[Reserve]
GK:21 Yoshinobu IIZUKA
DF:29 Ryo TAKAHASHI, 32 Seiji KIMURA
MF:19 Asahi HAGA, 38 Kashif BANGNAGANDE
FW:22 Ryoichi IMAMURA

○Match Report
【Challenge to the next stage】
Only 2 matches remain in the 2017 Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Football League Premier League EAST.
Whether we cry or laugh, there are only 2 league matches left. The battle towards this year's culmination will kick off at 11:00.
Coach Sato said, "Let's be grateful that we can compete for the championship position today. In terms of offense, we need diversity and tempo, and in defense, we must value both situations and continuity. Set pieces will be key for both offense and defense, so let's be fully aware of that. We never know what will happen in the full 90 minutes, so let's focus on this match and go all out against Kashima." He encouraged the players as they took to the pitch.

[First Half]
From the start, in response to the opponent sending long balls behind, the Tokyo DF line responded with focused and tenacious defense.
Even when the opponent brings the ball to a shot, GK Takase firmly defends and does not allow the opponent to score.
However, against an opponent that consistently plays long balls, Tokyo struggles to create rhythm and makes many passing errors.
They try to launch an attack using the sides, but they cannot get close to the goal due to the opponent's solid defense.
Even so, Tokyo, with everyone maintaining their focus, gradually picked up the tempo towards the end of the first half.
In the 41st minute, the ball was quickly spread to the right side after being taken in midfield to Yokoyama.
Yokoyama delivered a cross to the center at a fast pace, and Yoshida, who made a run, executed a diving header. Unfortunately, this was deflected by the opposing goalkeeper, but it created a good opportunity to end the first half.

【Halftime】
Coach Sato: "You may feel like we are being pushed back, but we are defending well and playing a good game."
There is no need to rush at all, and there will definitely be chances in the second half. Let's enjoy this wonderful situation and fight.

【Second Half】
In the second half, after substituting Kusazumi for Kobayashi Riku, Tokyo begins to create chances.
In the 46th minute, Arakawa advanced from the midfield and passed to Yoshida, who made a run. After receiving the return ball from Arakawa, he sent it to the center, but it did not connect.
One minute later, a cross from the left side was initially cleared by the opponent, but Terayama took a direct shot from outside the penalty area at the loose ball.
Tokyo has faced a great save from the opposing GK, but is steadily finding its rhythm.
Two minutes later, Yokoyama reacted to a vertical pass from the right back, Fushino, and although he returned the ball just near the goal line, it was once again deflected by the opposing goalkeeper, missing the chance.
Then, this time, the momentum shifted to the opponent.
Just like in the first half, they apply pressure as a whole starting with vertical passes.
Then, in the 55th minute, a dribble from the center leads to a scramble in the penalty area, and the referee's whistle blows. The decision is a foul by Tokyo, resulting in a penalty kick being awarded.
However, the opponent misses the target, allowing us to escape from the biggest crisis.
Tokyo, wanting to regain the momentum, in the 69th minute, Yokoyama broke through the side and crossed to the center, where Sugiyama shot at the loose ball in the scramble. However, he could not hit the target.
Even after that, they boldly attempted to break through from both sides, but they struggled to get a shot past the opponent's solid defense.
As additional time began, Sugiyama sent a pass to Kobayashi, who ran into the goal area, but the ball drifted slightly, and the match ended as it was.
Everyone maintained their focus until the end and defended well, but it ended in a frustrating scoreless draw.

However, the league matches are not over yet.
The next match is finally the final round.
We will put everything we have done so far into this and fight together until the very end.

Thank you very much for coming to Kashima today.
We appreciate your continued support for FC Tokyo U-18 in the final match as well.