Nabisco Quarterfinals, First Match: Wanting to Demonstrate Overall Strength and Take the Advantage

　The first leg of the Nabisco Quarterfinals will be held, facing Oita Trinita at home. In order to advance to the semifinals, we need to win the total number of games in the first and second rounds, and then the goal difference. Therefore, in this round, we not only aim for victory, but also want to widen the goal difference. However, if the goal difference is the same, the number of away goals also matters, so Coach Jofuku says, "It's better to have a 1-0 score than a 2-1 score." Therefore, today's game will be focused on "not conceding any goals" as the top priority.

　However, due to the red card in the previous match against Chiba, Konno will be suspended for this match. Considering the consecutive matches, the team will face this match with a fresh lineup. In the defense line, Tokunaga will be placed on the left side as a side back, and Mukuhara on the right. In the center back, Shigeta and Yoshimoto will form a partnership for the first time since the match against Kyoto on March 30th. In the midfield, Asari and Kajiyama will play as defensive midfielders. Ishikawa and Kurisawa will take on the sides, and in the forward line, Hirayama and Akamine will form a two-top for the first time this season. Coach Shigefuku said, "I have chosen the best lineup to win against Oita," and the team is fully prepared for the match.

　Oita, who will face them, will play the 11th round of the league on an irregular schedule on June 25th, making this the third consecutive game. However, their total goals conceded in the league is only 12, the lowest. In the previous round against Kobe, they managed to hold onto their 1-0 lead from a set piece and secure a victory. They will also come into this game with strong determination as they advance to the first ever Nabisco final tournament. In particular, FW Weslley, who was absent in the first half of the league, has been in good form. He will hold the ball firmly up front, while MF Kanazaki and MF Suzuki on the sides will aggressively push forward. With a strong attacking lineup, it is important to be cautious of their counterattacks from the midfield. At the same time, the key to breaking through Oita's solid defense will be how to exploit the spaces.

　Clear skies and a refreshing breeze blowing through Ajinomoto Stadium. The crucial match towards the semifinal round began at exactly 7:00 PM with the kickoff in Oita.

Conceded the first goal, but equalized just before the end of the first half with Ishikawa's first goal of the season!

　1 minute into the game, Akamine starts on the left side and passes to Hirayama in the center. Hirayama sees an opening and goes for the goal, but it is blocked by the Oita GK. After a strong start, both teams become cautious and the game becomes a back and forth battle. In the 5th minute, Mukuhara makes a run and passes to Ishikawa for a one-two, but it is cut off by the DF and results in a throw-in. In the 10th minute, Kajiyama makes a run on the right side and passes into the box. Kurisawa runs in and sends a pass back, but Mukuhara's shot is blocked by the DF. Tokyo tries to maintain their defensive line and create chances through Ishikawa and Mukuhara on the right side, but they are unable to break through.

　At the 20th minute, Oita's MF Kanazaki made a through pass to the left side. Suzuki, the left MF, ran into the area to receive it, but Shigeta slid in and cut it off. However, at the 28th minute, Oita's DF Fukaya, who had moved up the right side, sent a ground pass to the front of the goal from FW Weslley. Shigeta cut it off, but the ball floated over his head. He tried to handle it with a header, but Oita's FW Maeda took it away and quickly took a shot while off balance. The ball was sucked into the upper left corner of the goal, and we ended up conceding the first goal that we absolutely did not want to give away...

　However, even so, they calmly counterattacked and in the 39th minute, Hirayama from Murahara's early cross, but the angle was not good and the opponent's GK caught it. In the 40th minute, they threatened the Oita goal in succession from set plays, but Kajiyama and Hirayama's direct shots were defended. However, in the first half stoppage time, from Kurizawa's keep, Asari sent a vertical pass to Kajiyama in the center, and Kajiyama, who had one touch, sent a through pass to the front line on the left side. At this point, Ishikawa, who had just broken through, scored a goal with perfect timing! With Ishikawa's first goal of the season, they equalized just before the end of the first half.

Unable to grasp the rhythm, we lost the second goal and suffered a tough defeat...

　In the second half, Taira SHIGE was substituted for Motonoba and Fujiyama was brought in to aim for a win. Early on, Mokuhara moved up to a high position, attracting the opponent's DF and crossing from just outside the area. The perfect ball was sent to Hirayama in the center, but his headed shot was saved by the GK. In the 46th minute, Hirayama took a shot from Fujiyama's attack. In the 47th minute, Hirayama moved up the center and passed to Akamine who was free on the left side. Kurisawa, who had come out from the second row, made a skillful combination to score, but unfortunately it was offside... We created a big chance, but couldn't convert it into a goal.

　Substituted Ishikawa for Emerson in the 53rd minute. In the 58th minute, Kurisawa fakes going to the left from the center, and passes through to the left area. Akamine skillfully avoids the opposing DF with his control, and sends the ball to the center from the goal line, but it is caught by the GK. Oita, who had been pushed back during this time, also tries to counterattack by attacking the back of Tokyo DF with physical defense. In the 63rd minute, Oita substitutes Takamatsu for FW Maeda. Immediately after, Tokyo substitutes Cabore for Hirayama. They boldly aim for a second goal, but they were unable to maintain their rhythm at this point.

　In the 67th minute, Kajiyama in the center made a long through pass to the left area. Emerson, who had jumped out, chased after it fiercely and skillfully turned the opponent's DF, but the last pass was cut off by the DF. In the 69th minute, Emerson, who had dribbled up from the left, sent a through pass into the area, and Cabore ran in from the right, but the ball was too long. In the middle of trying to connect the pass, Oita was taken away and also struggled with long balls. In the 70th minute, Oita's pass from the right was run into by FW Weslley, but it was loose near Tokyo's goal and Shioda took it away. In the 71st minute, they were hit by Oita's counterattack from the clear of Tokunaga's left cross. Yoshimoto was passed by FW Weslley, who had come up from the left, and was shot from the area, but Shioda saved it. It escaped to a CK.

　Immediately after, the ball was taken away while attacking, and Oita MF Edmilson's right cross was shot by FW Takamatsu in front of the goal. It was a decisive shot, but it missed above the bar. The game continued with a series of close calls and chaotic developments. Then, in the 83rd minute, Emerson tried to pick up a loose ball in the midfield, but Oita DF intercepted and made a long feed. Fujiyama cleared it once, but Oita MF Edmilson received it again, and MF Suzuki made a vertical pass. Right side MF Kanazaki dribbled inside and passed behind Fujiyama, who had jumped out for an interception. Neither Tokunaga nor Kurisawa, who had covered, could catch up to MF Edmilson, who had attacked from the left, and they conceded a second goal.

　Despite not giving up, in the final stages, we threw in crosses, but they were repelled by Oita's strong defense and time was up. Unable to maintain the rhythm we had grasped, the first match of the quarterfinals ended in a painful defeat.

　【Player Comments】《Ishikawa》"It was difficult to get into a rhythm. Overall, there was a vague atmosphere and we couldn't fix it. We were scored on during that time, so it's disappointing for both me and the team. I tried to bring out my strengths and characteristics while also valuing the team's concept and contributing to the game, but it was a difficult balance. I had the right mindset, but I think I couldn't do what I had been working on in practice against Oita. We needed to move the ball more. (Injury status) I bruised my right calf and thigh. I don't know the details, but it's a little painful. However, we can't lose sight of what we need to do. We need to go back to basics and start from scratch. The league season is starting soon and the competition in Kodaira continues. We want to make the most of our limited chances."《Yoshimoto》"We wanted to win without conceding since it was a home game, so I'm really disappointed with this result. We focused on the result, but we couldn't meet the coach's expectations. In the first half, we couldn't handle the opponent's two forwards and they were able to create opportunities from there. In the second half, we were able to handle the two forwards better. My personal challenge is still to connect more. I've been able to do it in recent practices and practice games, but it doesn't mean anything if I can't do it in official matches. I want to be able to produce results in official matches."

　[Summary of Manager Jofuku's Press Conference] "Despite it being a weekday, many fans came to support us. We wanted to win and advance to the second round, but unfortunately we couldn't. In the first half, the enthusiasm of our new members caused some missteps and we couldn't control the ball. Our defense was also weak and we conceded a goal, but we were able to recover in the second half. It was good that we were able to tie the game just before the end of the first half, and I don't think our start in the second half was bad. We were able to play our game for a longer period of time and although there were some mistakes, we were trying to play the soccer we aim for. Considering the players' condition and the fact that we have a J-League match in two days, I challenged the players in today's lineup as a catalyst. However, the players who came on later didn't function well. I wanted them to regain their form, but I also take responsibility for my decision to use them. In the last five minutes before conceding the second goal, there were fewer players pushing forward and trying to regain possession. There were also some easy mistakes, including from the players passing the ball. When these things continue to happen, our style of play becomes a risk. When we were directly scored on, I also reflect on my decision to let that happen, but in the five minutes leading up to that, there were several easy mistakes that each player must reflect on. We need to improve our accuracy or it becomes a risk. It was a moment where we were reminded that easy mistakes can strangle us."

　[Summary of Oita Chamusca's press conference] "Today's game was definitely a 50-50 battle, and it was a tough fight. As for the content, our work was reflected in the result. I think it was because we always tried to take the lead that we got this result. In the first half, there wasn't much space, but in the second half, we were able to take control of the game and use the space well. The reason why the content was even was because, for example, in the second half, we moved dynamically and created chances, and we were able to show that as an effect. On the other hand, Tokyo showed great movement and dynamism in the first half. In the first half, Tokyo was on top, and in the second half, we were on top. In the end, I think it was a game where we continued to fight evenly in the first and second halves. There were two reasons why we were able to take control in the second half. One was that Tokyo defended our attacks by dropping back and didn't press us too much during build-up. That made it easier for us to go forward. And the other reason was that when we came to this stadium, we had the determination to get a result no matter what. I think the desire to aim for the top in the Nabisco Cup led to today's victory."