Challenge! Nabisco Cup Qualifying League Final Match

　In the qualifying league Sec. 5 held on July 17, we secured the top position in the group and have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Nabisco Cup. In this final match of the qualifying league, we will face Kashiwa without Japan national team members Doi and Kaji, and Olympic representatives Moniwa, Konno, Ishikawa, and Tokunaga.

　However, coach Hara stated that he wants to make many attempts and will approach the game with a fresh lineup. The center backs are Jean and Masushima. Fujiyama is at right back, and Kanazawa is on the left. Miyazawa and Kajiyama form a double pivot, with special designated player Kurizawa on the right MF and Abe on the left MF. Baba is in the center, and Lucas is at the top of the formation. On the bench are Endo, Miura, and Toda, along with Kelly who has returned from injury. Maeda, who is registered for the first time since May 2002, is also on standby.

　Kashiwa, after the end of the 1st Stage, has changed their coach. Under the new coach Hayano, they will approach the game as a new team. Additionally, since winning this match would keep their hopes alive for advancing to the Final Round, their motivation should be high. Although the lineup shows a 4-4-2 formation, DF Hirayama will play as a left-side half, and MF Ze Roberto and FW Unosawa will form a two-top in a 3-5-2 formation.

　For Tokyo, this is not just a mere formality, and in the official match at home for the first time in about a month since June 19, we want to showcase the Asia Challenge and the new face of Tokyo. Although the daytime heat has slightly eased, the match started with a kickoff from Tokyo in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.

Although we grasped the rhythm from the start...

　Tokyo took control from the start. Just 15 seconds in, Baba aimed for the goal from mid-range, and in the first minute, Lucas exchanged a one-two with Baba to penetrate the area. In the 6th minute, Kajiwara picked up a ball that flowed to the far side from a right corner kick and took a powerful shot inside the area. The opposing GK saved it, but Kajiwara shot again at the rebound, which was also blocked by the GK. In the following 7th minute, Kurizawa connected with a rebound from Baba's shot, and Miyazawa took a shot from just outside the area, which narrowly went to the right. In the 8th minute, Abe broke through on the left side and delivered a cross, and Baba, who ran in from the center, made a perfectly timed header! However, this too was met with a great save from the GK, and no goal was scored. In the 9th minute, Kurizawa received a floated last pass from Kajiwara's switch to the side. It was caught by the GK, but until then, Tokyo moved well, launching six shots from a speedy and wide development, putting pressure on Kashiwa.

　However, Kashiwa was not solely on the defensive. They persistently stole the ball, maintained possession, and looked for counterattack opportunities, threatening the Tokyo goal from a right-side free kick in the 15th minute. In the 16th minute, Hirayama, who had remained on the right side during a set play, circled to the center and took the first shot of the day, but it went over the goal. After that, until the 30th minute, neither side was able to create any decisive chances, resulting in a back-and-forth battle.

　In the 30th minute, Lucas dribbled up the right side, faking out the opposing DF two or three times to enter the area and win a corner kick. In the 34th minute, Ze Roberto broke through the left side for Kashiwa, and Unozawa dove in front of the goal to meet the cross, but the Tokyo DF defended well and did not allow a shot. In the 36th minute, Tokyo had a chance. Miyazawa's free kick was met by Baba, who surged forward, but unfortunately was offside. However, in the 38th minute, Tokyo was caught off guard for a moment. Kashiwa passed the ball around the DF line multiple times, looking for an attacking opportunity. They connected with the defensive midfielder Myojin, who quickly passed to the right-side MF Shigehara. With two Tokyo players marking Shigehara, a pass reached Otani, who had surged up from the defensive midfielder position. This left Otani free, and he cut into the right side of the area and took a shot. The ball eluded GK Shiota's outstretched hand, hit the left post, and went in. They conceded the opening goal with just their second shot of the day. Although the first half was not a bad flow overall, it was disappointing that they could not seize the early opportunity, and their momentum gradually diminished. They regrouped and headed into the second half.

Kelly takes a gamble with the introduction of Toda

　Kashiwa brought on forward Yamashita in place of Roberto CESAR in the second half. Kashiwa was aggressive from the start, focusing on set plays. Although they did not create any decisive shooting opportunities, Tokyo also brought on Kelly in place of Abe in the 52nd minute, making a counterattack. Then, in the 53rd minute, Lucas on the left side passed to Kajiyama, who made a follow-up run. Kajiyama evaded the defender and entered the area, sending a last pass to the center, but Kashiwa's defense cut it off. In the 55th minute, Kajiyama, receiving a pass from Kanazawa, attacked into the area again, but could not shoot due to Kashiwa's quick check. In the 56th minute, Lucas matched Kelly's pass, breaking into the area while competing with the defender, and returned the ball to Kelly, who was running in from behind. However, Kelly's shot, taken while free, went over the bar. They missed a big chance to equalize.

　Kashiwa substituted MF Masuda for MF Nagai in the 57th minute. However, in the 60th minute, Jean sent a long ball to Lucas, who dropped it for Kanazawa, who surged up the left side and took a shot. They showed a quick attack, but Kashiwa's defense blocked it. In the 66th minute, from a free kick on the right side, a pass went to Masuda just outside the area, and although he shot freely, it hit a teammate and missed the goal, avoiding any trouble.

　As the offense and defense continued, in the 70th minute, Todai was brought in to replace Miyazawa, who had injured his foot. Todai positioned himself as right midfielder, with Baba on the left, and Kajiyama and Kurizawa forming a double pivot. Just after that, in the 73rd minute, Todai received a pass from Fujiyama on the left side, using his speed to get past the opposing DF and cutting into the center. The ball deflected off a Kashiwa DF but Fujiyama, who followed up, passed to Kanazawa, who moved into the center. Kanazawa took a one-touch and unleashed a well-controlled shot, but it just veered slightly to the left.

　In the 77th minute, Kelly persistently tried to take the ball from Kashiwa in his own half, then dribbled forward and passed to Lucas on the left side. Lucas challenged the defender in a one-on-one situation and seemed to be brought down as he entered the area, but instead, a foul was called against Lucas. Despite Kashiwa's tight marking and tenacious defense, they couldn't connect to a goal at the last moment, but with the introduction of Kelly and Toda, they gradually began to find their rhythm, and the prospect of scoring became very apparent.

Launch a fierce attack against the 10 players of Kashiwa and equalize!

　In the 81st minute. Jean cut off a pass from Kashiwa. He connected with Kurizawa, who sent a floating pass forward from around the center line. Responding to this, Toda brilliantly broke into space and took a shot near the penalty arc, but Kashiwa's goalkeeper Minami blocked it with his hand. Minami was sent off for this play. Kashiwa brought in goalkeeper Shimizu in place of Unosawa, forced to fight with 10 men. From the free kick gained from this, Lucas aimed for a direct shot that was blocked by the opponent's wall, but just before this play, Maeda was brought in to replace Mashima. Maeda took on the right side back position, and Fujiyama moved to the center.

　During the substitution, Maeda said, "I was happy to hear my call. I was calm enough to hear it." He showed determination from the first play. In the 87th minute, Kanazawa intercepted a clearance from Kashiwa's defender. After passing to Baba, Kelly sent the ball to the right side, and Maeda, judging that he couldn't get past two opposing defenders in the area, chose to cross without hesitation. In the meantime, Kelly was fouled in front of the goal. Lucas calmly kicked the resulting penalty to the left, scoring a goal! They equalized at the last moment.

　Tokyo is gaining momentum. To aim for 3 points, there was still time left, including 5 minutes of stoppage time. In the 89th minute, Kelly dribbled past the DF and surged up the right side, taking a mid-range shot that went over the goal. Then it was stoppage time. A pass from Kajiyama to the front line connected with Toda → Lucas, but it was initially intercepted by the opposing DF. However, Baba picked up the loose ball and delivered a floating last pass in front of the goal. Lucas timed his run, and despite colliding with the GK, he lifted the ball with his toes, creating a shot that arced beautifully into the goal! It seemed like an artistic go-ahead goal by Lucas, but it was ruled out for a foul against the GK. It became a “phantom goal,” but Tokyo did not give up on victory and continued to press towards the Kashiwa goal until the end. However, the match ended in a draw at 1-1, having pushed Kashiwa to the brink of defeat.

　Although they were unable to take the lead, it can be said that this match became a fruitful one that brought confidence, highlighted by the lively play of substitutes Kelly, Toda, and Maeda, which led to the equalizing goal from numerous tries. Additionally, it has been decided that they will face Gamba Osaka, who placed second in Group B, in the Nabisco Cup Semifinal Round on September 4.

【Player Comments】《Maeda》"Hearing the cheers from the stands, I have always wanted to stand on the field of Ajinomoto Stadium. After two years, I was included in the squad, and if I get to play in a match, I thought I would go for it without hesitation. (In the moment Lucas earned the penalty) I thought I couldn't break through vertically, and then I saw Lucas inside. I actually wanted to send a ground cross, but... I think I played fairly well overall, but there were moments, like the last cross, where the ball got away from me. I want to pursue higher accuracy, and I don't want to be satisfied with just one good match. I want to continue to achieve good results and keep working hard to always be able to play in matches." 《Kelly》"I am happy to be back on the field, and considering how long it has been, I was able to play well without any pain from my injury. My feelings are at 100 percent, but I still lack physical condition and match rhythm. I can only build that up by playing more matches. From now on, I want to practice together as much as possible so that I can enter the second stage at 100 percent and regain my match sense."

【Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference】 "Six players have been selected for the Japan national team and the Olympic team, and I thought today we would try various things in their absence. First, I placed Fujiyama as a side back and Nagashima as a stopper. Midfielders Miyazawa and Kajiyama have never started together before. Miura has more leadership, but I wanted to boldly test how well the two could perform together. I also started Abe and tested bringing in Toda later. Regarding Toda, I think his speed might be more effective when he comes on as a substitute. Kelly is still not in top form, struggling with his touch and finishing. However, it's hard to regain form just through practice, so even though he seemed eager to start today, I brought him in during a crucial moment in the second half. He gradually adapted to the game, showing movements typical of Kelly, slipping through defenses. Maeda is not particularly skillful, but he has been diligently practicing hard. Originally a midfielder, he can also play in the final line, and I was considering the timing for his participation... (At the time of substitution) I moved Fujiyama to center back to solidify the defense and told him he could push up on the right side. As a result, we were able to earn a penalty from his cross. When a player like him, who works hard, produces results, it stimulates other young players and increases competition. In that sense, being able to use Maeda and having him perform well will have a positive impact on the team going forward. Despite the heat and having already secured first place in the qualifying league, we were able to try such things. Honestly, I thought we had won in the end, but (the no-goal due to Lucas's foul) that shape is our shape. It is becoming a familiar pattern for Lucas as well. Moving forward, I want to deepen our coordination with Kelly through the Spain expedition and the match against Roma, and enhance our scoring ability as we head into the second stage."

[Summary of Coach Hayano's Press Conference] "Regardless of the form, there is a challenge ahead in not being able to secure victory in a match where we aimed to win. We anticipated being pushed back by FC Tokyo for the first 15 minutes. There were moments when they missed decisive chances, but we could see our resilience in overcoming that. Until now, we had struggled to score, but we managed to get one goal. I believe the players fought with focus. However, we still feel a lack of scoring ability, especially regarding the second goal and set pieces, where our precision has not yet improved. This is a challenge we must continue to address. However, after going down to 10 men, we did not crumble and managed to hold on, which I see as progress. Without the will to fight, no matter how good the tactics are, the body won't move, and I believe that not breaking down at that moment will lead to future success. In the last two matches, whether we focus on not being able to score or on our perseverance until the end depends on one's perspective, but I want to look at both sides and shape the direction of the team."