3 points in the away opening match

　Tokyo, who started the season with a victory in the previous match, headed to Oita with hopes of continuing their winning streak. Before the match, Manager Hara gave a pep talk to the players, saying "Today is our away opener. It will be a fierce battle as it is the home opener for the opponent. Let's not lose with our spirits and make sure to bring back 3 points."

　Tokyo's starting members are the same as last match, with Abe and Lucas as the 2 top players, Toda as the right MF, and Suzuki as the left MF in the attacking line. The Olympic representative group of Shigetaka, Konno, and Ishikawa joined the team on the 19th, but they were not included in this trip due to fatigue.

　On the other hand, Oita's attacking lineup includes Magnor Auvess and Yoshida, who scored a goal in their J-League debut, as the two top players, Umeda as the right MF, and Nemoto, who has just returned from the Olympic team, as the left MF. In the midfield, Vitesse, who has previously represented the Netherlands and performed well in the World Cup, stands firm alongside Seto to form a strong presence. Tokyo has never lost to Oita in their six previous matches, and even in a practice match held during their February training camp in Kagoshima, they won 4-1, showing their dominance in terms of data. However, Oita is not an opponent to be taken lightly.

In the early stages, overwhelming Oita with a fierce attack

　Right from the start, Tokyo took the lead. There was a large space behind Oita's shallow DF line, and passes aimed at that space led to multiple goal-scoring opportunities. Especially when passes were made to the left side, Suzuki used his speed to break through the opponent's DF and repeatedly delivered perfect passes in front of the goal. In the 6th minute, Toda stole the ball from the opponent in the midfield and made an exquisite long through pass to the front line. Suzuki then used his speed to break away and faced the GK in a 1-on-1 situation. It was a decisive moment, but his shot was blocked by the DF and they couldn't score.

　11 minutes, a decisive through pass from Oita FW after a DF pass mistake in Tokyo's own zone, which GK Doi saved with a "hair's breadth" super save, but that was the only dangerous moment in the early stages. After that, Tokyo continued to press aggressively from the front line, pushing the opponent's ball and creating chances by quickly putting the ball into the space behind the opponent's DF, overwhelming Oita. In the early stages, Tokyo completely controlled the pace.

Miura's spectacular volley breaks the balance and takes the lead!

　Oita, who was overwhelmed by Tokyo's speed in the early stages, gradually got used to Tokyo's monotonous feed to the front line after passing the halfway point of the first half, and picked up second balls and entered Tokyo's court with sharp counters. In response, Tokyo also wanted to raise the line more and put intense pressure on the front line they had shown at the start of the game, but they were unable to keep the ball at Lucas and Abe's feet, so they couldn't push up the whole team and gradually became more defensive, making it easier for the opponent to move forward.

　At 26 minutes, DF Fujiyama stopped Magnoua Alves, who attempted a central breakthrough with a high-speed dribble from a counter, with a yellow card-worthy body check. Immediately after, a perfectly controlled shot from this FK attacked Tokyo's goal, but Doi made a super save and escaped the danger by deflecting it out. At 32 minutes, Tokyo's left side was broken through and a header shot was taken from the center of the goal, but it went over the bar. Oita gradually created attacking opportunities through quick counterattacks, where they would quickly feed the ball to the front line and attack without wasting time.

　On the other hand, just before the end of the first half at the 40-minute mark, Kaji broke through the right side and sent a big cross to the opposite side. Suzuki received the ball freely, but his control was poor and he couldn't take a shot. In the 43rd minute, Kanazawa sent a cross from the left and Abe brought it down with his chest. Lucas received the ball and took a shot after evading the opposing DF, but it was blocked by the opposing DF. In the end, both teams were able to get close to the goal but couldn't make a decisive shot, and the game was tied 0-0 at halftime and carried over to the second half.

　At halftime, Tokyo Eleven received instructions from coach Hara to "not be able to break through with just vertical shots. Let's increase the number of balls coming in diagonally by thoroughly attacking from the sides. We are winning in the side battles, so let's actively compete in 1-on-1 situations in the second half." Early in the second half, they put this instruction into practice. In the 48th minute, Abe took a perfect header shot in the center from a right corner kick, but it was blocked by the opposing GK and DF and could not break through the goal. However, in the following 53rd minute, the opposing GK punched away a cross from Kaji on the right side, and Miura, who was rushing in front of the goal, volleyed with his left foot to send the ball powerfully into the right corner of the goal, taking a valuable lead with his first goal of the season to break the balance of the game.

Unable to score additional points, suffered a heartbreaking comeback loss by conceding 2 points.

　Tokyo, who gained momentum with the opening goal, had a chance in the 55th minute when Abe broke through with a high-speed dribble and reached the penalty area, but his shot hit the DF. In the 62nd minute, Toda sent a cross from the right and Abe was free to finish it, but it went wide to the right. In the 64th minute, Abe received a quick through pass from Miyazawa on the right side and passed it behind the opponent's DF, where Lucas broke through and swung his right foot in a 1-on-1 with the GK, but the ball went just wide to the left of the goal. In the following 65th minute, Abe broke through from the center with a through pass from Miyazawa and was fouled in the penalty area after making a sharp turn, but the referee did not call a foul. Still, Tokyo did not let up on their attack and in the 66th minute, Kanazawa joined in on a big side change from the right and took a direct left-footed volley, but could not find the goal.

　Tokyo, who desperately wanted to score an additional point, repeated their fierce attacks, but their final push in front of the goal was lacking and they couldn't convert the "one more point" right in front of them. On the other hand, Oita, who endured this difficult situation, gradually gained a sense of confidence that they could "do it", including a bit of luck. In the 70th minute, the ball cleared by Oita's attack was small, and a powerful mid-range shot was taken from the front of the goal. Tsuchi pushed this ball forward, and Oita's Nemoto, who was closing in, was kicked in and they were caught up in a tie.

　Tokyo, who wants to change the situation, substitutes Asari for Miura, who is showing signs of fatigue, and Kajiyama for Suzuki to change the flow by keeping the ball in the front line. Tokyo, who desperately wants 3 points, started the game faster than their opponents, but in the 79th minute, they were countered and Magnao Alves scored from a ground cross, allowing an additional point.

　Afterwards, we desperately aimed for the goal by bringing in FW Yusuke KONDO, but we were unable to break down Oita, who fought as one with fierce determination backed by their home crowd, and ended up hearing the whistle signaling Tokyo's defeat until the end.

【Player Comments】《Doi》"We only got caught at that time. But, whether we attack or defend, we need to be more clear. Today was half-hearted. We are an attacking team, so even at that time, we should have attacked more."《Miura》"It's important to finish off the opponent when we have the chance. Today, not being able to score a second goal was the reason for our loss. When we attack so much but can't score, the opponent will think 'we can do this'. I was happy with my goal in that situation, but I wanted the 3 points more. Since it was an away game, I at least wanted to get 1 point."

[Summary of Manager's Press Conference] "We started off with our own rhythm and Oita had the atmosphere of their home opener, so they were motivated. However, we were able to surpass them. We completely dominated the left side and had many chances, but we wanted to score during that time. In the middle of the first half, Oita started to pick up the ball and our line dropped, making it difficult for us. At halftime, I instructed the team to "attack more on the sides" and "not drop the line too much", and we were able to score one goal in a good time period and get into our rhythm. We had chances, but not being able to score shows that our team still lacks strength. Today, we rested the Olympic players and wanted to get points with the players who were here. However, the season has just begun. Next week, the Olympic players will join us. We want to make a stronger team by preparing well."

[Summary of Oita Hamburger Coach's Press Conference] "Before the game today, I talked to the players about showing an exciting game to the supporters and we approached the game. There were many chances for FC Tokyo and there were also lucky moments, but we had lost during the February camp, so I am genuinely happy with today's victory. I am satisfied that we were able to beat a strong team like FC Tokyo. We have been building the team for the past two months and I think we are gradually improving. And today, we were able to achieve a good result. Last season, if we conceded one goal, it was over, but today was different. We started from 0-1 and ended with 2-1. We have become mentally stronger. I am proud of the team and the players."