Final home match, aiming for victory against Nagoya for the first time in 4 years

　Sec. 14 will see us face Nagoya Grampus Eight at home. Time flies, and this match will be the final game of the 1st stage at home. Our past record against Nagoya is 1 win, 2 draws, and 5 losses. Since winning with a golden goal in the 1st stage of J1 in 2000, we have not secured any victories, and the odds are against us, but with the support of our home crowd, we want to win at all costs.

　Today, Asari is suspended due to accumulated warnings, but Miura is in the starting lineup. Additionally, Miyazawa has made the bench for the first time since Sec. 8.

　Nagoya is currently in 6th place. In June, they have been on a winning streak, including three consecutive victories in the Nabisco Cup. They are missing GK Narazaki and DF Omori due to injuries, and midfielder Yoshimura is suspended, leaving some concerns in defense. However, the powerful forwards Weslley and Marquez are still in great form. They are the two strikers that should be most wary of in the J-League. Despite being a night game, the temperature before the match was high at 27°C, and it started with Nagoya's kickoff.

Allowing Nagoya to demonstrate their decisive power

　Nagoya approached the match with a four-back formation, changing from the three-back used in the previous game to shut down Tokyo's side. Transitioning from tight defense to attack, they threatened Tokyo's goal with a change of sides and runs from the second line just after five minutes. Tokyo aimed for the defense's back with quick passes after regaining possession, but Lucas was caught offside in the third minute and Suzuki in the sixth. Struggling to create chances against Nagoya's solid defense, Baba's long-range shot in the fourteenth minute was the first shot of the day. In the nineteenth minute, Tokunaga received a pass for a change of sides, dribbled up from the right side to the center, and took a powerful shot from near the penalty arc. However, it just missed to the right.

　After that, both teams continued to struggle for possession, but there was a period where neither could create any decisive scenes. In the 34th minute, from a free kick on the right side by Baba, Konno attempted a header, but Tokyo's shots in the first half were limited to these three. Nagoya also had only two shots, one from MF Okayama right after the start and another from MF Yamaguchi in the 34th minute. However, it was in the 42nd minute that things changed. Shigenobu went to check the opponent's right throw-in ball, but Marquez quickly passed the loose ball to Nakamura on the right side. Nakamura dribbled into the area and delivered a fast ground cross in front of the goal. Neither Tokunaga, who came to cover, nor Dohi could touch the ball. Okayama, who appeared free in front of the goal, scored, allowing the first goal just before the end of the first half.

　In the second half, trailing by one goal, Tokyo began to find their rhythm. Right after the start, a cross from Kanazawa was cleared by the DF. The loose ball was volleyed by Lucas after a chest trap, but it was saved by the GK. In the 49th minute, Baba toyed with two DF players in the right area, and Kanazawa, who followed up, sent in a cross, but no one could connect at the far side. Shortly after, Baba exchanged a one-two with Toda and sent a through pass to the front line. In the 51st minute, Tokunaga cut into the center just like in the first half and shot while being surrounded by DF players. This time, it went to the left.

Lucas's skillful goal! Kajiyama and Miyazawa spur on the comeback

　However, it was during the time that Todai, who injured his foot, was out of the pitch for treatment. In the 51st minute, Weslley, who had drifted to the right side, was followed by Kakuta, who made a furious dash from the bottom of the midfield. As he dribbled forward, Jean slid in to cut the ball. However, the ball spilled in front of Marques, who had moved up front, and Marques slotted it in with a one-touch, scoring a goal. Just as they were starting to gain momentum for a counterattack, they fell behind by two goals due to Marques' high finishing ability.

　However, it couldn't end like this. In the previous match, Tokyo allowed an equalizer from the opposite position. We must learn from that lesson. In the 55th minute, Kajiyama was brought in to replace Toda. Then, Kajiyama, who entered as a left midfielder, utilized his ball retention ability, creating chances from set plays by drawing fouls from Kanazawa's attacks. In the 59th minute, Abe came in for Baba. Then, in the 63rd minute, Lucas received a pass from Kanazawa in midfield, and with a light touch, he slipped past his marker and charged aggressively towards the goal. Rhythmically evading one, then two defenders, he entered the penalty area. Even while being surrounded by three defenders, he attempted to break through forcefully, finding himself one-on-one with the opposing GK and shooting!! The ball went into the right side of the goal! With a fine goal born from the determination of "I can't let it end like this," we closed the gap to one goal.

　From here, the speed-up in the offense and defense became intense, and in the 65th minute, Nagoya's Marquez made a sharp volley shot from a counterattack, which just went slightly to the right. In the 66th minute, Kajiwara was fouled at the left corner of the area, earning a free kick. Kajiwara's kick reached Suzuki, who was free in front of the goal, but they just missed the timing and could not take the shot. However, Tokyo, gaining momentum, substituted Miyazawa for Miura in the 71st minute to further accelerate their comeback. The appearance of '16' for the first time since Sec. 5 (4/14 vs C Osaka) led to a thunderous 'Miyazawa call' echoing throughout the stadium, energizing the blue-red eleven even more.

Moniwa, Lucas scores with determination! Dramatic comeback victory!!

　In the 72nd minute, Kanazawa's aggressive attack resulted in a shot that was deflected by the opposing goalkeeper, but Suzuki, who bravely followed up, was ruled offside. In the 73rd minute, a wave attack started from Kajiwara to Kanazawa to Miyazawa's cross. Miyazawa picked up the loose ball again, and Kanazawa sent in a cross from the left, winning a corner kick. Jean's header missed the target, but just after that, in the 74th minute, Kanazawa broke through again to win another corner kick, completely pushing back the Nagoya defense. Then in the 75th minute, from a short corner by Miyazawa, Kajiwara cut in along the sideline and delivered a ground pass straight in front of the goal. Shigenobu received it, and although his trap was a bit heavy, he pushed it in with the outside of his right foot for a goal! Shigenobu's first J-League goal, filled with determination, also marked the team's 200th goal in J1, becoming a valuable equalizer.

　The match is becoming increasingly intense with Tokyo attacking fiercely and Nagoya countering, resembling a shootout. In the 78th minute, Tokunaga's cross sees Kajiyama diving in front of the goal, but the shot hits the left post! Miyazawa picks up the rebound and shoots, but a player who remained up front is offside. In the 80th minute, Nagoya launches a quick attack, and Nakamura shoots from the right side. Doi makes the save and concedes a corner kick.

　However, in the 81st minute. After winning a throw-in from Abe's left cross, Lucas receives the ball in the area from Kanazawa. Lucas breaks through his marker with a sharp turn and a nutmeg, then dribbles towards the center while checking the position of the opposing goalkeeper and takes a controlled shot with a side kick from his right foot. The ball hits the back of the net on the right side!! The dramatic turn of events sends the stadium into a frenzy of excitement. In the final moments, they do not allow Nagoya to counterattack, continuing to press until the time is up. In front of a crowd of 25,167, they achieve a dramatic comeback victory against Nagoya, marking their first win in 90 minutes in four years. They conclude their final home match while rising to 4th place.

【Player Comments】<Lucas> "The first goal was a situation that happens once or twice in a season. Since we were trailing, I tried to force my way through, and that led to a good result. In the first half, maybe due to fatigue, no one could find their rhythm. In the second half, we were still behind by two goals, but the substitutes pushed everyone's spirit forward. I think Miyazawa's determination was conveyed. Regarding the goal, of course, as a forward, I always feel responsible. My goal was born from the hard work of the entire team, but I will continue to fight with a sense of responsibility. The victory is thanks to many fans and is a support for our hearts." <Miyazawa> "I was instructed to kick long balls when I came on. I clearly heard the cheers from the stands at the substitution, which made me happy. It was my first time playing a match together with Kajiyama, and as a result, the atmosphere changed, we scored goals, and I’m glad we won. I have been practicing for this day and intended to give it my all. There were various struggles, but showing good play in the stadium is important. I realized that the fighting spirit is crucial, so I want to keep showing it from now on."

[Summary of Manager Hara's Press Conference] "In the previous match against Ichihara, although we did not lose, it felt as if all the players had lost. It was difficult to switch mindset, so I told the players, 'Ichihara's fighting spirit is wonderful. Even if we fall behind, let's fight with that same spirit.' And today, it turned out exactly like that, but after going down 0-2, they bravely pushed forward without fear. After the last match, the players felt physically heavy, especially Baba, who was tightly marked and had a tough schedule with three matches in one week, so his movements were sluggish. At halftime, I told them, 'Even if we concede one goal, let's fight with strong determination,' but after conceding the second goal, honestly, there was some urgency. From there, I brought in Kajiyama, Abe, and Miyazawa, and the substitutes changed the flow of the game. Kajiyama has a great touch on the ball and excellent dribbling while shielding the ball. Although he was away with the team during the Toulon trip, we started using him from the middle of the last match to get him accustomed. Today, after he came in, the ball settled and the team started moving. Then there is Miyazawa. Since I became manager, his left-footed play has been a key point, and I have kept him in the starting lineup even when he was a bit tired. However, this season, the marking has become tighter, and there was a balance issue with Konno—Konno pushing forward and Miyazawa playing behind—that caused some concern. But recently in training, he showed great spirit, so I brought him on at that moment today, and seeing his passionate play almost brought me to tears. He put his body on the line and went for the ball even with his head. I think he had just forgotten that until now. He was trying too hard to do everything well, but what he originally has is wonderful. I hope this will energize him. Even without Kelly, Baba and Kajiyama stepped up, and when Ishikawa was injured, Suzuki came in. Suzuki was asleep in the first half, but if he fights hard like he did in the second half, his strengths will show. Above all, in front of so many supporters, I am happy that the team did not give up easily and fought to win until the end, especially the substitutes who played with heart. We will adjust for a week and want to finish by beating the Reds in the final match."

[Summary of Nagoya Coach NELSINHO's Press Conference] "The first half was excellent. Our defense was stable, and the whole team played compact football. We did not allow Tokyo to create scoring chances; on the contrary, we gradually pushed forward from a solid defense and managed to score first. Until the 15th minute of the second half, we were playing with our team's rhythm. However, we gradually lost the ability to apply pressure, and when the midfield was dominated by the opponent, we conceded a goal. Unfortunately, it was conceded in the worst possible way. The opponent's forward carried the ball from midfield into the area and took a shot, but no matter the team situation, conceding a goal in such a manner is unacceptable. After that, as you saw, the game proceeded at Tokyo's pace, and they won. (Although Tokyo made changes including substitutions in midfield) I don't think the opponent's substitutions had an impact. However, that was before we conceded the first goal. After conceding, we were unsettled. The opponent took advantage of that disturbance. (The substitutions were made after the equalizer) We intended to make changes, but today, due to cautions and injuries, we could not bring in veteran players, so the bench was mainly young players. When we were pulled back to 2-1 and the opponent was gaining momentum, I thought bringing in young players would not be beneficial for the team, so I did not make those changes."