Match against the prestigious South American club Olimpia from Paraguay

　Tokyo Gas presents the 2008 Preseason Match. The prestigious South American club Olimpia will be welcomed at Ajinomoto for a match. Coach Jofuku stated, "I want to make the best preparations for the Nabisco Cup starting next week and for the league matches. I want to confirm our core that we have been trying to establish since the team's initiation," discussing the significance of this match and reaffirming the team's fundamentals on both offense and defense. Preparations have been made to ensure this game leads to the Nabisco Cup Quarterfinal Round and the subsequent league matches.

　The opposing club, Olimpia, boasts a midfield known for its high technical skill and creativity, characteristic of South America. They finished 8th in the first half of the league but are rejuvenating the team by promoting talented young players from their youth academy to the first team. Among them, the large striker FW Amarlija, who has a father that played for J-League's Yokohama Flügels, is a player to watch. Additionally, U-20 Paraguay national team MF Martinez is a technician from the youth academy who adds an accent to the attack from midfield.

　How can we maintain our style of play against Club Olympia, who increases their attacking speed to threaten the goal from a solid defense? By addressing individual challenges, we aim for growth throughout the season and take on the challenge with "Moving Football." The starting lineup features Fujiyama as the left back, with Shigeno and Sahara forming the center back pairing. Additionally, since substitutions are limited to six players, there are 11 players on the bench for Tokyo.

　With the daytime humidity somewhat alleviated, a ceremony welcoming Mr. Amaral was held before the match, which started with the kickoff of Club Olympia at 7:30 PM.

Took the lead with an own goal from a speedy attack

　Both teams approached the match with a 4-4-2 formation, and in the early stages, they tried to attack by connecting short passes. The first shot came from Olympia. In the 2nd minute, from a right throw-in, MF Segovia took a precise long-range shot, but it went wide to the left of the goal. In the 9th minute, Tokyo had a left throw-in, and Akamine brought the ball into the left area, delivering a grounded cross. It was a fast ball, but Cabore in the center couldn't capitalize on it. However, in the 11th minute, Akamine intercepted a pass in the Olympia half. He dribbled forward through the center and sent a lob pass with the outside of his right foot to Cabore, who had moved up from the right. The ball was cleared by the opposing defender but headed towards the goal, grazing the GK's hand and going in. They took the lead with an own goal.

　Taking this opportunity, Tokyo will grasp the rhythm and initiate plays starting from Cabore and Emerson. In the 14th minute, from a large development, Hanyu passed to Cabore, who moved up the left side. Cabore brought the ball into the left area, cut back past the opposing DF, and aimed for a shot. However, it hit Akamine, who had followed up from the right, resulting in an offside. In the 19th minute, Emerson cut back past the opposing DF in the left area and sent a pass to the center, but Akamine was unable to receive it. In the 25th minute, Olympia had a chance from a set piece rebound, where FW Edison in the right area feinted past Fujiyama and Sahara and took a bold shot, but it went wide of the target.

　Tokyo showed awareness towards the goal, but lacked precision at the final moment, continuing to struggle to finish. In the 31st minute, Cabore headed a corner kick from Hanyu. In the 34th minute, a pass from Fujiyama to Emerson in the center found Hanyu, who advanced on the left flank. Hanyu sent a cross behind the opposing defenders, and Akamine made a shot with his left foot. They created a good opportunity with direct play, but the shot went wide. In the 44th minute, after competing for the ball, Cabore saw the opposing GK coming forward and attempted a long shot with a left-footed loop. However, he was thwarted by the quick save from the GK, and they went into halftime with a one-goal lead.

Although they couldn't score additional points, they secured a victory at Ajinomoto by suppressing the counterattack.

　In the second half, Mukuhara was brought in as a right side back in place of Sahara. Fujiyama moved to the center, and Tokunaga shifted to the left, actively initiating plays from the start. On the other hand, Olympia began to show signs of fatigue in the heat. In the 54th minute, Cabore, who entered the left area, was fouled, earning a penalty kick. However, the penalty kick taken by Cabore himself in the 55th minute was saved by the GK in the bottom left, and they could not secure an additional goal...

　In the 60th minute, Konno, Akamine, and Cabore were replaced by Morimura, Hirayama, and Kawaguchi. The introduction of fresh players increased the movement. In the 64th minute, Kawaguchi's cross from the left side found Morimura in the right area for a volley shot. Olympia also made a move in the 65th minute with FW Edison passing to MF Rojas, attempting a central breakthrough. The ball from MF Rojas reached FW Edison, who got behind Tokyo's defense, but his shot attempt after a chest trap ended up being a miss.

　In the 69th minute, Ishikawa came on for Emerson. He boldly penetrated behind the stretched Olympia defense and in the 77th minute, made a clever move to break free in front of the goal from the left side. There, Morimura delivered a through ball from the right to create a chance, but the pass was just slightly off and was caught by the goalkeeper. Olympia also kept their fighting spirit, and in the 86th minute, they clashed fiercely in the Tokyo half, resulting in a free kick for Olympia. However, the free kick from the left side was blocked by Tokyo's wall.

　In the 88th minute, Fujiyama's quick restart allowed Morimura on the left side to send a long through pass to Ishikawa, who entered the area from the right. The intention was good, but it was offside. In the 89th minute, Kawaguchi played a vertical pass to Ishikawa in the center of the area. Kurizawa entered the right area, crossing with Ishikawa. Ishikawa aimed to pass to Kurizawa for a shot, but he couldn't turn fully and couldn't take the shot. They missed the timing by just a little, and although they couldn't score the second goal, they defended against Olympia's power play attack until the time was up. They kept a clean sheet and secured a victory at Ajinomoto.

　【Player Comments】<Fujiyama> "I played as a left side back for the first time in a while, and there were moments when I made mistakes because I couldn't see my surroundings, but there were also several occasions where I was able to create opportunities. I think it was decent. Before the match today, we talked about keeping a clean sheet, so it was good that we achieved that. After teaming up with player Mobara, we maintained the line and stayed focused in the final stages. In attack, there were also moments when I was able to get a shot off. Ending with a shot and making runs behind the defense makes it easier for the defenders at the back. To connect to the Nabisco Cup and the league, I think I was able to try many plays both individually and as a team." <Morimura> "I reflect that I needed to be more of a starting point in play. If I come on at that time, I have to be involved in scoring. Especially at the start, I lost the ball in duels and couldn't find the rhythm. That was very frustrating. (Was there a good through pass?) Player Ishikawa made a good timed run, so I just had to pass it. Still, the accuracy in terms of strength and weakness was lacking. Also, it was when the opponent's press had eased, so I had time and space to carry the ball freely. Plays in those moments build confidence, but plays when there is no time remain a challenge. Even so, I want to use each experience as a lesson and prepare thoroughly from practice."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "First, I would like to express my respect to Club Olimpia, who came from far away and gave their best with sincere and fair efforts in the match. I also sincerely thank the sponsors and related parties who arranged this match as a good opportunity for us to have a strong battle, and over 6,000 fans who came despite it being a weekday, supporting us even though our current results have not been good. In the past month, we have not been able to win, so today was a good opportunity to review what the team has been doing and trying to do since the start. We approached this game as one to firmly establish our foundation. The players were well aware of this and tried to carry it through both offense and defense. Today, I wanted to give various players experience, considering individual conditions and players like Konno who have the All-Star game coming up. Therefore, substitutions were made to give many players chances regardless of performance. Among them, including those who came on as substitutes, the players worked hard on their roles and what the team aims for. Thanks to the concentration and coordination of the defensive line centered on Moiniwa, we were able to keep a clean sheet, and I want to use this as a starting point to build a solid defense heading into next week's Nabisco Cup and league matches. (Although the only goal was an own goal?) The goal was born because of the strong drive toward the goal. We were able to play with speed, and I think it was a good attack. There was also a possibility to create a second goal. While there are issues with the final control, the way the ball was moved and the tempo until then showed a speed we had never seen before. Including the play that earned the penalty kick, all players actively faced forward and challenged, showing at least some awareness of aiming for the goal. (What is your impression of Club Olimpia?) When their attack switch was turned on, the power was truly that of a Paraguayan, South American team. Especially when the ball reached the front line, the speed of 3 to 4 players accelerating at once was impressive, and they created dangerous scenes. Also, despite being at a disadvantage, they played in a way to use their bodies and draw fouls, and we must learn from such aspects as well."

　[Summary of Club Olimpia COSTA's Coach Press Conference] "In the first half, I think we were able to control the game fairly well. Although we couldn't capitalize on our chances, we were able to create some opportunities, albeit few. The decisive mistake was, of course, the own goal. However, as I repeat, we did create chances, and I want to acknowledge that. In the second half, fatigue became apparent. It may sound like an excuse, but the long two-day trip probably had an effect. Even so, the players fought as hard as they could. Personally, I believe a draw would have been a fair result. (Which players left an impression in Tokyo?) Emerson and Cabore left an impression. Especially Emerson, who made good runs from the back into space and showed he has a powerful weapon. (About FW Amarilla) Although his professional career is still young, he is a valuable player contributing to the team. Last season, he had established himself as a regular, but unfortunately got injured and had not done anything for over two weeks until today. His playing style closely resembles his father's; he is a technician who particularly shows his ability inside the area. Although he couldn't make the most of his chances today, he is strong in aerial battles and I believe he has a bright future. Our team is very young. We started building the team six months ago, and not only aimed to rejuvenate but also focused on consistently developing the club by promoting homegrown players from the youth ranks to the top team. Among them, not only FW Amarilla but other young players will also attract attention. The national team shares the same emphasis on nurturing young talent, just like our club. I believe this will function effectively from now on. Please look forward to it. Thank you very much for today."