Emperor's Cup 3rd Round, facing the strong Matsumoto Yamaga

The Emperor's Cup is held in between league matches. In the 3rd Round, we will face Matsumoto Yamaga from J2 at Ajinomoto. In the previous league match, Yonemoto and Watanabe scored at crucial moments, shutting down the powerful attack from Tosu, securing a victory with five consecutive matches without conceding a goal. Now, just three days later, we face the Emperor's Cup. It will be a tough schedule under the scorching heat, but we must prioritize winning this match above all else.
 

However, considering the consecutive matches, and to ensure victory while maintaining our identity (Coach Massimo), the attacking lineup has been changed, with Edu and Watanabe as the two forwards, Kono as the attacking midfielder, and Mita starting as the inside half. Additionally, Kajiyama will be on the bench for the first time this season after two seasons.

Matsumoto is currently in 2nd place in J2 and maintaining good form. In the Emperor's Cup, they defeated Kamatamare Sanuki to advance to the 3rd Round. Today, due to a two-day break since the last league match against Ehime, they have rotated some players in the midfield and defense, but FW Funayama, FW Sabilia, and MF Iwakami, who are ranked 2nd in J2 scoring, are in the starting lineup. Above all, their hard work and tenacity to never give up until the end can be considered their strengths. In response, Tokyo will need to show a superior attitude and hard work to surpass them. They aim to connect solid defense, as usual, to good attacks and strive for victory.
 

The hottest and most humid day of the season at Ajinomoto, the match started with Matsumoto's kickoff at 19:04.

The back-and-forth battle continues, but Kono scores the opening goal just before the end of the first half!

Tokyo had a big chance at the start. In the 4th minute, a ball spilled from a Matsumoto defender trying to cut a vertical pass from Tokyo, allowing Watanabe to take possession and advance into the left area. He created a decisive opportunity, but the shot he took was cleared just in time by a Matsumoto defender who came to cover.
 

After that, both teams quickly engaged in offense and defense, with Matsumoto launching attacks through MF Iwakami's long throw-ins and FW Funayama's side attacks. However, Tokyo maintained a calm and focused defense while quickly transitioning to create chances. In the 18th minute, Kono ran in to clear Ota's right corner kick and took a shot. This hit a defender, and although he followed up on the rebound, he was thwarted by the goalkeeper's save.
 

In the 27th minute, Watanabe took a mid-range shot after a direct pass exchange with Kono on the left side. In the 33rd minute, a counterattack was initiated from their own half, with Yonemoto passing to Edu on the right side of the area. Edu turned and took a shot. In the 35th minute, Mita advanced through the gap between the opposing defenders from Watanabe's hold-up play and took a shot from the area. However, none of them were able to score.

Matsumoto's counterattack was also received, and in the 39th minute, they connected passes smoothly and cut in from the right side. Midfielder Iio was matched at close range, but the shot went over the bar, avoiding a crisis. Just after that, in the 41st minute, Yonemoto's middle shot from the center hit the opposing defender and floated forward, hitting the bar. The rebound was collected by Edu on the left side of the area, and he took a shot, but the ball crossed the frame. However, Kono, who ran into the right area, pushed it in with a direct shot from his left foot for the GOAL!! Finally taking the lead, the first half ended.

After coming on as a substitute, Hirayama scored an additional goal, shutting out Matsumoto's counterattack!

In the second half, in the 52nd minute, Hirayama was brought on for Edu. In the 54th minute, Takahashi and Mita connected in the center, and Ota surged into the left area after exchanging passes with Kono. He sent a last pass to the center from near the goal line. Hirayama rushed in at the near post and scored with a sliding shot! He made an immediate impact right after coming on, securing an additional goal early in the second half.
 

After taking a 2-goal lead, they began to feel a bit more relaxed, and Tokyo maintained control of the match throughout. In the 60th minute, Ishikawa came on for Kono. Along with Mita, he took up a position on the side, while Takahashi and Yonemoto formed a double pivot in a tactical change. In the 63rd minute, they blocked a shot from Matsumoto's forward Sabia and launched a counterattack. Watanabe dribbled the ball over a long distance, and finally, Mita on the left side took a shot that pierced through, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper.

In the 66th minute, Morishige suffered a leg contusion. Therefore, to be cautious, he was substituted for Matsuda in the 68th minute. Matsuda moved to right back, and Tokunaga shifted to center back. Around the 75th minute, Matsumoto's attempt to counter was interrupted, and they were pushed back in front of the goal, but they managed to hold on without losing focus. In the closing stages, as Matsumoto began to tire, Watanabe and Hirayama created consecutive chances that threatened the goal, but they could not secure a third goal before the time was up. They overcame Morishige's accident with a sense of unity and secured their advancement to the Round of 16.

[Player Comments]

Kono
"The opening goal was due to the shots taken by Yonemoto and Edu, so I believed it would spill out and pressed forward. I'm glad we were able to score at that moment. Especially in the first half, it became an even match with Matsumoto. We couldn't circulate the ball much, and I found myself dropping back too much on defense. In the second half, we were able to play at our own pace, but how we handled the periods without scoring is a challenge. We need to think about how to move the ball and how to fight during those times."
 

《Hirayama》
"(My goals) are always the result of what I've been working on in practice. I'm conscious of the timing to get into the crosses from Ota. Today, I was able to get in at a good timing, and I feel like I've grasped that sense. It was a goal right after I came on, but I'm always thinking about doing my job well within the time I'm given. The matches continue, so I want to prepare well."
 

【Summary of Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"Matsumoto has been achieving very good results in J2, so I expected them to come at us strongly. It felt like the match started as I anticipated. However, we also responded well to that opponent. In a knockout tournament, what is required is the correct way to start the match. Concentration and attention make a significant difference. I believe the result today was due to the players understanding that aspect and approaching the match accordingly. We scored the opening goal in the first half, added another in the second half, and managed the game throughout. After making it 2-0, it became important to keep the ball and conserve energy, but in the second half, the opponent gave us space. While patiently circulating the ball, we were able to create several good attacking opportunities by exploiting that space."
 

[Matsumoto Yamaga FC - Yasuharu SORIMACHI's Press Conference Summary]
"Tokyo's players are skilled, fast, and many are at a high level, and in the second half, we were outplayed by the opponent. We are currently in a good position in J2, but this made us feel the gap with J1. I want to express my gratitude to FC Tokyo. I am also truly grateful for the nearly 2,000 supporters who came. I want to repay this in the league matches. It was a frustrating defeat, but we will soon face the league matches. I want to take a positive view of having completed the match in 90 minutes without any send-offs or injuries. I want to use this as motivation to train with the feeling that there are always those above us."