Approach the game with determination

In the previous match, Tokyo, who defeated F.Marinos, one of the top contenders, 3-0 in the opening match of the 2nd stage, faced Avispa Fukuoka in Hakata on this day. As it was a match after a very promising start, and against a team that was struggling in 14th place in the 1st stage, it was a match that they had to approach with caution. In the stadium, with it being Avispa's home opening match, the supporters put on a fierce performance even before the match started, drowning out the cheers of the approximately 1,000 fans who had come all the way from Tokyo (thank you to all the fans who came to Hakata!). For Tokyo, they not only had to deal with the atmosphere of being an "away" team, but also had to battle against the intense heat (the temperature was 27 degrees, but the humidity of 80% was tough), making for a tough match.

Amaral scores the opening goal with a powerful attack!

The match was colored by "Attacking Tokyo" and "Defending Avispa" from the beginning. Avispa, based on the bitter experience from the last 1st stage match (lost to Tokyo 0-2 by being caught in the space behind the DF), has thoroughly implemented a "secret plan?" to not give space to Tokyo, such as keeping the DF line flat and deep with Maeda, who transferred from Tokyo, as the axis, and not chasing deep from the front line once the ball is passed to the opponent, but rather returning to their own half and forming the DF line. This is, of course, a tactic to counter Tokyo's "fast vertical soccer" centered around their two top players, by keeping the midfield compact and the DF line deep, not giving space to run, and instead launching a quick attack after stealing the ball, "stealing Tokyo's tactics". After stealing the ball, Avispa's attack was simple, with a lot of movement, collecting the ball to the left-footed technician Badia, who unleashes powerful mid-range shots and versatile passes, and then hitting the one-top Montoya, but Tokyo's double volante, Koike and Asari, showed persistent defense in the midfield, and further prevented Montoya from working with a strong man-to-man marking by Komine, so they hardly created any real chances.

In response to this, Tokyo dominated the ball about 80% of the time, with Amaral showing accurate post-play on the front line despite facing tough marking. TUTO, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI, and Seigo KOBAYASHI all contributed to the attack, while midfielder Koike and fullbacks Naito and Fujiyama provided timely support and precise passes. This "attacking when the opponent pulls back" was the biggest challenge that emerged in the 1st stage and must be overcome in order to fight through the even more studied 2nd stage. "Not just vertical, but also quick horizontal transitions and improved midfield organization." This was a challenge that coach Okuma often mentioned in the 1st stage, but based on the developments of this day, it seems to have been greatly improved. The addition of the ball-retaining Masamitsu was also a major factor in this improvement.

Tokyo gradually begins to grasp scoring opportunities. In the 7th minute, from Koike's attack participation, a vertical pass from Naito on the right, and a powerful right foot shot from Amaral as he turned around! Unfortunately, it was deflected by the goalkeeper's fine save, but it created a good opportunity from behind. In the 16th minute, Amaral headed back from a right corner kick, and Sandro dropped it back, where Masamitsu Kobayashi took a powerful right foot shot that hit the goal post and bounced back, and Koike took a shot, but it unfortunately deflected to the left. In addition, in the 20th minute, TUTO dribbled past one defender on the left side and crossed it to the center, where Amaral took a direct shot with his right foot, but it hit the top of the bar. In the 27th minute, TUTO ran towards the goal after chest trapping a ball that came from the right side and was switched to the left side. He took a shot at top speed, but it was blocked by the goalkeeper's fine play. After that, Tokyo continued to create chances with Naito and Masamitsu Kobayashi, former Antlers duo on the right side, and Fujiyama's sharp interceptions on the left side, overwhelming Avispa. Then, in the 38th minute, Fujiyama attacked on the left side and passed it to Seigo Kobayashi in the center, who then passed it to the side with Fujiyama screening. At the right timing, he passed it to Amaral in the center. Amaral took one touch and shook off the defender vertically, and took a powerful left foot shot! It hit the goalkeeper's foot and shook the goal net, making it Amaral's 7th goal of the season and a valuable opening goal.

Afterwards, there were some tense moments, such as when Doi narrowly escaped a powerful middle shot from Badea in the 43rd minute and it resulted in a corner kick, but the first half ended with a score of 1-0.

Allowing a last-minute equalizer due to Avispa's determination and perseverance

As the second half began, the sky was enveloped in darkness and despite the time being past 8pm, the stifling heat at the stadium showed no signs of changing. Seeing the exhausted expressions of the players in the locker room during halftime, I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease. But as the second half started, that unease gradually became a reality. "The amount of movement has clearly decreased compared to the first half." Still, just 5 minutes into the second half, TUTO and Seigo KOBAYASHI quickly connected on the right side and sent in a perfect cross from a deep cut, but Amaral's header just missed the goal to the left. This one play would have a big impact later on.

On the other hand, after this one play, Avispa regained their confidence and began to show their determination with the support of their local fans. As in the first half, Vadear was constantly moving around the field and delivering accurate crosses from the side. In the first half, there were no crosses from the side, so it wasn't scary, but attacks from the side can lead to conceding a goal with just a moment of carelessness, so it was important to be cautious.

The match continued in the same way as the first half, with Tokyo keeping possession of the ball and Avispa defending deeply. However, Avispa's approach changed after they won the ball. In the first half, they focused on the post-play between Badé and Montedio, but in the second half, they started to play the ball out to the wings and use the fullbacks to create attacking opportunities. In particular, Kuniyuki on the left side made sharp runs and dribbles into the center, with Miura, the left fullback, overlapping and providing crosses. This added depth to their attack. On the other hand, while Tokyo continued to dominate possession, they were unable to make any significant vertical runs and their chances on goal decreased.

Avispa made a change in the 29th minute of the second half, bringing in FW Hattori to form a two-top and strengthen their attacking line. In the 31st minute, Kuei Nagae made a decisive volley shot from the center, gradually seizing the chance. Fortunately, the ball hit the post and did not go into the goal, but it was a clear display of lack of concentration from Tokyo's defense line. Avispa continued to create chances from the side and in the 41st minute, they brought in FW Eguchi to form a "super attacking formation" with three tops, showing their last determination. And in stoppage time, when everyone believed in Tokyo's victory, a nightmare moment came for them. Avispa passed the ball from the center to Miura, who was running up the left side, and Miura skillfully evaded the marker with a sharp turn and sent a perfect cross to the front of the goal. Eguchi, who had just entered the game, pushed it in with a diving header full of determination, equalizing the score at the last minute. Tokyo, who had almost secured the victory, struggled with fatigue and shock, but managed to hold on and end the second half with a 1-1 tie.

Disappointing ending... In the end, it was Amaral and TUTO.

Both teams fought with all their might in the extended first half, after switching their mindset. While Avispa had the upper hand in momentum, Tokyo calmly stuck to their own style of soccer without being shaken by the situation.

The game suddenly changed. In the 3rd minute, Amaral, who received a pass in the penalty area, immediately rushed forward. The Avispa DF tried to stop him from behind, causing Amaral to fall and earn a crucial penalty kick. Amaral entrusted this to TUTO (who can aim for top scorer), and TUTO answered the friendship and expectations by kicking it firmly into the center of the goal, leading the team to a victory in extra time. The intense and grueling game ended with an uneventful finale, but the team has now won their first two games of the season. As the league is greatly affected by a strong start, these two wins are significant.

[Coach Okuma's Comment]

In the late stages, the defense line's lack of familiarity with the members led to a decrease in energy and physicality, resulting in conceding points. However, in the future

It is impossible to fight with the same members, so it is important and evaluated that we were able to produce results in the end.

In the future, there will be times when we will have to fight in even hotter conditions, so we want to use players who are in good shape so that everyone can play in the game, not just the 16 players today.