Stop the Jubilo

　In Sec. 6, we will face Júbilo Iwata away. Júbilo is currently on a five-game winning streak and is in first place. Their strength in competition is remarkable, and they seem to be a step ahead. However, we cannot allow them to run away with it like this. Moreover, for Tokyo, they are an opponent we have not beaten since the 1st stage of 2000. They are a significant wall that we must overcome.

　Tokyo's starting lineup features Fujiyama at right back for the first time this season. The double pivot consists of Miura and Konno. The formation is a 4-2-3-1 with Kajiyama playing as the attacking midfielder. Coach Hara, who often states that he uses players in good condition, has made the bold decision to rest Kaji and Miyazawa. Regarding Kajiyama, he mentioned, "He is originally a defensive midfielder, but we have been trying him in this position during training camp. I want him to play freely up front."

　Each member is highly motivated, and the fresh players may be the key to stopping Jubilo's winning streak. The temperature is high at 22.4 degrees, but the humidity is 43%, making it a perfect sunny day for soccer. The match started with Jubilo's kickoff.

Although they fell behind early due to a mistake

　In the 1st minute, Toda received a long pass from Konno and aimed for a shot from the right area. It was deflected by the opposing DF and went wide to the right, but he showed great determination early on. However, in the 3rd minute, Jubilo launched a quick attack, and MF Nishi shot freely from the right side. In the 4th minute, a quick restart led to a middle-range shot, and Dohi managed to escape to a corner kick. In the 5th minute, MF Fujita took the right corner kick, but Dohi misjudged the catch as he came out to the far post. The loose ball was picked up by DF Tanaka, who sent a floating pass to the front of the goal, and FW Grau's shot grazed the right post and bounced in. Due to a painful mistake, they found themselves trailing early on.

　Jubilo is strong in duels and has quick passing, but Tokyo also regained possession well and created chances. In the 7th minute, Toda made a return from a right corner kick, and Nobiwa shot from the left goal area. However, the goal was not scored. In the 9th minute, after a loose ball from the corner kick, Toda broke through the defense with Lucas's looping pass and faced the GK one-on-one. However, the shot was blocked by GK Sato's foot, missing a decisive chance to equalize.

　The match progresses with a rapid pace as the offense and defense switch due to pressing exchanges, but Jubilo's passing accuracy is still lacking, leading to interruptions in play. However, the points of attack and defense are clearly defined. In the 13th minute, after a shot from Nishi, the cleared ball was connected, and MF Fukunishi made a header shot. In the 14th minute, Lucas received a pass from Kajiyama and sent it to the right side, where Ishikawa's cross was met again by Lucas, who jumped in front of the goal for a header attempt, but faced tight marking from the opposing defense, sending the ball over the goal. In the 17th minute, from Kajiyama's setup, Konno surged up the right side, and Toda, receiving the cross, shot freely but missed wide to the right. In the 27th minute, seeing an open space ahead, Konno aimed for the goal with a long-range shot.

There are plenty of opportunities for a counterattack

　In the 30th minute, Konno intercepted a pass and advanced into the left area, passing to Lucas in the center and then to Kajiyama on the right, leading to a volley shot from Miura in the center. Despite struggling against Jubilo's passing work, they regained possession with focused defense and aimed for the goal starting from the side. The flow was more than even. The highlight came in the 39th minute when Lucas received a pass from Konno and directly passed to Kajiyama. Kajiyama delivered a sharp floating through ball in front of the goal with the outside of his right foot. Ishikawa jumped to chest trap it and shot from just in front of the goal area, but was contested by the opposing defender, hitting the side netting. In the 40th minute, Kajiyama dove into the goal for a grounded cross from Toda, but was blocked by the defender just a step away. Kajiyama frequently became the starting point for attacks, and decisive scenes continued, but ultimately they could not score and went into halftime.

　In the second half, Jubilo tried to break the bad flow by attacking and aimed to finish with a shot, but they did not reach a decisive pinch. In the 47th minute, Tokyo earned a right corner kick. In the 49th minute, a big switch from Kanazawa reached Ishikawa and headed towards the goal. In the 50th minute, a loose ball from a left corner kick was waiting for Shigenobu at the far post, who shot freely! However, his left-footed strike hit the bar. It was another decisive moment, but they missed the goal chance.

　In the 52nd minute, Júbilo Iwata launched a quick attack, with FW Maeda receiving a pass from Grau that flowed to the left, and he took a shot from very close range in front of the goal, but Doi threw himself to make the save! In the 53rd minute, the defense was caught off guard for a moment, allowing Grau, who received a long pass, to be free in the center of the goal and take a header shot. Doi caught it and managed to avert danger, but Júbilo, looking for any opportunity, showed their threat towards the goal.

Before Jubilo's strength in competition...

　In the 60th minute, Toda received a through pass from Kajiyama and took a shot, but it was weak and caught by the goalkeeper. Tokyo is looking for a chance to counterattack, but the overall push is slow, and they inevitably rely on the front line of Lucas, Ishikawa, Toda, and Kajiyama for their attacks. In the 61st minute, Baba was brought in to replace Miura. Baba was positioned as an attacking midfielder, with Kajiyama moved back a line. However, it was right after that. In the 62nd minute, Tokyo's defense cleared a corner kick from Jubilo. However, the ball connected to the front line was intercepted, and a long ball was sent towards the goal. MF Fujita, who caught up with it on the left side of the area near the end line, passed it back to Grau in the left penalty area. Although Jean closed in on the free Grau, Grau aimed without hesitation before that, and his skillful shot traced a powerful trajectory with a curve, finding its way into the right side of the goal.

　Tokyo, unable to seize the momentum, was down by two goals. In the 64th minute, Abe was brought on to replace Toda. However, in the 68th minute, Júbilo's Maeda's mid-range shot was deflected by Doi for a corner kick. In the 70th minute, Kanazawa advanced and received a pass from Lucas, but the goalkeeper caught the ground shot. After the 73rd minute, they were continuously pressured by Júbilo from corner kicks. In the 75th minute, Wu was brought on to replace Lucas. With Abe, Baba, and Wu forming a three-man front line, Kajiyama positioned just behind them and Konno as the lone defensive midfielder, they attempted a final counterattack, but the overall intensity dropped, leading to more time spent on the defensive.

　Although they defended well in a pinch and did not allow Jubilo to score an additional goal, in the 80th minute, Jean's free kick aimed at the goal was blocked by the defense, and Kanazawa's shot after receiving a pass from Kajiyama in the 42nd minute also went over the goal. In the end, they could not create any decisive chances, and time ran out. As a result, they demonstrated Jubilo's strength in moving the ball and attacking even when things were going poorly, but unfortunately suffered a frustrating defeat with no goals scored.

【Player Comments】《Konno》"After talking with (Miura) Fumi-san, I thought that if I could disrupt the play up front, it would create chances, so I actively pressed forward. I believe the combination with those around me has improved. Today, I approached the game with the mindset of just wanting to win, without focusing on Jubilo, but it's disappointing that we lost after conceding two goals." 《Kajiyama》"At first, I couldn't touch the ball and couldn't create a rhythm, but when I had the ball facing forward, I was able to do what I wanted. I wish I could have delivered more accurate final balls... Jubilo is skilled at controlling the game, and personally, I want to learn from them. I will continue to work hard to be able to play in matches."

[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "We conceded a goal early due to mistakes, which certainly made it tough against Júbilo Iwata. However, after conceding, we actually had chances in the first half. We were able to create opportunities through counterattacks and by having Toda break through on the right side. The difference lies in whether we can finish those chances. Despite having several one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper and clear opportunities in the first half, we couldn't convert them, which is our current challenge. Júbilo was able to finish their chances. However, there were also discoveries. Kajiyama has had short appearances before, and I thought he could perform to some extent, but I didn't expect him to do this well. I believe he still has the potential to grow, and being able to compete for 90 minutes against Júbilo is a significant asset for the team. I think he can continue to develop greatly. We are able to create shooting opportunities, so we need to add some creativity and improve our technique and composure. Additionally, there is a lack of support when the ball enters the goal area, so we need to increase our options and variations, including that follow-up. After six matches, with Kelly's injury and the absence of national team players, we have tried various players like Kajiyama today and utilized those in good condition. Our defense is not bad, so I want to organize our challenges before the next match. We need to pursue scoring and break through further."

【Summary of Jubilo Coach Kuwahara's Press Conference】 "It doesn't always go according to scouting, so I've been troubled by that, but at the start, we were attacked while scouting how FC Tokyo's football feels. However, I think we were able to stabilize our game from the middle. The final line was confused by FC Tokyo's second line and their runs from outside to inside, so I instructed them on balance and positioning. I told Suzuki to watch Todai on the outside rather than Lucas in the middle. I gave Fujita instructions for defense against Ishikawa, and he did well with his consistent movement. Kikuchi was too cautious in the first half and allowed Ishikawa and Kajiyama too much possession, so I told him to show a bit more strength in one-on-one situations. Well, we tried to create a buildup starting from Nishi and Fujita before entering the final attack. However, the players' feelings are significant. I think they expressed their concentration and desire to win well throughout the 90 minutes. There was a strong desire to keep winning and a sense of pride."