Last Chance for Title Acquisition

　The last tournament to conclude 2001 and the beginning of 2002, the 81st Emperor's Cup All Japan Soccer Championship has begun. The tournament has already held the 2nd Round, and J1's FC Tokyo will make their appearance starting from today's 3rd Round. Two weeks have passed since the end of the league, and it has been decided that Coach Okuma will step down at the end of this season, making the team's situation different from previous years, but this is also the last chance tournament for winning a title. The opponent is Yokohama FC, who advanced through the 1st and 2nd Rounds. Against a J2 league team, a solid victory is expected at the 'home' Tokyo Stadium.

Fujiyama, who fought through the league matches, is sidelined due to surgery. Additionally, Tetsuya Ito, Sandro, and Amaral are also dealing with injuries, so today's Tokyo lineup has Umebayashi, Komine, Yamao, and Minoru Kobayashi in defense from the right. In the holding midfield, there are Miura and Kina. The side midfielders are Sato on the right and Masamitsu Kobayashi on the left. Kelly and Toda are placed in the forward line.

On the other hand, Yokohama FC has a registered "two-back" with two DF players. Of course, four MF players cover the final line, but it is an ultra-offensive formation with four FW players. At the forefront, we can see the energetic presence of Kamino, who once played for FC Tokyo, and Sakae, who is currently on loan. This match has begun, and they want to show their determination.

Struggling against Yokohama FC's clear style of football

　Immediately after the kickoff, Yokohama FC's FW Masuda took a mid-range shot, showing his determination for this match. In the first minute, Tokyo's Toda utilized his speed to break through the DF line, but he couldn't shoot due to Yokohama FC's DF closing in quickly. Gradually, with aggressive pressing and quick transitions to attack, Yokohama FC took control of the game.

　Yokohama FC's aim is clear, with forwards Ono and Kamino receiving the ball at the post and spreading it to the sides, or forwards Yoshitake and left midfielder Morita breaking through the sides and cutting back into the middle for repeated attacks. Tokyo, starting from Kina, distributes well-timed balls to left side players Kobayashi Seigo and Toda, but the opposing DF's checks are strict, making it difficult to take shots. Particularly, on the right side, Sato is struggling against Yokohama FC midfielder Morita's advances. In the 16th minute, a cross from Sato on the right side is headed down by Toda on the left side of the goal, and within the penalty area, Kelly connects with Kobayashi Seigo, but they cannot take a shot. In the 17th minute, a pass from Kina to Toda leads to Kelly connecting back to Toda, with Sato making a run, but the DF blocks it. In the following 18th minute, Toda breaks free from a long ball behind the DF and is brought down in the penalty area, but no whistle is blown. From a corner kick in the 19th minute, Yamao's high header shot goes wide to the left of the goal.

　Yokohama FC quickly transitioned to attack after winning the ball under intense pressure, and the intention to boldly aim for the goal permeated the players. In the 20th minute, they launched a fast break, with Yoshitake's cross from the right side leading to a shot by Ono. In the 27th minute, after connecting the ball from a corner kick, Ono had another attempt. In the 32nd minute, when Komine hesitated on where to send the ball, Ono snatched it away and took a shot. Then, in the 35th minute, midfielder Takagi, seeing there was no pressure in the midfield, boldly took a shot. Tokyo's goalkeeper Doi initially deflected it, but the loose ball was pounced on by Kamino and went into the goal. Tokyo allowed the opening goal without being able to seize the pace of the game. At the end of the first half, Yokohama had 7 shots compared to Tokyo's 2. They were in a position to concede a goal that was bound to be taken away.

Despite showing a fierce attack, they lost in a close match, resulting in a regrettable first-round defeat

　Tokyo substituted Kagawa for Toda at the start of the second half. Placing Kagawa at the forefront, they finally began to create attacking opportunities. However, they were unable to deliver a decisive blow against the concentrated defense led by Yokohama FC's stoppers Sakae and Komatsuzaki. In the 51st minute, Seigo KOBAYASHI approached the goal from the left side of the penalty area, but the opposing goalkeeper reacted quickly and caught the ball. In the 54th minute, Kagawa received a return pass from Miura on the left side and made a solo run towards the goal. However, the final pass was cut off by the defense. In the 55th minute, Kelly passed to Kina, who had drifted to the left, but was again blocked by the defense. After that, Kina's precise header from a right corner kick was saved by the goalkeeper. Following that, from a short corner, Yamao headed a ball lifted by Miura. In the 58th minute, from a counterattack, Yamao, who had remained up front for a set piece, took a forceful shot. In the 60th minute, Kelly received a free kick ball up front and connected it to Miura for a shot. However, none of these attempts were on target. The pressure from Yokohama FC intensified, and in the 63rd minute, Kina dribbled into the penalty area from the left side and appeared to be fouled, but no foul was called.

　In the 64th minute, Fukuda was brought on for Seigo KOBAYASHI at the top, and KAGAMI moved to left half. In the 71st minute, Miyazawa was substituted for Umeyama. Tokyo approached the match with a total effort, with Miura moving to right side back. From the 75th minute onwards, Sato began to win battles on the right side, controlling the ball and closing in on the Yokohama FC goal. In the 76th minute, Kelly connected with a ground cross from the left side by Miyazawa, but his shot was poorly executed and cut by the defender. Immediately after, Kelly connected with a cross from Miura, but the GK caught it. In the 81st minute, Sato was fouled in front of the goal but managed to pass the ball to Minoru KOBAYASHI, who charged into the penalty area and shot, but it went straight to the GK. Conversely, Yokohama FC, not rushing their attack, showed a strong awareness of finishing with a shot, and there were moments when they advanced up to the goal area.

　Tokyo continued to have Sato as the starting point, sending balls into the goal area from the right side, but they just couldn't break through for a goal. In the 88th minute, Fukuda's header went just over the top right of the goal. At 89 minutes and 58 seconds, Kelly's powerful overhead kick also missed the target. A tense scene unfolded, but time was running out, and finally the whistle blew... They fell behind against Yokohama FC's aggressive soccer and ended up losing in a disappointing last game of the season.

Okuma Tokyo, turning this regret into tomorrow

　After the match, Coach Okuma said, "It is a very disappointing result, but if we lack even one of the mind, technique, or physicality, we will have a match like today. It turned into a game that became 'this is soccer.' Both myself and the players must humbly accept this result and each of us needs to level up from here." On the other hand, Yokohama FC's Coach Nobutaka stated, "Regardless of the opponent, I am proud that we maintained a high level of aggressive soccer based on a clear style."

　Looking back, in the 1994 Emperor's Cup, Tokyo Gas from JFL, led by acting coach Okuma, defeated Kashima Antlers, who were supported by ZICO, and advanced to the top eight. It can be said that the history of 'Okuma Tokyo' began from this moment. Since then, they have experienced numerous giant killings in cup competitions, as well as winning the JFL and being promoted to J1. It is also true that after more than two years in J1, they have become a target. Ironically, we see reflections of ourselves in last year's Kofu and this year's Yokohama FC. However, today ended in a bitter and shameful defeat, but FC Tokyo has undoubtedly continued to move forward from JFL to the top league. The achievements of coach Okuma, who has tirelessly built the foundation of FC Tokyo for seven years without a single day off, sometimes in the sun and sometimes in the shade, are immeasurable.

That is why we must move forward. Under Coach Okuma, we must not forget how FC Tokyo has connected its dreams, and we must not waste even a little experience as we head into the next season and towards the future. Aiming to be a team that continues to win, we are now putting an end to one era and starting a new challenge.

"Message from Coach Okuma to Everyone"

I am sorry to have shown such a match at the end, but both the players and I have realized that we must level up our skills, mentality, and physicality as individuals. I believe the challenge now is how much effort both the players and I can put in and how much we can absorb from everything. If we can do that, we will surely become a great team. I will do my best, so please continue to have high expectations and support us.

　In this season's league matches, we finished last in the 1st stage of the 7th round, but ultimately we were able to secure 8th place and fight through the J1 League. This was truly thanks to everyone's support. You have always supported us in both good times and bad, but just like humans, it is during the bad times that the team needs the support that acts as a good remedy. I am truly filled with gratitude.

　Have we been able to continue growing for seven years? I have to say I don't know. As soccer becomes increasingly global, every day has been a process of self-questioning while aiming for our goals. Of course, there are times when I have regrets. However, each experience has been valuable, and I realize that I must continue to build up my skills to be able to win against any opponent in the future.

　I sincerely thank everyone who has created and supported FC Tokyo over the past seven years, including supporters, sponsors, and the media. Thank you very much.