Defeat the notable Shimizu S-Pulse on their home ground!

　Due to the Japan national team's match, after a two-week interval, Sec. 4 will be an away game against Shimizu S-Pulse. This match is a showdown between the 3rd and 4th place teams, but Shimizu boasts in-form national team players such as MF Mitsunashi, Ichikawa, and Toda, making them the team to watch. They have won all their league matches, including two in extra time. It will be a tough game against a formidable opponent on their home ground, but in past encounters, both teams have had an equal record of 2 wins and 2 losses, so we hope for another exciting match this time. And let's aim for victory!

Repulse S-Pulse!

Following a two-week break for international games the fourth round of matches saw F.C.TOKYO visit Shimizu S-Pulse. Fourth placed S-Pulse, unbeaten this season and boasting Japanese internationals in Santos, Toda and Ichikawa, all on top form for club and country, were expected to prove a formidable opponent for the visitors. F.C.TOKYO travelled in hope however, as previous games between the sides have been close affairs, with the record currently two wins apiece, and no draws.

Taking the lead with Amaral's goal in a fierce display of fighting spirit!

　Tokyo's right side, Sato, and left side, Seigo KOBAYASHI, versus Shimizu's left side, Mito, and right side, Ichikawa, in a "side attack showdown" is the highlight of today's match. One minute into the match, Shimizu's Ichikawa made a run into the space on the right side, but Seigo KOBAYASHI stopped him with a fierce challenge. Next, forward Kuboyama attempted to forcefully penetrate the penalty area with a skillful dribble, but Shitaira held firm and won the ball back. Tokyo's fighting spirit is strong today as well.

　In the 4th minute, Miyazawa was fouled just outside the penalty area, and although he aimed for a direct goal from the free kick, it unfortunately went over the bar. In the 10th and 12th minutes, Sato created chances from crosses, but the opposing defense cleared the ball. On the other hand, in the 13th minute, Shimizu's midfielder Sawatari passed to forward Baron, who was free and took a header shot, but it went straight to goalkeeper Doi. Shortly after, Tokyo stole a loose ball and connected from Asari to Miyazawa, and finally, Kelly boldly attempted a shot, but Shimizu's goalkeeper Kurokawa caught it. Both teams displayed some misplays due to lack of coordination, but they fought with fierce determination.

　In the 19th minute, Kuboyama broke through with a through pass from Sawadono and took a shot. Immediately after, Baron struck a powerful shot with his foot from a cleared ball by Tokyo's defense. However, both were saved by Dohi with precise plays. The possession was about even, but Shimizu created slightly more chances. Shimizu's Ichikawa on the right was in good form, initiating attacks one after another, but Shimohira and Ito held them back with determined plays. In the 25th minute, Tokyo made a quick transition, with Seigo KOBAYASHI, Kelly, and Sato combining to approach the goal, but they could not take a shot. In the 26th minute, Sato was fouled by Mito and earned a free kick, with Miyazawa aiming for the goal.

　It was a time when Tokyo launched an offensive. In the 28th minute, Kelly broke through behind the defense from a lob pass by Miyazawa and took a shot, but the opposing goalkeeper made a fine save, resulting in a corner kick. From that left corner kick, the opening goal was scored. Ito connected with a header from Sato's kicked ball, and Amaral scored with a header! Tokyo took the lead with a goal from a corner kick, marking their second goal of the season.

　After that, Tokyo defended against Shimizu's counterattack, centered around Jean's physical play. There were difficult moments when they couldn't pick up loose balls, but they continued to show a proactive attitude of stealing and attacking, finishing the first half.

Amaral Opens the Scoring!

All eyes were on the "Battle of the Wings" as Sato and Minoru Kobayashi lined up for F.C.TOKYO against Santos and Ichikawa for S-Pulse; and it was the latter who burst down the right straight from the kick off, only to be stopped in his tracks by Kobayashi. Soon after, S-Pulse forward Kuboyama dribbled into the area but Shimotaira stuck close and stole the ball. F.C.TOKYO were displaying their customary fighting spirit.
Sato made some headway down the right and curled in a couple of crosses, but the home defence dealt with the danger. At the other end Baron connected with Sawanobori's cross but Doi held his header. Both teams were guilty of some loose play, but the commitment wasn't in doubt. In the 19th minute a Sawanobori through pass let in Kuboyama for a shot that was blocked and
moments later Doi made a solid save to deny Baron. Possession was about fifty-fifty but S-Pulse were creating the better chances, with the sparkling Ichikawa the chief instigator.
F.C.TOKYO produced their best chance in the 28th minute when a delicate lob from Miyazawa allowed Kelly to get behind the home defence and fire in a powerful shot that the keeper did well to turn behind for a corner. Sato curled an inviting ball in, Minoru Kobayashi flicked it on and Amaral planted a firm header beyond the keeper for the opening goal. F.C.TOKYO had taken the lead with only their second corner of the season! S-Pulse piled on the pressure but the Tokyo defence, marshalled by Jean, maintained their discipline and the first half ended 1-0.

Shimizu shows their determination at home, equalizing the score

　In the second half, Shimizu substituted Kubo with midfielder Toda, moved Sawatari to the top, and pushed midfielder Hiramatsu, who was playing as a defensive midfielder, one line forward to launch a counterattack. Just after the start, in the 46th minute, Mito's exquisite cross found Sawatari, who broke free and shot while competing with the defender, but it narrowly missed to the left of the goal. In the 52nd minute, Baron headed a ball from Mito again. The powerful shot was blocked by the ground and the post, and Tokyo was saved from a major crisis thanks to the opponent's mistake. Tokyo utilized Kelly's strong ball retention to approach Shimizu's goal, but a movement that aimed to exploit the space behind the defenders was caught offside. In the 14th minute, Kobayashi's cross saw goalkeeper Kurokawa come out to make a save, and from the rebound, Sato connected the ball to Kelly, who shot. It was a decisive chance, but the defender cut it off just a step away.

　Shimizu, regaining their trademark quick passing, finds their rhythm. Tokyo applies pressure to disrupt that rhythm, but Mito's play, which had been lackluster in the first half, suddenly comes to life, creating chances one after another. In the 69th minute, Mito engages in a one-on-one duel with Minoru KOBAYASHI just outside the left penalty area, earning a corner kick. In the 70th minute, Dohi calmly takes a lob shot aimed at the goal as he rushes out. Just in the nick of time, Minoru KOBAYASHI clears it. The stands erupt with excitement at this series of plays by Mito, rallying together to support the counterattack. Then, in the 72nd minute, Ichikawa cuts in from the right side and delivers a cross. Although Tokyo's DF initially clears it, Ichikawa retrieves it again and sends it into the penalty area. MF Yoshida connects, and finally, Sawatari cuts back on the DF marking him and shoots. Sawatari's determined play finds the back of the net, leveling the score for Tokyo.

　After that, Shimizu aggressively attacked. Perhaps due to rising temperatures, Tokyo struggled to pick up loose balls and could not cross the halfway line. In the 76th minute, Hoshi replaced Sato, and in the following 79th minute, FW Toda, who made his first appearance of the season, replaced Seigo KOBAYASHI in an attempt to break the difficult situation. However, the subsequent counterattacks from both teams saw the final lines show fierce defense, preventing any goals. After 90 minutes, the match went into extra time.

S-Pulse Fight Back

At half time S-Pulse reshuffled to a more attacking formation with Toda replacing Kuboyama, Sawanobori pushed forward into a striking role and Hiramatsu moving up to fill the space he vacated. Sawanobori nearly had the equaliser in the 46th minute but his shot from a perfect Santos cross sailed fractionally wide. Six minutes later Baron headed another pinpoint
cross from Santos against the post; poor finishing from their opponents kept F.C.TOKYO in the game. Kelly worked tirelessly to retain possession and relieve the pressure and nearly made it two when S-Pulse keeper Kurokawa spilled a Kobayashi cross in the 59th minute, but saw his shot blocked.
As the half progressed S-Pulse began to find their rhythm with Santos, invisible in the first half, exerting his influence on the left. He brought the crowd to their feet in the 70th minute with a lob over the charging Doi that Minoru Kobayashi cleared off the line. Two minutes later the scores were level as Ichikawa picked up a clearance from his own cross and burst into the area, the ball finding its way to Sawanobori who slotted home.
S-Pulse poured forward in search of the winner as F.C.TOKYO defended in depth, rarely managing to get out of their own half. Toda made his first appearance of the season in the 79th minute but was unable to break the deadlock and the ninety minutes finished all square.

Despite a valiant effort, they sank in the extra time V goal, suffering their first defeat of the season.

　Tokyo was caught up, but as they entered extra time, they switched their mindset and maintained an aggressive stance. In the 92nd minute, they regained the ball in midfield and, starting with Amaral, quickly moved forward with Kelly, Toda, and Hoshi. In the end, no one was able to connect with Hoshi's cross, but it was a play that reflected their intention to move forward.

　However, the ending came unexpectedly quickly. In the 94th minute, Hirama connected a clearance from the DF and dribbled down the right side, launching a quick counterattack. Hirama drew in the DF and sent a last pass to FW Tsubitanovich, who was making a run up the left side. Tsubitanovich calmly took the shot. Although the Tokyo DF had cut off the angle, Tsubitanovich's skillful shot surpassed that, and the intense match came to a close.

　Tokyo played with great determination and effort up to this point, but ultimately succumbed to Shimizu's clever and unpredictable play. However, it was by no means a bad performance. Let's switch our mindset and prepare for the next battle!

[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "In the end, the players were fatigued. I think we were able to play our game from the start of the first half, but gradually fatigue set in, and we were a little slow to respond to Shimizu's outside players, Mito and Ichikawa. However, there were chances throughout the match. If we can not only break through vertically at Sato and Seigo KOBAYASHI's positions but also maintain possession, the two full-backs can get more involved in the attack, and we can fight at our own rhythm. It was our first defeat, but the players did well. There is still a long way to go, so we need to make corrections where necessary and work hard for the next match."

Extra Time Goal Sinks TOKYO

F.C.TOKYO started extra time on the offensive, with some neat interplay allowing Hoshi to cross but the ball evaded the TOKYO front line. In the 94th minute, an S-Pulse counter attack allowed Hiramatsu to burst down the right and his early cross field ball found Cvitanovic free on the left. The striker coolly fired past Doi from the edge of the area for the winning goal.
Despite the loss, F.C.TOKYO can draw some consolation from their performance, particularly in the first half.

Manager Hara: "The players worked very hard and fought to the end. We were able to impose ourselves on the game in the first half, but tiredness crept in as the game progressed. It's our first loss of the season, but there's still a long way to go yet. We're going to work on the areas of our game that need fixing and give it our all in the next match."