Aiming for victory to advance to the club's first ACL Semifinal Round in history

Tokyo, having won the first match of Round 16 with a score of 2-1, arrived in Shanghai on Sunday, the 22nd. They are set to compete for their first-ever advancement to the Semifinal Round, stepping onto the away ground in Shanghai.

The members are GK Akimoto, DF from the right Hashimoto, CBs Morishige and Yoshimoto, and left side back Tokunaga. In the midfield, Takahashi is the anchor, with Hanyu and Yonemoto as inside halves, Mizunuma on the right wide, and Azuma on the left. Maeda is positioned as the lone forward.
 

Shanghai SIPG will be missing Jan due to injury, but they have strong foreign players like Conca and Elkeson. Additionally, caution is needed against the speedy breakthrough ability of Wu Lei.

In cloudy skies, the match started with a kickoff in Shanghai at 19:30.

Tokyo Aim For Final Eight

With a 2-1 lead from the first leg, FC Tokyo arrived in Shanghai on May 22nd, aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League for the first time.

The team lined up with Akimoto in goal, Hashimoto at right back, Morishige and Yoshimoto in central defence and Tokunaga at left back. Takahashi played as midfield anchor with Hanyu and Yonemoto as inside halves, while Mizunuma played wide right and Higashi wide left. Maeda filled the lone striker role.

Shanghai SIPG were without injured forward Asamoah Gyan but were still able to field strong attacking players such as Dario Conca and Elkeson from their foreign contingent. Tokyo would also need to pay attention to pacy forward Wu Lei.

The hosts set the ball rolling at 7:30 on a cloudy evening in Shanghai.

GK Akimoto's great save prevented a goal, and the match goes into halftime scoreless.

4 minutes: After receiving a counter from Shanghai, allowed 4DF Wan Shenchao to advance with a dribble from the right side.
From the center, 11 FW LORI Wenzhun entered the area. He stretched out for the cross, but the trap spilled, going wide and resulting in a Tokyo ball.
 

19 minutes: Tokyo fouled Wang Shenchao, who overlapped as a 4DF from Shanghai, giving a free kick from the right sideline in the Tokyo territory.
19 minutes: Shanghai - This FK was sent forward by MF Conca. DF Kim Juyong in the area headed it, but the shot that barely grazed the bar was saved by Akimoto with one hand. It went for a corner kick.

26 minutes: A foul against Shanghai again. A free kick is awarded from the right side of Tokyo's defense. MF Konka's powerful kick goes past both opponents and teammates, landing in front of Akimoto. It momentarily slips from Akimoto's hands, but both sides briefly stop play, preventing any chance from being created.
28 minutes: Shanghai FW Wu Lei advances to the right front line and delivers a backward cross just before the area.
In response, FW Lu Wenjun unleashed a powerful volley, but Tokyo blocked it and prevented a goal.

30 minutes: Shanghai's left cross was headed by FW Wu Lei in the center, but the shot was saved by Akimoto.
32 minutes: Shanghai deeply penetrated Tokyo's right side, and from a pass to the center, FW Ezequiel made a perfect header, but this was also caught by Akimoto.

37 minutes: Shanghai forward Wu Lei dribbles down the left flank. Hashimoto is evaded, and he breaks through to the sideline, but Akimoto stops the short last pass in front of the goal with his feet.
45 minutes + 1 Shanghai MF Conca takes a position in the right area and skillfully delivers a vertical pass into the right area.
In response to this, FW Eukeson broke through, but Morishige responded perfectly and did not allow a shot.
In the 45th minute + 1, following a throw-in from Shanghai, the ball was pushed into the goal area, and finally, FW Ureli in the area attempted an overhead kick, but it went wide.

Stunning Saves From Akimoto Keep First Half Scoreless

4th minute: Shanghai countered at speed down the right through defender Wang Shenchao. He attempted to find forward Lu Wenjun with a low cross into the box but Lu's first touch was heavy and the ball flew out for a Tokyo goal kick.

19th minute: Shanghai pushed forward down the right through the overlapping Wang once more until Higashi stopped him with a foul. Dario Conca whipped in the free kick, defender Kim Juyoung flicked the ball on with a back header and Akimoto produced a stunning one-handed save to claw the ball out from under the crossbar.

26th minute: Shanghai won another free kick in a similar position out on the right. Conca whipped the ball in again but this time it cleared the scrum of players in front of goal and bounced up towards Akimoto. He lost control of the ball and both sides froze momentarily until a Tokyo defender moved it away to safety.

28th minute: Wu Lei raced down the right channel and cut a cross back into the center. Forward Lu Wenjun latched onto the ball and crashed a powerful volley goalward that a Tokyo defender blocked away.

30th minute: Shanghai crossed from the left, Wu Lei outjumped the Tokyo defense and Akimoto made another fine save to tip the header over the bar.

32nd minute: Shanghai took the ball deep down the left and crossed from the byline. Elkeson met the ball but was unable to impart much power to his header and Akimoto held it comfortably.

37th minute: Wu Lei stormed down the left and into the Tokyo penalty area. He took the ball along the byline and aimed a short pass into the center but Akimoto reacted sharply, smothering the danger.

45+1: Dario Conca showed his skill to play an upfield pass for Elkeson to chase. Morishige defended solidly, denying Shanghai an attempt on goal.

45+1: Shanghai threatened the Tokyo goal from a throw in. Wu Lei attempted an overhead kick but failed to hit the target. The first period ended 0-0.

Conceded a goal just before the end, resulting in elimination...

48 minutes: In response to the speedy dribble of Shanghai's 7 FW Wu Lei, Takahashi was judged to have held him from behind, resulting in a free kick almost directly in front of the goal.
49 minutes: This free kick was directly aimed at FW Eukeson, but it went wide of the goal.
51 minutes: Hashimoto is fouled, earning a free kick on the right side. From this play, they pick up a loose header from the opponent and connect the ball, with Hanyu controlling it with one touch in the center, sending a vertical pass into the area. Here, Maeda runs in from the left and attempts a decisive shot, but... the distance to the goalkeeper is too close, and it is blocked by a save...

65 minutes: Abe is brought on for Mizunuma at the top. Formation changed to 4-4-2.
66 minutes: The ball was played wide to Shanghai, and FW Lu Wenjun's right cross was just barely inside the left area far post. FW Ure was free to jump in here, creating a decisive opportunity, but Akimoto blocked it with his body, resulting in a corner kick.

70 minutes: In front of the left area in Shanghai, 10MF Conca keeps possession. Hashimoto faces him, but the ball goes through his legs, leading to a through pass to the left forward. FW Yu Hai breaks through behind and delivers a cross, but Tokunaga steps out to clear it in front of Shanghai, who is waiting at the far post.

80 minutes: Kono replaces Higashi on the pitch.
84 minutes: Unable to advance from our own half. The ball was taken by Shanghai, and a one-touch pass was exchanged. In the end, it was spread to the side, and a right cross was delivered, but Akimoto firmly caught it.

85 minutes: Maruyama is brought in to replace Hanyu here. Three center-backs.
89 minutes: A high ball was sent into the area by Shanghai, and after a short clearance, they pressed in, but in the end, Hashimoto cleared it. They escaped to a corner kick and managed to defend here as well.

90 minutes: The scene continues with Shanghai pushing into the goal area from a set play, but here too, Hashimoto calmly clears the ball and escapes to a corner kick.
90 minutes + 1: A long ball to the Shanghai area was cleared by Yoshimoto, but he couldn't handle the second ball, leading to a powerful shot from Shanghai's 9 FW Ezequiel just in front of the area. Akimoto made the save, but... the loose ball was reacted to by FW Wu Lei, who was right in front of the goal and just on the edge of offside. It was kicked in immediately, resulting in a goal. 0-1.
The match ended in a 0-1 defeat, and despite a total score of 2-2 over two matches, the loss was determined by the away goals rule.

Last-gasp Goal Sinks Tokyo

48th minute: Wu Lei set off on a dribble forward until stopped by a challenge from behind by Takahashi. The referee awarded a free kick to Shanghai.

49th minute: Shanghai forward Elkeson took the free kick, some 25 meters from goal. His effort cleared the Tokyo wall but faded well past the near post.

51st minute: Hashimoto was fouled out on the right, giving Tokyo a free kick. They moved the play on quickly and a weak clearance by the Shanghai defense fell to Hanyu, just outside the penalty arc. Hanyu took the ball down neatly and slid a pass through to Maeda who was suddenly free inside the box with only the Shanghai keeper to beat. Yan Junling raced off his line and managed to block Maeda's shot from point-blank range.

65th minute: Tokyo replaced Mizunuma with Abe and switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

66th minute: Shanghai stretched the play and forward Lu Wenjun launched a deep cross from the right to beyond the far post. Forward Wu Lei raced behind the Tokyo defense, flung himself at the ball and managed to turn it back on target. Akimoto reacted sharply and turned it behind with his body.

70th minute: Conca held the ball up on the left in the Tokyo penalty area, then poked it through Hashimoto's legs and played a ball down the line for striker Yu Hai to chase. Yu centered towards the far post where Tokunaga watched the ball all the way and cleared comfortably.

80th minute: Kawano replaced Higashi.

84th minute: Tokyo were struggling to get out of their own half. Shanghai won the ball and played it around with some crisp, one-touch passing. They moved the ball down the right and crossed; Akimoto held it comfortably.

85th minute: Maruyama replaced Hanyu and Tokyo played with three center backs.

89th minute: Shanghai lifted a towering cross into the Tokyo box. The clearance was short and when the ball was played back in, Hashimoto hooked it out for a corner. The visitors' defense dealt with the corner as well.

90th minute: Tokyo were again under pressure in their own penalty area from a set play yet once again Hashimoto put the ball into touch.

90+1: Yoshimoto headed a long ball clear but Tokyo were unable to deal with the second ball and it fell to Elkeson, just outside the box in a central position. Elkeson shot hard and low through a ruck of players. Akimoto saved the bounding attempt but the ball rebounded straight to Wu Hai in a just barely onside position. He slotted it home. The final whistle blew shortly after on a 1-0 defeat. The aggregate score over the two legs was 2-2, with Tokyo eliminated on away goals.

[Player Comments]

Akimoto
"I was defeated at the very end. The goals conceded in the first match and this time could have been prevented if I had cleared them properly, so I take full responsibility and feel very sorry for my teammates and the fans and supporters. The result is everything, so no matter how many saves I made in the first half, losing means nothing, and I feel regretful. I want to accept this firmly, reset myself and the team, and focus on the next match."

"Yoshimoto"
"I really thought we had to move up to the next stage, and everyone was fighting desperately, so it's really frustrating. In the last 5 or 10 minutes, we had unified our will to hold on to a 0-0 draw. In the end, we were scored on, so it really comes down to the fact that we couldn't endure it. However, there will definitely be situations like this in the future, so I want to be able to hold on when that happens. We were all talking about 'changing the team we've had so far,' so there is frustration in not being able to achieve that, and honestly, I don't have the luxury to say I want to make use of this for the next time. Right now, I'm so frustrated that I can't even think about the next thing, but since there is a match coming up soon, I have to switch gears. It's so frustrating that I can't switch gears immediately, so it contradicts what I'm saying, but that's how much I was invested in this match."
 

Players' Comments

Akimoto:
"They caught us right at the end. The goal in the first leg and the one tonight both came about from situations where I should have forced the ball away; it's my responsibility and I feel apologetic to my teammates and our fans and supporters. The result is everything so making all those saves in the first half is meaningless since we lost. We have to accept the result, shift our focus squarely onto the next game and bounce back."

Yoshimoto
"We were absolutely determined to get to the next stage and fought to the death with everything we had so it's bitterly disappointing. For the final five or ten minutes we were totally focused on playing as a unit and keeping them out. In the end we couldn't withstand them; that kind of situation will occur again in the future and next time we want to see it through. We spoke about changing the team we had been until now but weren't able to achieve it today which is disappointing. We don't have much leeway for putting things right before the next game but we have to. I'm so disappointed I can hardly think about the next game; that may be contradictory but that's how much we invested in the match today."

[Summary of Coach Hiroshi JOFUKU's Press Conference]

"It ended in an unacceptable outcome. What I can say is thank you to the players, and let's return to Japan with our heads held high. I wanted to bring back the ticket to the top 8 together with the fans and supporters, but it is very disappointing."
《Q&A》
Q=It was a close result, but what was the deciding factor in the match?
"Of course there may have been tactical aspects and turning points in the play. However, I want to take all the 'what ifs' into consideration. The players did well."
Q=After battling against Asian teams in 9 matches since the playoffs in February, what has the team gained and what do you want to carry into the league matches?
"What I can say now is that I wanted to compete more on the Asian stage with the players. We have not been able to achieve the results we wanted in the league, so we must utilize the evidence of growth gained from these tough battles in the league. Right now, I just sincerely wanted to fight more with them on the Asian stage..."

[Summary of the Press Conference by Shanghai SIPG Coach Sven-Göran Eriksson]
"Thanks to the players who worked hard for 90 minutes, we were able to secure the victory. I am also very happy to advance to the ACL Best 8. To be honest, last weekend's C League match was very tough, but I think we were able to prepare well in the short time before this FC Tokyo match, even with little time for the players to recover. I want to thank all the players and club staff."

F.C. TOKYO manager Hiroshi Jofuku

"That's a very hard result to accept. What I can say to my players is 'Well done, you can go home with your heads held high'. We had wanted to earn a ticket for the final eight together with our fans and supporters but it was not to be, which is a huge disappointment."
It was a very tight game. What do you think made the difference? "Maybe there was something tactically, a turning point in the play. I have to accept the what-ifs are down to me. The players did extremely well."
Since the playoff game in February you've played nine games against Asian opposition. What have you learned that you can put to use in the J.League? "What I can say now is that we wanted to play further on this stage. The results haven't been going our way in the league so we want to use the experience of playing in intensely challenging games like today's as proof of our maturing as a team. For now though, I can say from the bottom of my heart that I wanted to continue to play on this stage with the team."
 

Shanghai SIPG manager Sven Goran Eriksson

"We were able to win thanks to the performance the players gave over the full 90 minutes. I'm delighted that we've qualified for the quarter finals of the ACL. To tell the truth, we had an extremely difficult game at the weekend in the C. League and very little time for the players to recover. Even so, they managed to prepare thoroughly; I'd like to express my gratitude to them and the club staff."