A crucial match that will determine the future

Currently, the point difference with the top team (Tokyo) is 11. If Sapporo loses the direct confrontation against the top team, Tokyo, at home, the situation in the league will become quite difficult. This day is truly the "biggest challenge". Additionally, they have already suffered two consecutive losses in the first half of the season against them, and to avoid falling behind in the season's record against Tokyo, they could not afford to lose this day. The Sapporo fans are well aware of this situation, and approximately 17,000 fans gathered to catch a glimpse of this "biggest challenge" and to support the team passionately! They supported the team with their unique loud cheers (clapping megaphones) even before the match started.

On the other hand, while Tokyo is currently at the top of the standings, the point difference with second-place Kawasaki Frontale is only "1". The direct confrontation with Kawasaki Frontale is scheduled for next week, and including today's match against Sapporo, these two matches are extremely important for the future. First, we want to win today's match against Sapporo and then face Kawasaki Frontale in the direct confrontation. If we lose, not only is there a possibility of falling to second place, but it could also provide Sapporo with a chance to bounce back, so it was essential to secure a win here. Although the number of Tokyo fans who traveled from afar to support is far from matching Sapporo's, over 70 Tokyo fans warmly and passionately supported from the "goal area" as the fierce battle began.

Ouch! Goal conceded just before the end of the first half

As the match began, a fierce and speedy battle unfolded as expected. In the early stages, Tokyo struggled to establish their midfield due to Sapporo's relentless and intense pressing, and at times, they could only break through on the right side with individual skills from midfielder Almir and Yukihiko, as well as defender Ume-yama, making it difficult to create chances. Forward Amaral also suffered from intense man-marking that bordered on fouls, and although vertical passes from the defenders bypassed the midfield, they were all cut off due to the monotonous nature of the attacks.

Meanwhile, Sapporo, who absolutely wanted to win that day, approached the match with an ultra-offensive three-forward formation as if setting up a "do-or-die" stance. At the center was FW Yoshihara. Recognized for his performance in the Olympic first qualifying round, he was suddenly selected for the Japan national team and also participated in the South American Championship, becoming Japan's Cinderella boy. His outstanding sharpness and technique stood out remarkably in J2, and combined with the midfield control of Assis and the powerful FW Fukagawa, their attacks were destructive, repeatedly threatening Tokyo's goal. Tokyo was somewhat pressed back for a while, but their solid defensive line, centered on Sandro and supported by two defensive midfielders, remained intact and calmly handled the situation, preventing any decisive danger. DF Komine matching Yoshihara's speed and not allowing him to perform perfectly was also significant. As time passed and Tokyo gradually got used to Sapporo's speed, they began circulating passes in tight spaces around the midfield centered on Almir, and MF Wada started making runs from the second line behind the opponent's flat and shallow defensive line, creating chances. At the 36th minute, Almir, receiving the ball in the center, delivered a perfect through pass to Wada who broke behind the opposing defenders. Wada skillfully handled it and faced a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, creating a great chance, but was unfortunately stopped by the GK. At the 40th minute, Almir fiercely chased down an opponent defender's careless dribble in midfield and intercepted the ball. Amaral quickly reacted, took possession, faced the defender one-on-one, dribbled elegantly past him, and powerfully struck the ball with his right foot into the left corner of the goal. Tokyo, having taken the lead, gained rhythm and pressed forward with momentum but could not score an additional goal. Instead, in first-half stoppage time, Sapporo's tall defender Nazuka scored a powerful header from a right corner kick.

This season's worst four goals conceded, a complete defeat...

Tokyo conceded a goal at the most critical time, but they carried the good rhythm they found from the middle of the first half into the second half and launched aggressive attacks. Almir’s proactive runs behind the opposing defenders, left side back Fujiyama’s dribbling, and wall passes with Amaral broke down the defensive line, while from the right side, the combination of Yukihiko and Umeyama created several decisive chances. On the other hand, Sapporo.D aimed for a quick strike by sending Yoshihara and Seki on long balls from counterattacks, but they were not allowed to create any clear chances. After this, the match developed at Tokyo’s pace and additional goals were expected, but instead, in the 65th minute, Assis, who won the battle with Almir in midfield, unleashed a powerful surprise bullet shot from about 30 meters in front of the central goal. The ball pierced the net despite the desperate save attempt by goalkeeper Suzuki, who had been holding strong until then. Sapporo, now gaining momentum, launched a fierce offensive. Tokyo tried to equalize by substituting defensive midfielder Shinjo with forward Enomoto. However, in the 80th minute, while Tokyo was pressing forward, their defense became vulnerable, and Sapporo’s Kawamura cut inside from the right side and struck a powerful shot that hit the bar, then rebounded off goalkeeper Suzuki’s back and unfortunately rolled into the goal. Furthermore, as the final blow in stoppage time, Sapporo earned a free kick about 35 meters from the right side in front of the goal, and Assis surprised everyone by shooting directly with his left foot! The ball soared over Suzuki’s head and then dropped sharply into the goal. Although it’s too late to change the outcome, the goal conceded in first-half stoppage time (the equalizer) was everything today. We must abandon the thought of having gone into halftime at that score and quickly reset our mindset to face the next match (9/5) against Kawasaki Frontale in the best condition.

Director's Comment

<Coach Okuma>

(Sapporo) is certain to come for the win, and it was expected that they would often push forward, so in the first half, we were able to create chances by targeting behind the opponent's defense as planned. However, not being able to score more than one goal from several chances in the first half was detrimental. Additionally, conceding a goal at a time we shouldn't have was painful. That allowed Sapporo to recover. In the second half, when they changed to a two-top formation, not being able to catch their movements to the left and right was the reason for our defeat. I want to quickly switch my mindset and prepare for the next match.

<Coach Okada>

In the first half, we endured a lot of pressure. I want to praise the defense for their efforts. In the second half, when it became 2-1, I could finally feel the strong desire to win from the players. They really did well. In the previous two matches against Tokyo, we lost while pushing forward, but today we won while being pushed back. Soccer is a mysterious thing. Also, today's victory is thanks to the supporters. The Atsubetsu supporters are truly warm, and I think their support gives the players incredible strength.