Aiming to advance to the round of 16 with a complete away victory

　ACL Round 16, we will face Guangzhou Evergrande away. In the final group stage match against Ulsan Hyundai on 5/16, we created more chances than our opponents but failed to capitalize on them. On the contrary, we conceded from a set piece and lost the match. We finished second in the group stage and were forced to play this away match. As coach Ranko POPOVIC said, "Both teams must go for the win without any unnecessary tactics," it is expected to be a more attacking game where each team will showcase their strengths.

　Guangzhou topped Group H, which included Kashiwa Reysol, and advanced to the next round. However, in mid-May after the group stage, manager Ijansu was suddenly dismissed. They then hired Marcello Lippi, the coach who led them to victory in the 2006 World Cup. Since the new manager took over, they have already played two games, winning one and drawing one, and are currently at the top of their domestic league. The team's strength lies in their strong attacking talents, with individual players leading the way. The most concerning player is Argentine MF Dario Conca. He controls the front line, which includes top striker FW Cleo, and the powerful MFs Muriqui and Gao Lin on the wings.

　In the Tokyo vs. Urawa match in the 5/26 league, it was a fierce battle with both teams going back and forth, but in the last minute, Mori Shige's header equalized and brought the game to a draw. With concerns about the players' condition, there were some changes in the defensive line. Takahashi was put in as CB and Tokunaga on the right side. Hasegawa and Yonemoto were placed as a double pivot. Kanda said, "Probably everyone around us thinks that Guangzhou will win based on the pre-match predictions. We will take everything positively and just go all out as challengers," expressing his determination.

　Coach Ranko POPOVIC said in the pre-match press conference, "We will play the football that we have been working on so far. And on this big stage, we will express ourselves on the pitch as a team and show what kind of football we can play. Even though it is the round of 16, we will not change anything that we have been doing." Considering that it is a one-game knockout, there is a possibility that the situation will be different from before, such as extra time or penalty kicks. However, we want to win with our collective and attacking football and advance to the knockout stage (quarter-finals) with Tokyo's football unchanged. The match started at 8:00 PM in Guangzhou's Tianhe Sports Center, which is a complete away game.

Tokyo Aim For Victory In Winner Takes All ACL Round Of 16

FC Tokyo traveled to China to take on Guangzhou Evergrande F.C. in the ACL Round Of 16. In the final group stage fixture on May 16th. Tokyo had created a series of chances away to Ulsan Hyundai but failed to capitalize and succumbed to a scrappy goal from a set play. That defeat meant a second place finish in the group and an away game in the winner takes all first knockout round. Manager Popovic commented, "Neither side has any room for any excess tactics. We just have to go and win the game". Given the one-off nature of the match an attacking spectacle was anticipated.

Opponents Guangzhou had finished top of Group H, which also included Kashiwa Reysol. However, manager Lee Jang-Soo was suddenly dismissed in the middle of May and the former manager of Italy, 2006 World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi was appointed in his place. Lippi had been at the helm for two matches, earning a win and a draw that maintained Guangzhou's lead in the Chinese Super League. A powerful, talented attack was the side's strong point with Argentine-born midfielder Dario Conca the main threat. Lone striker Cleo was supported by Muriqui from midfield while Gao Lin distributed the ball to the wide men from a position in the hole.

Tokyo entered the game following an intense 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds on the previous Saturday, when Morishige's header in added time had secured a hard-fought point. There were concerns over the players' conditioning following that demanding encounter and Takahashi moved into central defence, with Tokunaga shifting out to right back. Hasegawa and Yonemoto started as double defensive midfielders. Gonda commented, "Maybe people are expecting Guangzhou to win so we're aiming to turn everything to our advantage. We're going to be positive, we're ready for the challenge and we're going out to win".

Manager Popovic said, "We want to produce the kind of football we're striving to achieve. We aim to express ourselves on the pitch, to show what kind of team we are and how we want to play. This may be the big stage, the Round Of 16, but we're not going to change anything in the way we play". Tokyo were aiming for a win that would take them into the knockout quarter-final stage of the competition without changing the collective attacking style that had brought the side this far, despite the possibility of extra time and penalties.
The hosts kicked off at 8pm on a hot and humid evening in Guangzhou.

Trailing after conceding the first goal, they turn the tables in the first half.

　Started off with good defense and quickly switched to offense. In the 11th minute, Ishikawa → Nakao's turn and shot from the middle. He aimed from a distance, but it went wide. In the 14th minute, Nakao was fouled and earned a free kick from the left side of the opponent's field. Due to the distance, Morishige cleverly passed the ball to Lucas with a ground pass, and the ball went to Kajiyama in the center of the area, but they couldn't make a play from there. Lucas received the return and took a shot from the middle, but it went over the bar.

　At 16 minutes, Erik took a left throw-in from Muhara, Kajiyama dropped it with a header in the area, and Lucas took a shot. He had precisely caught the top right corner of the goal, but it was caught by the GK. However, after 20 minutes, Guangzhou started to create rhythm from set pieces. In the 21st and 26th minutes, MF Conca aimed directly for the FK near the area, but the DF held strong and did not allow a goal. However, in the 31st minute, Guangzhou was able to break through from the right side and send a pass to the center. They were unable to stop this and FW Cleo scored a goal from the cross...

　Tokyo, who wanted to counterattack, made mistakes and invited danger from the counterattack led by FW Muriqui. In the 42nd minute, they were pushed back by Guangzhou and gave away a free kick just outside the penalty area. MF Conca's shot grazed Lucas and went out for a corner kick. In the 45th minute, Tokyo had a chance when Ishikawa shot from outside the right area after clearing a left throw-in from Muhara, but it went wide. After conceding a goal, Tokyo struggled to create chances against Guangzhou, who were boosted by the atmosphere of the stadium, and ended the first half trailing.

Tokyo Behind At The Half

The visitors began brightly, quickly turning solid defence into attack. In the 11th minute, Ishikawa found Watanabe in a central position; the striker turned and shot, his middle-range effort drifting well wide of the goal. Tokyo won a free kick slightly to the left of the Guangzhou penalty area and some distance away in the 14th minute. Too far out for a serious attempt on goal, Morishige instead stroked the ball to Lucas, who in turn found Kajiyama just inside the penalty area in a central position. Kajiyama played the ball back to Lucas who then fired over the bar.

In the 16th minute, Tokyo won a throw in down the left. Mukuhara hurled the ball into the Guangzhou area, Kajiyama knocked it down and Lucas produced a shot that was heading for the top right corner until goalkeeper Yang plucked the ball out of the air. However, Guangzhou began to find their rhythm from around the 20th minute mark, aided by some set plays. In the 21st and 26th minutes, they won free kicks in threatening positions and although midfielder Conca went directly for goal, the Tokyo defence held firm and repelled the danger. In the 31st minute, however, Guangzhou broke behind the Tokyo defence and when the ball was squared into the centre, forward Cleo swept it beyond Gonda.

The visitors sought to mount a fightback but suffered from misplaced passes that allowed Guangzhou to counter attack, with the increasingly dangerous Muriqui as the focal point. In the 42nd minute Tokyo conceded a free kick just outside the penalty arc; Conca attempted to clear the wall, the ball skimmed off Lucas' head and flew narrowly past the left post. In the 45th minute Ishikawa received the ball from Mukuhara's throw in, cut inside and shot wide. After falling behind Tokyo had struggled to fashion a clear-cut opening and Guangzhou, roared on by the vocal home support, held a 1-0 lead at half time.

Unable to break through the goal despite a strong second half attack. First ACL challenge ends in Round 16.

　The flow remains unchanged even in the second half. In the 50th minute, they allowed successive entries into the area from one-two, but were also helped by mistakes. In the 55th minute, Tokyo wanted to pull the flow and replaced Yonemoto with Taniyama. Lucas was placed as an attacking midfielder and Kajiyama as a defensive midfielder. Gradually, they began to attack with Tokyo-like passing. In the 56th minute, Ishikawa crossed from the right side from a high position by Mukuhara. Watanabe in the left area aimed for the goal with a header, but it went over the bar.

　73 minutes, from Kajiyama's long through pass, Watanabe dribbles to the left and Tanizawa tries to enter the area, but is fouled and awarded a free kick. Morishige takes the direct shot, but misses the target. In the 73rd minute, Kajiyama receives the ball in the center after a combination play from the left side and takes a well-aimed ground shot, but it curves to the left. In the 77th minute, Tokunaga cuts inside from the right side and takes a shot, but it goes wide. In the following 79th minute, Ishikawa receives a throw-in from the right side and takes a looping shot, but also misses the target.

　Tokyo, who desperately wanted a goal, substituted Kono for Ishikawa in the 84th minute. Immediately after, Lucas dribbled up the left side and crossed, but his header was unfortunately blocked by the post... In the 85th minute, Hayashi was substituted for Mukuhara, and the team switched to a 3-back system for a more attacking formation. In stoppage time, they connected through Kono on the right side, and Hasegawa in the center pulled the DF and passed to Hayashi in the left area. He made a run behind the DF line and took a shot, but it was desperately blocked by the opposing DF and GK.

　Left CK near the end. Morishige connects with Kono's kick and Kono crosses again from the ball that flowed to the left side. Gonda, who was attacking, tried to match with a determined header, but couldn't finish and went to the right... Despite launching a fierce attack to chase one point until the end, they were unable to score and the game ended. Their first attempt at the ACL ended in defeat in the round of 16.

Tokyo Bow Out Despite Attacking Second Half Performance

The second period began as the first had ended. Guangzhou played a neat one two and burst into the Tokyo area in the 50th. minute but the visitors were saved from falling further behind by some wayward shooting. Seeking to stem the tide Tokyo replaced Yonemoto with Yazawa in the 55th.minute. Lucas played in the hole behind Watanabe while Kajiyama dropped deeper into midfield. Tokyo slowly began to find their passing game and started to threaten the Guangzhou goal.

In the 56th minute, Mukuhara made a deep push into enemy territory and crossed the ball, eventually reaching Ishikawa on the right. Ishikawa then crossed and Watanabe narrowly headed over the bar.
In the 73rd minute, Yazawa was brought down as he attempted to break into the Guangzhou area on the left, earning a free kick in a promising position. Morishige stroked the ball over the defensive wall but narrowly missed the post. Kajiyama then drove a low, long-range shot wide of the post. Tokunaga cut inside from the right in the 77th minute and fired a shot wide of the far post. Ishikawa attempted to lob Yang from the corner of the penalty area in the 79th minute, but the ball sailed over the bar.

With the clock slowly ticking down, Tokyo needed to find a goal and replaced Ishikawa with Kawano in the 84th minute. Kawano made an immediate impact, linking with Lucas down the left and hoisting a cross to the near post. Lucas beat a defender to the ball and made a firm contact, but his header struck the post and rebounded to safety. Tokyo replaced Mukuhara with Hayashi in the 85th minute and switched to a three-back system. As the game entered added time, Kawano sparked a move down the right, then found Hasegawa infield. Hasegawa drew a defender towards himself before slipping the ball to Hayashi on his left. Hayashi burst forward deep into the penalty area and shot, but a combination of the goalkeeper and a defender somehow kept the ball out of the net.

Tokyo won a corner on the left deep into stoppage time. Kawano crossed and the ball found Morishige; when it came back to Kawano he crossed again, aiming for Gonda who had added his weight to the attack in a last ditch attempt to conjure a goal to take the match into extra time. Gonda was unable to make a connection and the ball sailed out of play. Tokyo had fought feverishly until the bitter end but were unable to find a goal and their first appearance in the ACL ended in the Round Of 16.

[Player Comments]《Ishikawa》"There were spaces and chances to create. Today, the breathing between the passer and receiver didn't go well. We are representing Japan on the pitch, but honestly, I have doubts about whether we were able to fight with that mindset. It was a dream to come to Tokyo and play on this stage, but unfortunately we couldn't produce results."

　"Gonda" "Today, the result is everything. If we lose, nothing will remain. If we win, I think there will be various possibilities. For example, in the next stage, we can have a home and away match and gain a good experience. Even though it's too late, I wanted to continue fighting in the ACL. In the first half, I think we couldn't play our soccer because of the atmosphere in the stadium. I want to be able to not lose based on our feelings in those situations. We have some time until the J-League restarts, so I want to fix any shortcomings and approach it in a good condition."

[Summary of Coach Popovich's Press Conference]"I think both teams showed their strength and played a fantastic game. Even though it was the final round of the ACL, I don't think it's embarrassing to say that both teams put on a great performance. In the first half, I think the other team played better soccer. It was a game that was taken by Guangzhou in the first half. However, in the second half, we took control and dominated the game."
　Unfortunately, the result is disappointing, but I am proud and happy with the attitude and play shown by our players. What we have shown is that soccer is not just about money. And what is truly valuable for soccer, is it wealth or assets, we were able to demonstrate that. I believe we were able to show the quality of our team's play, its potential, and the direction of soccer for the future. In that sense, I think we were able to show that we are the wealthier team."

Players' comments
Ishikawa
"There was some space and we created chances but overall we couldn't quite find the right connection between the passer and the receiver. We were here representing Japan and there have to be some doubts about our approach, to be honest. Since I moved to FC Tokyo I've dreamed of playing in games like this so the result is very disappointing".

Gonda
"It was all about the result today. There was nothing left if we lost. If we won then it would open up some possibilities as the next round is home and away, which would have been a great experience. It's too late now but we wanted to continue playing in the ACL. In the first half there was a real atmosphere in the stadium and we didn't really play our own football, I felt. We want to be mentally strong enough to overcome that. We have some time now before the J.League starts again and we want to use it to fix what needs to be fixed so we can look forward positively".


FC Tokyo manager Popovic
"Both teams played well and it was an excellent game, I thought. It was a game fitting to have been the final, with both sides showing what they are capable of. I think our opponents played better in the first half; it was a game they won in the first half. In the second half though we seized the initiative and dominated, I felt.
The result is disappointing but I feel we can be proud of the way we performed and our approach to the match. I think we showed that football isn't only about money. I felt we showed the quality of our play, our future prospects and the course our game will take in the future. In that sense I feel we showed that we are the more affluent team".

[Guangzhou Evergrande - Marcello Lippi Press Conference Summary]"I think it was a good game as expected. Tokyo didn't have any tall players, but they had excellent individual skills. In the first half, we created many clear chances and didn't give the opponent any space. It was also great to be able to use FW Muriqui, who was injured. Over the next three months, I want to improve the team tactics and individual skills even more. I am very satisfied with today's game."

　(Was today's victory the result of giving it our all?) If we had been more aggressive in our attacks, we could have scored more goals. MF Changy is a very important player for us. I think it was a good decision to put him in the midfield today."

Guangzhou manager Lippi
"As we expected it was a good game. Tokyo don't have any particularly tall players but they have excellent technical ability. In the face of that in the first half we created several good chances and denied them space to play in. It was also very good that Muriqui was able to play even though he had had an injury. Over the next three months we aim to improve the technical level of the team and the individual players. I'm very satisfied with today's game.
I think that if we are even more positive in attack then we should be able to score more goals. Midfielder Zheng Zhi is a very big player for us. Playing him in defensive midfield today was a good move, I think".