Challenging J1 Kobe in the Emperor's Cup 3rd Round, with various feelings!

　The Emperor's Cup 3rd Round will be held. We will face Vissel Kobe from J1 at Ajinomoto. In the league, we are on the verge of promotion after our victory in the previous match. Now, just three days later, we face the Emperor's Cup. With an important away match against Tottori coming up this weekend, there are concerns regarding both physical condition and mental challenges. However, the players are highly motivated, each expressing that they are looking forward to the match against a J1 team. Coach Okuma also mentioned, "This should serve as a good guideline for competing in J1 next season," viewing this battle as an excellent opportunity to contribute positively to the team while keeping an eye on the next season.

　Kobe is currently in 10th place in the J1 League. Last season, they fought to avoid relegation until the final match, ultimately allowing a reversal in rankings. While it can be considered a rivalry match, Gonda stated, "Rather than wanting to achieve revenge, we are more focused on whether what we have built up can hold its own against a J1 team. This match is also a test of our true worth at this stage."

　Coach Okuma stated, "We will not compromise the foundation of our football, but it is not so easy as to say that we can just continue as we are. We need an extra layer of mental strength and creativity in our approach. In J2, there are times when our mistakes are compensated by the opponent's mistakes, but that does not apply in J1." He aims to maintain the calm situational judgment built up in J2, adding perseverance and momentum to defeat J1's Kobe.

　However, Hanyu, who has discomfort in his foot, will avoid participation this round considering the consecutive matches. Morishige has returned from suspension in league matches, but Konno is absent for the Japan national team. Therefore, Tokunaga and Morishige will serve as center-backs, and Sakata will play as a forward in the formation. The chilly Ajinomoto stadium saw the match start at 19:00 with a kickoff from Kobe.

Takahashi scored the opening goal from a set piece, gaining momentum, but allowed an equalizer and went into extra time.

　In the early stages, they lost the ball to a fierce press from Kobe, and there were scenes of them being a bit unsettled. In the 3rd minute, a pass from Kajiyama to Tanizawa was intercepted, leading to a counterattack by Kobe's midfielder Yu OKUBO. After a one-two with FW Popo, they advanced into the area, but they managed to defend well with tight marking. In the 6th minute, they lost the ball again in the defensive line, and Kobe made a one-touch pass to FW Yoshida in the area. He was about to shoot, but Morishige made a sliding tackle to cut it off. They escaped to a corner kick and managed to defend successfully.

　However, after surviving this period, they gradually began to attack with a style characteristic of Tokyo football. In the 12th minute, they circulated the ball in the opponent's half, drawing defenders to the center, and Tanizawa sent the ball into the space on the right. Nakamura made a timely overlapping run and delivered a sharp cross. Although Sakata couldn't connect, they earned a corner kick. In the 13th minute, from this left corner kick, Takahashi headed the ball in response to Tanizawa's kick. The ball slipped through the scramble in front of the goal and found the net. They capitalized on the set-piece opportunity and took the lead.

　After taking the lead, Tokyo found their rhythm and spent more time playing in Kobe's half. However, Kobe remained calm and launched sharp counterattacks from their solid defense. In the 37th minute, Kobe's MF Park took a controlled shot from distance, but Gonda made the save and conceded a corner. However, from this left corner, they allowed DF Kawamoto to dive in and connect with MF Park's kick, resulting in a header that found the back of the net... The match was tied as the first half came to an end.

　The second half saw both teams attacking each other, but Tokyo made substitutions, bringing in Ishikawa for Tanabe in the 55th minute and Roberto CESAR for Sakata in the 64th minute. They initiated their strategy early on. Just after CESAR entered the pitch, in the 65th minute, Takahashi intercepted the ball in the center and made a through pass to the front line. CESAR broke free and created a big chance one-on-one with the GK. However, the shot was stopped by the brave advance of the Kobe GK...

　Both teams continued to launch powerful attacks, leading to a fierce exchange of offense and defense. In the stoppage time of the second half, Nakamura advanced from the right side into the center, and Kajiyama sent a through pass to Lucas inside the penalty area. Lucas made a move to get free from the defender and took a decisive shot, but the goalkeeper made a save... The follow-up shot by Morishige also went over the bar, and they couldn't take the lead. The match went into extra time.

Morishige scores a priceless header! In a fiercely intense match, they clinch a dramatic victory and advance to the 4th Round

　In the 102nd minute of extra time, Kobe's MF Ohya received a second yellow card and was sent off. With Kobe down to 10 men, Tokyo launched a fierce attack in the second half of extra time. In the 112th minute, Suzuki was brought on to replace Tanizawa. Tokyo continued to apply pressure on the front line and attacked aggressively. In the 116th minute, Suzuki's header from a free kick taken by Ishikawa on the left side shook the net at the near post, but it was ruled offside...

　Next, Mukuara's left cross was deflected by the opposing defender in the area, and Cezar was in a shooting position but couldn't take the shot. He passed the loose ball to Lucas in front, creating a great opportunity. In the 119th minute, Cezar broke through on the right side. Kajiyama perfectly connected with the negative pass, but... all were thwarted by the GK, and it seemed we were heading for a penalty shootout.

　However, in stoppage time, Cesar's shot attacked the Kobe GK. It was deflected for a corner kick, but Ishikawa kicked this left corner to the far post, and Morishige headed it into the goal! The intensely heated match had a dramatic finish. Throughout the 120 minutes, they maintained their focus and secured victory with Morishige's priceless goal, advancing to the 4th Round.

　[Player Comments] {Morishige} "Today, all the goals from both teams came from set plays, but my first priority was to ensure we didn't get scored on defensively. Personally, I have some regrets. On the other hand, scoring two goals is a plus for the team. Kobe's speed was definitely different from J2, and each player's ability was high. There were parts where we were able to compete, but I also felt there were challenges in the match. However, the team was creating chances, and we broke through in good ways and managed to move the ball well. That can be a source of confidence, and I feel we can compete well... but we need to improve our precision further."

　Takahashi: "I was aware that our opponent was Kobe, and more than anything, I absolutely hated being told that I wouldn't be able to compete in J1. The goal came from a corner kick by Taniyama, and I aimed for a spot that was slightly outside the zone. I was able to head it in at a good position. Throughout the match, there were careless ball losses, and we couldn't control the game. However, I think we were able to make plays in areas where we couldn't afford to lose, such as interceptions and battles in midfield."

　[Summary of Coach Okuma's Press Conference] "Even against J1 teams, if we give our all with determination, we can compete. The players expressed the growth of our team's strength of 31 players well on the pitch. Everyone, including the substitutes, fought diligently without holding back in both offense and defense. If we had let up even a little, we would have been punished. It wouldn't have been surprising to tire from attacking, yet we continued to press on without losing focus, and there were moments when Sakata returned to cover regardless of his position when we were at risk of a counterattack. I believe that continuing to do the most important things in soccer led to our results. However, in the first half, we conceded a goal from a set piece while attacking rhythmically. At halftime, I mentioned that 'there is no such thing as winning in content in soccer,' but if we had scored from set pieces and not conceded from them, I think we could have dominated the game with more advantage. We can continue to compete in the Emperor's Cup, and in the remaining league matches, we want to play in a way that strengthens our team further.

　(What does a victory after extra time bring next?) At first, there was a feeling of not being accustomed to the speed and pressure of J1, and there was an atmosphere that we would be overwhelmed if it continued like this. However, as time passed, we became accustomed to the physical contact and speed through our experiences. I wanted to finish the first half at 1-0 if possible... However, I wasn't thinking at all about the next match against Tottori. There are only two days in between, but I want to choose the members considering their condition. Sakata also showed his characteristics diligently, and now we are building good competition and unity. At this point, I believe that anyone who plays can fight diligently.

　[Summary of Coach Wada's Press Conference] "I am very disappointed and filled with regret after losing to FC Tokyo in J2. However, I thought that FC Tokyo has the team strength to possibly be among the top in J1. I communicated before the match that if we didn't enter the game properly, it would be a tough match. We conceded a goal from a set piece, and after that, the game flowed at FC Tokyo's pace, but I was glad we managed to score from a set piece in the first half. The content of our play wasn't that good, but we did well to equalize. One factor that prevented us from bringing the game to our pace was our inability to defend cohesively. The pitch was quite wet, and the passing speed was very fast. Our pressing was reactive, and we found ourselves unable to keep up with the passing speed. We couldn't defend in a way that is characteristic of Kobe.

　In the second half, by substituting MF Matsuoka with MF Tanaka, we were able to support the front line. The ball started moving in the second half, and we were able to create chances. However, during extra time, we were down to ten men, and everyone focused on not conceding a goal, fighting with the mindset that if we had one chance, we would take it. We defended well and ran hard, but in the end, I think FC Tokyo's determination led to the goal. With one less player, we lacked numbers in the back. I believe that set piece was a targeted ball. GK Nozaki also defended well, thwarting FC Tokyo's chances. As a result, it was a disappointing defeat. However, I look forward to facing FC Tokyo next season. I want to make sure we are a team that doesn't lose next season. Today, both teams fought really well, and I am happy that we were able to have a wonderful game.