A match approached with a serious mindset

In the previous match, Tokyo defeated the title contender F.Marinos 3-0 in the opening game of the 2nd stage. On this day, they faced Avispa Fukuoka in Hakata. Given the excellent start they had, and the fact that they were up against a team that was struggling in 14th place in the 1st stage, it was a match that required them to stay focused. At the stadium, since it was Avispa's home opener, a large number of supporters engaged in a fierce chorus before the match, drowning out the cheers from about 1,000 fans who traveled from Tokyo (so many fans came all the way to Hakata!). For Tokyo, in addition to experiencing the 'away' atmosphere for the first time in a while, they also had to contend with what seemed to be the hottest weather of the year (the temperature was 27 degrees, but the 80% humidity was tough), making a challenging match expected.

Amaral scores the opening goal with a powerful attack!

From the very start of the match, the game unfolded with "attacking Tokyo" and "defending Avispa" clearly distinguished. Avispa, recalling the bitter experience from their previous 1st stage encounter (where they were caught in the space behind their defense and lost 0-2 to Tokyo), centered their strategy around Maeda, who transferred from Tokyo. They kept their defensive line relatively flat and deep, and when the ball temporarily passed to the opponent in midfield or up front, instead of pressing aggressively from the front, they first retreated to form their defensive line, thoroughly implementing a "secret tactic?" to deny Tokyo any space. This was, of course, a response to Tokyo's vertically fast soccer centered on their two forwards. By keeping the midfield compact and the defensive line deep, they prevented Tokyo from finding space to run into, and conversely launched quick counterattacks after regaining possession, effectively "stealing Tokyo's style." Avispa's attacks after winning the ball were simple but effective: they concentrated the ball on Badea, a left-footed technician with high stamina, powerful long-range shots, and versatile passing, then fed it to the lone forward Montoya. However, Tokyo's double defensive midfielders Koike and Asari showed tenacious defense in midfield, and Komine tightly man-marked Montoya, preventing him from making an impact, so Avispa was hardly able to create any meaningful chances.

In response, Tokyo, despite facing tight marking, showcased accurate hold-up play from Amaral up front, with TUTO, Masuda, and Seigo KOBAYASHI getting involved, while the holding midfielder Koike and the two full-backs Naito and Fujiyama participated in timely attacks and provided precise support, dominating the ball about 80% of the time. This "attack when the opponent is withdrawn" was the biggest challenge that emerged in the 1st stage and was a problem that needed to be overcome to fight through the more thoroughly researched 2nd stage. "Not only vertical but also quick horizontal transitions and improving midfield structure." This was a challenge that Coach Okuma often mentioned during the 1st stage, but judging by the developments on this day, it seemed to have improved significantly. The addition of the strong-holding Masuda was certainly a major factor in this.

Tokyo gradually began to seize scoring opportunities. At 7 minutes, from Koike's attacking involvement to Naito on the right, a vertical pass from Naito to Amaral up front, Amaral turned and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot! It was narrowly saved by the goalkeeper's fine save, but a good shape was created from behind. Then at 16 minutes, from a right corner kick, Amaral headed the ball back, Sandro laid it off to the back where Masuda fired a powerful right-footed shot that hit the goalpost, and when the rebound came back, Koike shot but narrowly missed to the left. At 20 minutes, a ball sent deep down the left side was controlled by TUTO, who dribbled past one defender and crossed it to the center, where Amaral took a direct right-footed shot, but this also went over the bar. Furthermore, at 27 minutes, from the right side, a side change ball came to the left side, where TUTO chest-trapped past a defender and charged toward the goal. He shot at top speed, but this too was stopped by the goalkeeper's fine play. After that, Tokyo continued to create chances with the former Antlers duo Naito and Masuda on the right side, and Fujiyama on the left side making sharp interceptions and joining the attack, overwhelming Avispa. Then at 38 minutes, Fujiyama joined the attack on the left side and passed to Masamitsu KOBAYASHI in the center. KOBAYASHI screened with Fujiyama and moved to the side, timing a pass well to Amaral in the center. Amaral shook off the defender vertically with one touch and powerfully shot with his left foot! The shot hit the goalkeeper's foot and shook the net, marking Amaral's seventh goal of the season and a valuable opening goal.

After this, in the 43rd minute, there was a moment of concern when Dohi barely managed to deflect Badéa's powerful long-range shot for a corner kick, but the first half ended with a score of 1-0.

Allowed a last-minute equalizing goal due to Avispa's tenacity and persistence

As the second half began, the sky was enveloped in darkness, and although it was past 8 PM, the muggy heat at the match venue showed no signs of changing. I felt a twinge of anxiety at the exhausted expressions of the players I saw in the halftime locker room, but as the second half started, that anxiety gradually became more tangible. "The amount of movement is clearly reduced compared to the first half." Still, just five minutes into the second half, TUTO connected with Seigo KOBAYASHI on a quick restart on the right side, and after making a deep cut, delivered an exquisite cross, which Amaral dove for and headed perfectly! However, it narrowly missed to the left of the goal. This one play would resonate significantly later on.

On the other hand, Avispa regained their confidence after this one play and began to show their determination with strong local support. Just like in the first half, Bader moved around the field energetically, going to the sides and delivering accurate crosses. There were no crosses from the sides in the first half, so it wasn't scary, but attacks from the sides require caution as a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to conceding a goal.

The match, like the first half, saw Tokyo maintaining possession of the ball while Avispa defended deeply, but the development after Avispa regained possession changed. In the first half, they focused on the post play between Bader and Montoya, but in the second half, they began to play the ball into the spaces on both sides, creating points of attack with the involvement of the full-backs. Particularly on the left side, Kuninaga made sharp movements and dribbled into the center, while full-back Miura moved into that space to deliver crosses, adding depth to their attacks. On the other hand, while Tokyo controlled the ball, they lacked significant forward thrusts, resulting in fewer scoring opportunities.

Avispa strengthened their attack by bringing in forward Hattori at the 29th minute of the second half to form a two-forward system. Shortly after, at the 31st minute, Hisanaga took a decisive volley shot from the center, and Avispa gradually began to seize chances. Fortunately, the ball hit the post and did not result in a goal, but it was clearly a lapse in concentration by Tokyo's defensive line. Avispa continued to create chances from the sides, and at the 41st minute, they brought in forward Eguchi to form a three-forward "ultra-attacking formation," showing their final determination. Then, during stoppage time when everyone had started to believe in Tokyo's victory, a nightmare moment came for Tokyo. Avispa passed from Badea in the center to Miura advancing on the left side. Miura sharply shook off his marker with a quick cut and sent a perfect cross in front of the goal, which Eguchi, who had just come on, fiercely headed in with a diving effort, leveling the score at the last moment. Tokyo, who had almost secured the victory, was caught off guard by the equalizer and, despite fatigue and shock causing their movements to drop significantly, barely managed to hold on and ended the second half at 1-1.

An anticlimactic ending... In the end, it was indeed Amaral, TUTO

In the first half of extra time, both teams fought with their last ounce of strength after resetting their mindset. While Avispa had the momentum, Tokyo remained calm and focused on playing their own style of football without being shaken by the situation.

The match suddenly changed. In the 3rd minute, Amaral received a pass in the penalty area and immediately charged forward, but the Avispa defender tried to stop him from behind, causing Amaral to fall and earn a priceless penalty kick. Amaral entrusted this to TUTO, who is aiming for the top scorer title, and TUTO responded to that friendship and expectation by confidently kicking the ball into the center of the goal, leading the team to a victory in extra time. The intense and grueling match ended abruptly, but the team achieved their second consecutive win to start the season. Given that this league is heavily influenced by a strong start, just like in the 1st stage, this two-game winning streak is significant.

[Coach Okuma's Comments]

In the final stages, the defense line's lack of familiarity with the members led to a decrease in motivation and physical activity, which resulted in conceding a goal. However, from now on...

It is impossible to fight with the same members, so it is significant and appreciated that we were ultimately able to achieve results.

In the future, there will be times when we have to compete in even hotter conditions, so I want to utilize players who are in good form, so that everyone other than the 16 players today can participate in the matches.