of moving forward to close down the ball holder and that was what enabled us to hold them goalless.
When considering goal difference compared to the other teams high in the table, it should be important to win the full three points in the final match against Machida.
We’ve already managed to pile up this many points in the league so far and while it is important to win, it’s also important that we get a minimum amount of points from each match. The first priority is to prevent a loss and depending on circumstances, we can then do what we have to get a higher position in the table.
DF 23Naoya Tamura
You started a match for the first time in a while.
For me, personally, I’ve been dealing with injuries and on top of that, there’s been a lot of squad rotation, so this was my first match in a while. However, I was able to get on the pitch today and achieve a good result. On an individual level, I think I’ve cleared my mission.
This was an important result for the team.
It was our last home match of the season and the other teams high up the table also won, so it was extremely important that we do so, too. Regardless of how it affects promotion, being able to play Machida in the last match with so few points between us in the table is something that I want us to enjoy in a pure way.
How were you able to change focus after the tough loss against Matsumoto?
The manager didn’t criticize us too heavily. The players were well aware of what happened and from the reaction of the fans and many other elements, it was something that was on all our minds, even for someone like me who was on the bench. With football, it’s not just the mental and emotional aspects that are important but also the matchup and today, we had solid scouting of the opposition and played the match as we intended to do. We didn’t create enough shots in the first half, but I think we were able to threaten them with our attack from wide positions.
What are your thoughts on the way the team was forced to defend in the second half?
None of us in defense were satisfied with simply defending at the back. We wanted to get another goal and the three players in midfield were doing what they could to win the ball. I felt like we were one step away from being able to change the momentum. It was always the final pass that let us down and if we can improve that aspect, I felt like we did well enough to get a second goal. Rather than parking the bus, it was more about absorbing their pressure and waiting for a chance to get the second goal. We kept trying to do that, but they brought on experienced players like Hara and Ganaha as subs and that meant we needed to get stuck in. If I’m being fully honest, I wanted us to get the second goal before that.
Playing in front of you today was Shogo Hayashi, who hadn’t made an appearance for a while. Were you careful about how you combined with him?
Even though he hasn’t made the squad, he’s always performed very well in training. We like to play left footed players on the right side and I think that strength showed through again today. I knew that he could make the squad at any time and in the away match against Tokushima, he, Kota and myself had combined well, so we took the same approach today.
From the mid-point of the second half, it was another left footed player, Kagawa, who played in front of you.
Hayashi had a cramp, so once Narawa entered the match, the manager signaled for us to switch the left and right wings. It was his judgment, but we also had a shared understanding of what to do as a team and I myself understood the way he plays enough to make the necessary adjustments.
DF 15Shogo Hayashi
Your thoughts on the match?
Personally, I didn’t think I played very well and I wasn’t able to get the ball at my feet often enough. I decided to do my best mainly in defense.
You had a cramp in the second half and had to be subbed. Were you trying to run full bore from the first half on?
No matter how I played, I expected my legs to wear out eventually. It happened faster than I hoped, but until that point, I made sure to run as much as I could.
You combined well with your teammates and made some good passes to switch the play to the opposite side.
The midfield players did a job of moving the ball and were always in good positions, so I was able to combine well with them.
You used your left foot to combine well with Watanabe a number of times.
You used your left foot to combine well with Watanabe a number of times. Kanya (Fujimoto) is also left-footed and I think we have the same general style, so I learned from that and tried to make things easy for Kouta (Watanabe). It was pretty easy to play balls behind the defense from my position, so I tried to do that when I could.
What were you most aware of in defense?
The first thing was locking up the center and not letting them make passes in front of goal. Beyond that, I tried to press them from the front when possible, with the aim of trying to win the ball or force them to play the ball back. I also made sure to cut off any passes from Alex’s left foot.
How did you shift focus after the tough result against Matsumoto?
This was a match we had to win and I was on the pitch for the first time in a while, so I was very motivated. I’m just happy we won.
When considering goal difference compared to the other teams high in the table, it should be important to win the full three points in the final match against Machida.
I don’t know when I’ll be able to make my next appearance, but if I do, my only objective is to make sure we win.