Stop the losing streak and aim for the championship

After opening the 2nd stage with five consecutive wins, Tokyo unexpectedly suffered three consecutive losses. In the match against Hiroshima (7/26), midfielder Asari was injured, and in the following match against G Osaka (7/29), both the ace Amaral and the increasingly essential Kina were injured, leading to the departure of key players from the team. The team's situation has also been on a downward trend.

And so, the day of the Nagoya match arrived. For Tokyo, it was important to win this match to avoid tying the worst record of four consecutive losses (from October 3 to October 24) that was set last year, and to stay in the championship race. The opponent, Nagoya, had been gaining momentum recently (although they suffered an extra-time loss to Fukuoka in the previous match, they had won four consecutive matches just before that), but in fact, Nagoya has been a favorable opponent for Tokyo. In past encounters, Tokyo has won both matches: the Emperor's Cup in 1997 (3-1) and the 1st Stage this year (2-1). Additionally, the venue for this match, the Mizuho Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, has also been a good place for Tokyo, as they won twice there in the 1997 Emperor's Cup: in the 3rd Round (against Nagoya) and in the Quarterfinals (against Hiratsuka). This match had all the right conditions to stop the losing streak.

Nagoya with its incredible offensive power

In the 1st stage match against Nagoya, they showcased an attacking style of football centered around STOJKOVIC, with contributions from Robson, Hirano, and Mochizuki. However, the team lacked cohesion; they fell behind but managed to equalize, and then in extra time, they secured victory with Amaral's golden goal. However, the Nagoya team they are facing this time has changed.

Although two "Hinomaru-level" players, Hirano and Mochizuki, have left, the team's direction has been re-unified under Coach Carlos, and as a result, motivation has remained high. Additionally, the attacking power, enhanced by the technically skilled and highly mobile Urita in midfield, the newly joined Weslley, last season's top scorer from Bahia, Brazil, and the "Fairy (Pixie)" STOJKOVIC, was astonishing.

As expected, the match unfolded at Nagoya's pace, gathering the ball for STOJKOVIC. STOJKOVIC has a wide playing area and generally positions himself at the top, but he also occasionally drops deep into midfield to receive the ball. When he engages in hold-up play from the top position, Komine marked him tightly, but with his delicate dribbling touches and exquisite body balance, he easily shook off the mark and delivered a precise pass that seemed to 'pull a thread to the front line.'

In the 8th minute, STOJKOVIC passed to Okayama in the center. Okayama lifted it directly to Weslley in front of the goal, and Weslley shot after shaking off Sandro's mark. In the following 20th minute, STOJKOVIC, who stole the ball in midfield, made a pinpoint through pass to the front of the goal, but it was thwarted by GK Doi's sharp advance. Then, in the 25th minute, he created a scoring opportunity with an artistic bicycle kick that made one wonder if he had eyes in the back of his head, showcasing overwhelming attacking power as they closed in on Tokyo's goal.

It is not STOJKOVIC. Yamaguchi and Urida's precise and stable passing and dribbling from a low position in midfield, along with Okayama bursting forward from the second line, and Weslley, who, despite being a new addition, has pushed Ropius to the bench and shoots aggressively with a unique rhythm, make their thick attack a real threat.

Take advantage of the one chance and score first with TUTO!

On the other hand, Tokyo maintained their focus and responded effectively to Nagoya's strong attacks. "Defend well and then counter." This was a phrase often used to describe Tokyo's style of football at the beginning of their promotion to J1. On this day, they truly embodied that "Tokyo-style football" in their play. The ball may have been kept by Nagoya at a ratio of 3:7, or even 2:8, but it was by no means "Nagoya's pace." Rather, considering that they were intentionally developing their "Tokyo-style football," the match was completely evenly matched, and it wouldn't have been surprising for either team to score first.

In the 21st minute, Fujiyama dribbled up the right side (as the position during the corner kick was on the right side) after the opponent's corner kick mistake, connecting passes from Yukihiko to Seigo KOBAYASHI as they approached the goal. Then, in the 26th minute, they intercepted an opponent's pass mistake, sending the ball from Kamino on the right side to TUTO running forward. TUTO skillfully evaded the opponent with an exquisite chest trap and took a powerful shot, but was unable to score due to the goalkeeper's fine save.

After a fierce back-and-forth that left no room to breathe, a big chance arrived for Tokyo. In the 41st minute, after winning the ball in midfield, Koike dribbled forward and passed to the free TUTO on the left side. TUTO challenged the opposing defender in a one-on-one, feigned going inside, then switched direction with a big kick feint and powerfully struck the ball into the goal with his left foot from a tight angle to score the opening goal. Furthermore, just before the end in the 44th minute, after cutting off an opponent's pass, Yukihiko dribbled forward and passed to Seigo KOBAYASHI in the center. Seigo KOBAYASHI again found the free TUTO on the left side, who took a shot with his right foot, but it was caught directly by the goalkeeper.

Sunk before STOJKOVIC's brilliant skills... First 4 goals conceded this season

Tokyo, who took advantage of few chances in the first half, maintained the same rhythm in the second half. The key was to have everyone focused on defending against the opponent's attacks. The presence of Asari, who returned from injury in this match, was also significant. Although not flashy, Asari's return made it possible to maintain the "defensive balance" that had been forgotten in the last few matches, disrupting Nagoya's strong attacks. However, this "Tokyo-style football" began to lose its balance after conceding a goal.

In the 4th minute of the second half, when Yukihiko and STOJKOVIC competed for a loose ball, Yukihiko easily gave the opponent a corner kick, and STOJKOVIC precisely assisted Okayama at the near side, resulting in an equalizing goal.

Furthermore, STOJKOVIC did not miss the opportunity as Tokyo became unsettled by this "unexpected" goal. In the 8th minute of the second half, STOJKOVIC received the ball in the center and made a pinpoint pass to Yamaguchi, who had run into the open space up front. Yamaguchi directed it to Weslley, who powerfully kicked it into the goal, turning the game around easily.

Tokyo replaced Kamino here with ace Amaral. Although Amaral is not yet at 100%, his spirited chasing boosted the team's morale. With Amaral's introduction, the front line became more stable, and full-back Fujiyama also began to show proactive and effective participation in the attack.

However, Tokyo's momentum ended here. After being turned around, Tokyo had to go for points, and with the full-backs actively participating in the attack, the balance of defense was naturally disrupted. Additionally, whether it was intentional or due to stamina issues, STOJKOVIC neglected defense and remained up front, creating the worst scenario for Tokyo where, after their attacks, they would always face a counter with STOJKOVIC present.

From this point on, it was STOJKOVIC's "one-man show." In the 15th minute of the second half, Weslley broke through on the right side and crossed to the center, where STOJKOVIC held the ball in the penalty area, turned, and passed to Yamaguchi in front of the goal. Yamaguchi received the pass, made a sharp turn to evade his marker, and kicked the ball into the Tokyo goal with his right foot for the third goal. Then, in the 28th minute of the second half, STOJKOVIC, who was holding the ball on the left side, delivered a perfect cross to a spot where neither the defender nor the goalkeeper could reach, making one think, "This is top class." Weslley ran in and headed it in, sealing the deal. In the end, all four goals from Nagoya involved STOJKOVIC. One couldn't help but be impressed by his exemplary passing in terms of strength, accuracy, and timing, along with other world-class plays displayed throughout the match.

Switch your mindset and move on

Four consecutive losses... It would be a lie to say it doesn't hurt. However, the experience of realizing that J1 is such a high-level league will surely be valuable going forward. The losing streak that started with the Hiroshima match included games where Tokyo's strengths were evident, and many were close matches where a win wouldn't have been surprising. But the players have experienced firsthand that in J1, even a "slight difference" can be significant, and they are gradually internalizing this. The corner kicks Yuki gave to the opponent on this day are one example. If you leave an opening, they will target it precisely, and even a small mistake can be fatal... This applies to the entire team as well. Was the focus lost after conceding a goal? In J1, if you lose concentration even for a moment, the opponent will exploit it. The players surely understand this well. To not let these four losses go to waste, it is necessary to quickly reset mentally and raise focus again for the next match. In the week until the next game, let the team unite once more under the slogan "Defeat Kashima!" and believe in victory! And get into battle mode immediately!!

[Coach Okuma's Comments]

In the first half, our characteristic tenacious defense was good. Asari's return improved our balance, and our concentration was high. Even though the ball was dominated by Nagoya, that rhythm was ours.

The goal conceded early in the second half is, in hindsight, a result of the play that gave away the corner kick (by Sato). That was a play that should not have been made. Furthermore, after that goal was conceded, we had no choice but to go for goals, which disrupted the balance of our defense and led to a large number of goals conceded.

From now on, I want to think about how to fight with this team and prepare for the next match over the course of this week.