We want to stick to our own soccer and be committed to the game.

The Emperor's Cup semifinal will be played against Cerezo Osaka. In the quarterfinals, they showed the perseverance they have built up over the past year. They protected the one goal scored by Ishikawa and achieved victory. This is the second consecutive semifinal appearance, but they have never reached the final in the Emperor's Cup. This match is not only important for the team's history, but also as a culmination of this season and a stepping stone for the next. They will need to be more determined than ever and fight for victory.

　C Osaka, who they are facing, is in 12th place in the J1 league with 11 wins, 10 draws, and 13 losses. It seems that they have had ups and downs in each game, but in this Emperor's Cup, they defeated Okayama 3-0 in the 3rd round, and advanced by winning both the 4th round against Sendai and the quarterfinals against Shimizu in penalty shootouts. They boast an impressive scoring ability, with a total of 67 goals in the J1 league, second only to G Osaka. Led by FW Sugimoto as the top striker, shadow MF Kiyotake, and MF Kim Bo-kyung who played as a defensive midfielder in the quarterfinals, as well as side MF Kurata and Murata, they will launch a powerful attack with fluid positioning.

　Tokyo will face the final round with the same members as the quarterfinals. On the defensive side, Konno said, "We may not be able to stop them with individual strength. That's why we want to thoroughly focus on covering and lining up as a team," and we want to press aggressively on the source of passes and prevent them from easily connecting to the front line and fullbacks. It will be crucial to not give up the first goal and see how patiently we can fight to determine the outcome.

　Manager Okuma analyzed, "There will be times when we have to endure, but there will also be times when we take control. Especially against C Osaka, they will take risks to play an attacking style of soccer, but there is no perfect team in both offense and defense." The key in the attack will be how we can exploit the opponent's weaknesses. This match will test our perseverance, momentum, and decision-making in all situations. Let's stick to our style of soccer and head to the National Stadium! The match started at 1:06 PM Tokyo kickoff at Osaka Nagai Stadium.

Unable to convert decisive chances into goals... heading into halftime with a scoreless draw.

　From the start, both teams attacked each other. However, Tokyo created a rhythm by pressing from the front and stealing the ball with tough defense. They dominated possession against C Osaka and gradually took control of the pace. In the 9th minute, Lucas made a middle shot from the left area, but it was saved by the GK. In the 11th minute, they stole the ball from the opponent's throw-in in their own half, and Hayashi → Ishikawa passed to the right front line. While the two opposing defenders were struggling, Lucas broke through and faced the GK one-on-one in the right area. However, his shot missed the target.

　At 18 minutes, C Osaka DF Shigeta clears the ball to the front line. It flows to the right side and Ishikawa steals it and brings it into the area. His shot after cutting inside the opponent DF is deflected by the GK. At 22 minutes, Ishikawa on the right side passes to Hayashi in the center, who then returns the ball to Ishikawa as he breaks through the right area. Once again, he creates a 1-on-1 scene with the GK, but is stopped by a great save and results in a CK. In the following 23 minutes, Hayashi takes a shot from the middle after the CK, but it is blocked by the DF.

　Despite creating chances, they were unable to score and missed their first chance. However, they were able to press together and not give any space in defense. In the 39th minute, Tokunaga from their own half sent a long pass to the front line after clearing a ball from a left corner kick. Morishige, who was left in the right front line, headed the ball down and Inano took a shot, but it narrowly missed to the left. Towards the end of the first half, there were also moments where C Osaka threatened with individual skills, but they were able to defend well with Kanda at the center and ended the first half with a scoreless draw.

Tanizawa's middle shot pierced the net, becoming the final round goal and leading to the New Year National Stadium!

　In the second half, both teams utilized their strengths and the game was a back and forth battle. Tokyo did not back down and attacked against the strong offensive team of C Osaka, but their defense was solid and Tokyo struggled to break through. C Osaka made the first move by substituting in two attacking players, causing Tokyo's energy to drop. In the 75th minute, Suzuki came in for Hayabusa and tried to create chances by aggressively going after the ball.

　In the 77th minute, after that, DF line's Konno and Morishige connected and Takahashi passed to Lucas in the center of the front line. Tanizawa, who received the drop just outside the penalty arc, flashed his right foot. The well-aimed shot went over the outstretched hand of the opponent's GK and grazed the bar, going into the net! With a splendid goal by Tanizawa, they finally took the lead.

　After that, the remaining time was spent receiving a fierce counterattack from C Osaka. However, with a great save from Gonda, Lucas, Suzuki, and others pressed with all their might, and the final line put their bodies on the line. Substitutes Shimoda and Nakamura also joined in on this momentum, and they worked hard to hold back C Osaka with tough defense. In stoppage time, FW Hayato shook the net from C Osaka's corner kick, but it was disallowed due to a handball. It was a tough time, but everyone covered for each other and kept a clean sheet until the final whistle.

　Hard work pays off in both offense and defense, winning 1-0! The club advances to the Emperor's Cup final for the first time and will face Kyoto Sanga F.C. at the Japan National Stadium on January 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM.

　【Player Comments】《Taniyama》"(About the scoring scene) I knew that when Hide passed the ball, it would hit Lukon. It was just like in practice. (Is it a memorable goal for you?) I usually don't score from outside the penalty area (laughs), but today the pitch was crowded and it was a bit crowded at that time too, but maybe that was a good thing (laughs). I'm just happy."

　C Osaka was aggressive and everyone had high individual abilities. However, there were hardly any scenes where we were broken through in the final part. We all have the same image in both offense and defense. I think that was the key to our victory. However, we have never been able to play soccer for this long in previous years. ...It's a good thing (laughs). There is also fatigue from consecutive games, but the opponent is also the same. We want to give everything we have done so far, run together in defense, and confuse the opponent with passing in offense."　

　《MoriShige》"I think we were able to move the ball well from the first half and create our own time. Also, I knew that Cerezo's attacking players are very skilled, so I was aware that we could be beaten if we gave them space. Therefore, we tried to keep our defensive line high and pay attention to the distance between the defensive midfielder and center back, and we focused on not letting them receive the ball in between. The defensive midfielder also worked hard and we were able to build a solid connection, which made it easier for me personally."

　In the second half, we couldn't press as much, but there are times like that. It would have been good if we could have had a little more precision after taking the ball, and if we could have put in one or two more passes for a side change... In the end, we had to stick to the goal, but it's also necessary to endure. We had to accept that... I think the time we had to endure was shorter than the Urawa game. If we can show our growth in each game, I think we can win the championship."

　[Summary of Manager Ooguma's Press Conference] "The players worked hard on both offense and defense without thinking about the future. I told them that this game was not about being good or bad, but about creating opportunities. I think they played our soccer without any gaps in offense or defense. As a team, we all worked hard in J2 and had the determination of being in J2. We may have laid the foundation for the team, but I don't think winning a game like today's is enough to prove that we have become stronger. It's difficult to say that we have gained that much strength, but I believe we have improved."

　And the team has also come together. I think it was a game where we could prove ourselves to some extent. We don't have much time to adjust until the final round in two days, but once we've come this far, we just have to give it our all and enjoy the game to the fullest on New Year's Day."

　【C Osaka Levir CULPI Press Conference Summary】"Hello everyone. Today, I think it was a game development that was expected. In both the first and second halves, FC Tokyo was able to start with full power. While enduring that, I think it was a game development that was expected to see Cerezo gaining momentum from the middle of both halves. However, FC Tokyo had a high accuracy in finishing and resulted in a goal. I think this was a content that was worthy of victory. FC Tokyo is a team with a strong sense of unity and cohesion."

　However, if it had gone into extra time, we may have had a chance with our physical strength. The result is certainly disappointing, but I am truly proud of the players who continued to fight for victory until the last minute. Thank you all for your support for such a long time. We will see you in Brazil in 2014. Thank you very much."