The Crucial Match!

With only five matches remaining, the fierce dead heat for the championship and promotion to J1 continues in the J2 League. At this point, Kawasaki Frontale leads with 63 points, Tokyo is second with 58 points, and Oita is third with 54 points, narrowing the race for the coveted J1 promotion (automatic promotion for 1st and 2nd place) to these three teams. Tokyo, whose goal this season is to become the inaugural J2 Champion (the winner) and secure promotion to J1, faced a crucial direct confrontation against the top-ranked Kawasaki Frontale on this day. For Tokyo to keep their hopes for the championship alive, they absolutely needed to secure a full 90-minute victory in this match (points +3 = 58 → 61) and reduce the points gap with Kawasaki Frontale (63 points) to "2." In the next round, Kawasaki Frontale will face the strong Sapporo away, while Tokyo will play at home against the bottom-ranked Kofu. If Tokyo wins this match, they would have a significant advantage in the next round and a chance to leap to the top spot. Conversely, if Tokyo loses this match and Oita wins their match in 90 minutes (points +3 = 54 → 57), the points gap with Oita would narrow to "1," making it difficult for Tokyo not only to win the championship but also to secure a top-two finish for J1 promotion. Fatigued from consecutive matches in both the Nabisco Cup and the league, coupled with the absence of their ace Amaral due to injury and possibly the pressure of promotion, Tokyo is currently in a "quagmire" with three consecutive losses. They desperately want to win this direct confrontation and ride a strong upward momentum. In any case, there is no doubt that this match is the decisive "Final Round" of the season, and Tokyo is determined to win at all costs.

A remarkable selection hit!

The expressions of the players who entered the enemy territory of Todoroki, the venue for the decisive battle, were different from usual. There was no trace of "anxiety" or "tension" on their faces; only "spirit and determination" shone through. The loud cheers from the fans, who always support them warmly, also motivated the players. On this day, the support from the "goal area," which was positioned as usual, was hotter and stronger than anywhere else. Facing approximately 13,000 Kawasaki Frontale fans filling the venue, about 150 supporters in the "goal area" were wildly agitated. The continuous chorus from before the match surpassed that of the home team, taking over Todoroki. With the best ground conditions and a cloudless blue sky, the stage for the decisive battle was set, and the "fierce struggle" began backed by intense cheers.

Tokyo was the first to launch the attack. On this day, Kagami and Okuhara, who started as “secret weapons,” immediately impressed. Kagami, who had been expected to be a key offensive player since the season opener but had not quite shone, had a standout performance with 2 goals and 1 assist in the 2nd Round second leg of the Nabisco Cup (vs Ichihara, 6/19), but then his form declined. This match marked his first appearance in 13 games since the Niigata match on August 1. Okuhara, wearing the ace number 10, had been sidelined with a back injury before the season and spent the first half fully in rehabilitation. His official match debut was just a month ago on September 25, and he had only played in 3 matches this season. These two, given a big opportunity on this decisive stage, fully met the high expectations. Tokyo, fueled by spirit and determination, attacked fiercely from the start. In the last two matches, without Amaral, Tokyo struggled to create a focal point in the front line and lacked depth and rhythm in attack, but Kagami brilliantly fulfilled that role. Using his long reach, Kagami demonstrated stable hold-up play up front. By establishing a strong presence high up the pitch, Yukihiko on the right side and Okuhara on the left were able to fully utilize their speed, making runs into the spaces on both flanks. At 2 minutes in, when Yukihiko received the ball on the right side, Okuhara dashed fiercely into the space up front on the opposite side in perfect sync. Yukihiko then delivered a pinpoint 50-meter pass like an arrow, and Okuhara struck the ball on the volley with his right foot after one bounce, scoring a spectacular opening goal. The bold selection of these two paid off brilliantly right from the start.

A great game worthy of the 'Tennozan'!

With an early opening goal fueling the already frenzied supporters behind the goal, Tokyo pressed their attack even further. Kagami's hold-up play and Okuhara's sharp runs increased passing options up front, allowing Almir to shine in midfield build-up. On the other hand, Kawasaki F, who seemed likely to lose rhythm after conceding early, showed why they are the top team. Without being overwhelmed by Tokyo's momentum, they confidently played their own style. The Brazilian duo TUTO and Tinga, said to be the best front two in J2, served as the focal point up front, while the tricky playmakers Katsura, Nagahashi, and Kuno on both wings combined to launch diverse attacks. Especially on the right side, Nagahashi, known for his speed and technique, was often the starting point for breakthroughs. At 7 minutes, Nagahashi delivered a perfect cross to a free TUTO in the center who headed the ball, but the shot hit the bar and was saved. Gradually, Kawasaki F began to raise the pace. At 14 minutes, Nagahashi again broke through on the right and crossed to the center, connecting with TUTO and Tinga, with Tinga shooting. Sandro desperately blocked with his foot, sending the ball up, but Katsura headed it in to equalize. The match was back to square one, but Tokyo, needing a win, launched fierce attacks with combinations on the left side of Fujiyama → Almir → Okuhara and on the right side of Umeyama → Yukihiko → Kaburagi. Kawasaki F responded with sharp runs from Nagahashi and Kuno on both wings and precise, intricate passing from Katsura, TUTO, and Tinga in the center. The game became a fierce battle with rapid transitions between offense and defense. The deadlock was broken at 36 minutes. On the left side, Tinga persistently dribbled through, forcing a foul by Tokyo's defense about 30 meters from goal at a tight angle. The free kick taker was Kuno, known for his powerful shots. Kuno curled a sharp shot that flew over GK Suzuki, who did not expect a direct attempt, and pierced the net directly. This was a very unpleasant development for Tokyo, who absolutely had to win. However, Tokyo did not panic that day. At 43 minutes, Yukihiko tenaciously worked the right side and crossed to the center, where Kagami feinted once and shot while turning around! The ball went into the lower left corner, leveling the score. Tokyo caught up at a very good moment, and it seemed the first half would end like this... but immediately after, Kawasaki F's Tinga exploited a gap and broke free for a one-on-one with the GK. However, the shot hit the left post and did not result in a goal. It was a thrilling match worthy of being called a "decisive battle," with not a moment to relax.

Unable to escape the "quagmire" in the face of Kawasaki's determination...

Tokyo, who equalized just before the end of the first half and kept their hopes alive for the second half, dashed fiercely as the second half began. Yukihiko not only created chances with aggressive breakthroughs on the right side but also took shots more actively than ever before. Almir also surged forward continuously, using his flexible technique to create decisive opportunities. However, they just couldn't score the third goal. On the contrary, at the 15th minute of the second half, Kawasaki F scored an additional goal from a rare chance. Nagahashi, who had not advanced much on the right side in the second half, took advantage of a moment when Tokyo's midfield defense became lax, cutting inside toward the center and delivering a sharp ball to Tinga in front of the goal. Tinga broke through the narrow space with a sharp one-two pass with TUTO and shot with his left foot! The goalkeeper Suzuki, unable to see the course in the scramble, couldn't move a step and conceded the additional goal. Riding the momentum, Kawasaki F launched a fierce attack to finish off Tokyo, but Tokyo, unwilling to lose, attacked desperately. At the 28th minute of the second half, Okamoto had a great chance from a cross by Umeyama, and at the 30th minute, Yukihiko had another chance following Fujiyama's dribble, but both were stopped by the opposing goalkeeper's defense and no goals were scored. At the 31st minute, Kagami headed freely from a right corner kick, and it seemed to have gone in, but was cleared at the last moment by the opposing defender. In the last 10 minutes, Sandro was brought up front, and defender Yamao was deployed as a forward in a desperate power play, placing their hopes on it, but in the end, they couldn't break through Kawasaki F's wall, who never lost concentration, and suffered a narrow defeat. Tokyo (then Tokyo Gas FC) had their dream of J.League promotion dashed two years ago and lost the championship at the last moment last year to Kawasaki F. Having tasted bitter defeat twice, they raised the banner of "This year for sure!" and "Defeat Tokyo!" and this season, they did not allow Tokyo a single win. The pride and mental strength, hardened by the pressure of promotion twice and the tears shed, have come alive now.

Conversely, has Tokyo, which has suffered its first four consecutive losses of the season, begun to feel pressure for the first time? Just below them, Oita in third place is closing in with a one-point difference. There’s no turning back now. Whether crying or laughing, with only four matches left, they have no choice but to reset their mindset and approach the upcoming games. And they must advance with a perfect record.

[FC Tokyo Player Warning]

56 minutes... Kagami (1→2)

64 minutes... Sato Yu (0→1)

*Warnings for players with '2' <Sec. 3> at the end of Round 32

Ume山, Sandro, Kagami