Dominated throughout and continued to attack, but failed to capitalize on chances and ended the first half scoreless.

Participating in the "AET CUP 2014" held in Hong Kong. The ranking will be determined by a tournament format with 4 teams. The first match is against S.C. OLHANENSE (Portugal). The team will officially start on 1/18 (Saturday), and from 1/22, they will hold their annual training camp in Kunigami Village, then move directly to Hong Kong. They are currently in a period of intense training with almost daily two-a-day practices, and both physically and mentally, fatigue is at its peak. However, Gonda stated, "We are representing Japan, so we want to seek results," as the team unites to aim for victory in this match.

Tokyo will face the same members as in the practice match against FC Naha on January 28. They will also adopt the 4-3-3 system they are currently practicing. Under mild weather conditions, the match started at 14:45 local time with the kickoff from S.C. OLHANENSE.

From the first half, Tokyo took control and attacked while connecting the ball well. In the 5th minute, Matheus headed the ball from a right corner kick by Higashi but missed. Hirayama rushed to the ball that flowed to the opposite side but couldn't reach it. In the 19th minute, they kept the ball in midfield. From there, Higashi moved forward to aim for the goal, but couldn't make good contact with Kono. He dropped it directly to Hirayama, who took a shot but just missed the target. In the 23rd minute, starting from Tokunaga on the right side, Higashi delivered a grounded cross in front of the goal. Watanabe, who quickly ran in front of the defender, managed to connect well but hit the bar.

In defense, they hardly allowed the opponent to create any real chances. Tokyo quickly transitions between offense and defense, and even when they lose the ball, everyone reacts with a high defensive awareness. In the 31st minute, Watanabe kept the ball in midfield and made a through pass to Kono, who made a run behind the DF. The opposing GK came out, and Kono attempted a direct looping shot, but it narrowly missed to the left of the goal. Continuing into the 32nd minute, Watanabe dribbled past the opposing DF and took a well-aimed shot from distance, but the GK made a great save. Furthermore, just before the end of the first half, after a rebound from Watanabe's left-footed shot, Higashi took a well-aimed shot, but once again, he was thwarted by a great save from the opposing GK, resulting in no goals. Ultimately, the match returned to the second half with a scoreless draw.

Equalized with Mita's goal, but failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities afterward and lost in the penalty shootout.

Even in the second half, Tokyo's offensive continued, but in the 50th minute, a penalty was awarded for a foul on an opponent in the penalty area. This was converted, putting Tokyo one goal behind. However, Tokyo remained calm, maintaining possession of the ball and looking for opportunities as before. In the 55th minute, Kono and Azuma were replaced by Ishikawa and Mita. Furthermore, in the 59th minute, Hirayama and Ota were substituted for Edu and Mukuhara. Fresh players were brought in to launch further attacks. Then, in the 67th minute, from Edu's hold-up play, the ball went to Mita on the left side. From there, he dribbled into the penalty area, evading three opposing defenders to shoot. The ball deflected off an opponent and went into the goal, leveling the score.

Tokyo, gaining further momentum, launches a fierce attack. In the 70th minute, from Takahashi's vertical pass in the center, Watanabe passes to Ishikawa, who dribbles into the left side of the area and shoots. Unfortunately, it hits the right post, but from the rebound, Edu brings the ball in from the right side and shoots. The opposing GK makes a great save, resulting in a corner kick. In the 75th minute, Edu keeps the ball on the right side. From there, with the passing work of Yonemoto and Ishikawa, Ishikawa aims for the goal but is blocked by the GK, resulting in a right corner kick. Mita takes this corner kick, but it does not connect inside.

In the 81st minute, Ishikawa made a dribble attempt, and after the ball was cleared once, it came back to Ishikawa. From there, he took a powerful left-footed shot, but the GK made a save. Furthermore, Mita picked up the loose ball but was fouled by an opponent, earning a free kick. Edu took this free kick and aimed for the right side of the goal, but it was saved again. In the second half's added time, Edu, while being marked by an opposing defender, skillfully evaded and took a shot from the middle. However, it lacked power and went straight to the GK. Despite launching a fierce attack until the end, they were unable to score an additional goal and went to a penalty shootout.

In the penalty shootout, Tokunaga's shot was blocked by the opposing GK, resulting in a 5-6 defeat. As a result, it has been decided that on 2/3 (Mon), we will face PFC KRYLIA SOVETOV SAMARA (Russia) in the third place match.

[Player Comments]

《Mita》
"In my first official match of the season, and my first international match in Tokyo, I am happy to have been able to step onto the pitch and score a goal. Today's opponent was skillful, as they managed to evade us even when we tried to take the ball away, but I believe we were able to control the game. However, I regret that we couldn't secure the win. I want to make sure we win and return to Japan."

《Ishikawa》
"Within the team's objectives, there were parts where we could challenge ourselves. In terms of defense, the opponent had a style that was not common in Japan, where they didn't connect much, so I think we were a bit stiff in the first half regarding how we felt and moved. However, we were able to make adjustments in the second half. We just wanted results. I believe the new system has created a good sense of distance, and I think we did well in both offense and defense, maintaining a good balance. (Looking ahead to the next match) Of course, we are focused on getting results and aiming for victory. I think there were few points to correct in defense, so we want to score goals through our attacking coordination."

【Summary of Coach Massimo FICCADENTI's Press Conference】
"The preparation period was short, but I think the match content was good enough to receive a passing grade. The defense line maintained strong concentration, and although the GK had few opportunities to touch the ball, the entire team was active. (What we gained from today's match is) we were able to create chances, and although there was a penalty situation in defense, we did not allow the opponent to play freely. I believe that being able to perform at this level during the preparation phase is a significant achievement."

[S.C.OLHANENSE - Summary of Coach Simon's Press Conference]
"It was a difficult match, but I'm glad we were able to win. Despite having many injured players, the new players showed great performance, and I think the team fought together as one. (My impression of Tokyo is) it was a very good team. We weren't in perfect condition before the season, but I felt that we would become stronger from here on out."