Aiming for victory to advance to Round 16 in harsh conditions!

In the scorching heat of 34 degrees, the 6th match of the AFC Champions League will be played away against Binh Duong. It is an important match that could secure advancement to the Round of 16 if we win. To prepare for the heat, we will arrive on-site on the night of May 1st. We will take all necessary measures to face the match.
 

In the press conference the day before, Coach Jofuku said, "The J-League is currently facing tough battles, but there is always a reason for this, and I believe it is a wall we must overcome. If we can share this with the players and get through it, I am confident that the tide will change."
Additionally, captain Morishige stated, "Our main goal is to secure 3 points and advance to the round of 16. Considering the climate and the strength of Binh Duong at home, I feel it won't be easy. However, even amidst the challenges, we want to achieve solid results as a team."

The starting lineup has Akimoto as the goalkeeper. Hashimoto is at right back. Ogawa is on the left, with Ha DAESUNG and Takahashi at the base of midfield. Mizunuma is on the right side, and Higashi is on the left. The formation features Maeda and Nathan BURNS as the two forwards.

As the kickoff time approaches and the sun sets, the heat has slightly eased, the match begins at Binh Duong kickoff.

Tokyo Aim For Knock-out Tournament In Sauna-like Conditions

With the thermometer showing 34C, F.C.TOKYO faced the challenge of beating Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam for a place in the final 16 of the AFC Champions League. To acclimatise to the fierce heat Tokyo had flown in well ahead of the game, on the evening of May 1st, and their preparations had been thorough. At the press conference held on the evening before the match Tokyo manager Hiroshi Jofuku commented, "We've been having a difficult time in the J.League and there are reasons for that; of course, it's up to us to surmount the obstacles we face. I firmly believe that if we can overcome this hurdle then things will change." Captain Morishige added, "Our objective is clearly to win the game, take the three points and progress to the next round of the tournament. Given the weather and Binh Duong's strength at home that's obviously going to be no easy task. Regardless of the difficult conditions, as a team we want to achieve the result." Akimoto began in goal with Hashimoto at right side-back and Ogawa on the left. Ha Daesung partnered Takahashi in central midfield with Mizunuma on the right and Higashi on the left flank. Maeda and Nathan Burns started in attack. Kick off coincided with sunset and the blazing heat diminished slightly after the hosts got the game underway at 5pm.

Maeda scores with a header to take the lead! 1-0 at halftime

5 minutes: The match is in the early 5 minutes. The ball was stolen in our half and connected to Vin Zhon on the left flank, from where 8MF Moses Oloya took a shot from distance. However, it went wide.
7 minutes: Higashi takes a shot from the center of the opponent's half, but it goes straight to the GK.
10 minutes: Mizunuma crosses from the right. This went over the head of Barnes, who had moved into the center, but Maeda on the left side received it, created space with a dribble, and brought it inside, passing to Higashi just in front of the right goal area. A scoring opportunity was created, and Higashi took a shot, but... it went over the bar.
12 minutes: Mizunuma takes a shot from a distance on the right side. It strikes the opposing GK, and although the ball spilled from their hands once, it was quickly gathered again.

21 minutes: Takahashi on the left → Mizunuma, moving towards the center, creates space with a dribble, evades the opposing defender, and sends a vertical pass into the right area. Hashimoto, who overlapped, accelerates and takes a step forward with a trap, delivering a precise cross in front of the goal. The ball is sent to the center to evade the advancing goalkeeper, and Maeda calmly heads it in for a goal. 1-0.
22 minutes: FW Le Cong Vinh received the ball just in front of the penalty arc, turned around, and took a powerful shot. Akimoto saved it in the bottom left corner, deflecting it for a corner kick.

44 minutes: A ball entered the front line by Bin Zuong is attempted to be controlled by Maruyama, but he is persistently pushed back. Just before the penalty arc, 28FW Le Con Bin takes a powerful shot from distance. It grazes the left post and goes out, avoiding a goal, but the strength of that shot is alarming.

Maeda Header Gives Tokyo Vital Lead

5th minute: Binh Duong intercepted a pass in midfield and pushed forward down the left. The ball was played back to midfielder Moses Oloya in a central position; he tried his luck from distance but lashed the shot high over the bar.

7th minute: Higashi feinted past an opponent in midfield and drove in a low, bounding shot that the goalkeeper held comfortably.

10th minute: Mizunuma crossed from the right. The ball sailed over Nathan Burns' head in the center of the goal and reached Maeda at the far post. Maeda controlled the ball neatly and moved it inside onto his right foot, but his path to goal was blocked. He rolled a short pass to Higashi on the right corner of the six-yard box. It was a decisive opening, yet Higashi somehow scooped his shot over the bar.

12th minute: Tokyo pushed forward down the right and Mizunuma hammered a fierce effort from some 25 yards in an attempt to catch out the goalkeeper. He batted the ball away and then pounced on it before any Tokyo players could arrive in the box.

21st minute: From out on the left Takahashi played the ball inside to Mizunuma who drifted across the field and slid a pass down the right channel. Hashimoto made a lung-bursting run to overlap, took a touch inside the box and chipped a delicate cross inside as the goalkeeper raced out. Maeda was perfectly placed and coolly nodded the ball into the unguarded net to give Tokyo the lead.

22nd minute: Binh Duong pushed forward and striker Le Cong Vinh unleashed a well-struck shot that was arrowing for the bottom left corner of the Tokyo goal until Akimoto got down quickly to turn the ball around the post.

44th minute: Binh Duong hoisted a ball forward that the Tokyo defense cleared from the edge of their box. The hosts regained possession and Le Cong Vinh unleashed a fierce drive from
middle range that clipped the outside of the right post. The power of the effort caused momentary palpitations but the visitors' goal remained intact and the first half ended 1-0.

Maeda scores the second goal! He fends off the pursuing opponent and secures advancement to Round 16!!

51 minutes: Barnes intercepted a pass mistake from a throw-in by Binh Duong in their own half and charged into the left area. He dribbled past the opposing defender to get free and took a shot, but it went well over the bar.

55 minutes: In the opponent's half, Maeda intercepts a pass mistake from Bin-Zuon, dribbles himself. He evades the opponent's defender and carries the ball to the penalty arc, taking a precise left-footed shot! The shot, aimed perfectly, finds the top left corner of the goal. This makes it 2-0.

62 minutes: Tanabe is brought in for Nathan BURNS. Higashi moves one line forward. Immediately after, Bin Zuong also receives his third card, and FW Nguyen Tien Linh comes in.
66 minutes: Tokyo substitutes Ha DAESUNG for Yonemoto.
67 minutes: Bin Zuan connects a vertical pass to 21FW Cristiano Nushi Amgu, who charges into the area between Tokyo's defenders. In response, Maruyama slides in from behind. This play is ruled a foul, awarding Bin Zuan a penalty kick.
68 minutes: Binh Duong, PK kicker is FW Le Cong Vinh. A powerful kick results in a goal, making it 2-1.

75 minutes: Abe comes in for Higashi.
76 minutes: Abe countered after defending a set piece from Binh Duong. He dribbled a long distance, creating time by taking a shot, but the ball went straight to the goalkeeper.
77 minutes: From Tanabe's through pass, Abe enters the left area. He broke free in front of the opposing defender, but his shot was saved by the GK.

85 minutes: Bin Zuong FW Le Con Bin's shot from slightly left hit the bar and was saved.
89 minutes: Taking advantage of a momentary lapse in concentration in the defensive line, Bin Zuan advanced deep into the left area and sent a backward pass in front of the goal. However, at this moment, the Bin Zuan player was unable to connect, avoiding a crisis.

Maeda's two goals contributed to the team's success. They showed a fighting spirit against a fierce opponent and secured the victory! Advancement to the Final Round confirmed!!

Maeda Grabs Second As Tokyo Hold On For Victory

51st minute: Burns pounced on a loose pass just outside the Binh Duong area on the left. He skated past a defender on the outside but skied his shot way over the bar from a promising position.

55th minute: Maeda seized onto another loose pass from Binh Duong in the 55th minute. He feinted around a defender inside the penalty arc and smashed a ferocious left-footed shot high into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance. Tokyo had doubled their lead.

62nd minute: Tokyo replaced Nathan Burns with Tanabe and pushed Higashi forward into the attack. Immediately following that change, Binh Duong made their third and final substitution, sending on forward Nguyen Tien Linh.

66th minute: Yonemoto replaced Ha Daesung for Tokyo.

67th minute: Binh Duong suddenly constructed a high-tempo passing move straight up the field. Substitute forward Christian Jose Nsi Amougou raced between two Tokyo defenders and into the box until Maruyama slid in to halt his progress from behind. The referee judged it to have been a foul and pointed to the spot.

68th minute: Le Cong Vinh stepped up and thrashed an unstoppable penalty high into the net to reduce Tokyo's lead to a single goal.

75th minute: Abe replaced Higashi.

76th minute: Tokyo cleared a Binh Duong set play and launched a counter attack down the right. Abe ran unchecked from inside the Tokyo half all the way into the penalty area, cut inside and drove a low shot straight at the goalkeeper.

77th minute: Tanabe slipped a pass through the Binh Duong defense near the left corner of the penalty area to meet Abe's well-timed darting run. Abe was suddenly in the clear but the goalkeeper raced smartly off his line to smother the snapshot.

85th minute: Binh Duong forward Le Cong Vinh received the ball out on the left, cut inside and struck a powerful shot that flew over Akimoto's fingertips and crashed against the crossbar.

89th minute: Tokyo lost concentration momentarily as a Binh Duong player was allowed to run deep into the box, along the byline and cut a cross back towards the penalty spot. Fortunately, no opposition player was on hand and Tokyo cleared the threat.

Maeda scored twice and the whole team showed a remarkable fighting spirit to hold off the hosts' fierce late push for an equaliser. Tokyo had qualified for the Round Of 16!

[Player Comments]

《Mizunuma》
"Considering the team's situation, we absolutely had to win. Personally, as a member of the team, I have always wanted to change the flow by participating in both the J League and ACL. I believe that the result of playing with all my might led to our victory. I felt a change in the team's mindset even before the match, and we were able to approach the game with a good atmosphere, knowing that we could win if we played like this. I want to thank all the fans and supporters who came this far."

Akimoto
"Today, I focused on the determination to win, concentrating on winning rather than the content. What I discussed in the player meeting in Japan had a significant impact, and I felt I needed to change myself, expressing my feelings through my play. I want to continue communicating and make the team even better."

Players' Comments

Mizunuma:
"This was a game we absolutely had to win. On a personal level, whether it's a J.League game or the ACL I'm only thinking about getting on the field and making an impact. It was death or glory tonight and the dire situation prompted us to get the result we needed. From before the match it felt as though something had changed in our mentality and the atmosphere was really good as we went out to play. I'm incredibly grateful to all our fans and supporters who made the long-distance trip here to support the team."

Akimoto:
"We were totally focused on winning today; the performance wasn't the thing, we just concentrated on winning the game. The things that were said at the players meeting back in Japan had a great influence on our performance. I felt I had to change as well and really put my heart into the game. We want to communicate better from here on and improve together as a team."

Ryoichi Maeda, MVP winner:
"We came to Vietnam with an intense desire to win and we're very relieved that we got the result. It was really hot and the environment was a challenge but we prepared very well. I think we got the result because we were prepared for playing in the heat."

[Summary of the press conference by Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU and Maeda (attended as MVP)]

《Hiroshi JOFUKU Coach》
"We had to win to advance to the Round of 16. We also needed to win to change the flow of the team. I am really glad that we were able to seize victory together with the players."
The temperature and humidity were high, and I think the players really struggled. But this is the battle in Asia. As a result of fighting with determination and spirit, we were able to seize victory, and I am truly happy about it. The players from Binh Duong have great technique and impressive physical abilities. In contrast, I believe we were able to win because we concentrated well on our defense.
《Maeda》
"I came to Vietnam with the feeling that we would definitely win, and I am relieved that we were able to achieve results. It was a hot and tough environment, but we were well prepared. Since we were ready to fight in the heat, I think we were able to play solidly."
 

【Summary of Coach Binh Duong Nguyen Thanh Son's Press Conference】
"In today's match, we were able to create several chances centered around Le Cong Vinh. If we could have ended in a draw, I would have thought it was a good match. Tokyo was very strong, just like Jeonbuk Hyundai and Jiangsu Suning. I realized once again that we must approach the game with a solid response."

F.C. TOKYO manager Hiroshi Jofuku

"In order to make the Round Of 16 we had to win. We also needed to win to change the direction the team was heading. I'm delighted that we managed to seize victory today. It was extremely hot and humid so I'm sure it must have been incredibly tough for the players. But that's playing in Asia for you. We were resolute and showed great spirit; I'm thrilled we won. My impression of Binh Duong is that the players have technique and great physical ability. In the face of that ability I think we did very well to maintain our concentration in defence and win the game."
 

Becamex Binh Duong manager Nguyen Thanh Son

"We created a load of chances today with Le Cong Vinh at the heart of everything. I think a draw would have been a fair result. Tokyo are a very strong team, like Jeonbuk and Jiangsu. Once again we saw how solid you have to be when you face them."