Can we achieve six consecutive wins!? A match against Hiroshima, known for their solid defense

　The 6th round, welcomed with a 5-game winning streak at the start of the 2nd stage. The opponent is Sanfrecce Hiroshima, currently in 7th place. Hiroshima boasts a solid defense with a total of 15 goals conceded in the 1st stage. Although they have lost their last two matches, conceding 6 goals, the strength of their three-back defense led by Popovic, along with Uemura and Ito, should not be underestimated. Additionally, how to contain their ace Kubo, who possesses outstanding finishing and ball retention skills, will be a focal point of today's match.

　Tokyo's starting lineup is the same as last match, with Kina and Asari as the double pivot in midfield, Yukiho on the right side, and Masuda on the left. The rain that had been falling since last night has stopped, and the match kicked off on a field with a temperature of 25 degrees, easing the heat.

While dominating the game, they allowed the opening goal from the "most dangerous FW"'s strike.

　From the start, Tokyo controlled the ball. However, Hiroshima countered with organized defense. The match showcased the strengths of both teams.

Tokyo's full-back Fujiyama often pushes forward, creating chances from the left in combination with Masuda. However, Hiroshima's defensive awareness, not only in the back line but also among the midfield players, and their quick transitions between offense and defense make it difficult to get a shot off. In the midst of this back-and-forth, Asari collided with an opponent and injured his left foot around the 5-minute mark. Although he briefly returned to the field, he was unable to continue playing and was forced to substitute with Koike in the 12th minute.

　The first chance for Tokyo seemed to come in the 14th minute. After connecting a goal kick from Doi, Masuda passed the ball forward. It looked like it would reach Yukihiko, who had broken through the defensive line, but Hiroshima GK Shimoda quickly came out to make the save. Shortly after, Yukihiko, who broke through on the right side, delivered a cross, but Shimoda caught that as well. In the 17th minute, after Masuda's pass from the left was dropped by Amaral in the center, TUTO ran in and took a shot from outside the penalty area. It was the first shot for both teams, but it went straight to the GK.

　In the 18th minute, Hiroshima had a header shot from Popovic from a set piece. In response, Tokyo had a header shot from Sandro from a corner kick in the 19th minute, but both went off target.

　Although they couldn't create a decisive chance, Tokyo was attacking the match with an advantage. They should have been able to handle Hiroshima's counterattacks with composure. However, in the 21st minute, a long throw from the left side by Hiroshima's Umemura was headed down by Popovic in front of the goal, and Kubo, who was free there, shot with his left foot! In the blink of an eye, the ball was sucked into the goal, and they allowed the first goal due to a momentary lapse.

Once again caught off guard, the first two goals conceded in the 2nd stage...

　Even when behind, Tokyo tries to expand wide with Amaral as the starting point without rushing, but they often face the tough checks from the Hiroshima defense, who gain momentum after taking the lead, resulting in many instances of losing the ball.

　However, in the 28th minute, TUTO sent a superb through ball from a throw-in to Masuda, who took a shot. In the 30th minute, Amaral made a header from a corner kick, creating a bold chance. In the 36th minute, Amaral, TUTO, and Masuda launched a fast break with quick transitions, but they were stopped by the Hiroshima defense, who defended tenaciously until the end. In the 38th minute, Naito made a header from a corner kick. In the following 40th minute, they initiated a counterattack, and TUTO brought the ball from Amaral into the right side of the penalty area, faking out two defenders, but Shimada caught the finish. ...They just can't seem to break through for a goal.

　Conversely, in the 44th minute of the first half with little time remaining, a long ball from Hiroshima's DF line reached Kubo, who was on the left side of the front line. Kubo dribbled into the penalty area, executed a feint, and took a shot towards the goal. There, another forward, Fujimoto, ran in between the Tokyo DF and connected with the ball to score. This play showcased Fujimoto's true ability, as he is originally a midfielder known for making runs from the second line, and in an instant, Tokyo found themselves two goals behind...

A fierce counterattack with an offensive formation! Tokyo's football that never gives up until the end

　In the second half, Tokyo had no choice but to go for a goal, substituting Kamino for Yukihiko. With Kamino at the top, Amaral in the center, TUTO on the left, and Masuda on the right, they approached the game. Just after the start, in the 47th minute, Kamino made a diving header from a cross by Masuda! Although it just missed the goal, it was a play that soon hinted at a goal.

　However, on the other hand, Hiroshima also brought in Hajime MORIYASU to replace the attacking midfielder Hattori. Although Kuwahara, who had been positioned at the bottom of the midfield, was moved forward, they are solidifying their defensive posture. In the 48th minute, they connected the ball won in midfield to the DF, launching it quickly to the forward Fujimoto from the back line. Fujimoto dribbled past the Tokyo DF trying to return and took a shot. Although the goal missed, Hiroshima also demonstrated a quick counterattack from their solid defense.

　Still, Tokyo continues to attack relentlessly. In the 56th minute, from a set piece, Kinama connects with Fujiyama, and finally, Amaral makes a header shot. In the 57th minute, TUTO and Kamino execute a one-two to advance towards the goal, and in the following 58th minute, Amaral reacts to a through pass from TUTO, but fails to finish in front of Hiroshima's solid defense. Although Tokyo is dominating, they begin to show signs of frustration in front of Hiroshima's goal, which has five players in the final line. The situation remains stagnant as they keep throwing the ball in, only to have it bounced back by the high defense. Unable to score a single goal, Tokyo substitutes Koike for Kobayashi in the 78th minute. Kobayashi is positioned on the right side, Masuda in the center, and Fujiyama takes a higher position to increase the number of players in the front line for an all-out attack.

　And finally, in the 84th minute, TUTO, who evaded the defender on the left side of the penalty area, made a last pass in front of the goal. Kamino connected and scored! It was the moment they finally secured a goal.

　Tokyo enters an incredible counterattack mode from here. Encouraged by the cheers of the entire stadium, even Sandro moves up to the front line and continues to attack. However, in the 87th minute, Amaral connects a goal kick from Dohi with a header, and Kamino's shot, which he took after advancing into the goal area, grazes the hands of goalkeeper Shimoda and hits the post. Despite not losing focus until the end, they were unable to score even during the 4 minutes of stoppage time against the Hiroshima defense. In the end, despite taking 16 shots, they could not convert any into goals against Hiroshima's 9 shots, finishing with a score of 1 to 2. They suffered their first defeat of this stage.

　However, while the winning streak has stopped, it is also true that Tokyo showed a fighting spirit and did not give up until the end. I want to carry this feeling into the top match against Gamba Osaka in two days.

THOMSON's Comments

"I was really happy with today's victory since we had lost two matches in a row, but I think we won as we should have. The tactics worked well, and the players encouraged each other and did a great job. We should have secured the game by scoring the third goal, but in the last 20 minutes, Tokyo played very well. They brought the game back. We had several chances to score the third goal, but we couldn't finish, and it became a difficult match."

Director Okuma's Comments

"It wasn't decisive, but we had several scoring chances. Missing those chances led to a delay in switching from defense to midfield. I think it was a lapse in concentration, and conceding a goal in such a predictable manner during that time had a significant impact on this match. We have always been able to score first, so being two goals behind was tough. However, in terms of the team going for a goal, there are still issues, but I believe the atmosphere and mentality of being a team that can score were evident. I want to start over again for the next match."