A crucial match as we head into the second half of the season

　The league matches have reached the halfway point. The opponents are now in the second round, and in Sec. 18, we will face Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium. After the break, we have achieved 2 consecutive wins following 3 draws, and our form is improving. Particularly in defense, we have maintained a clean sheet for 4 consecutive matches, demonstrating stable strength. This is not only due to the resilience of the defense but also a significant factor is the collective awareness of everyone to defend systematically from the front. In terms of offense, we scored 4 goals against Yokohama FM in the previous match, and we are also on the rise, but Coach Hara emphasized, "We must be cautious in battles like this. Anything can happen in soccer." Ishikawa, who suffered a right foot bruise, has made an astonishing recovery, and the starting lineup will approach the match with the same 4-5-1 formation as the previous match. Additionally, Jean will achieve his 100th appearance in the J1 League in this match.

　Kobe is currently struggling in 18th place with 11 points. In the five matches since welcoming new coach Pavel, they have not achieved a victory, with 2 draws and 3 losses. However, Coach Hara analyzed, "The performance is definitely not bad; they are just unlucky. If things start to turn around, they are not a team that should be at the bottom." In attack, MF Atsuhiro MIURA, who plays as an attacking midfielder, has shown bold plays with powerful middle-range shots and precise kicks. Additionally, FW HIRASE has been in good form, scoring 3 goals in the 5 matches since the restart. The first point is to prevent them from playing freely. Kobe's defense appears to be a four-back on the lineup, but DF HOJER and DF PARK are positioned in midfield, with MF SAIKI in the center of the back line, and DF KITAMOTO and KAWAMOTO serving as stoppers in a three-back formation. Tokyo is expected to exploit the side spaces with fast attacks and break through the defense.

　Kobe must have a desperation of "we can't lose any more." In response, they will not play defensively but will put forth their fighting spirit to aim for a third consecutive win. It is an important match to connect well into the latter half of August. The Japan National Stadium has been favorable with no losses in the past 13 matches, but on that evening, due to an earthquake that struck the Kanto region, all JR lines were suspended. As a result, the match start time was changed from the original 18:33 to a 19:00 kickoff, 27 minutes later. Amid the incident, the match started with Kobe's kickoff.

Second Half Of Season Opens With Vital Game

F.C. TOKYO took on Vissel Kobe at the National Stadium in the 18th game of the season. With three draws followed by two wins and four consecutive clean sheets since the League restart, the team's fortunes had improved considerably. This refound frugality was not only due to defensive quality but also a systematic organization that allowed the team to defend from the front. The attack was flourishing, having plundered four goals in the demolition of defending champions Yokohama F Marinos in the previous game. TOKYO manager Hara urged caution though, "We have to be careful in a game like today's as you never know what's going to happen in football." Ishikawa had made a rapid recovery from a badly bruised ankle and the starting eleven remained unchanged from the previous week in a 4-5-1 formation. The game marked Jean's 100th appearance for the club.
Vissel were propping up the table at kick-off with a mere 11 points. Although winless in 5 games under new manager Pavel Rehak, TOKYO's Hara was wary of dismissing his opponents, "They haven't played badly at all; they just haven't had the luck. If they can turn things around they won't be a lower ranked team for long." The addition of midfielder Atsuhiro Miura, with his excellent vision, passing ability, and powerful shooting had strengthened the team. Forward Hirase had scored three in five games and was in good form. TOKYO would need to prevent the experienced striker from enjoying any space or freedom of movement. Vissel lined up with Saeki, Kitamoto, and Komoto as a back three with Roger and Park in midfield.
Vissel were already fighting for their J1 existence and couldn't afford to lose more games. TOKYO hadn't lost to Kobe in the previous 13 meetings and had a favorable record at the National Stadium. The home side was determined to produce a winning performance and enter the break in a positive manner. The Tokyo area was struck by an earthquake in the late afternoon that caused the suspension of train services and the kick-off was pushed back by 27 minutes. The visitors got the ball rolling at 7 p.m. on a balmy summer's evening.

Overwhelmed Kobe, but allowed the opening goal from a counterattack

　Tokyo aggressively attacked from the start. In the first minute, they had a chance with a right corner kick. Kurizawa's kick was met by Lucas with a header, but it missed the target. In the fourth minute, from a right throw-in, Kajiyama connected, and Kaji broke through to the right sideline. He sent a grounded negative cross, and Kurizawa shot, but it went wide, missing the chance to take the lead. In the ninth minute, Kurizawa and Kajiyama connected after a loose ball from Kanazawa's left cross, and from Ishikawa to Lucas's post, Ishikawa, who circled in, took a shot. They created a chance with flowing passing work, but the shot did not connect, and the goalkeeper caught it. In the seventeenth minute, Toda was fouled on the left side of the opponent's half, earning a free kick. Kurizawa's kick was met by Jean, but the ball was just a bit too long.

　Sugawara in the defensive midfield, Park on the right side, and Hoijer on the left are solidly defending for Kobe, but Tokyo outperformed them with quick passing and movement, creating many chances. In the 20th minute, Kajiyama took a well-controlled mid-range shot from a free kick. In the 24th minute, starting from Kajiyama, the ball was spread left and right, and Kanazawa, who had moved into the center, took a shot that went wide to the right of the goal. While they struggled to convert chances into goals, in the 25th minute, they regained possession in their own half, and Kajiyama made a long through pass to the left side. Toda advanced, but his cross was blocked by the DF, and the loose ball was caught by the opposing GK. When Hoijer on the left side received this, he immediately sent a long pass to the front line. FW Kurihara broke through behind the Tokyo DF, going one-on-one with Doi. He calmly finished, resulting in a goal conceded. Kobe allowed the first goal from a brilliant counterattack.

　Nevertheless, in the remaining 15 minutes of the first half, they focused on set plays to threaten the Kobe goal. In the 31st minute, Kaji broke through and earned a right corner kick. In the 33rd minute, Toda was fouled, resulting in a free kick in the left area. In the 36th minute, Kanazawa attacked up to the left end line and delivered a floating ball cross. The opposing goalkeeper touched it, and Kajiama rushed in to volley it, but it went to the left of the goal. In the 38th minute, Lucas and Kajiama exchanged direct passes, and Kaji ran into the center to take a well-aimed shot, but the opposing DF blocked it. In the 42nd minute, Kurizawa was fouled, leading to a free kick taken by Jean, but he could not score in front of the Kobe DF, who defended resolutely, ending the first half with a one-goal deficit.

TOKYO Dominate But Fall Behind

TOKYO began in aggressive mood, winning a corner with their first foray forward. Lucas met Kurisawa's ball but failed to hit the target. The first real chance fell to Kurisawa in the 4th minute. Kajiyama neatly played Kaji in on the right near the corner flag; Kaji raced to the byline and pulled the ball back to Kurisawa who scuffed his shot wide of the left post. In the 9th minute a slick passing move set up Ishikawa on the edge of the area; Kakegawa, in the Vissel goal, held Ishikawa's shot comfortably. In the 17th minute Toda won a free kick on the left and Kurisawa curled a tempting ball to the far post that Jean missed by a whisker.
Sugawara in defensive midfield, Park on the right and Roger on the left formed a solid defensive line but TOKYO's rapid passing and movement created chances. Kajiyama fired in a free kick in the 20th minute and another neat passing display set up Kanazawa for an attempt on goal in the 24th minute. The home side seemed in command when disaster struck in the 25th minute. Kajiyama played a long feed down the left for Toda to chase. Toda took on a defender and crossed, his effort striking a defender and falling to Kakegawa. Kakegawa bowled the ball out to Roger who immediately hoicked it forward for Kurihara to chase. Kurihara outpaced the TOKYO defence and slipped the ball past the advancing Doi to give his side an unlikely lead.
TOKYO maintained their bombardment of the Vissel goal with a series of free kicks and corners but were unable to fashion a clear sight of goal. In the 36th minute Kanazawa skipped to the byline and floated in a cross that Kakegawa punched unconvincingly clear. The loose ball fell to Kajiyama whose downward volley ballooned fractionally the wrong side of the post. TOKYO increased the pressure as half time approached but the Vissel defenders flung themselves in front of efforts from Kaji and Jean and the period ended 0-1.

A brilliant goal by Baba equalizes, but it ends in a draw.

　Even in the second half, Tokyo's dominance remains unchanged. They controlled the ball in midfield and launched wave attacks from the sides. However, they lacked accuracy in crosses and shots, making it difficult to finish. Right after the start of the second half, Ishikawa and Kajiyama took shots in succession inside the area, but were blocked by the Kobe defense. In the 48th minute, Kajiyama took a long-range shot, and in the 52nd minute, after receiving a pass from Lucas, Kajiyama turned the opposing defender in front of the goal and shot, but it just went slightly to the right. On the other hand, Kobe took the lead and tightened their defense even more. In response to this flow, in the 55th minute, they brought in Baba and Noriyuki SUZUKI simultaneously to replace Kurizawa and Ishikawa. They were betting on the match.

　Tokyo, gaining momentum with this. Creating many chances from set plays, in the 58th minute, Norio SUZUKI aimed for the goal with a powerful free kick from a tight angle on the right side. However, it bounced and was saved by the goalkeeper. In the 59th minute, a wave of attacks followed. After connecting well with the loose ball, in the end, Kajiyama took a shot that caught the opposing DF off guard just before the area, but it hit the post and did not result in a goal... However, in the 64th minute, Tadashi BABA, after exchanging passes with Kajiyama in the center, drifted slightly to the left but cut back inside and took a shot before completely getting past the opposing DF. The ball curved and went into the bottom right corner. BABA's technique shone with his second consecutive goal, leveling the score!

　Using the space in front of the Kobe defense, Baba and Kajiama actively attacked and created chances. In the 66th minute, Toda's left cross was returned by Baba on the right, and Lucas jumped in for Kaji's shot-like cross. They created a wide play, but the timing was just slightly off. In the 79th minute, Miura was brought in to replace Kanazawa. Konno entered as the left side back, aiming to exploit the flanks. In the 89th minute, Miura connected from Kaji's long throw, and Kaji took a powerful shot. Kajiama also rushed in front of the goal, but they couldn't score against Kobe's fierce defense. Just before the end, Noriyuki Suzuki aimed for a free kick just before the penalty arc, creating a moment of excitement, but in the end, despite 20 shots, they only managed to score 1 goal by Baba, resulting in a 1-1 draw. However, I want to view positively that they secured 1 point from a match that unfolded as Kobe intended. They navigated through the six consecutive matches in July without a loss, with 2 wins and 4 draws, and are looking forward to the second half of the season starting in August.

　【Player Comments】《Baba》"The goal was as I aimed. I cut inside, switched to my right foot, and curved it. Until now, I have often missed strong shots, which I felt was not like me, but today I was able to calmly score. Recently, I have been able to play as I imagined, and the ball is sticking to my feet, so I'm in good form." 《Kurizawa》"(At the start, there was a shooting chance from Kaji's cross, but) the ball was a step faster than I expected, and I couldn't finish it. I reflect that I need to be more decisive in those situations... When there is space, I can attack freely, but when the opposing defense pulls back, the accuracy of crosses and the thickness in the box become necessary. I feel a lack in that area. I should have been able to shoot from close to the goal like Yuta did... I want to make an effort to aim for more shots from those positions." 《Kaji》"We need to turn matches like this into wins, but at least it was good that we managed to draw. I might have been too focused on connecting the play today. There are still issues with our attack when the opponent pulls back."

　【Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference】 "Kobe has been conceding many goals lately, but watching the matches, they have been losing in an unlucky manner despite playing good games, and their performance has not been bad at all. However, today it was expected that they would definitely tighten up in front of the goal. So we aimed to move the ball simply, break through the sides, or attack while effectively utilizing Lucas in the center. The goal conceded in the first half was due to a counterattack after we committed to the offense. Moniwa tried to call for an offside, and I think Doi could have jumped forward, but he fell back. That goal made Kobe tighten up even more in front of their goal. At halftime, we discussed how to turn this game around, but Kurizawa was man-marked by Kobe's midfielder Saeki and showed signs of fatigue. Ishikawa was in good condition after his injury, but he wasn't at his best. So we decided to bring in Baba and Norio Suzuki all at once to take a gamble. In fact, their entry changed the flow of the game, and Baba scored a wonderful goal. There was another chance to score, but Kaji attacked well, yet the cross went astray, and Norio Suzuki also escaped from the cross when he could have gone one step further inside. We wanted to take all three points, but Kobe fought desperately and couldn't be taken lightly. We need to address issues including the accuracy of our shots. In the six consecutive matches, we ended up with 2 wins and 4 draws, but I believe we could have won the last two matches. However, the players came together and overcame a difficult period. Including Konno, four players have been selected for the Japan national team, and I believe the team is definitely growing. Kajiya has also shown that he can play in midfield. We still need to improve the quality of our attack, but I want to effectively utilize the two, Konno and Kajiya, so that the entire team can execute a dynamic attack. There will be a break until August 20, but we will train hard and aim to turn matches like today into three points, and strive to catch up with the top teams like Kashima and Gamba."

　[Summary of Coach Wada's Press Conference (Proxy Attendance Due to Coach Pavel's Suspension)] "I think the team was able to start well from the beginning. Before the match, we discussed building a solid block for defense, and while chances might be limited, we aimed to capitalize on counterattacks. We were able to score the opening goal as planned. After that, I believe everyone united to execute the style of play we wanted. In the second half, the overall line was too deep, and although I was giving instructions from the bench, we conceded an equalizer. Even after that, Tokyo's relentless attack continued, but the players had a strong determination not to lose. Of course, there was a desire to score another goal and secure the win, but I want to view the draw positively. I want to commend the fact that we did not lose in the first game of the second half of the season. We want to use the break to regroup the team and prepare for the games starting in August."

Baba Bags A Beauty But...

TOKYO began the second period as they had finished the first: controlling the ball in midfield and penetrating the Vissel defense along the wings. However, the quality of the final ball was lacking and despite almost total domination a clear scoring opportunity failed to materialize. Kajiyama came closest in the 50th minute following some sterling work by Lucas but his snatched shot from the edge of the area flew wide. Vissel's defensive resolve was high and in the 55th minute TOKYO made a double substitution, bringing on Baba and last week's hero Suzuki, in an attempt to conjure an equalizer.
The move breathed fresh life into TOKYO's attack and the chances flowed. In the 58th minute Suzuki hammered a long-range free kick on goal that Kakegawa fumbled but no TOKYO player could reach the loose ball and the Vissel defense cleared their lines. In the 59th minute Kajiyama saw his well-struck effort clip the heels of a defender, wrong-footing Kakegawa who looked on with relief as the ball bobbled against the post and away. TOKYO finally made the breakthrough in the 64th minute. Baba and Kajiyama exchanged passes in midfield, Baba receiving the ball back some 20 meters from goal on the left of the penalty area. He cut inside a defender and curled a drive across the face of the goal and inside the right post. Baba's exemplary technique had found the net for the second game in a row.
Vissel withdrew even further into their defensive shell, allowing Baba and Kajiyama to use the space in front of the defense almost at will. In the 66th minute Toda and Baba attempted to stretch the Vissel defense with deep crosses but Lucas failed to connect with Kaji's shot-cum-cross. In the 79th minute Miura replaced Kanazawa with Konno switching to left side back. In the 89th minute Kaji blasted a shot against the Vissel defense but Kajiyama was unable to capitalize on the loose ball. Suzuki blasted the final chance of the game, a free kick some 28 yards from goal, into the defensive wall and the contest finished 1-1. Vissel seemed satisfied with the point they earned from a solid defensive performance. TOKYO finished the hectic July schedule with a W2 D4 record and turned their attention to the 19th game at the end of August, following yet another month-long break for international commitments.


Players' comments 
Baba: 
"The goal was just what I was aiming for: cut back inside, hit it with my right foot and curl the ball inside the far post. I've been shooting at full power until now and missing often but today's effort was much better. I picked my spot and placed the shot rather than hammering it. I'm able to play exactly as I'm visualising things at the moment and I feel in good form". 

Kurisawa:
"Kaji's ball came to me faster than I expected and I couldn't hit it cleanly. I really have to bury chances like that. We had plenty of space to attack in today but when teams defend deeply we need more accurate crosses and more players in the box. I really felt we were lacking that today. I wish I could have pulled off a shot like Yuta's ( Baba ); I have to try to shoot from that position as well".

Kaji:
"We should win games like that today but at least we were able to get a draw. Maybe we concentrated too much on passing the ball around. We still have a problem when our opponents defend very deeply".


F.C.TOKYO manager Hara
"Kobe have conceded goals and lost a few games recently but they haven't played badly, they've just been unlucky. We knew they would attempt to lock up their defence today and planned to play a simple game using the wings and Lucas' ability to hold the ball up in a central position. They caught us on a counter attack; Moniwa was trying to play Kurihara offside and I thought Doi would come out of his goal but he stayed back. That goal allowed them to defend even more deeply. Kurisawa was being man-marked by Saeki and was tiring while Ishikawa was far from his best today after that knock in last week's game. So we sent Baba and Suzuki on together to change things around and Baba scored a great goal. We had our chances to win the game after that but the crossing needed a little more patience and accuracy. Vissel were defending as though their lives depended on it. We got two wins and four draws out of the six games but we should have won two more of those. Still, the squad has a great spirit and we overcame the difficult period we were having. We've also had four players selected for the National Team which is further proof that we're making progress. Kajiyama had another great game today and his partnership with Konno is so important in allowing us to attack dynamically. We still need more creativity in attack, though. We have a break until August 20th. now and we're going to work hard in training to win games like today's and move ourselves up towards the right end of the table".

Vissel spokesperson:
"The team played well from the start today. Our plan was to defend strongly and take our chances, however few they might be. We achieved our aims in the first half but defended too deeply after TOKYO equalised. We're very pleased not to have lost the first game of the second half of the season and will be working hard in training to improve after the break."