Full house at home! Defeat the strong Jubilo in an intense game!

　Following the big victory in the last match, expectations are high for this match. The opponent is the strong Júbilo Iwata, currently in second place. Iwata cannot afford to drop any more points in their pursuit of the championship, but today, Tokyo Stadium is filled to capacity with 45,925 spectators, the second-largest crowd in the club's history. Despite the daytime temperature exceeding 36 degrees in Tokyo, we want to showcase the attacking football that represents Tokyo in our home filled with enthusiasm and seize the victory.

　The starting members kicked off in a 4-2-3-1 formation, placing Fukuda as the lone striker, just like in the previous match.

Full House For Visit Of Star-Studded Jubilo

Following the demolition of Sanfecce in the previous game expectations ran high at Tokyo Stadium for the visit of perennial powerhouse Jubilo Iwata, currently lying second in the League and desperate for three points to bolster their title challenge. The mercury topped 36 C in Tokyo at lunchtime but the sweltering heat failed to discourage a bumper 45,925 crowd, the second highest in club history, from turning out to roar on their team.
Tokyo remained unchanged from last week with Fukuda as lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Unable to shoot under severe pressure, allowing the opening goal

　A cautious start, watching the opponent's moves. However, in the 3rd minute, Miyazawa chased a loose ball from deep in midfield and entered the penalty area. In the 4th minute, Tokyo won two consecutive corner kicks, closing in on the Iwata goal. Iwata also tried to develop play by sending forward Takahara and midfielder Fujita into the space on the right side in the 5th and 6th minutes.

　In the 8th minute, Fukuda received a pass from Fujiyama and connected with Kelly, who made a through pass in front of the goal. In the 11th minute, Ishikawa chased down a side change pass that seemed to go out and held it, then cut inside for a through pass. They showed good shape, but in both cases, Toda, who made a run, unfortunately fell into an offside position and missed the chance.

　However, Iwata gradually begins to take control. After winning the ball from a fast press, they connect simply without forcing it in the heat, and the ball won at the defensive line is quickly sent to the forwards, Gura and Takahara, as they look for chances.

　Then, in the 16th minute, MF Namikawa received the ball from a free kick in front of the penalty area and sent a high lob towards the goal. MF Fukunishi and GK Doih collided as they chased the ball, which spilled out. It flowed again to the right side where Fukunishi was, and the return ball deflected off a defender towards the center of the goal. Takahara, who was waiting for this, neatly pushed it into the goal, allowing the first shot of the match from both teams to result in a lead for the opponents.

　Iwata, showing brilliance in passing, dominated the game. In the 35th minute, Grau broke through the defensive line and faced Dohi one-on-one, but Dohi made a fine play to prevent an additional goal. Then, just after that, in the 36th minute, Tokyo saw Ishikawa, who had broken through on the right side with incredible speed from Kelly's through pass, charging towards the goal. He took a precise shot after dribbling, but unfortunately, the ball crossed just wide of the goal.

　Including this, Tokyo had only 2 shots in the first half. Iwata's strong midfield completely stifled Tokyo's attempts to advance, and as Tokyo was forced to defend, they went into the second half trailing by one goal.

F.C. TOKYO Pinned Back, Fall Behind

The home side began brightly, Miyazawa finding some space in the Jubilo area after three minutes and winning a pair of corner kicks. Jubilo countered, looking to free forward Takahara and midfielder Fujita down the right. Some sterling work by Ishikawa set up Toda in the 8th. minute but he was given offside.
Slowly, however, Jubilo began to exert a grip in midfield, winning challenges, playing short, simple passes and aiming for front runners Gral and Takahara.
The visitors took the lead in the 16th. minute with a scrappy goal. Nanami lobbed a free kick into the Tokyo area; Fukunishi and Doi leapt for the ball which then ricocheted off various players and fell kindly to Fukunishi who found Takahara, again via a deflection, a yard in front of the goal line for the simplest of tap ins. Jubilo took the lead with the first shot on target by either team.
The visitors were controlling the game, content to retain possession, force F.C.TOKYO to chase the ball, and wait for their opportunities. The best chance of the game fell to Gral in the 36th. minute as a fine through ball sent him clear of the home defence with only Doi to beat. The Tokyo keeper stood his ground and then dived sharply to his right for a superb save to
deny Jubilo a second goal. Tokyo were inches away from an equaliser moments later as a defence splitting pass from Kelly saw Ishikawa outpace the Jubilo backs with a dazzling burst of speed and hammer a shot wide of the left post.
Including that attempt Tokyo managed only two shots during the first half which finished 0-1, due to the stifling Jubilo midfield which had effectively denied them any time and space on the ball.

The thread of the counterattack is being pulled...

　At the event "Fireworks Night" held on this day, spectacular fireworks were launched during halftime, intended to support the battle for the second half. Tokyo wanted to bring in Amaral to replace Fukuda as a starting point for their counterattack, but it was Iwata that maintained the pace in the second half. The Japan national team duo of Fukunishi and Hattori applied intense pressure with quick closing down to regain possession and control the ball.

　In the 53rd minute, Ishikawa exchanged a one-two pass with Kelly on the right side and charged into the penalty area, taking a bold shot. In the 56th minute, Amaral received a pass from Miyazawa and took a shot. Although there was a noticeable intent to move forward in both instances, they were unable to shake the goal net. Toda's speed was utilized for a breakout, but the three-back defense held firm. Crosses from the side were anticipated and cleared every time.

　In the 57th minute, Iwata substituted Graw for the speedy MF Kawaguchi, who was brought on as a FW. In addition to managing the game comfortably, they applied pressure with their speed. In the 63rd minute, Tokyo substituted Shimoheira for Kina, but just two minutes later, in the 65th minute, Iwata's MF Kawaguchi broke through Tokyo's shallow defensive line with incredible speed and took a shot from close range. This was saved by Doi, who reacted well and deflected it for a corner kick.

　However, from the left corner kick obtained from this, Takahara, who connected at the near side, took a header shot, and it went into the goal. They conceded an additional point, thwarting Tokyo's counterattack mode.

Fightback Smothered

The crowd were treated to an explosive fireworks display at half time and anticipated some fireworks on the pitch as Amaral replaced Fukuda for the second half. The expected fightback failed to materialise though as the Japan double defensive half duo of Hattori and Fukunishi battled unremittingly for the ball. Ishikawa played a neat one-two with Kelly in the 53rd. minute but shot wide in Tokyo's first serious attempt of the half. 
Three minutes later Amaral seizes on a Miyazawa through ball and managed a shot. TOKYO switched their attention to the wings but the Jubilo backline dealt comfortably with the crosses. Jubilo replaced Gral with the speedy Kawaguchi after 57 minutes; TOKYO responded by introducing the equally fast Kina for Shimotaira a few minutes later. Kawaguchi hared past the TOKYO 
defense in the 65th. minute, veered into the area and smashed a shot from point blank range at Doi. Takahara headed home the resultant corner at the near post to kill off TOKYO's nascent fightback. 

Unable to break through the wall of Iwata, a frustrating home defeat for the first time this season

　Still wanting to strike back, Tokyo created chances even while being dominated. In the 72nd minute, after cutting off a pass in the defensive line, Kelly brought the ball into the right goal area, and Toda rushed in front of the goal but just missed connecting. In the 74th minute, from a cross by Toda who broke free on the left side, Amaral made a perfectly timed header. However, it just went slightly to the left.

　From around the 75th minute, we positioned Toda at the top, Ishikawa on the left, and Kelly on the right. In the 76th minute, Toda made a run into the goal area from a superb cross by Ishikawa on the left side, but just missed it.

　Ishikawa's efforts utilizing his speed shone through, and a fast-paced offense and defense unfolded, but Iwata's final line remained focused, and they could not break through the wall. In the 80th minute, Shigenobu was brought in to replace Fujiyama, and they did not give up until the very end, looking for a last chance, but the cruel time-up came. It ended in a frustrating defeat at home for the first time this season without scoring.

　However, although the gap was evident, we did not lose without motivation. Rather than being pessimistic about this result, we want to use it as fuel for the battles ahead. We will switch our mindset and prepare for the next match against Verdy in three days.

[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "It was a complete defeat. We wanted to apply pressure, but Jubilo was a step ahead. Even when we thought we were pressing, they connected well, and we were particularly confused by the movements of their two forwards and the second line. Jubilo was thorough in what they wanted to do. We wanted to connect from both full-backs, but when we were pressured, we panicked and ended up kicking the ball forward. I think that’s when Jubilo found their rhythm. With so many fans in attendance, I wanted to be a bit more aggressive, but we were overwhelmed by Jubilo's players, especially the balanced play of Fukunishi and Hattori. Honestly, my impression is that the opponent knows football very well. However, I want to make sure we can catch up by the next time we face them."

【Summary of Coach Suzuki's Press Conference】 "To win the championship, we absolutely needed 3 points today = a victory for 90 minutes, which I mentioned in the pre-match meeting. It was significant that we fought together as one and achieved victory, and it was a match that leads to the next. There are some minor points for reflection, but it was good that we managed to keep a clean sheet (zero goals conceded). I want to take the coordination with the goalkeeper and the defensive line as major positive factors."

F.C. TOKYO Fall To Season First Home Loss

TOKYO were down but not out and continued to push forward despite limited possession. Toda was inches away from a spectacular leaping volley after 72 minutes and two minutes later Amaral headed a Toda cross fractionally wide.
With 15 minutes remaining TOKYO reshuffled the attack; Toda up front, Ishikawa on the right and Kelly on the left. The pacy Ishikawa caused problems for the Jubilo backline, now visibly tiring, but still a goal wouldn't come. Minowa replaced Fujiyama as a last throw of the dice but Van Zwam repelled the best efforts of the TOKYO eleven and the game finished 0-2.
TOKYO may have posted their first home defeat of the year but certainly didn't lack motivation and battled to the bitter end. They hope to bounce back against Verdy in the Tokyo Derby on Wednesday night.

F.C.TOKYO manager Hara :
" A comprehensive defeat. We were hoping to attack them down the flanks but they closed those avenues down and when we came
through the middle we ran into Fukunishi and Hattori, who were outstanding. I was hoping for a more attacking display for the fans; it wasn't to be but we'll learn from this and give them a better game next time ".

Jubilo manager Suzuki :
" We really needed a win within the 90 minutes to maintain our title challenge and we achieved it by playing as a team. The
defence and goalkeeper did very well and we were delighted to keep a clean sheet ".