[Reserve]
GK:1 Ryuji OHMOTO
DF:24 Kōnosuke KUSAZUMI
MF:9 Ryuji FUKINO, 17 Tsubasa TERAYAMA
FW:13 Kazutaka YOSHIDA

○Match Report
【Challenge to the next stage】
In the previous match, FC Tokyo U-18 (4th place) suffered their first defeat since the opening match and will host Kashima Antlers Youth (3rd place) at their home ground, 'Tokyo Gas Musashino-En Multi-Purpose Ground'.
This is a match against an opponent with a one-point difference, making it a battle that we cannot give up.
With a kick-off at 15:30, the match will be held in a high-temperature environment.
Coach Sato urged, "This will be a good experience for the Club Youth Championship. Because it's hot, we must run and fight harder than our opponents. Let's show our overall strength as a team." and sent the players onto the pitch.

[First Half]
In an effort to seize control, both sides engage in fierce battles in midfield.
Kashima simply plays long balls forward, including the GK, pushing down the Tokyo defense and going for the second ball.
In response, Tokyo's Shinohara and Masaru HASEGAWA do not yield air superiority, quickly reacting to second balls and not allowing Kashima to gain rhythm.
As Tokyo gradually finds its rhythm, they connect short passes in midfield and approach the opponent's goal.
In the 28th minute, the ball was passed rhythmically on the left side to Hirakawa. Hirakawa advanced deep into the penalty area with a dribble and delivered a cross, but it didn't connect.
Furthermore, Hirakawa received the ball from Kobayashi (Makoto) in the 39th minute, dribbled down the left side, and took a shot, but it was blocked by the defender.
Neither team was able to create a scoring opportunity, and as the clock continued to run, it was the 44th minute just before the end of the first half. Kobayashi (Miki) took a shot from outside the penalty area, slightly to the left, but it went wide of the goal.
Tokyo had 4 shots while Kashima had 2 as they headed into halftime.

【Halftime】
Coach Sato
"Let's pick up the second ball and move the ball. Everyone should give their all, and let's fight together as the 18, including those on the bench."
There is a high possibility that the game will change in the final moments. Keep pushing until the very last second.

【Second Half】
Just 30 seconds after the start, a cross was sent in from the right, but the opposing player could not make contact. After surviving the early danger, the team that retained possession of the ball was Tokyo.
Expand the ball to both sides and launch an offensive.
In the 51st minute, Sakaguchi passed to Arakawa on the left side, who then sent the ball to Okaniwa on the right side. Okaniwa passed the ball to Yokoyama ahead and initiated a vertical dribble.
Yokoyama sent the ball to the near post, and Hara jumped in but got knocked down. The ball continued to flow, and Kobayashi (Makoto) jumped in but hit the left post directly.
Furthermore, in the 54th minute, Yokoyama created a chance from a pass received from Okaniwa, and in the 59th minute, they launched a counterattack.
Okaniwa advanced about 40m on the right side and delivered an early cross. Hara, who was free in the center, attempted a header but it went over the goal.
Tokyo continues to press, and in the 67th minute, Kobayashi (Miki)'s shot from the center is blocked by the Kashima defense. The loose ball is picked up by Kobayashi (Makoto), who aims for another shot from distance, but is blocked by the determined Kashima defense.
In the 70th minute, Sugiyama was brought in to replace Yokoyama to add variation to the attack.
In the 79th minute, Okaniwa made a move down the right side, cut back, and sent the ball to the far side with his left foot, allowing Sakaguchi to score the opening goal with his left foot.
From here, Coach Sato will speak to the players during halftime.
In the 89th minute, just before the end, we were caught off guard for a moment. A cross came in from the right side, allowing a header in the center that equalized the score.
Then, from the Tokyo supporters' section, loud cheers erupted, shouting, "This is just the beginning!" and "Don't give up!", while voices from the bench encouraged the players on the pitch.
The additional time is 3 minutes.
And the match was decided by the substitute Sugiyama.
In the 90+2 minutes, Okaniwa made a vertical run down the right side, and after delivering a line drive cross, Sugiyama jumped in to score the final point.
The goal achieved by the fans, supporters, players, and staff coming together has pushed Tokyo's ranking up to 3rd place.

Thank you very much for your warm support for the players.
We appreciate your continued support for FC Tokyo U-18.

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For more details, visit http://fctokyo.sportsinfo.jp