Semifinal Round at National, facing the league champions

As we approach the Semifinal Round of the Emperor's Cup, we will face Sanfrecce Hiroshima. In the quarterfinals, we demonstrated a strong desire for victory and an unyielding spirit, achieving a dramatic win. Although we were pushed back by Sendai and there are areas for reflection, Shiota mentioned, "Personally and as a team, we have become calmer in difficult times. While always maintaining a desire to win, we are also able to endure." At the same time, the team's weapons and positive factors are increasing, such as Ota's free kick shown in the Sendai match and Hayashi's performance, who scored his first professional goal. This match is based on what we have built up so far, further enhancing the team's unity as we aim for the Final Round on New Year's Day.

Hiroshima defeated Fukuoka University, Kumamoto, Kashima, and Kofu in the Emperor's Cup, advancing to the Semifinal Round. Above all, they are the J1 champions who achieved a comeback victory in the final match of this season's league. Their solid defense and never-give-up attitude in any situation can be said to be fitting as their trademark.

The key will be how well we can maintain our concentration and fight tenaciously. It will be crucial to see how we can contain the movements of Hiroshima FW Sato, as well as the attacking plays of MF Takahagi and MF Mikic. Even if they are on guard, they possess enough strength to surpass that, so it should be a situation where we cannot afford to let our guard down for even a moment.

Today, Hirayama is suspended due to accumulated warnings. At the same time, considering the strategy against Hiroshima, Kaga will start as the right defender. Hyun Soo JANG will play in the center, and Morishige will take the left in a three-back formation. Watanabe will be at the top, with Hayato HASEGAWA and Higashi as shadows in the lineup. Although there is a chill in the air, it is a calm and sunny National Stadium. The match started at 15:04 with Hiroshima's kickoff.

Both sides negate each other's strengths, and a tense battle continues.

From the start, both teams canceled each other's strengths. Tokyo's wing-backs, Tokunaga and Ota, also positioned themselves with a focus on defense, but the entire defensive line tried to maintain a high position. Even when Hiroshima had the ball, they calmly regained possession and transitioned to attack.

In the 12th minute, Ota's early cross found Higashi in the center, who headed the ball. The ball was directed towards the goal but was cleared by the Hiroshima goalkeeper. In the 14th minute, Kaga passed to Tokunaga and Higashi along the right sideline, creating space in the midfield. Takahashi moved up and sent a shot-like ball to the front line, but it went through the gap between Hasegawa in the area and Watanabe in front, crossing the line.

Hiroshima sends the ball to FW Sato without taking too many touches, trying to create a chance. In the 37th minute, from a pass by Hiroshima MF Aoyama, FW Sato broke through to the front line. Furthermore, MF Fan Socco brought the ball into the center, creating a decisive moment, but the shot was blocked by Tokunaga with a sliding tackle.

In the 44th minute, Tokyo regained possession in their own half, and Yonemoto launched a powerful counterattack. He connected with Watanabe on the right flank and attempted to pass to Hasegawa, who was advancing from the far side, but... the pass was off-target and was intercepted by Hiroshima. They managed to concentrate on suppressing Hiroshima's attacks and created some opportunities to attack with their characteristic teamwork, but they could not break through the opponent's solid defense. They headed into the second half.

In the early stages of the second half, both teams had opportunities from set plays. In the 57th minute, from a right corner kick by Higashi, Morishige headed the ball but it went wide. In the 59th minute, a free kick was awarded to Hiroshima, and from about 30 meters in the center, MF Takahagi aimed directly, but the shot that flew towards the goal was saved by Shiota with his right hand! As the match continued to ebb and flow, Hiroshima began to gain rhythm and increase their speed, but in the 64th minute, when Morishige's feed was spilled by the opposing defender, Watanabe seized the opportunity and charged into the area. He created a big chance, but the shot taken from the left side of the area was blocked by the Hiroshima goalkeeper with his face...

In the 68th minute, Takahashi spread the ball to the left from Yonemoto's vertical pass. Morishige, who was advancing, delivered a ground cross to the center. This went through to the right area, and Tokunaga aimed for it, but only managed to earn a corner kick after grazing the opponent's defender. In the 84th minute, Morishige controlled a long ball from Hiroshima, but a back pass allowed Hiroshima forward Sato to run in front of Shiota, connecting to midfielder Mikic in the right area. This created a critical danger, but Morishige quickly returned and prevented a finish.

In the 86th minute, MF Nozuta came in for Hiroshima FW Sato. Tokyo also brought in Ishikawa in the 89th minute. However, both teams maintained their defensive resilience and concentration but were unable to capitalize on their chances, leading to a scoreless tie and entering the fourth extra time of the tournament.

Failed to capitalize on the opportunity in extra time, eliminated in a heartbreaking penalty shootout

In extra time, both teams used substitution cards to chase a "1-point" deficit. In the 93rd minute, Tokyo substituted Hayashi for Higashi. In the 104th minute, Ota made a run and delivered a low cross. Hayashi charged into the goal area, but the Hiroshima defense also committed numbers to defend, preventing a shot. Just before the end of the first half of extra time, they allowed a counterattack from Hiroshima, with free forward Nozuta advancing with a dribble, but Morishige calmly showcased his strength, regained possession, and ended the first half.

As fatigue set in, they continued to push forward, battling fiercely in the second half of extra time. In the 106th minute, from Morishige's advance, Hasegawa on the left passed to Hayashi in the center, and once again Hasegawa charged into the left area but was blocked in the midst of the scramble. In the 112th minute, Mita came on for Takahashi.

In the 118th minute, Yonemoto cut into the left area and made a final pass to the center. Mitani trapped it and took a turning shot, but... it went wide. In the 119th minute, Ishikawa ran behind the opposing defender to meet Mitani's through pass, creating a decisive moment, but his strong shot was thwarted by a great save from the Hiroshima goalkeeper...

After a tough battle lasting 120 minutes, we did not allow any goals, but on the other hand, we were unable to score, leading to a penalty shootout. In this shootout, Ota, Morishige, and Hyun Soo JANG calmly converted their penalties. Hiroshima's first MF Aoyama's kick was stopped by Shiota. The third DF Chiba's kick ended in a miss, and at that point, Tokyo was leading 3 to 1, in a situation where "if we score one more". However, Mita and then Hasegawa's kicks were consecutively saved by Hiroshima GK Nishikawa... Although the sixth Yonemoto succeeded, the seventh Ishikawa was saved, and finally, we allowed a goal from Hiroshima MF Nozuta...

Despite advancing favorably in the penalty shootout, they were defeated in a comeback. They could not reach the Final Round and ended the season in the top 4 of the Emperor's Cup.

[Player Comments]
"Results are everything, so it's very disappointing that we couldn't move on. In the penalty shootout, we were reminded of the harshness of football just one step away. We pushed Hiroshima to the edge, but as expected of them as league champions, they had the strength to shake it off and push back. They play fair and wonderful football, and they are a team that deserves respect. In contrast, we must accept the reality of our loss. I want to use this defeat as fuel and move forward."

《Morishige》
"We played a soccer match where both teams canceled each other's strengths, and it was a situation where one chance made all the difference. Both teams defended well, and I think we patiently moved the ball to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. It's very disappointing to lose when there was a chance to win, but penalties are no longer part of soccer. It became a matter of 'let the confident ones take the shot,' and the order was decided quickly, but anyone can miss or score. It can't be helped. Through this Emperor's Cup, I believe we showed a united team spirit, fighting tenaciously and not giving up until the end."

【Summary of Coach Ranko POPOVIC's Press Conference】
"I hoped to be here again on New Year's Day. There were big chances, and we got close. However, this was a game that made me reaffirm what soccer is. It was filled with all the joys and sorrows. We couldn't succeed, but I want to tell the players they did well. Not just in today's match, but they have fought really well over the past two years. They showed their maturity over these two years, and it was a growing team. We have come one step away from the title, and I believe we have started to achieve stable results consistently."

I would also like to sincerely thank the fans and supporters, who are the 12th player. They have always been our strength and continued to support us. I am leaving the club after finishing my work here, but the players, staff, and fans and supporters I worked with will always remain in my heart. I don't want to end on a somber note, and I am satisfied with the performance the players showed today. However, I hope they learn from the moments when they couldn't finish the game and instead were scored against, and I want them to use this experience in their lives as individuals. We kept trying for victory until the end. Although it didn't lead to results, I believe this is also part of football.
 

【Hiroshima - Coach Moriyasu's Press Conference Summary】
"It was great to be able to advance while aiming to compete in the Final Round at the Japan National Stadium on New Year's Day. Today was also a very difficult and tough battle, but I believe the players' determination to win contributed to the result. The match could have gone either way; it was a tough battle both tactically and physically, but we were able to prevail. The Japan National Stadium felt like a home ground in Tokyo, yet the players remained calm and managed the game well. I feel that being able to finish strong was due to the many supporters from Hiroshima who came out to cheer for the team. I am most happy to be able to share this joy with them."