A match where we want to gain an advantage on the side and win a tough game

　In Sec. 11 of the league, we will face Nagoya Grampus. In the previous match against Omiya, we capitalized on our chances as planned and achieved consecutive victories. This match will also be a tough battle against third-placed Nagoya, but it will be played at our home ground, Ajinomoto, where we remain unbeaten this season. Additionally, we have kept a clean sheet in the last two matches, ensuring defensive stability. While reading the flow and situation of the game, we aim for a third consecutive win with a resilient performance.

　In this match, which comes two days after the previous round, Kajiyama is suspended due to accumulated warnings. On the other hand, Ishikawa and Hanyu have returned from injuries, with Hanyu starting for the first time since the match against Tokyo V on April 12, Sec. 6. The center backs will be Sahara and Fujiyama, with Konno and Kanazawa as double defensive midfielders, Hanyu on the left side of midfield, and Kurizawa on the right in a 4-4-2 formation.

　Nagoya is currently in 3rd place with 6 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. They have lost their last three matches, but each defeat was by a narrow margin. Under the new manager STOJKOVIC, it can be said that their momentum from the beginning has not diminished. In particular, with FW JONSSON as the focal point, the full-backs are also pushing forward, and their attacks from the sides are powerful. This match will see FW TAMADA absent, but FW SUGIMOTO, making his first league start, has speed and should be watched closely. Additionally, DF MASUKAWA will play as a center-back, and BAYARITZA will be utilized as the right full-back. In midfield, MF MAGINUN will play centrally, with OGAWA and SUGIMOTO on the left and right flanks, respectively.

　In response, Tokyo wants to endure the tough moments and gain an advantage in the battles on the flanks. They aim to take control and utilize the quick movements of Cabore and Akamine to target goals and victory. On the last day of Golden Week, 30,825 spectators gathered at the clear Ajinomoto stadium, and the match started at 15:04 with Nagoya's kickoff.

Nagatomo has an accident, allowing the opponent to score first due to a lapse in defense

　In the early stages, both teams tried to utilize their strengths through solid defense. In the 2nd minute, Nagatomo seized a loose ball in midfield and connected it to Cabore, who took a long-range shot. Shortly after, Nagoya's MF Ogawa also aimed from distance. In the 3rd minute, Nagoya's FW Jönsson's post play allowed MF Maginun to enter the area, but the final pass went out of bounds. In the 9th minute, Konno intercepted a clearance from the opposing DF and passed to Cabore from Akamine. Cabore chased after a loose ball that Nagoya's DF attempted to clear and took a shot from just outside the area, but it went wide.

　In a back-and-forth match, in the 13th minute, Nagatomo, who made a move on the left side, injured his right arm in a contest with an opponent and left the pitch for treatment. During this time, in the 17th minute, a pass was made from Nagoya's left back Abe to MF Ogawa, who ran from the left to the center. Unable to apply pressure here, a through pass was sent behind Sahara. Fujiyama couldn't catch up with FW Sugimoto, who ran into this space from the right. Taking advantage of the gap created by being one player down, FW Sugimoto, who was being marked, scored the opening goal.

　Immediately after that, Nagatomo returned to the pitch and attempted a counterattack, but he struggled to hold the ball in the front line against Nagoya's intense press. In the 23rd minute, a free kick earned by Nagatomo after being fouled on the left side was cleared by Nagoya's defense. In the 24th minute, this time a free kick was earned on the right side, and Kurizawa quickly crossed to Hanyu, but it was blocked by the wall. In the 25th minute, Konno broke through on the left side and delivered a cross, but Akamine's header went over the bar.

　Nagoya also tries to create chances from the sides, starting with MF Maginun and DF Abe, but Tokyo remains focused and does not allow any additional goals. In the 30th minute, a feed aimed at the back of Nagoya's DF by Sahara is cleared, but Cabore picks up the ball outside the area, carries it to the right corner of the area, and shoots, but it goes wide. In the 35th minute, Nagoya's MF Nakamura loses a loose ball in midfield and makes a solo run with a dribble. He sends a through pass to FW Jönsson, but it is offside. In the 36th minute, they attack from a loose ball after a left corner kick, but Cabore's cross does not connect with Akamine. They suffer a counterattack from Nagoya and end the first half without creating any clear chances.

Unable to capitalize on late chances, suffering the first home defeat of the season...

　In the second half, Ohtake was brought in as a right MF to replace Hanyu in an attempt to regain rhythm. Right after the start, they connected passes on the left side, and Kurizawa sent a sharp cross to the far post. Cabore jumped in with his head but couldn't make contact. In the 48th minute, a free kick was awarded to Nagoya from the left side of the midfield. MF Nakamura's direct shot flew just past the frame, but a great save by Shiota avoided the crisis. In the 14th minute, Nagoya MF Maginun delivered a long cross from the left, which FW Jönsson skillfully controlled at the far post. In the end, the Tokyo DF surrounded and took the ball, but the time of being troubled by Nagoya continued.

　In the 60th minute, Kondo was brought on to replace Akamine, with Kurizawa taking a deeper position to strengthen the midfield and aim for a counterattack. However, in the 69th minute, Nagoya also made a change, bringing in DF Yoneyama as a defensive midfielder to solidify the center, replacing FW Sugimoto. In the 69th minute, Kondo unleashed a powerful shot from the right side, but it went straight to the goalkeeper. In the 71st minute, Nagatomo chased down a pass to the left front and skillfully won a corner kick. However, Otake's left corner kick was cleared by the defense, and they could not create a finishing opportunity. In the 72nd minute, Nagatomo advanced into the penalty area, but could not connect with Cabore in the center.

　In the 76th minute, Ishikawa was brought on to replace Kurizawa. Starting to find their rhythm, in the 79th minute, they earned a free kick due to a foul on Kondo in the opponent's half. Kondo quickly restarted the play and sent a ground pass to the front line. Cabore reacted to this, breaking into the area and was brought down by the opposing goalkeeper, earning a penalty kick. However, Kondo's powerful kick straight down the middle hit the crossbar...

　Still, they did not give up and chased after one goal, but Nagoya substituted DF Takeuchi for MF Maginun in the 85th minute, implementing a defensive strategy. In the 87th minute, Ishikawa, who picked up a clearance from the opposing DF just in front of the right area, was fouled and earned a free kick, but Ishikawa's attempted kick went over the bar. After that, as the game quickly shifted between offense and defense, they created another chance from a free kick during the 3 minutes of stoppage time. Fujiyama sent the ball forward, Cabore connected with a loose ball from the opposing DF, and Kondo in the left area took two decisive shots from close range, but the GK made consecutive saves, and time was up... The chance to equalize was also thwarted by Nagoya's concentrated defense, resulting in their first home defeat of the season.

　【Player Comments】《Hanyu》"I couldn't create a good rhythm, and it felt like we carried that flow into the second half. I feel responsible for the loss at 0-1. Nagoya didn't force additional goals and aimed to secure the three points steadily. I think I owe something to the young team. However, I want to maintain our focus and improve our play as a team." 《Sahara》"We struggled as Nagoya's FW Jönsson targeted us and created space. In the situation where we conceded a goal, we were one player down, so we couldn't apply pressure on MF Ogawa, and they ran behind our defense. We didn't concede any other goals, but we must defend for the full 90 minutes."

　[Summary of Coach Shirofuku's Press Conference] "Nagoya has suffered three consecutive losses, so we expected them to come into this match with a very strong determination. We were without Kajiyama due to suspension, which slightly disrupted our usual balance in building play, but I believe the players who participated each showed their strengths. However, during the goal conceded, Nagatomo was off the pitch receiving treatment, and due to a lack of communication, we couldn't fully cover the space. That gap was exploited, and moments like that require extra caution. Conceding while playing with 10 men is something we must engrave in our minds. In the second half, we decided to be patient and look for chances by connecting passes rather than kicking long balls, but I think we failed to surprise the opponent with unexpected changes. If we could have played with a bit more unpredictability or increased speed... Passing along the defensive line means we are being forced to connect, so it is crucial to make decisive passes to the forwards or speed up possession from midfield forward. For that, stable possession is essential. Moreover, that requires solid technique and decision-making. In that sense, missing Kajiyama may have been one factor, but it was not the only one; the condition of the players and Nagoya's pressure also contributed to the result. However, these are not things that can be fixed easily. It takes time, so we want to work on it patiently."

　【Nagoya - STOJKOVIC's press conference summary】"I am very satisfied with today's game. Given that we had three consecutive losses, we approached the game with a focus on results, and we were able to secure all three points. The players performed a game worthy of victory with organized play. Regarding the system, the four-back remains unchanged, but we made some adjustments to the lineup. FC Tokyo has good strikers, and I considered it dangerous to allow long balls, so I placed DF Yoshida and Masukawa in the center of the back line, while DF Bayaric was assigned to take care of the sides. Not only the defensive players but also the other players provided good support."