A crucial match for advancing to the Round of 16

The 5th match of the ACL group stage will be held. We will face Brisbane Roar from Australia at our home, the National Stadium. The first match of this card took place on March 6, before the league started. It was also our first participation in the ACL as a club, but we showcased dynamic soccer away, with Taniyama and Masaru HASEGAWA scoring multiple goals for a resounding victory.

　However, ahead of this match, the team is currently on a three-game losing streak and is not in good form. Additionally, Tanabe, Ohtake, and Hirayama have been injured and are leaving the team. It will be a difficult situation, but according to the regulations for determining rankings in the ACL, if we lose this match by a margin of one goal or less, we will secure at least second place in the group. This will be an important match that determines our advancement to the Round of 16.

　Brisbane recently won the A-League playoffs and has just finished the season. They are likely to approach this ACL match with high motivation, aiming for a victory by a margin of two goals or more. In response, we want to challenge with a strong determination to win, maintain our position at the top of the group, showcase Tokyo-style football, and use this match as a catalyst for the team's resurgence.

　Tokyo deployed Mukuahara as the left side back, with Watanabe at the top and Hanyu and Tanizawa on the sides. Also, Shigematsu made his first appearance on the bench this season. Brisbane is missing FW Henrique and has slightly changed their lineup from the first match, bringing FW Bezart Berisha to the front in a 4-2-1-3 formation that is close to a four-top setup. A weekday night game during the Golden Week period. Unfortunately, once again, heavy rain fell as the match started at 19:30 with Tokyo's kickoff.

Tokyo Aim For Round Of 16 In Vital Game

FC Tokyo welcomed Brisbane Roar of Australia to the Tokyo National Stadium for the 5th game of the ACL group stage. The reverse fixture, the opening match of the group stage, was played on March 3rd, before the J.League season had begun and saw a thrilling performance by Tokyo earn a 2-0 away win thanks to goals from Yazawa and Hasegawa.

However, Tokyo were currently far from peak form having lost three straight league games and were without the injured Otake, Tanabe and Hirayama. The side was in a difficult position but even so, a defeat by a single goal would mean a definite top-two finish in the group. It was therefore an important game in deciding Tokyo's progress to the last 16.

Opponents Brisbane had recently won the A-League Playoff and had been crowned champions. Although their domestic season was at an end they still had faint hopes of advancing in the ACL, needing to win by a two-goal margin to retain any possibility. The visitors would be highly motivated and Tokyo would have to call on their strength of character to retain top-spot in the group and put in a performance to revive their recent fortunes.

Mukuhara started at right back for Tokyo, with Watanabe as lone striker, supported by Hanyu and Yazawa on the flanks. Striker Shigematsu made his first appearance of the season on the bench. Brisbane were without forward Enrique and showed several changes from the side that started the first meeting between the teams. Striker Berisha was the most advanced player in an attacking 4-2-1-3 formation. The game was an evening kick off during the Golden Week holiday season. Disappointingly, the weather was again appalling, with torrential rain and a strong wind lashing the stadium on an unseasonably cool evening.

Although they allowed the first goal, they quickly equalized with Takahashi's long-range shot, and Mukuara and Watanabe added more goals.

The match started with action. In the 4th minute, a free kick was awarded to Brisbane from the right side, and FW Buroihi sent it into the middle, where FW Berisha headed it. The ball hit the right post and bounced back, only to be tapped in again by FW Berisha... conceding a goal from a set piece early on. They gave away the opening goal that they didn't want to concede, which disrupted their momentum.

　However, without panicking, Tokyo immediately launched a counterattack. Just five minutes later, Watanabe broke through on the right side and delivered a cross. Initially blocked by the opposing defender, Kajiyama followed up on the cleared ball and took a shot. It was blocked again, but Takahashi, who ran in for the rebound, unleashed a powerful shot from distance. This grazed the post and was sucked into the goal, quickly leveling the score!

　Tokyo has grasped their rhythm with this. They pressed from the front to steal the ball from Brisbane, who were trying to connect passes and move forward, and attacked with quick passing. In the 20th minute, Hasegawa broke free from the opponent's mark and advanced in their own half. When the ball reached Watanabe, who had slipped out to the right flank at just the right moment, he carried it forward and crossed from the right area. The ball passed through the crowded goal area and reached Muku Hara, who was running to the left area. Muku Hara calmly took a shot that surely shook the net for a GOAL!! They succeeded in taking the lead.

　However, Brisbane did not falter here, and in the 33rd minute, a through pass was sent to FW BROIHI, who broke through on the right side. FW BROIHI brought the ball inside and prepared to shoot; although Morishige blocked it once, the rebound was pierced into the left corner of the net... leading to the equalizer.

　After that, while both teams were attacking each other, in the 43rd minute, Watanabe, who was trying to enter the area from Tokunaga's pass, was fouled and earned a penalty kick. In the 44th minute, Watanabe calmly converted this penalty kick himself. With a total of 5 goals scored, they succeeded in taking the lead just before the end of the first half and went into halftime.

Tokyo Overturn Early Deficit

The game burst into life in the 4th minute. Brisbane won a free kick out on the right, forward Broich hoisted the ball into the penalty area and Berisha smacked a header against the right-hand post. The ball rebounded back to Berisha and he stroked it past Gonda to open the scoring. It was the worst possible start for Tokyo, surrendering the lead with the game barely begun.

However, the hosts remained composed and looked to fight back immediately. Moments after the restart Watanabe raced down the right and hoisted a cross into the Brisbane penalty area; the ball was partially cleared but only as far as Kajiyama in a central position. Kajiyama shot but his effort was blocked; Takahashi sprinted forward from midfield to meet the bounding ball and hammer a low drive that beat keeper Theoklitos, hit the inside of the left post and then the back of the net. Tokyo had reclaimed parity less than a minute after falling behind.

The goal lifted the hosts who quickly found their rhythm and pressed hard from the front to regain possession from Brisbane before launching attacks of their own. In the 20th minute, Hasegawa slipped his marker in midfield and pushed forward, then rolled the ball down the right flank to meet Watanabe's perfectly-timed run through the Brisbane defense line. Watanabe took the ball on then drove a low cross into the penalty area which evaded the scrum of players in the goalmouth but was met with a composed, first-time finish by Mukuhara on the left. Theoklitos stood no chance as Mukuhara swept the ball low inside the post to give Tokyo the lead.

Brisbane weren't intending to go down without a fight and clawed their way back into the game in the 33rd minute. Forward Broich ducked through the Tokyo defense on the right, ran onto a through ball and let fly. Morishige managed to block the shot but the ball ran loose and Broich made no mistake with his second attempt, firing past Gonda to tie the score at 2-2.

The game continued to ebb and flow until the 43rd minute when Watanabe received a pass from Tokunaga and burst into the Brisbane area on the right. He went down under a challenge and the referee pointed to the spot. Watanabe picked himself up and dispatched the penalty with minimum fuss, hard and low into the corner of the goal. Tokyo had their noses in front again, a lead they held until half time.

Secured a place in the top two of the group stage unbeaten after a battle for points

In the second half, both teams continued to challenge each other's style of football. Tokyo struggled with timing and passing in the final moments, leading to a period of being defended by Brisbane, but they quickly circulated the ball and continued to challenge with vertical passes. This paid off in the 60th minute. Takahashi and Masaru HASEGAWA connected to advance the ball, and from Taniyama's final pass, Watanabe in the left area calmly aimed and scored a precise shot into the goal! They took a two-goal lead.

　Nevertheless, Brisbane did not give up and made three substitutions by the 67th minute to launch a counterattack. In response, Tokyo, possibly affected by the rain, began to show signs of fatigue, gradually losing speed and accuracy, allowing Brisbane to take control. Therefore, in the 73rd minute, Lucas was brought in to replace Watanabe, and in the 78th minute, Yonemoto was brought in to replace Hanyu on the side. In the 85th minute, Ishikawa came in for Kajiyama. They attempted to counter by using substitutions.

　In the second half's stoppage time, there was a moment when Brisbane's shot hit the crossbar, but the team fought together and did not allow any additional goals, ultimately winning a fierce battle for points as time expired. As a result, they finished the group stage unbeaten with 11 points from 5 matches, securing a spot in the top two of the group. This marks the club's first challenge in the ACL, and they have advanced to the Round of 16.

Tokyo Extend Lead, Guaranteed At Least Second In Group

The second half proceeded as a battle of contrasting styles. Tokyo were unable to find either the correct timing or accuracy for the final ball and were pushed back by Brisbane but continued to move the ball around quickly and pass it straight up the field. The tactic bore fruit in the 60th minute as Takahashi and Hasegawa combined to move the ball up the field to Yazawa, who played a delightful through ball out to Watanabe on the left. Watanabe finished with considerable aplomb past Theoklitos and Tokyo had a two-goal cushion.

To their credit Brisbane refused to throw in the towel and used their quota of substitutions by the 67th minute, the fresh legs bolstering an attempted comeback. Tokyo began to show signs of fatigue, perhaps influenced by the relentless rain, and both their speed and accuracy dropped, allowing the visitors to dominate possession. In response Tokyo replaced Watanabe with Lucas in the 73rd minute, Hanyu with Yonemoto in the 78th, and Kajiyama with Ishikawa in the 85th.

Brisbane struck the bar in added time at the end of the half but that was as close as they came to narrowing the deficit and the final whistle blew on a hard-fought 4-2 win. After 5 games Tokyo were unbeaten and had amassed 11 points, a total that guaranteed the side at least a second-place finish in the group. FC Tokyo had qualified for the Round Of 16 in their first appearance in the ACL.

[Player Comments]《Watanabe》"I have confidence in my ability to break through and my speed, and the coach told me to 'take the opponent's back.' When I take the back, everyone can be more positive. Especially for the first and second goals, it was exactly as planned. (Was it a performance that contributed to all the goals?) I haven't been much of an assist player until now, and I might have a strong image of being central, but I'm definitely not bad at drifting to the side. In terms of chances from crosses, I believe my range of play is expanding. I am not satisfied with this. I have a strong desire to play in every match from now on, and when I do play, I want to make sure I score and contribute to the team. I want to work hard to make the most of my chances."

　Muku Hara: "(Regarding the goal) In the center, Hasegawa drew the opponent in, and I thought the ball might flow to the far side. The ball came just as I expected, but since I had time, I was thinking of calmly aiming for the near post. I wanted to leave something in a match where I was given a chance, and above all, the team had to win! ... I was thinking that. In that context, I wanted to deliver results and show that I am here too. However, we have been conceding goals, and there are still issues with the coordination of the defense."

　【Summary of Coach Popovic's Press Conference】 "Both teams played a wonderful match. We played attractive and attacking football, so I believe those who came to watch were pleased. Despite the bad weather, many fans and supporters came out, and I think we were able to repay them with our results and performance. Football doesn't always go as we wish; there are tough situations and difficulties. However, I feel it's important to believe in what we are doing and our abilities, and to push forward and persevere even in such times. I think today's match was a reflection of what we have believed in and worked on, and it turned out to be a fantastic game. Fighting on behalf of Japan on the Asian stage and advancing to the Round of 16, as well as achieving results with this style of football, I believe we have shown something very good as representatives of Japanese football, and I want to continue playing well as the Japan national team in the future."

　(Will the evaluation as a coach improve?) More than my personal image enhancement, I want the club to unite and promote Tokyo's football on the Asian stage. What I have been saying from the beginning is that I want to create the brand of Tokyo. However, it will take time for that. Of course, the important thing is the results, and everyone wants to achieve results, even amidst a packed schedule. However, there will be times during a long season when results may not come. The important thing is to believe and fight. I believe in my team and players, and I must not hesitate. What I need to do is to mature the team quickly and raise the level. I believe that we need to play like we did at the beginning of the season and continue to achieve results.

Players' comments
Watanabe
"I have confidence in my pace and ability to get behind the opposition and the manager told me to do just that. If I could get in behind their defence then the rest of the team could play facing forward. Our first and second goals came from positions just like that.
Wasn't I involved in all the goals? Until now I haven't really had a role as an assister and maybe my image is of being stronger through the middle, but I don't see playing on the flanks as a weak point of my game. If I'm creating chances by putting in crosses then it means that
I'm adding further strings to my bow. But I can't be satisfied yet. I want to play in all the games I can and when I do play I want to make a contribution to the team winning by scoring goals. I want to do my best to be able to take the chances when they come".

Mukuhara
"For the goal, I saw that Hasegawa had pulled a defender out of position in the middle and that if the cross came through it might reach the far post. That's exactly the way it happened. I had a little time and was able to put the ball away inside the near post. When a chance comes like that I want to take it and make an impact but the most important thing is that the team wins. I want to get the result and also put in a good performance myself. However, we're still conceding goals and issues remain regarding our defensive interplay."


FC Tokyo manager Popovic
"Both sides made it a terrific game tonight. It was full of attractive, attacking football and I'm sure that everyone who came thoroughly enjoyed it. I think we repaid our fans and supporters who braved the terrible weather tonight with our performance and the result. Football doesn't always go the way you want it to and sometimes you face difficult and demanding situations. However, I firmly believe that it's important to have confidence in yourselves and what you are doing in such times. In tonight's game too, I felt we were able to express ourselves on the pitch and it made for a fantastic game. We've taken on the responsibility of representing Japan on the Asian stage, earned a place in the Round of 16 by playing such football and this is a great thing for the further development of football in Japan. 
Has this also increased my reputation as a coach? Far more than improving my own image I want the club to be united and for FC Tokyo to express itself on the stage of Asia. However, it takes time to achieve that. The results are the important thing and everybody wants to get the results, yet we have to get the results within a very crowded schedule. Sometimes in a long season the results don't come so the important thing is to believe in what you're doing. I believe in the team and the players and can't waver at all. What I have to do is make the team mature and improve the level. We have to play the way we were at the start of the season and to continue to get the results".

[Summary of the press conference by Brisbane Roar coach Rad Vidisic] "I really enjoyed the game. The biggest difference with Tokyo was the finishing and decisiveness. It was good until we scored the first goal, but it was unfortunate that we conceded just 30 seconds later. However, I want to express my gratitude to the fantastic supporters and people of the club in Tokyo. The supporters are loyal, and I really felt their support for the club. (Looking ahead to next season's ACL) The A-League is still a young league at 7 years old. In comparison, China, Japan, and Korea have much longer experience, so this was a very good experience for us. Australian football has a style that uses physicality and long balls, but I think today’s match showed that we are changing. We are building up properly and transitioning to a passing style of play. I hope that by making such changes, we can grow and see our efforts bear fruit."

Brisbane Roar manager Radovic
"It was a very enjoyable game. I felt the biggest difference between the teams was Tokyo's finishing ability. We played well up until we scored the first goal so to concede just 30 seconds later was very disappointing. However, I want to say 'Thank you' to FC Tokyo's fantastic supporters and the staff at the club. The supporters are truly loyal and I strongly felt the way they support the club.
What about next season in the ACL? The A-League is young still, it's only seven years old. Compared to that China, Japan and Korea all have much greater experience and for us this has been a good experience. Australia has a physical, long ball style but today in our game I felt that something is changing. We built the play steadily and started to play a passing game. Variations such as these will hopefully lead to further development and bear fruit in the future."