Aiming for consecutive wins, we head to the away Saitama.S Stadium!

　The attacking soccer of 'Hara Tokyo' exploded, winning the opening match with a performance that can be called the best game in the J League. To prove that this strength is not a fluke, victory is necessary in the upcoming match as well. However, above all, the question is how offensively they can play, as the quality of soccer is being tested. It will be an away game at Saitama Stadium, but we want to defeat Urawa Reds with a fighting spirit that matches the previous match.

　However, Tokyo's key player for the side attack, Sato, is absent due to injury. The right side midfielder will be Hoshi, who will make his J1 debut in this match.

Streaking into Saitama

With the accolades from last week's stirring victory over the Antlers still ringing in their ears, F. C. Tokyo made the short journey to Urawa looking to prove it was no fluke. Could they reproduce the same form in the intimidating atmosphere of the Saitama stadium? Dashing winger Sato was sidelined by injury, allowing Daisuke Hoshi to make his first team debut on the right of midfield.

Constantly engaged in a fierce battle for the ball, unable to establish a rhythm

　Connecting the kickoff ball, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI breaks through from the left side and challenges. The cross-type ball was caught by the opposing goalkeeper, but it was a first play that raised expectations for today's game. However, after that, the development was evenly matched. Intense checks in the midfield and final line led to a stalemate, preventing either side from establishing a rhythm.

　Tokyo's Seigo KOBAYASHI, Hoshi, and Miura create chances from the sides, but the crosses are cut off by the opposing defense and do not lead to shots. In the 12th minute, Hoshi picked up a loose ball from a corner kick and took the first shot of the match for both teams. In the 16th minute, Miyazawa's direct free kick from over 30 meters went over the bar. In the 22nd minute, Jean took a powerful shot from a free kick, but it went wide to the right of the goal.

　Urawa, on the other hand, has FW Emerson drifting to the side to create opportunities, but the subsequent combinations are not working well. They frequently sent passes from the back to exploit the space on the side, but Tokyo's defense responded well and did not allow any shots.

　In that moment, Seigo KOBAYASHI took a bold mid-range shot for 30 minutes. The opposing goalkeeper was overwhelmed by the momentum and fumbled, allowing Kelly to follow up and lift the ball towards the goal. However, it narrowly missed to the right, resulting in a missed opportunity.

　The intense battle for the ball continued, and around the 34th minute, Miura was injured. In the 36th minute, Shimohira received a warning for rough play. In the 39th minute, Asari came on to replace the injured Miura, but ultimately the first half ended with a score of 0-0, and they turned to the second half.

Both Sides Struggle to Find Rhythm

Straight from the kick off Masamitsu Kobayashi raced down the left wing and curled in a centre; the Reds keeper held the ball but Tokyo seemed to have started the way they finished the previous game. Unfortunately this proved to be a false dawn as neither side was able to seize control of the midfield and the Reds defence dealt comfortably with the crosses Tokyo could muster. Twelve minutes had elapsed before Hoshi managed the first shot of the game. Four minutes later Miyazawa blasted a 30 metre free kick over the bar and in the 22nd. minute Jean fired narrowly wide. 
Despite Emerson's promptings the Reds attack was toothless and barely threatened the Tokyo goal. Tokyo nearly took the lead in the 30th. minute after the home keeper spilled Kobayashi's sharp drive, but Kelly's toe poke sailed just the wrong side of the post. 
The midfield battle heated up with Miura suffering an injury after 34 minutes and Shimotaira receiving a yellow card soon after. Asari replaced Miura and the first half ended 0-0. 

Star's assist, Masamitsu KOBAYASHI scores in consecutive matches to take the lead!

　In the 46th minute, Seigo KOBAYASHI cut the loose ball, and Amaral, Kelly, and Hoshi quickly transitioned from defense to attack, rushing towards the goal. Hoshi's cross was cut off by the defender, but it showcased a quick change of play. In the 47th minute, Asari advanced and spread the pass to the side, persistently picking up the loose balls and sending them forward. The second half started with such good plays.

　Then, in the 50th minute, Shimohei sent a vertical pass to Hoshi, who was drifting to the left. Hoshi dribbled forward into the center and quickly crossed the ball in front of the goal. As the ball was about to drop, Seigo KOBAYASHI ran in, jumped, and connected with it, sending the ball rolling into the goal! This was KOBAYASHI's third consecutive goal, tying him for the top scorer in just two matches!! It wasn't a beautiful goal by any means, but it counted as a "point." Always looking for opportunities and putting his body on the line—along with Hoshi's assist, his determination to score resulted in a fantastic goal.

Hoshi Lays On The Opener for Kobayashi

F. C. Tokyo began the second half in determined mood. A lightning fast counter attack in the 46th minute set the tone with Asari joining in and battling to regain possession after it broke down. Tokyo took the lead in the 50th minute as Hoshi cut inside on the left and launched an early cross to the far post where Masamitsu Kobayashi leapt to direct the ball beyond the keeper with the faintest of touches. Three goals in two games and joint top scorer status for Kobayashi, a valuable assist on his debut for Hoshi. Not the most beautiful goal ever scored but they all count.

Solid defense remains! Despite difficulties, we defended together and secured 3 points.

　Tokyo wanted to take the lead and gain momentum, but an accident occurred suddenly. In the 55th minute, Urawa's right winger Yamada's advance was stopped by Shitaira using his body. After receiving a second warning for this play, he was sent off. With Tokyo down to 10 men, in the 58th minute, they substituted Komine for Hoshi on the left side. Seigo KOBAYASHI moved to the right side. Conversely, Urawa brought in the speedy forward TUTO in the 60th minute, replacing midfielder Ariuson.

　Tokyo could not escape the disadvantage, and in the 62nd minute, TUTO and immediately after, Emerson, took consecutive heading shots. In the 64th minute, a through pass from Shirodate to TUTO was well judged by goalkeeper Doi, who made a fine save. In the 68th minute, a superb pass from TUTO reached Emerson, and although Doi bravely dove in, he was evaded. It was a critical moment, but Emerson's shot was cleared by Komine, who returned with all his might. Tokyo maintained their concentration and defended well.

　In the 81st minute, Urawa substituted MF Dobashi for FW Tanaka, forming a four-top attack. In response, Tokyo brought in Fukuda to the front line in the 84th minute, replacing the injured Ito. Amaral was moved to midfield, with CB Komine and left side Asari in the formation. However, even when they cut or cleared the ball, they were quickly dispossessed, leading to a difficult period of domination. During this time, Amaral dropped back to defend when Urawa launched the ball into the area. Even while under pressure, he made sure to push forward during the few chances that arose, tirelessly leading the team with a calm and passionate play.

　Tokyo, who remained calm until the end, defended against Urawa's fierce attacks as a team and finished the match. With a defensive style of play that was a stark contrast to the previous match, they managed to hold onto their one-goal lead. Although they couldn't showcase their ideal attacking football, it can be said that they demonstrated their "way of fighting in away games." This year, Tokyo has shown that they possess not only attacking prowess but also the ability to defend resolutely. They displayed a solid defense built on the "foundation" established by Okuma's football, and with midfielder Seigo KOBAYASHI diving into the box to score, they achieved a valuable victory with a "new attacking" style of play.

[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "It was a tough match. We were able to attack aggressively against Kashima, but the Reds started to throw in early. Ideally, we should have connected a bit more with Miyazawa and Miura, but perhaps due to the condition of the grass, we struggled to find our rhythm in the first half and got tangled up, losing possession and allowing them to enter space. Amaral and Kelly were marked man-to-man by the defense, so at halftime, we discussed that we should try to enter the space created on the opposite side by those two a bit more easily. It was good that we were able to score through the connection from Hoshi to Kobayashi as planned, but with the red card and injuries, it was chaotic, yet the players defended well. I believe this is a valuable asset from last year. I want to thank the players, but there are still many areas that need correction. Next is at home, so we will go all out."

Ten man Tokyo Weather Red Storm for Vital Win

Buoyed by the goal Tokyo were looking to press their advantage but suffered a blow just five minutes later as Shimotaira received his second yellow card for a block on Yamada. Tokyo reshuffled quickly; Komine replaced Hoshi and Masamitsu Kobayashi switched to the right. The Reds brought on speedy forward Tuto in place of Harison. 
The expected bombardment of the Tokyo goal began with Tuto flashing two headers wide and Doi pulling off a superb save from the same player a few minutes later. In the 68th minute a glorious through ball from Tuto set Emerson free in the area; Doi smothered his first attempt and Komine was on hand to clear the follow up off the line. Desperate for an equalizer the Reds brought on Fukuda in the 81st minute for a four man front line. Tokyo responded by replacing Ito with Fukuda and dropping Amaral back into midfield where he performed heroically, joining in the defence and racing forward when Tokyo regained possession. 
The Reds were unable to find a way through the solid Tokyo defence and the game finished 1-0. Not the sparkling attacking football of the opening game but an object lesson in away game tactics: the defensive tenacity developed under previous manager Kiyoshi Okuma, coupled with another goal from midfield by Kobayashi won the day, and the three points, for Tokyo. 

Manager Hara: That was a tough game. The Reds are a fast breaking team and in the first half Miura and Miyazawa didn't quite link up so well, the pitch was in poor condition and we couldn't find our rhythm. The defenders manmarking Amaral and Kelly were tiring so at half time I told the players to use the space this created for us on the opposite side. They did and Hoshi found Kobayashi for the goal. The red card and injuries were distractions but the team defended very well, and I appreciate that. There are still many areas to work on but we'll be going flat out at the next home game.