An away game against Kawasaki Frontale at the clear Japan National Stadium

After the typhoon, at the Japan National Stadium, this round we face Kawasaki Frontale in an away game. Frontale has struggled with two consecutive losses in the 2nd stage, but they achieved victory against Kashiwa in the Nabisco Cup on the 5th. They will want to win here to make a comeback in the J-League. There is also a strong desire not to lose to another J1 promotion team, especially to Tokyo. Their strength and determination should not be underestimated. Additionally, for the past month, they have been battling not only their opponents but also the heat and the ongoing travel situation. They want to maintain their focus and secure a solid victory.

The starting members include MF Sako, who came on as a substitute for Asari (right foot injury) in the Nabisco Cup match against Kyoto. On the other hand, Kawasaki Frontale had a completely different lineup compared to the last match, featuring Brazilian FW Ijidoro and MF Harada, along with FW Ganaha, MF Oishi, and SB Nakaya, who joined from the 2nd stage.

An outstanding combination leads to Amaral's opening goal!　

Kick-off on a pitch with a temperature of 30 degrees. Both teams are not applying pressure too high up the pitch and the game progresses as they observe each other's movements. In the 11th minute, Frontale's midfielder Oniki shoots after a one-two with Ijidoro. Meanwhile, in the 13th minute, Tokyo's Fujiyama passes to Kobayashi, who has broken into space on the left side. Kobayashi makes a perfect cutback, but it just misses Fujiyama, who had overlapped. In the 14th minute, Kobayashi runs into the box to shoot from a pass by TUTO. The ball deflects off a defender, and TUTO picks it up again, holding it near the goal line before passing to Amaral, who is waiting in front of the goal. However, the shot goes wide. In the 16th minute, Frontale shows a quick counterattack. Frontale's midfielder Otsuka takes a long-range shot after the Tokyo defense clears the ball. In the 20th minute, this time Amaral connects with Masuda, and Nakai takes a long-range shot. However, neither team manages to score, and the deadlock continues as both sides defend solidly.

　In the 25th minute, Kobayashi received a ball from Fujiyama, who surged up the left side, and passed it after evading the opposing DF. TUTO, who received the pass, accelerated towards the goal, drawing in the opposing DF, and delivered a final pass to Amaral. With a clear shot, Amaral unleashed a powerful strike into the goal! They took the lead with an outstanding combination play from Fujiyama to Amaral.

　Kawasaki Frontale then actively attacked centered around Ijidoro, but Tokyo concentrated on defense and did not allow any decisive chances in front of the goal. In the 36th minute, Frontale aimed for a long-range shot from Harada, but this was saved by Doi. Tokyo also responded in the 38th minute with a precise long-range shot from Sakai that hit the target. Even after Frontale took the initiative, Tokyo never rushed, responding while "maintaining balance" (Coach Okuma) and finished the first half.

Amaral's hat trick leads to three consecutive wins! This is truly a home game!!

As the field gradually became covered in shadow, the match intensified. Frontale's Ijidoro dribbled down the right side into the penalty area and shot in the 47th minute. In the 49th minute, Nakaya, who had broken behind Tokyo's defense, aimed for the goal. Tokyo also had a chance in the 50th minute when Amaral was fouled just before the penalty area after receiving a through pass from Hakoi, who had advanced through the center. TUTO's free kick missed the goal, but the series of plays highlighted Amaral's breakthrough ability and Hakoi's high attacking awareness. In the 54th minute, Tokyo connected quickly after a clearance from Frontale, and TUTO took a shot. This loose ball was picked up by Frontale, who launched a counterattack. However, Tokyo's defense stopped the attack from midfielder Oishi in front of the goal. Kobayashi chased well and passed to Amaral, who ran into the center while being marked. Amaral received the ball, turned his body, and with one touch, got past center-back Okuno, finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and shot! The ball grazed the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Urakami and went into the goal!! In the 55th minute, Tokyo scored their second goal in the blink of an eye from a counterattack.

There’s no way the players we should be taking wouldn’t score and get everyone excited. The score of 2 to 0 became dangerous in the sense that if one point is returned, the momentum could change rapidly, but there was no fear of being away. As the Tokyo supporters sang, "Our National," from here on it was truly a home game.

Thanks to the lack of sharpness in Kawasaki Frontale's attacks, Tokyo does not allow them to create chances. Conversely, if there is space behind Kawasaki Frontale as they push forward, it plays into Tokyo's strategy. In the 64th minute, a goal kick went to TUTO on the right side. TUTO advanced with a dribble, but he carefully assessed the Kawasaki Frontale defense line trying to retreat and sent an early cross aimed between the goalkeeper and the defense. The ball slightly deflected off the defender, but Amaral, who had made a well-timed run into position, easily connected and scored! With a hat trick from the ace, Tokyo crushed Kawasaki Frontale.

The hero is Amaral. However, there are also signs of a strong team effort supporting him.

In the 71st minute, Yukiho replaced the fatigued Masuda, and in the 77th minute, Kina was brought in for Kobayashi. Koike entered the right midfield position. Then, with less than five minutes remaining, Horiike finally came on for goalkeeper Doi! Everyone must have been thrilled to see the return of this player who has supported the team since the JFL days. Horiike stood on the pitch surrounded by the loud cheers of Tokyo supporters. The alternating chants of "Doi" and "Horiike" echoed from the stands. It truly created the atmosphere of a home game. Showing composure in such tactics, the match ended with a score of 3-0. Kawasaki Frontale achieved a resounding victory.

In today's match, while gaining 3 points is a significant achievement, there were also many highlights such as the emergence of new player Sakae and the revival of Horiike. Additionally, the positional battles among Kobayashi, Masuda, and Yukihiko, each with their own unique strengths in midfield, and the corresponding strategies showcased a new challenge for Tokyo. It can be said that this match yielded greater gains than just victory.

[Coach Okuma's Comments]

Today, everyone maintained their focus and balance in this heat until the end, and did very well. The schedule was tough, but the amount of exercise did not decrease. Nakai, who played in the second match of the day, also improved, and it was a match with a lot to gain.

(In response to the question, 'Why has Seigo KOBAYASHI been able to play so well recently?')

This season, Seigo KOBAYASHI has become more resilient against challenges. I believe that has contributed to his confidence.

(In response to the question 'Why did you use Horiike?')

The goalkeeper rarely gets a chance (to be substituted) unless there is a serious injury. I wanted Horiike to gain experience on the J1 stage so that he could be ready whenever his opportunity arises (such as if Doi gets injured). Today, he was given a chance because we happened to be leading by three goals.

(In response to the question, 'Sakai was a defender during his student days, but why is he being used as a defensive midfielder?')

I thought Hakai could be used as a defensive midfielder from the moment he joined. He is a very exciting player, and I have high expectations for him.