League matches resume! We want to seize victory and build momentum.

　The J1 League Sec. 13 will be an away match against Avispa Fukuoka. It will resume after about two months since Sec. 12 on May 6, including the German World Cup. During the break, the team focused on physical conditioning at the J-Village camp, and in Gotemba, where Japan national team players Dohi and Moniwa joined, they repeatedly conducted training in match format. They played practice matches against Shimizu and Kawasaki, and while the aim of "controlling the ball to gain an advantage and breaking down the opponent" remains unchanged, the defense against the opponent's counterattacks has become a challenge, and how well they can address this will likely determine the outcome of the match.

　Fukuoka, on the other hand, struggled in the first half of the season, finishing 16th with 8 points. However, with the arrival of new head coach Ryoichi KAWAKATSU during the break, the team's motivation is very high. In place of the departed FW Graucho, the newly signed FW Baron will start. The team continues to play a 4-4-2 system, focusing on solid defense and utilizing the flanks. Particularly, the attacking contributions from right MF Kudo, left MF Koga, as well as full-backs Nakamura and Alex, are impressive. Additionally, center-backs Chiyohanda and Kaneko possess height and strength going forward, making it difficult to create clear-cut chances against them.

　Tokyo's system is set up as 3-5-2, with Masushima, Jean, and Moniwa in the three-man defense, and Suzuki and Tokunaga positioned on both sides. It is particularly important to seize control in the battles on the flanks and push the opponent back. Additionally, Ishikawa returns to the starting lineup for the first time in about 10 months. He shows no concerns regarding his signature sharpness and speed, and Coach Garo has stated that he wants to utilize Nao's speed, deploying him as a forward. If the combination of Baba's ability to hold the ball and Ishikawa's runs into the space behind works well together, it can pose a threat to the opposing defense.

　The match against Fukuoka will be a very important battle that will determine the future. Including this match, it will be a four-game stretch with two matches per week, so we definitely want to seize victory and build momentum. The match started at 7:04 PM with Fukuoka's kickoff amidst light rain.

Although they pushed the game forward, they couldn't create a decisive chance.

　Tokyo takes control of the pace from the start of the match. In the 4th minute, after Baba's hold in the center, a cross is sent to Tokunaga on the right side. The ball hits the opposing defender in front of the goal, and Lucas shoots the rebound. However, the opposing GK catches it. In the 6th minute, from Suzuki on the left side, a flowing series of passes from Lucas to Baba to Ishikawa attacks, but they cannot bring it to a finish. In the 9th minute, from Mobi's left FK to Tokunaga on the right. Baba, who followed up, shoots from the right inside the area but is caught by the opposing GK.

　Fukuoka is compacting the space between the FW and DF, thoroughly implementing a strategy to aim for counterattacks from tight pressing. In the 13th minute, they lost the ball in midfield, leading to a pass from right MF Kudo to left-side MF Koga, who found himself free to shoot. However, Jean made a desperate sliding tackle to cut it off and deflect it for a corner kick. It was a decisive moment. Tokyo also had a chance in the 15th minute, transitioning from a counterattack through Moniwa to Suzuki, combining with Baba for a one-two as they surged up the left side to send in a cross, but the opposing DF cut it out. Nevertheless, Lucas took a shot from the left area after connecting with the loose ball, but it was saved by the opposing GK.

　After 20 minutes, Fukuoka takes control of the match. Starting with two corner kicks by MF Koga, they seize opportunities, and in the 24th minute, MF Kudo sends a long ball from a right free kick into the goal area. FW Baron competes for it with Jean and drops it, allowing MF Koga, who runs in, to head it, but he misses and Dohi catches it. In the 30th minute, MF Koga makes a solo run down the right side from a counterattack. The final pass to the center is cut off by Shigeno and results in a corner kick. Conversely, in the 32nd minute, Tokyo also breaks through on the right side from a quick attack, but the floating pass to Ishikawa in front of the goal is ruled offside.

　The rain started to get heavier around the 35th minute. Up to this point, Tokyo has been connecting passes and while the content is not bad, they are unable to grasp the rhythm of the attack. In the 37th minute, Kajiyama boldly takes a shot from outside the area, but it goes straight to the opposing goalkeeper. Suzuki and Tokunaga make runs down the sides, trying to deliver the final pass, but Fukuoka defends resolutely, preventing a complete breakdown of their defense. As a result, most of the shooting opportunities have been from outside the area. Just before the end of the first half, Fukuoka attacks, but the defense holds firm, and the half ends scoreless.

The battle in poor conditions ends in a draw

　As the second half began, puddles formed in places, resulting in the worst pitch conditions. Dribbling and passing did not go as planned, and neither team could establish an attacking shape. Tokyo had allowed Fukuoka's right-side attacks to go unchallenged in the first half, prompting adjustments at halftime. This led to Tokyo beginning to find their attacking rhythm. In the 49th minute, a pass exchange between Baba and Kajiyama set up a last pass to Ishikawa, who broke through the front line. However, it was unfortunately offside. In the 53rd minute, a right-side free kick from Kajiyama to Suzuki aimed for the goal with a powerful shot, but it hit the opposing defender and resulted in a left corner kick.

　In the 60th minute, Lucas attempted a dribble breakthrough in the center and took a mid-range shot. The fast ground ball headed towards the left corner of the goal, but was saved well by the opposing goalkeeper, resulting in a left corner kick. From this corner kick, Ishikawa took a shot in the center, but it was blocked by the opposing DF. In the 62nd minute, Baba took a shot from the center after exchanging passes with Lucas. This was also cut off by the opposing DF, who put their body on the line.

　In the 69th minute, Tokyo makes a move. Tired Ishikawa is replaced by Rychely and Inoha. In the 70th minute, from a counter, Inoha sends a long feed to Baba at the front. Although initially stopped by the opposing defender, Rychely picks up the loose ball and breaks free, but it is cleared for a corner kick. Fukuoka also gradually creates chances from set plays. In the 72nd, 73rd, and 76th minutes, MF Koga's sharp kicks are sent into the goal area, but concentrated defense prevents any goals. In the 79th minute, to regain momentum, Kurizawa is brought in for Baba, and Lucas is moved to forward.

　In the 83rd minute, a Fukuoka DF miscontrolled a clearance from Lucas. Rychely seized this opportunity and charged towards the goal. However, he was blocked by a sliding tackle from the opposing DF just before reaching the goal, resulting in a right corner kick. The liner ball kicked by Kajiyama was met with a header from Lucas, who dove in at the near post, but he couldn't hit the target. In stoppage time, a cross from MF Koga on the right side was cleared by Jean. However, the ball hit the crossbar, creating a tense moment, but ultimately, the match ended with both teams scoreless. The back-and-forth battle, fought without letting up until the end, resulted in a scoreless draw.　

　【Player Comments】<Ishikawa> "It started raining halfway through, so we had to be careful about the pitch conditions and such. We had the pace under control for the first 15 to 20 minutes, but then the midfield got stretched out, and I wasn’t sure whether I should move forward or drop back. Since we couldn’t connect passes, I focused on holding the ball and tried to score by making third-man runs. However, the distance between players was too far. I wanted to persevere and keep going, but I couldn’t get a good rhythm. It’s disappointing that it ended in a draw, but personally, I’m glad to have returned and been able to step onto the pitch. Today, there were supporters who came all the way to this distant away game, and I’m grateful to those who cheered during my injury. I wanted to score and respond to their feelings... I think Yuta’s ball retention and my runs into space created a few chances. The image wasn’t bad. I’ll keep running and do my best to win next time." <Baba> "It was my first appearance in a while, and my legs were fine, and my condition was good. But with this rain, it was impossible to play proper football. In the second half, even when dribbling, the ball would stop, so we needed to switch our thinking to connect more passes. (You were substituted midway?) I talked with Nao-san and said, ‘Given the situation, it can’t be helped. Let’s switch to the next one.’ I think it was good that we didn’t lose."

　[Summary of Coach Gallo's Press Conference] "Both teams competed fiercely, and it was a tough match. Until about the 20th minute of the first half, Tokyo had the pace, but after that, we couldn't keep up the marking on our left side, which was broken down and attacked. In the second half, we corrected and managed the marking on the left side, but due to the rain, we couldn't play a good game. We need to adjust positioning and marking, especially on the defensive side, but I think both teams played with strong determination until the end. (How do you evaluate Ishikawa who played as FW?) He is improving day by day, but since he was away from games for a long time, I think there were some difficulties mentally as well. After all, matches and training are different. As an FW, he has to start strong from the beginning, and I told him to defend properly too. In that sense, I saw signs of fatigue, so I substituted him. However, he has been training well and should continue to improve steadily."

　[Summary of Coach Kawakatsu's Press Conference in Fukuoka] "After the restart, I took the position to score and win at home. Although we couldn't score, it was good that the team was able to do what I repeatedly emphasized: 'Increase the number of players entering the penalty area, and create chances repeatedly including free kicks and corner kicks.' In soccer, there are moments to be cautious and moments to be bold, but today we were a bit too cautious. Especially being cautious near the goal and missing chances was unfortunate that we couldn't score. In rainy conditions like today, I think we should have been bolder. Overall, we were able to attack forward. There was only one substitution, but the players ran long distances and pushed forward so well that substitutions were hardly necessary. Around the 35th minute of the second half, the opponent started to tire, so we brought in Iio to disrupt their defense near the goal. Although the preparation period was short, we feel confident after the official match. However, since this is a world where results are demanded, we want to correct what needs to be fixed and move forward."