In pursuit of the first ACL quarterfinals

In the ACL Round of 16, we will face Shanghai SIPG (China). This Round of 16 is a chance for Tokyo to advance to the ACL quarter-finals for the first time, but from here we enter a home-and-away tournament. The first match will be held at home at Tokyo Stadium.
 

Due to Maruyama's suspension from accumulated warnings, Yoshimoto will be used as the right center-back. Morishige will be on the left. Hashimoto will serve as the right side-back, and Tokunaga will move to the left. On the member list, it shows a 4-4-2 formation, but Takahashi will play as the anchor, with Hanyu and Yonemoto in midfield. Maeda will be in the central forward position, with MF Mizunuma and FW Azuma on both sides, approaching the match with a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Shanghai will be without FW Asamoah Gyan. The starters are FW Ezequiel in the central forward position, FW Lu Wenjun on the left, and FW Wu Lei on the right. MF Dario Conca is positioned just behind the forwards. The double pivot consists of MF 6 Tsai Huan and FW 21 Yu Hai in a 4-3-3 formation.
 

Of course, we aim for 3 points at home, but to advance to the top 8, the number of away goals is also taken into account, so we want to keep in mind the "tournament strategy" as we approach this match.

The rain that had been falling throughout the day stopped, and under slightly chilly weather, the match started at 19:30 with a kickoff in Tokyo.

Tokyo Aim For First Appearance In ACL Quarter Finals

Having qualified from the group stage of the AFC Champions League, Tokyo were drawn against Shanghai SIPG in the first round of the knockout tournament. The first leg of the home and away tie was held at Tokyo Stadium, with the hosts aiming to reach the final eight of the competition for the first time.
Tokyo were without the suspended Maruyama with Yoshimoto taking his place at right-sided centre back. Morishige played on his left, Hashimoto started at right back and Tokunaga moved across to play on the left. The team sheet showed a 4-4-2 formation but Takahashi played as midfield anchor while Hanyu partnered Yonemoto in central midfield. Mizunuma began on the right of midfield, Higashi on the left and Maeda plowed a lone furrow as the most advanced of the attackers.
Shanghai were without striker Asamoah Gyan. Elkeson began as central striker with Lu Wenjun on the left, Wu Lei on the right and Dario Conca in the hole. Midfielder Cai Huikang and forward Yu Hai played as double defensive midfielders in a 4-3-3 formation.
While Tokyo aimed to take the three points they also had to take into account the necessary tournament tactics, in particular avoiding away goals, in their quest to reach the quarter finals.
The rain that blanketed the city during the day had finally stopped as Tokyo kicked off at 7:30pm on a slightly chilly evening.

With a fighting spirit, they seized the rhythm in both offense and defense, taking the lead with Mizunuma's free kick.

From the start, they outperformed Shanghai with their quick pace and transitions, as well as their strength in ball contests, pushing into the opponent's territory.
5 minutes: Hashimoto, positioned high on the right side, makes a diagonal pass into the area. Maeda drops it, and Mizunuma, close to the area, takes a shot. They created a good opportunity, but the ball is blocked by an opposing defender who stretched out a foot in front of the goal.
7 minutes: A cross from Yonehito on the left side, Maeda in the center of the area connected with a header, but it went over the bar.

11 minutes: Hanyu on the right side sends a soft cross into the left area behind the opponent after exchanging passes with Maeda. Komeoto rushed in but was unable to take a shot, resulting in a corner kick.

21 minutes: Higashi intercepted a pass from the opponent's center-back, dribbled into the left area, was briefly held back by the opponent but persistently regained possession, and made a backward pass. Yonemoto, who ran into the left area, took a shot that was caught directly by the goalkeeper.

With a fighting spirit at the forefront, we maintained intensity in ball contests and hard work, not allowing Shanghai to play freely. We aggressively initiated attacks and created offensive shapes, but there were periods where we could not capitalize on our chances.

24 minutes: Yonemoto dribbled down the right flank and crossed into the left area. Higashi attempted a volley but couldn't make contact. Following that, Maeda headed the ball from Mizunuma's cross. The ball, aimed at the corner, seemed to reach the right side of the goal but was saved by the goalkeeper.

In the 35th minute, Mizunuma on the right fed Maeda in the area. Maeda securely dropped the ball to Hanyu, who had run into the right area. Hanyu was challenged by the opposing defender and seemed to cleverly deflect the ball off the opponent's foot from a shooting position to win a corner kick, but it was ruled a goal kick for Shanghai.

41 minutes: The scoreless period continued, but from Mizunuma's right corner kick, Hashimoto charged in for the second ball and got into a shooting position just in front of the left area. The ball was blocked by Shanghai forward Eucasson, but it hit his hand, resulting in a free kick.
 

In the 43rd minute, Mizunuma took a direct free kick from the left corner of the penalty arc, and the low trajectory shot went through the wall's feet and between Takahashi's legs into the left side of the goal! Mizunuma brilliantly capitalized on the free kick opportunity to take the lead. 1-0. They headed into the second half with a one-goal advantage.

Mizunuma Free Kick Gives Tokyo Lead After Gritty First Half Display

From the kick off Tokyo were faster to the ball and sharper in the transition from defence to attack than the visitors. The game was played largely in the Shanghai half as the hosts settled into a rhythm.

5th minute: Hashimoto took the ball down the right, almost to the Shanghai byline before cutting an oblique cross back into the center. Maeda cushioned the ball neatly into Mizunuma's path and his low drive was goalbound until a defender stretched out a leg to block the effort. It was a promising move from the hosts.

7th minute: Yonemoto crossed from the right and Maeda outjumped a defender but directed his header over the bar.

11th minute: Hanyu exchanged passes with Maeda down the right before feathering a delicate cross behind the Shanghai defense towards the far post. Although Yonemoto failed to make firm contact as he flung himself at the ball, Tokyo still earned a corner.

21st minute: Higashi intercepted a loose pass from an opposition center back and dribbled towards the left side of the penalty area. He ran into trouble, losing the ball once but then regaining possession after stubborn persistence and cut a cross back to Yonemoto. Yonemoto checked inside and drove in a low shot that flew straight at the goalkeeper. Tokyo continued to play with great fighting spirit and their hard work prevented Shanghai from enjoying any freedom to play their own game. Tokyo maintained an aggressive attacking approach and created chances. The only thing missing was a decisive finish.

24th minute: Yonemoto dribbled down the right and lifted a deep cross beyond the far post. Higashi attempted a volley but failed to make a solid contact with the ball. Tokyo regrouped and Mizunuma lifted in another cross that Maeda met with a firm header, drawing a save from the goalkeeper. 24th minute: Yonemoto dribbled down the right and lifted a deep cross beyond the far post. Higashi attempted a volley but failed to make a solid contact with the ball. Tokyo regrouped and Mizunuma lifted in another cross that Maeda met with a firm header, drawing a save from the goalkeeper.

35th.minute: Mizunuma found Maeda inside the penalty area. Maeda knocked the ball down to Hanyu, racing into the box from the right. Hanyu battled with a defender and seemed to have won a corner by driving the ball against the opposition player's leg, but the referee awarded a goal kick.
41st.minute: Half time drew near with the game still goalless. Mizunuma swung in a corner from the right that was cleared to Hashimoto, outside the penalty area on the left. Hashimoto shot and the onrushing Elkeson blocked the effort with his hands, giving Tokyo a free kick almost on the line itself.
43rd.minute: Mizunuma took the free kick himself, driving a low effort through the wall, between a defender and Takahashi's feet and into the net. Mizunuma had taken advantage of the chance to give Tokyo the lead with perfect timing. The first period ended 1-0.

They equalized, but Mizunuma scored the second goal and won the match!

In the second half, Shanghai maintained possession of the ball as they launched a counterattack. They attacked by exploiting both sides of Tokyo.
47 minutes: A feed to MF Conca's area allows right side back Hu Fuan to break through behind.
50 minutes: In the Tokyo defense, Shanghai FW Lu Wenjun, FW Eukeson, and MF Conca exchanged direct passes, allowing FW Wu Lei to break through.

55 minutes: The opposing midfielder Konka holds the ball just outside the area, timing a through pass behind Tokyo's defense. With excellent coordination, FW Luwenjun breaks free inside the area, slightly to the right. Akimoto saved the decisive shot, but... the ball spilled to Akimoto's right, where FW Wu Lei capitalized... resulting in a goal. 1-1.
Tokyo, having been equalized, launched a quick attack from intense defense without losing composure, aiming to take the lead.
 

62 minutes: Abe replaces Higashi.
64 minutes: Tokunaga advanced and passed to Hanyu, who was positioned directly in front of the goal. Hanyu aimed for a mid-range shot, but it went over the bar.
65 minutes: Yonemoto → Tokunaga enters the left area. He cuts back to evade the opponent and measures the distance, sending a left cross. Maeda is in the center, while Mizunuma is outside, and Hashimoto runs into the right area. The ball reaches Mizunuma. Mizunuma connects with a volley using his right foot, striking a powerful shot that pierces the goalkeeper and scores. They have succeeded in taking the lead. 2-1.
After that, the time spent on defense increased against Shanghai, who launched another counterattack.

79 minutes: Tanabe comes in for Mizunuma. Maeda and Abe as the two strikers. Tanabe on the right side, Hanyu on the left. Takahashi and Yonemoto changed to a 4-4-2 formation to try to change the flow of the game.

87 minutes: Shanghai builds an attack starting from MF Konga, utilizing the speed of FW Wu Lei, who charges into the area.
90 minutes: From a dribble by Shanghai's FW Wu Lei, FW Ewerthon spread the ball to the right. Following the right cross, players surged into the goal area one after another. In added time, MF Conca's through pass found Wu Lei behind Tokyo's defense, but Tokyo maintained their focus and defended successfully, reaching the end of the match.

Although we conceded one goal, we did not stop running until the end, won a tough match, and will head into the second away game with a victory.

Shanghai Equalise; Mizunuma Wins It With Second Goal

The visitors came out fighting in the second half, enjoying more of the ball and pushing forward down the flanks.

47th minute: Shanghai midfielder Conca played a pass into the Tokyo box for overlapping right sideback Fu Huan to take behind the Tokyo defense.

50th minute: Shanghai forward Lu Wenjun, Elkeson and Conca combined with some slick passing to release forward Wu Lei.

55th minute: Conca skillfully retained possession outside the Tokyo box before slipping a pass through the home defense. Striker Lu Wenjun darted onto the ball and shot left-footed for the far corner. Akimoto charged off his line and made a fine reaction save, dropping to his right. The ball ran loose and striker Wu Lei pounced, firing home from close range. Although Shanghai had drawn level, Tokyo remained solid in defense and broke forward at pace in search of another goal.

62nd minute: Abe replaced Higashi.

64th minute: Tokunaga pushed forward and found Hanyu in a central position, just outside the Shanghai box. Hanyu crashed a rising shot just over the bar.

65th minute: Yonemoto found Tokunaga pushing forward down the left flank. Tokunaga checked back inside and lifted a right-footed cross beyond the penalty spot. Mizunuma met the ball on the run with a side-footed first-time volley that left his boot like a rocket. The goalkeeper was unable to stop the shot and Tokyo were back in the lead once again. Shanghai pushed forward in search of another equaliser and the hosts spent more time defending.

79th minute: Tanabe replaced Mizunuma and Abe partnered Maeda in a two-pronged attack. Tanabe played on the right of midfield and Hanyu on the left, with Takahashi and Yonemoto in the center in a 4-4-2 formation. Tokyo sought to change the flow of the game.

87th minute: Shanghai midfielder Conca constructed a move and forward Wu Lei made inroads inside the Tokyo box.

90th minute: Wu Lei dribbled forward and Elkeson took the ball down the right before crossing into the danger area. Several Shanghai players flung themselves at the ball but none were able to make contact. In additional time, Conca managed to play Wu Lei in behind the Tokyo defense one final time but the hosts held firm and cleared the threat. The final whistle blew on a hard-fought 2-1 win. Although Tokyo conceded, they battled to the bitter end, never stopped running and could look forward to the return fixture in a week's time.

[Player Comments]

《Mizunuma》
"The free kick was a bit too close, but I kicked it instinctively based on my feeling. I'm glad I was able to score. (Regarding the second goal) I had originally envisioned myself as the one delivering the cross. I knew that if I lifted it to the far post, the opponent would become ball watchers. So, when Tokunaga made his cut, I ran to the far post, and the ball came just as I aimed. I focused on making solid contact with the shot. I think we had a good sense of distance between players from the start of the match today, and we were able to do what we wanted. We were able to share the image of getting behind the defense and connecting the ball at our feet."

"Yoshimoto"
"The fact that we conceded an away goal is something to reflect on. I believed that my job was to keep a clean sheet, so I feel regret. However, since I hadn't been able to win in the matches I played until now, I approached today with the mindset that 'if I can't deliver results here, I no longer deserve to play in Tokyo.' So, I feel relieved to have won. Especially in the first half, it was a wonderful game. Everyone was strong in their challenges, and I think our desire to win was conveyed to those watching."

Players' Comments

Mizunuma:
"The free kick was a bit too close to the goal so I just went with my gut feeling and fortunately it went in. The second came from the side I had originally put a cross in from. When you play a cross to the far post often the opposition get caught ball watching so when I saw Tokunaga cut back inside I made my run towards the far post. He put a perfect cross in and I watched it all the way onto my boot. From the start of the game today the distance between the players was just right and I felt we managed to achieve what we wanted to do. We got behind the opposition defence and linked up well; we shared a vision of how we wanted to play."

Yoshimoto:
"We have to look at ourselves for the way we conceded. Our job in defence is to keep a clean sheet so it's very disappointing we couldn't manage it tonight. However, so far this season we hadn't managed to win a game that I've played in so I felt that if we couldn't get a result tonight then I wouldn't be qualified to ever play a game for the club again. I'm very relieved we won. In particular I felt our first half performance was fantastic. I'm sure we managed to convey our desire to win to everyone watching."

[Summary of Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference]

"We knew that if we didn't win the first match and head to Shanghai, the second match would be tough. Everyone had a strong mindset and fulfilled their roles. (Regarding Hashimoto's use as a right back and Takahashi's role) Hashimoto has high utility. In a pressure-filled match like today, he faced strong individual opponents and although he was caught out a few times, he fought well. It was thanks to the defense from the front line. The forwards pressed well from the first half. We clarified Takahashi's role in how to balance defense and show aggression in attack. He played with great focus to make the team function. Today, we aimed to not let the opponent score while we scored. The only regret is the conceded goal, but the players gave their all for the full 90 minutes. I want to celebrate this victory with our fans and supporters. We will prepare to move forward and face the second match in Shanghai."
 

[Summary of the Press Conference by Shanghai SIPG Coach Sven-Göran Eriksson]
"It was a good match today. In the first half, I think FC Tokyo was slightly better than us. Tokyo started very well and played aggressively at the ball. However, in the second half, we also picked up speed and had no physical issues. We were able to control the ball and apply pressure. It was a performance that leads into the second match next week. The first goal we conceded was due to our own mistake. With a free kick from that distance, the wall should not jump. That's all there is to it. Of course, mistakes are part of football. If there were no mistakes, every match would end in a 0-0 draw. I want to ensure we can play well for the second match."

F.C. TOKYO manager Hiroshi Jofuku

"We knew that if we didn't win today the second game in Shanghai would be very difficult. The entire team played with tremendous spirit and fulfilled their individual roles to perfection.
What about Hashimoto at side back and Takahashi's role? Hashimoto really is a very versatile player. In a high-pressure game like today's against a strong opponent he fought really well, getting behind their defence several times. He was everywhere, from defence to attack. He pressed really hard from the first half. Takahashi has a clearly defined role in both maintaining the defensive balance and pushing forward aggressively when called upon. In order to make the team function he plays with great concentration. As usual our aim for the match had been to score without conceding. Letting in a goal is disappointing but otherwise it was an excellent performance over the whole 90 minutes. We're very happy we could share the victory with our fans and supporters. We're going to prepare to the best of our ability for the second game to make it to the next round."
 

Shanghai SIPG manager Sven Goran Eriksson

"That was a very good game. I felt FC Tokyo edged the first half. They started well and were very aggressive to the ball. However, our speed showed in the second half and we had no problems with our physical conditioning. We controlled the ball and pressed hard. I think it was a performance that we can take into the next game. Their first goal came from our mistake.
The wall shouldn't jump at a free kick so close to the goal. That's in the past, though. Of course there are mistakes in football, if there weren't then every game would finish 0-0. We're looking forward to the second leg and aim to put in a good performance."