Betting on advancing to the Emperor's Cup Best 8

Emperor's Cup 4th Round will be held. Shimizu S-Pulse will play against Ajinomoto at Ajinomoto Stadium.
In the league, we have drawn with Urawa and Kashima, and have not lost in the last 10 official matches. While building up as a team, we are gradually gaining strength in our competitiveness.
However, the Emperor's Cup is a single-elimination tournament, so it is necessary to win every game in order to advance.
Coach Massimo also said, "Our approach will not change from before, but only one team will survive in this single-elimination match."
"It is important for us to minimize mistakes and focus on fighting in order to become one of them," he said.

However, the team is in a difficult situation. Currently, Mori Shige and Muto, who were selected for the Japan national team, are absent. Nakajima is also unable to play due to registration issues.
In addition, Ota has a fever since yesterday and is forced to miss the game. As a result, Canini will make his first start as center back.
In addition, Mokuhara will be used as the left SB, and Mita will be used as the starter in the midfield. Hirayama made his first appearance on the bench, and GK Shioda and defender Wai will also be on the bench, making it a truly all-out battle.

Shimizu, on the other hand, advanced to the 4th Round by defeating Biwako Seikei Sports University and Sapporo (J2) in the Emperor's Cup.
However, Shimizu's FW Novakovic, DF Jakovic, and DF Miura, who were selected for the league match, as well as MF Kaneko, have been selected for various national and age group teams, and are absent.
FW Senuma, who returned from Tochigi, was unable to play and is in a difficult situation.

However, with a 3-5-2 formation, there is a strong defense and momentum in the counterattack utilizing the speed and coordination of FW players such as Toshiyuki TAKAGI and Daisuke OMAE.
On the other hand, Tokyo will also maintain their aggressiveness and focus, aiming for a spot in the top 8.

The match started at 19:04 with Shimizu's kickoff under the autumn-like weather.

Shimizu's counterattack is causing trouble for those who hold the ball.

From the beginning, there was a fierce back-and-forth battle. In the 12th minute, Tokyo received a pass from Mita, and Edu carried it to the center while being marked by a DF on the right side, then turned and took a shot.
However, Shizuoka GK managed to escape with a save. From here, they got two CKs, but they were bounced back and ended up conceding a counterattack.
14 minutes, FW Toshiyuki TAKAGI flew out to the area after receiving a feed from Shizuoka's own zone, creating a decisive situation, but was saved by Kanda's great save.

As time passes, Tokyo holds onto the ball, but Shizuoka also sets up a thick block and the competition for the ball is intense. They are unable to break through this defensive wall and instead fall victim to a counterattack.
In the 27th minute, both teams quickly switched to attacking and created scenes where they brought the ball up to the goal. Shimizu's Ryohei, who is registered as a MF, entered as a DF and dribbled up to Tokyo's goal.
Although they held on tenaciously, they made a mistake during the connecting phase and were attacked again. However, they were able to counterattack and Watanabe made a run up front, but was stopped by Shimizu DF BUENO with a throw-in.

At 37 minutes, Tokyo snatched the ball in their own territory and launched a speedy counterattack. Nakano carried the ball up the middle, with Edu on the right and Kono on the left pushing forward.
Watanabe attracts the Shimizu DF he is facing and passes to Kono on the left. Kono is about to rush into the area, but is caught by the Shimizu DF...
However, it did not result in a PK and only resulted in a FK from just in front of the left area.

There were also scenes where Shimizu created opportunities from quick passing on the side, but they covered each other in defense, maintained concentration, and ended the first half with a scoreless draw.

Kawano scores the equalizer! However, they immediately concede the lead and their all-out attack does not bear fruit.

In the second half, after trying to break through, in the 47th minute, Mita → Tokunaga advanced up the right area. Following a negative pass from there, Takahashi takes a shot but it goes over the bar.
At 54 minutes, Watanabe tried to break through the DF line with a floating pass from Mita, but his attempt to control the ball with a trap and aim for the goal was blocked.
Afterwards, Kono created opportunities with his sharp movements, but lacked accuracy in the front line and was unable to finish, resulting in a prolonged period of time without being able to score.

In the 66th minute, Hayashi replaced Mita. While trying to maintain balance, he aimed for the goal, but in the 69th minute, Mukuhara and Hayashi created an opportunity on the left side, and Takahashi, who had advanced to the front line, tried to connect with Hayashi with a heel pass, but was cut off by Shimizu and faced a counterattack. The ball was switched to the other side and passed to the forward, Omae.
Yoshimoto was facing it, but was cut back and a sharp shot was taken... It was beautifully scored to the lower left, passing through Yoshimoto's legs... We conceded the first goal.

73 minutes, Kajiyama is substituted for Yoshimoto. Takahashi aimed for a counterattack with a formation change, with him moving to center back.
Kajiyama, who will be making his first appearance in Tokyo in two seasons, will start the ball rolling and in the 75th minute, Watanabe on the right side will pass vertically to Kajiyama in the center, who will then send a pass to Kawano in front of the right area.
Kawano dodges a one-two with Edu in the area, slips through the opponent's defense and goes around to the inside, stabbing a shot into the bottom right corner! With Kawano's passionate equalizer, the comeback mood has risen.

However, the joy was short-lived as in the 76th minute, the ball was stolen in the opponent's territory and Tokyo launched an attack on the right side. From a pass by Shizuoka DF Ikije, FW Toshiyuki Takagi entered the area.
Canini was facing each other, but a last pass was sent to the goal. I tried to control it, but the ball was pushed in by Shimizu DF Ikije... and we allowed them to take the lead.

However, in the 85th minute, Matsuda came in for Mukuhara. Tokunaga, Canini, and Takahashi formed a back three, with Matsuda on the right wide and Hanyu on the left.
Used Yonemoto and Kajiyama as a double pivot, and launched a powerful attack. In additional time, Kajiyama dropped a vertical pass to Edu, and once again Kajiyama from the midfield sent a long pass to the front line.
It was sent perfectly to Watanabe's feet, but he was stopped by the opposing DF at the moment of the trap...
Afterwards, Canini was brought up to the front line and launched a power play, and in the final corner kick situation, Gonda also moved up, aiming for a chance.
And Yamamoto's corner kick was dropped by Watanabe, and Gonda rushed in, but... the opponent managed to hold on and time was up.

Despite not giving up until the end and launching an all-out attack, it was not fruitful. In the first official match after the break, they suffered their first loss of the season and ended the Emperor's Cup in the round of 16.

[Player Comments]

"Canini"
"It was my first game after joining Tokyo, and it was also a long time since my last game, so I focused on entering the game carefully."
And I think I was able to establish a connection with those around me. However, the results did not come and I am very disappointed.
However, it was reassuring to have the supporters cheering until the very end. I want to do my best to respond to that with my play and results."

《Kajiyama》
"Right after we tied the game, the team had a feeling of 'let's go!' but then we conceded a goal right after and I think that was a shame."
When entering the game, I was thinking about moving the ball firmly and creating the game. I was also instructed by the coach to "fight aggressively and create the game".
I had imagined playing as an anchor and I don't think my coordination with my teammates was bad. I also played in practice and in the red and white game, and there were parts where I was able to show that in a real game.
"It's very frustrating that we couldn't produce results. We only have the league left, but we want to move forward one step at a time together."

[Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's press conference]
"We have been competing in two tournaments, the Nabisco Cup and the Emperor's Cup, but it is unfortunate to have to fight in this state with so many players missing."
Because the Emperor's Cup is considered a very important tournament. If we win, we can also advance to the ACL, so it is a very important tournament.

However, just like the Nabisco Cup, the absence of important players had a significant impact. The game itself was well-balanced.
Shimizu has been solidly closing the space behind them in defense with a 5-2-3 formation. The game flow changed with one goal, but it didn't end up that way.

The unfortunate thing was that after catching up to a tie, we were immediately scored 1-2. Considering the time, we didn't have much strength left.
Afterwards, Edu had two chances to score with a header. Although Gonda made a great save once, he ended up conceding two goals.

Two out of three scoring opportunities were missed. Also, when it was our chance, the FW was unable to enter the penalty area.
The first goal was preventable, and we also lost a goal from a clearance mistake. As an athlete, it is necessary to accept the results.

However, it is very regrettable that this result has been achieved.

[Summary of Manager Katsumi Oenoki's Press Conference at Shimizu]
"With many players injured and the selection of representatives, I struggled until the end on how to use the players, and ultimately decided to go with a 3-back formation."
Depending on the situation, there are times when we become a 5-back, but we try to have as many players in the midfield as possible and put pressure on the opponent's fullbacks.

Without FW Novakovich, it's tough to have only one FW, so we switched to a two-top formation to utilize our mobility.
In the first half, there were moments where we were pushed back, but it was crucial that we were able to hold off conceding any goals. I think the players fought really well.
In the first half, we tried to counterattack several times, but the key was how the two top players could use the space on the Tokyo side.
Using that, wide DF Ikije and Yoshida created chances. I told the players that side changes are also effective, but the accuracy of the last play and crosses were poor and we couldn't score.

In the second half, FW Omae's finishing was crucial, and even though we were caught up, we were able to score another goal and take the lead.
In the league match against Tosu, we were caught up at the end from 2-1, and that scene crossed my mind again today, but the players stayed focused and fought well until the end.
I think it was a big win for the team to hold on and win. I think DF BUENO, who made his first start, was able to show his strength against people.
However, because there is a tendency to rely too much on others, I put MF Ryohei in DF and made it into 3 pieces. We were able to repay the debt to the opponent who lost 0-4 in the league match, and there is nothing happier than this.

I think I am now able to work harder compared to a month ago. In order to not end up in today's game, I want to continue to be a team that can work hard in the next game while maintaining the good parts.