Win at home!

　In the 2nd stage, Tokyo has been in good form with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, despite losing to Shimizu S-Pulse in the 3rd round. In the previous round, they defeated tough opponent Gamba Osaka for the first time and will be looking to continue their winning streak and gain momentum.

　Hiroshima, on the other hand, has suffered two consecutive come-from-behind losses, but both games have not been scoreless and they boast an attacking formation of 4-3-3. Tokyo lost to Hiroshima 3-0 in the 1st stage of this season and also lost 1 draw and 1 loss in the Nabisco Cup, with no wins so far in their matches. They are not an easy opponent, but we want to somehow grab a victory at home! Tokyo has only won twice at home so far. Everyone knows how important it is to win at home. The team and the front office have put in various efforts and determination for this game. The team, hungry for a home victory, has also brought in their secret weapon, Fukuda, who recently transferred, as their left MF. The game kicked off after a minute of silence to mourn the victims of the tragic simultaneous terrorist attacks that occurred in the United States on the 11th of this month.

Although conceding the first goal early, we will counterattack.

　Tokyo is still focusing on side attacks today, trying to shake up Hiroshima DF with big side changes from the start. In the second minute, Sato repeatedly crosses from the right, but fails to make a shot. Hiroshima also has a strong focus on moving forward, showing a strong attachment to the ball even under intense pressure. Then in the fourth minute, Hiroshima quickly advances the ball from a counter attack with FW Fujimoto -> Kubo, and FW Ogi as a decoy, Fujimoto, who had advanced from behind, aimed for the top right corner of the goal with a skillful shot from outside the penalty area. Although Tokyo DF had enough players, they were unable to press and the ball pierced into the goal, allowing Tokyo to concede the first goal early on.

　Tokyo, who is fighting back, has Amaral sometimes pulling back and sometimes trying to create chances by moving to the side. In the 13th minute, Kelly is fouled and gets a free kick near the penalty area, but Sato's shot goes over the bar. In the 17th minute, from a throw-in, Fuyama receives a pass from the attacking side and Kelly takes a powerful shot, but GK Shimoda catches it. Hiroshima also builds up their midfield and sends passes to the front, but they are unable to create any decisive chances. In the 20th minute, Ohki's middle shot also misses the goal by a large margin.

　After that, Tokyo started with Amaral in the 26th minute, and Fujiyama, who went up the left side, sent a last pass to the penalty area, and MF Fukuda took a shot. However, the powerful ball was blocked by the GK's great save. In the 29th minute, they picked up a loose ball in the midfield and launched a counterattack. In their favorite pattern, Sato sent a ground cross from the right to the front of the goal, but Amaral's shot was saved by the GK again. In the 37th minute, Amaral powerfully headed a long FK from behind, but the GK barely deflected it and escaped to a CK. They couldn't break the goal despite advancing the game, and ended the first half behind.

Fukuda scores first goal after transfer, but...

　In the second half, Hiroshima tried to develop from the midfielder Morisaki by connecting firmly. On the other hand, Tokyo tried to create chances from Sato as in the first half. The attacking and defending continued to go back and forth until about 10 minutes into the second half, but the game changed after that. In the 13th minute, Kelly dribbled from the midfield to the penalty area and made a sharp shot after a one-fake! Although the goalkeeper initially deflected it, the ball rolled in front of Fukuda, who was in front of the goal, and Fukuda calmly passed one defender and took a strong shot. The ball hit the net powerfully and it was a goal!! Fukuda had been involved in few chances so far, but he showed his decisive finishing ability at this crucial moment.

　Tokyo, who wants to catch up with the tie and gain momentum, but in the 64th minute, MF Morisaki from the left midfield passed to the space in front of the front line. FW Ogi caught up and Corica shot the ball back. In the 66th minute, Tokyo also made a quick attack and Sato broke through the right side, but his cross did not reach Fukuda in front of the goal. In the 69th minute, Amaral ran up the right side from a counter attack and took a shot, but it went wide of the goal. In the 74th minute, they quickly took advantage of a loose ball from Hiroshima's corner kick, but ended up being offside. However, they gradually pushed Hiroshima back.

　However, in the fast-paced and humid conditions, the pressure in the midfield decreased and there were more battles in the DF line. In the 77th minute, DF Komine committed a foul near the penalty arc in front of the goal, and from the resulting FK, MF Korika took a middle shot. The ball hit the left corner of the goal post and bounced in. Tokyo quickly found themselves behind once again.

Amaral and Kaga are making a huge comeback in the last 5 minutes!

　However, in the 79th minute, Fukuda was replaced by Kaga and Asari was replaced by Kina. Then, in the 85th minute, Komine was replaced by Yamao. Tokyo tried to connect the ball to the front line by risking their bodies in the final line. In the 86th minute, MF Miura, who ran up the left side, passed to Kaga, who had moved up to support. Kaga aimed for the goal and sent a precise cross, and Amaral, who was waiting free in front of the goal, headed the ball! The ball shook the net, and once again, Amaral and Kaga's combination seized the one chance and equalized again, just like in the previous match!

　Tokyo shows persistence even with less than 5 minutes remaining. In the 89th minute, Hiroshima, anticipating extra time, substitutes in fresh FW Takahashi for Fujimoto. It was at that moment. Kaga passes to Sato on the right side in front of the penalty area, and Sato calmly makes a direct through pass behind the DF line. Kelly, who had been running, quickly turns and makes an exquisite pass in front of the goal as the Hiroshima DFs chase after him. Kaga jumps in and easily volleys the ball into the goal!! With a flowing direct pass and Kaga's second consecutive goal, they finally take the lead for the first time at this time = near the end of the game.

　Hiroshima took the lead twice, but with this goal they seemed to lose their spirit and their comeback was not enough. Tokyo managed to survive the long stoppage time of 5 minutes and ultimately secured the victory. On this day, Tokyo came to the Tokyo Stadium with a strong determination, preparation, and effort to win. They fought until the very end without giving up, united as one. Tokyo believed in the victory and showed their perseverance until the end, with the difference in determination shown by Kaga's consecutive goals in the final round, they secured the victory at home, at the Tokyo Stadium, and rose to 4th place.

[Coach Okuma's Comment]

Kagami, Kina and other substitute players are definitely changing the flow and making a positive impact on the team. Results have been showing since the last match, and both as a team and individually, we have gained confidence. I believe we will continue to move in a better direction. With this momentum, we want to do our best in the remaining league matches.