Aiming for consecutive wins, we will invade away at Saitama Stadium!

　"Urawa Reds" explosive attacking soccer, a victory in the opening game that can be called the best game in the J-League. In order to prove that this strength is not just a fluke, a victory is necessary in the following match. But above all, the quality of soccer will be tested by how aggressively we can play. It will be an away game at the Saitama Stadium, but we want to defeat Urawa Reds with a fighting spirit and a soccer style that is not inferior to the previous match.

　However, Sato, the key player of Tokyo's side attack, will be absent due to injury. As a result, Hoshi, who will make his J1 debut in this match, will start as the right side half.

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.

Unable to create a rhythm due to intense ball battles.

　Kobayashi Masamitsu breaks through from the left side and immediately competes by connecting the kickoff ball. The cross ball was caught by the opponent's GK, but it was a first play that raised expectations for today's game. However, after that, the game was evenly matched. Both teams were unable to establish a rhythm due to intense checks in the midfield and final line.

　Tokyo's Kobayashi, Hoshi, and Miura create chances from the side, but the cross is cut off by the opposing DF and they are unable to take a shot. In the 12th minute, Hoshi picked up a loose ball from a corner kick and took the first shot for both teams combined. In the 16th minute, Miyazawa's direct free kick from 30 meters hit the top of the bar. In the 22nd minute, Jean took a powerful shot from a free kick, but it missed to the right of the goal.

　Urawa, on the other hand, FW Emerson moves to the side and tries to attack, but the following combination does not work well. They were frequently sent passes from the back to the side space, but Tokyo DF responded well and did not allow them to take a shot.

　In the 30th minute, Seigo Kobayashi takes a bold mid-range shot. The opposing GK is overwhelmed and spills the ball, which Kelly follows up on and lifts towards the goal. However, it narrowly misses to the right, missing a close chance.

　The intense battle for the ball continued, with Miura getting injured around the 34-minute mark and Shimodaira receiving a warning for rough play at the 36-minute mark. Asari came in to replace the injured Miura at the 39-minute mark, but the first half ended with a score of 0-0 and the teams headed into 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 center; 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 defense 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 meter 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.

Assisted by Masamitsu KOBAYASHI, the star player, Seigo KOBAYASHI, scored two consecutive goals to take the lead!

　46 minutes, Seigo KOBAYASHI cuts off a loose ball and Amaral, Kelly, and Hoshi quickly turn the defense into an attack and rush towards the goal. Hoshi's cross was cut off by the defender, but it was a quick play. In the 47th minute, Asari advances and spreads the ball to the side, persistently picking up loose balls and sending them to the front line. The second half started with such a great play.

　And at the 50th minute, Shimohira made a vertical pass to the left side where Hoshi was drifting, and Hoshi dribbled towards the center and quickly crossed the ball in front of the goal. As the ball was falling, Seigo Kobayashi ran in and jumped to make the shot, and the ball rolled into the goal! This was Seigo Kobayashi's third consecutive goal, tying him for the top scorer in two games and giving his team the lead! It may not have been a beautiful goal, but it was still worth "1 point". Always looking for opportunities and putting their bodies on the line - including Hoshi's assist - their determination to score produced 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! We held on together through the tough times and earned 3 points.

　Tokyo, who wanted to take the lead and gain momentum, was suddenly hit by an accident. In the 55th minute, Urawa's right winger Yamada was stopped by Shimodaira with his body. With this play, Shimodaira received his second warning and was sent off. With Tokyo now down to 10 players, in the 58th minute, Kominato was substituted in for Hoshi and placed on the left side. Seigo Kobayashi moved to the right side. On the other hand, Urawa substituted in speedy forward TUTO for MF Alison in the 60th minute.

　Tokyo was in a disadvantage and in the 62nd minute, TUTO and immediately after, Emerson scored consecutive header shots. In the 64th minute, a through pass from Shiroyama to TUTO was met with a fine save by GK Doi. In the 68th minute, a perfect pass from TUTO to Emerson was made, but Doi bravely dove in and avoided it. It was a desperate situation, but Emerson's shot was cleared by Koizumi who gave it his all. Tokyo defended well, with each player staying focused.

　Urawa made a substitution in the 81st minute, bringing in FW Tanaka for MF Dobashi to form a 4-top. On the other hand, Tokyo made a substitution in the 84th minute, bringing in Fukuda to the front line for the injured Ito. Amaral was moved to the midfield, with CB Komine and left side Asari forming the lineup. However, whether cutting, clearing, or regaining possession, they continued to struggle and be dominated. In the midst of this, Amaral would drop back to the final line as soon as he saw Urawa send the ball in, defending with all his might. And even while being attacked, when a small chance came, he would push forward to the front line with precision. He spared no effort and led the team passionately and calmly, playing according to the situation.

　Tokyo, who did not panic until the end, defended against Urawa's fierce attacks with all members and time was up. With a completely different defensive soccer from the previous match, they were able to protect their one point. Although they were not able to show their ideal attacking soccer, it can also be said that they showed their "way of fighting in an away game". This year's Tokyo has proven that they have the ability to not only attack, but also defend. They were able to achieve a valuable victory by demonstrating a strong defense built on the "base" of Ohkuma soccer, and with midfielder Seigo Kobayashi scoring a goal by jumping into the goal area, they showed a "attacking" new soccer style.

[Summary of Manager Hara's Press Conference] "It was a tough game. We were able to attack against Kashima, but Reds were able to throw in early. Originally, we should have connected more with Miyazawa and Miura, but maybe because of the condition of the turf, we were caught up and lost possession before we could establish a rhythm in the first half. Amaral and Kelly were marked man-to-man by the defenders, so at halftime, I talked about trying to get them into the space on the opposite side that they created a little more easily. It was good that we were able to score with the formation of Hoshi and Kobayashi as planned, but we had a red card and an injured player, and the players were able to defend well despite the chaos. I think it's an asset from last year. I want to thank the players, but there are still many areas that need to be corrected. Next is a home game, so we'll 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.