Challenging for 3 points at the away ground!

Departing Japan on April 4th for Away China. In the pouring rain, we will challenge Jiangsu Suning at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center.

Tokyo's GK is Akimoto, with Tokunaga on the right side of the DF line, Morishige and Maruyama as center backs, and Ogawa on the left side. In the midfield, Yonemoto and Ha Daesung are playing as defensive midfielders, while Mizunuma and Hashimoto are in the center. Up front, Maeda and Nathan BURNS are leading the attack.
 

Jiangsu, on the other hand, will have MF Ramirez, who was suspended in the previous match, starting in the lineup. They also have strong Brazilian players, FW Jo and FW Teixeira.
Tokyo has a chance to rise to the top if they win, and they really want those 3 points. The game started at 8pm (9:00pm Japan time) with Tokyo's kickoff.

Tokyo Face Up To Away Day Challenge

F.C.TOKYO left Japan on April 4th, bound for China, where they took on Jiangsu FC at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre. Tokyo lined up with Akimoto in goal and a defense of Tokunaga on the right, Morishige and Maruyama at center back and Ogawa at left back. Yonemoto and Ha Daesung played as defensive midfielders with Mizunuma and Hashimoto in midfield. Nathan Burns partnered Maeda in attack. Ramires returned from suspension to feature for Jiangsu, alongside fellow Brazilian powerhouse forwards Jo and Alex Teixeira. If Tokyo were to win they would have a chance to top the group and so were determined to take maximum points from the match. The visitors kicked off at 8pm local time on a wet evening in Nanjing.

Leading with Morishige's goal...but it's tied 1-1 at halftime.

15 minutes: As the game continues with a back-and-forth battle, Ha DAESUNG → Ogawa tried to make a move while being surrounded by the opponent, but was taken away by Jiangsu and received a counterattack. However, Maruyama stepped up and firmly defended, preventing the danger.

30 minutes: After 15 minutes and beyond, there was a fierce back and forth, but when Ogawa cleared the left corner kick, Yonemoto reacted and rushed into the area for a shot. Although it was blocked, Morishige, who was right in front of the area, immediately followed up with a direct shot and scored a goal with his right foot, making it 1-0.

32 minutes: Tried to attack by connecting passes from their own half, but Jiangsu MF Ramirez pressed against Hashimoto who had the ball near the left corner of the area. Hashimoto tried to avoid it, but in the collision, a foul was called against him, giving Jiangsu a penalty kick.
34 minutes: This PK was scored by FW Joe in the bottom right corner, allowing a goal and making it 1-1.

39 minutes: A mistake was made in the middle, and Jiangsu countered. MF Wu Xi passed to FW 10 Teixeira, who brought it to the left area and took a shot, but Akimoto made a save!!

43 minutes: Jiangsu's counterattack. Joe → Jishian goes up the left side and passes to Teixeira in the center, but Akimoto quickly jumps out to control the ball in the area.

Morishige Gives Tokyo The Lead But...

15th.minute: With the game ebbing and flowing Ha Daesung attempted a pass to Ogawa but the defender was quickly surrounded and Jiangsu won possession then counter attacked. Maruyama strode purposefully out of defense and cleared the threat.

30th minute: The end to end nature of the game continued. In the 30th minute, Ogawa swung in a corner from the left that the Jiangsu defense only partially cleared. The ball fell to Yonemoto whose shot was blocked away by an onrushing defender. The rebound rolled out to the edge of the penalty area where Morishige met the ball on the run and drove a firm, low drive into the left corner of the net. Tokyo had made the breakthrough.

32nd minute: Tokyo attempted to play the ball out from defense with Hashimoto in possession at the left corner of their penalty area. Jiangsu midfielder Ramires pressured Hashimoto who attempted to turn past the Brazilian; the two players collided and Ramires collapsed to the turf. The referee pointed to the spot.

34th minute: Tokyo GK Akimoto guessed the right way and flung himself at the penalty, taken by Jiangsu FW Jo, but was unable to keep it out. The match was all square again.

39th minute: Tokyo played a loose pass in midfield, allowing Jiangsu to counter attack. Midfielder Wu Xi found Alex Teixeira and the striker showed his speed, racing into the Tokyo box on the left. He shot hard and low towards the far post but Akimoto got down quickly to produce a fine save and deny the hosts.

43rd minute: Jiangsu countered again. Jo found midfielder Ji Xiang who tore down the left before sliding a pass inside to meet Alex Teixeira's run. Akimoto spotted the danger and darted smartly off his line to smother the threat. The first half ended 1-1.

Amidst intense battles, we emerged victorious with a score of 2-1! We have risen to the top of the group stage!

50 minutes: The ball was sent high into the Jiangsu area, and Joe turned and shot directly from the trap. He was able to bring it to the finish, but it went outside the frame.

59 minutes: Teixeira tried to control the ball with his back to the goal, but Tokunaga held him back with a foul, resulting in a free kick from just outside the penalty area on the left side.

60 minutes: This FK was directly targeted at Jiangsu DF Li An, but the shot went just left.

61 minutes: Morishige fouls against Jiangsu Ramirez's vertical breakthrough. He receives a warning. This is Morishige's second warning in the group stage. He will be suspended from the next match due to accumulation.
62 minutes: From the FK given, the ball that spilled out from the chaos in the area was met by PREMIST 9 Joe, who was able to break through and take a shot that hit the post, but the previous play was offside.

64 minutes: Ha DAESUNG is replaced by Abe.
73 minutes: Nathan BURNS is replaced by KAWANO.
77 minutes: Hirayama replaces Maeda.
79 minutes: Abe avoided the press in the middle and carried the ball forward, then took a triple shot from just outside the area, but it narrowly missed to the right.

83 minutes: Tokunaga's cross is cleared, but Yonemoto steals the ball from Jiangsu and passes it back to Tokunaga. From here, Hirayama jumps in with a powerful header from the right cross, but is touched by the Jiangsu defender at the last moment, resulting in a corner kick. Yonemoto takes the corner from the right. He sends it into the area with a low angle, and Morishige is left free to score with his right foot once again! The goal is a success, making it 2-1 and taking the lead.

86 minutes: Jiangsu DF2 Li An tackles Mizunuma, who was trying to advance with a dribble. He receives a red card and is sent off for a fierce foul.
Obtained valuable 3 points away! Rises to the top of the group stage!!

Tokyo Triumph In Fierce Encounter! Leap To Top Of Group E!

50th.minute: Jo neatly brought down a long ball and hit a shot on the half-turn. The ball sailed wide.

59th.minute: Alex Teixeira received the ball with his back to goal just outside the Tokyo area and attempted to find a teammate. Tokunaga stopped him with a foul, giving Jiangsu a free kick just outside the penalty arc on the left.

60th minute: Defender Li Ang stepped up and drove the free kick over the Tokyo wall but narrowly wide of the left post.

61st minute: Ramires charged up the field until fouled by Morishige. The referee produced the yellow card, Morishige's second in the group stage, which means the Tokyo captain will miss the next game.

62nd minute: A wild melee ensued as the resulting free kick was hoisted into the Tokyo penalty area. Jo lashed a snapshot against the post but the whistle had already blown for offside.

64th minute: Abe replaced Ha Daesung.

73rd minute: Hirayama replaced Nathan Burns.

79th minute: Abe skated away from his marker in midfield and raced forward to the Jiangsu penalty arc before unleashing a firm shot that flew narrowly over the bar.

83rd minute: Tokunaga crossed, Jiangsu cleared and Yonemoto regained possession for Tokyo before finding Tokunaga on the right flank again. Tokunaga crossed deep towards the far post where Hirayama seemed set to make contact until a Jiangsu defender whipped the ball off his forehead. Yonemoto took the resulting corner and caught the Jiangsu defense napping with a low angled ball towards the penalty spot. Morishige got a run on the opposition and drove a low shot inside the near post from eight meters out. Tokyo were back in front once again.

86th.minute: Mizunuma raced down the right wing until taken out by an horrendous two-footed lunge from DF Li Ang. The referee immediately showed the red card and Tokyo had a man advantage to see out the match. They held off Jiangsu for the few remaining minutes and earned three precious points that lifted the side to the top of the group.

[Player Comments]

《MoriShige》
Q=Did you manage to get 3 points in a difficult situation?
"Our main goal was to get 3 points no matter what. We never know what can happen in an away game in Asia. We prepared for various accidents, so there was no need to rush."
Q=Was Yonemoto's corner kick on target?
"We were able to achieve the results in the game by working together as a team and preparing well. I think everyone realized that what we have been doing in practice will definitely show in the game."
Q=We managed to hold the Brazilian trio to just one PK.
"There were scenes where Akimoto made great saves, but I think we were able to hold them back because each player did their job well in their respective positions. We were able to achieve victory by combining the strengths of each individual. Although I won't be able to play in the next league match, I will make sure to do my part in practice."

"Maruyama"
"Playing in front of this large crowd was a good experience. We conceded a goal from a penalty kick, but no one was panicking at that time. We were conscious of playing with our feet on the ground even when the opponent was attacking. I realized that we were able to win a difficult game thanks to the support of the fans and the staff at the club who were present at the scene. The set plays we had prepared also worked the best in the game."

Players' Comments

Morishige:
You took three points in difficult circumstances? "At any rate three points was our major objective. You never know what's going to happen in an away game in Asia. We envisaged various eventualities and prepared for them together so we didn't lose our presence of mind during the match". Did Yonemoto's corner go according to plan? "We all put our heads together in preparation for the game and were able to get the result we wanted. I think we felt that we'd be able to replicate on the field what we'd worked on in training". You managed to restrict the three Brazilians to just one penalty kick between them? "Akimoto stopped some shots but also because every player fulfilled his role very well we were able to pin them down. The individual players joined forces within the team and that enabled us to win. I won't be able to play in the next match so I'll be working hard on my game in training".

Maruyama:
"Playing in front of such a huge crowd was a really great experience. No-one panicked when we conceded the penalty. We were very focused on staying on our feet when the opposition was enjoying a period of domination. I really feel that winning such a difficult game is a tribute to the strength of our fans, supporters and the club staff here with us. The free kick we'd prepared in training worked the best".

[Summary of Manager Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference]

"I was prepared for a very difficult match away from home. In the first half, after taking the lead, the flow changed with one play and there was even a chance of conceding a goal, but we were able to overcome it with a 1-1 draw. In the second half, being able to maintain our pace led to the final winning goal. Today, I am very happy to have been able to bring back 3 points with the fans and supporters who came all the way to this distant away ground. Q=About the strength of the players who were able to take 3 points in a tough situation, and about becoming the top of the group stage."
"It is very difficult to earn 3 points in a situation like today. The players fought without losing their concentration. Being able to maintain our pace amidst the fantastic support from Jiangsu Suning gives us great confidence. And, as a result of today's match, we were able to take the top spot."
"We have put ourselves in a position where we can secure our spot in the group stage on our own. In order to continue our momentum from today's result, we must fight hard in the remaining two matches."
 

[Interview Summary of Jiangsu Suning Manager Petrescu]
"We weren't good from the first half. It wouldn't have been strange to end 1-0. Things didn't go as planned, but that's football. As for the result, I feel very sorry. However, football is something where unpredictable things can happen."

F.C.TOKYO manager Hiroshi Jofuku

"We were resigned to today being an extremely difficult game. We managed to take the lead but then one passage of play changed the flow of the match. Although we suffered a setback in conceding the goal we were able to come through a sticky patch with the score at 1-1. In the second half we continued to play at our own pace and that led to us scoring the decisive goal. Our fans and supporters made the long trip to this distant away game and I'm absolutely delighted that we can return home together with the three points. What about the strength of character the players showed and being top of the group? Well, to take three points from a game like this is incredibly difficult. The players performed without a break in concentration. Being able to impose ourselves on the game in the middle of that fantastic support for Jiangsu will give us great confidence. And the result has taken us to the top of the group which means we are now in a position to qualify for the next stage through our own efforts. We want to use the impetus gained from the match today and perform solidly in the remaining two games".

JIANGSU FC manager Dan Petrescu

"We were poor from the first half. 1-0 wouldn't have been a strange result. The game didn't go the way we had expected but that happens in football. The result is extremely disappointing. Sometimes you just can't predict what will occur in a game".