Challenging the Tamagawa Classico with full force

　In Sec. 10, we will face Kawasaki Frontale at the away Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. There is a history of fierce battles with Kawasaki since the JFL era. Considering this, it has been named the "Tamagawa Classico" as a "traditional match" across the Tamagawa River, and this will be counted as the 11th edition. Since 1999 (J2), the head-to-head record stands at 3 wins, 5 draws, and 2 losses for Tokyo. Particularly in J1 matches, we have the upper hand with 3 wins and 3 draws. Currently, Kawasaki is ranked high in the league, but today we expect a heated battle with pride on the line, making it a match we cannot afford to lose.

　Tokyo is without Kanazawa due to a foot injury. Therefore, the defensive line will consist of Shigeno, making his first start of the season, and Konno as center-backs, with Fujiyama serving as left-back. Shigeno will be making his appearance since October 28 of last year (Sec. 29 against Urawa). Despite the short preparation time as a starter during consecutive matches, he stated, "I feel responsible for the team's performance. I want to do my best and win." Additionally, considering his condition, Wanchope will start on the bench. Lucas will be positioned at the front, with Baba playing just behind the striker.

　Kawasaki, currently in 6th place with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, has been facing a tough schedule this season due to their participation in the ACL, which has involved battles in Asia that are even more demanding than the J-League. In the last two matches without MF Nakamura, they drew with Chiba and lost to Yokohama FM, resulting in no wins. This match will see MF Maginun suspended, and FW Ganaha also likely not participating, putting them in a difficult situation. However, MF Nakamura returns for this match. MF Ohashi, making his first start, will take the position left by MF Maginun, and they will approach the game with a 3-5-2 formation. The attacking lineup is originally strong, and the attacks developed from MF Nakamura are powerful, requiring significant caution.

　Tokyo, which has concerns about its scoring ability, wants to create chances through fluid movement in midfield and switching sides, as glimpsed in the previous match. They want to commit more players to the attack, even if it involves risks, such as pushing up Fukunishi. Both teams suffered losses in the last match, and they want to avoid consecutive defeats in this match. They will challenge with a spirit of a challenger and aim for victory in the 'Clasico' with a united effort.

Four consecutive goals conceded from Kawasaki's counterattack

　On the last Sunday of Golden Week, the match started at 16:04 with a kickoff from Kawasaki in unfortunate weather with heavy rain. Right after the start, Kawasaki took the lead. In the 2nd minute, Fukunishi stole the ball from Kawasaki's side and passed it to Ishikawa. Ishikawa sprinted into the opponent's territory but was dispossessed by Kawasaki's defense, leading to a counterattack. Kawasaki's midfielder Ohashi received a pass from Nakamura just before the halfway line and sprinted with the ball. Without being pressured by Tokyo's defense, he advanced to the penalty arc and took a mid-range shot, which slipped through Shiota's hands and went into the bottom right corner. They found themselves behind early in the match.

　Still, there was plenty of time left, so there was no need to rush. Pressing from the front line, in the 5th minute, Kurizawa evaded the Kawasaki defender on the left and crossed to the center. Ishikawa, waiting just outside the area, took a direct shot. In the 9th minute, Fukunishi spread the ball to the right. From Ishikawa's breakthrough, Lucas connected with the cross, earning a corner kick. However, in the 11th minute, after stealing the ball from Kawasaki in their own half and launching a quick counterattack, Fukunishi's pass to Baba was intercepted, leading to a counterattack. FW Kurotsu, receiving a pass from Kawasaki's right back Ito, surged up to just outside the area and shot. Just like the first goal, they were precisely scored on a counterattack, resulting in the loss of the second goal.

　After that, a line was drawn, allowing Kawasaki to take control. Even when they launched attacks, they ended up with monotonous crosses and passes, easily defended by Kawasaki's DF, who quickly turned to counterattack. In the 29th minute, they stole a throw-in from Kawasaki, and Lucas and Fukunishi connected persistently, with Ishikawa sending a superb through pass between the opposing GK and DF. Kurizawa jumped in for a big chance, but Kawasaki DF Minowa cleared it just in time. They escaped to a corner kick. In the 34th minute, from a ball stolen by Fukunishi, Baba sent a long through pass to the front line. Lucas ran in but was blocked by Kawasaki's DF.

　From this point, Fujiyama moved to center back to take care of Kawasaki FW JUNINHO. At the same time, Konno was placed on the left to utilize attacking power. This helped regain composure, leading to a back-and-forth development. Just when it seemed the first half would end in the 42nd minute, a counter from Kawasaki resulted in Asari bringing down FW JUNINHO, awarding a free kick. From just left of the penalty arc, MF Ohashi's direct shot pierced sharply into the top right corner, scoring a goal. This allowed Kawasaki to regain momentum. Right after entering stoppage time, they displayed a strong attack in front of the Tokyo goal, transitioning from left to right. MF Nakamura advanced deep into the right side of the area, and his shot from a tight angle was initially saved by Shiota, but the rebound was powerfully kicked in by Kawasaki MF Murakami. In the blink of an eye, they lost two goals and headed into the second half trailing by a significant margin of four goals.

Lucas and Ishikawa scored a determined goal, but the counterattack was too late...

　In the second half, Wanchope and Kajiyama were brought in to replace Baba and Asari. Right back Tokunaga positioned himself higher up, and the defense took on a shape close to a three-back formation. Up front, Wanchope and Lucas, along with Ishikawa, took fluid positions, launching a full-scale counterattack. In the opening moments of the 46th minute, Kawasaki forward JUNINHO created a scoring opportunity, but Shiota saved it, resulting in a corner kick. In the 51st minute, after a buildup from Kajiyama, they passed the ball around, and finally, Ishikawa delivered a perfect ground cross. Lucas connected with it, but it went high over the bar...

　In the 58th minute, from Konno's interception, Lucas connected the play, and Ishikawa took a bold shot from just outside the area. However, it was saved well by the Kawasaki GK, resulting in a corner kick. In the 59th minute, Kajiyama's through pass was let go by Ishikawa in front of the goal. Wanchope, who was behind, took a great shot, but once again it was blocked by the Kawasaki GK. Lucas's follow-up shot was also deflected by a defender, leading to another corner kick. In the 60th minute, Norio SUZUKI came on for Kurizawa. From the loose ball after the right corner kick earned earlier, Norio SUZUKI took a shot, but it went wide to the right.

　Unlike the first half, they increased the number of players in attack and gradually began to find their rhythm. Then, in the 68th minute, Kajiyama was dispossessed in the opponent's half, leading to a quick counterattack from Kawasaki. They left FW Kurotsu free as he entered the area, and although Shigenobu rushed in to close him down, a shot was taken. Shioda came out in front of the goal, and Fujiyama, who came in to cover, cleared it once, but the rebound was finished by JUNINHO, resulting in a goal conceded...

　Although they conceded 5 goals, Tokyo still pressed forward. In the 74th minute, Lucas, cutting into the area from the right, was fouled and earned a penalty kick. In the 75th minute, Lucas himself converted this penalty kick, securing a goal. Konno also aggressively pushed forward, leaving only Moniwa and Fujiyama in defense. In the 85th minute, from a throw-in, Lucas held on deep in the right area and sent a low cross in front of the goal. After Wanchope trapped it, he backheeled it, and Ishikawa, who ran in, took a shot. It hit the defender and earned a corner kick. The right corner was cleared by the opposing defense, leading to a left corner. Then, Suzuki's kick was dropped by Fukunishi, and Ishikawa volleyed with his left foot from the left side of the goal area! Ishikawa's determined goal brought them back to 2 goals.

　However, there was almost no time left, and the counterattack ended here. In the 89th minute, they launched a counter from their own half, with Noriyuki Suzuki advancing on the left side and delivering a cross. Kajiyama attempted to head the ball to the right, but it was intercepted by the Kawasaki defense. In stoppage time, from Fukunishi's free kick, Lucas made a perfect header, but it went straight to the goalkeeper, and the time was up. It was a heavy defeat that highlighted the difference in strength, marking their first loss against Kawasaki in J1 and resulting in two consecutive losses.

　【Player Comments】《Moniwa》"For me, today is the first match of the season, but I was a weak point, and there were many moments where I needed support from players like Fujiyama and Konno. Although we lost, this is not the time to hang our heads. I have pride, and I can't end it like this. If I can improve my condition, I have confidence that I can stop the attacks. If that happens, the team's performance should also improve. I was moved by the Moniwa call, so I want to do my best to meet those expectations." 《Konno》"I think Kawasaki played well. However, our own mistakes were significant. We couldn't go for the ball, and we were shot at, making it easier for the opponent. We needed to be more aggressive. To regain our confidence, winning is the most important thing. As professionals, we must show our determination to win at all costs and fight with that mindset."

　[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "We started the game poorly. We conceded an early goal, and everyone, including Moniwa who played for the first time in a while, became flustered. The second goal was also conceded when we wanted to attack, and we were hit on the counter. We lost confidence after conceding goals in the manner we feared most early on. It's disappointing to have shown such a performance. Just before the end of the first half, we conceded the third goal from a free kick, and then the fourth goal in a situation where no one was defending. At halftime, we talked about not being able to end the game like this, and we improved a bit in the second half, but the way we started was everything that led to today's defeat. Despite the rain, we had a great event with the Tamagawa Classico, and many fans came out, but we really played a disappointing match. It's very regrettable."

　【Kawasaki - Sekizuka's Press Conference Summary】"I want to thank the many supporters who came out despite the heavy rain. I think the players were tired, but I believe we were able to win thanks to the support of many fans. It was a tough match just two days after the last game and following a frustrating defeat, but we managed to switch our mindset and started strong. I also want to thank the players. MF Nakamura returned, and MF Ohashi stepped in for the suspended Maginun, so I think we started evenly. Scoring the first goal in a good way brought us rhythm. MF Ohashi performed very well. He must have been waiting for his chance to play, and he responded well when given the opportunity. His performance is significant in terms of the team fighting as a united force. After scoring five goals, we conceded two, but we want to correct that and aim for zero goals conceded. We have the ACL on Wednesday, and we want to prepare thoroughly for our first advancement past the group stage in the J-League. In the pre-match predictions, Tokyo included player Baba against our three-back formation, and Lucas played as a sort of lone striker. We were observing their approach, but thanks to scoring first, we were able to start better than our opponents and played a solid game. Tokyo was most wary of attacks from the right side. Another point of caution was the transition from attack to defense. The quick transition allowed us to launch an attack, which was a key point in deciding the game. The ball moving well was also a factor that led to scoring."