Quarterfinal Round Game 2, aiming for victory at home

　In the second leg of the Nabisco Cup Quarterfinal Round, we will face Yokohama F.Marinos at home. We won the first leg 1-0, and if we draw or win this match, we will advance to the Semifinal Round. However, Coach Hara stated, "We do not intend to defend the 'one point' from the first leg. We are only thinking about winning. Especially since it's a home game, we will play aggressively," aiming for victory at Ajinomoto Stadium with an aggressive style of soccer.

　Yokohama FM, on the other hand, will be without MF Kawai due to suspension, and MF Nasu will start as a defensive midfielder. They will need to score goals to advance to the Semifinal Round, so they will likely take risks and attack. Perhaps as part of that strategy, they have chosen to start MF Euchinio for the first time this season as the left midfielder. They have approached the match with the same 4-1-3-2 formation as in the first leg.

　Tokyo wants to apply pressure from the front, keep the lines compact, and counter with attacks that exploit the opponent's defense from the sides. To break down Yokohama FM's solid defense, we want to initiate switches to the other side and create opportunities on the open side. If we can launch wide attacks, the forward runs of players like Kajiyama and Fukunishi will also become effective. We hope to take the lead and progress through the match in a favorable state.

　Tokyo will approach the match with the same starting lineup as in the first game. The match started at 6:30pm with a kickoff from Yokohama FM at Ajinomoto, with heavy rain pouring down due to the typhoon and a waterlogged pitch.

Although they started aggressively, they allowed the first goal and couldn't find their rhythm.

　At the start, Tokyo applied pressure from the front and quickly counterattacked, boldly going on the offensive. In the 2nd minute, Tokunaga advanced and won a corner kick. In the 5th minute, Fujiyama cleared a ball towards Yokohama FM's front line and sent a long ball into the Yokohama area. Lucas picked up a loose ball from the opponent's DF trap, evaded the DF, broke into the left area, and faced the GK one-on-one. They had a decisive chance early on, but the shot went wide to the right, and they couldn't score the opening goal.

　After that, Tokyo continued to dominate the ball and attack, but their lack of decisiveness began to show as they were countered by Yokohama FM. In the 15th minute, Lucas received a throw-in from the right, quickly turned towards the goal, and took a shot, but it went wide. Gradually, Yokohama FM started sending the ball quickly to the front line, gaining the rhythm for a counterattack. In the 18th minute, a pass from Kajiyama in the Yokohama area went astray, and they lost the loose ball, switching the momentum. The ball was circulated in Tokyo's area, and in the 19th minute, a switch to the right came from left back Komiyama. A cross from right back Hayato Tanaka was cleverly dropped by forward Oshima in front of the goal, and MF Koji Yamase scored. They failed to catch the run from Yokohama FM's second line and allowed the first goal.

　Still, there was time left. Yokohama FM, trying to gain momentum after taking the lead, was well defended by Tokyo, who did not allow any additional goals and launched counterattacks, resulting in a back-and-forth battle. In the 29th minute, from a corner kick won by Kajiyama's shot, they approached the Yokohama FM goal, with Norio SUZUKI and Rychely entering the right area. Lucas shot at the loose ball, but it hit the defender and could not be converted. In the 30th minute, Fukunishi was fouled at a position 25-26m in front of the goal, resulting in a free kick. Norio SUZUKI aimed directly, but the shot was blocked.

　In the 33rd minute, Yokohama FM's left back Komiyama entered the Tokyo territory and took a sharp long shot. It was saved by Doi, resulting in a corner kick. From there, they attempted a counterattack, but the pass to Fukunishi was intercepted, leading to another counterattack against them. Yokohama's attack was ruled offside, but they outpaced Tokyo in their quickness. In the 44th minute, they approached the Yokohama goal with repeated right throw-ins, and in the end, Kajiyama sent a floating pass to the front line with a header, but it was offside. Mistakes were noticeable on the rainy pitch, and they were unable to use the sides as a starting point. The first half ended with a score of 0 to 1.

After falling behind by 4 points, we fought back with all our might but were unable to catch up, resulting in elimination from the Nabisco Cup.

　The second half began with expectations for a counterattack. However, Yokohama FM also brought in FW Marques to secure an additional goal, connecting passes and launching an attack from the start. In the 48th minute, they earned a left corner kick, which was initially cleared by Tokyo DF, but Yokohama FM's MF Koji YAMASE picked up the loose ball and advanced on the right flank, delivering a cross. FW Oshima struck the ball with a beautiful header, and it went into the goal. They allowed a two-goal lead just after the start of the second half. Tokyo must secure at least a draw to advance, requiring two goals.

　In the 51st minute, Akamine was brought on to replace Rychely. In the 52nd minute, from a vertical pass on the right side of Yokohama FM, DF Hayato TANAKA advanced and crossed. This slipped through Tokyo's defense to FW Marquez, who was free at the far post. The shot went over the bar, avoiding a crisis. Then, in the 54th minute, Kajiyama intercepted an opponent's throw-in and passed to Akamine on the left flank. Akamine's grounded cross reached Fukunishi, who was free in the right area, creating a decisive shooting chance. However, the timing was just a moment late, and it was blocked by the defense. Kajiyama and Kanazawa rushed in for the rebound and took shots one after another, but all were thwarted by the defense, and they could not score a goal.

　In the 55th minute, Baba came on for Asari. Fukunishi moved to the defensive midfield position, and Tokunaga advanced forward in a formation aimed at scoring a goal. In the 60th minute, from a goal kick, Kajiyama passed to Baba with a through ball to the front line. Akamine made a fierce run, breaking free from the defender and advancing. He was initially stopped by the goalkeeper, but the shot he took after picking up the rebound was blocked by the left post... Both teams took risks to attack, with the offense and defense rapidly changing, creating chances for both sides. In the 68th minute, while attacking, they lost the ball and were countered. Yokohama FM's right MF Yoshida's cross was cleared by Shigeno, but the ball reached FW Oshima in front of the goal, resulting in the third goal conceded.

　In the 70th minute, Ishikawa was brought on to replace Fujiyama. With Tokunaga, Shimonia, and Kanazawa forming the final line in a 3-5-2 formation, they launched a full-scale counterattack. However, in the 72nd minute, Lucas's pass was intercepted by Yokohama FM forward Marquez, who then exchanged passes with forward Oshima. He struck with his right foot from just outside the area, easily scoring a goal, resulting in a loss of four points. Nevertheless, refusing to give up and aiming to strike back, in the 78th minute, Lucas in the center connected with Baba, who advanced into the area, and then to Fukunishi, delivering a final pass to the right. Exploiting the side, Ishikawa took a bold shot and secured a goal.

　In a fast-paced game with frequent changes between offense and defense, in the 87th minute, Noriyuki SUZUKI passed to Kanazawa, who maintained possession at the left corner of the area, and then passed to Kajiyama, who made a run inside from the outside. Kanazawa sprinted into the area and scored with a shot that pierced the near side. They showed determination and closed the gap to a two-goal difference, but it was too late for a comeback. They lost 2 to 4, and although they matched the number of victories over the two matches, they fell short on goal difference and did not advance to the Semifinal Round of the Nabisco Cup.

　【Player Comments】<Kanazawa> "In the first half, we played it safe and tried not to make mistakes at the back, but we conceded the first goal there. However, over the two matches, it was still even, so I was determined to make a comeback in the second half. We aimed for a goal from the start of the second half, but conceding the second goal at that time was painful. We needed to score at least two goals, but the team's energy dropped, and in a disjointed state, we conceded the third and fourth goals. Yokohama FM gained momentum and we couldn't regain control of the pace. In the final stages, we took risks to attack, but I think the switch was turned on too late. For the goal, I thought the opposing goalkeeper would cover the cut-back, so I aimed for the near post, which I believed had a higher chance. Unfortunately, it did not lead to victory. I sincerely apologize to the supporters who came out in the rain. Throughout the first half of the season, the team has improved compared to before, but there are still matches like today’s and the league match against G Osaka where we falter. To win, I think each player needs to investigate the causes." <Ishikawa> "On a slippery pitch, I focused on finishing with shots and crosses. There was space in front of me, and I think a simple use of the sides led to the goal. Fukunishi skillfully passed the ball from the left to me. It would have been better if we had used such side attacks more from the first half... Personally, I was able to play with a finishing mindset in a short time, so I want to build on that. The team might be a bit too cautious. I see myself as a player who can change the team’s bad flow and bring rhythm, so I want to play powerful football. We tried to gain momentum in the Nabisco Cup to carry into the second half of the league, but it was disappointing that we couldn’t. We will switch gears and focus on the league matches."

　[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "We won the first match, but we never intended to just defend in this game. For about 15 to 20 minutes, the ball was moving well, and although Yokohama FM pushed their line up and caught us offside at times, Lucas and Fukunishi had decisive chances. During that pressing period, Kajiyama had a shooting opportunity but passed the ball backward, which led to a loose ball and then we conceded a goal. After that, things became chaotic. Rychely was unable to perform at his usual level both offensively and defensively. At halftime, I told the team, 'Yokohama FM will send long balls early, so compete for the second balls. Do it properly.' Watching the second half, I was ready to make adjustments if things didn’t go well, but just then, we conceded a second goal from a corner kick, which put pressure on everyone. However, if we had scored from the chances by Fukunishi and Akamine afterward, the game might have unfolded differently. Since we didn’t score, and pushed forward, we conceded a third goal and morale dropped. We really wanted to advance, but today’s match showed both our strengths and weaknesses. We knew Yokohama FM would come at us aggressively, so whether we took the lead or were down 0-2, if we had calmly circulated the ball, we could have created chances. Not being able to do that is a challenge. Since June, there have been some positive trends, but if each player doesn’t put in a bit more effort or is a step late, we end up with matches like today’s. This was also the case in the league match against G Osaka; once we lose rhythm midway, we tend to slide downhill, and that needs to be corrected. Still, although late, we scored two goals and had chances to score one or two more, so it’s important to maintain that attitude. I truly apologize to the supporters who came out in the rain. What we can do now is prepare well and make sure we don’t have matches like this after the restart in August."

　[Yokohama FM - Coach Hayano's Press Conference Summary] "Although we lost the first match 0-1, neither the players nor the staff felt we were carrying a big handicap. Considering the away goal rule, we believed that scoring first would change the game, and we prepared for this week with that in mind. Today, we also took the weather into account in our strategy. Additionally, since we faced FC Tokyo twice this season and were caught off guard both times, we agreed not to let that happen a third time. The start of the game was loose, and the players were about to lose momentum, so I instructed them to be a bit rougher and to push the zone higher by kicking long balls like Tokyo does and chasing them. Although we launched several counters, the start was very poor. However, a goal came from FW Oshima's post, which gave us momentum. At halftime, I instructed, 'The game is still even, so let's go for more goals.' Scoring early in the second half gave us even more momentum, but if the third goal had come a bit earlier, it would have been easier. In the end, it turned into a shootout. Until now, our two forwards hadn't scored, but today FW Oshima scored twice, which was a positive outcome. It's unfortunate that we conceded two goals, but I think we were able to play solid football in the rain rather than focusing on our pressing. Since it was difficult to connect passes, Tokyo played by sitting back and counterattacking, so we tried to keep the zone high to avoid falling into that trap. If we could apply pressure there, it would be good, and we prioritized vertical passes over sideways passes. Now that we've advanced to the next stage, we want to use this as a plus for the league matches."