Win the battle for the ball and achieve victory at Ajinomoto

　In Sec. 28 of the league, we will face Yokohama F.Marinos at home. In the previous match, we lost to Chiba, ending our winning streak. The players each say, "We cannot afford to lose again," and are eager to "repay the debt from the Nabisco Cup." This season, we have faced Yokohama FM three times, winning twice away. In the Nabisco Cup, we were eliminated from advancing to the Semifinal Round due to a loss at home, so the players have a strong sense of revenge. This match aims for victory at Ajinomoto, continuing the momentum shown in the second half of the Chiba match.

　In this match, Tokunaga is suspended, so Inoha starts as the right side back. In the midfield, Noriyuki Suzuki is on the left and Rychely is on the right. Both are expected to utilize their speed for attacks starting from the sides. Additionally, Evaldo returns to the bench for the first time in three matches. Gonda has made the squad for the first time.

　Yokohama FM is currently in 6th place with 42 points. They have lost their last two matches against Urawa and Omiya, but in both games, they held the initiative without being able to score, resulting in defeat. Once they regain possession, they quickly send the ball forward, with FW Oshima as the starting point, and FW Sakata exploiting the space. If they can hold the ball up front, MF Koji Yamase and both full-backs will also aggressively push forward, maintaining their speedy attack. This match is a battle between two teams that excel in solid defense and quick counter-attacks. The key will be to not lose in physical confrontations and loose balls with a compact formation. Let's not lose our momentum and seize the rhythm for victory! A clear autumn day at Ajinomoto. The match started at 14:04 with Yokohama FM's kickoff.

Lacked precision and decisiveness in finishing, unable to capitalize on opportunities

　From the start, both teams fought for possession and launched quick attacks, with Tokyo creating chances from the sides. In the 1st minute, Lucas played the ball to the left, and Kanazawa sent a ground pass behind the opposing DF. Akamine broke free and took a shot, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. In the 3rd minute, Akamine brought the ball in from the left side and crossed it in front of the goal. Norio Suzuki charged in from the center but couldn't get a solid shot off. In the 5th minute, Rychely stole the ball from the opposing DF, connected with Fukunishi to Inoha, and Akamine headed the ball from a right cross. However, he was closed down by the opposing DF and couldn't take the shot.

　Yokohama FM did not allow any real chances, and in the 12th minute, Kanazawa, who advanced from the left after Inoha's switch, aimed for the goal after receiving a return from Akamine. In the 17th minute, Rychely made a move in the right area and passed to Fukunishi in the center. Fukunishi slipped between the opposing defenders and shot while falling, but lacked power, and the goalkeeper made the save. Both attacks were executed as planned, but they lacked precision and decisiveness in the finish, failing to capitalize on the chances.

　After 20 minutes, Yokohama FM gradually started sending quick passes to the front line and found their rhythm. However, Tokyo remained composed and did not face any critical danger. In the 29th minute, from a quick restart by Yokohama FM, MF Koji YAMASE entered the area. He took a shot with momentum, but Shigenobu blocked it, and Shiota caught it easily. In the 31st minute, from another restart, Yokohama FM's MF Shimizu broke into the area and managed to take a shot, but Shiota bravely came out to make the save.

　In the 35th minute, Yokohama FM's right throw-in was kept by midfielder Koji Yamase, who cut into the right area after overlapping with defender Nasu. Forward Sakata dove for a last pass to the near post, creating a scoring opportunity, but Inoha blocked it with a sliding tackle, resulting in a corner kick. Tokyo created a chance from a quick counterattack, and in the 39th minute, they regained possession in their own half, with Norio Suzuki advancing into the opponent's territory with a dribble. Akamine acted as a pivot, and Norio Suzuki, receiving a return pass, charged into the area. However, he did not take a shot, and the last pass to Lucas did not connect. Ultimately, while Yokohama FM's attacks were mostly dealt with without much trouble, they could not capitalize on the chances created starting from Rychely. The first half ended scoreless.

Although they allowed the first goal, they brilliantly turned the game around with goals from Hirayama and Ishikawa.

　In the second half, Yokohama FM substituted left back Komiyama for DF Hayato TANAKA, who moved to right back. DF Nasu shifted to the left. They started by controlling the ball and advancing the game into Tokyo's territory. In the 47th minute, they won a loose ball in midfield, and MF Koji YAMASE dribbled forward and passed to the left. Receiving the ball, MF YAMASE attacked with speed to the left corner of the area and took a bold shot. Inohara was defending, but the ball was struck at a fast pace, and even Shioda couldn't reach it with his outstretched hand, hitting the top of the net. They were caught off guard for a moment, allowing MF YAMASE's fine goal to open the scoring.

　However, Tokyo never loses heart and changes the positions of Noriyuki SUZUKI and Rychely on the left and right, planning a counterattack. In the 51st minute, from Rychely's left cross, Noriyuki SUZUKI, Kanazawa, and Akamine successively enter the area. They create a chance, but a foul on the goalkeeper results in a ball for Yokohama FM. Yokohama FM also, in the 58th minute, has DF Nakazawa shoot with an overhead kick from a free kick. Shiota saves it, but the game remains back and forth.

　In a stalemate situation, Hayama was brought on for Akamine in the 61st minute. The plan was to gather the ball for Hayama and break the deadlock. This strategy paid off. In the 66th minute, after Inoha's clearance in their own half, Lucas seized the loose ball from the opposing DF and made a big switch from the right to the space on the left front line. Rychely, who fiercely chased down this ball, turned and cut back past one, then two opposing DFs in the left area and delivered a cross. Hayama jumped in and scored with a high header! They equalized with a goal that utilized Rychely's speed and Hayama's height! Furthermore, this goal by Hayama marked the 200th home goal in J1 history.

　In the 69th minute, a free kick was awarded to Yokohama FM from the left side. Although it was a distance shot, MF Koji YAMASE's sharp shot aimed directly at the goal was punched away by Shiota, who collided with the post. After escaping the danger with a great play, the mood for a counterattack intensified. In the 71st minute, Asari was brought in to replace the visibly tired Fukunishi, and in the 77th minute, Ishikawa was substituted for Rychely, who had cramped up. Ultimately, this tactical decision proved to be spot on.

　Both teams aimed for the "next goal" by sending the ball forward, resulting in a rapid exchange of attacks. In the 82nd minute, Lucas on the left sent a line drive pass to the right front. Hirayama jumped and redirected it inside. Ishikawa dove in free, creating a decisive chance, but the timing was just slightly off... However, just after that, in the 84th minute, Shiota's long goal kick bounced in front of the Yokohama FM goal. Yokohama FM's GK Enomoto rushed out of the area to clear it. Suzuki took advantage of the short rebound and passed to Ishikawa, who trapped the ball and calmly volleyed it into the goal, capitalizing on the opponent's mistake to turn the game around.

　In stoppage time, while persistently keeping the ball in the front line, everyone maintained their focus and attacking mentality until the end, leading to the time-up. With solid defense and a strategy to attack from the sides, they achieved a comeback, accumulating 38 points and securing their 100th victory in the J1 league.

　【Player Comments】<Ishikawa> "I wanted to maintain good focus even on the bench and achieve results. In the previous match, I conceded a goal due to my mistake, and it was difficult to manage my feelings, but once I was on the pitch, my only thought was 'for the team to win.' Hirayama equalized, and I thought the next goal would decide the outcome. I considered it an important goal and actively went for the goal. In the scoring scene, Norio SUZUKI gave me a good ball. I was only thinking about shooting on target. I don't know how many of the J1 total 100 wins I have been involved in, but I want to keep building on them." <Hirayama> "On the bench, Yokohama FM controlled the pace, and Tokyo ended up adapting to the style of football they wanted to play, so I thought it would come down to a physical battle at the end. I wanted to do my job in the time I was given. The headed shot was something I had been practicing under Coach Hara for a long time, and I think I was able to show what I have worked on. I was able to do the movement I was always told: 'move once and then enter.' I saw support from behind, so I boldly went forward. There was an opposing defender, but I think I controlled the point where the ball came. My leg condition has improved, so I tried to play boldly."

　[Summary of Coach Hara's Press Conference] "In the previous match, we started poorly and were played as Chiba intended. We regrouped in the second half, but we had prepared all week to play towards the opponent's goal from the start. As expected, Yokohama FM kicked early to FW Sakata and FW Oshima. In the first half, FW Oshima held the ball several times, and it was contested or picked up by MF Koji YAMASE and others. We wanted to develop more from both sides, but Lucas and Fukunishi went too far inside, and with Yokohama FM's strong central MF Kawai and center backs, we couldn't do it. If the fullbacks could push up, we could have exploited the space behind. Towards the end of the first half, there was a moment of lost concentration during a restart, so we warned them about that. In the second half, Yokohama FM substituted DF Komiyama for DF Hayato TANAKA, so we switched the left-right positions of Norihiro Suzuki and Rychely, allowing Rychely to target the space behind DF Hayato TANAKA who pushed forward. Rychely is naturally stronger on the left. Norihiro Suzuki can cut inside and shoot if he moves to the right. Since there was some stagnation, I instructed them to change. Then, Akamine is strong in the air but struggled a bit against DF Kurihara and Nakazawa. Therefore, we brought in the energetic Hirayama recently. With Hirayama, the opponent would have trouble, and if they narrow inside, the sides would open up. I think Rychely and Norihiro Suzuki were actually able to move forward. Also, Fukunishi was getting too tired to return to defense, so we brought in Asari to have Konno pick up the ball. Finally, due to Rychely's leg cramp, we brought in Ishikawa. Ishikawa was rested from the starting lineup today but used the energy he had saved at the end. The second goal was also born because Norihiro Suzuki chased it down. Goals come from that kind of persistence. It was by no means an easy match and not at our usual tempo, but Inoha also did well. Hirayama, Norihiro Suzuki, and Rychely have fully recovered from their injuries. We want to connect this fight to the next. Yokohama FM has the Nabisco Cup in three days, which might be lucky for us, but we lost the home match in the Nabisco and did not advance to the Semifinal Round. I think everyone fought well until the end with the mindset of 'Let's return the favor.'"

　[Yokohama FM - Coach Hayano's Press Conference Summary] "In the previous match, we played very poorly, so we focused again on hard work, pressing, and pushing forward. FC Tokyo aimed for counterattacks, so we prepared for that as well. In the first half, we conceded a few counterattacks, but it wasn't a major problem. We changed the lineup in the second half, scored one goal, and then had chances to score a second and third but couldn't capitalize. Recently, I think we've been making too many mistakes that shouldn't happen. Regarding the first conceded goal, if forward Oshima had finished with a shot, there wouldn't have been a problem. The second goal was in an unbelievable situation, but that's reality. I warned the team not to repeat these mistakes and want to continue with the same style of play. I believe the players are shocked, but the next match is the Nabisco Cup, a different stage. We only have three days in between, but we want to regroup and move forward."