Switching mindset, aiming for victory at home

　In Sec. 32, we will face Yokohama F.Marinos at home. In the previous match, we lost to Iwata away, but in this match, we want to switch our mindset and leverage our home advantage to achieve victory. However, the team's condition is far from perfect. While Ishikawa, who had been suffering from a right foot injury, is returning, Inoha, Kajiwara, and Hirayama will be away from the team due to their participation in the U-21 Japan national team activities starting from the 19th, and all three played in the match against South Korea on the 21st (Tuesday). Inoha also accompanied the Japan national team for the Asian Cup qualifiers held in Sapporo last week, and considering their respective conditions, Inoha and Kajiwara will avoid today's match.

　The members include Jean, who will be in the starting lineup for the first time since the match against Hiroshima on October 15. Additionally, Konno will be used as a center-back, and the double pivot will consist of Miura and Miyazawa. Coach Kuramata explained about Konno, saying, "Considering the combination with Jean, and also because Yokohama tends to play early feeds, we converted him to address that as well."

　Yokohama FM is currently in 12th place with the same 39 points as Tokyo. They welcomed new coach Takashi MIZUNUMA during the season to try to turn things around, but they have recently suffered three consecutive losses and are not improving. However, attention is needed on the breakthroughs from the sides centered around MF Hayato TANAKA, the runs from the attacking midfielder Koji YAMASE, and the play utilizing the speed of FW Sakata. Additionally, targeting FW Oshima, their power play initiated from precise balls is also a threat.

　It should be a tense development, but in response, Tokyo wants to take control and counter by being more aggressive. Although the DF line will be a makeshift one, they want to extend the time of attack and finish it off, aiming to prevent conceding from counterattacks. In attack, they want to find a chance by exploiting the gaps behind the high line of Yokohama FM's DF. The match started at 15:04 with Tokyo's kickoff under a cloudy sky that felt like the chill of midwinter at Ajinomoto.

Seize the rhythm and take the lead with Lucas's penalty kick!

　In the first half, we applied pressure from the front to win the ball and seized the rhythm with quick attacks. In the 2nd minute, from a left corner kick, Ishikawa cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot. Konno created a chance by following up on the rebound from the opposing GK, but the shot did not connect and was once again blocked by the GK. In the 5th minute, Yokohama FM also created a decisive opportunity. Right MF Hayato TANAKA aggressively broke through the side. The cross he delivered from near the end line was chest-controlled by FW Oshima in front of the goal, leading to a shot. The ball hit the underside of the left post, avoiding a goal conceded.

　Still, Tokyo took the lead and approached the Yokohama FM goal mainly through set plays. In the 6th minute, Toda broke free from a feed to the front line and was fouled by the opposing GK just outside the left area, earning a free kick. In the 15th minute, following Ishikawa's breakthrough, a free kick was awarded outside the right area. Miyazawa's kick was deflected by the GK, resulting in a left corner kick. In the 16th minute, a combination between Ishikawa and Miyazawa led to a free kick from outside the left area. They then won a left corner kick. However, both kicks from Miyazawa and Baba were blocked by Yokohama FM's defense, resulting in no goals.

　In the 17th minute, they launched a wave attack in front of the Yokohama FM goal, and finally, Miyazawa sent a lob pass to Lucas in the area. At this point, Yokohama FM defender Nasu blocked Lucas's advance, resulting in a penalty kick. In the 19th minute, Lucas successfully converted this penalty kick to score the opening goal!

　In the 34th minute, a chance to score an additional goal was created. Lucas skillfully controlled a throw-in from his own half and sent a floating ball to the right front line. Ishikawa ran in for it and shot from inside the right area! However, he was thwarted by the opponent's goalkeeper's quick reaction. In the 38th minute, from a post by Lucas to Toda, the ball was directly connected to Baba, and his shot shook the net, but it was offside at Toda's position. In the 43rd minute, Lucas persistently kept the ball on the right side. Ishikawa reacted to a pass into the middle, evaded an incoming opponent defender with a trap, and took a shot from just in front of the goal area. It was a decisive chance, but the ball went just slightly to the left... They couldn't score an additional goal and went into halftime with a one-goal lead.

Frustrating comeback loss against Yokohama FM

　In the second half, Yokohama FM launched a counterattack. Gradually, they pushed Tokyo back amidst a fierce battle for the ball. Nevertheless, with Doi, Jean, and Konno at the center, they defended calmly, resulting in a back-and-forth development. In the 60th minute, taking advantage of a gap in the advancing Yokohama FM, Baba sprinted up the left side and sent a cross to the far side. Ishikawa connected with a direct volley, sending the ball accurately into the frame, but once again, it was thwarted by the goalkeeper's save.

　Yokohama FM substituted MF Hayato TANAKA for MF Oku in the 63rd minute. They connected passes with good tempo and took control of the pace. In contrast, Tokyo's movement decreased, and the DF line started to drop back. In the 67th minute, Tokyo substituted Ishikawa for Suzuki as a left MF, hoping for an additional goal with Toda moving to the right. However, Yokohama FM also brought in FW Marquez for MF Kano in the 75th minute. Just after that, in the 76th minute, Yokohama FM's MF Oku received a floating pass in the area. The Tokyo DF cleared it, but the loose ball was crossed by MF Koji YAMASE to DF Dutra on the left side. FW Oshima jumped in front of Jean and headed the ball. Although Doih saved the shot from close range, the rebound was pushed in by MF Oku, leveling the score.

　In the 80th minute, Toda broke forward on the right flank and passed back to Lucas in the center. Surrounded by defenders, Lucas returned the ball, and Miura made a run, but unfortunately, the pass did not connect... In the 84th minute, Hirayama was brought on to replace Miyazawa. However, Yokohama FM, who went for a power play, completely pushed us back. In the 88th minute, a sharp left cross from Yokohama FM's FW Marques found FW Oshima, whose header was on target, but Jean blocked it just in time! As we entered 2 minutes of stoppage time, MF Kawai connected with MF Koji YAMASE, who moved freely into the right area to DF Kurihara. Kurihara's shot was saved nicely by Doi, resulting in a corner kick, and it seemed we had escaped the danger.

　However, from this right corner kick, FW Marques' kick was headed in by DF Nasu at the far post. The ball floated gently, and Dohi's outstretched hand couldn't reach it, resulting in a goal. After that, Jean also moved up front and continued to try to counterattack until the end, but to no avail. Just before the end, they allowed a go-ahead goal and suffered a painful comeback defeat.

　【Player Comments】<Ishikawa> "Since I rested last match, my body felt somewhat too light. I moved too much, and my muscles and knees couldn't keep up with my sharpness, which even scared me. There was a decisive chance, but my first shot aimed high was saved. The second shot aimed low and followed the intended course, but it missed. Recently, Yokohama FM often connected the ball at their feet, so at the start, I pressed from the front line. We talked about dropping the line to try to regain possession if the opponent kicked long balls and we couldn't pick up the second ball, but we ended up being pushed back. In the second half, when fatigue set in, it would have been better to stay more compact. The next match is the final home game. Rather than just stopping the opponent's championship, I want to play a match that connects to our future Emperor's Cup and next season." <Konno> "In the end, we lost... a tough result that leaves us tired. Today, we tried to defend firmly and launch counters. What we tried to do didn't change between the first and second halves, but in the second half, we couldn't bring the game to counterattacks, were pushed back, and the defensive line couldn't hold. It was my first start as a center back, but I thought if I didn't lose one-on-one battles, we wouldn't concede. I marked players to some extent, but toward the end, Yokohama FM kept surging forward from the back, and we ended up conceding. This loss is frustrating and disappointing, but the next match comes soon. We want to switch our mindset, fight hard, and win."

　[Summary of Coach Kuramata's Press Conference] "Although we were overturned, I think we were able to play the soccer we aimed for in the first half. We read that Yokohama's defensive line was shallow, so we targeted the space behind it, and I also think we handled early feeds well. In the second half, we prepared for the opponent taking risks to attack, but due to marking errors caused by the opponent's substitutions, we conceded the first goal, and the second goal was due to our own mistake. If we had scored an additional goal early in the second half, the chances of winning would have been high, but we failed to do so. We had chances, so if we had finished them, the result would have been different. Konno was tasked with covering Yokohama FM's forward Sakata's runs, and he did well. He also pushed forward after winning the ball, so there was no problem with Konno as a center back. Jean played in a match for the first time in a while, and I think there were parts where his match sense was lacking. I haven't checked yet, but the part where he lost his mark on crosses needs correction. (There is a match against Urawa in two days, right?) I haven't thought about anything yet. I will watch the video and consider the members from now on."

　[Yokohama FM - Coach Mizunuma's Press Conference Summary] "I am relieved that we got the result. Until now, the players were doing what they intended to do, but despite that, they couldn't get the results, and I felt a great responsibility. Before the match today, I said, 'FC Tokyo's soccer is aggressive and very intimidating. However, since they push forward, they also take risks.' We faced some critical moments and conceded goals, but at halftime, I talked about tactics and instructed, 'If we create a starting point in the midfield space, we can manage somehow.' The ball started to settle there, and we were able to move forward. We made substitutions, and while some players were motivated and others were not, the players who played today did well. It was good that we could deliver results to the fans. We want to fight desperately in the remaining two matches and get results. Defender Nasu, who scored the final goal, hadn't been used in the last few matches but is a hard worker who can restore his performance on his own. I had no concerns about using him. He did well to contain Lucas, and although I didn't expect him to score the final goal, he did. Above all, seeing everyone rush to him after the goal made me feel the team's unity."