Defeat Kashima on Brazil Day, where we boast an unbeaten record!

　As the 2nd stage heads into the second half, in Sec. 9, we will face the currently 5th place Kashima Antlers at home. Tokyo has recorded 4 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 matches. Although we remain in 8th place, we struggled in September without a single victory. However, Kashima is in a similar situation, with 4 draws and 1 loss around the Nabisco Cup. Both teams are in a position where they have not been blessed with wins. To remain in the upper ranks of the tightly contested 2nd stage, we desperately want to win clearly and secure 3 points. Additionally, after this match, the 2nd stage will take a 2-week interval for the Japan national team's activities, and Kaji has been selected for the first time for the national team. Together with Doi, he will embark on an expedition to Tunisia and Romania. Naturally, attention will be focused on their performance in this match.

　Today is Brazil Day. The traditional event that has continued since the Tokyo Gas FC era boasts an unbeaten record over the past six years. This year, expectations for victory are rising, and the stands are heating up to the rhythm of samba before kickoff. Although Shigeno will participate wearing a face guard due to a nasal bone fracture sustained during practice this week, the match started under the clear autumn sky in Tokyo.

Took the lead unexpectedly and overwhelmed Kashima!

　At the start, both teams pressed aggressively and attacked, resulting in a back-and-forth battle. Tokyo picked up a weak clearance from the opponent's DF from a left corner kick in the 4th minute, with Amaral, Miyazawa, and Miura advancing towards the goal. After that, Tokyo gradually found their attacking rhythm, but amidst many fouls, they couldn't create any decisive chances. In the 13th minute, Kanazawa's cross was cleared by the opponent's DF between Amaral and Toda at the front line. In the 15th minute, Toda received a pass from Kelly and surged up the left side. He entered the penalty area but was tackled by Kashima DF Narahashi and lost the ball.

　However, it was in the 17th minute. After a pass from Kelly to Ishikawa, a throw-in was won deep on the right side, and Kaji made a long throw. Amaral aimed for a header that dropped to the far side, but before it reached the waiting Kelly, the opposing defender slid in to cut it off. This ball was sucked into the Kashima goal, and Tokyo got a lucky opening goal.

　Feeling the momentum of today's game with the opening goal, Tokyo quickly took possession of a throw-in from Kashima in the 19th minute. Kelly connected the play, and Amaral made a quick decision to send a through pass to the front line. As Toda broke free on the left side and sprinted towards the goal, Narahashi couldn't help but foul him from behind. This play resulted in a red card, forcing Kashima to fight with only 10 players early on. Following an own goal, Kashima faced an unexpected turn of events with a player sent off, and the match intensified dramatically.

　Kashima substituted DF Ishikawa for FW Fukai in the 24th minute. They first solidified their defense. However, Tokyo, gaining momentum, controlled the ball through Kelly and Amaral's hold, launching wide attacks using side changes. In the 32nd minute, after Miura and Miyazawa surrounded and cut off an opponent's dribble in their own half, Miyazawa made a bold through pass to Amaral, who had crossed the halfway line. Amaral cut inside to create space and sent the ball at just the right moment to Ishikawa, who had made a run into the space on the right side. Ishikawa charged into the penalty area, drawing the goalkeeper into a one-on-one situation, and delivered a final pass to the center. Kelly, who followed up, easily finished into the goal!

　With their individual judgment and combination shining, they scored the second goal with a beautiful shot!!

Kelly and Amaral scored to give a 3-point lead

　Tokyo's attack becomes unstoppable. In the 36th minute, Toda perseveres and wins a left corner kick. Kanazawa receives a short corner from Miyazawa, evades the defense, and shoots. In the 37th minute, Kaji's right early cross finds Toda, who heads it in at the perfect timing, but the Kashima goalkeeper makes a save. In the 38th minute, Miyazawa aims directly for the goal from a free kick. In the 42nd minute, a side change from Kanazawa to Ishikawa leads to an attack in front of the goal, and Miyazawa takes a middle-range shot from a cleared ball. Then, in the 44th minute, after winning the ball again on the right side of their own half, Kaji connects with Ishikawa, and a speeding Kelly cuts in deep on the right side and delivers a delicate cross that floats over the Kashima goalkeeper's head. Amaral, who runs into the goal area, executes a high-pointed header! The ball shakes the net, scoring a goal that pulls Kashima apart at a great time just before the end of the first half!!

　Tokyo took a 3-point lead thanks to the performances of Kelly and Amaral, fitting for Brazil Day. In the first half, they kept Kashima's shots to zero, but in the second half, they faced some counterattacks. Kashima's coach Toninho CEREZO said, "There's no point in panicking with a 3-point difference. Let's place Ogasawara at the top to keep the ball up front and push forward. I want to involve more players in our attacking passing game," and changed the defense to a 3-back formation. With a clear aim, Kashima's passing began to flow.

　At 50 minutes, Tokyo substituted Abe in for Ishikawa, who injured his left foot. At 53 minutes, they launched a counterattack, and Abe broke through on a through pass from Miyazawa but was just offside. However, after the whistle, Abe shot and was cautioned for time-wasting. At 54 minutes, Kashima midfielder Ogasawara matched a pass from the left side and broke free in front of the goal, skillfully evading Miura and Jean before shooting. It was a decisive chance, but the ball went over the goal. At 56 minutes, midfielder Fernando's long-range shot hit the crossbar. The rhythm seemed to be with Kashima. However, at 58 minutes, Ogasawara, competing with Moiniwa on Tokyo's left side, committed a rough play and received his second caution of the day. He was sent off, and Kashima had to play with nine men. Then, immediately at 60 minutes, Tokyo conceded a free kick to Kashima about 30 meters from their own goal. When Fernando took the kick, defender Akita rushed out in front of the goal, and the ball grazed Jean's head in the contest and went into the goal. Caught off guard, Kashima mounted a comeback, making the score 3-1.

Mastering the rapidly changing situation with a season-high of 5 goals

　Kashima, in the 67th minute, received a pass from the left side by Motoyama, turned into the penalty area, and shot. They showed a spirited attack but it ended up being a single attempt. Then, in the 68th minute, Tokyo's Amaral passed to Kaji on the right side from a back-to-goal play. Kaji dribbled into the penalty area and delivered a sharp cross towards the goal. Toda, who received the ball at the near post, changed the course with a one-touch and scored! They took the fourth goal, seemingly demoralizing Kashima.

　Still not easing their attacking efforts, Tokyo made a substitution in the 69th minute, bringing on Kajiyama for Miura. In the 73rd minute, Abe turned to meet a left cross from Toda and unleashed a powerful header, but it went wide of the goal. However, just one minute later, Abe, competing with an opponent on the right side, received a second yellow card for rough play and was sent off. The game, now a battle of 10 against 9, became frantic. Kashima substituted midfielder Honda for defender Uchida in the 73rd minute, and in the 78th minute, Nakajima came on for forward Hiraise. In the 77th minute, Tokyo substituted Fujiyama for Kaji, who had already received a warning today. In the 81st minute, Kashima's Fernando attempted a direct shot from a free kick in front of the goal, but it went off target.

　As the 3 minutes of stoppage time approached its end, it seemed like the match would finish this way. At that moment, Kajiyama received a pass in midfield, evaded one opponent, and advanced. Then, he delivered a through ball that threaded the needle between two defenders in front of the goal. Kanazawa, who had overlapped from the left, received the pass and, while surrounded by defenders, passed it to Toda in the center. Toda's shot from close range was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, but Kanazawa reacted to the loose ball and scored with his right foot!

　The aggressive attitude to keep attacking until the end of the match led to a valuable fifth goal that finished off Kashima. With performances from Amaral and others, Brazil Day brought another happy victory this year. They achieved a complete victory over Kashima with a score of 5 to 1, which is the highest score of the season, and secured 3 points after 6 matches.

【Player Comments】《Amaral》"I had been aiming for goals but couldn't score, yet my motivation and determination for the team never changed. In the last few matches, we were a bit defensive and had many draws, but today we were able to play really attacking football. On Brazil Day, the support we received became an extra source of power. I was able to score a goal there, and it was a great festival. I believe that if we continue to play well, goals will naturally come." 《Moniwa》"In the second half, there were moments when it felt like we were outnumbered in a chaotic situation. However, I made sure to communicate well to defend properly. Due to the face guard, it was particularly hard to see the ball at my feet, but I think we defended in a nearly perfect way."

[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "Both Tokyo and Kashima had not won in the last five matches, including the Nabisco Cup, so it was a tough situation for both teams. However, today was our home game and Brazil Day. Amaral, Kelly, and Jean fought well, riding the samba rhythm. Especially Amaral, who has been feeling better physically, caused an own goal with his header. If possible, I would like to have Brazil Day every match. After Nara Bridge was sent off, I think we established our rhythm. The reason for that was because Toda challenged vertically following a pass from Amaral. However, in the last match of last season's league, Kashima also had a player sent off, but we were dominated and lost. Remembering that, we tried to press from the front and go for the goal. Following instructions, we scored an additional goal from Ishikawa's breakthrough, and Amaral scoring the third goal was significant. In the second half, Kashima switched to a three-back formation, and our start was not good, allowing them to gain rhythm. Also, when the opponent had a second player sent off, we became somewhat complacent. But instead of just tightening our defense, we brought in Kajiyama and sent a message to attack more. Although the opponent had fewer players, I think it was good that we scored the fifth goal at the end from Kajiyama's dribble. We haven't had a clear-cut match recently, so I want to build on this victory."

[Summary of Coach Toninho CEREZO's Press Conference] "It was not good to concede the first goal, but we were only losing by one point, and even when we were down to 10 men, it was necessary to stay calm and fight. The opponent had one more player and was leading, so they came forward with momentum. It was possible to score from counterattacks or set plays exploiting that gap, and I wanted us to play a bit more composed. One of the issues is that we cannot keep possession in the forward line. We couldn't create time to push up, and out of impatience, we kicked the ball forward, which prevented Motoyama and Ogasawara from showing their creative abilities, causing Kashima's attack to falter. After conceding first and failing to capitalize on the next chance, we had to stop the opponent by fouling while chasing them, leading to a vicious cycle. I want to praise the players for their fighting spirit until the end, but the point to reflect on is the lack of concentration at the start. We must learn the lesson to be at 100 percent from the beginning."