Prepare your posture and aim for a higher ranking!

　In the 7th round, which will be held two days after the previous round, we will face Kashima Antlers at home. In the 6th round, we achieved a satisfying victory against the top-ranked Urawa, and we should have gained confidence and momentum. Today is also "Brazil Day", where we have remained undefeated for the past 7 years. We want to win here and aim for a sudden rise in the rankings. Lucas, who scored a goal in the previous round, will start. Also, Ishikawa, who has recovered from his injury, will be on the bench for the first time since the 5th round of the Nabisco Cup on July 17th (and the first time in the league since the 11th round of the 1st stage on May 22nd).

　Kashima, on the other hand, is currently in 8th place with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. While they cannot be considered in top form, they have shown resilience with 1 win and 2 draws since September. In the 4th round, they conceded 4 goals against C Osaka, and in the 5th round, they conceded 4 goals against Iwata, but in the previous round, they were able to hold Shimizu to a scoreless draw and improve their defense. In this round, they will be without DF Kaneko due to suspension, but MF Motoyama, who is on the Japan national team, will return after missing 3 games. Like Tokyo, they will aim to climb up the rankings and try to take 3 points.

Fall behind and allow Kashima to take the lead

　Under cloudy skies and in chilly weather with intermittent drizzles, the match kicked off in Tokyo. Just after the start, Tokyo showed a good start with a right cross from Kelly via Toda and Kaji, but just one minute later, Kashima's right back Uchida pushed forward and crossed from a deep position. Suzuki, the FW, took a shot from inside the area, hitting the crossbar. Although it didn't result in a goal, this play sparked Kashima's push forward.

　Dominating the ball, with FKs from the front of the goal at 4 and 10 minutes. At 15 minutes, FW Baron from the left CK takes a direct shot with his foot, but the ball bounces over the goal.

　Tokyo was slow to start and couldn't press well. In attack, they tried to pass to Lucas up front and have Baba and Toda make runs on the left and right, but their combination didn't work and they couldn't finish. In the 23rd minute, Kelly received a pass near the penalty area and crossed it after turning. Toda's header from the right side was their first shot of the day.

　At 26 minutes, Arai of Kashima left side back allowed a dribble breakthrough into the area, barely escaping a corner kick. Tokyo quickly took advantage of this loose ball and launched a counterattack. From Kelly's keep, Kanazawa was free on the right side. Kaji, who had moved up on the outside, sent a sharp cross from the right area, but Toda, who was in front of the goal, collapsed and left the goal wide open. However, Kelly in the center just missed the ball. Baba's shot from the far side was quickly blocked by the returning Kashima defenders.

　Kashima took advantage of Tokyo's missed opportunity and firmly connected it to a goal. In the 30th minute, a pass from midfielder Nakata flowed to the left to Suzuki. Suzuki's cross was cleared by Jean, but the ball floated up in front of the goal. Baron went to compete for it with his head, and at the perfect timing, MF Fernando ran into the goal and picked up the loose ball, smashing it into the goal. Tokyo couldn't keep up with Fernando's mark and ended up conceding the first goal.

Regaining rhythm, creating chances, but...

　After being scored on, Tokyo finally began to focus on scoring. However, in the 33rd minute, Imakano's middle shot went to the left of the goal. In the 35th minute, they attacked from the right FK and Kelly's overhead shot from inside the area was on target, but the opposing GK made the save. In the 41st minute, Lucas dribbled past two or three opposing players and entered the area, but was unable to take a shot. In the final minutes, they took control and launched a counterattack, but were unable to create any decisive chances and went into the second half trailing by one point.

　At halftime, Manager Hara's instructions were to "thoroughly defend from the front line." This was to prevent Kashima's long passes. In addition, he said, "There were a lot of sideways passes and we weren't able to change sides. Let's aim for a big development." In the 49th minute, Miura was replaced by Miyazawa. In the 51st minute, Kashima's MF Ogasawara took a right FK in front of the goal, and DF Nakata, who had snuck behind, took a shot, but Tsuchi was able to save it. After surviving the pinch, Tokyo substituted Abe for Baba in the 54th minute. He moved quickly and aimed for an equalizing goal.

　After that, Kelly received a floating pass in front of the goal from a right throw-in. Toda jumped in, but just missed. In the 55th minute, Miyazawa picked up a clear ball from a right corner kick and took a shot. In the 56th minute, Tokyo took another corner kick and threatened Kashima's goal. In the 60th minute, Toda used the right side and Kaji, who had advanced to the goal line, crossed the ball. Lucas took a one-touch and shot from a close distance near the goal while turning around, hitting the post. In the 62nd minute, Miyazawa took an unexpected right free kick. He perfectly passed it to Kanazawa, who ran into the center of the goal, but his shot went to the right of the goal.

Defeated in a favorable development for Kashima, a heartbreaking loss

　Tokyo, who attacked the enemy's territory, and Kashima, who countered, progressed the game. In the 65th minute, Fernando took a middle shot from a quick attack. He picked up the clear from Tokyo DF and was shot again freely, but it missed above the frame and avoided an additional point. Tokyo, who desperately wanted one point, replaced Toda with Ishikawa in the 66th minute. The stand was filled with loud cheers for Ishikawa's first appearance since the NABISCO Cup Kobe match on July 17th. Ishikawa ran on the right side immediately after entering the game. Surrounded by two opposing DFs, he won a free kick. However, Lucas shot the loose ball from Miyazawa's kick, but the opposing DF blocked it.

　On the other hand, in the 68th minute, Kashima made a substitution, replacing Honma with MF Aoki in the defensive midfield position. They placed Fernando in front of Ishikawa to solidify their defense. However, Ishikawa played aggressively with their emotions on the front line. In the 77th minute, they received a pass from Kaji on the right and cut inside for a shot. They won a corner kick. Miyazawa took a short corner on the right and passed it to Ishikawa, who took a shot from the middle but missed to the right of the goal. In the 80th minute, Kelly passed to Lucas for a one-two and attempted to break through the center, but was stopped by Kashima's defense and couldn't take a shot.

　From the 83rd minute, we created chances with FK and CK in succession, but were pushed back by Kashima's clear intention to "protect the one point" and could not finish. Only time passed by. In stoppage time, Kaji injured his right foot and was forced to leave the field. Despite facing the counterattack with 10 players due to using all substitution slots, we were unable to score a goal. In the second half alone, we had 10 shots, 4 CKs, and 16 direct FKs, but the "one point" was far away, and it was a regrettable defeat against Kashima's tenacity and cunning game management.

【Player Comments】《Kanazawa》"It was a different mental state to be in a chasing position, but we didn't have enough strength to equalize with just one goal. We dominated in the second half, but our attacks were not effective. Kashima's defense closed the spaces and their two center backs were tall, so we couldn't break through. We also didn't have any movements or position changes to pull their defense out. If we want to focus on attacking, we need to increase the number of ways we can score, including our own shots. Otherwise, it will be difficult to win. We need to show our own style."《Ishikawa》"Before coming on, I was thinking about changing the rhythm by using side changes and quick passes, so we wouldn't fall into the trap of the opposing defenders waiting for us. We had a few chances, but we lacked ideas and plays for the situation. It was great to receive warm support at my beloved Ajinomoto Stadium, but since we didn't get the results, we need to focus on the next game. I hope I can bring my fresh mindset to the team."

　[Summary of Manager Hara's Press Conference] "Our start in the first half was very poor. We had a good game against Urawa, and we talked about switching our mindset from there... Kashima sent long balls to the opposite side from center backs Oiwa and Iwamasa, who were open, and to players like Ogasawara and Motomura. Our checks on players like Lucas and Kelly, who were passing the ball, were not strong enough, and as a result, we were easily beaten and lost possession. We were lucky to only concede one goal in the first half. At halftime, we talked about defending from the front and in the second half, the situation changed. Kashima may have been leading, but they were unable to connect passes and we dominated. However, we were unable to break through Kashima's defense, which was solid in front of the goal. The ball was moving, but for example, even Kelly held onto the ball too much and slowed down the rhythm. We need to move the ball faster and improve the accuracy of our final finishes, crosses, and shots. Kashima played tenaciously and we were unable to break through, which was the reason for our loss today. We had such a good game against Urawa, but today's first half was the complete opposite. The season is still ongoing, so we need to raise our team's strength even more. Next is an away game against Nagoya, and we want to start the game like we did in the second half today."

　[Kashima Cerezo coach press conference summary] "I think it was a reasonable result considering the content. Both teams played with the same formation and were attacking teams, so I expected it to be an even match. The only concern was that some players were not in good condition due to playing three games a week, and whether they could maintain the same pace until the end. The key point of Kashima's play is the return of the midfield, and in the first half, Ogashihara and Motomura were doing it perfectly. By having the half return, we were able to suppress the opponent's side. In the first 10-15 minutes of the second half, we were on the defensive, but that was also expected. If we could get through that, I was confident we could win. As the opponent's pace gradually slowed down, Ogashihara and Motomura were able to create space and the defensive midfielder was able to push up. In the beginning, we were kicking forward, but it was good that we gradually regained our pace. After the 25-minute mark of the second half, our goal was to keep a clean sheet. I predicted FC Tokyo's player substitutions, and the only point I had to be careful of was the newness of Ishikawa. In response to Ishikawa, we brought in Aoki and put Fernando on the side to eliminate space. They still created some chances from crosses and set pieces, but we concentrated and never lost our determination for the ball until the end. I think the Kashima supporters were satisfied with the win. As a coach, I was able to play a near-perfect game today. And we got the victory."