Second match of the ACL, two days after the league match

In March, the second match of the ACL group stage will be held. After two days from the league match, we will face Vietnam's Binh Duong.
Amid a tough schedule, Tokyo rotated their members, placing Sandaza in the center of the forward line, Mizunuma on the right, and Nathan BURNS on the left. In midfield, Takahashi served as the anchor, with Hanyu and Tanabe as inside midfielders. Tokunaga was positioned as the right side back, and Ogawa, making his debut as a professional, was used on the left, forming a 4-3-3 formation.
Binh Duong features a 4-4-2 formation with DF registered 30 Han Seung-yeop and 11 Nguyen Anh Duc as the two forwards.

Even in March, the harsh cold can be felt, and the match started at 19:30 with a kickoff from Binh Duong.

ACL Home Opener Just Two Days After J.League Begins

Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam were the visitors for the second match of the 2016 Asia Champions League group stage. With the fixture coming just two days after the J.League opening game, Tokyo made wholesale changes to their lineup: Sandaza played in the middle of a front three with Mizunuma on his right and Nathan Burns on the left. In midfield, Takahashi played as the anchor with Hanyu and Tanabe as inside halves. Tokunaga played at right back while Ogawa made his professional debut on the left of the defense in a 4-3-3 formation. Despite being the first day of March, it was bitterly cold inside the stadium as Binh Duong kicked off at 7:30 pm.

Takes control from the start, but... allows the opening goal

1 minute: Right after the start, Tokyo took control of the ball. They moved forward at a fast pace, with Sandaza's play leading to Barnes dribbling forward and delivering a low cross in front of the goal. Tanabe rushed in at the near post but was blocked by the opposing defender.

6 minutes: From Takahashi's feed, Barnes advances into the left area. The shot is blocked, and Tanabe at the edge of the area aims for the loose ball, but this also hits the opponent's defender. After that, Ogawa's cross leads to a set-piece opportunity as they approach the goal, and Mizunuma also actively aims for a long shot. However, Bin Zuong maintains a solid 4-4-2 formation to respond. Time passed without creating a decisive chance.

23 minutes: After clearing a corner kick, a free kick is awarded in the center. This is also cleared, but Mizunuma on the right tried to launch a counterattack but was dispossessed by Vin Zoon, allowing Han Sun-yeop to attempt a central breakthrough with a dribble. Takahashi was marking him, but the ball was played short to the left, where Henry Kisekka brought it into the left area and took a powerful shot. Akimoto made a save, but Han Sun-yeop reacted to the rebound. The Tokyo defense couldn't clear it completely. The ball headed towards the goal was again deflected by Akimoto with one hand, but it spilled to the right where Nguyen Anh Duc headed it in... allowing the first goal. Despite pushing forward, they conceded a goal, leading to a difficult situation.

27 minutes: Ogawa's left cross was cleared, and Tanabe in the center reacted. He controlled it with one touch and took a direct shot, but it was blocked by the left post.
34 minutes: The team circulated the ball in the opponent's half, and Mizunuma assessed the situation before delivering a floating pass to the left area. Tanabe, who was free, unleashed a powerful volley, but... it was thwarted by a save from the goalkeeper.

36 minutes: Hanyu → Sandaza carried the ball forward, dribbled past the opposing defender, and shot from the left area, but the ball hit the goalkeeper's hand and struck the post.
Ogawa, Hanyu, and Tanabe also boldly advanced, gradually increasing the decisive moments, but still failed to score, ending the first half with a one-goal deficit.

Tokyo Seize Initiative But Fall Behind

1st minute: Tokyo dominated possession from the kick-off. They moved the ball forward quickly, Sandaza developed the play and Nathan Burns dribbled down the channel before sliding a low cross into the danger area. Tanabe attempted to make contact at the near post but a defender blocked the effort. 6th minute: Takahashi fed the ball to Burns down the left. Burns dribbled into the area and shot but his effort struck a defender and rebounded to Tanabe on the edge of the penalty box. Tanabe's shot also hit a defender and rolled harmlessly through to the goalkeeper. After that an Ogawa cross led to a chance from a set play and Mizunuma also struck a powerful drive from middle range. Binh Duong maintained their compact 4-4-2 formation and denied Tokyo a clear sight of goal. 23rd minute: Binh Duong cleared a Tokyo corner from the right and attempted to break. Tokyo conceded a free kick in the middle of their half but cleared the ball comfortably when it was played into the box. Mizunuma raced forward down the right in an attempt to counterattack but overran the ball and lost possession near the halfway line. Midfielder Han Seungyop dribbled forward, shoulder to shoulder with Takahashi, before slipping a pass to Henry Kisekka on his right, on the edge of the penalty box. Kisekka took the ball neatly then lashed a fierce drive across goal. Akimoto saved, pushing the ball out straight into the path of an onrushing opposition player who attempted to flick it over the keeper. Akimoto palmed the ball away to the right as he fell, where Nguyen Anh Duc was on hand to nod it into the empty goal. Tokyo found themselves behind, very much against the run of play. 27th minute: Binh Duong cleared an Ogawa cross from the left towards Tanabe just outside the penalty area. He took a touch to control the ball then fired a volley that clipped the left post. 34th minute: Mizunuma held the ball just outside the Binh Duong area on the right, spotted Tanabe free on the left inside the area and lifted a delicate ball over the crowd of players in the centre. Tanabe watched the ball all the way and connected with a sweet volley that drew a fine save from Bui Tan Truong. 36th minute: Hanyu won the ball in midfield and moved it on to Sandaza who stormed forward into the Binh Duong area on the left. His pace took him past two defenders before he smashed a fierce drive towards the near post. Bui Tan Truong made another vital save, finger-tipping the ball onto the post. Ogawa, Hanyu and Tanabe all lent their weight to the attack as Tokyo steadily increased their pressure on the visitors' goal. Despite creating several good openings they failed to make a breakthrough and the first half finished 0-1.

Burns scored the equalizer, netting 2 goals from Ogawa's assist!

Second half begins: Tokyo substitutes Abe for Mizunuma. A goal was scored from Abe's cross.
50 minutes: Takahashi advances and passes to Abe on the left. Abe crosses from outside the left area. Sandaza, in the right area, heads it down, and Barnes in front of the goal strikes a volley with his right foot, finally equalizing. They wanted to build momentum from this goal, but Bin Zuan, who had been equalized, also showed a willingness to counterattack, leading to a back-and-forth exchange of the ball.

62 minutes: Higashi comes in for Barnes. A change to a 4-4-2 formation with a two-top of Sandaza and Takahashi and Tanabe forming a double pivot.
65 minutes: Sandaza in the area connects short to ABE, who skillfully traps the ball, pulls back his foot, and is brought down while trying to turn, earning a penalty kick. However, the penalty taken by Sandaza is blocked by the opposing GK...
68 minutes: After earning consecutive right corner kicks, Ogawa's kick resulted in an own goal by the opposing GK who was competing with Higashi. They snatched the lead from a set piece.

81 minutes: Maeda comes in for Sandaza.
83 minutes: Hanyu persistently connected the second, and finally earned a right corner kick.
84 minutes: Ogawa takes the corner kick, and Maeda heads it perfectly at the near post for a goal!
Scored again by taking advantage of a set piece opportunity. Showed a strong desire for victory, defeating Binh Duong 3 to 1, and earned the first 3 points in the group stage.

Burns Breaks The Deadlock; Ogawa Grabs Two Assists

Tokyo replaced Mizunuma with Abe for the second half and it was a cross from the substitute that led to the equaliser. 50th minute: Takahashi moved the ball forward to Abe down the left. Abe checked back then hoisted a deep cross to the far post where Sandaza outjumped a defender and nodded the ball back to Nathan Burns in the middle. Burns fired a bounding volley past the helpless goalkeeper and Tokyo were back on level terms. Although Tokyo had wanted to seize the momentum Binh Duong still carried an attacking threat and the play moved from end to end. 62nd minute: Higashi replaced Burns and played alongside Sandaza in a 4-4-2 formation with Takahashi and Tanabe in central midfield. 65th minute: Tokyo produced some neat short passing on the edge of the Binh Duong box and when Abe attempted to spin past a defender his quickness of movement drew a foul. The referee pointed to the spot. Sandaza drove the spot kick low to the goalkeeper's left; Bui Tan Truong guessed correctly and made the save. 68th minute: Ogawa whipped in the resulting corner to the near post where Higashi and the goalkeeper both jumped for the ball. It struck Bui Tan Truong and went over the line for an own goal. Tokyo were ahead for the first time in the match. 81st minute: Maeda replaced Sandaza. 83rd minute: Hanyu battled hard to win the ball and earned a corner on the right. 84th minute: Ogawa whipped the ball in to the near post and Maeda got in front of the Binh Duong defence to glance a header into the net. Tokyo had scored a second goal from a near-identical set play. The fight back was complete. Tokyo ran down the remaining time comfortably and earned a 3-1 win that brought their first points of the group stage.

[Player Comments]

《Nathan BURNS》
"I was conscious of getting into a position to finish when the cross came from ABE. Just as I imagined, the pass came from Sandaza. I think I was able to score in a good way. Today, there were some difficulties because we played with a different lineup than usual, but I want to make sure that no matter who plays, we can utilize each other's strengths and work together effectively. I want us all to try little by little and strive to improve with each match."

Ogawa
"It was my first appearance, but since I was given the chance, I wanted to leave some results and connect it to the next opportunity. I am really happy to have achieved 2 assists. However, that is also thanks to Maeda, who scored the goals, and my teammates who entrusted me with the corner kick. I still felt there were challenges, but I want to showcase my play and make an appeal that leads to the future."

Players' Comments

Nathan Burns:
"When Abe hit the cross I tried to get into a shooting position and, just as I had anticipated, Sandaza won the header and knocked the ball down to me. We scored from a really good move. Although the team was different than usual and some aspects were demanding, we have to develop our game to play to our strengths regardless of who is in the side. We all have to give it our best to improve the team game by game."

Ogawa:
"It was my first game and I was determined to take the opportunity offered. I hoped to make a mark and do something to build on in the future. I'm delighted that I could contribute two assists. That's thanks to Maeda, who put the ball in the net, and my teammates who allowed me to take the corners. Although there are many issues to deal with I want to show the best of my ability for the future."

[Summary of Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference]

"Today was a match we absolutely had to win. We started the game well, but it turned into a difficult flow. We conceded the opening goal when the opponent entered our area for the first time, which made us a bit nervous. It became a challenging situation that we hadn't anticipated. However, everyone remained calm and continued to play our style of football, and after conceding, we didn't create any gaps, which was significant. I'm not satisfied with the score, but we came back from behind to win. I want to take a positive view of earning three points in this tough situation and move forward. I want to carry this fighting spirit we had together into the J League and ACL."

【Summary of Coach Binh Duong Nguyen Thanh Son's Press Conference】
"Although the result was a loss, I think we were able to progress the match in a good way. Given the situation where several key players were absent due to suspensions, the players gave their all."

F.C. TOKYO manager Hiroshi Jofuku

"This was a game we absolutely had to win. We started well but then it became tricky after the opposition scored the very first time they managed to get the ball into our box. We became a little nervous. We hadn't expected the game to develop along such difficult lines. However, we continued to play our own game and never gave them another chance after the goal. I'm not happy with the score but I'm pleased with the way that we fought back. We can take it as a positive. We want to connect this positive mood between the ACL and the J.League."

Becamex Binh Duong manager Nguyen Thanh Son

"We may have lost but I felt that we played a good game. Although we were missing some regular starters due to suspension and so on, the players gave it their best tonight."