What, again with Hiratsuka!?

Since their first appearance in the Emperor's Cup in 1994, FC Tokyo has participated for six consecutive years (previously participating as Tokyo Gas FC). Remarkably, they have faced Shonan Bellmare Hiratsuka three times before this match. This will be their fourth encounter, and meeting four times out of six matches certainly feels like a deep rivalry. The past results up to last year are: in 1994 (Expo), they met in the quarterfinals with Tokyo losing 1-2; in 1997 (Mizuho), again in the quarterfinals, Tokyo won 3-2 with a V-goal; and last year in 1998 (Hiratsuka), they met in the 3rd Round with Tokyo losing 1-2, making the record 1 win and 2 losses for Tokyo. Among these, the 1997 match is especially memorable. That year, Tokyo gained momentum by defeating higher-ranked J-League clubs Nagoya in the 3rd Round and Yokohama M in the 4th Round, then faced Shonan Bellmare in the quarterfinals. At that time, Shonan Bellmare was a talented team boasting many popular players led by Nakata (now at Perugia), reigning as one of the top teams in both popularity and skill in the J-League. The match saw Shonan Bellmare’s ace Nakata tightly marked by Tokyo’s defensive midfielder Asari, preventing him from playing freely, resulting in a fierce and balanced battle. Tokyo equalized in stoppage time near the end of the match and then secured victory with a dramatic V-goal by Okamoto in extra time...

What kind of battle will it be this year? Both sides are in different positions than before. Tokyo has been promoted to J1 next season, while Hiratsuka has been relegated to J2. Tokyo feels the pressure of expectations from the surroundings, as if it's a matter of course to win, and Hiratsuka will surely show their determination with a "We can't afford to lose!" attitude. The unexpected calm before the match hinted at fierce combat to come. At 13:02, the curtain was raised on the first big game of the Emperor's Cup!

Tough, Tokyo!

Once the match started, Hiratsuka launched a fierce attack. They won the ball with intense pressing and chasing from the front line, then tried to break down the defense with quick passing in midfield. Tokyo was overwhelmed by the young power, with an average age of 22.6 years compared to Tokyo's 25.1 years. On the other hand, Tokyo's overall movement was stiff, and their reactions to the ball were somewhat slow, seeming confused by the opponent's speed. The cause is likely that the last two matches were against high school teams, so they were not yet accustomed to the speed and physical contact of a J1 team. The first conceded goal also came from a mistake unthinkable in league matches. At 16 minutes, Fujiyama kept the ball deep on the left side of his own half, and despite persistent defense from the opponent, he exchanged short passes with Sandro who came nearby to support, but failed. After losing the ball, a simple pass was made through the weakened center, resulting in a goal. Tokyo, having conceded the opening goal from such a sloppy mistake, continued to make easy errors and faced ongoing danger.

Tokyo's Strength

Perhaps awakened by the initial opening punch, Tokyo regained flexibility and sharpness in their movements immediately after conceding a goal. Fujiyama's sharp interceptions began to shine, and as they adjusted to the opponent's movements overall, opportunities to win the ball increased. Once they regained possession, they spread the ball from midfield to both sides, launching speedy attacks from the right side with the Ume-yama and Yukihiko line, and from the left side with the Fujiyama and Okamoto line. In the 24th minute, Yukihiko attempted to break through on the right side and was initially caught by the opposing defender, but Ume-yama, who was supporting, quickly won the ball and passed it forward to Almir. Almir sharply cut inside and delivered a superb cross with the outside of his left foot to the center. There, Okamoto was waiting free and easily struck the equalizer.

Both teams, eager for an additional goal, fiercely contested possession in midfield, resulting in numerous fouls. Amaral, the focal point of Tokyo's attack, was closely and persistently marked by the opposing center-back, preventing him from creating the usual plays from his position. However, Okamoto on the left showed good movement upfront, not only making runs toward the goal but also providing stable hold-up play to create opportunities. On defense, since regular starter Komine was down with a cold, veteran Furube was urgently brought in. Similar in style to Sandro, Furube had more height than Komine but was somewhat vulnerable against quick and sharp lateral movements. Hiratsuka’s two forwards that day were the tall Sotoike and Nishimoto, known for his sharpness and unpredictability. Throughout both halves, many chances were created starting from Nishimoto. At the 40th minute, Sandro was beaten on the left side of his own half by Nishimoto, who advanced toward the goal and took a shot that hit the crossbar. The ball rebounded back, and a player who had followed up pushed it in, finally conceding the additional goal.

Just before the end of the first half, Tokyo allowed an additional goal and found themselves in a chasing position (1-2). However, on this day, Tokyo was filled with the confidence that they could "catch up at any time." As the first half was about to enter stoppage time, Almir received a pass on the left side, elegantly evading the approaching defender with a brilliant feint, and delivered a superb through ball to Okamoto, who made a vertical run. Okamoto then sent a sharp cross back into the center from just inside the goal line, where Yukihiko, who had made a run, powerfully scored to equalize! The unscripted drama was about to reach an even more dramatic climax.

Amaral's super goal & Okamoto's dramatic winning shot!

Tokyo, who wanted to ride the momentum after equalizing in first-half stoppage time, fell behind again one minute into the second half. From a left corner kick, a low trajectory pass was sent into the penalty area, and Sakai, who had just come on in the second half, lunged forward and connected with his right foot, sending the ball mercilessly into the left corner of Tokyo's goal. Once again trailing, the Tokyo eleven believed in their own strength and continued their fierce attacks. At the 5th minute, Almir charged forward with the ball on the left side and took a shot! It was a decisive moment, but the powerful shot unfortunately went straight to the goalkeeper. On the right side, Yukihiko also made daring breakthroughs to create chances. Almir repeatedly delivered decisive through passes that could directly lead to goals, but each time they were caught by Hiratsuka's shallow defensive line. At the 35th minute, Umeyama broke through on the right side and passed vertically to Amaral. Amaral took a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper and rebounded into a scramble, where a softly floating ball almost entered the goal, but Hiratsuka's defenders made a desperate clearance to escape. Then at the 37th minute, Fujiyama dribbled past defenders from the left and crossed to the center, where Amaral headed! Unfortunately, the shot went over the bar. Tokyo was completely in control, but at the 39th minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Fujiyama, who had repeatedly broken through on the left side, dribbled past three players and passed to the center. Sandro, who had moved up, received the ball and lightly flowed it to Almir on the right. Almir passed to Yamano, who had come on as a substitute and made a forward run. Yamano delivered a superb looping pass with his right foot directly to the center. Waiting about 20 meters in front of the goal, Amaral struck a powerful right-footed volley! The goalkeeper couldn’t move a step, and the ball pierced the left corner of the goal. From then on, it was all Tokyo. The difference in momentum with Hiratsuka was clear. In the end, no more goals were scored, and the match went into extra time. Many probably remembered the Bellmare match from two years ago at that moment. There was a feeling that something was about to happen.

Just before the end of the second half, the defender who had been persistently fouling Amaral was sent off, leaving Hiratsuka with ten men and no momentum. As the match went into extra time, it was completely at Tokyo's pace. Then, in the 6th minute of the first half of extra time, a counterattack led to a beautiful series of passes between Amaral, Okamoto, and Enomoto, and Enomoto unleashed a powerful low shot from a distance at a right angle! The goalkeeper managed to deflect it, but Okamoto was there to easily push it in, defeating Hiratsuka with an extra time golden goal, just like two years ago. And once again, it was the Emperor's Cup man, Okamoto, who scored the decisive goal.

Next, we will finally face this year's J-League champion, Júbilo Iwata (Note: The opponent will be decided on 12/15. As of 12/12, this is just a prediction). We have faced them during the JFL era (when they were Yamaha), but this will be our first match since they became Júbilo Iwata. The odds are naturally in favor of Iwata, but if Tokyo, free from pressure, fights with a challenging attitude, there is certainly a possibility of stirring things up again. Our goal is to recreate the "Tokyo whirlwind"!

Director Okuma's Comments

At first, the transition from high school students (to matches against the team) to J (matches against league clubs) did not go well, but it gradually improved after we conceded the first goal. However, it was disappointing that the goals we conceded that day were all due to our own mistakes and lack of concentration. If we continue to play like this in the future, we won't be able to win, and I want to make corrections once again. Since this is my first match against Jubilo, I want to clash with them wholeheartedly. I think we will see both good and bad aspects, so it will be a valuable match. Our goal for the Emperor's Cup is not about what rank we achieve, but rather to fight against as many strong J teams as possible, hoping it will be a good experience for the players.