We want to break the losing streak and share joy at home!

　In Sec. 14, we will face the Urawa Reds, who are currently in 4th place in the 2nd stage. Tokyo is in 6th place, but has been lacking brilliance in the last two matches, suffering consecutive losses. Today, being the final home match, we want to win at all costs to share the joy and show our gratitude for the support from the stands throughout the season. Our goal is to win with FC Tokyo's style of football. That's all.

　Urawa, despite finishing as runners-up in the Nabisco Cup held earlier, is currently on a four-game losing streak in the league. While their strong performance in the first half of the stage has faded, it is important to note the two key players, Emerson and TUTO. Additionally, we cannot underestimate the solid defense, including rookie DF Tsuboi, who has been selected for the Japan national team.

　Tokyo continues with rookie Baba starting in the lineup, just like in the previous match. They are approaching the game without a goalkeeper on the bench. On the other hand, Urawa also has no defenders on the bench, indicating an offensive determination from both teams in this matchup. The stands, filled with over 36,000 fans, were enveloped in the excitement of both teams' supporters as they kicked off amidst a thrilling atmosphere.

Going Out With A Bang

The 14th game of the J.League second stage saw Urawa Reds visit Tokyo Stadium. Urawa, fourth in the table, were mired in a four game losing streak entering the match but, with ace strikers Tuto and Emerson, plus Japan defender Tsuboi, would surely prove difficult opponents.
TOKYO named the same starting eleven as in the previous match, with youngster Baba keeping his position. Interestingly, neither team had a substitute keeper on the bench, a possible indication of the coaches' attacking intent. The raucous crowd of over 36,000 that filled the stadium certainly were hoping for a thrilling game; F.C.TOKYO were aiming for a victory in the last home league game of the year as a "thank you" to their loyal fans for their support over the season. The atmosphere in the stadium reached fever pitch as the home side kicked off on a chilly afternoon in West Tokyo.

Dominate and create chances even under intense pressure...

　Both teams press each other with incredible intensity right from the kickoff. Just under a minute into the match, Miyazawa picks up a clearance from the Urawa defense and sends a floating pass forward. Baba breaks free in front of the goal and takes a shot unmarked, but the goalkeeper makes a save. Ishikawa then shoots the loose ball, but it goes over the bar. Tokyo misses a big chance early in the game. In the 2nd minute, following a breakthrough by forward Emerson, Urawa attacks the Tokyo goal with three consecutive corner kicks, foreshadowing a fierce game filled with the determination of both sides.

　Urawa's DF Tsuboi marked Amaral tightly, while DF Muroi, who entered as a defensive midfielder, closely marked Kelly. After that, Tokyo had more possession of the ball, but they couldn't break through in the midfield battles. In the 12th minute, Miyazawa took a shot from a free kick directly in front of the goal, but it hit the opposing DF wall. In the 17th minute, Miyazawa sent a pass to the forward Amaral from a free kick, but he was blocked by the opposing DF just before the goal area. In the 23rd minute, Ishikawa broke free behind the DF from Kaji's cross, but he just missed it. In the 26th minute, after an interception by Fujiyama, Baba initiated a counterattack with a pass to the front line. Ishikawa, who advanced, used a one-touch to get past the DF and brought the ball into the goal area to shoot. This was a decisive moment, but it did not result in a goal due to a super play by the opposing GK Yamagishi.

　Urawa, while being pressured, fought back with a strict defense to regain the ball and passed it to Emerson and TUTO for a counterattack. In the 29th minute, MF Hirakawa received a pass from Emerson and shot from the left side, but it went over the goal. In the 30th minute, Emerson showcased his individual skills, attempting to break through from the left side to the goal, but could not shoot due to the marking by Shigeno and the cover by Fujiyama. In the 34th minute, TUTO received a pass from Emerson and brought the ball into the left side of the penalty area to shoot, but Doih was able to save it. Although there were few opportunities, the two forwards still showed their threat when the ball reached them.

　In the 36th minute, Amaral headed a long throw-in from Kaji. The GK made a save, and Kelly followed up on the rebound, shooting from close range but was denied by the GK again. They were thwarted once more from a clear scoring opportunity. Despite taking 9 shots, they could not score and ended the first half without any goals.

Bright Start

The game began at a ferocious pace and, with less than a minute on the clock, TOKYO were presented with a golden chance to take the lead. Miyazawa floated a ball forward to the unmarked Baba who controlled it and shot; the Reds keeper produced a stunning one handed save to deny the youngster his first league goal. Following up, Ishikawa fired the rebound goal ward but saw his first-time effort sail fractionally over the bar. In reply, the Reds then forced three consecutive corners as the opening exchanges lived up to expectations. 
Following this initial flurry the game developed into a midfield battle. 
Tsuboi and Muroi were effectively man-marking Amaral and Kelly respectively and although TOKYO enjoyed the lion's share of possession they lacked penetration. Miyazawa struck a free kick at the wall in the 12th.minute, the same player found Amaral with another free kick in the 17th.minute but the King of Tokyo was crowded off the ball, and Ishikawa was inches away from connecting with a Kaji cross in the 23rd. minute. 
Reds keeper Yamagishi saved his team again in the 26th.minute; Fujiyama intercepted in midfield and fed Baba who found Ishikawa. Ishikawa raced forward to the edge of the area and fired in a low, powerful shot that the keeper somehow turned around the post. 
The Reds seemed content to absorb the midfield pressure and hit at TOKYO on the break. In the 29th.minute Emerson picked out Hirakawa who raced into the area and shot from a tight angle. Soon after the fleet footed Emerson again burst into the area and threatened until crowded out by Moniwa and Fujiyama. Tuto dribbled his way into the TOKYO box in the 34th.minute but failed to find a shot to match his footwork and Doi saved comfortably. The Reds weren't creating many chances but the speed of the twin strikers was a constant threat and TOKYO couldn't afford to relax in defence. 
Another chance presented itself in the 36th.minute as Reds keeper Yamagishi nearly undid his hard work by spilling an innocuous header from Amaral straight at the feet of Kelly; Kelly belted the ball goal ward only for the keeper to stick out a hand and deflect the ball way. TOKYO mustered 9 shots in the first period but it finished 0-0. 

Intense struggle and stalemate

　The tough checks from Urawa continue in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Jean rushed in for a free kick taken by Miyazawa and headed the ball, but it went wide. In the 54th minute, Baba dove in from the front of the goal for a cross from Miyazawa that flowed to the left side, but the timing was off. An accident occurred here. Amaral injured his foot and was forced to substitute, with Fukuda coming in at the 56th minute.

　Tokyo wants to seize opportunities from free kicks and corner kicks gained from intense marking, but they cannot convert them into shots. In the 63rd minute, Ishikawa, who received a long cross from Kaji with his back to the goal on the left side of the penalty area, quickly turned and shot, but it went over the goal. Kelly and Miyazawa become the center of control with their abundant movement and ball-keeping techniques, but they rely solely on individual breakthroughs and struggle to break through with coordinated plays. Ishikawa's repeated attempts to exploit the defense's blind spots are consistently caught offside.

　In the midst of the rapidly changing offense and defense, in the 82nd minute, a dribble attack by Urawa's Emerson led to a long ball from the left side, which TUTO received freely in the penalty area and took a decisive shot. However, this was cut off by a great play from Jean, avoiding the crisis.

　Neither team was able to capitalize on their chances, and in the 83rd minute, Suzuki was brought on for Baba. Even amidst the exchanges of interceptions, they steadily created opportunities. In the 85th minute, Jean headed a free kick, and Fukuda managed to keep the loose ball near the goal line, allowing Jean to take another header shot. In the 87th minute, Ishikawa's cross was cleared by the opposing defender, and Suzuki rushed in to take a powerful shot at the loose ball. In stoppage time, Suzuki received a pass in midfield, dribbled past the opposing defender Yamada, who is also a member of the Japan national team, and delivered a powerful cross. Although none of these chances resulted in a goal, the anticipation of scoring lingered as they headed into extra time.

Same Again

The Reds began the second half in aggressive fashion but it was TOKYO who came closest to taking the lead when Jean headed Miyazawa's free kick narrowly wide in the 52nd minute. Amaral was injured shortly after and made way for Fukuda. The close marking of the Reds defence denied TOKYO any time on the ball and, apart from free kicks and corners, the chances dried up.
Ishikawa fired over the bar after a neat trap and turn in the 63rd minute but the Reds back line held firm and TOKYO were repeatedly caught offside. TOKYO were nearly the victims of another swift counter attack in the 82nd minute as Emerson raced down the right and picked out the unmarked Tuto in the box; Tuto seemed certain to score but a thunderous block from Jean averted the danger.
Suzuki replaced Baba as the clock ran down and prompted a late burst that saw TOKYO come close to snatching a late winner. Jean had a pair of headers blocked, Suzuki fired over the bar and saw a good cross evade the TOKYO forwards before the referee blew for the ninety minutes and the game moved into extra time.

Fukuda's happy V-goal leads to a dramatic victory!

　However, as extra time began, it was Urawa that launched a vigorous attack. In the 91st minute of the first half of extra time, TUTO surged up the right side, cut past the DF, and found himself free in the penalty area. However, the ball he struck hit Emerson's hand, allowing Tokyo to escape the danger. In the 4th minute, Hirakawa dribbled fiercely with an overlapping run, exchanged a one-two with Emerson, broke free in front of the goal, turned past the Tokyo DF, and took a shot. It narrowly missed to the left of the goal, but it was a close call.

　In the 95th minute, Tokyo substituted Sato for Kaji, and Urawa brought in FW Nagai for MF Fukuda. Both teams showed an aggressive attacking stance. In the 98th minute, Tokyo's Sato delivered a sharp cross, and Ishikawa dove in front of the goal but just missed it. In the 99th minute, in response to Urawa's three forwards' attack, Tokyo substituted Komine for Ishikawa. In the 103rd minute, Fukuda received a long pass from Moniwa, cut back past the opposing defender to the right and left, and shot from inside the penalty area, but the ball went outside the frame. In the 104th minute, Yamada aimed for the goal from a central free kick, and in the 105th minute, Emerson targeted the goal again from another free kick, but neither resulted in a score, leading into the second half of extra time.

　In a fast-paced exchange of offense and defense, there was a big chance for Urawa in the 108th minute of extra time. Hirakawa broke through the Tokyo DF from the left side and shot from the penalty area. Jean blocked it with his body, but Emerson picked up the loose ball and shot again. However, Doi firmly caught it, and the Tokyo DF literally put their bodies on the line to prevent a goal. Just after that, in the 109th minute, Suzuki shook off the pursuing Urawa DF in midfield, charged into the space in front of the goal, and Kelly headed in a cross from the left foot. In the 112th minute, Sato delivered a perfectly timed cross, and Fukuda dove in front of the goal, but they just couldn't break through. They missed yet another decisive chance today. In the 116th minute, Suzuki sprinted into the open space on a counterattack and shot. It was cut off by the opposing DF, leading to a counterattack against them, but Emerson prevented Shigeno from shooting with tight marking. And it was just after that.

　In the 118th minute, Tokyo's Fukuda, trying to contest a long ball, was fouled and earned a free kick. From outside the penalty arc, Miyazawa kicked the ball, which struck the post. In a moment that took everyone's breath away, it was Fukuda who reacted quickly. While the other players were slow to move, he swiftly pounced on the loose ball and pushed it into the goal! After struggling to capitalize on chances until now, Fukuda's joyful goal marked the end and secured the extra time. They snatched 2 points and rose to 4th place, finishing the final home match with a dramatic victory.

[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "We haven't played well in the last two matches, but today, being the final home game, everyone was really focused. We created good chances, starting with Baba, but we couldn't convert them, leading to a tough situation. In the end, Fukuda did well. However, with so many chances in those 90 minutes, I want us to be a team that can fight with a bit more variation, or when Amaral and Kelly are tightly marked, other players can score."

　I am glad that Baba and Suzuki, who were brought in to stimulate the team, along with Ishikawa, who returned from injury last week, are showing their strengths even though they are not at 100 percent yet. Miyazawa has also shown steady growth throughout the year, and players like Moniwa and Kaji, who couldn't even make the bench at the beginning of the season, are now forming a good team with the players who have been performing well. I truly believe this team has potential, so in the next match against Kashima, we have nothing to lose and want to play the kind of football we did in the opening match of the season.

[Urawa Coach Offt's Press Conference Summary] "First of all, I want to commend the players who showed fighting spirit and fought hard until the end of the match. In the first half, the line was stretched, which caused us to be slow in our one-on-one engagements, and our performance was poor. From that perspective, I think FC Tokyo was able to secure the win in the first half. However, they missed their chances, and in the second half, we were able to return to a good form and compete. Ultimately, I think it was even. In extra time, there were moments when we created some good chances, but in the end, they scored on our goal."

Fukuda " V Goal " Sparks Celebration

Surprisingly, the Reds started extra time strongly and only a handball by Emerson inside the TOKYO area, well spotted by the referee, prevented them taking the game in the first minute of extra time. The TOKYO fans' hearts were in their mouths three minutes later as Hirakawa played a neat one-two with Emerson, burst into the area and fired fractionally wide of the far post. Sato replaced Kaji for TOKYO; forward Nagai replaced midfielder Fukuda for the Reds as both teams made positive moves to break the deadlock. Sato blazed down the wing immediately and launched a cross that evaded Ishikawa by a whisker. Komine replaced Ishikawa as TOKYO sought to counter the Reds' three striker system; Fukuda twisted and turned past a defender in the 103rd minute but shot wide. The Reds threatened from a pair of free kicks TOKYO conceded in dangerous positions but the defensive wall did its job and the first period of extra time finished goalless.
The Reds had a clear chance to win the game in the 108th minute as Hirakawa outpaced the TOKYO defence and seemed a certainty to score until Jean again produced a last ditch tackle of vital importance. The loose ball fell to Emerson but keeper Doi held his shot cleanly.
As the players tired the game became an end-to-end affair with TOKYO looking most likely to score. Sato again sped down the wing in the 112th minute and curled in a superb centre that Fukuda ballooned over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box. TOKYO seemed fated not to score and were nearly caught out by another counter attack in the 116th minute but some spectacular defending by Moniwa prevented Emerson getting his shot on target.
And then, after nearly two hours, the game was settled in the blink of an eye. A hopeful long ball saw Fukuda barged down just outside the penalty area; Miyazawa, TOKYO's resident free kick taker stepped up and curled a low effort around the wall and against the post. As the ball came back Fukuda reacted the fastest, side-footing the rebound into the unguarded goal then whipping off his shirt and hurling it into the crowd behind the goal as the home supporters erupted in wild celebration. Nobody deserved a goal more than Fukuda and his 118th minute effort, which won the final league home game of the 2002 season and propelled TOKYO to 4th in the standings, will be long remembered.


F.C.TOKYO Manager Hara:
" Well, to be honest, the past couple of games we haven't played so well but with this being the last home league game the players were desperate to finish with a win for the fans. If Baba had taken that early chance the game might have been very different. We had to wait a long time for the goal but I was very pleased with Fukuda. We are still not at 100% regarding injuries but the development shown by the players over the past year has been very encouraging: Miyazawa, Kaji, Moniwa and the players who haven't yet made the bench are improving rapidly and this really is a team with possibilities. We are going to Kashima for the last game next weekend and hope to perform as well as we did on the opening day of the season ".

Urawa Reds Manager Ooft:
" Firstly I'd like to praise the players for the tremendous fighting spirit they showed today. In the first half we were poor and Tokyo should really have won the game there but didn't and in the second half we improved and had several chances to take the game but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities we created. In extra time we had chances but TOKYO scored and their goal won the game ".