The toughest match of all!? vs Kashima Antlers

Tokyo, who returned to the top spot with a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the previous match against Iwata, clashed with powerhouse Kashima Antlers at Toyama away on this day. Kashima is currently in 7th place and is not yet in top form, but they have a strong J1 team with players such as Hiraishi, Yanagisawa, Nakata, Ogasawara, Motomura, and former Japan national team players Myojyo, Akita, Soma, and Honda, who are all active in the Olympic Japan national team. In addition, Bismarck, who reigns as Kashima's ace, and Bebet, a superstar player from Brazil who has played in the World Cup three times, have joined the team as a super big foreign player just before the start of the season, making their player depth one of the best in J1. However, the factor that has not been in top form since the start of the season and has become a miscalculation is "Bebet's delayed adjustment", so there is a good chance that Tokyo, who is currently in great shape and on a roll, will win. However, we must not jump to conclusions. Tokyo and Kashima have faced each other five times in the past (three times in the Emperor's Cup and twice in the Nabisco Cup), and Tokyo's only victory was in the first match in the Emperor's Cup six years ago when they were still Tokyo Gas. Since then, they have faced each other in the Emperor's Cup semifinals and the Nabisco Cup semifinals, and have had a dark past of having their dreams of reaching the finals shattered. For Tokyo, Kashima is an extremely difficult opponent. This will be their first time facing each other in the league, but in order to repay their past debts, they must get revenge on enemy territory!

TUTO's two consecutive goals take the lead!

On this day, in the match held in the hometown (Toyama) of Kashima's striker, Yanagisawa, a large number of local fans naturally rushed to support the Kashima Eleven with a loud cheer that was comparable to that of their original home, Kashima Stadium. On the other hand, the Tokyo supporters' section, although significantly smaller in number compared to Kashima's, continued to support the Tokyo Eleven with their unique and witty chants. Despite being at a clear numerical disadvantage, their loud and powerful voices echoed throughout the venue, making one wonder "how can their voices carry so far?" Whether or not this voice reached the players, Tokyo took the lead in just 5 minutes into the game when Naito, who had transferred from Kashima this season, aggressively slid in to intercept an opponent's careless pass. The ball then fell to TUTO, who had made a fierce dash towards it, and collided with the Kashima goalkeeper who had come out to challenge. However, TUTO persisted and managed to get the ball, skillfully evading the defender and calmly scoring the opening goal. At that moment, the stadium of over 10,000 people fell silent, and on the pitch, TUTO raised both hands in celebration. Taking the lead against the powerhouse Kashima on their home turf... This is it! But just as I thought that, a reflexive thought crossed my mind, "it can't be this easy."

Kashima unleashes its fangs!

Until Tokyo's opening goal was scored, both teams were unable to settle the ball, but after this goal, intense attacks began. Tokyo's strategy was to use their strong physicality to press from the front and supply the ball quickly to the top two, Amaral and TUTO. However, Kashima's individual players have a high level and quick passing, making it difficult to steal the ball in a high position, resulting in stealing the ball in a deeper position. In the end, even if they managed to pass the ball to Amaral and TUTO in the front, they were isolated and unable to create a strong attack.

On the other hand, Kashima struggled against Tokyo's intense play, but Bismarck and Ogasawara supplied sharp vertical passes to top players Yanagisawa and BETO, who were constantly looking for chances with quick touches. On the other hand, Tokyo's Sandro and Komine were not easily allowed to penetrate the center with tough marking, so the two top players moved to the sides and created points by putting the ball there, involving the attacking participation of the fullbacks and throwing the ball in from the outside. In the 23rd minute, Yanagisawa, who had moved to the right side, took a powerful volley shot from an angle, but GK Doi made a great save and did not allow a goal. In the following 30 minutes, Sandro was given a penalty kick and Kashima faced a desperate situation, but Doi made a fine save and did not allow a goal. Tokyo also occasionally created chances from counters, and it seemed that they would end the first half with a one-point lead, but just before the end of the first half, they were equalized by a header from Kashima DF Fabiano from a free kick.

J1's toughness

In the second half, Tokyo brought in Amaral. Due to the frequent isolation of the two top players, Amaral was brought in as a support role. However, Kashima's defensive midfielder and stopper were strong, and Amaral's characteristic dribbling was shut down. In addition, in Tokyo's characteristic attack from the side, Yukihiro and Naito on the right side, and Amaral were involved in a fast one-two attempt to break through, but the marking on Amaral was strict and the timing was slightly off, resulting in a loss of the ball. On this day, Amaral, who was playing through pain, was no match for Akita and Fabiano, the two stoppers. Also, on the left side, Fujiyama was actively participating in attacks from interceptions and created good opportunities with his dribbling, but the goal was too far away.

On the other hand, Kashima, who had been trying to win in the second half, made a move in the 3rd minute, when Narahashi rushed from the right side and broke through two Tokyo defenders, sending a perfect cross to the center. Bebet ran in and shot, hitting the bar, and the rebound was picked up by Ogasawara and turned into a reversal. With this, Kashima gained momentum and launched a variety of attacks from the center and both sides, while Tokyo was on the defensive. In an attempt to change the flow of the game, Asano and Toda were substituted, but the tide did not turn. In the end, Tokyo, who couldn't fully utilize Amaral's post-play and TUTO's speed, once again lost to the experienced team, Kashima.

Coach's Comment

<Coach Okuma's Comment>

"In the first half, we were able to create chances from quick attacks and score one goal, despite playing poorly. However, conceding a goal right before the end of the first half was painful. Kashima did not give us any space and we were unable to create our usual formation due to our two top players and midfielders being unable to dribble. The only one who was able to break through on the sides was Fujiyama with his individual skills. Following the Iwata game, we need to make adjustments as our top player and supporting midfielders are too far apart, leaving our top player isolated. We want to fix this in the future."