[Reserve]
GK:1 Ryuji OHMOTO
DF:24 Koshu KUSUMI
MF:11 Rui YOKOYAMA, 17 Tsubasa TERAYAMA
FW:13 Kazutaka YOSHIDA

○Match Report
【Challenge to the next stage】
The 41st Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship (U-18) tournament is finally entering the knockout stage (90 minutes per half).
The day before, the result of the lottery determined that FC Tokyo U-18 will play against Cerezo Osaka U-18.
At the pre-match meeting, Coach Sato told the players, "It's a great opportunity to play against a team we don't usually face. We must not lose in the physical battles and one-on-one situations." And finally, he strongly encouraged the players by saying, "Let's express our own culture."
The tension-filled "Maebashi City Fujimi Comprehensive Ground".
The pitch was covered in puddles and had uneven conditions due to the rain the day before.
This tough match started at 11:00 with Cerezo's kickoff.

【First Half】
Cerezo started off with great momentum.
Consider the pitch conditions and simply kick behind the Tokyo DF line, trying to collect the second ball.
Tokyo also tries to bounce back with Shinohara and Hasegawa, but they are forced to make difficult headers and cannot return them as strongly as usual, and they are also on the back foot in the second ball battle.
The first corner kick of this match was given to Cerezo in the 5th minute, and Takase punched it away, but then the ball was crossed again and finally Harada made a big clearance.
10 minutes, when a vertical pass is taken in the left back, a shot is taken from the dribble but it goes to the right of the frame.
In the following 13 minutes, the left side was targeted from a counter, but Shinohara prevented the opponent's attack with accurate covering.
Tokyo takes control of the game with a mix of long and short passes, despite the tough pitch conditions.
Then, they score the opening goal from a free kick.
20 minutes, Hirakawa picks up the loose ball in front of the opponent's goal and takes a shot, resulting in a handball call.
Hinata successfully scores the first goal with a direct free kick taken by Hina at the front of the goal, near the penalty arc.
However, in the 22nd minute, they gave away a free kick outside the PA. The wall defended well and blocked the left corner kick, but the defense was able to clear it.
Tokyo, who has started to grasp the rhythm of the attack, makes a vertical dribble from Okanohara at 30 minutes and puts a liner-like cross from the goal line to the near side.
Hara jumps in here, but the decisive shot is blocked by the opponent.
Tokyo's additional point was taken with great passing work despite the tough pitch conditions.
35 minutes, when a vertical pass enters Haran in the center, he jumps out from the third row in a post-play and advances into the PA, connecting to Hirakawa.
After a fierce battle, Hara picks up the ball and dodges the GK, shaking the net even though he hits the opposing DF who has returned to cover.
The first half ends with a 2-point lead.

[Halftime]
Coach Sato
"The way we start the second half will be crucial. Let's go in with the mindset of 0-0. We need to fight until the end and play for the full 45 minutes."

【Second Half】
The second half was even more intense than the first half. Cerezo started off with great momentum.
50 minutes, Takase makes a strong save from a shot inside the left PA.
Tokyo kept the ball for 60 minutes on the left side as Sakaguchi, Sugiyama, and Hara connected passes precisely, and Sugiyama kept the ball near the left corner flag.
Successfully hit the opponent and get a CK, but it is bounced back by the opponent's defense.
Then in the 68th minute, the ball drops behind the DF line as they compete for the opponent's GK's long kick.
This is picked up and once again Takase makes a good defense to prevent it, but the loose ball is pushed in and the score is narrowed to one point.
Tokyo is being pushed back into their own half against a growing Cerezo.
The opponent picks up the second ball and even if I try to make a big clearance, I can't play as usual.
The ball is not settling down easily even in the front line, and it continues to be a difficult time.
Still, the Tokyo defense team shouted loudly and supported their teammates. Even from the bench, voices of encouragement were heard to boost the players on the field and withstand the opponent's fierce attacks.
Kubo is substituted in the 72nd minute and Kobayashi (Shin) in the 78th minute in an attempt to change the flow, but they are struggling to create their own chances.
Throwing their body and repeatedly blocking shots, they continue to fight fiercely without ever backing down in the battle for the ball.
In the 83rd minute, the opponent's GK created an opportunity from a FK in the center, but the shot was aimed to the right of the frame.
Tokyo, who did not lose their concentration until the end, including 2 minutes of additional time, advanced to the semifinal round with a 2-1 victory.

Thank you very much for your warm support to the players today.
We kindly ask for your continued support and warm cheers for FC Tokyo U-18.

【Other Matches】
Nagoya Grampus U18 3-3(PK3-4) Shonan Bellmare Youth

※Photos other than the ones shown below are also posted on the official mobile site.
Click here for more information http://fctokyo.sportsinfo.jp